My 818R Project has arrived

[Mitch Wright]

My crossover has the heater inlet above the bell housing. Thanks for the info, I think I am going to do some cutting and welding to reroute.

[Mitch Wright]

My wife has given me a ME a Mothers Day gift that beats hell out of what I got her. To my big surprise she has ordered my AP Calipers and Rotors from Essex Parts yesterday. Plus I get all day tomorrow to play in the shop, she is on her way to Minnesota to spend the weekend with the grand kids. I would have liked to gone too but have to work today and Monday. Oh well I guess I will have to work on my wiring harness install/routing, finish the fuel lines and fuel filter mount to check off my long list.

[Presto51]

My wife has given me a ME a Mothers Day gift that beats hell out of what I got her. To my big surprise she has ordered my AP Calipers and Rotors from Essex Parts yesterday. Plus I get all day tomorrow to play in the shop, she is on her way to Minnesota to spend the weekend with the grand kids. I would have liked to gone too but have to work today and Monday. Oh well I guess I will have to work on my wiring harness install/routing, finish the fuel lines and fuel filter mount to check off my long list.

Ding, ding, ding WE HAVE A KEEPER HERE!!! You my friend have a very generous wife can't ask for any better.

BTW: Does she have any sisters???

Ron

[Mitch Wright]

More progress, got in 5 hours over the weekend. MR2 shifter, cables and rear linkage installed, and works and feels great. Radiator and plumbing installed.
Radiator.JPGRear Shift linkage.JPGMR2 Shifter.JPG

And my AP Brakes arrived from Essex Parts.
Brakes arrived.JPG

[Mitch Wright]

Presto, she has 3 sisters, one is single

[Scargo]

Very nice looking work and other cool "stuff". Nice to see someone else using something other than Wilwood.

[Mitch Wright]

nice fit on the front, I am using the same caliper and rotor on the rear. I will have to fab up a radial caliper adapter for the rear.
AP Brakes.jpg

[Hindsight]

Those are some brakes!

[Mitch Wright]

Looks like with a little work I can make the front Radial mount adaptor work on the rear. I have used AP Brakes on a number of my cars, the quality and fit has always been impressive. Plus the bonus is I am saving 9lbs a corner over the OE calipers and rotors.
I have also found that the rotors last much longer than others. (I don't have any experience with Wilwoods)

[Scargo]

What size are those? Do they make an adapter for STi rears? If the four backing plate holes are the same (STi and WRX) I have STi backing plates that I modified so they are clocked for the caliper to be at the front, or 9 o'clock position. Nothing else is on the plate. I removed the other, thinner plate for the emergency brake, etc. They are also notched so that they slip on and they just use the most important three bolt holes. Can post pictures. Sell cheap. It turns out my Stoptechs came with their own custom aluminum bracket that replaces everything. Stoptech's bracket is just for racing.

[Mitch Wright]

I like the idea of the Stoptech bracket, I actually have thought of machining up like what you have. I wonder if the radial mount bolt spacing and rotor off set could be the same. Could I ask you to take a few measurement on what you have. I am using 299mm rotors, I don't have the hat offset handy but can do some measuring.
I have eliminated all but the backing plate as well.

Thanks,

Mitch

[chedda]

Great, now you have me thinking of a different shifter linkage. Great work on getting that MR2 linkage working.

[Scargo]

I like the idea of the Stoptech bracket, I actually have thought of machining up what you have. I wonder if the radial mount bolt spacing and rotor off set could be the same. Could I ask you to take a few measurement on what you have. I am using 299mm rotors, I don't have the hat offset handy but can do some measuring.
I have eliminated all but the backing plate as well.

Thanks,

Mitch

I'll do that measuring in the morning. I had no idea that Stoptech had a racing only bracket for the rear of a Subaru... My StopTech Trophy Race rears (and fronts) are 12.9 inch diameter or 328mm x 28mm wide rotors.

[Mitch Wright]

Scargo, thanks

Chedda, I have taken a basic approach with the MR2 shifter, others have really done some cool stuff with the mods they have done to the shifter and linkage.
I am really happy how it works and feels.

[Scargo]

My backing plate dimensions are as follows:
Offset from plate mounting surface to caliper mounting surface: .355" (plate is .160" thick)
Radius of caliper mounting holes: 4.775"
Space between centers: 4.470"

[Mitch Wright]

Perfect, I am headed to Chicago this afternoon back on Friday to measure up what I have. If I am lucky and I can buy the mount from Stoptech it can save me some time, money and work.

Thanks for the heads up.

[Scargo]

I don't know how you translate that stock backing plate piece to my Stoptech piece and how it might adapt to your AP Racing calipers. I assume yours slide over studs like my Stoptechs do. The offset of those holes and the stud diameter could vary and my bracket might push your calipers too far out on the rotor.
I guess you've seen the pictures of my brackets in place? They might make a smaller bracket for their 282x25mm rotors but I don't see a closer match.
My plates I thought I was going to use.
FullSizeRender (50).jpg

[Mitch Wright]

I have done the same thing to my backing plates other than notch it which is a great idea. I do like the rear Race mount you got from Stoptech that is exactly what I envisioned having to make. It will be interesting to see if it will work with my AP calipers and rotors.

[Mitch Wright]

Scargo,

The stars didn't align, the radial mount spacing on my AP calipers is 6" center to center. But spending a little time yesterday mocking up the rear caliper mount looks to be a easy mod. I can make a plate that bolts up like the Stoptech mount then bolt up the AP front mount to it. I will pick up some aluminum plate next week and get to work.

