EM1 Long term build (sideline EG track build)

[SteveOEM1]

Thanks guys, tomorrow's all about just checking it runs fine. Doubt there'll be videos and won't be pushing any limits. The seats are horrific and not even in the right position, I wouldn't run harnesses with them so it'll only be belts as well. As long as tomorrow goes good the winter stage will be sorting out the rusty arches, fitting the cage, harnesses and decent seats. Then next year it'll be doing its job properly!

As for doing a cheap build with a mate I'd highly recommend it! The em1 build is a very personal, meticulous and heavily thought out project... This on the other hand is just make it functional, light and fun. No having to worry to much about fit and finish has made it very enjoyable

 

[SteveOEM1]

Well its first test day outing was going perfectly until the clutch gave up - got a couple of sessions in and everything was spot, the engine was running great, brakes felt perfect and the suspension set up felt very nice considering we haven't had fully aligned or anything yet. Clutch issues ended the day early, but it's all a learning curve - very much regret using a clutch and release bearing that I thought still had a few track days left in it.

Looks like another session next month is in order before the winter jobs begin!

Loading up on the saturday..

Enjoying the view behind

Filling up the EG with 99 early on Sunday morning

Getting ready to head out on the sighting laps

On track

Loading up for home time - notice the 4x4 front end, need to go for a smaller diameter silencer (knew potentially this was a problem so already have a back up one to fit in before the next session)

Can't help feeling a little disappointed that we didnt make it through to the afternoons sessions, but considering the car had never been outside of the unit before Im still proud of what we've achieved in 6 weeks after a causal conversation about maybe building something for track. Hopefully this is just the beginning..

 

[King Sir]

Only use for a beemer ^

Chauffeuring a honda around haha.

How did u get on otherwise on track?

 

[SteveOEM1]

haha the old 540 did the job pretty well, hardly noticed it was on there.. that's not mine but my daily is an e39 touring, gets beaten on, never gets any love but gets me around in comfort and doesn't complain too much.

After the clutch went my mate decided we might as well use our track time so swapped the sticker over to the tow car... all just a bit of fun really, its a v8 with a back box delete so sounded good but that was about it - we were just laughing as we went round and everyone else seemed to find it amusing too

Yeah the EG got on really well, took it easy to begin with as it really hadn't had any rolling time since the conversion, so just wanted to make sure everything was good and working as it should. I've owned the engine for 13 years and put >120k on it - ran absolutely sweet as a nut. The EP3 seats are hideous and I can't wait to change them out over winter, they've been welded in by one of the 18 (yep!) previous owners and they're not exactly in the right location

I would have liked more seat time, but the clutch issues stopped that, I'd certainly consider myself a novice when it comes to track time as I've only done 2 days prior to this, but thats the whole point of this car is to build my confidence and experience (whole different kettle of fish when you're taking a car out you've put together yourself, but also very satisfying). The idea is that the car can improve inline with me gaining experience/confidence. My mate who's come in with me on this build is very experienced so he's a good tutor too.

Booked the next day for in a couple of weeks, but this time I'm feeling the nerves as its what I'd call a proper track!

 

[King Sir]

Good detailed writeup. Yer gas using the tow car on track.

Imagine it packed up ye would have been stranded gas men

Fair play haha

 

[SteveOEM1]

ha yeah I go on a bit in this thread but I like to document everything as I'm a bit old school and don't use instagram or anything - was on em1crew for many years and then the site went down and lost everything...

Aye we made sure not to overcook it in the tow car too much. brakes got a bit warm but that was it

For the clutch replacement we ordered an Exedy OE Spec kit, but when we went to fit it soon realised they'd sent us a D-series kit (had a spare s40 box in the unit to confirm). Exedy admitted fault but didn't have any b-series kits in stock, so the lads at Rivalmotorsport sorted us an RPC stage 1 kit and covered the difference in price as a good will gesture for Exedy screwing up the order - even dropped it off at the unit last night. Its a fairly young local company, but I couldnt recommend them enough, top lads, great service and they'll try and beat any prices in the UK.

Real quality bit of kit, can't wait to see how it feels on track!

 

[b16 mini]

Good stuff, shame about the clutch failing, where's your next track day going to be?

 

[SteveOEM1]

Cadwell mate, got a few going now, dc5, dc2, little 3rd gen and a couple of clios, so should be good crack

 

[Leej8]

That eg looks very well , good job on that !
Haha why wast a good track day ? Brilliant .
Also steve , I took out the bar that you were on about from the boot on the ej8 and now my carbonfibre boot sits nice and flush from the side , it's been bugging only the last 4, 5 years haha .
But watch your head when getting something from the boot ! hah
Brilliant work your doing dude keep it up .

 

[SteveOEM1]

cheers Lee - and good job on your boot fix.. just watch out in the wind!

 

[Leej8]

cheers Lee - and good job on your boot fix.. just watch out in the wind!

Ok , but why bud ? will it lift/rattle ,
I'm hearing more of the weather strip sqeek against the boot since iv taking the bars out alright ,

 

[SteveOEM1]

No I mean if your in the boot with it open and it's windy. I was fitting that bracket in my wheel well without mine attached and the wind slammed it closed. The latch got me right in the spine... Wasn't very comfortable!

 

[Leej8]

No I mean if your in the boot with it open and it's windy. I was fitting that bracket in my wheel well without mine attached and the wind slammed it closed. The latch got me right in the spine... Wasn't very comfortable!

Ohhh lol haha , not good , and it comes down with lots of force , I'd say that was very sore .
I'll keep that in mind thanks

 

[am03ery]

Loving both builds. EM1 is very inspirational to me, hopefully I can make my car half as nice as that even though it's only a D16 haha! If you don't mind me asking where did you get the first molding lip? It looks very aggressive compared to poly ones ive saw. They're not as nice

 

[SteveOEM1]

Sorry for the late reply I've been working overseas.. I got the lip off of a guy that imported it through rhdjapan.com. The weird thing is I've only seen ligit lips that are carbon whereas this is frp

 

[SteveOEM1]

Haven't been able to update for a couple of weeks, but had a fantastic day at Cadwell at the start of the month. Icy cold start to the day, but only had a couple of moments, and the car was brilliant. This engine still amazes me at how well it pulls, still some work to do on the car over winter and new tyres are a must!

 

[am03ery]

Any updates on the EM1 dude? Been missing this thread aha

 

[SteveOEM1]

just seen this.. apologies for not updating for a while - started using instagram and let this thread slip a bit. I was going to do a few updates on here, but waiting to see whats going on with photobucket before I waste my time trying to link lots of pictures from there

EM1 is progressing slowly - few update pics

and some big changes coming on the track car

 

[that_civic]

Probably missed it but what did you use for rust treating and sealing underneath ? I'm in the progress of removing and treating mine.

 

[SteveOEM1]

Underside was stripped back to metal, shot blasted in areas that needed it, deoxed, then painted with jotamastic, seam sealer applied, then painted with gravitex, then primer then the 2k and laquer, was a pretty long process

Most of the stripping backs earlier on in this thread,

After jota and seam sealer

After gravitex

And some more of the paint