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"In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is strength, in water there is bacteria."
818 (Chassis #34) Delivered 9/25/2013, First start 3/2/2014, First drive 4/5/2014, Registered 8/28/2015, First Dyno 3/18/2016, First SCCA event 4/3/2016, First car show HIN Honolulu 4/23/2016
"In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is strength, in water there is bacteria."
818 (Chassis #34) Delivered 9/25/2013, First start 3/2/2014, First drive 4/5/2014, Registered 8/28/2015, First Dyno 3/18/2016, First SCCA event 4/3/2016, First car show HIN Honolulu 4/23/2016
This weekend I pretty much finished swapping in the newer guage pod and correcting a few wiring gremlins.
So today I started putting in the dash, hopefully for the last time. It always takes me longer to get things done as I always try and perfect the car. So first up the plastic lens on the guage pod had some light scratches, so I wet sanded it down, first with 1000 grit, then 2000 grit, then the 3step process of 3m polishing products/buffer, same as for the clear coat. Now like glass.
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I really didn't like the idea of drilling a hole in the face of my leather dash for the top screw to hold the pod. I can understand this location, as it makes a quick install, but since the dash has to be pulled to get the pod out, might as well hide all the fasteners. So I bent up a piece of aluminum, riveted with a 3/8" rivet through the existing hole in the back top. Then ground down the head of one of the 1/4"-20 screws and epoxied to the top of the dash. Then followed the FFR manual for the two lower connections. Although I did just rivet them in.
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Then onto the aluminum block off plate under the dash. I decided to keep the brake fluid reservoir in its FFR designed location. KISS reasoning. I don't have a clutch, so single reservoir. I cut a nice opening in the fiberglass and can reach in easily to get to the cap, so for something I might only need to access once a year maybe I think it's fine. A problem came up though when I went to install the block off plate.
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So a little metal fabrication later, I'm done. Still easy access to the fill cap from under the hood.
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I made some thick aluminum tabs to attach the dash to the crossbar. Attached the tabs to the dash with 2ea 3/8" rivets and then 1/4"-20 screws to the crossbar. I still needed to use 1/4" spacers between the tabs and the crossbar to drop the dash down some.
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I also installed the tweeters in the dash and then bolted the dash in with rivnuts. I didn't take a picture, but the dash to the steering column came out perfect. Between moving the whole column forward and the final location of the dash it couldn't have come out better. Just enough gap to not rub/squeak.
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I had run out of leather, my second order arrived so I was able to wrap the rearward aluminum center console cover I made. The emergency brake chrome trim piece will be wrapped with the faux carbon fiber to match the other trim pieces.
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Still a few wires to clean up and a few more pieces of aluminum to wrap with leather, but getting closer!
"In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is strength, in water there is bacteria."
818 (Chassis #34) Delivered 9/25/2013, First start 3/2/2014, First drive 4/5/2014, Registered 8/28/2015, First Dyno 3/18/2016, First SCCA event 4/3/2016, First car show HIN Honolulu 4/23/2016
Thanks for the info. I will definitely be looking for a better way!
How to you secure the dash to the back of the windshield frame? (where the dash and windshield meet)It would be a shame to drill holes through the top face of it.
It slides into the pocket made by the frame and glass.
Wayne Presley www.verycoolparts.com
Xterminator 705 RWHP supercharged 4.6 DOHC with twin turbos
"In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is strength, in water there is bacteria."
818 (Chassis #34) Delivered 9/25/2013, First start 3/2/2014, First drive 4/5/2014, Registered 8/28/2015, First Dyno 3/18/2016, First SCCA event 4/3/2016, First car show HIN Honolulu 4/23/2016
"In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is strength, in water there is bacteria."
818 (Chassis #34) Delivered 9/25/2013, First start 3/2/2014, First drive 4/5/2014, Registered 8/28/2015, First Dyno 3/18/2016, First SCCA event 4/3/2016, First car show HIN Honolulu 4/23/2016
Today I decided to give it a quick wash, drive it around the block, and take some pics. Still have to tuck in some wires, wrap a few more pieces of trim, adjust the trunk latches, cut and buff the paint, build a bikini top, line the trunk, wait, I still have so much to do!
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"In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is strength, in water there is bacteria."
