Plavan's 818R Build Thread

[Hindsight]

What are you using for paint on parts like that?

[Wayne Presley]

Whats wrong with my under engine panel?



I also was having fun with Mechie's louvers. They are stout.





I painted them last night and look great.

I know, I know. That is the under seat panel :-)

[C.Plavan]

I know, I know. That is the under seat panel :-)

Looks like it to me..... lol They sent it to me as the under engine tray. Ooops. Now I have to wait another week plus for the correct part.

[Brando]

I didn't know one existed until I saw it on the 818 laying on its side at Sema. Joe stressed installing it so it forms a natural bend into the diffuser. Should help it do its job.

[Mechie3]

They are stout.

I wanted to make them without the typical brace running down the middle and make sure they didn't flap at 120.

[C.Plavan]

What are you using for paint on parts like that?

I powdercoated the stock stuff. I should of waited, because I'm only using a 1/4 of what I had powdercoated. For louvers and other stuff, rattle can black. Looks just as good if prepped right.

[Hindsight]

Thanks. I've been rattle canning my sheet metal parts with various success. Have experimented with Rustoleum as well as VHT rollbar & chassis. The latter leaves a much nicer finish when done right and is far more durable, but I don't know if it's just me or the cold temps around here lately, but I can't spray an even final-coat without runs lately. I am holding the parts vertical though, so I can hit both sides in one spray session. If sprayed the final coat horizontal I'd probably have better luck.

Any particular paint you like?

[RM1SepEx]

I didn't know one existed until I saw it on the 818 laying on its side at Sema. Joe stressed installing it so it forms a natural bend into the diffuser. Should help it do its job.

I had to ask for mine after someone started a thread about it a couple months ago... My problem is my headers hang down below it as well as the sump

[C.Plavan]

New lap record of "the Loop" haha.



Everything is working. I had a little tire rub from the rear wheel splash guards. I had to trim some of the vertical piece for clearance. I think they were meant for S ride heights.

Finished alot of little things. Just need my exhaust, engine aluminum and install the rear diffuser for the Dec track day. The only big things are installing the fire system, and making a box for the fuel cell.

[Frank818]

Chad, you have installed a kill switch, if I remember?

How many amps is it? 100amp, 350amp, other?

[C.Plavan]

Chad, you have installed a kill switch, if I remember?

How many amps is it? 100amp, 350amp, other?

Whatever came on the Longacre panel.

[Brando]

How perfect is that asphalt? Even an off track experience appears forgiving.

[C.Plavan]

How perfect is that asphalt? Even an off track experience appears forgiving.

They just resealed it about 2 months ago. It looks "Off" friendly in some areas, but cliffs, boulders, big oak trees want to reach out and touch you. I'm not going fast enough to go off- people do live around here. I'm sure I'm pissing them off. haha

[longislandwrx]

Ouch, they wanted $75 to ship that panel, and $50 for the panel itself... Expensive mistake on someone's part.

[C.Plavan]

Ouch, they wanted $75 to ship that panel, and $50 for the panel itself... Expensive mistake on someone's part.

$75 shipping....Ouch is right. Jim already sent out the correct one to me. I should have it next week. I guess I have some spare sheet to cover up some holes in the front foot wheel area..... rocks were flying in yesterday all over!

[wleehendrick]

Ouch, they wanted $75 to ship that panel, and $50 for the panel itself... Expensive mistake on someone's part.

When I got my kit I had two door liners nested together... both passenger's side. Not sure what the shipping was since FFR covered it and the return, but FedEx is certainly profiting off someone's goof-ups there!

[C.Plavan]

I added a 3D printed 818R emblem. I'll sand the other one smooth next time. Looks good for now.

[Frank818]

I added a 3D printed 818R emblem. I'll sand the other one smooth next time. Looks good for now.

Oh so that's where my R went!

funny1.jpeg

Nah, keep it, it looks pretty good!

[Frank818]

I added a 3D printed 818R emblem. I'll sand the other one smooth next time. Looks good for now.

Oh so that's where my "R" went!

funny1.jpeg

Nah, keep it, it looks pretty good!

[C.Plavan]

Mechies Louvers are in. They look great. Much better than the stock mesh. I know they will withstand any abuse I throw at them. I siliconed them in. Very sturdy.



I also threw in the door liners. I feel it makes the 818R look a little more complete inside. I just need to make/add a few more pieces of aluminum.