[Scargo]

Cool. Invention is the necessity of machinists! Something like that...

[Mitch Wright]

Well I made the decision a while ago to go with a dry sump for my R, I am ready to place the order this week. I am going with the Element system, I believe this should be the last big expenditure for a while.
I am getting close to my first start and will do that with the wet sump then switch it over before I install the body.
It still looks like I will come in at a little over $30K all in running a stock 2.0L with a VF37 twinscroll and pocket port on the heads. So not too far from my original budget.
On to finishing up the rear caliper mounts and getting it to make noise.

[mikeb75]

Very impressed by your budgeting to be ~$30K and having the element dry sump and AP brake calipers/rotors! Awesome!

[Mitch Wright]

Not doing much to engine and doing the work myself helped other than the wiring harness. Selling off donor parts paid for the brakes and a few other things. A lot of things I had from other projects. Steering wheel, New Seat Belts, some of the 5/8 rod ends, some of the swedged tubes for the rear suspension, AN fittings and hose, spacers and reasonably stocked fastener bin, using a STi Air to Air intercooler. Not being in a big hurry and taking time to hunt for deal on what I wanted and calling in a favors for deals from friends in the industry helped a ton.
Now if was to start including that stuff and materials I had the number would be higher, it makes me feel better not to.
And to be fair the car is not a driver yet so I am sure I have forgotten a few things that have not made the list.

[Mitch Wright]

Haven't up-dates my thread in a while since I have only been able to get in maybe 6 hours a week on the car but progress is being made.
Brake and clutch lines are completed.
Brake lines.JPG
Frt Brakes LH.JPG

Enlisted the help of my brother in-law Leighton Reese and his fabrication shop to bang out my AP rear caliper mounts, just need to weld on a few gussets and they are done.
rear caliper mount.jpeg
All the templates are made for the rear firewall, if all goes according to plan I will have it cut out and ready to install this weekend.
I have all the wiring run and plugged in getting ready for my first start, I have one plug I don't know what it goes too (2004 WRX engine and I wire harness) any ideas.
Plug question.JPG

[Bob_n_Cincy]

I have all the wiring run and plugged in getting ready for my first start, I have one plug I don't know what it goes too (2004 WRX engine and I wire harness) any ideas.
Plug question.JPG

Glad to see some progress Mitch.
I think that wire goes to the pressure switch in the power steering pump.
Mine is just left disconnected.
Bob

[Mitch Wright]

That makes perfect sense, thanks Bob.

[wallace18]

Lets go Mitch. Time to get that thing going around the track. LOL.

[Mitch Wright]

Wallace,
Getting there, plan is to go kart before the end of the year, and completed this spring.

[Mitch Wright]

My brother in-law completed rear caliper mounts for me, thank you Leighton Reese.Rear caliper mount finished.jpeg
Now to make it run.

[mikeb75]

Very Nice!

[Mitch Wright]

Finally able to get back to work on the car after family and work commitments and vacation, my wife wouldn't buy staying home and working on the car is a vacation.
Anyway got a day in yesterday and finished the firewall and L&R kick panels.
Left Hand kick panel.JPGFirewall.JPG

Went through and made sure all the brake lines were tight and ready to bleed the brakes this Saturday.
RH R brakes.JPG

Fuel cell install Sunday, at least that is the plan.

[Mitch Wright]

Fuel cell complete with surge box and pump installed for good, and bolted in the car. Though it will come out a to install the fire wall and I am debating weather I am going to install the sheetmetal cover on the hump.
IMG_1995.JPGIMG_1997.JPG

Fit the dash, it was a bit twisted so it is clamped in place and needs to remember its shape before I mark and weld on the taps for the cam lock fasteners.

IMG_1994.JPGIMG_1996.JPGIMG_1998.JPG

Need finish plumbing fuel line and return, a few more 10 minute jobs (that take hours) add oil, water, fuel, battery and start it up.
Looking forward to having 2 weeks during the holidays to make some real progress.

[wallace18]

Looking good, Mitch!

[Mitch Wright]

Finally settled on a location for my AOS and KB oil control valve.
IMG_1999.JPGIMG_2001.JPG

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Finally settled on a location for my AOS and KB oil control valve.
IMG_1999.JPGIMG_2001.JPG

Hi Mitch,
your aos and oil valve will interfere with mounting the hump block off fire walls.

hump.jpg

You might have to do a small mod there.
Bob

[Mitch Wright]

Thanks Bob, but I have a different plan for the hump block offs.

[Scargo]

Looks like you have your bases covered on that aspect of the build! Have you changed your mind about installing the Element Tuning dry sump kit?

[C.Plavan]

Looks like you have your bases covered on that aspect of the build! Have you changed your mind about installing the Element Tuning dry sump kit?

Someone has to try the Killer B Valve. It's cheaper and may work just fine.

[Mitch Wright]

Yes I have changed my mind on the dry sump for now. I am sure I can get the DS system sorted and spent some time at PRI gathering info but decided to keep it simple to get the car running and basic stuff sorted. If I go to a DS I will do it next winter which will also allow for the check book to recover a little.

[Mitch Wright]

After 1 year 4 months the first start milestone has been met. She started right up with out hesatation which is a great feeling.
Wiring is routed and tied off, consul and switches installed, dash mounted and easily removable, brakes and clutch bled. Alignment and go karting next.