818 (Chassis #34) Delivered 9/25/2013, First start 3/2/2014, First drive 4/5/2014, Registered 8/28/2015, First Dyno 3/18/2016, First SCCA event 4/3/2016, First car show HIN Honolulu 4/23/2016
"In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is strength, in water there is bacteria."
818 (Chassis #34) Delivered 9/25/2013, First start 3/2/2014, First drive 4/5/2014, Registered 8/28/2015, First Dyno 3/18/2016, First SCCA event 4/3/2016, First car show HIN Honolulu 4/23/2016
Wow. I think it says production car. Expensive production car.
I've just spent 40 minutes admiring, expanding, drooling over your photos. I've admired your workmanship and creativity for months and especially like your tasteful, understated approach. Now that it's out on the streets it will be interesting to hear the reactions you get.
818S/C : Chassis #25 with 06 WRX 2.5 turbo, ABS, cruise, PS, A/C, Apple CarPlay, rear camera, power windows & locks, leather & other complexities. Sold 10/19 with 5,800 miles.
Mk3 Roadster #6228 4.6L, T45, IRS, PS, PB, ABS, Cruise, Koni's, 17" Halibrands, red w/ silver - 9K miles then sold @ Barrett-Jackson Jan 2011 (got back cash spent).
Hot damn! Looks great.
Since you asked, (I feel like I'm nit picking) the only non-oem/kit car aspect are the right angles in the interior aluminum. You've trimmed it out nicely, but theres really no practical way to replicate production, injected molded, interior trim. Dont get me wrong, its gorgeous, but the kick panel area is the only area visible that would seem out of place on a new production car.
Great job!
Looks amazing! I didn't think I was going to like that spoiler but it looks great!! Has a last-gen Lotus Esprit look to it.... which is a good thing IMHO.
Nice job!!
818S frame #13 Jdm version 8 ej207
Keep taking photos of this amazing build please.
"In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is strength, in water there is bacteria."
818 (Chassis #34) Delivered 9/25/2013, First start 3/2/2014, First drive 4/5/2014, Registered 8/28/2015, First Dyno 3/18/2016, First SCCA event 4/3/2016, First car show HIN Honolulu 4/23/2016
Thanks for the compliments and taking time to reply. I'm open to suggestions to improve the interior trim out. Part of the reason I haven't gone farther. I'm really concerned about water damage so just wrapping everything with carpet is not an option. Probably the last item I'll do is get some custom floor mats for the driver and passenger floor boards. Black with some red accents. That way if any rain/water I can just pull out the floor mats to dry.
As far as the side walls I'm still thinking, that's why I just painted with bedliner as black looks better than bare aluminum for now. The center console top cover is loosely based on the F-type, flat top with 90* return. I have been toying with the idea to shape up some leather covered more radius bent metal panels to cover the the more sharply bent FFR aluminum panels for a cleaner look. There is a good amount of footwell area so taking a little away shouldn't be too intrusive.
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Since the 818 does not have HVAC the dash is a little plain without all the air vents.
Again, open for suggestions.
"In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is strength, in water there is bacteria."
818 (Chassis #34) Delivered 9/25/2013, First start 3/2/2014, First drive 4/5/2014, Registered 8/28/2015, First Dyno 3/18/2016, First SCCA event 4/3/2016, First car show HIN Honolulu 4/23/2016
I understand! Whenever my wife and I visit the Islands, we usually rent a convertible or Jeep and often get hit with a surprise shower. At least SoCal's 'rainy season' is pretty predictable.
Yeah, a little longer radius on the center console, and covering all the origami in the footwell would go a long way to a more production look. I'm not going to bother, though.
I like your dash, simple and clean. I did copy you and ordered the same material from fabricdaddy. However, I only covered the upper piece with it. I painted the lower curve and sides gloss black (used flat black in the instrument bezel), and spiced up the vertical face with a strip of 3M Scotchprint faux CF:
Beautiful, fantastic job.
Last edited by RM1SepEx; 09-08-2014 at 05:05 PM.
Dan
818S #17 Picked up 8/1/13 First start 11/1/13 Go Kart 3/28/14
Beautiful....incredible work!
FFR Daytona Type 65 Coupe
67 427 Cobra
57' Belair
72 Pinto Wagon ,306" 1/4 miler
34 5 window coupe Ford
2003 Mustang GT
99' ZX9
85 Goldwing
All toys still in the Scuderia!
Every Saint has a past..................every sinner a future
Don't take yourself so seriously........no one else does.
