GA Limited 818S Build Thread - 07FIREBLADE & The Wizzard

[07FIREBLADE]

Got bored while I was installing a wing on my wrx and wanted to see what it would look like on the 818, seriously tempted to get another one now. I also got the hardtop hood pins installed. The gaps need to be fixed a bit but its not as bad as the original engine covers. I still need to remount the front door brackets for the hardtop so I might be able to suck it in slightly. I got mechies hood hinge installed so I will get some pics of the front up hopefully tomorrow.I need to trim the recesses on the hood and mount the rear pins. This weekend I will get the doors installed again and the windows cutout and installed.

[Aero STI]

I like how the wing looks mocked up. Is that '08-14 or 15+?

[07FIREBLADE]

15+ Im tempted to check out the 08-14 though because it might fit a bit better. I could always build it up since it is just fiberglass. The rear fits pretty well and clears the hood pins. It was either the sti or possibly the gtr wing. Loved the look of both styles gtr might be a bit to wide though at the bases.

[mikeb75]

That wing is ridiculously good looking on the HT!!

A bit like a Lotus Exige 360 Cup, but better!

[Aero STI]

Ebay has unpainted ABS plastic 08-14 wings for $100. Tempting even on my S. Factory five noted that a regular wing would need to be up pretty high to be functional because of the huge negative pressure zone created by the windshield of the S. I'm not sure how true that holds of the coupe. Probably more aesthetic than functional.

[07FIREBLADE]

If its only $100 than Im down to try it. Ive seen the 15+ on amazon for about $130 unpainted and I know its base for the most part fits with a slight gap but could be taken care of for the most part by bolting the wing down. It flexes a little bit and remind me of my old 06 wing I guess its time for some perrin wing stiffeners for my wrx. But this gives me hope that I could just bolt the wing down and get things to line up better.

[07FIREBLADE]

1am couldn't sleep work turned into a fun project:




Resulted in me getting one of my doors hung again with the new frame and I was able to cutout the slot for the window. The inside piece that's left over from the cut is very flimsy and ffr window trim aluminum gives little confidence in the door edge. I need to support the edge more and might do this by using some aluminum angle this would also give me something to bolt the door panels into.

[07FIREBLADE]

Sad news, sti wing will not work with the hardtop. Learned the hard way after I bought another one to try it out. I new I would have to fix the gap at the bottom but the hatch will not clear the wing when you go to open it. You would need to have wing risers of about 3.5" to make it work. Good news I used an ebay gift card to buy it so I'm not hurting that bad over it. On another note though I was able to get my driver door finished up and door panel mounted. Window fitment was a royal pita but I got it where I like it. One thing I noticed though was that my new door liners are not the same length. The passenger door card is about .75" shorter than the driver side leaving the door frame exposed if the front door aluminium block off plate isn't installed. I guess I need to call ffr in the morning and politely ask for a new matching door card.

[07FIREBLADE]

Anyone else having issues with the door panels not matching. This is really starting to get ridiculous here first it was the front fenders not being symmetrical now its the door panels.

[Aero STI]

Sad news, sti wing will not work with the hardtop. Learned the hard way after I bought another one to try it out. I new I would have to fix the gap at the bottom but the hatch will not clear the wing when you go to open it. You would need to have wing risers of about 3.5" to make it work. Good news I used an ebay gift card to buy it so I'm not hurting that bad over it. On another note though I was able to get my driver door finished up and door panel mounted. Window fitment was a royal pita but I got it where I like it. One thing I noticed though was that my new door liners are not the same length. The passenger door card is about .75" shorter than the driver side leaving the door frame exposed if the front door aluminium block off plate isn't installed. I guess I need to call ffr in the morning and politely ask for a new matching door card.

That's too bad about the wing. Did you stick with the '15+ or go '08-14? I still might order one of the $100 '08-14 versions to test fit on my S.

[Mechie3]

Can you make an extension piece where the wing bolts to the rear hatch but actually rests on the rear for support?

[07FIREBLADE]

Can you make an extension piece where the wing bolts to the rear hatch but actually rests on the rear for support?

I could but the wing is made out of abs, it would be much easier if it was made out of fiberglass. Easier to work with and I could of bonded the two together. What I could do if im really determined is rework the hatch glass panel. If this was about 1.25" shorter I could get the hatch to open. Its just fiberglass but thats a project for another day.

[07FIREBLADE]

Definitely stealing Harley818 idea of using the 02-05 Wrx radio trim for my center console. First pic is just with the radio trim sitting on the center tunnel bars. Second one is with the top mounted dash trimmed so the radio trim would slip underneath it. I didn't have to raise my dash to get it underneath. This is the test mock up dash since I ordered the new vinyl covered dash since the hardtop came with vinyl covered door panels nothing matches anymore.

[Harley818]

Robert, I'm angling my console a bit so it fits without lifting the dash. Looks good too.
Depends on how much room you have between your shifter and console.
I moved my shifter back a bit so it works well for me.

