Is there anybody out there...
 

Hi Guys / Girls,

Just wondered if anyone is currently building an exi; or about to start?

Activity levels have died on the forum!

Rich

Perhaps their new car will create some new interest??

https://www.facebook.com/avatarsport...type=3&theater

Looks pretty cool.

cheers, peter

Hi Rich still here, I thought much the same.

All quite, thought maybe time of year.

Hope some interest gets sparked.

I became a new owner of my 5exi towards the end of last year.
A Rover T16 turbo engined car, ive been doing a bit of work on over the winter, looking forward to getting out about and a few trackdays this year:becky:
Below is a picture when the first owner built it, someone may know the car.

Started building one a few years ago to use up my wifes BRM that she wouldn't sell or crush and had just left rusting on her parents drive.

it's largely all done but has to go off to IVA but before that it needs something doing with the exhaust as it makes waaaay too much noise to pass right now. So when the weather gets better I've just got to get a trailer and take it off to the exhaust place so they can put a reasonator in somewhere to drop the noise.

Pictures..???

haha "Marlin T16" it was you that beat me to that on ebay some months back!!! :icon_cool: Hope its going well?

Just bought one as of Wednesday - a 1600 K series none registered vehicle as it stands.

Does anybody have any original build documents or manuals that I can purchase?

Many thanks,

Alex

Hi Alex,

Whose car have you bought? What spec etc...and what do you still need to do on it?

Reason I ask is that there are 4 main sources of info for build:-

1) Marlin instructions (3 pages of A4 and a disc with loads of pictures)
2) Which Kit magazine build article series
3) This forum
4) Other builders websites / blogs

Depending on what you need to do will depend on the best source of info.

Cheers

Rich

uhhh, heres some pics - I don't have a blog of them or anything because I'm not a massive user of such things on the internet [ironic when you consider what I do for a living].

Windscreen not on in these ones as the most recent ones are on my wifes phone [it's technically her car!].

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jackson...57663593851166

J

Hey guys, thanks for the reply and links to pictures.

I bought a black 5EXI off eBay, it was sold as none running and no IVA. It's a 1.6 k-series, looks almost complete.

I've had a little play with it over the weekend and have noticed some minor things that require attention but on the whole the car is almost there.

I guess I'd really just like to understand the wiring of the vehicle so any circuit diagrams would be useful - although I guess each is rather individual. Long term I would like to use PG1 gearbox so any mechanical info where that's concerned would be great too 😀

I'll begin to upload some photos in coming weeks - hoping for warmer weather 👍😎

Thanks very much

Nice pics, I have not seen a green one before. Looks good. Looks like you have the mark 2 chassis and suspension? Should help the handling.

When are you planning iva?

Thanks. IVA will be as soon as I sort the exhaust noise out [currently whacks out about 104dB according to my sound meter so will never pass] so probably March/April.

There's a bit of orange to eventually go into the paint job as well on the nose to give the the racing green/orange snout look of the BRM donor.

J

There is a PDF of the original Rover Electrical wiring which I used extensively - rather than upload it I've found a link here http://roverclub-bg.com/index.php_fi...diagrams98.pdf

I ended up building my own loom from scratch as i never had the mini-loom and it was just easier so my diagrams wouldn't help you much.

I've got the PG1 gearbox on the VVC and the linkage is quite different from the R65 box but ultimately it just needs a different bracket to connect cables to and it works fine.

HTH

J

Still Here
 

Hi to all I look in from time to time and have still got a 5exi (parked up till spring)
good to see there are still a few on the go and a few of the old times still at it. For what its worth I still have the wiring drawing that came with my car that was a mark 1 if it is any use I can scan & mail it over to anyone.
Mike

Thanks for the info jacksongreen, I'd be interested in seeing images of the PG1 linkage for future reference and modifications if possible?

mike joiner - any original documentation would be great.

I think I am planning on taking the whole assembly back to the bare bones and starting from scratch, just so I understand the car and how it goes together etc.

Incidentally, does any body know what the ball joints are from for the ear and front hubs? Mine appear to have started to split and would defo fail any IVA inspection.

It has been a while since I have toyed with cars - I need to get back in to the swing of things!! :thumb:

Alex

Alex,

I think that the bottom ball joint is Austin Maxi? (I'm sure someone has identified it on this forum previously if you search)



Rich

Hi there
Not 100 % but I think the ones I used were a Landrover part
will try and find box tonight and get back
Mike

Very unscientific google search came up with this:- I reckon they may well be the ones?
http://www.rallydesign.co.uk/product...ducts_id=11839

Rich

Wicked - thanks dude, would be nice to just be able to replace the boot. The car hasn't seen the road so it will be fine other than the cracked boot.

I'm itching to get going with this, but lack of heated garage and dark nights is holding me back!!

Guys, I need advice on some of the smaller things too. I've searched the forum, the car apparently used to belong to user 'rob101' who sadly passed on by the look of things. I do not have any idea about the donor vehicle, but wish to use the donor plate. I have as much as an engine number. How do I go about sourcing the original plate. Is it best to get a plate before IVA? I've noticed there is a chassis marking - would this be given by the DVLA or would it be made up by the original owner? I'm unsure how all this works?

Any help is again much appreciated guys.

Cheers,

Alex

Alex

The old plate wont help even if you had it, you cant use the number, what you would get is an age related number, and that's based on you having the old details.

As you don't have anything it maybe worth exploring a new reg if you have enough new parts, or at least receipts, a number of us went down that route.

If you do decide the age related, might be of some value if you could buy a old car such as rover 216 ect just for the details.

To answer should you get a plate in advance, no, the DVLA will grant you a number after IVA and checks done to confirm your engine number. Not 100% on how its done these days as I got my car through SVA and the local DVLA inspector came to check my car then I git my number issued.

