Frank's 818R build

[Tamra]

Our car weighed in at 1828 as a fully driving go-kart (no driver) on Longacre scales at EFI Logics. We also had the windshield, carbon canister (now removed from the car), etc. Basically, we were just missing the fiberglass panels, headlights, and tail lights.

Additional weight came from:
We had about 60lbs of fuel more than you, since our tank was close to full (estimating a full tank weighs about 90lbs)
AWIC system, which took a little over 2 gallons of water (~17lbs), plus the weight of the hoses, awic radiator, and the core (20lbs?)
I imagine your Kirkey's are a little lighter than our Sparco seats.
Our 25lb turbo

Combined that's around 100lbs or so of extra weight that our car has compared to yours.

How much do you think the panels, headlights, and tail lights weigh? I was thinking 200lbs, but maybe that estimate is high. We haven't weighed ours since it was completed. Now I'm curious!

[Pearldrummer7]

Our car weighed in at 1828 as a fully driving go-kart (no driver) on Longacre scales at EFI Logics. We also had the windshield, carbon canister (now removed from the car), etc. Basically, we were just missing the fiberglass panels, headlights, and tail lights.

Additional weight came from:
We had about 60lbs of fuel more than you, since our tank was close to full (estimating a full tank weighs about 90lbs)
AWIC system, which took a little over 2 gallons of water (~17lbs), plus the weight of the hoses, awic radiator, and the core (20lbs?)
I imagine your Kirkey's are a little lighter than our Sparco seats.
Our 25lb turbo

Combined that's around 100lbs or so of extra weight that our car has compared to yours.

How much do you think the panels, headlights, and tail lights weigh? I was thinking 200lbs, but maybe that estimate is high. We haven't weighed ours since it was completed. Now I'm curious!

I was thinking more like 120-150lbs. Fiberglass is light, right? Those Kirkeys are light, for sure. I do have a little extra fuel (maybe a gallon total) with the surge tank/plumbing. Maybe when I'm down home with the 818 next (15 mins from EFI) I'll hop on the scale. Maybe the dyno, too. Just to see how it compares (though I've compared EFI to Moon's dyno with the same car before).

I'd love to see a comparative estimate. The more weight certs (or corner balances) the better!


So, street legality stuff:

I sent in my paper work today! Now to play catch-up and actually finish the car before NY calls me and says to show up for inspection.

I installed the wiper assembly (Thanks Tamra and Andrew for sending it my way!)


Only problem...my hood doesn't fit. And not by a little. I think I'd need to extend the hood up about 6" in the back. So... back to the drawing board tonight!

All I need to complete now is the wiper assembly (no clue how I'm gonna make it fit), the e brake (cover isn't on/cables aren't tensioned), charcoal canister (considering skipping it and seeing if they let me slide), and intake plumbing for my temporary intercooler delete. It's a total whirlwind right now, but very exciting to have this BS-paperwork come to an end soon!

[Frank818]

Maybe you could try one wiper? That can fit.

[Tamra]

We had to extend ours up about 2". Did you trim the flange on the back of the hood to give them more clearance?

If you need us to send you the fiberglass pieces for cutting out the hood we'd be happy to, but I know you mentioned not wanting to chop the hood.

[Tamra]

Oh yeah, almost forgot, we are getting our car corner weighed tomorrow morning, so we will know for sure how much the panels add! They are different scales (a friend has a good quality set) but I imagine they should have similar readings.

[Pearldrummer7]

Oh yeah, almost forgot, we are getting our car corner weighed tomorrow morning, so we will know for sure how much the panels add! They are different scales (a friend has a good quality set) but I imagine they should have similar readings.

That is very exciting! I await your results!


I'll post my solution to my wiper issue soon. Gotta drive to the city (Manhattan) first. Anyone down in that area this week?

[Pearldrummer7]

As is the norm, 2/3 bolts came out fine.



Here's how they sat when I bolted the bracket "stock"

And here it is after some light bending and mounting it lower.




So my hood hit my windshield without wipers (remember, I installed it with the race screen in, not the glass windshield), and it's obviously MUCH worse now. So I decided to ricer hood pop/space my hood. I brought the hood pins all the way up and was still an inch short, at least. So, I made little spacers out of some scrap steel. Of course, I had to cut the hood pins (luckily I have an extra pair) so they don't bottom out now:



Hood fits and everything clears. Just want to get some nylon spacers on the hood pin shafts to make sure the hood rests nicely and doesn't crack or anything.

[Pearldrummer7]

Also, NY wants side marker lights. Red, and always on. To that I say: FINE.

Talk about temporary. Velcro'd on, wires run through existing holes. These might fall off the car after inspection...



Here's my intercooler delete so my stupid deck lid fits on my stupid car. I'm gonna need to decide on a solution for the long term for this car's intercooling.

[longislandwrx]

Don't worry all the cool kids are doing it.

xw5D0Kx.jpg

[Pearldrummer7]

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[Mechie3]

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Stand alone fuel management system. Not a bad way to drop 10 grand.

