Ssssly 818 buildup thread

[ssssly]

How is everyone this evening?

Allow me to introduce myself.

I am Brooker.

I am in the Air Force and have been stationed in Okinawa for the last 7 years. I have been building and racing Subarus here in Japan for about the last 5 years. And recently purchased my 818S kit, due for delivery in August.

I am moving to Omaha, Nebraska this week and I am bringing a ton of JDM Subaru parts back with me. Both for my 818 donor and to rebuild my 05 STI spec C daily driver.

I am an experienced engine builder and EFI tuner for most Japanese and several European cars. And I'm actually rather excited to get back to the states and get my hands on the Gen IV LS engines. They are pretty much unobtanium in Asia.

My current plans for my 818 are a relatively stock build for the first round, minus the engine. I have a 2.2l EJ207 stroker that I built to put in my spec C before I got orders to Omaha. Planning on pairing that up with a Borg Warner 7163 to see if its possible to get ~500hp to the ground.

Going to try it with 9" rears first and see if the tires will stay hooked up in gear changes. If not it will be time for 10" and some custom rear fenders and trailing arms. If it's still too much I'll swap the turbo out for a Garett gt3071R and drop the HP a bit.

Also gonna try it with the a 02 5spd with a helical front diff and stock gears. Basically to see if the stock tranny can hold up to decent HP numbers. If not it will be time for some PPG gears.

Pretty much everything else I'm going to build stock and see where that gets me. I'll then make any changes during the rebuild over next winter.

Either way, I just want to benefit the community however I can with my Subaru knowledge and learn as much as possible from the experienced 818 and other kit builders.

Be well and part porn to follow.

[ssssly]

My spec C before the teardown.



After the teardown.

1959925_10202583333778370_1649229561_n.jpg

[ssssly]

Custom GT 3071R

Is a spec C vf34 cold side, a s204 twin scroll hot side, with billet Garrett x3071R CHRA.

[ssssly]

And some pics of what you don't want your engine to look like. Otherwise know as, "Why you don't put aftermarket cold air intakes, downpipes and manual boost controllers on a Subaru without retuning your AFR, load and wastegate duty cycle tables tables." This was an engine run on a 3" bell mouth down pipe, HKS intake, and halman MBC (+5 psi from stock). Friend of the owner told him it was good to go that way.





Engine knocked so bad it squeezed the bearing out like play dough.

[longislandwrx]

And some pics of what you don't want your engine to look like. Otherwise know as, "Why you don't put aftermarket cold air intakes, downpipes and manual boost controllers on a Subaru without retuning your AFR, load and wastegate duty cycle tables tables." This was an engine run on a 3" bell mouth down pipe, HKS intake, and halman MBC (+5 psi from stock). Friend of the owner told him it was good to go that way.

HAHA how long did he have sparkly unicorn fairy oil before he knew something was wrong?

I got a little sick to my stomach that you stripped such a mint car. I guess it wasn't too far from the 10yr mark.

Do you have shells ready to go in the states?

[FFRSpec72]

Plain and simple, their fiberglass work is not the best, I have all sorts of issues with my MkII Challenge car where they joined the seams and thus I have layers of gel coat and fiberglass mixed and thus cracks. At lease the 818 dos not have seams that I have to worry about.

[ssssly]

2.2l pics

[gwarden]

Nice looking engine
Welcome to the forum and welcome back to the states soon

[ssssly]

Nice looking engine
Welcome to the forum and welcome back to the states soon

Thank you much.

[ssssly]

Guessing he figured something was wrong right after it seized.

Haven't found a shell yet. Couple of feelers in TX and CO but I would really like to find something closer to Omaha.

And I still haven't decide on a RHD or LHD rebuild.

[Bob_n_Cincy]

And I still haven't decide on a RHD or LHD rebuild.

If you are racing only, go with a center seat. Pretty easy to do in the 818 without a engine in the way of the steering column.
Thanks for the "WHAT NOT TO DO"
Welcome home soon.
Bob

[Wayne Presley]

Guessing he figured something was wrong right after it seized.

