The Grassroots Motorsports 818 Build

[Frank818]

Yes, very much an improvement. But those recesses could impact the placement of stereo speakers in the doors. What is the vertical dimension and depth of the upper recess? Anyone at Grassroots care to measure?

I'm sure they'll come up with a "caption this photo" for you.

[longislandwrx]

Yes, very much an improvement. But those recesses could impact the placement of stereo speakers in the doors. What is the vertical dimension and depth of the upper recess? Anyone at Grassroots care to measure?

I think it will be fine... looks like you still have several inches in the bottom and pretty much the whole depth at the top.

[Silvertop]

I think it will be fine... looks like you still have several inches in the bottom and pretty much the hole depth at the to.

I think you are quite right about the depth. The doors are plenty deep enough for even the very best speakers. But because its an open car with lots of wind and road noise, for adequate volume and sound reproduction, I will want to mount my speakers as high as possible in the doors -- which means installing in the upper recess. And because I don't want to take up precious and limited space in the car with a subwoofer, my plan was to install the largest and highest quality coaxial or three-way speaker I can buy. The goal is a really good 6 X 9. But there may not be sufficient vertical space (at least 6") in the upper recess. Which means I may need to go smaller -- which will cost me some bass response. Or get really creative with the speaker mounting process...... In any event, that's why I'm concerned about the vertical dimension of the upper recess. Hopefully, GRM or someone else who has the new door panels will be able to measure the recesses and post the results. If not -- well, my kit will probably be delivered next week. If the new panels are included and not backordered, I'll be able to measure them myself. But that's a big if............. !

Apologies for the thread-jack. I know there is a more suitable thread for discussing stereo systems. I won't discuss that any more here. I just need to know the vertical dimensions and depth of the new inner door panel upper recesses.

[wleehendrick]

I know there is a more suitable thread for discussing stereo systems. I won't discuss that any more here. I just need to know the vertical dimensions and depth of the new inner door panel upper recesses.

That would be the thread I started here. I"m in the same situation, I will be installing an audio system, and am anxiously looking for any info on mounting options in the door panels.

my plan was to install the largest and highest quality coaxial or three-way speaker I can buy. The goal is a really good 6 X 9. .

FYI, for sound quality forget about coaxial speakers or most 6x9's!!! Get a good set of component speakers (with separate woofers, tweeters and cross-overs network). This lets you mount the tweeter higher in the door for better stereo imaging. The woofer, which handles harder to localize low frequencies, can then be mounted lower in the panel without issues. There are lots of quality component systems with 5.25" and 6.5" woofers (and some 6x9). If 6.5" doesn't fit, I'm optimistic there will be a good location for a 5.25" (but that would likely require a sub for decent bass).

Let's move any further discussion over to the audio system thread; I wanted to make sure to point it out here so it wasn't missed.

[Xusia]

^What he said!

[Silvertop]

That would be the thread I started here. I"m in the same situation, I will be installing an audio system, and am anxiously looking for any info on mounting options in the door panels.



FYI, for sound quality forget about coaxial speakers or most 6x9's!!! Get a good set of component speakers (with separate woofers, tweeters and cross-overs network). This lets you mount the tweeter higher in the door for better stereo imaging. The woofer, which handles harder to localize low frequencies, can then be mounted lower in the panel without issues. There are lots of quality component systems with 5.25" and 6.5" woofers (and some 6x9). If 6.5" doesn't fit, I'm optimistic there will be a good location for a 5.25" (but that would likely require a sub for decent bass).

Let's move any further discussion over to the audio system thread; I wanted to make sure to point it out here so it wasn't missed.

Agreed. Shifting this conversation to the audio thread. But I'm still hoping someone gets us a measurement on the height of that upper recess in the inner door panel! Wouldn't mind a vertical and horizontal measurement on the space directly in front of that upper recess (toward the door hinges) as well.

[GrassrootsMotorsports]

Hi Guys, we have been out all weekend at Sebring (Yellow Miata):



What a great time, and was great to meet Wayne from VCP!

Also, look what I found in front of our office this morning:



Finally got to go for a test drive, I really enjoyed it. Great, fun car!