[Pearldrummer7]

Alright, wipers are done! JDM hood pop yo, blowing welds on my intake. All that good Fast and Furious stuff.

[508wrx]

Will that actually pass in NY?

I know in Mass it absolutely would not.

[Tamra]

It passed in CT for us, but they didn't like our hood pins of all things. They weren't "grade 8." Inspectors can be weird sometimes.

Frank, you can trim off that flange on the windshield side of your hood and drop your hood another 1" it looks like. Less restrictive airflow too if you do that.

Also, we made a little brace and put it in the center of the hood, which effectively lifted up the center a little bit for additional clearance without making the outer edges have to be so spaced. Side benefit is that we don't have a floppy hood anymore.

[Pearldrummer7]

Will that actually pass in NY?

I know in Mass it absolutely would not.

I'm not sure. I'll find out soon enough. If I have to cut up the hood on the spot and lower the hood, I will bite the bullet and do it.

It passed in CT for us, but they didn't like our hood pins of all things. They weren't "grade 8." Inspectors can be weird sometimes.

Frank, you can trim off that flange on the windshield side of your hood and drop your hood another 1" it looks like. Less restrictive airflow too if you do that.

Also, we made a little brace and put it in the center of the hood, which effectively lifted up the center a little bit for additional clearance without making the outer edges have to be so spaced. Side benefit is that we don't have a floppy hood anymore.

I have NO clue what this inspector wants. He's super strict about some things and super lenient on others. Your center hood brace is my absolute fall back plan. The hood was stable at triple digit speeds on the track, so I am not worried about further bracing it unless I really need to raise it up.

[Tamra]

The center hood brace also serves to lift the center of the hood a little, and gives you extra clearance over the wipers, without requiring any cutting. I just bolted on a piece of aluminum with some weather stripping on the edge and spaced it to where it hits the hood a little. Basically, you can take out a few of those washer spacers and make the hood less noticeably spaced up. It lets the hood arc down in the corners a bit while keeping the center elevated.

When are you going for inspection?

[Pearldrummer7]

The center hood brace also serves to lift the center of the hood a little, and gives you extra clearance over the wipers, without requiring any cutting. I just bolted on a piece of aluminum with some weather stripping on the edge and spaced it to where it hits the hood a little. Basically, you can take out a few of those washer spacers and make the hood less noticeably spaced up. It lets the hood arc down in the corners a bit while keeping the center elevated.

When are you going for inspection?

I'm going to Albany for it. And I like that idea, I just don't want to do unnecessary engineering/work on the car for something I'm going to immediately remove. Though I will, if need be, of course

[Pearldrummer7]

Sigh.

So the NYS DMV is "3 weeks behind, at least" on home made vehicle applications. Considering I had to snowblow the driveway this morning in upstate NY, 3 weeks (at least) from now might be too late. I'm considering holding off on street legality for this season and re prepping the car for the track, with street legality taking a back burner spot until either right after the spring thaw or late next season (don't want to miss any prime track time).

bummed

[Frank818]

Will that actually pass in NY?

I know in Mass it absolutely would not.

Actually my question would be "did you see how close to the hood the arms are?" Would the hood collapse on the arms at highway speed? 2 questions, sorry.

[Coolspot]

It passed in CT for us, but they didn't like our hood pins of all things. They weren't "grade 8." Inspectors can be weird sometimes.

Frank, you can trim off that flange on the windshield side of your hood and drop your hood another 1" it looks like. Less restrictive airflow too if .

Be carefull with this, panel edges are there for rigidity... If you cut it, you'll need a brace under for sure

[Pearldrummer7]

Actually my question would be "did you see how close to the hood the arms are?" Would the hood collapse on the arms at highway speed? 2 questions, sorry.

It very well might. I will be lowering it for transport and returning it to "street height" just for the inspection. Then of course removing it for any street driving. If I need windshield wipers I'm already in such big trouble in this car that seeing will be on the back burner

Be carefull with this, panel edges are there for rigidity... If you cut it, you'll need a brace under for sure

Agreed. This could be structurally compromising. Why I said I wouldn't go for it!

[AgentH]

Sigh.

So the NYS DMV is "3 weeks behind, at least" on home made vehicle applications. Considering I had to snowblow the driveway this morning in upstate NY, 3 weeks (at least) from now might be too late. I'm considering holding off on street legality for this season and re prepping the car for the track, with street legality taking a back burner spot until either right after the spring thaw or late next season (don't want to miss any prime track time).

bummed

So what's in store for this racing season? What do you plan to do to the car?

[Pearldrummer7]

So what's in store for this racing season? What do you plan to do to the car?

I'm glad you asked! I plan to pull the motor and tranny over winter...motor to do cam seals, replace a fuel line that I don't like, timing, oil pan/pick up tube, and maybe more. Transmission leaks at the case halves so that needs to be buttoned up.

