Wallace18"s 818 Build

[wallace18]

Front is an easy fix? What'd you do? (or what do you want to do?)

I cracked it loading the car in my trailer. See thread above.

[Santiago]

Damn. Love the spoiler - talk about a great find!
And your color choice sounds exactly like what I thought would look great. Looking forward to seeing the finished product!

Best,
-j

[blueoval_bowtie_guy]

Really looking forward to seeing it when it is done!

Steve

[wallace18]

While my body work is being painted I went to Very Cool parts in Alabama to have Wayne Presley do a dyno tune on my 818. I had some stuff I wanted sorted out better. Wayne was great. I had a brain fart and the strap on the back of my 818 came loose on the trip. I had to jump on the brakes for a guy who pulled out in front of me. The 818 punched a hole in the front of my enclosed trailer. Sounds worse than it is luckily for me. After fixing plug and crank sensor gaps Wayne got serious on the tune. I ended up with About 250HP and 240ft/lb torque at the rear wheels. I am happy with the results. This was at 14psi. The engine sounds great and throttle response is good. Thanks again to Wayne for such a good setup. We had a great lunch at a local hangout and I got to see his 818 up close. It is a work of art. Paint in the sun is awesome. I highly recommend VCP to anyone who needs stuff for their 818. Great people to deal with. BTW it was cold!!!!!
Here is what is added to the stock 2002 longblock. HTA68 turbo, AMR intercooler, 750cc injectors, grimmspeed TGV deletes and boost controller, Invidia 3" catless downpipe, Tomei 4-1 S/S headers without cat, Boyd fuel tank with Aeromotive fuel pump, TecS engine controller.

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[Wayne Presley]

Glad to have you Tom. Cool cars, good food and friends, it was a good day

[Erik W. Treves]

nice! Looking good!!

[wallace18]

nice! Looking good!!

Thanks, Saw lots of helicopters in the sky there. Did you spend lots of time there?

[Erik W. Treves]

I spent 1 year there in 91. And 3 years there in 06-09. I hated leaving there the last time

[narkosys]

I know that feeling. I haven't flown a helicopter in a year and I am seriously jonzing! O.o

P

[longislandwrx]

How do you like your 330 mm steering wheel?... I was ready to order but i'm concerned it might be a little too big.

[wallace18]

How do you like your 330 mm steering wheel?... I was ready to order but i'm concerned it might be a little too big.

I find it works great for me. Everyone has their own preference's. I did lower the column about 2.5". My seats are right on the floor.

[metalmaker12]

I got a 330mm wheel now to, it is perfect for the car. 330mm is 12.9 inches, the stock wheel is like 15 inches

[Wayne Presley]

I also have a 330 and love it.

[RM1SepEx]

I'm looking at a ST 007R 320 mm leather NRG...

[wleehendrick]

I'm looking at a ST 007R 320 mm leather NRG...

I liked the ST-002RCF NRG wheel so much in Erik's (33 Machine) electric build, I ordered one from him. I'm heading over to EVWest today to pick it up. He'll give you a good deal on the wheel, hub and anything else you may need from NRG.

[wallace18]

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Wife helped me cover the dash top with CF vinyl and black vinyl for bottom. I'll install dash and start on interior. Then get window installed so go-cart will be ready for painted body work.

[Erik W. Treves]

that an interesting picture of the dash top

but your dyno sheet allowed me to compare two stock (I think yours is stock) engines with two different turbos....

seems like I have a little more under the curve and boost comes in sooner...

[wallace18]

Yours is much better IMO. I am happy with what I got. I just asked AJW what I would need for just a little above stock when I asked for parts. I don't want to over do it. I am sure your intercooler is better as well. I am not sure how my graph ended up for my dash picture. LOL.

[Brando]

Wow the dash looks great like that. I just ordered some 4d CF wrap for the scoops, now considering the dash as well after this image. Did you wrap that around the lip? It's hard to tell with the lighting

[wallace18]

Wow the dash looks great like that. I just ordered some 4d CF wrap for the scoops, now considering the dash as well after this image. Did you wrap that around the lip? It's hard to tell with the lighting

Yes, I separated the dash halfs and did as you say on the top. I did not wrap it around the lower part.