I also found a tape measure in the midst of all the fun:

Yes, very much an improvement. But those recesses could impact the placement of stereo speakers in the doors. What is the vertical dimension and depth of the upper recess? Anyone at Grassroots care to measure?

The only place to logically mount a speaker is in that indention in the middle of the door panel. The indention measures approx 20" wide by 6.5" tall. It is recessed 2" into the door panel. I see no issues mounting a 6.5" round or 6x9 speaker in that space.

I will have more photos from the build soon, hopefully later today.

[Kalstar]

Caption, My first thought was....."woo look, no panties".

[wallace18]

When am I ever going to get to work on my own car?
caption.jpg

[Silvertop]

Finally got to go for a test drive, I really enjoyed it. Great, fun car!

I also found a tape measure in the midst of all the fun:


The only place to logically mount a speaker is in that indention in the middle of the door panel. The indention measures approx 20" wide by 6.5" tall. It is recessed 2" into the door panel. I see no issues mounting a 6.5" round or 6x9 speaker in that space.

I will have more photos from the build soon, hopefully later today.

Thanks for the comeback on that. It's much appreciated. But for clarity, are those the dimensions for the upper or lower indentation/recess? If it's for the lower, I would really appreciate a measurement on the upper as well. At minimum, I'd like to at least put a tweeter in the upper........

[Wayne Presley]

When am I ever going to get to work on my own car?
caption.jpg

So very true....

[GrassrootsMotorsports]

Thanks for the comeback on that. It's much appreciated. But for clarity, are those the dimensions for the upper or lower indentation/recess? If it's for the lower, I would really appreciate a measurement on the upper as well. At minimum, I'd like to at least put a tweeter in the upper........

The upper indention measures 26"x5" and isn't recessed enough for measurement. It is very slight. Basically I envision a tweeter mounted in this spot then a regular speaker mounted in the lower indention. If you guys have any other questions or need pics of things just let me know, as the 818 should be in the showroom for a week or two.

[Silvertop]

The upper indention measures 26"x5" and isn't recessed enough for measurement. It is very slight. Basically I envision a tweeter mounted in this spot then a regular speaker mounted in the lower indention. If you guys have any other questions or need pics of things just let me know, as the 818 should be in the showroom for a week or two.

Thanks for the clarification. While I was hoping that the upper recess was the 6 1/2" number you quoted, I figured it wasn't. Just looked too small. I'll probably stick a component set in the doors with a 6 1/2 in the lower recess and the tweeter up high. It'll work. Thanks again.

[GrassrootsMotorsports]

^Not a problem!

Putting some finishing touches on the front end:



Interior finishing:


Studs for the rear "hood"


We painted the stock wheels black, for now.



Caption this photo!

[Silvertop]

The upper indention measures 26"x5" and isn't recessed enough for measurement. It is very slight. Basically I envision a tweeter mounted in this spot then a regular speaker mounted in the lower indention. If you guys have any other questions or need pics of things just let me know, as the 818 should be in the showroom for a week or two.

Actually, I did think of one more question relating to the door indents/recesses.......... Do you have any idea how much depth there is in the door BEHIND the lower recess? Based on the photos, there appears to be a fair amount. Hoping for about three inches at minimum......

[wallace18]

DSC_3919_zps150423b7.jpg

I bought lunch last time. It's your turn.

[RM1SepEx]

I told you no more chile from La Comida el Volcan for lunch!

[NicksPapaw]

Caption this photo!
[/QUOTE]

If I told you once, I told you a thousand times. When I am on my knees, I am looking for clearance issues in the wheel well. I am NOT sniffing your crotch!

[GrassrootsMotorsports]

Actually, I did think of one more question relating to the door indents/recesses.......... Do you have any idea how much depth there is in the door BEHIND the lower recess? Based on the photos, there appears to be a fair amount. Hoping for about three inches at minimum......

Not sure on exacts but there is definitely room between the door and door panel to fit a speaker.

[Silvertop]

Not sure on exacts but there is definitely room between the door and door panel to fit a speaker.

Thanks. That's really all I need to know. I can be happy now.

[carbon fiber]

No, who's on first, what's on second!!!!DSC_3919_zps150423b7.jpg (no one under thirty will probably get this.)

