Frank's 818R build

[Pearldrummer7]

Congrats and good luck!!! What's left to do before then?

Well, some "put it back together" from my over zealous weekend. Some wiring, padded sun visors, all the fluids again, and putting the seats back in. Not sure I should even bother with the second one honestly.

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Good luck Frank
it took me 3 visits to State Trooper.
inspection (fail bumpers)
Inspection (passed bumpers)
Installed VIN plates
First visit conversation was "Yes Sir, No Sir". By the third visit it was "How you doing, how are the wife and kids"
Bob

[Mechie3]

Is cardboard padded enough?

[Pearldrummer7]

Good luck Frank
it took me 3 visits to State Trooper.
inspection (fail bumpers)
Inspection (passed bumpers)
Installed VIN plates
First visit conversation was "Yes Sir, No Sir". By the third visit it was "How you doing, how are the wife and kids"
Bob

Bob- from what I hear, I expect to go 2-3 times total. Thanks for the good luck wishes!

Is cardboard padded enough?

I haven't asked, but I have a feeling it isn't haha. I'm buying some crappy used ones and I'm going to slap them on.

Or I could pull them off of my 90's Ford tow vehicle....

[Pearldrummer7]

Just cracked my windshield, and my appointment is tomorrow

Going to call them at 8:30 and see what they say about me coming anyway, since this isn't my state examination (just the homemade vehicle inspection).

[Pearldrummer7]

Update- they'll let me slide on the cracked windshield tomorrow! Currently packing up the truck and doing last minute changes to the car. Whew; there's a ton to do!

She's almost ready!!

[Pearldrummer7]

Here now, in the pouring rain, with a cracked windshield. They don't let you watch the inspection!?!? :O

So I'm in the waiting room. Has it been 30 mins yet??

[Mitch Wright]

Good Luck

[Tamra]

They don't let you watch?!? I hope they aren't going to drive it if so.

Good luck!

[flynntuna]

The inspectors name wasn't Ferris Bueler was it?

[Pearldrummer7]

I hope they don't want to drive it, because I have the key in my hand

[Pearldrummer7]

I HAVE A VIN!!

Details when I get home and unload the car

[Tamra]

Congrats!!!

[David Hodgkins]

I HAVE A VIN!!

Details when I get home and unload the car

Woop Woop!!

[Pearldrummer7]

Congrats!!!

Woop Woop!!

Thanks guys!

---

So, story time:

I got there (in the rain, naturally) about 20 minutes early, and they said to unload and come right around back. I pulled into the garage bay where they do inspections. We went through receipts first (no problems at all there), and then they told me to go to the waiting room. I was shocked that I couldn't watch the procedure.

So about 20 minutes later they came to the little service window and told me to come to the garage. Guy goes "only one issue..." and I cringed, thinking of the number of things it could be and he says "where do you want the VIN sticker? We usually put it on the door jam and you don't have doors"

Now that's my kind of problem I packed up and headed home and unloaded everything. Painless, easy, and if it weren't for the rain I would say pleasant, too. I highly recommend the Syracuse Field Inspection station if you're anywhere near it. They really seemed like they wanted to pass the car.


Now...onto insurance!

[Canadian818]

Congrats! Much easier than you expected.

[mikeb75]

Nice problem to have!

[AZPete]

Congrats! And, I enjoyed your exciting story . . . "only one issue".

[Frank818]

Hurray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pearldrummer7]

Thanks all!

I'm going to get it inspected tomorrow (if it doesn't pour...forecast is 50/50 right now). After inspection, all I'll need is insurance! Which it seems will have to wait till I'm 25 (March). But! This will mean I can start taking the car apart as soon as I'm back home from Christmas! (Taking a week to visit family)

[Pearldrummer7]

Check it out! She's inspected. Insurance is the only thing standing between me and plates.



He even let me drive the whole rig in so I didn't have to unload in the rainy snow.


Although it's 35* and rainy/slushy, this "warm" weather has been amazing for me getting this car on the road. If I could find some liability-only coverage tomorrow I would have plates this year! But it might just be an "in Spring" thing.

[Tamra]

Congrats! When is your birthday? I can't remember, did you try reaching out to our insurance guy, Keith? His email is [email protected]. See if he can help you out.

[Pearldrummer7]

Congrats! When is your birthday? I can't remember, did you try reaching out to our insurance guy, Keith? His email is [email protected]. See if he can help you out.

I did. 25 like everyone else. It's in March, but I'm in Asia for that whole month almost. So when I come back!

