MDA Mk1 with Gulf Arches - Martin P

[Dave]

It's realy coming along nicely now.... Motec ECU too.... that must have set you back a bit, good bits of kit though.

You must be iching to get it done now, and take your 1st drive.

 

[Martin]

There is still so much to do. It's getting closer though.
Latest progress: Fuel filler caps and starter motor in.

 

[Brett James-McCall]

Martin,
How are youplanning to panel that area for IVA?

Brett

 

[Martin]

Hi Brett,
I've been down to Southern GT to have a look, as Mick Sollis has already tackled this. It's fiddly but I think much more doable with the ability to remove the dashboard. Once the dash and screen are in it looks a real pain so I'll tackle it before that happens. There are other cables and wiring that go into that area, so once i have a clear idea of the extent of the additional items being fed down there, I'll make a suitable grommet and incorporate it into the panel.
Martin

 

[Martin]

Put the front brakes on today and made a start on boxing in the fuel lines for IVA. I've made a cardboard template that looks like it will work well and be removable without having to take the dash out. Will post pics once I get it made up in aliminium.

 

[Martin]

Here is my solution for enclosing the fuel pipes for the IVA test. I am yet to secure it, but you get the idea. Once it's powder coated black it should be invisible.
I have to admit that this is certainly one new regulation that I agree with. It makes sense to me to have a bulkhead between the fuel filler lines and the occupants in the car. I'm thinking of lining the new panels with fire retardant material also.

 

[Malcolm]

Ooooh Martin, all that extra weight!

 

[Martin]

O.k i'll look for lightweight fire retardant material...
Can't get away from the regulations though Malc. I know you'll have a lighter car than me.:sad:

 

[Malcolm]

Srioulsy though is the fire retardant material a regulation? In a race car they just want the extra skin/bulkhead.

 

[Martin]

The fire retardant material is not a requirement, just the skin as you say. It was just my idea.
I'll have a think about it. Maybe it's not necessary.

 

[Malcolm]

My thoughts would be, if you have a fire in that area then the skin will give you enough time to get out of the car. If the fuel ignites big time you get an explosion. Retardant material will be ineffective then. You have other problems to worry over! I would think that sealing it air tight would be better to remove air supply to any fire. If you have an ignition source in the first place in that area. Compare with your fuel tanks. Exterior of that is like an exterior of a pipe, just bigger. Have you fire retarded the whole area around your tanks? If not then no point doing just the fuel filler pipe area.

 

[Martin]

Good logic Malcolm,
I've had the panels powder coated and fitted one side with a cut out for the air con pipes that dissapear into the sill at the same location.
I've also fitted a sandwich take off plate for the oil supply and finalised the location for the remote filter.
I've lagged the air con and heater lines within the cabin and sill and secured them all. The only remaining item is the compressor and the final connections to it.

Martin

 

[Martin]

My air filters are the ITG Megaflow variety and come with an undrilled base plate. Normally the plate would be drilled and attached to the RAM pipe base/top of throttle body but with my fuel injection system the positioning of the fuel rail stand offs meant it would foul and sit too low. Therefore I had to make some stand offs and have the filter sit a little higher. Here is the result.

 

[Martin]

Great milestone today.
I placed my newly acquired seats from Southern GT in my car and sat in it for the first time with the pedal box, steering wheel and gear lever all in position.
I had a smile on my face as wide as my bodywork. The seats are fantastic and exactly what I wanted, Thanks Mick. They fit perfectly in my MDA. The driving position is perfect. The whole car felt like it was just wrapped around me. Made to measure. I just felt so at home in there instantly. I spent a good 15 minutes with my hands on the wheel, pressing the pedals, reaching for the gearstick. It felt almost too good. Even the headroom is fine. Being 5'10" and having a dropped floor helps.
Now I have even more incentive to get it finished.:thumbsup:

 

[Phil]

Martin:
Looking really good. I love all the attention to detail you have done. As we say here in N.j. your car is looking Bad ass!.
How about some photos of those new seats.
Cheers
Phil

 

[Malcolm]

Great milestone today.
I placed my newly acquired seats from Southern GT in my car and sat in it for the first time with the pedal box, steering wheel and gear lever all in position.
I had a smile on my face as wide as my bodywork. The seats are fantastic and exactly what I wanted, Thanks Mick. They fit perfectly in my MDA. The driving position is perfect. The whole car felt like it was just wrapped around me. Made to measure. I just felt so at home in there instantly. I spent a good 15 minutes with my hands on the wheel, pressing the pedals, reaching for the gearstick. It felt almost too good. Even the headroom is fine. Being 5'10" and having a dropped floor helps.
Now I have even more incentive to get it finished.:thumbsup:

And I bet you went Brmmm Brmmmm a good few times too......

 

[Martin]

Thanks Phil,
Your build is really coming along too.
And yes Malcolm I did.

Here are some pics of the seats. I'll take better pics come the better weather.

 

[John Oxborough]

Hi Martin
Your build is looking really good,the interior is coming on very nicely, well up to your very high standards, engine fire up day must be not far off now, then you can hear the fruits of your labour . look forward to seing you hopefully with your 40 next year,
cheers
john.:thumbsup:

 

[Martin]

Attached the dash at the side and added the door straps, well only on one side. Can't do the other until I turn the car round. That'll be a few weeks yet.
Getting the carpet made up. I took a template down to Southern GT on Friday. I'm not getting a full carpet set, only to cover the floorpan. The idea is to have a layer of sound deadening underneath to minimize road noise but I still want the sill ribs bare so no carpet there.

I've also purchased an oil temperature guage. This will be located on the passenger sill just behind the dash at the side, pointing in the drivers direction. I was looking for a location that was subtle but that I could see while I was driving. Will post pictures later.

Martin

 

[Martin]

I am running a bleed line from the radiator to my header tank (yet to be fabricated). Today I ran the line from the radiator to the rear bulkhead. It will emerge via #6 bulkhead connector in one of the ATL blanking plates I have installed and from there go to the header tank. The MDA is supplied with a bleed nipple only but I wanted automatic bleeding of the system.

I also finished the oil system plumbing.

Martin