Turbo'd Locost Kit Car - chasing 300bhp!
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slickcell
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By way of some kind of update, I've been informed that my loom and ECU is on route. He also sent me some pictures to content me for now.... Looks good
Everything is braid-wrapped, heatshrunk and labelled...
This has been measured to be an exact fit for my car so there should be nothing hanging out, looking out of place or too long.
My headlights and taillights are also ready for installation but I'm awaiting the loom before I proceed with this.... Unashamedly, I copied @Rob on these but hey ho!
I've got some carbon look light pods for these to go into. These all in one units should clean up both ends of the car unlike most!
I now also have TWO matching (kind of) Wilwood Powerlites and fast road pads. Rally Design were fantastic in hunting down the last black caliper on sale anywhere - apparently the grey version have replaced the black but they don't look great in my opinion. I am waiting for some 265mm drilled and grooved discs to arrive this week before I can finally tick off my brake setup!
I've also upgraded all of my fuel lines to heavy duty, steel braided hoses throughout and fitted slimmer engine mounts to JUST tuck the engine under the bonnet.
Oh - and I've wrapped the side panels grey, completed my transmission tunnel and fitted my wingstays + cycle wings but I'll update over the weekend with some proper pics.
To be done this week/weekend:
- fit wiring loom + attempt to start the car
- fit digital dash + all gauges
- fit brakes + bleed
- fit clutch line + bleed
- fit headlights + taillights
- fit passenger seat + seat belt
- fit intercooler piping
Everything is braid-wrapped, heatshrunk and labelled...
This has been measured to be an exact fit for my car so there should be nothing hanging out, looking out of place or too long.
My headlights and taillights are also ready for installation but I'm awaiting the loom before I proceed with this.... Unashamedly, I copied @Rob on these but hey ho!
I've got some carbon look light pods for these to go into. These all in one units should clean up both ends of the car unlike most!
I now also have TWO matching (kind of) Wilwood Powerlites and fast road pads. Rally Design were fantastic in hunting down the last black caliper on sale anywhere - apparently the grey version have replaced the black but they don't look great in my opinion. I am waiting for some 265mm drilled and grooved discs to arrive this week before I can finally tick off my brake setup!
I've also upgraded all of my fuel lines to heavy duty, steel braided hoses throughout and fitted slimmer engine mounts to JUST tuck the engine under the bonnet.
Oh - and I've wrapped the side panels grey, completed my transmission tunnel and fitted my wingstays + cycle wings but I'll update over the weekend with some proper pics.
To be done this week/weekend:
- fit wiring loom + attempt to start the car
- fit digital dash + all gauges
- fit brakes + bleed
- fit clutch line + bleed
- fit headlights + taillights
- fit passenger seat + seat belt
- fit intercooler piping
slickcell
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Here's a quick video I took of the gauges I finally decided on.... Boost, Oil pressure and water temperature.
I'll have these fitted to my carbon dash alongside my AEM wideband and 6 black aluminium Savage switches. Tarty!!!
I'll have these fitted to my carbon dash alongside my AEM wideband and 6 black aluminium Savage switches. Tarty!!!
mike150
RMS Regular
You said...……………………….
'To be done this week/weekend:
- fit wiring loom + attempt to start the car
- fit digital dash + all gauges
- fit brakes + bleed
- fit clutch line + bleed
- fit headlights + taillights
- fit passenger seat + seat belt
- fit intercooler piping'
That list would take me weeks/months
'To be done this week/weekend:
- fit wiring loom + attempt to start the car
- fit digital dash + all gauges
- fit brakes + bleed
- fit clutch line + bleed
- fit headlights + taillights
- fit passenger seat + seat belt
- fit intercooler piping'
That list would take me weeks/months
slickcell
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- #405
You said...……………………….
'To be done this week/weekend:
- fit wiring loom + attempt to start the car
- fit digital dash + all gauges
- fit brakes + bleed
- fit clutch line + bleed
- fit headlights + taillights
- fit passenger seat + seat belt
- fit intercooler piping'
That list would take me weeks/months
Haha.... I set myself amitious targets!!
slickcell
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- #408
So after what seems like a lifetime of waiting, my loom and ECU FINALLY arrived....
Excuse the exposed wires immediately out of the ECU - they won't be wrapped until I figure out where I'm joining my gauges and digital dash etc
I also upgraded my brakes to 265mm drilled and grooved, so they arrived today too - looking forward to fitting these. I had to send my braided brake lines back to have the ends redone in 1/8 NPT for the wilwoods. Unfortunately they're still not back so more delays on that front!
