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Go Back   Madabout Kitcars Forum > Mad Build Area > Marlin 5exi builds

Marlin 5exi builds Calling all you sexi builders....sorry 5exi builders, show us your progress.

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  #1  
Old 8th June 2008, 06:11
paulsul paulsul is offline
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Hi guys
I got the tax & registration number yesterday. The car was not inspected by DVLA and they would not let me use the donor registration for some reason but is still age related.
I have taken it out for it's maiden run and was absolutely delighted with the performance and reasonable ride.
I did not experience the bump steer & twitchyness the some of you have had.
The only slight problem was the front wheels rubbing on extreme bumps. This was quickly rectified by raising the ride height by about 10mm (the car had settled down a lot after it's first proper run) I am also running 17" TSW Catalunya rims an rather low profile Yokohamas.
I will do my best to post some pictures this week

Cheers
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  #2  
Old 8th June 2008, 07:48
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SDMC001 SDMC001 is offline
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Are you running the new rear suspension? Reason for asking is the even the old does not give me any problems until I get 75+ then throttle back or brake, then it gets very lively and unpleasant to drive.

Glad to hear your on the road now always a good feeling especially as you have the summer ahead.

DVLA will not give the old number to a kit car, as you said only age related, unusual though they did not check it, they normally insist on seeing the engine number and confirm its what you say it is.

What engine have you used.
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  #3  
Old 8th June 2008, 08:16
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Well done Paul.

Merlin man went on his first run as well yeterday as well. Two Marlin's in the same day!

Hopefully the pair of us are going out for a run togther with the both of them.
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  #4  
Old 8th June 2008, 12:17
paulsul paulsul is offline
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It's all great stuff guys. Just been out in fantastic sunshine and gave it a blast down M4. I only took it up to 80 and it felt ok. I didn't have to brake too hard so have not yet experienced any adverse handling.
My chassis & suspension was bought late 2005. I don't know if this is old or new type. I have put the 1800 VVC motor in and it is a flyer. Very quick off the mark and was cruising at 80 with 2500rpm.
Having read all the comments about the poor handling I was very tentative when took it out first.
I am begining to LOVE IT despite all the heartache it has given me (a bit like kids really, you love them no matter what the do)
I am trying to post photos but am not having much joy. I am on talktalk broadband and am not sure what I am doing
Cheers
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  #5  
Old 8th June 2008, 18:17
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Paul, just use any one of the free photo hosts! photobucket etc and it is very simple after that as all you need to do is copy direct link to your post and this will link to the server of your choice

You have early suspension like the rest of us!

Mine is not on the road yet but I have been in a couple at high speed,
a honda type r and a turbo version and from what I remember when I drove the turbo car is that backing off the throttle suddenly at about 80 or above made the rear end feel very lively and loose.

All cars suffer from this and like everything in life the more you push it the more it will show it's ugly head

Congrats by the way

Craig
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Old 8th June 2008, 18:54
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Hi Paul,
Well done another 5EXi on the road and the sun is shining for you too. I noticed that you were on the M4 giving it a blast what area are you in as i was also on the M4 with mine today, we may be quite close to each other.

Regards
Mike R
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  #7  
Old 8th June 2008, 19:30
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Well done - it is a pleasing feel when you finally drive the car legally. It feels a bit odd at first, and every noise raises some suspicion!

80mph @ 2500rpm - that seems a bit odd to me! A typical diesel is geared approx 30mph per 1000 rpm. I'd expect a VVC k-series to be nearer 4000rpm.
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Old 8th June 2008, 20:39
paulsul paulsul is offline
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Hi Mike
I live in Llanelli, 12 miles West of Swansea.
Where are you at?
Cheers
Paul
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  #9  
Old 8th June 2008, 20:41
paulsul paulsul is offline
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I have tried and failed with this photo lark.
Wasted too much time when I could have been out.
I will seek some help and have another go
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  #10  
Old 8th June 2008, 20:49
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Mine also went on its first ride yesterday.

only 15 yards but temporarily it was on all four wheels so rolled it out of the garage cleaned up a bit and rolled it back in.

As suspected my ride hieght is intestingly low (115mm) thats without the engine in.
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  #11  
Old 9th June 2008, 15:54
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You can email pics to me if you want - I'll post them

I'll PM my email address.
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  #12  
Old 9th June 2008, 20:06
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Hi Paul,
I'm just off junction 16 of the M4 so not that close really. If you are down this way at anytime or want an excuse to give the car a run let me know and we can meet up.

Regards
Mike
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  #13  
Old 9th June 2008, 20:48
paulsul paulsul is offline
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Cheers Mike
Junc 16 is Swindon?
When I summon up enough courage to go that far I will let you know. Just keeping local until I get a few miles on the clock without any trouble. So far so good

Regards
Paul
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  #14  
Old 11th June 2008, 14:42
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Well done, first run is always the best

Same with my sportster I got an F plate but not the same as the donor.
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  #15  
Old 12th June 2008, 08:54
5EXi girl 5EXi girl is offline
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Fantastic to hear that so many of you are getting your cars on the road or moving :-). In my experience, after Mark fitted the new style suspension onto the back of the demo, it virtually eliminated the back of the car having a mind of its own at those times when needing to brake hard at speed. I know this is quite a common thing in mid engined cars but after driving the Sportster (RWD) I found it quite unsettling. Now I can drive the car with total confidence.

Might be something you may want to consider later on, but for now, ENJOY.

Terry
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  #16  
Old 12th June 2008, 20:03
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Terry

Your previous comment interested me, is this the first public admission that there clearly was design flaw in the old suspension on the 5EXI, if this is so why was it not recalled. I for one, and I know other owners cannot enjoy their cars to their full potential due to the handling issues.
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  #17  
Old 12th June 2008, 21:39
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Some pictures of Pauls car. Very nice.











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  #18  
Old 13th June 2008, 08:54
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Like the use of donor parts for the centre console.

I've done the same with the screen surround and I was going to paint the front splitter too.
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  #19  
Old 13th June 2008, 09:35
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Looking good paul, Your center console is interesting how wide it is at the top! Does this not protrude into your leg space?

I tried a couple of designs on mine trying to get it as wide as possible at the top for maybe radio etc but could not drive the car!

How tall are you?
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  #20  
Old 13th June 2008, 17:04
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wow that looks great Paul, like the interior styling, it suits the car, although like Craig I was surprised there was enough room. Umm may have to consider fitting a centre console.
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