Jenson Velcro Posted November 6, 2021 Share Posted November 6, 2021 I hope the springs are weak in the locks. You haven’t left much leverage to get those keys to turn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted November 6, 2021 Author Share Posted November 6, 2021 The yellow key is for a 27 year old ignition, the red for a £1.99 eBay petrol filler cap - both are about as loose as you would expect, they tested just fine Jenson Velcro 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timewaster Posted November 7, 2021 Share Posted November 7, 2021 Years ago a local key cutting place used to do keys that shape which came with a coloured plastic sleeve to give some purchase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted November 7, 2021 Author Share Posted November 7, 2021 more weight saving big ugly nuts hello, ebay, please send me some tat nice smoll nuts I need to get out more Tickman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tickman Posted November 7, 2021 Share Posted November 7, 2021 With all this weight saving you can tuck into some more pies! gm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted November 14, 2021 Author Share Posted November 14, 2021 this week, I have mostly been titting about with tinting film normal mx5 yellow tint smoke tint switchback drl leds fitted - these are quite clever, illuminate white but mute the white and flash orange for indicators maybe I should straighten that wonky number plate ? its been like that since June I have a spare set of rear lights so why not have a go here too ? smoke tint looks ok red tint looks utterly shit (and was a sod to apply) the reason for all this titting about with tints is the back end of the Exo is a bit of a mess, lighting wise - a bit of subtly applied smoke and / or red tint should tidy this up a bit and the headlights will be going yellow but mostly, as I've had a buggered back, I've not been able to do any real work I visited the Exo stand at the NEC classics show at the weekend and have regained my motivation - I'll get that bloody test booked...soon ! Tickman, GMcD, Supernaut and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeB Posted November 14, 2021 Share Posted November 14, 2021 57 minutes ago, gm said: this week, I have mostly been titting about with tinting film normal mx5 yellow tint smoke tint switchback drl leds fitted - these are quite clever, illuminate white but mute the white and flash orange for indicators maybe I should straighten that wonky number plate ? its been like that since June I have a spare set of rear lights so why not have a go here too ? smoke tint looks ok red tint looks utterly shit (and was a sod to apply) the reason for all this titting about with tints is the back end of the Exo is a bit of a mess, lighting wise - a bit of subtly applied smoke and / or red tint should tidy this up a bit and the headlights will be going yellow but mostly, as I've had a buggered back, I've not been able to do any real work I visited the Exo stand at the NEC classics show at the weekend and have regained my motivation - I'll get that bloody test booked...soon ! Stick with white and get the headlamp and bonnet sorted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted November 14, 2021 Author Share Posted November 14, 2021 1 hour ago, GeorgeB said: get the headlamp and bonnet sorted. it’s been like that for four years, i’ve kind of got used to it GeorgeB 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercedade Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 11 hours ago, gm said: GeorgeB 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyrew Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 Smoked tint looks good to me! gm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted November 15, 2021 Author Share Posted November 15, 2021 4 hours ago, mercedade said: headlamps now level but still goofy looking Craig the Princess and mercedade 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercedade Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 Bloody love this car. You've stolen my track day dreams. gm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted April 1, 2022 Author Share Posted April 1, 2022 right then, it's only been four months, might be time for a quick update so, what's been happening ? truth is, not a lot I made a list I made a bonnet prop I wrapped the fuel lines in protective wrap I painted the backs of the seats I spent twenty quid on a fancy vin plate and did a bit of riveting piss poor reflectors were acquired and fitted I did a noise test buggering hell, the limit is 99dB I fannied about calibrating the fuel gauge only one thing left to do then better book the test ! Tickman, LightBulbFun, Stanky and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted April 1, 2022 Author Share Posted April 1, 2022 so I booked the test and put it on the calendar better check the weather forecast to see what I'll be up against hmm, not so good then, is that rain or snow ? don't worry, they're not accurate, get some sleep aaargh ! what the fuck ? wake up you sleepy bastard ! yes, todays the day ! I dimly recall something about the weather , better check again 100% chance of snow ? I don't fucking think so ! better check again nah, can't be right I know, have a look out of the window ? oh, for fucks fucking sake ! calm down, man, get some breakfast and have a think channelling the Blues Brothers "it's twenty miles to my destination, I'm on semi slick trackday tyres, I don't have doors, a roof or a windscreen, and it's fucking snowing" big boy pants on (and many other layers) hello EXO fuck it, what's the worst that can happen ? Supernaut, Dick Longbridge, Isopon and 19 others 15 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted April 1, 2022 Author Share Posted April 1, 2022 I live on a hill, we get snow when the rest of the town doesn't - all I need to do is get down from the hill and we're all sorted.... holy shit, this is so sketchy the back end is all over the place but I've been waiting for this day for two years let's go ! 