508 replies to this topic

[Jamie_hail]

Mhm! Shiny carbon fibre...



Went on a little road trip the other day to pick this up from a lad from 16v mini forum...

£220 got me a front end, cf bonnet, grill, lights, fibreglass A panels and a full set of arches (wont be used though) It also payed for his fuel for a half way meet - so I'd say I got a bloody good deal there!



First test fitting - very happy with the quality and fit of this!





Bonnet will need raised at the back slightly... But I'm making brackets to attatch it to the standard bonnet hinges!






It's all a VERY tight fit! I cant get my radiator in at the moment, so will need to try and sort something for that...





Decided to force the rad up a little bit, and fit my old mpi grill and moustache... Just ziptied for now - but I like the look of this - will look lovely against the brighter paint I think!








Will replace the bonnet soon - this one has a bulge for a redtop, but it's not needed for the honda - but atleast I have something to take measurements from!




Quick picture of how close the alternator is! I'll definately need to remake the bracket!



Started making up the brackets for the bonnet - they look nothing like this, so I dont know why I'm posting them - but hey! Why not?



Quick engine bay shot!




This also arrived in the post - £18 off ebay - got a bargain I think!



Whats so special about it?

Weighs next to nothing, single skin carbon fibre!



Oh, and was also given two of these by a mate today for £40 - will get them retrimmed in black and green!

[Jamie_hail]

Oh, also won this on ebay - but it'll have to wait till I replace the bonnet as it doesnt clear the bulge...

[Jamie_hail]

Got featured on a facebook group - had 52 likes in the space of three hours! Happy with that...

[Jamie_hail]

Brackets going on for the front end...

[Jamie_hail]

Front end masked up, and surfaces keyed...



First coat of primer...





After about 3 coats of etching primer (amazing on fibreglass)







Most of the primer will of been wasted though, as I completely forgot to take the old arches off - they sit far too high for my liking, and I dont have the a-panel part...

Nice to see it in a more neutral colour though, and almost ready for paint..

[Alex_B]

Just surfing facebook and thought I recognise this cover photo!

http://www.facebook....5167?ref=stream

You're famous! great build by the way really enjoying your thread thus far make the conversion look easy!

[Jamie_hail]

If you scroll down that page - they actually featured it!

Thanks mate - really enjoying the build myself, teaching me lots as I go along. If I can do it, anyone can - I'd never touched a car before, only motorbikes! Which, dont really require fab work or anything!

[Kam]

Looking good Jaime, you really crack on with it when you hit it don't you?

[Jamie_hail]

Thanks mate! Yeah, I seem to get the bug every now and then... Spend countless sleepless nights in the garage, get loads done - then get tired and frustrated and not bother for another while...

Drilling brackets tonight... Stood on them last night in situ, and they'll take my weight easily - so holding the front end wont be an issue...

[Jamie_hail]

Major milestone tonight - got 12v at the starter motor, FROM my push button start... Result!

[Jamie_hail]

****, is that the time? Been a long night in the garage - time for sleep!

[Jamie_hail]

ALL essential wiring is now DONE!

Kieran - it's much easier than I made out with that minitec loom, getting down to the nitty gritty tonight, made me realise all I needed was the two lives and an earth - then the fuel pump and stuff!

[KieranB]

sounds good. I still aint going to be sure what im doing until i actually buy the loom conversion. Better get the thing started soon!!

[Jamie_hail]

Right - proper update time!

Where to start? Got a lot done again this weekend!

Decided to scrap my original bracket idea, and go for something a bit more subtle - welded a few small strips of steel to the inner wing, and folded it over the bonnet lip... Drilling, and bolting it in place.



Seems very sturdy, quite surprised!

Kermit had a visitor coming to see him - Mr Kieran B from here... So decided to tidy the paint up a bit, and give her a quick polish and wax! Helps keep the grinder dust and welding spatter from sticking too!






Might of mentioned earlier in the week - my spotlight pod doesn't fit with the bonnet with the bulge. So, whilst Kieran was here - decided to experiment!




He also dropped me off a new throttle posistion sensor!

[Jamie_hail]

Seperate update for wiring!

Managed to get the switch illuminated - not hard!



Then - the real problem - wiring it into the starter signal on the engine - got there though, and the solenoid clicks upon pressing the switch!

Wired it all through a toggle switch - ignition live and the starter stuff! Going to put it through a relay though I think, as I'm not sure what kind of load the toggle switches can take.



Cut the headlining for my interior LED strips... Again through a toggle switch...





Looks quite a mess currently - but it'll all be sorted soon!

Ran new wires from the rear of the car for lights...

Sidelights :


Reverse... Got this wired through the plug on the front of the gearbox, so actually works when reverse gear is selected!



Got fed up of wiring, so got my cobra in place.





Then I decided, my sealed beams weren't bright enough...




Swapped them out for clear wipacs with 110 watt bulbs... Not strictly legal, but there's no markings on them to tell Mr MOT otherwise!





Drilled for a sidelight bulb, as for some reason they didnt have any?



Sealed beam on one side, H4 clear wipac on the other! Only on dip here, but what a difference!



Both changed!




They're just a little bit bright!



Still need set correctly, but nice distance on them!



Not bad considering thats just running off a battery only putting out 11 volts ;) Will be amazing with the engine running, I hope! Still got the four spotlights to go in too!

The dip isn't too bright either - doesn't dazzle atall!



Sidelights wired in.





Just showing how bright my interior lights are...