You never see a motorcycle parked outside a Psychiatrists office.
Looks outstanding. Hard to improve what you have done. As for flooring I would look into carpets from Jeeps, designed to drain quickly and not smell. Cut to size and make removable via strong Velcro.
"In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is strength, in water there is bacteria."
818 (Chassis #34) Delivered 9/25/2013, First start 3/2/2014, First drive 4/5/2014, Registered 8/28/2015, First Dyno 3/18/2016, First SCCA event 4/3/2016, First car show HIN Honolulu 4/23/2016
Dan, thanks, and thanks for commenting.
"In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is strength, in water there is bacteria."
818 (Chassis #34) Delivered 9/25/2013, First start 3/2/2014, First drive 4/5/2014, Registered 8/28/2015, First Dyno 3/18/2016, First SCCA event 4/3/2016, First car show HIN Honolulu 4/23/2016
Thanks, it's been fun to kind of make my own and build.
I appreciate the compliments and comments. I need to do some research, there has to be a vendor out there can has those water proof materials that can custom shape floor mats from a template.
"In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is strength, in water there is bacteria."
818 (Chassis #34) Delivered 9/25/2013, First start 3/2/2014, First drive 4/5/2014, Registered 8/28/2015, First Dyno 3/18/2016, First SCCA event 4/3/2016, First car show HIN Honolulu 4/23/2016
Re rain water, most of the roadster guys drill a hole or two in the floor to let it drain out. The 818 has open slots in the rear of the floor boards so I'll leave those open, but covered with removable carpet. Like you did, I also sealed the panels under the seats - water can drain to the floor and out the slots.
I also drilled 3/8" holes in the corners of the panel under the battery compartment because water can come in from the hood vents or through the radiator to pool up deep enough for ducks.
818S/C : Chassis #25 with 06 WRX 2.5 turbo, ABS, cruise, PS, A/C, Apple CarPlay, rear camera, power windows & locks, leather & other complexities. Sold 10/19 with 5,800 miles.
Mk3 Roadster #6228 4.6L, T45, IRS, PS, PB, ABS, Cruise, Koni's, 17" Halibrands, red w/ silver - 9K miles then sold @ Barrett-Jackson Jan 2011 (got back cash spent).
Nolan
65 coupe Gen 3 "Phoenix" build
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showt...032#post297032
818 s (with r windscreen ) 350 rwhp. Registered and street legal (SOLD)
Nolan
65 coupe Gen 3 "Phoenix" build
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showt...032#post297032
818 s (with r windscreen ) 350 rwhp. Registered and street legal (SOLD)
Umm not sure how the double post happened
Nolan
65 coupe Gen 3 "Phoenix" build
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showt...032#post297032
818 s (with r windscreen ) 350 rwhp. Registered and street legal (SOLD)
I just searched but didn't see if you mentioned what you did for the tops of the door cards. FFR says to put the top of the card on top of the door. I don't like the exposed screws and couldn't see any in your photos. Did you tuck it inside?
Zero Decibel Motorsports
Check out my new website!
www.zerodecibelmotorsports.com
www.facebook.com/zero.decibel.motorsports
So I riveted a piece of 1" angle to the inside top of the door, and after I cut the top of the door card the same width along the top and wrapped with leather, I used Velcro to hold the door card in place. No visible fasteners. If you look close in my last round of pics you can see the silver top of the rivets and the door cards not tight to the door. I used some lightweight Velcro because I didn't want to tear something up to get the door cards off and on. Now I need to switch to the heavy duty version.
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"In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is strength, in water there is bacteria."
818 (Chassis #34) Delivered 9/25/2013, First start 3/2/2014, First drive 4/5/2014, Registered 8/28/2015, First Dyno 3/18/2016, First SCCA event 4/3/2016, First car show HIN Honolulu 4/23/2016
So the Velcro is on the vertical surface of the door card and the part of the card on top of the door just did there?
Zero Decibel Motorsports
Check out my new website!
www.zerodecibelmotorsports.com
www.facebook.com/zero.decibel.motorsports
I think the way the door cards hit the dash at a 90 (not just on your car, but all of them) is what really screams kit car.
The gtm dash and doors really sculpt around you making it feel like a much more finished interior.
I think the flatness of the doors needs to be addressed for a more oem like feel.
A well stocked beverage fridge is the key to any successful project.
Craig,
Did you see this in the manual update?
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