Very Nice, Next milestone is the go-kart stage. We auto-crossed our go-kart for a whole summer to sort things out.
Something to look forward to. This is a video on ar first day auto crossing our 818. https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...l=1#post174470
You just put a big smile on my face on this cold yucky winter day. Thanks for sharing! Spins up really fast it seems, at least compared to my hulking 3.0 motor... lightweight flywheel??? I still want to get over there some day, finally got shot 1 of 2 for covid (yah I'm an old geez).
Lots happening as the COVID fog lifts from my brain (I was unfortunate and tested positive last month). Almost fully recovered but good enough to be back in the world and working on the 818 again with Liam!
My next job is fabricating seat brackets for our EBay seats! Been talking to Rob (roadrashrob) daily as we share our build and ideas, and he has some nice flat frame adapters from Corbeau, which I planned to copy...so we made a cardboard template first to get the size of our seat base and sliders.
As we started looking for the best spot for the seats, and how to attach them to the frames, I made a mental leap that we really just needed flat extensions with studs that we can blind mount from up top and bolt underneath. Break out the Lincoln Mig welder I’ve not used in 13+ years...
Here are the rails in process and after being finished. Our sliders are 14-3/8” on center. So centerline the 1-1/2” x 1/4” flat stock, measured off the trans tunnel and then drilled and clecod in place. Up drill and weld cap hex head bolts to the flat stock, up drill the frame of the 818 and rinse/repeat,
After some weld splatter burns, I called it a night. Will confirm the seat position on the flat stock today and drill for the seat slider mounting.
818 "S"pyder delivered 11/27/20, using 2007 Impreza 2.5l NA donor. Work mostly being done by my son Liam...body work and paint being done by dad (that's me)
MK3.1 #6583RD, built from 2008-2019, sold 11/2011
I think you will want to raise the front of the seats.
I placed a 1.25" (or 1.5"?) square tube across the front 2 slider holes, and thru-bolted the rear slider holes to the frame crossmember.
As I recall, you can go that far back and still not run out of slider travel forward before the seat hits the frame.
We sat on the seats inside the car and they are perfect flat on the floor for us. Liam is 6’-4” and I’m 6’-3”... we need all the headroom we can get when the soft top is up. The passenger seat will be installed where it fits (all the way back) and will not be able to slide forward due to cross brace on the 818 frame. Drivers seat will have a few inches of travel.
818 "S"pyder delivered 11/27/20, using 2007 Impreza 2.5l NA donor. Work mostly being done by my son Liam...body work and paint being done by dad (that's me)
MK3.1 #6583RD, built from 2008-2019, sold 11/2011
Ah, you're the tall guys...
At 6' I feel maxed-out, so I have no idea how you will fit. I do have different seats, but they all kinda look the same from here.
No doubt not the first time you've had to deal with these things so I wish you luck.
I've always seen the short cockpit and low rollbar as the biggest misses in the car.
Great progrees on the build, and congrats' on survival!
818 "S"pyder delivered 11/27/20, using 2007 Impreza 2.5l NA donor. Work mostly being done by my son Liam...body work and paint being done by dad (that's me)
MK3.1 #6583RD, built from 2008-2019, sold 11/2011
818 "S"pyder delivered 11/27/20, using 2007 Impreza 2.5l NA donor. Work mostly being done by my son Liam...body work and paint being done by dad (that's me)
MK3.1 #6583RD, built from 2008-2019, sold 11/2011
Hey Scott, I hope everything is going well. I was wondering if you had similar issues with the LED's that you found on Ebay. Mine look dim and uneven. None of the red markings on the gauges show up, the needles are poorly lit, and overall the numbers are not sharp. Mine only worked well in the 2 small screens at the bottom of my gauges.
Pitch black, brightest the gauges will ever be IMG_1015.JPG
Dark but with some background light, closer to real world driving on the highway IMG_1016.JPG
Michael,
I've not noticed the same things you were not happy with, but I also haven't sat in the completely dark garage and played around with it yet.
We achieved limited go-cart status this week. My wife was home and didn't want us driving on the street so the chassis moved under it's own power in and out of the garage. 1st and reverse worked!
I'm also starting to prep the body panels for fitting this weekend...remember now how much fun and itchy the fiberglass work is!
Last edited by Scott Meyer; 03-21-2021 at 07:24 PM.
