818C as a daily driver

[bzoli]

Hello,
I'm contemplating a 818c build, has some question and I hope someone could chime in.
I currently have a 04 WRX, driving it for close to 8 years now, and I would use that as donor car.

I'm curious of how a 818c would preform as a daily driver.
On the picture I saw no provision of heating and air conditioning ...
How good is the engine compartment isolation (heat and noise) from the cabin?
Are the windows powered, or can the window be lowered?
How much ground clearance the car has? seems it could be a real problem getting around...

Please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks
Zoltan

[Innkeepr]

The "C" comes with powered windows.
A few here have added a heater core, I may, but probably go with heated seats. Cant drive this in Pa. winters.

[alpine227]

Hello,
I'm contemplating a 818c build, has some question and I hope someone could chime in.
I currently have a 04 WRX, driving it for close to 8 years now, and I would use that as donor car.

I'm curious of how a 818c would preform as a daily driver.
On the picture I saw no provision of heating and air conditioning ...
How good is the engine compartment isolation (heat and noise) from the cabin?
Are the windows powered, or can the window be lowered?
How much ground clearance the car has? seems it could be a real problem getting around...

Please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks
Zoltan

Time will tell they just started shipping the coupes without glass so no one has assembled one yet(except ff and those college kids prototype) What kind of winters are you driving through. Florida 50 degrees and clear roads or Maine 18 inch dusting of snow on the roadway minus 20 degree winter. With low ground clearence and low weight, no abs should be a handful in the snow.

[wallace18]

Do not expect OEM fit and finish, heat or noise isolation in a kit car. The draw of the 818 IMO is light weight and super car looks and handling. Can it be a daily driver? Yes, but not as comfy or safe as the WRX IMO. I have built 5 FFR kits so far. None can compare with a OEM for comfort or safety. But all of them were faster, better at cornering and drew attention anywhere I went. In the end it is like most things in life a compromise of what is most important to you. I think you would find that most of us FFR owners have a OEM car for daily driving.

[bzoli]

Reasonable answers ...
I live in San Diego, so giving up the all wheel drive capability is no big deal, most of the time I don't even switch on the ac but I use the heating in the morning.
My WRX is somewhat modified and I don't mind the noise to a point, unfortunately this cannot be evaluated over the internet.

It would be great to go a local dealer and check out the product, give it a shoot on the road to find all these out.

One more thought: I agree on backup car, daily driver does not mean only car.

[Bob_n_Cincy]

My son Michael has been Driving his 818S to high school (30 mil round trip) on mornings above 30 and not raining.
It is there right now.
He has a 07 NA impreza wagon for snow days.
Bob

[bzoli]

My son Michael has been Driving his 818S to high school (30 mil round trip) on mornings above 30 and not raining.
It is there right now.
He has a 07 NA impreza wagon for snow days.
Bob

could you comment on ground clearance?

[matteo92065]

could you comment on ground clearance?

In San Diego you will scrape the front on 10%(?) of the driveways you encounter. That is the only ground clearance issues I have encountered in the ~7 months of almost daily driving. And I've got to say the carbon fiber splitter has held up really well. If it were just the fiberglass with gel coat, it would not be looking as good, as it tends to chip and crack (but I would have just a little better approach angle)

Now where Bob lives.... snow changes everything.

[Zodiac]

- ground clearance if i remember correctly is 4.5 inches. that's as high as i was able to get it.
- another note is registering they typically limit your miles per year. so depending how much you drive you will probably need another car still.
- 818c has power windows and the top and so you can get through in the rain if you add the wipers.
- there will be noise so just depends on the person as to how much it bothers them
- heating and air you will need to look into aftermarket like a few have done. vintage air is a big company i think

[xxguitarist]

Ride height is highly variable. Keep in mind, you're building the car.
You can get reasonable street alignments at well above what most here set up their car to ride at. With a spring swap, you can probably get well over 5" clearance ground to frame, but it will come at the expense of some handling and camber.

Otherwise: Go for a mild engine, light clutch, streetable tune. You'll want to add lots of sound deadening most likely.

