Discussion
Some of you have asked questions about the Murtaya so I thought a thread on it would be best:
I had a VXT and then a VXR and I believe I saw a thread on the VX220 forum about the Murtaya a Subaru based kit car. I went down to Newquay where the company Adrenaline Motorsport is based and had a go in the demo car and was really very impressed, Neil the MD, can REALLY pedal a car but even when I had a drive I could get a good turn of speed out of it. Getting back into the VXR seemed like I was getting into a cheaper, rattlier less well made vehicle with real wind noise problems!
A few months later I was gently following a lady in her Scoob wagon around a roundabout in the rain and as she went around it I had one of those 'moments'! I pretty much decided that I had had my time in the VXR and did not want to be the t*sser who crashes one of only 65 cars.
So I got a Murtaya.
Delivery took a while but I was prepared for that and made it clear that delays were no bother while I had something to trundle about in (Mondeo). Plus the guys would send pics over every now and then of how my car was doing. I went down for a 'fitting' for seat position etc and to make sure I was happy with the car. I did take a LONG time to decide on colour, in the end it was between dark green and dark blue. I wanted something that would not say to the Bib "Hello, please nick me!". It ended up being blue that I chose!
So what is it like:
Well some of the issues are the same as the VX -
- Water tightness is more of a very nearly but not quite at the moment
- Getting in and out is nearly identical
- Passenger door has dropped a little bit but that now seems sorted
- I end up thinking of reasons to go for a drive just cos...
However,
- Boot has great access and is larger
- 4wd makes cornering in the wet and with standing water much less pant threatening
- The alarm does not go off when someone rings the neighbours doorbell
- Modifications are pretty much expected and there is a very lively Subaru modifying scene
- I don't hit the horn when going round a corner
- I don't have a dent in my head from holding up the bonnet
- The sound is really incredible
- Tax and especially Insurance are MUCH cheaper.
So what is it?
It is a GRP composite monocoque with a 2.5l race spec Subaru block with lightened flywheel, Steel crank and Forged pistons. The donor Subaru was a type RA and so I had the DCCD torque split control and type RA gearbox from that which has now been replaced by a WR1 box still with the DCCD. The hard top lifts off and even when travelling at speed with the top off wind noise is incredibly low.
The whole things weighs about 900kg and now has ~370+bhp and 395 lb/ft with a switchable map to 'economy'. 'Economy' power can be translated as insane and the full lot is bonkers³ in the extreme - the AMS demo car weighed more than mine and had less power (340bhp) and managed a timed run to 60 of 3.5s with two gear changes.
What's it like to drive?
It is not as numb as I thought 4wd and power steering would be at all, it is very much a car you pick up and throw down the road hooligan style and I get the impression it would be much happier if I went sideways everywhere. The power is really insane, it is just SO quick and feels more like a motorbike in terms of overtaking. The whole thing is very planted and solid feeling.
I did not want to build the car myself so instead I asked for some stuff to be left not finished so that while I can drive around there are still things I can do so that I can tinker about in a pathetic kind of way, so little bits of trim here and there get done every now and then which is nice to do knowing that I am not messing with a 'standard' car and no-one will tell me I should have done this or that.
I did love the VXs a lot, they really are very pretty cars too, I know the Murtaya isn't (to guys anyway) ALL the girls I know say the Murtaya is much better looking than the VX but then, what do girls know? The performance in the Murt is unbelievable, 'epic' as the Clarkson would say so I am happy with my choice.
Plus no more Vauxhall dealers!!
I had a VXT and then a VXR and I believe I saw a thread on the VX220 forum about the Murtaya a Subaru based kit car. I went down to Newquay where the company Adrenaline Motorsport is based and had a go in the demo car and was really very impressed, Neil the MD, can REALLY pedal a car but even when I had a drive I could get a good turn of speed out of it. Getting back into the VXR seemed like I was getting into a cheaper, rattlier less well made vehicle with real wind noise problems!
A few months later I was gently following a lady in her Scoob wagon around a roundabout in the rain and as she went around it I had one of those 'moments'! I pretty much decided that I had had my time in the VXR and did not want to be the t*sser who crashes one of only 65 cars.
So I got a Murtaya.
Delivery took a while but I was prepared for that and made it clear that delays were no bother while I had something to trundle about in (Mondeo). Plus the guys would send pics over every now and then of how my car was doing. I went down for a 'fitting' for seat position etc and to make sure I was happy with the car. I did take a LONG time to decide on colour, in the end it was between dark green and dark blue. I wanted something that would not say to the Bib "Hello, please nick me!". It ended up being blue that I chose!
So what is it like:
Well some of the issues are the same as the VX -
- Water tightness is more of a very nearly but not quite at the moment
- Getting in and out is nearly identical
- Passenger door has dropped a little bit but that now seems sorted
- I end up thinking of reasons to go for a drive just cos...
However,
- Boot has great access and is larger
- 4wd makes cornering in the wet and with standing water much less pant threatening
- The alarm does not go off when someone rings the neighbours doorbell
- Modifications are pretty much expected and there is a very lively Subaru modifying scene
- I don't hit the horn when going round a corner
- I don't have a dent in my head from holding up the bonnet
- The sound is really incredible
- Tax and especially Insurance are MUCH cheaper.