[07FIREBLADE]

I've got about ~4" between the console and the shifter. I'm actually going to offset the console towards the passenger side about 2" from its current position and trim it down so it's "floating" above the center tunnel. Definitely gives the car a bit of an oem feel.

On another note my V2 iWire harness should be done just in time for the HB show so hopefully I can make it to the show. I get to test out our new ecu box and hardtop revisions as well as the new front end conversions. Once we get the front conversion dialed in we can supply a retrofit for older S/R guys who happened to upgraded to the new nose.

[metros]

^Happy to hear that. Any new pics of your headlights with leds mounted?

[07FIREBLADE]

Left them at iWire over the weekend trying to wire up the new harness. I can post some next week.

[07FIREBLADE]

Started my center console mods. Got rid of the cig lighter and ash tray from the radio trim. Going for a floating center console look. I'm going to cover the bottom with some aluminum and cover the whole thing with some vinyl of some sort. Next I wanted a clean looking radio trim without the open holes from the original buttons not being installed.

[Harley818]

Deja vu for me.... looks like we are after the same thing.....

[07FIREBLADE]

Got my projector installed and my LEDs. Working on wiring them up but I decided to epoxy them in place just for time. I might go back and make the retaining brackets depending on how they hold up.

[metros]

Looks good! I'm assuming you just eyeballed aiming them for now.

[07FIREBLADE]

Haven't even powered them up yet. They are just installed in the bucket. Im trying to finish up the wiring tomorrow and will get them fitted again before the weekend. Ill get them aimed hopefully by the HB show.

[JC Of NM]

Nice build...

[Mechie3]

Those LED's look much better than the multi faceted plastic ones.

[07FIREBLADE]

Under $30 for a set of 20 from most sellers. Search ebay or amazon or other online retailers for 23mm Eagle Eye LEDs. I had to buy them in multiples of 10 but I got the color combo that I wanted with plenty left over if worse case I need to replace one. They also have a viewing angle rated at 120* so they gave me some confidence in being visible and useful. I have a secret in store to make the car a bit more visible and it doesn't include using the FFR side markers.



Going to test these this weekend. Legitely wrapping my harness all day tomorrow then its going to get installed over the next few days. Need to get the car hopefully back together enough for the show. And bust out a iWire harness in time for the FFR build school. Fun times

[metros]

I'm loving that wiring harness.

[Mechie3]

thanks for the sizing. Was searching eBay last night and stopped since I didn't know what size to get.

[longislandwrx]

I have a secret in store to make the car a bit more visible and it doesn't include using the FFR side markers.

Lucite bar around the perimeter of the lens to catch that led light? I feel like this headlight design lends itself for a glowing strip like my wife's Acadia

2013-GMC-Acadia-left-headlight.jpg

[Loring]

I was considering that. You can cut EL sheet to virtually any shape and make it look pretty solid. It'd be easy to make strips with a sharp design.

The front inside vertical face of the headlamp bucket would be a great place for it as well.

[07FIREBLADE]

A truly plug and play harness. Drum roll please.....


My V2 iWire harness. This thing is fully loaded with every option you could through at this car. You name it I probably have it or have a provision to have it added already built into the harness. Everything works and hopefully will be able to get installed in time for the HB show. It still ways less than the donor even with the new ecu box. I'm through the very box in but it's going to the powder coated or getting gold foil wrapped.

[Aero STI]

https://www.acrylite-shop.com/US/us/...jbh2ymu4c.html

Bend and form into any shape you want...

[metros]

Nice work!

Aero - that stuff looks pretty cool. Way brighter than I would have anticipated.

[07FIREBLADE]

I had something else in mind similar product same type of results just using a more commerical grade product.

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/le...l#.VxyNSDArJhE

[Aero STI]

That stuff looks sweet!

[07FIREBLADE]

Had a fun weekend it was a crazy sprint to get the car to the HB show but I was able to. Cars not running great and limped into the registration area. Need to find my vacuum leaks and plug my maf back in. I had to have Tony and Dave push me into a spot right in front of the FFR booth. That was a bit embarrassing. Oh well I still won a trophy and was there to represent our car. There was a strong interest in the car its definitely and eye catcher just wished it was more complete. It will be for next years show and hopefully more people will show up and represent this car.

[metros]

Congrats! I'm sure that felt good to get it to the show with other ffr projects.

[Mechie3]

The first step to winning is showing up.

[bompus]

Congrats! It was great to see you there, and gave me inspiration to finish mine. Thanks for putting up with me taking a crazy amount of photos

[AZPete]

Congratulations! It looks very cool and makes me eager to get my hard top & new front end, which should be a month from now. Next year I will be at HB, for sure. And I'll drive from AZ - no trailer needed! My promise to me. How many 818s were at HB?

[07FIREBLADE]

Congrats! It was great to see you there, and gave me inspiration to finish mine. Thanks for putting up with me taking a crazy amount of photos

Could you email me some of them. I was so dead tired and forgot to take any photos at all. It's quite disappointing actually. I know I could take photos of my own car but it's not the same. Send them to [email protected] if you could.