The $2008 Grassroots challenge build-up thread

[skipbarber]

this is a cool project.

im looking forword to more progress and pics.

keep up the good work!!

sorry we havent been able to post any updates lately but we finally had a chance to all work on the car tomorrow and talk about its future before competition in October......

We:
-replaced the beat fender with a black fender that was straight
-we put in a high flow cat i had lying around and bolted up the stock cat back to get through inspection
-we installed a new(to us) Grant Steering wheel
-Removed the front bumper beam and the rest of the AC components
-Last but not least Avi came up with the idea of an intercooler sprayer from a few windshield squirters I had and we are using the rear window pump

The bumper was a pain to get off since the car was in a small accident. The bumper beam was bent up so we had to essential pry the bumper off....

Finally off....Edwin was quite happy to say the least haha....

Removed the fender...

Ac stuff coming out.....

screw AC!!!

Our leaky Koyo....

 

[skipbarber]

Our black fender with red trim...

Stock exhaust...

New steering wheel...

 

[Mr.PFloyd]

so how did u guys like removing the Upper bumper panel (nose cone?)

 

[Facime]

Please tell me you are building a tube replacement for the bumper support, or putting it back in. In the event of an accident on the track or even a small excursion off road will result in damaging critical components (radiator at the least) and could put you out of commision early. Not to mention the safety to driver issue. It seems to me to be the wrong kind of weight reduction.

 

[ForcedTorque]

You could reduce the weight of those 6 1/2" speaker pods, and send them my way.

 

[Poodles]

If this was the 24 Hours of Lemons I'd tell you that you're nuts for removing the bumper supports cause I KNOW there are "accidental" collisions on the track...

Though I think you're nuts for trashing the A/C stuff, as it's no longer made and could have been sold!

 

[skipbarber]

so how did u guys like removing the Upper bumper panel (nose cone?)

screw you. that shite was not kosher.

Please tell me you are building a tube replacement for the bumper support, or putting it back in. In the event of an accident on the track or even a small excursion off road will result in damaging critical components (radiator at the least) and could put you out of commision early. Not to mention the safety to driver issue. It seems to me to be the wrong kind of weight reduction.

We will be doing some type of bumper cover reinforcement, but we decided a hacked up bumper beam made out of an already damaged bumper wont work well with our intercooler idea. As for driver safety, we're sure our cage, harness and helmet will be adequate protection considering we won't be competing in events involving other cars to be on the track at the same time.

You could reduce the weight of those 6 1/2" speaker pods, and send them my way.

we've received several requests for those, we just havent taken the doors apart yet.

If this was the 24 Hours of Lemons I'd tell you that you're nuts for removing the bumper supports cause I KNOW there are "accidental" collisions on the track...

Though I think you're nuts for trashing the A/C stuff, as it's no longer made and could have been sold!

We thought about it, but... the compressor looked cruddy and there are several of them found for sale on the forum, the condenser looked ok, but we figured shipping could cause damage to a condenser we don't even know is entirely leak proof since we never used the AC system when we got the car. The entire system was full of dye, so it was at the very least, leak tested at some point. The receiver/drier should never be reused once exposed to the atmosphere and the lines would be too difficult to ship.

 

[webbs7mgte]

nice project good to c peple siltl ahving itnrest in mk3s

 

[na-tsupraking]

Updates? Nice car

 

[omfgitsdonovan]

nice car for finding for a good deal also i want to get a set of wheels like oyurs those are very nice sportmax 962's

 

[aye mate]

man how did I miss this thread!?!?!? I'm in Mount Airy so you guys are about 35mins from me. We'll have to have a track day or cruise one day. There's more MD'ers on here than I thought. If you ever need to get rid of those rims....let me know.... hehe Good luck guys, this is something I think I could get into.

 

[j3pz]

have you guys weighed the car yet?

 

[skipbarber]

Update:

walboro went in over the weekend but thats about it for now. We havent had a chance to weigh the car for a current weight since we've removed a few other things that weigh a decent amount. Our last weigh i believe was around 3300 lbs with no driver and an unknown amount of gas. Hopefully we'll get some updates this week with some vids of us tearing it up. Stay tuned!

 

[skipbarber]

Another Update:

Picked up a pair of Sparco seats for a killer deal. Now we need to fab up some brackets and motivate Avi to make the roll cage. Pictures are coming up soon. In the next few weeks the motor is coming out and the car is going to be prepped for paint. Stay tuned!

 

[Mk3runner]

this thread is cool

 

[na-tsupraking]

Updates?

 

[skipbarber]

Sorry, nothing new to report. We've been trying to find someone to pass us for a safety inspection to get our plates up to date so we can drive it around. We did open up some more room in the budget by recycling the stock catalytic converter. I think we got about $240, which will REALLY help our budget quite substantially. We're gonna focus as much as we can now on getting the paint done on the outside and getting the cage and seats on the inside.
teaser pic of our new seats..

Time is ticking, we've only got about 50 days left, and there is still a lot of work to be done. Im hoping we can start getting big things done next week. however, despite our few mods, mainly just a significant weight loss...the car is pretty damn fast. We just need to tune up the suspension a little, a good alignment will probably do.

 

[skipbarber]

Update:
Cage, intercooler setup, and ties rods are ordered and on their way. Edwin also made a sweet switch panel setup that will control the fuel pump, 2 accessories and master power. Sorry for no pictures.

We still need to:
-Pull the motor
-Paint the car
-Make seat brackets and weld in the cage
-Fab up the intercooler stuff
-Make an exhaust
-Clean up the engine and replace some seals and headgasket
And a few more misc things so these last few weeks are going to be hectic.

 

[j3pz]

lol procrastinate much? got some work to do. seats are nice, are they new? pics would be sweet but im sure thats the last thing you guys care about. so why are you pulling the motor? should shim the oil pump while you have it out. gl with getting it all done

 

[enjoi.this]

Awesome build guys. Its good to see you representing the MK3 community. Wish you guys the best of luck!