818 "S"pyder delivered 11/27/20, using 2007 Impreza 2.5l NA donor. Work mostly being done by my son Liam...body work and paint being done by dad (that's me)
MK3.1 #6583RD, built from 2008-2019, sold 11/2011
Well, there comes a day, when you have to decide on the paint color! Liam and I had pretty much decided on this last fall after we had the choices narrowed down to 3-4 colors, and then on my way to work one day...this passed me on the highway. I work for Honda and had not really seen this color up close yet, it looks stunning on the NSX, and will really pop on the 818S!
We will be using Kirker Automotive paints, and I just ordered all of my supplies today from AutoBody Toolmart. I have painted 3 cars in my past (one of which was the 3-color F5 Cobra in 2010), plus my Experimental Airplane...so this is old hat for me.
Here is the actual color we got:
This week we started bringing all of the body panels upstairs and prepping the back side, by spraying them with Raptor Liner...saw this on another builders blog videos (David Robinson) and thought it was a great idea. Takes away the "kit car" feel on the visible back side of the panels.
Originally I wanted to get the car assembled, and do some shakedowns, get it registered with State, etc... and then do the paint later this Fall...but I'm leaning towards the "Get it done" now!
Last edited by Scott Meyer; 03-25-2021 at 01:33 PM.
818 "S"pyder delivered 11/27/20, using 2007 Impreza 2.5l NA donor. Work mostly being done by my son Liam...body work and paint being done by dad (that's me)
MK3.1 #6583RD, built from 2008-2019, sold 11/2011
Looks great guys! I love the Raptor liner on the rear of the panels, and will definitely do the same. Color will look amazing, but my skills are no where near the point I would paint it myself... We're definitely leaning towards Vinyl wrap to start, and then perhaps paint some day.
You definitely helped us a lot by being slightly ahead of us in the build, but sharing a lot of common build practices that I really admire. Thanks for that!
This one is just going to be a teaser...we’ve got the car registered for the Ohio Import Faceoff https://importfaceoff.net/ next Sunday- April 18th...and Liam threw down the challenge to me to have the 818 ready in gel coat.
Last edited by Scott Meyer; 04-11-2021 at 06:37 PM.
818 "S"pyder delivered 11/27/20, using 2007 Impreza 2.5l NA donor. Work mostly being done by my son Liam...body work and paint being done by dad (that's me)
MK3.1 #6583RD, built from 2008-2019, sold 11/2011
This one is just going to be a teaser...we’ve got the car registered for the Ohio Import Faceoff next Sunday- April 18th...
"Import Challenge"? I know MA was originally a British Colony, but not sure cars from there are still considered imported... :-)
Incredible progress recently! We're just back from two weeks in FL, and in "Meyer" progress, I feel like it was two months! Good luck at the challenge. Your Gelcoat definitely looks good (in pictures). ;-)
Thanks Rob, and I was down for the count most of this week with my business trip, college visit and 2nd Vaccine shot!
Well the donor is a Subie (Japan = Import) and the car is now considered an exotic by Liam’s piers, and definitely the most “built” car of his group of friends! The gel coat is “good from a far, but far from good”! Learned from building the Mk. 3 cobra over a decade ago, get everything to fit and drive it for a bit, then do bodywork with everything assembled and aligned, and finally pull apart for final prime and paint.
818 "S"pyder delivered 11/27/20, using 2007 Impreza 2.5l NA donor. Work mostly being done by my son Liam...body work and paint being done by dad (that's me)
MK3.1 #6583RD, built from 2008-2019, sold 11/2011
"Import Challenge" I took my 818 to the Scottsdale Cars & Coffee a few times and was told the first 2 times, "this is the American car section. You should move to the European car section." Each time, I explained that the chassis is from Massuchusetts and the car was built right here in Scottsdale, they walked away confused.
The Subaru guys were all over it with questions and photos.
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).
Well... I guess Liam put you under the gun Scott...
The first car show I went to (coffee and doughnuts with cops at the Indianapolis motor speedway) the L.E.O's awarded us "best import"...yep go figure
I did one (the only local) show late last fall once I was rolling. No category for a car like this, so went with the engine... "import". Would rather call it American but to go for a take home award I guess you have to make the rules fit your build.
Jet and Pete,
Good to hear from you both! I think we will make it and be happy with the results. I was working on the “trunk lid” tonight and Liam was fitting the drivers side door. He managed to get the passenger door “passible”, but not perfect. He’s self taught like myself and I’ve really been trying to let him learn on his own lately!