Haven't found a shell yet. Couple of feelers in TX and CO but I would really like to find something closer to Omaha.

And I still haven't decide on a RHD or LHD rebuild.

What shell are you looking for?

[bil1024]

Welcome to the family! Keep us posted on the build

[ssssly]

I'm looking for an 02-07 bare WRB shell.

The 818 will be LHD.

Debating building a RHD WRX since I have all the parts for 3 RHD conversions.

[Wayne Presley]

I have some that you can pick from

[ssssly]

I have some that you can pick from

Where are you located at?

Pm me info on what you have.

[Mitch Wright]

Welcome home and thank you for your service.

[ssssly]

Been super busy with my move back to the states.

Finally got moved into my house. Making headway on getting the garage set up.

And just confirmed that my kit will be done August 9th.

Now just to make the shipping arrangements and get to building.

Planning on doing time lapses for all the build days and videos for any custom work or problem areas.

Definitely looking forward to digging into this project.

[ssssly]

Its Alive! (In my best frankenstein voice)

[ssssly]

Final payment made. Shipment arranged. 3 week countdown.

[ssssly]

Got the call from the Stewart transport driver.

Should be in the garage on the 28th.

[cheebs127]

I look forward to the build progress pics. I cant believe one is being build so close to me. I'm stationed at Offutt as well but Im not planning on building one until I move back to the east coast next year.

[ssssly]

I look forward to the build progress pics. I cant believe one is being build so close to me. I'm stationed at Offutt as well but Im not planning on building one until I move back to the east coast next year.

If you want to come turn some wrenches drop me a line.

I live up in Dundee.

[68GT500MAN]

Great photo's so far and welcome back to the states.
Doug

[ssssly]

Car is in the garage.

And I have a 4 day weekend.

Good times ahead.

[Brando]

Right on, congrats on your kits arrival. What a great feeling to get a package of that magnitude.
Super lucky you get to kick of your build with a 4 day weekend!

[ssssly]

Inventory day.

[sponaugle]

Inventory day.

WooHoo!

[ssssly]

Post removed. in the user agreement it states that you must try to work out issue directly with any vendor before posting said issues to the forum.

[freds]

That's disgraceful. I am working on my body parts right now, and am also disappointed in their quality...I've been filling and sanding for days!

BUT YOURS are 10X worse!!!

You must be really disappointed. Wish I could help.

fred

[tmoretta]

I see your panels are red. My white panels from April are near perfect. I wonder if FFR is having trouble making transition to a new color gel.

[JSP49]

I'm really disappointed to hear and see this. It's given me a queer feeling in the pit of my stomach. I've been saving for months for a kit and donor parts. I even cut out beer during the week to bring my dream experience home sooner. I've endured the stress fending off discouraging comments the whole time from family about how crazy this project seems to them. I'm struggling to reconcile all those videos and still shots of Dave and the rest of the FFR team showing immaculate bodies and builds and hearing about their ultra technology in producing all the parts with what I just saw and read. I would appreciate comments from others on their experience regarding this issue.

[STiPWRD]

I'm really disappointed to hear and see this. It's given me a queer feeling in the pit of my stomach. I've been saving for months for a kit and donor parts. I even cut out beer during the week to bring my dream experience home sooner. I've endured the stress fending off discouraging comments the whole time from family about how crazy this project seems to them. I'm struggling to reconcile all those videos and still shots of Dave and the rest of the FFR team showing immaculate bodies and builds and hearing about their ultra technology in producing all the parts with what I just saw and read. I would appreciate comments from others on their experience regarding this issue.

Keep saving, the experience of building a kit car it well worth it. Don't let a few imperfections in the body work hold you back. My body panels aren't perfect but in general much better than what's depicted in this thread. And if there are any issues FFR has shown they will go above and beyond to do the right thing and fix any problems. They've been great to work with overall. You will run into challenges from time to time and learn more than you ever thought, that's all part of the fun.

