insurance guy 818

[insurance guy]

I am using the mini quick latches instead of the supplied hood pins. Really nice look to them. If you order them get the springs , they will pop pop the hood up.IMG_0397.JPGIMG_0398.JPGIMG_0399.JPGIMG_0400.JPG

[UnhipPopano]

Did you consider the red ones that match the body color?

[insurance guy]

I am going to paint my car flat black and that keeps changing so silver is fine it will go with any color I finally choose

[wallace18]

A word of caution about these latches. I really like them as well. I built a 33 and used them to hold down the front hood. I sold the car and the guy who bought it stopped at Wal-Mart to go shopping. When he drove home some kid or someone pushed in the button and he lost his hood at 55MPH. It ended up costing him well over 1K to have the hood repaired. Just be careful. They do look way better than the pins, IMO.

[metros]

Do those corner braces for the quick latches come with the kit or did you make those? Close to doing the same and also have the quick latches. Glad to see they look so good.

[insurance guy]

I made those from strip aluminum. What I just found out is quick latch has a mounting bracket and spring. I ordered the spring, bracket is out of stock. They look easy to fabricate. (not really, but I will try) Issue I am having is aligning the trunk. I posted a separate thread asking for help.

[insurance guy]

I removed the seats and tried to install the carpet kit. The kit does not include carpet for under the seat. Although no one would ever see or know there is no carpet under the seat it look incomplete.; I was unable to find a similar black carpet but I did find some grey indoor out door carpet at home depot that would be easy to work with and would not fray if cut. I used the kit as a guide for some of the pieces and made templates for others with paper. The grey carpet was easier to install as it was thinner.
I will make mats or buy mats and do not expect any sort of wear on the other pieces. I am extremely happy with the results.paper pattern.JPGpassenger carpet.JPGgc firewall.JPGgc pass top.JPG

[insurance guy]

carpet complete
I was not happy with the cover for the ebrake and since seats were out I fabricated a new one.
I am much happier with this. I have not decided If I would paint it or cover it with carpet.
ebrake cover 1.JPGebrake cover.JPG

[insurance guy]

I am finishing up the final touches and going over the State of NJ checklist of items. I should have everything done over the Memorial day holiday ( hoping my front hood latch comes in).
I was running the car looking for leaks and notice coolant on the floor. Now I am getting paranoid. looks like leak is from degas tank. I have done the VCP coolant fix. Can someone confirm that the coolant tube running on the passenger side of the car goes to the upper outlet of the radiator. My right hose is hot and my drivers side is cool. Is something backwards?
Car temp gauge is fine. I go though the manual and for some reason I cannot figure it out. Must be a senior moment. Please Help

[Bob_n_Cincy]

I am finishing up the final touches and going over the State of NJ checklist of items. I should have everything done over the Memorial day holiday ( hoping my front hood latch comes in).
I was running the car looking for leaks and notice coolant on the floor. Now I am getting paranoid. looks like leak is from degas tank. I have done the VCP coolant fix. Can someone confirm that the coolant tube running on the passenger side of the car goes to the upper outlet of the radiator. My right hose is hot and my drivers side is cool. Is something backwards?
Car temp gauge is fine. I go though the manual and for some reason I cannot figure it out. Must be a senior moment. Please Help

"The coolant tube running on the passenger side of the car goes to the upper outlet of the radiator." This is correct.

"My right hose is hot and my drivers side is cool." This is normal.
Bob

[insurance guy]

Thanks much
I have not run the motor an extended time so coolant leak was a surprise.
Not sure it is nothing more than overflow
But from degas tank??

[insurance guy]

So this is interesting
Nj dmv has in paperwork, I need documentation from manufacturer of the engine or a dealer authorized by manufacturer to establish proof of the year of the engine.
Any ideas what I could show them??????

[mikeb75]

Donor VIN plate?

[insurance guy]

purchased donor kit from VCP, no door vin plate.
there is a motor number B667927, I will check with local Subaru Dealer if that can be verified.

[Hindsight]

Wayne should have paperwork on the donor from where he bought it. Maybe reach out to him?

[insurance guy]

except for a few small tweaking , I feel the car is ready for inspection. I am going to wait till I pass the inspection then disassemble the fiberglass body for painting. It took me a year to get to this point and I found this kit to be a real challenge. I most certainly could not have completed it without the help of this forum and the members that went out of their way to respond when I was struggling. Thanks to all of you.
I will provide updates on the bodywork and of dfside.JPGdrside.JPGfront.JPGIMG_0564.JPGint.JPGprside.JPGpside.JPGrear.JPGcourse videos of the driving ( once I am street legal)

[insurance guy]

while I await my state inspection , I can work on some of the little details to make car look more OEM.
The space on the steering column was easily covered with a piece of vinyl. put in place with 3m adhesive.
I think it looks like it was always there.after.JPGbefore.JPGduring (1).JPGIMG_0583.JPG

[ben1272]

Looks real nice. The carpeting job in particular looks carefully fitted.

Everything else looks real clean, and when you finish the bodywork you are going to have a real looker!

[insurance guy]

My lack of automotive repair knowledge is extremely frustrating and problematic. I try to learn how to bleed brakes and a clutch with you tube videos and forums.
I wait for a state inspection with a clutch pedal on the floor and a very hard to refill master brake and clutch cylinder. If I am able to pass inspection I plan on moving those to a more accessible place.
Word to current and future builders, get the mechanical issues worked out in the go-kart stage.

