MEV Rocket Build

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Discussion

Mabbx

Original Poster:

204 posts

208 months

Thursday 18th August 2011
quotequote all
Hi all,

Thought I would share my MEV Rocket build progress. Having had a few performance cars in the past and being an Engineer, rather than just purchase my next week-end car - I decided to build my own. This is my first kit build and I wanted a car that was a non traditional looking seven style kit that had a good base but could also give me room to put my own 'stamp' on. After veiwing several kits and companies I decided the Rocket would be ideal for me. For those who are not aware, it is based on doner parts from a Ford Focus using a Zetec power plant (although the factory will mod the chassis to suit almost any engine). I wanted to build a car from all new parts, and new parts are plentyfull for the focus (aswell as doners). Also there is lots of infomation and performance enhancements available for the Zetec.

I now also work within the composites industry supplying most areas of motorsport, so for me I have a bit of a carbon fibre fetish and paneling will be re-tooled for carbon parts. I am now 8 months into the build and enjoying every moment


Edited by Mabbx on Thursday 18th August 17:54


Edited by Mabbx on Friday 19th August 09:36

Mabbx

Original Poster:

204 posts

208 months

Thursday 18th August 2011
quotequote all
A couple of starting pics:




I had the chassis, wishbones, uprights etc powder coated in 'chrome' coat. This is a patented process with the deepest chrome shine depth available on the market. Very pleased with results.



Edited by Mabbx on Friday 19th August 07:52


Edited by Mabbx on Friday 19th August 07:54

Mabbx

Original Poster:

204 posts

208 months

Thursday 18th August 2011
quotequote all



Floor fitted. This is a sandwich of kevlar and carbon fibre

Mabbx

Original Poster:

204 posts

208 months

Thursday 18th August 2011
quotequote all
Most of my pics are over 2mb - can anyone help ??

Steve_D

13,737 posts

257 months

Thursday 18th August 2011
quotequote all
Mabbx said:
Most of my pics are over 2mb - can anyone help ??
Open them in something like MS Picture manager.
Follow the menus and find 'Resize'.

Copy all the pics you want to resize into a new folder first so you still have the originals.

Steve

Mabbx

Original Poster:

204 posts

208 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
Many thnaks - my current photo editor would not allow me to resize over 800 x 600 ??
Steve_D said:
Open them in something like MS Picture manager.
Follow the menus and find 'Resize'.

Copy all the pics you want to resize into a new folder first so you still have the originals.

Steve

Mabbx

Original Poster:

204 posts

208 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
Front end panel work started, Steering column fitted:



Cycle wings, calipers etc fitted :

Mabbx

Original Poster:

204 posts

208 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
Have had some front wings made for the car and a rear wing is currently being made. The contour is from the Mosler GT car. Mainly asthetic look but should help in handeling. Time will tell when its completed:

]

Brake, clutch lines all fitted. Have gone for fully braided:



Rear Calipers with handbrake mechanism:

[url]|http://thumbsnap.com/fl2SKTA5[/url

Mabbx

Original Poster:

204 posts

208 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
Using the origional Ford Focus steering column cover, I have decided to re-model and extend. From this I will make a pre-preg tool for a carbon fibre part:




Racing8

49 posts

158 months

Friday 19th August 2011
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Very nice work there, how much are you expecting it to cost you being built in new parts ?

Mabbx

Original Poster:

204 posts

208 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
Gearbox. Fitted with a Quaife straight cut close ratio gear set and Quaife ATB LSD. All parts are new with exception to the casing which has been reconditioned. Should run to 55mph in 1st and 160mph in 5th at 8000 RPM with the wheels I have fitted:



I have gone for some performance engine mounts, as the OEM untis tend to let the engine move excesivly. These have been tested on the Rocket and work very well:


fuoriserie

4,560 posts

268 months

Friday 19th August 2011
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Nice work and looking forward to your finished sportscar.

Mabbx

Original Poster:

204 posts

208 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
Rear LED Lights fitted:



Front Lights: Decided to use DRL's as the sidelights. Water jet some arms for the indicator stalks in Aluminum and polished:




Mabbx

Original Poster:

204 posts

208 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
Car finally grounded. I have had the wheels made to the correct PCD and offset to suit the car, and unfortunatly the process to get them took 6 months, but worth the wait. The fronts are 15 x 7 (5kg each) and rears are 15 x 8 (6.2kg each) fitted with Toyo R888. Car still needs to be lowered but will do this when it goes for setting up:




Mabbx

Original Poster:

204 posts

208 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
Column cover made and fitted:





Carbon centre tunnel made and fitted:



Edited by Mabbx on Friday 19th August 09:18

Mabbx

Original Poster:

204 posts

208 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
Was origionally going to fit some Carbon seats but after sitting in various designs I opted for a bit more comform. Obviously can be changed in the future should I want to reduce car weight etc:




Mabbx

Original Poster:

204 posts

208 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
Engine built and ready to fit. Obviously looking to supercharge. With the car being transverse, I wanted relative delivery of power and torque with hopefully no heavy spikes and for me supercharging was the route. Supercharger mounting bracket design is currently underway which will be a nice billet aluminium unit to support the power/torque. Engine is fully forged, balanced, lightned flywheel, Jenvey plenum with 70mm throttle body, cams to support supercharging, ceremetalic clutch and block has been decked with valve pockets also machined into the forged pistons. The engine was origionally a new unit which has obvioulsy been stripped and re-built:





Edited by Mabbx on Friday 19th August 09:42


Edited by Mabbx on Friday 19th August 11:26

Mabbx

Original Poster:

204 posts

208 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
That's pretty much up to date. Car is currently away having a bespoke stainless exhaust system made. Carbon Fibre bonnet is completed and ready to fit. Engine is in and Supercharger fitment is well under way and just sorting out the charge cooler system. Will update with further pics as and when. A more detailed build blog is on the MEV forum : http://www.mevowners.proboards.com/

Woody

2,187 posts

283 months

Friday 19th August 2011
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Some great work going on there!
And that is one scarily clean garage!!

Munter

31,319 posts

240 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
lick Keep us updated that looks great!