260 replies to this topic

[Rasmus Holst]

Looking very neat. Excellent panel work

[daveeeeee]

Cheers Rasmus =)

Got some good weather today! Some progress made, and first quality pictures Used my sister's Nikon rather than my phone haha.

*Gets bored waiting for pictures to upload*

Finally welded the whole way round the back. Fairly happy with the argoshield now, but might get some anti splatter spray or whatever it's called.




For this final stretch I just tac'd the outside and seamed the inside, way faster than my previous effort. I actually welded the outside and inside - having welded outside, then realising it would be stronger on the inside after grinding. Time consuming and unnecessary!

Couldn't weld this corner the metal had rusted too thin and was just blowing, so cut it out and patched it up. Sorry no pic of it finished I'll get one soon =p





Next up is a grinding session, don't think there's anything left to weld on the back until after the MOT when I'd like to do a flat boot floor.

Thanks for looking comments/tips welcome as always

[daveeeeee]

Whilst I've got my paws on the camera, thought I'd get some pics of the things cluttering up my room.

Got a pair of Forza's from the classified section a little while ago. Funny story how I got the money for them though, bought a pair of really old corbeau seats off of a guy at MIT, for £50, put them on ebay and they sold for £100, then added £25 and bought these seats with subframes and 4 point harnesses so £75 for the following


Recently aquired these to finish off the rear end, fibreglass valance and bumper, might leave them black and white haha.
Got them from the arc angels, they were kind enough to bond on some brackets to the rear of the valance to bolt through the floor. I don't intend to have a metal bumper lip, seems like a rust catcher to me. I was going to shave off the one on the fibreglass valance too and smooth it but, I might leave the fibreglass lip on to make it easy to fit the bumper. We'll see :S

[rosco454]

Coming along nicely,are you ready to attack the front end yet?

[daveeeeee]

Thanks, going to get it through an MOT first, then will have to save up for a flipfront and any other panels I'll need.
Need to get onto getting a job

My list of things to do before an MOT is something like:

Fit valance and bumper
Modify valance + fit a fog light
Recon and fit subframe + suspension
Fit lights
Fit fuel tank
Fit boot lid
Fit exhaust
Fit brake master cylinder and adjust brakes
Fit seat
MOT check

[Deathrow]

That rear valance looks awesome! Do you have any idea what the MOT mans view on that would be?

[daveeeeee]

Thanks! Don't see why it wouldn't pass, I've got genuine closing panels etc so the metal is 4 layers thick through the subframe mounts etc If he does fail it he's taking the mick

If the weather holds off today I'll finish fitting it hopefully. Thanks again for the comment

I checked out Elliot the other day and that photoshop image looks cool, and as for the mx5 seats, I'd love a set of those Might even trade bucket seats for a pair of them!
Speakers in the headrest

[Deathrow]

Thanks! Don't see why it wouldn't pass, I've got genuine closing panels etc so the metal is 4 layers thick through the subframe mounts etc If he does fail it he's taking the mick

If the weather holds off today I'll finish fitting it hopefully. Thanks again for the comment

I checked out Elliot the other day and that photoshop image looks cool, and as for the mx5 seats, I'd love a set of those Might even trade bucket seats for a pair of them!
Speakers in the headrest

I've gone ahead and ordered one anyway! Haha. Going to bond mine on though as opposed to bolting. Look forward to see yours fitted .

Thanks for the comment about the photoshop, I still don't know which to go for. I still need to work out how I'm going to get my paint mixed haha.

I managed to get a set of MX5 seats on eBay, cost me £140 but the guy posted them for free which I imagine would have been about £30 anyway. Bean said she paid £90 for hers and they're low milage. Best place to look would be eBay and any MX5 owners forums .

But I agree, they're gorgeous seats. I never wanted buckets for practicality reasons but most seats look a bit ugly to me, the MX5 ones are spot on and they must be able to hold you in the bends or they wouldn't be in an MX5 .

[daveeeeee]

Dad used to have an MX5 and the seats are a good compromise for comfy/sporty

Bonding it on would be a good idea, I've had to put a hole in each corner to get my screwdriver in for the bolts inside the closing panels, will fill them up later >.<
I'm doing it this way due to my lack of experience with fibreglass. It's been a nightmare getting it lined up, and drilling holes in the right place. (welding up the holes that were in the wrong place )

If I get time I'm going to cut and shut my subframe today, whilst the welder is out. The back end of it is pretty bent, so I'm going to steal the one off of my non genuine subframe to patch it up.

If anyone needs part of my non genuine subframe as a patch let me know I'll cut you a piece of the cake It's *melonsing* useless in one piece anyway haha.

[daveeeeee]

Got some more done, valance is ready for some FG filler to smooth the bum, and I've repaired the dodgy part of the subframe. Think the threads for the brackets need looking at though, so not completed the subframe refurb just yet.

I cut the bad section out, removed the same section off of the non genuine subframe, then with a fair amount of messing about with the vice got it bent to shape. Then tac welded it in. All was good until I started trying to weld it haha, I've not tried welding anything other than sheet metal (stitching), so went for a nice big line, and blew lots of holes. I guess it's not THAT thick after all However, I got the hang of it when I welded the 2nd join, and with a bit more grinding it's good to go.

The bad bit:


Tada:




It was the large gap between my new panel and the frame that was making it hard to weld, next time I might take more care over getting a close fit
I'll get some pics of the final product tomorrow hopefully

Comments welcome, cheers

Edited by daveeeeee, 16 May 2009 - 10:14 PM.

[Boycie]

Nice to see your welding is still good.. keep it coming!!

[daveeeeee]

Thanks Boycie, I've been a bit slow getting up this morning so nothing done yet lol.

How's the 70's saloon coming on?

[Boycie]

Na you're doing just fine, I still haven't done anything much on mine lol. Been slowly collecting bits for it though.

[daveeeeee]

Had a heavy night out tonight so, the pictures can do the talking. My girlfriend emma helped me do some seam sealing and some fibreglass filling today, hopefully tomorrow I'll have the boot smoothed.

Any advice on getting the right amount of hardener would be more than welcome (fibreglass filler). Thanks!

Subframe welded, not grinded to perfection but good enough


I left some tabs on the seam of the fibreglass valance so I can bolt my bumper on, but the rest is going smoooooth

[cookie4343]

Looking good mate and im likeing your fiberglass rear valance very , excellent welding skills too.