[wallace18]

You have done a super job with the car! well done!

[MrDude_1]

I added a 3D printed 818R emblem. I'll sand the other one smooth next time. Looks good for now.

ooh! i like this... but some nagging part of my head tells me it belongs on the other side of the car. lol.

[C.Plavan]

Thanks! A little over 2 weeks for its first real test.

Haha- It can go anywhere.

[Mechie3]

Do you have a job, or do you just stay at home and build race cars? haha

Thanks for being the test fitter for the louvers.

[C.Plavan]

Do you have a job, or do you just stay at home and build race cars? haha

Thanks for being the test fitter for the louvers.

I would love to do that, but if I don't work, I cant afford the toys. Catch 22.

[Frank818]

I siliconed them in.

You used silicone as glue? Never thought of that, nice idea, just like the alu panels.

[JeromeS13]

You used silicone as glue? Never thought of that, nice idea, just like the alu panels.

That's what the build manual recommends to hold the normal ones in place, too...

[Frank818]

Oh that's true. Sorry that I don't read the manual anymore, have had too many troubles following it, but I should have thought about it since the original mesh and surrounds are the same material as the alu panels.

[BC Huselton]

Did the diffuser and the under engine AL panel come with images and installation instructions? I would love to see how they fit together and what you need to cut out to clear the transmission. Also, where they attach to the rear structure. I have done a search and found no pictures of all the piece fitting together...just the Carbon Fiber piece alone from the FFR website.

Any help here would be appreciated, Thanks BC

[Erik W. Treves]

digging it! love the louvers...emblem is a nice touch!

[metalmaker12]

Ditto, like it!!

[C.Plavan]

Did the diffuser and the under engine AL panel come with images and installation instructions? I would love to see how they fit together and what you need to cut out to clear the transmission. Also, where they attach to the rear structure. I have done a search and found no pictures of all the piece fitting together...just the Carbon Fiber piece alone from the FFR website.

Any help here would be appreciated, Thanks BC

I'm not sure about it either since I do have the correct aluminum piece yet. Once I get it this week, I'll figure it out and post some pictures on how I installed it. Keep in mind I kept the stock headers and have a dry sump installed. This allows for no modification of the under engine tray piece since nothing sits below the frame rails. It will be totally flat. You shouldn't have to cut anything for the trans area either.

[Mitch Wright]

Car looks great, good luck on your maiden track voyage. Look forward to a report.

[nkw8181]

I have the correct piece but haven't tackled that yet. I'll see what I can do as far as mocking up if nothing else just to show how it flows

[C.Plavan]

We have side mirrors-

[D Clary]

Looks great Chad, I have a couple questions. How do you attach the windshield to the cowl piece, screw, rivets ? I am curious about the door vents, what do they vent? They look like they will just funnel gravel and rubber onto your door. Any Chance to get it on the scales yet?

[C.Plavan]

Looks great Chad, I have a couple questions. How do you attach the windshield to the cowl piece, screw, rivets ? I am curious about the door vents, what do they vent? They look like they will just funnel gravel and rubber onto your door. Any Chance to get it on the scales yet?

I attached the windshield with large head 3/8" rivets (AllStar Performance-Black).

The door vents- They vent out the radiator/under hood area- it would also add downforce. If you look at P2 race cars in the Tudor series, they have similar vents. You do not put on all the aluminum in the rear of the front wheel wells.



No scales yet. Maybe this weekend.

[C.Plavan]

I installed the flat bottom engine tray and diffuser. It's pretty simple. I installed the engine tray with 8 rivnuts (so I can change oil easy). I then just riveted (3/16" large head) the diffuser in about 10 places at the end of the tray. Looks good.
I'm going to extend the diffuser fins back towards the motor/where is angles up at a later date.

[BC Huselton]

Git it. Many thanks for taking the time to post it. BC

[C.Plavan]

Git it. Many thanks for taking the time to post it. BC

No problem.

818R guys may want to consider these tie down mounts. I have them on my Porsche and it makes trailering a breeze. I mounted them on the rear spindle. I'm hoping the same goes for the 818R. The hole is slightly bigger than the M12 bolt, but with a washer and everything torqued down everything will be fine (66 ft/pounds). Its not going to go anywhere. I bought the 45 degree models from Rennline.com





I'm going to look at adding some to the front also. I'm just running out of time right now.