nkw8181's 818 build thread

[Frank818]

Ok so I could go the other direction? yay nay?

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...522&cc=1432597

This one looks better, yay. For Subarus?
The Summit one is for Mazda, as they say.

[nkw8181]

I thought I'd see if anyone thought modifying the mount to have the in/out on the same side would be worth it. I may go with this one or spend a bit more and get a all aluminum one maybe by Mismoto

[nkw8181]

Ok I've bad about posting progress. Got the seats in, top harness mounting locations done, Gas tank put together ( what a pain to get the pump in the tank!) and engine in with new Flywheel.

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[nkw8181]

more pics

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[nkw8181]

Got the clutch on, tranny mounted and converted to two wheel drive. I do have one concern. There where these pieces in the bottom of the section (see pic) and I can't tell what they go to or did go to. I'm hoping that my assumption that this goes to the parts that I'm removing is correct. Please someone tell me this is correct.

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[Erik W. Treves]

yeah...I'd be more worried that that isn't all of it. You don't know what type of damage was caused by that stuff floating around in the tranny. I am sure that's just where it ended up after taking a trip through your box....do yourself a favor and pull the tranny and get it inspected...easier to do now...been there, done that.

[Mechie3]

It's pretty easy to pull the tail off of the transmission to inspect it.

[nkw8181]

Soooo any idea what to look for? I will look into removing the last half of the tail

[STiPWRD]

Does the transmission shift into every gear easily and does every gear rotate freely? Did you change the trans fluid and see any metal bits in that? It's hard to get an idea of the scale of those bits in your picture but I would be concerned enough to take the trans off and crack it open for a full view inside.

[nkw8181]

It was wrecked when i bought it but i drove it into the garage. here is a better pic to show size.

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[nkw8181]

Looks like possibly 29??Capture.PNG

[STiPWRD]

Looks like possibly 29??Capture.PNG

That seems like a good guess. I'd suggest changing the fluid and seeing if there are any metal bits in that. Preventative maintenance now would be much easier than rebuilding a damaged trans later.

[Hindsight]

Just noticed your seats and mounts - very nice! At current configuration, about how many inches do you have between your head and the top of the roll bar? I see the pic you posted but is hard to tell from the low camera angle of that particular shot. Love the mounts... will probably do something nearly exactly the same on mine now that I've seen yours; thanks for posting such detailed pics.

How do you feel about the NRG seats from a comfort standpoint? Which model are they exactly?

Thanks!

[wleehendrick]

Just noticed your seats and mounts - very nice! At current configuration, about how many inches do you have between your head and the top of the roll bar? I see the pic you posted but is hard to tell from the low camera angle of that particular shot. Love the mounts... will probably do something nearly exactly the same on mine now that I've seen yours; thanks for posting such detailed pics.

How do you feel about the NRG seats from a comfort standpoint? Which model are they exactly?

Thanks!

I have the same seats (unless those are the cf version), so I'll chime in. They're NRG FRP-300. I haven't driven in them, but sat in them in the 818 for a while getting the ergonomics sorted. I'd recommend them; they're very comfortable for a light, fixed back bucket, affordable, but not FIA certified, if that's important to you. The way I have mine mounted (low and reclined, with a Boyd tank, and bent firewall) I have an inch or two below the rollbar. The harness bar mounts are much too high and I'll mount shoulder harness to the square tube.

[nkw8181]

That seems like a good guess. I'd suggest changing the fluid and seeing if there are any metal bits in that. Preventative maintenance now would be much easier than rebuilding a damaged trans later.

My roommate and I took apart the center diff and found the two washers missing so it is safe to say that that is what it was.

Just noticed your seats and mounts - very nice! At current configuration, about how many inches do you have between your head and the top of the roll bar? I see the pic you posted but is hard to tell from the low camera angle of that particular shot. Love the mounts... will probably do something nearly exactly the same on mine now that I've seen yours; thanks for posting such detailed pics.

How do you feel about the NRG seats from a comfort standpoint? Which model are they exactly?

Thanks!

Thanks Hindsight. I need to get a side pic next time i can sit in the car lol. it is a little cluttered. I can say that my design was to raise the front 1 in which dropped the top by ~2 in if that helps some. The center back of the seat is aprox 35 degrees tilt back.