Then, figuring out an intercooler solution and lots of aero (wing, vents, splitter, etc.). Also mounting suspension in R height.

Should be a decently busy winter. Plus I spend the month of March in Asia for work, so it has to be nearly done for track time in April!

[Pearldrummer7]

Ever have one of those times where you work really hard for no reason at all?

Due to the DMV saying they're gonna drag their feet, I said "screw it; let me pull the engine and trans and fix them before I get my appointment)". So I started taking the car apart, all day Wednesday and Thursday (had our Thanksgiving last weekend):



Then, Friday morning, the DMV called me and said "get ready, you'll have an appointment in the next few weeks."


So, I started putting the car back together. It comes apart a lot faster than it goes together. Total waste of 2 days off and a weekend.

[Tamra]

You know, if you wouldn't have torn the car apart they would never have given you an appointment ;p Go Figure !

Congrats anyway on getting scheduled!

[Hindsight]

Woah the DMV CALLED you? I've never heard of a DMV calling someone. Usually you call them and wait on hold for an hour

[Pearldrummer7]

You know, if you wouldn't have torn the car apart they would never have given you an appointment ;p Go Figure !

Congrats anyway on getting scheduled!

That's exactly right! Thanks haha

Woah the DMV CALLED you? I've never heard of a DMV calling someone. Usually you call them and wait on hold for an hour

Yes they did. Also he gave me a hard time about a bunch of things, including padded window visors. I guess there's no way around that one. Has anyone installed them? A quick search gave me no results.

[Hobby Racer]

NYS DMV can be funny. When I took in my FFR Cobra I did not even have visors installed and it passed no problem. However I was prepared. I had some home made visors with thick fabric as padding in the trunk!

Look in the Cobra section for guidance on NYS inspections.

[Pearldrummer7]

NYS DMV can be funny. When I took in my FFR Cobra I did not even have visors installed and it passed no problem. However I was prepared. I had some home made visors with thick fabric as padding in the trunk!

Look in the Cobra section for guidance on NYS inspections.

Weird, isn't it?

Hobby Racer- you're in Syracuse? I'm in Oswego. I see your next car is an 818R. If you ever want to check mine out let me know. I'd also love to see your roadster at some point!

[Hobby Racer]

Hobby Racer- you're in Syracuse? I'm in Oswego. I see your next car is an 818R. If you ever want to check mine out let me know. I'd also love to see your roadster at some point!

I hope to order the 818R this winter. I'd love to see your 818R this spring. We can meet up some place and I can bring the Cobra.

[C.Plavan]

I hope to order the 818R this winter. I'd love to see your 818R this spring. We can meet up some place and I can bring the Cobra.

Save the hassle and buy my R .

[Pearldrummer7]

Save the hassle and buy my R .

And then sell me the wing and side scoops off of it

I hope to order the 818R this winter. I'd love to see your 818R this spring. We can meet up some place and I can bring the Cobra.

Awesome! That'd be great. Cobras have always been on my to-build list.

[Hobby Racer]

Save the hassle and buy my R .

Deliver the the East Coast?

[Pearldrummer7]

Deliver the the East Coast?

Road trip! Chad if you trailer it out here you can grab a track day in my R with me. Help me dial it in.

[C.Plavan]

Road trip! Chad if you trailer it out here you can grab a track day in my R with me. Help me dial it in.

Since it cost me $1700 in gas to tow from CA to Circuit of the Americas for a race, shipping by truck is the only way. It would be easy- I would put it S height and load the coilovers for height. Boom- done.

[Hindsight]

Consider this: If you bought a new R, you'd have to pay for shipping too. I can't remember what I paid but it was around $1500 or so to get my kit to Atlanta. Guessing you'd pay about the same or a little less to get a completed rolling, driving car from California to the East coast.

[Pearldrummer7]

Since it cost me $1700 in gas to tow from CA to Circuit of the Americas for a race, shipping by truck is the only way. It would be easy- I would put it S height and load the coilovers for height. Boom- done.

It was just a joke; shipping truck is much cheaper of course.

Consider this: If you bought a new R, you'd have to pay for shipping too. I can't remember what I paid but it was around $1500 or so to get my kit to Atlanta. Guessing you'd pay about the same or a little less to get a completed rolling, driving car from California to the East coast.

That's true. A friend of mine picked it up with me; it was ~$300 for gas/food/tolls, since people like me and Hobby Racer are a day trip away from FFR.

[Hobby Racer]

That's true. A friend of mine picked it up with me; it was ~$300 for gas/food/tolls, since people like me and Hobby Racer are a day trip away from FFR.

Yeah, I picked up my Cobra kit and plan on doing the same for the 818R. Plus building the car is part of the fun.

[Pearldrummer7]

THEY CALLED ME! I'm heading down to the inspection station on Tuesday of next week. Said it should only take an hour.... I'm SO EXCITED!

[Tamra]

Congrats and good luck!!! What's left to do before then?