[insurance guy]

is there anything that I can install that would allow me to raise and lower the height of the car a s I see fit?
I am looking for 3 or 4 more inches. Getting on/off driveway and putting on lift

[Bob_n_Cincy]

is there anything that I can install that would allow me to raise and lower the height of the car a s I see fit?
I am looking for 3 or 4 more inches. Getting on/off driveway and putting on lift

Are you talking about air bags or something that temporarily raise the car?
Maybe something like this:

http://www.polyperformance.com/Fox-2...over-Air-Shock

[insurance guy]

I was thinking of air bags but if prices are similar to that shock, I will stick to the wooden ramp
thanks

[STiPWRD]

Some of the GTM guys use this RamLift Pro kit but it ain't cheap:
http://www.ramliftpro.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zmO...hak0d8-IOVDGU=

[insurance guy]

I received and installed the Zero Decibel front hood hinge. Very easy install except I had to remove aluminum under nose and take off half the nose to secure the hinge. Not to bad. If you get this install it before you put on your body fiberglass.
At the cost of Air Shocks that go up and down , I will use current wooden ramp and purchase a new plasma cutter.
My clutch pedal came up but I think I still have issues, thanks to all who respond, I love this forum.IMG_0584.JPGIMG_0585.JPGIMG_0586.JPG

[insurance guy]

I am still waiting on the State of NJ to send my paperwork to the inspection Station. I spoke to Joe from the Asbury Park facility. One of the things NJ looks at is the ground clearance. They measure as if the car was sitting on the RIMS. Clearance has to be
2 1/2 inches.
Wanted to let all of you NJ builders know as this is new information to me more updates to come

[insurance guy]

This why I "love" New Jersey, about 3 weeks ago I mailed my registration and inspection packet to Department on Mv in Trenton. I carefully followed all the instructions, checked and rechecked. The only thing I omitted was the sales tax payment, I figured, I would let them do the math and send me a letter with amount.
Today I received my letter with not only a bill for over 1100.00 dollars but a deficiency that I did not provide a manufacturers certificate of origin for the chassis/frame.
Now I have to wait till Monday to wait 45 minutes on hold to ask them what they did with that beautiful Certificate of Origin that factory five included in the kit.
Did they lose it? Did they not know what it was?
They did get the math correct.
After all the paperwork I can make appointment for special inspection. I already spoke to "Joe" at the Asbury Park inspection station. He has done many factory fives, mine is his first 818.
I was happy he remembered me from four years back, he inspected 2 electric conversions I did.
I will keep updating

[insurance guy]

The wait on hold was not that bad, after speaking to Supervisors NJ DMV decided that they need to have documentation on all the parts. The invoice from Very Cool Parts was not enough, they are seeking a notarized letter on company letterhead with a detailed description of what is included in the Donor Kit. Wayne is sending that to me. (thanks Wayne) For all you NJ Builders, a notarized letter or the TITLE of the DONOR signed over to you. I think the notarized letter is less problematic and will not bring into play any "salvage" or "junked" issues that will really cause problems in NJ.
This might get me to the next step , THE INSPECTION"

[insurance guy]

I had my NJ State Construction Inspection today.
Inspector went over the car for almost 2 hours
I PASSED
I now wait for the registration from Trenton and I can go get my plates.
Here were the major concerns:
No rear bumper- asked if I can put a larger one across the interio
use a larger wiper blade
the front wheels just barely cleared wheel wells with full left and right. If they touched that would have been issue
that was it
I am so happy

[Canadian818]

Congrats!

[insurance guy]

can you believe how long the NJ process takes.
Received Title in the mail today
Insurance card needed and then off to Department of Motor Vehicles to register and get plates
hopefully all done before end of week.IMG_0816 title.JPG

[Mechie3]

Congrats!

[Hindsight]

Big congrats!

[insurance guy]

plates are on
took my first real drive
17 mile loop both residential , town and highway. All I can say is "wow"
this car is nimble and super quick. had it up to 80 before I realized it.
avoid the bumps and dips in the road and you will be fine.
super happy with Factory Five, many thanks to the forum. I would nave never completed it without all of you.
I still have the bodywork and paint to do, but as long as the weather stays like this, that can wait.
PLATE.JPG

[Bob_n_Cincy]

congratulations

[RM1SepEx]

How well do your plate lights work at night? I have mine over the plate on the flat section and they have poor lighting of the plate.

Congrats on getting her on the road! I have trouble working on mine too whiule the weather's good enough to drive. I agree, avoid major holes and the car works very well on the road.

[mikeb75]

Congrats & drive the wheels off it!

[longislandwrx]

cooooool.

[insurance guy]

driving around town is ok
I need to get this on the highway
see link
https://youtu.be/W3FHu0a3rQ0
https://youtu.be/W3FHu0a3rQ0

[insurance guy]

I am back after a 6 month hiatus. I had the car licensed and registered in NJ. Drove it for 60 miles, took it to a car show and then the weather changed. It has been in the garage since.
I have put it up for sale but its laughable what people want to pay you. They think you are giving it away. they want to give you less than kit costs.
I would enjoy the car more if I had a hard top, so I am considering upgrading and not only getting the top but the new front ( almost pulled the trigger on that last year.)
Can anyone with the top give me some feedback on their experience doing the conversion?

[insurance guy]

decided not to sell
Ordered the new front end and hard top. I will pic it up next Friday.
I will keep an updated log with pics on this thread. I was reviewing the updated manual. Its as confusing as it always was. I am shaking thinking about doing the doors again. Now with windows ugh