BTW, I’ve posted on Facebook, that he has decided to pursue Engineering at Ohio University this fall! We toured the campus last week and he was really happy with the environment and city. We are going to submit his housing acceptance this week which locks in his acceptance! 6 weeks until high school graduation!
818 "S"pyder delivered 11/27/20, using 2007 Impreza 2.5l NA donor. Work mostly being done by my son Liam...body work and paint being done by dad (that's me)
MK3.1 #6583RD, built from 2008-2019, sold 11/2011
There has been an Art Q sighting in Dublin, Ohio today. He was gracious enough to drive over from Indiana and show off his 818C that is crazy with little details that he’s customized and grafted in from other production cars.
Right now he’s helping Liam sort through some of his taillight wiring issues (Art thinks it’s crossed wires).
818 "S"pyder delivered 11/27/20, using 2007 Impreza 2.5l NA donor. Work mostly being done by my son Liam...body work and paint being done by dad (that's me)
MK3.1 #6583RD, built from 2008-2019, sold 11/2011
Well, it’s over! I had to punch out early as the super loud sound/bass vehicles and guys revving until the limiter kicked in was getting to be too much for me...
But we trailered the 818 to it’s first show while still under construction. Was able to drive it on and off trailer and around the raceway. Tons of interest and questions about the car. Top question was “What is it?” And with the engine cover off, 2nd top question was “what is that engine”...when we answered a Subaru Boxer people were stunned. Pretty cool.
818 "S"pyder delivered 11/27/20, using 2007 Impreza 2.5l NA donor. Work mostly being done by my son Liam...body work and paint being done by dad (that's me)
MK3.1 #6583RD, built from 2008-2019, sold 11/2011
Body work has started! Not much exciting to report other than we are pushing ahead with bodywork and customizing our 818!
818 "S"pyder delivered 11/27/20, using 2007 Impreza 2.5l NA donor. Work mostly being done by my son Liam...body work and paint being done by dad (that's me)
MK3.1 #6583RD, built from 2008-2019, sold 11/2011
Good news Art/Jet, the kitchen remodel is done for now! Just waiting for the countertops to be measured and installed (probably won’t be done until late July).
So earlier in the week, Liam got to meet one of his hero’s- Travis Pastranas…and is volunteering this weekend at the Southern Ohio Rally Race where he is competing for Team Subaru.
Also got to talk with Jeff Kleiner today! We go way back to my roadster build in 2008-10…and he confirmed some of the next steps and highly recommended Slick Sand high build polyester primer surfacer. I had the used this on my roadster back then which led to the conversation when and he told me he’s been in contact with the now (new) 3rd owner of my project and he lives near Chicago.! I looked up the guy “Dave” (dpariso) on here and the car still looks great! Appears some improvements to the intake and appearance (roll bars, side pipes and cam covers) were also done since I sold it to the Coast Guard officer in Florida back in 2011. The paint still looks great which reaffirmed my skills in painting a car!
Last edited by Scott Meyer; 06-11-2021 at 07:43 PM.
818 "S"pyder delivered 11/27/20, using 2007 Impreza 2.5l NA donor. Work mostly being done by my son Liam...body work and paint being done by dad (that's me)
MK3.1 #6583RD, built from 2008-2019, sold 11/2011
Of course I'd like this post, I'm in it . Congrats on kitchen progress as well as the car. Liam added much fun to our outing, great kid with a great future.
.
Entire trip was a hoot with Jet and I leaving Indy early morning and back at 11pm. Two of these cars on the road together draws a lot of ogles. I had over 800 miles from NW Indiana and back, Jet most of that as well - both cars run like they were born for it. My 45 year old daughter after a spin that weekend said "gee dad, it's just like a real car".... now that is what I would call a heartfelt compliment.
Realizing we have not posted an update in well over a month. Body work continues and I’m a perfectionist so it’s slow. And hot…and dusty. Not happy with the gaps from Factory 5 I’m fixing all of these issues, extending the trunk lid and just about done with the engine cover and the CF skinning.
818 "S"pyder delivered 11/27/20, using 2007 Impreza 2.5l NA donor. Work mostly being done by my son Liam...body work and paint being done by dad (that's me)
MK3.1 #6583RD, built from 2008-2019, sold 11/2011
Awesome and scary at the same time. You know what you're doing, and it's a lot of work! Bodywork is not in my comfort zone. Will definitely be looking to you for guidance as we approach that point.
Liking the skins! (but not the hood pins) Nice gap-fill too, that will be an obvious plus once finished. My biggest fill was at the bumper/trunk lid.
What's your color(s) plan?
