ARM23 Automation RestoMod Chapter 23: "Rice and Shine" [FINISHED]

HelloHi · 20 June 2023 18:51

Welp, looks like great minds think alike…

Experience a driving experience that blossoms before your very eyes.
A beauty as timeless as nature itself.

Features

Lightweight partial aluminum bodywork
2.5L, 340hp handcrafted turbocharged boxer 6
7sp dual clutch transmission
Custom magnesium wheels
Adaptive, adjustable sport dampers
Artisanal semi-aniline brown leather interior with checkered seat inserts
10-speaker hi-fi Borg and Olurfen sound system
Chilled beverage compartment

abg7 · 22 June 2023 12:41

MX240 Clubsprint by LVC

A lightweight blend of retro styling and modern mechanicals, enhanced with the latest technology. Yours for $40k AMU.

Price breakdown

Base price: $32k
Front double wishbone suspension: $1k
Fiberglass bodywork: $1.5k
Bodywork morphs/patch: $2.5k
New engine/gearbox: $3k
Total: $40k

AMuteCrypt · 22 June 2023 13:08

The MX-V10. Because every Miata deserves a bespoke V10.

Ch_Flash · 22 June 2023 13:45

Submissions is closing tomorrow, you can still submit as long as it is friday 23rd whereever you are on the planet.

Ch_Flash · 22 June 2023 17:33

I have so far recieved adds and cars from:

Ch_Flash · 24 June 2023 14:23

Submissions is closed, thanks you for contributing.
Results will probably come within a week.

Ch_Flash · 25 June 2023 17:38

Ok, lets begin with 2 unfortunate eliminations…

MX-V10 from @AMuteCrypt

This is really a sleeper in more ways then intended, subtle restyling with some nice touches like black steel rims as a wink to the original car. Very nice blue paintjob.

Unfortunatly I found a itsy bitsy tiny little rulebreak, quality on turbos is on -5 (max -4)

Then it is the engine, this car has a 3l V10 but still the lowest on power (250hp) tied to the only car with the original I4 1.6. But that is kind of ok, the biggest problem is a throttle respons at 12.6, this engine has a hard time waking up. The rest of the stats is average, a little plus for good fuel economy.

Blue Falcon from @Knugcab

Interesting car here, very nice work fitting that roof and get it to look like it is a part of the original model. I really like the all glass rear end with hidden rear lights.

The engine is one of the best here, 2.3l I4 turbo, giving 309hp. And I dont know how you did it, the best fuel economy by far 6,3l/100km!

Now to the boring bit, the biggest problem is all Tech Pool at 0 (all 5), model year still 92 (all 20), you did put a steering wheel in there, but on the wrong side.

Thanks to the TP miss, the car is the most expensive and the customization costs a little to much. total price 41500. (40000).

To be continued…

Knugcab · 25 June 2023 17:43

The steering wheel, OK, I was first not going to do an interior, then I put in a dummy one for better photoshoots and since I had not read the regulations regarding interior, well…my fault.

Regarding TP and price, I think I knew what went wrong. I guess I exported the wrong car…that was not updated to the new ruleset. I was going to say export error first, but…no. My fault. Again.

Ch_Flash · 28 June 2023 06:13

ARM 23 - Reviews and Verdict

Time to catch up with Matt Preston to see how his restomod challenge is going.

On his desk he have the plans and drawings of six very different ideas of what a MX5 can become.

He asked a 3D model artist he knew to create the six cars as detailed digital models to better evaluate the shapes from all angles.

Even do Matt will have the final word in what car to choose, of course he have to do a video and show the plans and models to his audience, and then let his subscibers vote and comment on their favourite car.

This is the result…

Kuroneko Racing MX-56 by @machalel

Scored 62 points of 100.

Pros.

Styling: Lovely lemon yellow paintwork with some tasteful carbon details. The body is all remade in aluminium with well integrated and nicely shaped wide bodykit that does`nt take away to much from the original car.

Performance: The fastest car with the biggest and most powerfull engine. It also have the second most advanced gearbox and the most advanced suspension.

Cons.

The engine: This is a very good engine, 5.5l DOHC 32v V8 giving 402 hp at 5400 rpm. The question is, is it the right engine in a small sportscar with the low reving characteristics? Maybe not.

Costs: The asked price 30000A$ is ok, but all this lovely tech comes at a price, this car have a service cost that is more then 1000A$ higher then the nearest rival, add the second highest fuel consumption and the lowest reliability score.

Hmmm, it is something a little off with looks of this car… Oh, the wheels are surprisingly small, 15” with 45 profile and with the most stagger (tied).

MX5 Treadkillers Hot’n’Rodders #1 by @Mikonp7

Scored 69 of 100

Pros.

Stytling: A MX5 Hot Rod! There are absolutly a brutalistc beauty to this one with the open front end, racing inspired interior and brushed steel finish on the body.

Costs: Even with all the heavy modifikations it is the cheapest offering.

Cons.

Styling: This is a car you take to car shows and meetings, with the exposed engine, barebone interior and the lowest comfort score, it is a bit to hard to live with for road use.

Engine: 5.0l pushrod V8, Suitable engine in a Hot Rod i guess.

Costs: Highest fuel consumption by far (17L/100km) and high service costs makes this expensive to run.

Summary.