[wallace18]

My body parts are all sanded and primed. Next week or so it is paint time. Here is some photos.

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[RM1SepEx]

Tom, did you have to do a bunch of work to clean up the top edges of the rear fenders where the engine cover and trunk lid meet the fenders? Mine are all "gobbed up" with uneven gel coat. I was told that they chipped out when removed from the mold and that they would clean up fine with 2000 grit wet sandpaper... your experience?

[metalmaker12]

I have to add some epoxy to my rear bonnet hatch edges to get better lines along with other areas in the rear. The noise seems pretty good except for some imperfections in the gel coat. I am close to priming it all and onto paint, but I am working on plates also.

[wallace18]

Tom, did you have to do a bunch of work to clean up the top edges of the rear fenders where the engine cover and trunk lid meet the fenders? Mine are all "gobbed up" with uneven gel coat. I was told that they chipped out when removed from the mold and that they would clean up fine with 2000 grit wet sandpaper... your experience?

There was a fair amount of work done to those panels as well as the side pods . Every panel with the exception of the doors needed work. IMO this is not a no paint kit. But to each his own. I like a good paint job. If I end up doing some customer cars I will suggest wrap. Though a lot of the imperfections will show. But it is a 10K kit, For the money it is good IMO.

[ehansen007]

Yes, I separated the dash halfs and did as you say on the top. I did not wrap it around the lower part.

I think it's important to remember not to cover the dash top with anything that has a varied pattern that catches light as it will just reflect in the windshield. On this car the windshield may be angled enough so it doesn't affect your view. Not sure. I'm anxious to find out. I'll be doing mine with basic black leather or similar and something else for the front of the dash.

[wallace18]

I got my 818 back from the glass shop. It took a lot of sealer in the lower bottom corners. But I like how it came out. I mounted my rear view mirror and finished up my carpet and dash stuff. Now all I am waiting is for the paintwork to be done. Maybe next 10 days or so. Also I used a small piece of headliner material to cover the gap at the steering column. Very easy to install and looks good to me. IMO.

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[Frank818]

Why again is the radio mounted that far off of you?

Looks like the car will soon be on the tarmac!

[blueoval_bowtie_guy]

Looking great Tom!

[wallace18]

Why again is the radio mounted that far off of you?

Looks like the car will soon be on the tarmac!

I let my wife deal with the radio. Also I have a remote. LOL.

I also signed up for the NOPI Nationals in Orlando on the 29th of March. I'll show off my 818S there for the first show.

[Frank818]

I let my wife deal with the radio. Also I have a remote. LOL.

lollll!!!! Gotcha. Smart guy.

For the show, that means 1 month before it's all done?

[Santiago]

Very cool! The interior accents are nicely done! Almost makes me want to do an S-car...ok, no, but still, looks great!

Best,
-j

[metalmaker12]

My wife won't let me touch the radio, I am a heavy head banger at times!!

[wallace18]

Well my paint guy, Chris talked me into painting my wheels and changing my calipers to black. I was hesitant to go away from my gold wheels and red calipers. But he is much better at the color stuff than me so I gave in. All I can say is WOW!!!!!!!
He put down 14 coats of paint on the wheels alone. The first picture is the wheels as I bought them in gold. The next 2 are the wheel painted. Depending on the suns angle they can look orange, black or a root beer color. Lots of flake and candy in the paint. My photos really don't do them justice. He is laying down the final paint on the body parts tonight. Wait till you see that!! I hope to be putting it back together on Monday or Tuesday. Here is pics.

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[Canadian818]

Wild color! Can't wait to see the car.

[Frank818]

How many coats???? lolll

The color looks wicked!!!

[metalmaker12]

Nice!!

[Xusia]

Wow. That's really incredible!

[wallace18]

Finally all the paint work is done. I brought my chassis over and started to assemble the body at Huegenics body shop. Here is some photos. I hope to have all the body work on by the end of tomorrow.

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[Brando]

Wow. Looks so good, you must feel pretty proud walking into your garage at this point.

[wleehendrick]

Looks great, Tom! Are you going to mount the vent bezels, or keep the exposed fastener look? I'm thinking about using the bezels, but also securing with button head flange bolts, not comfortable with just silicone. Also, are you skipping the diffuser strakes, I don't see them in there?