Awesome and scary at the same time. You know what you're doing, and it's a lot of work! Bodywork is not in my comfort zone. Will definitely be looking to you for guidance as we approach that point.
Originally Posted by Scott Meyer
Well, there comes a day, when you have to decide on the paint color! Liam and I had pretty much decided on this last fall after we had the choices narrowed down to 3-4 colors, and then on my way to work one day...this passed me on the highway. I work for Honda and had not really seen this color up close yet, it looks stunning on the NSX, and will really pop on the 818S!
We will be using Kirker Automotive paints, and I just ordered all of my supplies today from AutoBody Toolmart. I have painted 3 cars in my past (one of which was the 3-color F5 Cobra in 2010), plus my Experimental Airplane...so this is old hat for me.
Here is the actual color we got:
Originally I wanted to get the car assembled, and do some shakedowns, get it registered with State, etc... and then do the paint later this Fall...but I'm leaning towards the "Get it done" now!
Liking the skins! (but not the hood pins) Nice gap-fill too, that will be an obvious plus once finished. My biggest fill was at the bumper/trunk lid.
What's your color(s) plan?
Thanks for the repost on my colors. It’s now a custom color blend of the Sunkist Pearl (was too yellow) and Candy Red (Chianti to be exact) that I achieved with help from Kirker’s tech support. By doing several spray outs on the speed shapes got the color as close as possible to the Acura Thermal Orange Pearl.
We don’t like the hood pins either…and have a plan in the works. Don’t want to spoil all of my tweaks so rest assured we are only keeping what’s necessary to attach the F5 soft top. Everything will be color coordinated!
818 "S"pyder delivered 11/27/20, using 2007 Impreza 2.5l NA donor. Work mostly being done by my son Liam...body work and paint being done by dad (that's me)
MK3.1 #6583RD, built from 2008-2019, sold 11/2011
It’s been a crazy month of August and needless to say Zero work on the 818. Spent a week in SoCal for work, and then we moved Liam to Ohio University for the start of his Freshman year in Engineering! It’s been very hard to get motivated to work on the car without him, but staying in constant contact via iMessage and sharing my recent progress…yes I’ve returned to the darn bodywork!
Since we have a NA motor (EJ253), the recess in the trunk was just a deep dish bowl, and the thought of a fake vent wasn’t sitting well with Liam. So, I made a composite core and fiberglassed it in!
Next up is to finish the engine cover, and then last is the front hood…and we may be ready to remove the panels for primer by mid-September!
818 "S"pyder delivered 11/27/20, using 2007 Impreza 2.5l NA donor. Work mostly being done by my son Liam...body work and paint being done by dad (that's me)
MK3.1 #6583RD, built from 2008-2019, sold 11/2011
818 "S"pyder delivered 11/27/20, using 2007 Impreza 2.5l NA donor. Work mostly being done by my son Liam...body work and paint being done by dad (that's me)
MK3.1 #6583RD, built from 2008-2019, sold 11/2011
I had one online vendor argue with me that this word was trademarked by one OEM manufacturer, but there are currently at least 4+ exotic cars called the …Spyder.
So here is a glimpse at some of my custom touches before I lay down the base coat.
Maybe one more sneak peak…and we may not be doing Orange anymore…one person on here knows the real color but I have bribed him with Oban Scotch to be quiet!
Last edited by Scott Meyer; 09-25-2021 at 10:16 AM.
818 "S"pyder delivered 11/27/20, using 2007 Impreza 2.5l NA donor. Work mostly being done by my son Liam...body work and paint being done by dad (that's me)
MK3.1 #6583RD, built from 2008-2019, sold 11/2011
Pretty sure you can use a trademarked name as long as it is for something you are making for yourself. A supplier could get in trouble for making something for a customer. I like it! I had the president of Ferrari/Maserati Canada drop by when he saw me working on what he thought was a Dino....it was a replica. He said "Ferrari doesn't like it when people do that".
All I can share is it’s one of these colors?!?! We’ve been spraying out many test colors to find the one Liam likes the best and I can accurately recreate! I’m not very consistent with multi-stage pearls…so that has heavily weighed on my decision.7057AB8D-4D53-482D-9070-1FAD65B1D278.jpeg
818 "S"pyder delivered 11/27/20, using 2007 Impreza 2.5l NA donor. Work mostly being done by my son Liam...body work and paint being done by dad (that's me)
MK3.1 #6583RD, built from 2008-2019, sold 11/2011
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Originally Posted by Scott Meyer