[Mitch Wright]

Congratulations

[Santiago]

Woo-hoo!! Congratulations! Must feel really good...[I wouldn't know...]

Best,
-j

[Pearldrummer7]

I've been fairly sick recently, so progress has been all but nonexistant. However, I went into the garage today and saw an out-of-place puddle that wasn't there Sunday (I cleaned the garage floor)





My strut is leaking!? Wtf?! Anyone run into this or know what to do? Car hasn't been actually driven except around the driveway in almost 3 months, and it just started leaking.

[Tamra]

Wow, blown shock already. That's crazy! I would contact FFR and see if there is any sort of warranty on the Konis. If FFR doesn't offer anything, try Koni directly. They are great to work with.

[Pearldrummer7]

Wow, blown shock already. That's crazy! I would contact FFR and see if there is any sort of warranty on the Konis. If FFR doesn't offer anything, try Koni directly. They are great to work with.

And the other side isn't leaking at all. Makes me think I might've gotten a defect one? I plan to take it off an examine it and then call FFR and see what they say

[RetroRacing]

Koni is great to work with, I had a new strut shear of at the top mount while going through turn 8 at Pacific (got to watch the whole wheel, brake and lower control arm fly overtop the car and into the wood) Sent them pictures of it, and they replaced the strut no charge, which is all one could expect. Turned out to be a metal issue with the casting.
Scary thing, if it would have let go 2 turns later, I would not be here.....

[Frank818]

Certainly a defect one, happened to me long time ago after purchasing a new set on all 4 corners, after a few months one of the fronts leaked. Wasn't Koni but it's just to say it's certainly a defect one and I wouldn't worry, as long as you don't race it!

[Pearldrummer7]

Finally got around to calling FFR on this. 5 minutes, tops, and they had a new one coming to me these guys rock!

[Pearldrummer7]

Cool little accolade for the fellow Redditors out there. My car is the Featured Ride of the Week on /r/autos!

https://www.reddit.com/r/Autos/comme...er_frank_818r/

[Pearldrummer7]

Okay! I've been sick for the last few weeks (long story, but hopefully I'm back now!) so progress has been slow. Until yesterday, that is!

Pulled the engine with some friends:


Some things I've noticed:
Flywheel looks good to me

Clutch looks worn, but still good-ish


FFR provided gasket from turbo to turboback is getting in the way of gas flow! Also it was falling apart. Ordering a nicer one this time around.



Then I did some addition of lightness, one of many things on the list:


Yes, it will be painted to prevent rust. More VHT is on the way

[Pearldrummer7]

Bonus:

Car parts on the living room table, gaming consoles filling the entertainment center, and two taken apart servers (hardly shown, bottom right).... can you tell I'm a bachelor?

[Tamra]

Was that clutch new earlier this year?

Whatcha doing to the engine?

[Scargo]

I would ditch that stock level clutch disk and put in a six puck or something better than what you have. It looks like it is wearing unevenly or creating buildup on the flywheel. Same on the pressure plate?

[Pearldrummer7]

Was that clutch new earlier this year?

Whatcha doing to the engine?

It was. Southbend Stage 2, but it was "shallow" looking to begin with.

I would ditch that stock level clutch disk and put in a six puck or something better than what you have. It looks like it is wearing unevenly or creating buildup on the flywheel. Same on the pressure plate?

It's a Stage 2, so supposedly more than I make for power. It's better on the pressure plate side by maybe 20-30%




As for engine....cam seals, timing kit (belt actually has a good chunk taken out of it....phew! close one), oil pan modifications, replacing all the short rubber fuel lines and coolant lines since they're old and cracked, creating a new intake and intercooler solution that I think will be easier to fabricate outside of the car (I have dimensions). I think that's it? And resealing the trans since it leaks like a civ. Not enough money for a diff or I'd do that too.

[AgentH]

Congrats on getting her street legal!

I dunno about a 6 puck... I like Southbend a lot.

Story on imgur was also pretty sweet. nice job!

[Frank818]

can you tell I'm a bachelor?

Nah, judging by the suspension on the table I can tell you are a racer.

[Pearldrummer7]

Congrats on getting her street legal!

I dunno about a 6 puck... I like Southbend a lot.

Story on imgur was also pretty sweet. nice job!

Thank you and thank you! I like Southbend too and I love how this felt. If I really needed a replacement I would go with their even-heavier-duty full face clutch instead of a pucked one.

Nah, judging by the suspension on the table I can tell you are a racer.