[billjr212]

As suggested above, the topic is extremely subjective. Obviously you can't just run to a dealership to see an 818, but would you consider daily driving a lotus elise (or exige)? If no, then the answer is "no." If yes, then "maybe" since the 818 is going to be even more rudimentary (unless you spend appropriately and have great attention to detail). Is there a dealership in your area with a used Elise? Maybe try to go there and weasel your way into a test drive (will likely be difficult).

[bzoli]

Very good comments ... thanks, I appreciate the thinking.

A little bit of background:
I originally planned to start a type65 coupe build, bought a 99 mustang cobra to use the engine/transmission, brakes etc. what ever I can to do a donor build. Extremely budget oriented. Moved to San Diego and the plans were put in a holding pattern.
I have 2 cars (WRX daily driver, invested time and money in it, and the mustang which is still a good drive) and a 97 F150. Than 818C came along.... it is cheaper to start, I could sell the mustang and turn the money to buy the kit. Disassemble the otherwise perfectly working WRX (no need to do anything on the engine) which would reduce my car pool to 1 car (the 818C) and 1 truck.
Appealing. And 818C is a damn good looking car, with my WRX engine in it I'm sure it would be more than fun to drive.

I believe I have a high tolerance to NVH, and probably can live with a lotus exige.

I will look into the registration restriction. Is the restriction imposed by CA or by the insurance companies?

[bzoli]

Zodiak, Matteo,
would you be open to host me for 20-30min 818 checking? I'm not asking for a test drive, just to check out the car, sit in it to check "fitment" etc. At your convince of course. I understand if you prefer not too....
I live in San Diego area (Oceanside).
Thanks
Zoltan

[Bob_n_Cincy]

could you comment on ground clearance?
Our static ground clearance is about 4-7/8"
We drop to 4.5" when 600 lbs gets loaded into the seats.
350# springs front and 600 rears
Bob

[bzoli]

Our static ground clearance is about 4-7/8"
We drop to 4.5" when 600 lbs gets loaded into the seats.
350# springs front and 600 rears
Bob

Thanks for the very specific answer and stating the BC's (you must be an engineer:))

[JeromeS13]

I will look into the registration restriction. Is the restriction imposed by CA or by the insurance companies?

The mileage restriction is imposed by your insurance company. I know that the National Corvette Museum has various mileage tiers. You can call Adam Boca and inquire about that.

[Zodiac]

I would but at the moment mine is out of commission. Doing electrical and other things here and there and so depending on how much the family lets me work on it lol it will probably be back up end of january. As for mileage that's a insurance company restriction. Through my research National Corvette Museum has the highest mileage range available and best rates I was able to get from others. Registration you'll want to go through the SB100 process to get it smog exempt.

[matteo92065]

Bzoli,
Sure you can come by and check out my car. PM me with your phone number and I'll text you as time permits.

[wleehendrick]

Zodiak, Matteo,
would you be open to host me for 20-30min 818 checking? I'm not asking for a test drive, just to check out the car, sit in it to check "fitment" etc. At your convince of course. I understand if you prefer not too....
I live in San Diego area (Oceanside).
Thanks
Zoltan

Hi Zoltan,

Mine's not running yet (as I keep saying, if you want to finish a car project, don't buy a house!), but close to you in Encinitas. I'd be happy to let you sit in it for fitment (I have fixed back seats with sidemounts low and tilted, a Boyd tank and re-located firewall, so my seat is lower and further back than 'stock'.

Lee

[bzoli]

Hi Zoltan,

Mine's not running yet (as I keep saying, if you want to finish a car project, don't buy a house!), but close to you in Encinitas. I'd be happy to let you sit in it for fitment (I have fixed back seats with sidemounts low and tilted, a Boyd tank and re-located firewall, so my seat is lower and further back than 'stock'.

Lee

Hah ... the house ship is already sailed... one thing is going for the 818C, it is lower cost than a Type65 coupe.

[wleehendrick]

Hah ... the house ship is already sailed... one thing is going for the 818C, it is lower cost than a Type65 coupe.

For me, it's not so much about the funds... pretty much everything I need to finish my build is in the garage or storage. But with renovating our new (to us) home and traveling a good bit for work, I just don't have the time/energy to get in the garage and finish it off!