20mph, note the angle I am steering just to keep a straight line sat nat wants me to jump straight on the A1, I'm thinking that a three lane motorway might not be the best choice today I plotted an alternative route and nervously made my way north, at around ten miles in, I found a convenient lay-by to pull over and check the car couldn't resist a photo opportunity 'twas fucking cold I crossed the Tyne Bridge and made my way through Newcastle to Gosforth, and my nemesis DVee8, Fabergé Greggs, MorrisItalSLX and 20 others 23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crackers Posted April 2, 2022 Share Posted April 2, 2022 Can't leave us hanging like this, bloody hell! LightBulbFun and gm 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted April 2, 2022 Author Share Posted April 2, 2022 yes I bloody can ! no photos in the test centre (not allowed) but I was there for four hours while the tester, who was a really sound guy, had a jolly good poke around my little EXO within five minutes, he'd found a problem loose wiring in the engine bay, a quick cable tie and we're good to go a brake flexi rubbing on the chassis, no problem, a bit of fuel hose can protect that pop the wiring tray open and let's see what's going on here hmm, all those relays need to be fixed in place by brackets, cable ties are just no good how about those steering rack bolts ? are they loctited ? and the engine mounts ? loctited ? and the seat mounts ? and the harness mounts ? and the calliper mounts ? and everything fucking else ? ok, not looking much like a pass today I'd been concerned about things I couldn't test at home so was pleased when the brake test went well, noise was passed at only 90dB, emissions should pass as long as I can prove the age of the engine (the v5 has it as 1999, the date of import, but the donor was built in 1992), headlight aim and beam pattern was a joke which really pissed me off as the lights are supplied as part of the kit, alternative plans are afoot. the tester took it outside and had a wee drive around, officially testing the steering but I think he just wanted to have a blast around the car park so the official verdict was a "not a pass" disappointing, but not many kit cars do pass first time. I've got a list of remedial which wont take long and a retest will be booked but, getting a fail didn't make the day a disaster - far from it, I learned a lot and had the chance to DRIVE FORTY MILES IN A CAR I'D BUILT MYSELF IN MY BLOODY GARAGE ! and, I'll tell you what, it's a whole lot of fun ! I came back through the "Oggy Oggy Oggy" tunnels and made a vido (four minutes of Bambi on ice then proper roads on the way back, a moderate quantity of beans were given) so , watch this space, EXO fans ! Back_For_More, rainagain, Jenson Velcro and 31 others 32 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirley Knott Posted April 2, 2022 Share Posted April 2, 2022 You much have bollox like an elephant- Brave man. I'd have been bricking it without the snow, I honestly can't believe you went ahead rather than re-scheduling! All of the problems seem like they should be simple to remedy at least, and the weather can only get better eh? gm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted April 2, 2022 Author Share Posted April 2, 2022 you can only reschedule up to three days in advance of the test date, leave it to the last minute and you forfeit the (not insignificant) test fee ! but i did question my sanity several times on that journey it was worth it Shirley Knott, GMcD and Tickman 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tickman Posted April 2, 2022 Share Posted April 2, 2022 Fantastic update. Have you booked the retest 😉 gm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juular Posted April 2, 2022 Share Posted April 2, 2022 Holy shit man, this looks amazing. Good luck with the retest, it'll fly through now you know the details. gm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hairnet Posted April 2, 2022 Share Posted April 2, 2022 hey it made it and back 80 miles not bad for something that wasnt thought of/pile of bits not long ago nice one marra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hairnet Posted April 2, 2022 Share Posted April 2, 2022 Cold? Not done that much have you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted April 13, 2022 Author Share Posted April 13, 2022 right then, let's have a list made and get started the headlights provided with the kit are notoriously poor so I wasn't particularly surprised that I had problems with them they do look a bit goofy too looking around for a solution that was not hideously expensive (most of them are) I remembered that I still had the 7" headlights form the donor mx5 dodgy beam from the Exo headlights (this is the better of the two , the other side was just a fuzzy blob ) much better beam from the mx5 headlights a bit of ebaying and a cheap set of bowls arrived hells bells, they're massive ! I fixed one in place and gave it a wee tweak to adjust the alignment bugger ! ok, not to worry, I need longer backets anyway as the bonnet wouldn't fit with the larger units there chop, bend, weld, drill, etc sturdy enough, just needs tidying so now I have a matching pair of even goofier headlights which will be coming off the day after the test now then, what next ? the tester did comment about how feeble my horn was (?) not a fail point but an excuse to upgrade he wasn't happy with loose relays in the wiring tray - brackets were made and fitted the intake manifold is touching the brake lines at the master cylinder - not good solution - remove the bracket drill a wee hole and move the proportioning valve down. for good measure, I knocked up a heatshield I covered up a LETHAL looking bolt on the front wishbone mount @DVee8 kindly dropped off a giant bottle of loctite which I applied to various nuts and bolts and that is the front end pretty much done. cort1977, Tartan58, LightBulbFun and 15 others 18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted April 20, 2022 Author Share Posted April 20, 2022 headlight wiring the other night done under the influence of Elvis Juice - i hope they work turns out i didn’t have a pair of matching sidelight bulbs yes, definitely goofy but should pass the test easily LightBulbFun, rainagain, Stanky and 6 others 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Back_For_More Posted April 20, 2022 Share Posted April 20, 2022 How far are you through the list now? Much left to get done? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted April 20, 2022 Author Share Posted April 20, 2022 i’m about half way through the snagging, should manage to get it done in a couple of weeks hopefully. i spent yesterday giving the mx5 a quick service and fitted new brakes ready for mondays trackday down at teeside @DVee8 and son will be joining me this time, should be a whole lot of fun Back_For_More, Tickman, 320touring and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted April 24, 2022 Author Share Posted April 24, 2022 the tester wasn’t happy that the top of the speedo was obscured by the steering wheel so the instrument cluster had to be lowered by a couple of cm much better (although completely pointless if the driver happens to be taller than me) anyway, another tick on the list GMcD, Tickman, DVee8 and 4 others 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted April 27, 2022 Author Share Posted April 27, 2022 a letter arrived this morning a very important letter which means i can now prove the age of the engine and take the correct emissions test (and have a chance of passing) top marks to mazda ! what a great bunch of lads GMcD, LightBulbFun, AnnoyingPentium and 9 others 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted April 27, 2022 Author Share Posted April 27, 2022 meanwhile, i gave some of the car a quick wash Jim Bell, Tickman, Broadsword and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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