[nkw8181]

Same as Wleehendrick. Only sat in it a few times but feels comfortable. I made my mounting brackets with the idea that if I want to get FIA seats they should still work in my mounts. I ordered my seats from Eric (33 Machine) as well as NRG's 6 point harness and a steering wheel. Great guy to work with

I have the same seats (unless those are the cf version), so I'll chime in. They're NRG FRP-300. I haven't driven in them, but sat in them in the 818 for a while getting the ergonomics sorted. I'd recommend them; they're very comfortable for a light, fixed back bucket, affordable, but not FIA certified, if that's important to you. The way I have mine mounted (low and reclined, with a Boyd tank, and bent firewall) I have an inch or two below the rollbar. The harness bar mounts are much too high and I'll mount shoulder harness to the square tube.

[nkw8181]

Got the rear suspension installed also had my roommate get a pic of me in the car. This pic has the seat cushions in. If I find I need more clearance I'll just use the front seat pad and remove the rear to make clearance. I should add that I'm 6'1".

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[nkw8181]

Front suspension is on!! oh and my roommate decided his shoes double as shin protectors

[Hindsight]

Thanks for the pics. How thick are the seat cushions on those NRG seats?

[nkw8181]

Thanks for the pics. How thick are the seat cushions on those NRG seats?

The rear pad is 1in at the rear and 2in at the front and the forward pad is 2.5 in rear and 3.5 front.

Started taking the steering rack apart to de-power it and prep it to be welded. Here are the pics, I forgo-ed making a mounting bracket and just used what I had. gotta find a place to get it welded and the rod pressed out.

[DMC7492]

I like your seating arrangements, can you stretch out your legs straight against the front fire wall with the seats in this position? How much do you weigh? Okay disclaimer here and not going to break any man laws and loose my man card.
What is your pants size?
I am 6'0" and almost have to sit straight up with out a seat in the chassis. When pushing in the clutch at the top of the pedal my knees are hittin the wheel. Do you have a picture of your knees position when your feet are touching the pedals?

[wleehendrick]

I like your seating arrangements, can you stretch out your legs straight against the front fire wall with the seats in this position? How much do you weigh? Okay disclaimer here and not going to break any man laws and loose my man card.
What is your pants size?
I am 6'0" and almost have to sit straight up with out a seat in the chassis. When pushing in the clutch at the top of the pedal my knees are hittin the wheel. Do you have a picture of your knees position when your feet are touching the pedals?

I've got the same seats as Nolan and am close to your size, so hope this helps; I'm 5'11" 190lbs, 32" waist and 32" inseam, 17.5" torso length (C7 to Iliac crest, I know this from fitting backpacks) my height comes from my legs, not torso. I moved my firewall back with a Boyd tank and have just enough leg room; with the fixed back seats reclined you always have some bend in the knee as the seat bottom tilts too. I've always preferred this seating position as it helps if you're long limbed. I spent quite a bit of time adjusting things (lowered the steering wheel, re-postioned the throttle, easy if it's DBW), but am very happy with how it turned out. I've yet to drive it, but I'm not cramped in the cockpit, head's below the roll-bar, and have room to comfortably press the clutch pedal and heel/toe.

Edit: I should add I have a small 320mm steering wheel, which helps.

[nkw8181]

I like your seating arrangements, can you stretch out your legs straight against the front fire wall with the seats in this position? How much do you weigh? Okay disclaimer here and not going to break any man laws and loose my man card.


What is your pants size?
I am 6'0" and almost have to sit straight up with out a seat in the chassis. When pushing in the clutch at the top of the pedal my knees are hittin the wheel. Do you have a picture of your knees position when your feet are touching the pedals?

6'1", 195lbs, 33x34 or as much as 34x36 depending on brand. As far as a pic I will try to get one this weekend since there is "stuff" in the seats right now. The angle allows my legs to rest in the bend position so I feel comfortable. Haven't got the pedals installed for operation (no resistance) so I can't speak on that yet and I still need to put the cover on the steering wheel as well as possibly shortening it. I get some pics this weekend for ya.

[nkw8181]

I've got the same seats as Nolan and am close to your size, so hope this helps; I'm 5'11" 190lbs, 32" waist and 32" inseam, 17.5" torso length (C7 to Iliac crest, I know this from fitting backpacks) my height comes from my legs, not torso. I moved my firewall back with a Boyd tank and have just enough leg room; with the fixed back seats reclined you always have some bend in the knee as the seat bottom tilts too. I've always preferred this seating position as it helps if you're long limbed. I spent quite a bit of time adjusting things (lowered the steering wheel, re-postioned the throttle, easy if it's DBW), but am very happy with how it turned out. I've yet to drive it, but I'm not cramped in the cockpit, head's below the roll-bar, and have room to comfortably press the clutch pedal and heel/toe.