So what is it?
It is a GRP composite monocoque with a 2.5l race spec Subaru block with lightened flywheel, Steel crank and Forged pistons. The donor Subaru was a type RA and so I had the DCCD torque split control and type RA gearbox from that which has now been replaced by a WR1 box still with the DCCD. The hard top lifts off and even when travelling at speed with the top off wind noise is incredibly low.
The whole things weighs about 900kg and now has ~370+bhp and 395 lb/ft with a switchable map to 'economy'. 'Economy' power can be translated as insane and the full lot is bonkers³ in the extreme - the AMS demo car weighed more than mine and had less power (340bhp) and managed a timed run to 60 of 3.5s with two gear changes.
What's it like to drive?
It is not as numb as I thought 4wd and power steering would be at all, it is very much a car you pick up and throw down the road hooligan style and I get the impression it would be much happier if I went sideways everywhere. The power is really insane, it is just SO quick and feels more like a motorbike in terms of overtaking. The whole thing is very planted and solid feeling.
I did not want to build the car myself so instead I asked for some stuff to be left not finished so that while I can drive around there are still things I can do so that I can tinker about in a pathetic kind of way, so little bits of trim here and there get done every now and then which is nice to do knowing that I am not messing with a 'standard' car and no-one will tell me I should have done this or that.
I did love the VXs a lot, they really are very pretty cars too, I know the Murtaya isn't (to guys anyway) ALL the girls I know say the Murtaya is much better looking than the VX but then, what do girls know? The performance in the Murt is unbelievable, 'epic' as the Clarkson would say so I am happy with my choice.
Plus no more Vauxhall dealers!!
Glad it's all of interest!
The black bits near the front wheel arches are the bonnet catches, there are no door releases on the car, it's opened from the key fob which is something I think is quite cool (I am such a child). The only down side is you have to be careful about shutting the door with the keys in the car!
I will get round to cleaning it too at some point - it's filthy at the mo!
I hope I kept everyone amused by missing third gear on the way out today - what a t*sser!
Good to see eveyone out and about in their various bit of kit.
The black bits near the front wheel arches are the bonnet catches, there are no door releases on the car, it's opened from the key fob which is something I think is quite cool (I am such a child). The only down side is you have to be careful about shutting the door with the keys in the car!
I will get round to cleaning it too at some point - it's filthy at the mo!
I hope I kept everyone amused by missing third gear on the way out today - what a t*sser!
Good to see eveyone out and about in their various bit of kit.
Mike - don't worry leaks are not serious and are being brought under control, one was between roof and top of windscreen - sealing rubber needed a bit of relieving (?!) I think that one is sorted now. The other is where the side window meets the roof/meets the top of the window and both my VX's leaked there and so does the Elise, Elan S2 and a few other bigger named cars. I have plans for that bit, it is not that serious, only a few drops every now and then. Bigger problem was leaving the window open in the p*ssing rain!!!!
No extra lights behind the grill, that is a cold air feed direct to the air filter - reduced the intake temp by quite a few degrees!
I am also considering a slit in the front of the bonnet, kind of similar to the GT2 to get more cold air over the top of the block.
Big thanks to those at Goodwood who gave me a bump start - I was a tw*t and had knocked a wire off the starter motor, it is back on now and all is good!
Never let me near a car!
No extra lights behind the grill, that is a cold air feed direct to the air filter - reduced the intake temp by quite a few degrees!
I am also considering a slit in the front of the bonnet, kind of similar to the GT2 to get more cold air over the top of the block.
Big thanks to those at Goodwood who gave me a bump start - I was a tw*t and had knocked a wire off the starter motor, it is back on now and all is good!
Never let me near a car!
AJPrice - nice! That is almost exactly what I am looking for!! Might have to have a mooch through the scrap yards in the new year for one of those. Thanks!
The Murt is not a common car and have not met many who know what it is straight off so don't let your daughter feel bad about it!
The Murt is not a common car and have not met many who know what it is straight off so don't let your daughter feel bad about it!
Can't say how long it took really cos there was other stuff they had on so I said it was fine to pause the build of mine - I know that does not help, sorry.
I think the engine was built by Rowleys (http://www.rpe.moonfruit.com/#/contact-us/4519443284) but then mapped by Andy at Triton (http://www.tritonmotorsport.com/showpage.php?id=index_cont)
Been out for a play in the snow and did not crash either - car is still bloody great even in this weather!!!
SO worth waiting for.
I think the engine was built by Rowleys (http://www.rpe.moonfruit.com/#/contact-us/4519443284) but then mapped by Andy at Triton (http://www.tritonmotorsport.com/showpage.php?id=index_cont)
Been out for a play in the snow and did not crash either - car is still bloody great even in this weather!!!
SO worth waiting for.
So it has come to this... no luck finding a job means I have no choice but to sell the Murtaya.