[GrassrootsMotorsports]

After completing the build, we weighed it:



Then it's test drive time. But first, we needed some gas:


And away we go:





We have the car back in Florida and all is well. Many thanks to Wayne for helping us out on the build. We all had our fun test driving it last week, and now the car resides in our showroom. Up next, the car will be getting a vinyl wrap and hitting the track for some baseline tests. I will keep the thread up to date as we do things with the car.

[GrassrootsMotorsports]

Caption this photo

[C.Plavan]

Are you going to cut open the side vents?

[GrassrootsMotorsports]

Are you going to cut open the side vents?

Yes, after the car is wrapped.

[Erik W. Treves]

Caption this photo

3 guys standing around...one guy working....I didn't know VCP was a gov't operation,......

[wallace18]

DSC_3941_zps2b57b929.jpg

Where did our dash go? I thought that last cardboard box was empty when you threw it out?

[D2W]

Over 1900 lbs on a donor build with bare bones interior and no gas. Kind of disappointing but expected after what the car weighed at the open house with aftermarket brakes and seats.

[Wayne Presley]

Over 1900 lbs on a donor build with bare bones interior and no gas. Kind of disappointing but expected after what the car weighed at the open house with aftermarket brakes and seats.

The stock seats with seat heaters and airbags are HEAVY!!!!!!!!!!!! Would not surprise me if they were over 60 lbs each

[dougkirkbride]

The stock seats with seat heaters and airbags are HEAVY!!!!!!!!!!!! Would not surprise me if they were over 60 lbs each

Wayne, so you got the stock seats to fit..... thats good news, i was sceptacle. i have 2006 wrx wagon limited leathers heated i wanted to use but have read all the fuss about getting the seats to fit. glad to know someone has fitted them.

[Wayne Presley]

Caption this photo

Sorry guys, I should not have eaten that burrito for lunch...

[Geoff H]

lol!! That one fits perfectly Wayne! The look on the guy's faces says it all. Were you crop dusting while working??

[RM1SepEx]

Wayne, so you got the stock seats to fit..... thats good news, i was sceptacle. i have 2006 wrx wagon limited leathers heated i wanted to use but have read all the fuss about getting the seats to fit. glad to know someone has fitted them.

Wayne made his own mounts for the GRM car... I just got my stock seats in mine using their new mounts. They could lower them an additional inch tho... At 5' 8" I fit fine with the new mounts. See photos on my thread

[dirty kurty]

The stock seats with seat heaters and airbags are HEAVY!!!!!!!!!!!! Would not surprise me if they were over 60 lbs each

Is there a safe way to remove the seat airbags?

[RM1SepEx]

Yes! Just did mine today. Flip the seat over and unzip the back panel. the panel tucks underneath with plastic clips. Carefully pull the wires through the space between the seat pan and the back. The wire is held to the pan by tape, just tear it away. Next cut/remove the two hog rings holding the side panel of the seat tight. Remove the two nuts and you can pull the airbag out. Fill in the space with some stiff foam. Either replace the hog rings or use a couple tie wraps to hold the side panel tight. Zip up the rear panel, re clip the panel at the bottom...

Done!

[dirty kurty]

Yes! Just did mine today. Flip the seat over and unzip the back panel. the panel tucks underneath with plastic clips. Carefully pull the wires through the space between the seat pan and the back. The wire is held to the pan by tape, just tear it away. Next cut/remove the two hog rings holding the side panel of the seat tight. Remove the two nuts and you can pull the airbag out. Fill in the space with some stiff foam. Either replace the hog rings or use a couple tie wraps to hold the side panel tight. Zip up the rear panel, re clip the panel at the bottom...

Done!

May I ask how much they weigh?

[RM1SepEx]

sure, give me another job to do! :-)

I'll have an answer for you soon, I'm guessing 2-3 lbs each...

2lbs, 4 oz with my postal scale

[GrassrootsMotorsports]

More videos!


Loose ends: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEc7tWX-NfA

Building the exhaust: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qEHcdE85dQ

Clutch issues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btw41et2o_Q

Door installation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLjFx5TYYFI

Front bodywork: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2YNS9n1Wfs

Dyno Pull: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0xgoJJGIHI

[gwader]

Thanks for the great vids!

[Wayne Presley]

Uggg, the clutch video. Nobody could have told me I rubbed my nose with a dirty hand???