[bzoli]

There is one more thing I recently started to look into is the engine compartment insulation from the cabin, which influence the daily drivability of the 818C.
I tried to find pictures to get a feel of it, and I was quite surprised – so I thought I’ll bring this up, maybe I misinterpret something.

Based on the photos I have seen it seems that the engine compartment is open beneath the rear hatch. I could see the engine and intercooler. In 818S and 8181R the rear is covered – not in 818C. Which would make cabin and engine compartment in one open space. Apart from the obvious noise concern, smell of hot engine and exhaust would be also present. Secondly I just could not visualize how the IC would be supplied with fresh cold air (the stock wrx obviously performs quite good of that with sealed hood scoop).
Any thoughts?

[Kurk818]

There is one more thing I recently started to look into is the engine compartment insulation from the cabin, which influence the daily drivability of the 818C.
I tried to find pictures to get a feel of it, and I was quite surprised – so I thought I’ll bring this up, maybe I misinterpret something.

Based on the photos I have seen it seems that the engine compartment is open beneath the rear hatch. I could see the engine and intercooler. In 818S and 8181R the rear is covered – not in 818C. Which would make cabin and engine compartment in one open space. Apart from the obvious noise concern, smell of hot engine and exhaust would be also present. Secondly I just could not visualize how the IC would be supplied with fresh cold air (the stock wrx obviously performs quite good of that with sealed hood scoop).
Any thoughts?

There is a separation between the engine and cabin in the Coupe.

[JeromeS13]

There is a separation between the engine and cabin in the Coupe.

And the roof scoop can supply fresh air to the intercooler via brake style ducting.

[bzoli]

That certainly make sense, if not too much trouble could you link a photo which shows the cabin/engine compartment separation and the IC ducting? :)
I'm still doing basic research .... so don't flame me :rolleyes:

[07FIREBLADE]

Doing this on my phone but post #29 I believe shows the engine separation to the passenger cabin

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?19318-Seeeeeema-pics

You can see the ducted headliner and the glass seperation here

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?18745-Factory-Five-August-818-Update

[C.Plavan]

I'm still a believer that it will be an oven inside. I do hope I'm wrong, but I do not see it otherwise.

[bzoli]

I'm still a believer that it will be an oven inside. I do hope I'm wrong, but I do not see it otherwise.
could be, but at least you have power windows :)

[Pearldrummer7]

My dad "daily drove" a motorcycle for years in Nevada. It doesn't rain much and it was fairly warm. Depending on where you live, you can daily drive anything you want. I know 2 people who daily Elise's. I couldn't do daily stuff without 5 seats and AWD (since it snows from October to May).

[bzoli]

My dad "daily drove" a motorcycle for years in Nevada. It doesn't rain much and it was fairly warm. Depending on where you live, you can daily drive anything you want. I know 2 people who daily Elise's. I couldn't do daily stuff without 5 seats and AWD (since it snows from October to May).

Living in San Diego has its upsides, no doubt. In Michigan or Illinois I would not consider parting up my WRX to build a 818C :)

[bzoli]

Doing this on my phone but post #29 I believe shows the engine separation to the passenger cabin

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?19318-Seeeeeema-pics

You can see the ducted headliner and the glass seperation here

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?18745-Factory-Five-August-818-Update

Thanks Fireblade,
the photos show the details I was looking for.
The roof ducting seems small, I'm really curious if those can supply the air needed to cool the IC at moderate speeds (40-50 mph)

[07FIREBLADE]

I already went Awic so the ram air is a null point for me. I could put one of the ducts to my intake but that's about it. Doesn't really bother me to much. I felt the Awic upgrade was necessary in the beginning of my build which was a long time ago. They may have improved the a2a intercooler ducting efficency since then but I can't justify downgrading since the money has already been spent and installed.

Having the roof ram air though will help nullify the engine bay heat, added with a few fans and strategic venting will help keep the passenger compartment cool. Some of Chad's main concerns could be corrected if one goes about insulating and venting the engine compartment correctly. Only time will tell though we need some coupes on the road or some S owners converted already. Wink wink FFR need some shipping quotes already.