Excuse the exposed wires immediately out of the ECU - they won't be wrapped until I figure out where I'm joining my gauges and digital dash etc
I also upgraded my brakes to 265mm drilled and grooved, so they arrived today too - looking forward to fitting these. I had to send my braided brake lines back to have the ends redone in 1/8 NPT for the wilwoods. Unfortunately they're still not back so more delays on that front!
svensktoppen
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Looks like you're not short of other things to do while you wait, lol 
Brilliant project this, bet you can't wait to get out on the road Must be a special feeling, knowing you did it all yourself, knowing literally every nut and bolt!
Brilliant project this, bet you can't wait to get out on the road
Must be a special feeling, knowing you did it all yourself, knowing literally every nut and bolt!slickcell
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Looks like you're not short of other things to do while you wait, lol
Brilliant project this, bet you can't wait to get out on the road
Well, yeah you'd think that. I'd pay someone to finish it for me though and to forget every nut and bolt. I just want to give it some death! Lol
svensktoppen
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Well at least you've done it once, that's an achievement 
slickcell
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Little bit of an update despite the non-arrival of parts still holding me back from ticking more off:
265mm drilled and grooved discs fitted along with (finally) my Wilwoods and braided brake lines:
Rose jointed track rod ends fitted:
Got my pedal box sorted finally and nicely braided accelerator cable mounted - works a treat now
A few new tarty bits also arrived - firstly, my oil cooler setup. Mocal hoses, mocal thermostatic sandwich plate and motamec cooler. Unfortunately I couldn't fit this today as I need male-male 1/2 BSP adapters but these have been ordered up.
Secondly, my passenger seat arrived. I went for a slightly different style with this one compared to the driver seat. The new seat is much nicer in my opinion. I might in fact, make this the driver's seat (or buy another to have a matching pair - we will see)
Unfortunately, I've nothing to report with regards to actually starting the car. The guys doing my loom only sent me the engine loom minus my ignition plugs, which was a little daft. I'm also awaiting completion of my chassis loom before I can get to work on the lights and dash etc.
I'm off to Venice on Friday so I obviously won't get anything done this weekend. Lol. However, the REST of my loom should have arrived by the time I get back, after which I hope that I can fly through it with little hiccups
265mm drilled and grooved discs fitted along with (finally) my Wilwoods and braided brake lines:
Rose jointed track rod ends fitted:
Got my pedal box sorted finally and nicely braided accelerator cable mounted - works a treat now
A few new tarty bits also arrived - firstly, my oil cooler setup. Mocal hoses, mocal thermostatic sandwich plate and motamec cooler. Unfortunately I couldn't fit this today as I need male-male 1/2 BSP adapters but these have been ordered up.
Secondly, my passenger seat arrived. I went for a slightly different style with this one compared to the driver seat. The new seat is much nicer in my opinion. I might in fact, make this the driver's seat (or buy another to have a matching pair - we will see)
Unfortunately, I've nothing to report with regards to actually starting the car. The guys doing my loom only sent me the engine loom minus my ignition plugs, which was a little daft. I'm also awaiting completion of my chassis loom before I can get to work on the lights and dash etc.
I'm off to Venice on Friday so I obviously won't get anything done this weekend. Lol. However, the REST of my loom should have arrived by the time I get back, after which I hope that I can fly through it with little hiccups
slickcell
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I picked up a set of Compomotive ML1390s for the rear as I needed something seriously wide to fill my 345mm arches. I wasn't keen on running spacers so these, with a 9 inch width and -24 offset work perfectly. They'll also be better for putting the power down than the previous 7 inch rears 
(excuse my dodgy arch wrap - I'm redoing this)
I will be putting a matching set of 8s on the front too, providing they fit. Otherwise, I'll maybe see about just having my current fronts powder coated in silver to match these.
(excuse my dodgy arch wrap - I'm redoing this)
I will be putting a matching set of 8s on the front too, providing they fit. Otherwise, I'll maybe see about just having my current fronts powder coated in silver to match these.
Paul Hamill
RMS Regular
Have you made your dash panel yet?
I made a new one last weekend and home-flocked it.Was a bit skeptical but it turned out good.
I made a new one last weekend and home-flocked it.Was a bit skeptical but it turned out good.
