Anyone got an 818 in Pittsburgh or Houston area?

[mjazzka]

Howdy! (You'll hopefully be hearing a lot more of these...)

I just joined the forums, and I am really interested in the 818 as my first kit car build. I've been looking at the forums a while now, and found it REALLY useful in determining how much work it will be, and what I can expect in general. Due to my age and student status, I am looking to start this in 2-3 years.

I would really like to see one of these things in person, and will be in Pittsburgh for the summer (internship) and will be back in Texas in September for school. I live in Houston, but I would be willing to travel around Texas to see one.

On a side note, I DO have a 3d printer, so if y'all need something prototyped or something quick, let me know and I'll see what I can do. It's nothing fancy, but it works. I can talk to you more about this if you are interested. We can always work out a parts trade or something... :)
Here's a picture of the printer, in case you're curious. Can print in ABS or PLA. 30861

And like all n00bs, be ready for the question deluge! Thanks for your mercy in advance...

[Goldwing]

There's a few of us around Cleveland, OH if you don't mind a 2 hour drive. Mine will be in Pittsburgh occasionally, but not until it's finished. (That'll be a while, lol).

[freds]

I'm in Kingwood near IAH, I'm sure you know where it is.

PM me if and when you want to see mine. I have it to running go-kart stage and am starting the body work.

fred

[Andrago94]

I am in the Heights in Houston. Working on my donor now, kit is scheduled to arrive in September.

PM me when you get back in town. Where do you go to school?

[mjazzka]

There's a few of us around Cleveland, OH if you don't mind a 2 hour drive. Mine will be in Pittsburgh occasionally, but not until it's finished. (That'll be a while, lol).

Goldwing, there's a chance I will be out near Cleveland a little later this summer, so I will make sure to send you a PM if I do. I just checked out your build thread, it's coming along great!

[mjazzka]

I'm in Kingwood near IAH, I'm sure you know where it is.

PM me if and when you want to see mine. I have it to running go-kart stage and am starting the body work.

fred

Indeed I do! I'm actually flying into IAH tonight for the 4th, although I'm driving straight up to Austin to visit family. I will be back in Houston in late August, so maybe you'll have it done by then? ;) I live in Katy, so that's relatively next-door in Texas terms. I will PM you when that comes, thank you for the offer!

[mjazzka]

I am in the Heights in Houston. Working on my donor now, kit is scheduled to arrive in September.

PM me when you get back in town. Where do you go to school?

Will do, can't wait to see that whole process! I think I'm dreading that the most, honestly. Cleaning everything up and getting it ready, seems like it will take a LONG time. Then again, it will probably cater to my slight inner OCD when it comes to things like this.

I go to A&M, and I'm about to finish up a Mech. E degree. I just took an automotive eng. class, so all of this is starting to make a little sense lol. Just a little, though

[Andrago94]

I go to A&M, and I'm about to finish up a Mech. E degree. I just took an automotive eng. class, so all of this is starting to make a little sense lol. Just a little, though

I have an electrical engineering degree from A&M, class of '94. I have spent my whole career as a petroleum engineer though, so I've forgotten most of the EE stuff.

[mjazzka]

I have an electrical engineering degree from A&M, class of '94. I have spent my whole career as a petroleum engineer though, so I've forgotten most of the EE stuff.
Sounds like we are in the same boat then, I'm been working for an oil major for the last two summers and it's pretty likely I'll continue with them. Not sure what exactly what I like the best though, we'll see when we get there.

Part of the reason I'm doing the car is so I don't forget the M.E. stuff :D Of course, the sooner I can forget the three dynamics and vibrations classes I had the better...might need them for the car though

You going to see a game or two this season? The new stadium is almost done!

[Andrago94]

Sounds like we are in the same boat then, I'm been working for an oil major for the last two summers and it's pretty likely I'll continue with them. Not sure what exactly what I like the best though, we'll see when we get there.

Part of the reason I'm doing the car is so I don't forget the M.E. stuff :D Of course, the sooner I can forget the three dynamics and vibrations classes I had the better...might need them for the car though

You going to see a game or two this season? The new stadium is almost done!

I guess you are working Marcellus? Who are you working for? I work for Noble Energy in our Deepwater Business Unit. Definitely plan to make at least one game this year. I check the construction cams on a daily basis. It's going to be awesome.

[Goldwing]

Thanks for the compliment! Just let me know when/if you're coming. I'll let the other area guys know, maybe we can do a cookout or something.

[ram_g]

Those of you in the Houston area building 818s - how do you plan to register your car? The process for Customs and Street Rods only applies to Replicas, and the 818 doesn't replicate anything. If on the other hand you're planning to do it as an Assembled Vehicle, those have to be fully emissions compliant AFAIK. So are you doing yours as fully emissions compliant (including OBD-2) cars or do you have something else in mind?

BTW I'm asking as a current Roadster builder in Houston - always on the look out for my next project, but had mentally bagged the 818 due to this issue.

[Andrago94]

My plan was to register mine as an assembled vehicle with all of the emissions equipment on it. As far as I know (and hope...) this should be possible.

[mjazzka]

Those of you in the Houston area building 818s - how do you plan to register your car? The process for Customs and Street Rods only applies to Replicas, and the 818 doesn't replicate anything. If on the other hand you're planning to do it as an Assembled Vehicle, those have to be fully emissions compliant AFAIK. So are you doing yours as fully emissions compliant (including OBD-2) cars or do you have something else in mind?

BTW I'm asking as a current Roadster builder in Houston - always on the look out for my next project, but had mentally bagged the 818 due to this issue.

Since I've only just started looking into this recently, I've only looked into this a little, but it seems that Texas is making this much more difficult than it has to be. Maybe the kit car market is so small they just don't really care, I'm not sure.

If we have to have an OBD-2 system on the car, how do we go about getting one of those? Would I just take it from the donor? That seems to be one of the biggest problems, otherwise everything else is just a plain old pain in the tuckus that will take a little work.

[Goldwing]

You just keep the OBD2 port from the donor's wire harness. It's integrated into the whole system. You'll want it anyway to tune the car after you get it running. With changes to the intake and exhaust from the stock donor, you'll want to tune it to ensure you don't run lean anywhere.

As far as emissions, it's less wire dieting and less engine work, but more work to move some of the fuel stuff into the 818.

[mjazzka]

Well gentlemen, I thought y'all deserved an update. I ordered the kit! However, probably not the kit you're thinking about... I "evolved" to the Coupe after I fell in love with its looks. I will be building it starting in January. I still plan on visiting the Houston area FFRs, though! Thank you all for your support.

[Hindsight]

Wow, congrats on taking the plunge! Enjoy your build.