This is a true show car that probably won’t be driven much, and as such, maybe the fuel and service costs doesn’t matter.

to be continued…

abg7 · 28 June 2023 07:20

The Bean body sets (especially the smallest two) tend to have narrow engine bays, and fitting even a modestly sized DOHC 32v V8 would consume a lot of horizontal space. That’s why I went with a small high-revving I6 instead.

machalel · 29 June 2023 04:55

Yep that’s true! Definitely hurts servicing costs massively. I knew I’d take a hit because of it (although didn’t realise how much) but wanted to see what I could do and how fast i could make it within the constraints

P.s. inspiration was taken from this:

MX5 with Lexus 4.0L v8 sold here in Australia
(Including supercharged version)

Ch_Flash · 29 June 2023 06:53

ARM 23 - Reviews and Verdict

MX5 Python by @DinnerKingDedede

Scored 76 points of 100.

Pros.

Styling: This car keeps a lot of the original MX5 features, even if the body is rebuilt in aluminiun the added spoiler, sideskirts, scoop and wing suits the car well and makes it look just right. The brushed aluminiun finish with blue”Viper” stripes is just gorgeous.

Engine: The only car to keep the original 1.6 but with an added turbo, it gives the same amount of power as the only V10 in the line up.

Suspension: All Active suspension makes this car easy to drive with emphasis on sportiness over comfort.

Cons.

Costs: A lot of quality components makes this car the second most expensive and with the second highest service cost, (after Blue Falcon with TP all 0) second best fuel consumption makes it to look a little better.

Performance: Second slowest 0-100 km/h, just slightly quicker then the V10 car.

Summary.

If you ask me, this cars good balance of power, prestanda and handling makes it work fine as a fun and entertaining daily driver, add good reliability to that.

to be continued…

abg7 · 29 June 2023 10:32

I’m guaranteed a top-three finish, having just seen the verdicts on the other cars.

And if I’m not mistaken, Prestanda is Swedish for Performance - which is what my proposal was focused on, but at a sizable price ($40k with aftermarket options included, as stated in the OP), although I know it will still be worth it.

Ch_Flash · 29 June 2023 11:49

ARM 23 - Reviews and Verdict

MX240 Clubsprint by @abg7

Scored 82 points of 100.

Pros.

Styling: Another car that keeps the styling close to the original, but this time the hole body is remade in fibre glass and given a subtle retro vibe. The paintjob is very tasty, bright yellow with a hint of orange, no metallic or flakes here. The color sheme continues in a nice interior, black cloth, black carbon and yellow details.

Engine: Another tight squeeze, lenghtwise this time. A 2.4L, NA I6 that makes 300hp @ 8000rpm doesn’t make this the fastest car here , but as the difference in performace between all 8 cars is very small, still makes this a very fast car.

Weight: Thanks to fibre glass body this is the lightest car in the line up.

Cons.

A few minor things, thanks to the high reving engine it is the noisiest car (tied), high service costs and fuel consumption.

Summary.

This car has the most average stats of all, except the weight. Not the best, not the worst, It is a good solid contender.

to be continued…

abg7 · 29 June 2023 15:35

Given that it’s in the lightest car, 300 horsepower is more than enough to make the Clubsprint an entertaining drive. However, this size of the FR Bean body set has a very short engine bay, so a 2.4L I6 is very close to the length limit. Also, I was expecting it to be the loudest car, given that I went for a performance intake.

Ch_Flash · 30 June 2023 07:21

ARM 23 - Reviews and Verdict

MX5 ZRD Tune @Riley

Scored 88 points of 100.

Pros.

Styling: How low and wide can you go? This is the absolute favourite of the younger viewers, it could easily fit in any street race movie.

Engine: I4, 2.0l, NA ,DOHC, 4v. This thing likes to rev! But handle that gas pedal with care, the response from the engine is almost immediate. (Throttle response at 95.9)

Somehow this car is both the sportiest and safest in the line up, and have the lowest service cost and good fuel economy.

Cons.

Performance: The lack of turbo shows here, it has the least amount of tourqe, second slowest 0-100km/h time and lowest top speed compared to the others.

Comfort: The stiff and low suspension makes this car a little to uncomfortable, and it is the loudest car here (tied)

Summary.

Aggresive styling, low and wide with a massive front wing, this thing looks menacing. The engine is a natural aspirated gem, unfortunatly the competition here has turbos or more cylinders.

MX-5 “Sakura” by Sunset Garage @HelloHi

Scored 94 points of 100.

Pros.

Styling: One of two shooting break convesions here, this looks a little lower and sportier then the ”Blue Falcon”. Both of them makes you wonder why Mazda didn’t do a long roof version of the MX-5. Great work. Lovely shade of green on this one.

Engine: B6, 2.5l, DOHC, 4v, turbo. Probably the best and most efficient engine here, second most power and torque, after a almost the twice as big V8 in the Kuroneko.

Performance: Beaten with just a fraction of a second 0-100km/h by the Kuroneko and a top speed just over 300 km/h, this is a blistering fast car.

Stats: The Sakura has the best drivability, is the most comfortable and prestigious, the second most reliable, all this for under 30000A$

Cons.

Weight: The body conversion on this car makes it the heaviest car of them all.

Summary.

Yes, Sunset Garage does ut again, A great idea of what a MX-5 can be, now you just have to build it…

Winner of ARM23

MX-5 “Sakura” by Sunset Garage @HelloHi

Thank you all for participating!

DinnerKingDedede · 30 June 2023 08:19

This is the second challenge where I finished just outside the podium… Anyways, congratulations mate!

HelloHi · 30 June 2023 19:53

Thanks @Ch_Flash for hosting and some great writeups! I have to pass unfortunately, on to @Riley .

Riley · 2 July 2023 18:43

Ah terribly sorry I’ve been away, I’ll pass onto @abg7

abg7 · 2 July 2023 18:52

I am going to host the next round after all - just give me some time to come up with a suitable base car.

Update (July 3rd 2023, 9:45 am GMT): The next ARM is live!