Paul Hamill
RMS Regular
Seeing as things are quiet around here at the moment
lol, and I know you all like the se7en content, here’s mine as of this evening just after an engine and gearbox rebuild so hopefully I’ll finally be able to get the season started at last.
lol, and I know you all like the se7en content, here’s mine as of this evening just after an engine and gearbox rebuild so hopefully I’ll finally be able to get the season started at last.
that is something else!Seeing as things are quiet around here at the moment
those back wheels?!
slickcell
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So I haven't gotten lazy incase some of you guys think that's why I've gone quiet! Lengthy delays since ordering the loom but it's finally here and in one piece!
Spent most of today making a list of 'to-dos' to finish along with plugging all of my wiring in, and testing it all with the MaxxECU MTune software
Everything seems in order and basically ready to be started but I don't want to rush into this as I want to do some final checks before I get her fired up!
However, here's a test of the injector sequence:
And the fuel pumps:
I've also got Pete sorting out my downpipe and exhaust at the minute so that shouldn't be too long before it's ready to fit!
Also, a new nose cone (MK Indy one this time) which is a much nicer cone in my opinion and much roomier for my radiator/intercooler (Intercooler+Oil cooler not fitted here):
The keen eye might also notice my second seat fitted and I also got a matching pair of TRS harnesses.
I should be able to make some rapid progress from here really, so all systems go now with no more delays (hopefully)
Spent most of today making a list of 'to-dos' to finish along with plugging all of my wiring in, and testing it all with the MaxxECU MTune software
Everything seems in order and basically ready to be started but I don't want to rush into this as I want to do some final checks before I get her fired up!
However, here's a test of the injector sequence:
And the fuel pumps:
I've also got Pete sorting out my downpipe and exhaust at the minute so that shouldn't be too long before it's ready to fit!
Also, a new nose cone (MK Indy one this time) which is a much nicer cone in my opinion and much roomier for my radiator/intercooler (Intercooler+Oil cooler not fitted here):
The keen eye might also notice my second seat fitted and I also got a matching pair of TRS harnesses.
I should be able to make some rapid progress from here really, so all systems go now with no more delays (hopefully)
Last edited:
roverspeed
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Rob
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They are E marked, mine passed mot no problem
slickcell
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So today wasn't without hiccups - almost three hiccups for each bit of progress but in summary.....
I started my intercooler pipes and got them 3/4s of the way there. However, I am missing a few couplers/reducers to complete the turbo side but they should be here this week at some stage.
I then set about connecting up the fuel lines. With the turbo conversion, I believe I need to have a return fuel rail with an adjustable fuel pressure regulator. The stock MX5 fuel rail is a non-return version but this can be modified into a returning rail with an adapter.
The pulse dampener pictured below is removed and replaced with an adapter....
And an AN fitting allows connection to the FPR and return line - easy....
However, the AN fitting fouls the inside of the inlet manifold meaning the rail wont mount properly and line up with the injectors....
I thought the only option here was to buy an expensive aftermarket fuel rail but I found an alternative adapter with the push-on return barb exiting directly below so I am almost certain this will work.
And the annoyance didn't stop there, as I realised I needed to sort a little leak on my shortened sump. No big, big issues - just hassle. They will be put right this week and HOPEFULLY we can get the car fired up this week!
I started my intercooler pipes and got them 3/4s of the way there. However, I am missing a few couplers/reducers to complete the turbo side but they should be here this week at some stage.
I then set about connecting up the fuel lines. With the turbo conversion, I believe I need to have a return fuel rail with an adjustable fuel pressure regulator. The stock MX5 fuel rail is a non-return version but this can be modified into a returning rail with an adapter.
The pulse dampener pictured below is removed and replaced with an adapter....
And an AN fitting allows connection to the FPR and return line - easy....
However, the AN fitting fouls the inside of the inlet manifold meaning the rail wont mount properly and line up with the injectors....
I thought the only option here was to buy an expensive aftermarket fuel rail but I found an alternative adapter with the push-on return barb exiting directly below so I am almost certain this will work.
And the annoyance didn't stop there, as I realised I needed to sort a little leak on my shortened sump. No big, big issues - just hassle. They will be put right this week and HOPEFULLY we can get the car fired up this week!
slickcell
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Seeing as things are quiet around here at the moment
Sorry Paul - I completely ignored you! The dash looks great but Jesus, that car!!! I'm jealous!!!
When are you next out with it?