[Quiny]

Keep saving, the experience of building a kit car it well worth it. Don't let a few imperfections in the body work hold you back. My body panels aren't perfect but in general much better than what's depicted in this thread. And if there are any issues FFR has shown they will go above and beyond to do the right thing and fix any problems. They've been great to work with overall. You will run into challenges from time to time and learn more than you ever thought, that's all part of the fun.

Ditto, I have nothing but a good experience with FFR. If you are looking for a show quality car out of the box than don't buy one, If instead you want a great platform and starting point to build something that is completely your own, than an FFR kit is what you want. I had to promise my wife that this project would not effect our finances. I worked on the side and sold a whole bunch of stuff(other toys) to afford the kit and I do not regret it one bit. I have an earlier white body and although it's not perfect it's plenty good enough to drive for a year and save for a paint job. Considering the cars that an 818 can compete with, it's a bargain.

[RM1SepEx]

My white body from last August looks like his and my powder coating is very similar with "issues" all over

[ssssly]

Yeah, mine was supposed to be white.

They changed it to red and never bothered to tell me.

Just got done talking with my buddy who does body work. $8500 just to fix it and make it look the way it should. And those are friend prices.

I would have been way happier with something that was just ready to paint. Is going to take $7k in labor just to get them paintable. Then $1500 to paint them. Every single panel has to be redone.

I am fuming right now. Especially after their "One year in production" triumph post.

One year in production and they still can't make fiberglas body panels or powder coat a frame.

You'd think after over $2.5million in sales they could figure those things out.

[metalmaker12]

Yeah, mine was supposed to be white.

They changed it to red and never bothered to tell me.

Just got done talking with my buddy who does body work. $8500 just to fix it and make it look the way it should. And those are friend prices.

I would have been way happier with something that was just ready to paint. Is going to take $7k in labor just to get them paintable. Then $1500 to paint them. Every single panel has to be redone.

I am fuming right now. Especially after their "One year in production" triumph post.

One year in production and they still can't make fiberglas body panels or powder coat a frame.

You'd think after over $2.5million in sales they could figure those things out.

I spent a serious amount of time on the body, but 7-8 grand is about right cause if you figure labor and materials it's a deal. I spent 2,500-2,700 to get all the materials and rent the booth, my panels were much worse in spots. Overall they look pretty good, and I did not go to crazy with spray fillers etc.

[Aero STI]

I'm sorry to hear about your issues. I've definitely gone through phases of frustration and disappointment when building my kit stemming from poor quality control on the pat of FFR. I've decided to consider my white panels as temporary. I'll put a little effort in to cleaning up edges here and there, but I'm not going to invest too much time considering the continued mention of the plastic body panels.

I would recommend assembling what you can and get the car to go-kart status ASAP. You'll be much less frustrated after you drive the car. Deal with the body panels when the time comes.

[Brando]

It's really hard to tell by your pictures, but are those exposed pieces?
Sorry to hear about your experience. I was kit 102 and I can't complain, my finished product makes me smile

[ssssly]

It's really hard to tell by your pictures, but are those exposed pieces?
Sorry to hear about your experience. I was kit 102 and I can't complain, my finished product makes me smile

Kit 251 and none of the problems are from damage to exposed pieces during shipping.

It is plain and simple shoddy construction. The molds were not prepared properly with releaser. The fiber glass was not laid properly in the molds. The gelcoat was not applied properly. It was removed from the mold before it was fully cured. And too much resin was applied to the backside.

Basically, the people who made the fiberglass parts, don't know how to make fiberglass parts. A 5 min youtube tutorial could have resulted in higher quality manufacturing.

And I am shocked that 250 people before me, paid $10k and found this acceptable. A $10 fiberglass part from china has 10X the fit and finish of the garbage shipped to me. Plus the fact that a human being looked at these parts and decided they were good to ship is appalling.

And the aluminum parts are just plain laziness. Someone couldn't take the time to ensure the calibration of the plasma cutter. And or the CAD program isn't correct for the speed of the table.

The problems are all crappy construction and nonexistent quality control.