MEV Rocket Build

[Mabbx]

Charge cooler and petrol tank in situe:

[Mabbx]

Air side to the charge cooler is now made and fitted:

[Mabbx]

Thanks for the comments. This is my first kit build and I must admit I am enjoying every moment. I have had the charge cooler made to fit the space I had to the maximum. The company who made it mainly do work for Radical so should be well up to the job. The core size is very big and more than adequate for my car, (300+ BHP) but the bigger the better !!

Pic below from last week ends Motorsport Show at the Ricoh centre. This week it's off to the Top Gear live show.

[Mabbx]

Car is now back at home safe and sound after it's month holiday getting around some shows. A nice surprise last night was on Motors TV were my car was on the Motorsport UK show review Will be shown again on Monday 12th at 12:00 hrs.

Will now be on with the plumbing of oil coolers, water, fuel etc, and next step will be going to the Dyno to be mapped and power run set ups

[Mabbx]

downsman said:

It looks absolutely stunning, you must be getting impatient to drive it

I am itching to get it on the rolling road and set up as the first phase, just to see what it can produce ! yes, then will be the manic rush to get it IVA'd and road worthy for next years events

[Mabbx]

MG CHRIS said:

Ive been following your build over on the mev forums and its very impressive i can't wait to see it some time. I should start on my mev build next year the lightweight exocet can't wait to start it and if mine turns out half as good as yours i will be happy just got to sell my mgb gt first. By the way you have got a much cleaner garage than me where are all your tools.

Thanks Chris. The MEV group is growing very nicley and well worth investing into the brand. The events next year that are planned just for MEV owners is amazing - including their own race circuit, of which we are able to have a say in the lay-out !!

[Mabbx]

rdodger said:

Is the fuel tank in the passenger compartment? I didn't think that was allowed for IVA?

Many of the rockets have this arangement. I believe if it is enclosed so that no potential fumes can escape from a possible spilage then it is OK

[Mabbx]

shaun fulcrum said:

First look at this thread! Dont know why but it has given me an urge to strip my car back the chassis and start again!!! Although that probably won't happen

Incredible attention to detail and finish.

Thanks Shaun

[Mabbx]

Incorrigible said:

Dunno how far you've got with the dash install and wiring, but if you're fitting a data logger you'll probably want to get all the logged parameters onto the dash display (like revs) through the logger initially and then through the serial cable to the dash

I guess you've done all the relevant research anyway

Will be a bit embaressed at this point - electrics is not my thing but I have a good idea of what I want to achieve. Many thanks for giving me the 'heads-up' on this area

[Mabbx]

ArosaMike said:

Really incredibly build quality there. Impressive stuff. Great to see you've gone to the trouble or doing things like having the exhaust Zircotec'd too!

Not sure if any other engineers have looked at this thread, but it really frustrates me to see such terrible mechanical design on kits like this. The suspension geometry looks pretty questionable and the mountings used for the wishbones are just horrendous. I just don't understand how the originators of the kit fail to understand such basic engineering principals! This is absolutely nothing against the work you've done. Genuinely very, very impressed with your fabrication skills. Good work

Many thanks for the kind words on my progress. With regards the suspension geometry, mountings and engineers looking at this build. I am a time served mechanical engineer with Rolls Royce and now a chartered engineer. My career path has taken me now to work within composite engineering - mainley carbon fibre development (hence the panelling) within motorsport including F1 and aerospace. The suspension mounts have been fully load tested by MIRA and the complete chassis and suspension geometry is set and manufactured to a jig. I feel this meets the priciples of design and engineering requirements without over engineering. A lot more than the basics of engineering have been applied to the manufacture and design of this vehicle - hence why I have invested my money in the kit. The designer of this car is a well respected engineer of many vehicle designs and an avid piston heads poster/member so if he spots this thread he may put his point across just to re-assure.

Many thanks

[Mabbx]

Many thanks for the inputs.

The origional post I felt was more directed to this design as it was posted within my build, but now understand you have thoughts on many other vehicles. It is great to have all areas of industry putting their points of view across, but I dont feel my build thread or any other build thread was/is the place to raise them. I am not designing a chassis but building a car from pre-made chassis design which has had excellent testing results and longevity in useage. Could this proven chassis design be better ? - obviously yes, the same as the Deronda, but you could also say the same in any motorsport or road going car.

Plesee do not feel I am being negative to critisism, but as you have said, this design area could involve many vehicle/kit types, and I do not feel my build thread is the place to air them.

Many thanks

[Mabbx]

Many thanks. Will get some more build pics up soon

[Mabbx]

Accelerator cable bracket now fitted to the throttle body. Had to have one made as Jenvey do not make one !!??



Was not happy with the return speed of the cable so added a spring at the pedal end:

[Mabbx]

Made use of the kids x-mas present boxes and mocked-up a header tank:



Finished artical with oil catch tank fitted also:

[Mabbx]

Oil coolers fitted - one for the engine oil, and other for supercharger oil:

[Mabbx]

As this vehicle is transverse and supercharged I have opted to try and get some cold air to the supercharger. Currently trying to find a good route from the inlet through the filter to the supercharger !!

[Mabbx]

MG CHRIS said:

Looks like you made some good progress over christmas. Looks excellent. What power output are you expecting when your finished.

The last engine done to this spec produced 310 Bhp and 270 ftlb of torque (allegedly). I will be happy if it produces anything over 270Bhp with a nice progressive torque figure.

[Mabbx]

After much debate and the chance of being offered a pair - I have opted for some carbon fibre seats. I have had to fettle, trim and bond them but very pleased with the result. They are 100% pre-preg and ulta light and strong. I have also, to keep with the cars theme, had the back painted (again) in the Maclaren chrome paint finish. This was not an easy task for the sprayer as the 'B' surface of carbon is very rough, but a sterling job has been done:

[Mabbx]

Car is now off on holiday tomorrow to the Autosport show, were it will be exhibited on the 'Road Track Race' Stand. Being collected tomorrow and still have some parts to complete before it's collection !!!

[Mabbx]

chuntington101 said:

seats look great! did you have them made or did you buy them off the shelf?....

A bit of both. They are seats you can buy, but as they are 100% pre-preg and very light/strong they are far from cheap. As I work in the industry and the company who make them are a customer, I helped with the manufacture to reduce the costs (significantly)