Can't believe it, totally gutted
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1419331.htm
Can't believe it, totally gutted
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1419331.htm
Car is still advertised and until I get a job it will be up for sale - COME ON JOB!!!
I have to say from experience that the car will be dirty A LOT. The bonnet stays clean but the sides under the doors seem to suck mud off the road!
I think a flip paint scheme could work really well with the Murt - perhaps the green/black one like TVR? I think that would be very cool given the shape of the car. Mine is Stormy Mica Blue from Mazda but even that changes colour depending on angle and lighting which I really like whereas on the MX5 it does not seem to do that so much.
Next thing for me (if I can get some £) will be new pedals and sort out a timing strut for sprinting which will start soon!!
I have to say from experience that the car will be dirty A LOT. The bonnet stays clean but the sides under the doors seem to suck mud off the road!
I think a flip paint scheme could work really well with the Murt - perhaps the green/black one like TVR? I think that would be very cool given the shape of the car. Mine is Stormy Mica Blue from Mazda but even that changes colour depending on angle and lighting which I really like whereas on the MX5 it does not seem to do that so much.
Next thing for me (if I can get some £) will be new pedals and sort out a timing strut for sprinting which will start soon!!
Moogle,
There are loads of editions of both magazines with rave reviews about the Murtaya - I have not seen this latest edition so I have no idea about it but all other editions were nothing but ecstatic about it as is anyone who has actually drivien one!
Complete Kit Car built their own and rated it above all other kits for the previous year in Jan 2009
There are loads of editions of both magazines with rave reviews about the Murtaya - I have not seen this latest edition so I have no idea about it but all other editions were nothing but ecstatic about it as is anyone who has actually drivien one!
Complete Kit Car built their own and rated it above all other kits for the previous year in Jan 2009
The major 6 speed box differences I have found are:
- You spend less time changing gears - the STI 5 speed with the kind of power in mine means that it is so fast in gear that you probably spend most of the acceleration with the clutch down. Now you could probably launch in 2nd and still make it to 60 in just that gear.
- It also means that in 6th that the turbo is not even spooling up until about 95 mph ... apparently. The STI RA box I had was so short that 75 sounded too much in top.
Neil no probs at all, any excuse for a play!
- You spend less time changing gears - the STI 5 speed with the kind of power in mine means that it is so fast in gear that you probably spend most of the acceleration with the clutch down. Now you could probably launch in 2nd and still make it to 60 in just that gear.
- It also means that in 6th that the turbo is not even spooling up until about 95 mph ... apparently. The STI RA box I had was so short that 75 sounded too much in top.
Neil no probs at all, any excuse for a play!
Ian,
Don't forget that your Murt will be lighter than the Impreza - you will probably get more clutch than anticipated!
Most of my Murtaya turned out to be new, just how things turned out, but I think that the clutch is still original. I would choose launch over Anti-lag given the £. I don't have either although I could do given my ECU but at the end of the day Anti-lag EATS turbos. I don't full bore launch either and that may cost me on sprints but I have to drive home in the same car so I don't care!
If I had the £ then I would have both, Anti-lag sounds SO great I would almost have if for that alone!
Don't forget that your Murt will be lighter than the Impreza - you will probably get more clutch than anticipated!
Most of my Murtaya turned out to be new, just how things turned out, but I think that the clutch is still original. I would choose launch over Anti-lag given the £. I don't have either although I could do given my ECU but at the end of the day Anti-lag EATS turbos. I don't full bore launch either and that may cost me on sprints but I have to drive home in the same car so I don't care!
If I had the £ then I would have both, Anti-lag sounds SO great I would almost have if for that alone!
Eddie - v excited for you!
Prepare for the doors to take time to settle - mine have and after a few adjustments they are set now, also the roof will also need time to settle. Turbo hoses seem to pop their connections rather than leak and now they are all really tight all seems in order.
Hope you have a graet season!
Prepare for the doors to take time to settle - mine have and after a few adjustments they are set now, also the roof will also need time to settle. Turbo hoses seem to pop their connections rather than leak and now they are all really tight all seems in order.
Hope you have a graet season!
I did not put my car up for sale any longer than necessary - in case someone bought it!!
The only way I can describe it was that in the snow it felt like this: when I watch the likes of Loeb or Hirvonen or for us older ones Kankkunen or Airikkala I KNOW I cannot drive like that in reality. The Murtaya seems to suspend that reality and it feels like you really CAN drive like that, it is that confidence inspiring. I even turned around at the end of my round by doing half a donut and all was totally in control with no bother and total accuracy.
I don't have a rear ARB but I do have stiffer springs all round so perhaps that has something to do with it.
The only way I can describe it was that in the snow it felt like this: when I watch the likes of Loeb or Hirvonen or for us older ones Kankkunen or Airikkala I KNOW I cannot drive like that in reality. The Murtaya seems to suspend that reality and it feels like you really CAN drive like that, it is that confidence inspiring. I even turned around at the end of my round by doing half a donut and all was totally in control with no bother and total accuracy.
I don't have a rear ARB but I do have stiffer springs all round so perhaps that has something to do with it.
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