Edit: I should add I have a small 320mm steering wheel, which helps.

I have a 320 wheel as well and will be curious where my knees end up. Probably will be similar to you.

[Frank818]

I have a 320 wheel

Do you guys have any issues with viewing the top of the cluster? I found out that no matter how I adjust my seat and 320mm s/w, the top arc of the s/w blocks the view of the cluster area (top of it). I have to put the s/w so high in order to view the entire cluster hole that it's too unconformable to drive. Now that is just the hole that is covered at the top by the s/w, maybe when the cluster is in the gauges sit low enough so the s/w doesn't blocks the view. Just wondering if you notice the same thing.

[wleehendrick]

Do you guys have any issues with viewing the top of the cluster? I found out that no matter how I adjust my seat and 320mm s/w, the top arc of the s/w blocks the view of the cluster area (top of it). I have to put the s/w so high in order to view the entire cluster hole that it's too unconformable to drive. Now that is just the hole that is covered at the top by the s/w, maybe when the cluster is in the gauges sit low enough so the s/w doesn't blocks the view. Just wondering if you notice the same thing.

I haven't mounted my cluster, so have no idea. It could very well end up blocking the top of the tach/speedo. I'd rather have the wheel in the right position for driving, if it does end up there... oh well; maybe get a shift light.

[nkw8181]

I haven't mounted my cluster, so have no idea. It could very well end up blocking the top of the tach/speedo. I'd rather have the wheel in the right position for driving, if it does end up there... oh well; maybe get a shift light.

Ditto. Oh worst case I'll just learn to "listen" when to shift :-D

[Stickshift84]

s/w blocks part of the cluster on mine. DO not really need to see the speedo but can see enough of the tach for my comfort.

[Frank818]

s/w blocks part of the cluster on mine. DO not really need to see the speedo but can see enough of the tach for my comfort.

320mm as well?

[nkw8181]

So I believe I did this a bit different. I decided to cut off the plug ends and then paint it. I also got a local shop to press out the rod and cut off the piston. I have noticed that now it isn't hard to take out the rod but would not want to have to take out the seals. Hmm now I'm wondering what roll they are really playing and if i should just remove the seals. I'll prob just leave them in. On another note I decided against welding on the bearing sleeve to eliminate "play" but may shoot some epoxy in the holes. As it was said on the depowering thread if the epoxy ever breaks down there is no harm no foul.

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I painted it with the same "Ford Blue" Enamel paint. Going to use that color for miss parts. Oh and I have a "few" goodies coming from Wayne at VCP! I'll show pics when it gets here!

[nkw8181]

I forgot to add that I plugged the holes with flanged pipe plugs with Teflon tape to make it a tighter fit.

[nkw8181]

So here is how it turned out20140921_124107 (1).jpg20140921_124100 (1).jpg20140921_124048 (1).jpg20140921_124038 (1).jpg

[nkw8181]

Got my calipers painted.

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Is this the right orientation of the upper a-arms?20140924_214347 - Copy.jpg

[Wayne Presley]

calipers look great and the arms are correct.

[nkw8181]

calipers look great and the arms are correct.

Thanks!

So for those of you who used the stock tank I have a question. Is there a good reason to have the fuel lines on the tank point towards the passenger side rather then going what looks to be the shorter route?

[nkw8181]

So after getting the engine and trans in I run across the simplifying EJ motor trend and decided to do a few. I took the coolant line that goes into the throttle body and made a bypass out of it. not sure If I'm going to just mod the TGV or buy the composite one. also considering an oil catch can or air to oil separator but know little to nothing about them. now time to research.

[Mechie3]

You can route the fuel lines however you want. Not sure if you can rotated the pickup itself or not in the locking ring. If you can't, just make a short loop to go to the driver side.

[nkw8181]

You can route the fuel lines however you want. Not sure if you can rotated the pickup itself or not in the locking ring. If you can't, just make a short loop to go to the driver side.

You lost me there Mechie. Are you referring to an AOS or just a catch can?

[nkw8181]

Done a bit since the last update. Installed ERG Tribaca blockoff plates, did the diy tgv deletes, polished the aluminum down to 800 grit including the throttle body, painted the manifold. The manifold would have been installed if not for those pesky gaskets.

[nkw8181]

more pics