Hope this helps.

Steve

J

Re the engine noise at 104db, are you running a cat, they can eat some sound

Thanks Steve, cleared a lot up there - had my eye on a donor vehicle in a 200 VI so hoping to upgrade engine and get plate from that 😁

Hi Alex,

I remember this black car coming up 5 years ago....the builder had unfortunately passed away in a motorcycle crash and his wife was selling the car. It was around Warrington somewhere I think? Where are you based?

It is an early Mk1 car with the Mk1 rear suspension....so I would definitely modify that to reduce the bumpsteer. Loads of posts on here about options on how to do so.

Noise - should be fine if you have the cat (mine was an original 1.6k series and less than 98db)....I ran the standard backbox with seperate cat and it was fine. Are you using a calibrated meter to measure it? Many of the smartphone apps aren't any where near to calibration.


Rich

Hi Rich, that's right about the vehicle history, or as much as I know at least. thanks for letting me know about the suspension, wish I'd read up more on these cars!! Haha! I'll get there I hope.

It is loud as a 1.6 but I can't tell how loud. It has a cat welded into the main exhaust - hoping it is within any limits as you've suggested.

Got my donor 200 vi tonight so will be dropping in the vvc at some point. Does anyone have any advice about the gearbox mount, clutch cable and gear change?

Cheers,

Alex

Alex,

I converted mine from 1.6K with R65 gearbox to 1.8VVC using the R65 gearbox still a couple of years ago. Doing it this way is relatively simple and keeps the gearing good for fast acceleration....you swap the engine and transfer the 1.6 clutch and flywheel to the 1.8 so that it mounts to the gearbox. Swap the ECU over and connect up the VVC engine wiring loom...job done. Took me a few weeks to do the swap as I had a few issues airlocking the cooling system!....it works well but if I am brutal I can slip the clutch.The R65 box/clutch is on the limit with 140-160bhp

If you choose to use the 1.8VVC and the PG1 gearbox that it comes with this is a more robust solution. Gearbox mounts are different (not sure how much different), driveshafts on the PG1 box are different and the cable change brackets are different. Not beyond the wit of man to do though. If I remember correctly some of the Rover 200's had a limited slip diff fitted to the PG1 as standard....not sure if this was the BRM or Vi?

Rich

Thanks again Rich, I will have a go at changing the lot, gearbox included. I have access to a workshop so I can fabricate brackets etc, I just need to know what they roughly look like so I may be on the scrounge for images of particular features 😎

I will stick with the PG1 gearbox cable clutch, although I've read hydraulic is better. I just want to keep things simple for time being - get it running properly and have it pass the IVA. I really want to get this beast on the road for late spring.😜

Alex

Alex,

Goodluck with the engine, gearbox and ECU swap. The results are worth it in my opinion.

Regarding the IVA - I suggest you get the paperwork sorted out soon and booked. From memory my SVA took a month to come through (Shrewsbury) and then needed a retest 3 weeks later....not many cars pass first time :)

Rich

Slow progress the weekend but getting there :)

Are the pg1 engine mounts different to the r65 on the 5exi frame? Is there a kit for this or could one be fabricated easily enough?

Thanks,

Alex

Alex

Yes the PG1 mounts are different, Marlin used to provide them, might be worth contacting Terry at Marlin.

I went down the same route a Rich with the R65 being married up to an 1800 , does make you smile, my car was built as a 1600, took it up to an 1800VVC.

I would make one suggestion if you do go down the PG1 route and that would be to consider a hydraulic clutch as it will be lighter, the only change you need to make to the box is to change the fulcrum are, think an MGF one would suit.

Thanks for the info, I'll have a look how it sits, got a few bits and bobs in the garage and I could probably fabricate something up at work if need be. I guess I just need to site the engine and take it from there.

I know Richard mentioned an air lock with the cooling system - how was this overcome? There is a bleed point on the metal pipe on the k series and there's an elbow just off the radiator top outlet. Is there a particular sequence that is recommended?

Cheers,

Alex

I am running a cat yes, it's only a 200 cell one tho so maybe a higher cell count could help. I've considered some kind of flow restrictor as well but it's not going to cost that much to get a new system built with a resonator in there to really kill the sound.

J

Hi Rich,

Yes still about.

Looking at putting mine up for sale soon. Just not getting time to use it, which is a shame.

Just want to sort out a few niggles (not affecting the running of it).

Evening All
 

Hi Guys

I look in occasionally but having moved the 5Exi on, in favour of a Classic Mini, its not often.

Its a bit like old times reading the questions from the progressing builds.

The wiring was a trudge and I recall spending days cross-legged in the sun at the bottom of the garden working through it.

Mechanical mods abound to make the car work to my satisfaction.

I converted to the MGF gear change and handbrake, as well as a Rover 400 hydraulic clutch.

I still have a lot of the photographs most referred to in posts I made at the time.


JohnC

Hi John. I'm still around. Still got you blue 5exi. Hope you are well. Cheers Duncan

Good to hear from you Duncan.

The Mini is no substitute for the 1800 VVC I know that.


John

Hi John. Looking to move the car on if you are interested. Cheers Duncan

Yes Alex he said he had another bid on the car, its a great car, and is rapid, quicker than my old RPI tuned 3.9 V8 westfield, love it, ive been doing a few mods over the winter, and looking forward to the warmer weather

https://goo.gl/photos/1dC5tfWwVWhD7r8C6

Pictures showing upgrades, new seats, and 3" sabelts, new rubber floor mats, steering wheel, dash gauges, rear spoiler, led rear lights.etc etc

Hi peeps
I still about
The kit has been collecting dust for about 5 years
Hope to move it to a better location this year and start doing some work on the build :dance: