Rob988's Roadster Build

[Rob988]

So I've been darting up progress pictures here, there and everywhere for the past few months which is less than ideal so I'm starting this thread to track what i've been doing.  It will cover how my car has gone from this:



To this:



Car spec is as follows:

Supsension, Chassis, Wheels and Brakes:
Tein Super Sport coilovers with EDFC, currently on the lowest they can go.
Rota Grid Drift wheels.  17x7.5 front, 17x9 Rear.
PB Front BBK with 6 pot calipers 304mm discs.
Braided brakelines
Ultra Racing Front Strut Brace
Matts Chassis Brace
Custom Half Cage Rollbar


Engine
Full powerflow decat system with Stainless manifold
HKS Induction kit
Unichip with two maps and custom wired switch to A pillar.

Styling
Top Secret front bumper with quick release latch for fast removal.
TRD side skirts
MS Design Rear Bumper
Tint Wrapped front and rear lights (MOT Compliant)
Seibon carbon fibre boot lid
Custom carbon fibre duck tail spoiler
Carbon wrapped (boo my only piece of fake CF) C One scoops

Interior
NRG Quick Release
Nardi 300mm Deep Corn steering wheel
Bride Japan Vios 3 seats
Takata Drift 3 Driver Harness
Takata Drift 2 Passanger Harness
Carbon Fibre Door Handles
Custom Suede with red stitching dashboard, A pillers, centre console and door cards (currently with upholsterer)
Heads Up Display
Skunk2 Gear Knob

[keljon]

how about listing the current spec to start with?

[Rob988]

Sorry, was on my phone and actually meant to save it to drafts.  Updated for now.

[keljon]

great spec, been trying to get hold of one of those bumpers for ages, we need more pics, lots and lots more pics lol

[mr-ed_smt]

Impressive car.

[tez-MR2]

I do like that..

[Rob988]

It never seems sunny enough round here to get some good pictures, but here are a few of around the car.  











And currently my quite simple but favourite mod:

[keljon]

awesome love it, who did the roll bar?

[Rob988]

Actually got it from a guy on here.  Had Matt add a Harness bar to it and it went straight in.  Works great, but with the roof down, harnesses on and roll bar in the back, you have to pray it doesn't rain as getting the roof up in a hurry is like a crystal maze challenge.

[Anonymous]

lots of work gone on there!

Still very jealous you got that damn roll bar!! Looks nice painted up.

Plans for the car? Whats next on the to do list ?

[Rob988]

Currently before the exterior is finished, I need to get a carbon fibre front bonnet and then finally get it wrapped in Matte Metallic Grey.  Then for now its pretty much as i'd like it.  However I have been considering widening the track as I have some overfenders lying around, I just can't decide whether to bother going through all the cutting and trimming.  If I stumble upon some spare rear wings then i'll make some up and see if I like them.  

Then the real task is the engine, I haven't decided at all what route I want to go with it (hence doing all the other modifications first).  I'll either swap in a 2zz or go for a pretty basic 1zz turbo set up, i've been looking at the Garage Whifbitz kit as it seems reasonably priced.  I have no desire for huge power as its not what I bought the car for.  I need to have a passenger ride in both at some point to make a real decision.  

Those are the only real plans, but that will change, always does..

[Anonymous]

Very nice! Keep the thread updated  s:) s:)

[Rob988]

So all this recent talk of track widening, I continued to debate with myself what to do about my arches.  Here are some taped up versions of the potential positions for the front and rear wide arches.

I think the fronts will work well.  The current "vent" on the stage 21 fenders will be cut away to allow the new arch extension to make a new vent with the gap left.  That may not make too much sense but all will become clear when its finished.  







I have to admit I'm really not keen on the fender on fender look that the rear will give.  Its not as smooth a transition as the front would be but currently its the easiest approach.  Otherwise it will be cutting and flattening the rear existing arch and then putting on the new arch extensions.  





I welcome any input on the positioning, especially the rear!  (btw I am aware that the fenders aren't placed dead centre to the arch in a traditional manor, I'm more concerned about covering the wheel from the front than rear if that makes sense)

[Davegtst]

I've been looking at getting a heads up display.   What one have you got and is it any good?

[Rob988]

Yea does the job! It came with a bit of mirror film which I was unsure about to start with but doesn't look out of place and actually means it still works in bright sunlight! Just plugs straight in to OBD2.  Only thing I need to figure out how to turn off is that it flashes at you if you go over 60. I know you can turn it off bit haven't looked into how yet. As for which one it is, I'll have to check but it was only £25 on eBay.

[1979scotte]

Nice looking 2.
What bbk are you going for mate?
If we ever cross paths you can have a ride in my 1zz SP turbo. 180-230 bhp depending on what map i select.
Love the nail polish by the way, bet it really brings out the colour in your eyes.  s;) s;)

[Rob988]

Thanks!  The arch model was on hire from cleaning her Mini at the time.  

BBK is one from PB Brakes.  My friend got a set on his Cupra and they perform really well.  They're a really good price for the kit but i'll have to see how well they perform on an MR2.  Bit of a gamble but we'll see.  Size is 6 pot 304mm.

[1979scotte]

I was thinking of using the k sport setup. There is a thread about somewhere.
Sounds like they worked out well.

[Rob988]

Yea i was tempted by the K Sport set up but the £325 saving on the PB setup was too good to turn down at the time.  Lets hope they're as good on a Roadster as they are on a Cupra.

[Rob988]

Started fitting the suede trim today. Got the a pillar surround done.  Not sure whether to go suede with the door cards or replace them with carbon fibre.  As the car is a balance of track and road, I don't want to lose all luxuries, hence the trim.  So the door cards might be some debate for a while.

(Again sorry for the not so great photo, Iphone 5s camera is pants.)

[1979scotte]

Yea i was tempted by the K Sport set up but the £325 saving on the PB setup was too good to turn down at the time.  Lets hope they're as good on a Roadster as they are on a Cupra.

I would be interested to know the result.
Is it a 4 pot or 6 pot PB?

[ChrisGB]

Friend has the PB Brakes 6 pot setup on the front of his Skoda Yeti VRS. Rates the callipers well, but he reckoned be sure to avoid the road use pads on track. His road pads died in one lap of Brands Indy.

[Rob988]

Good to know, I made up a bypass brake venting system for my GTO which had a butterfly valve on the vents to control airflow to the brakes.  It was a  sbastard bastard sbastard ised version of the exhaust bypass I attempted to make...  Worked pretty well, meant you could get them up to optimum operating temperature but keep them cooled during heavy track days.  Only problem with it is its complete guess work as you just have to assume what the temperature is.  Nice gadget to put a switch to though.  Not sure if I'll recreate that for this, its a lot of wiring for something thats pretty much just for pub fodder.

They did offer 3 different pads, non of which are overly expensive so i'll test them over the coming months.

[Rob988]

So yesterday I plastidipped the car, mainly for two reasons.  Number one is to protect the paint over winter as I'll use it all year round.  Number 2 is because the car is so low, its much easier to touch up the front lip and any scuffs.  The colour is matte metallic grey and like all things the pictures really really do not do it justice.  In the photo it looks like primer grey but its much better in person.  Best of all is it peels off easily and I can change the colour whenever I like for £50! It is still hardwearing and stood up to my pressure washer no problem. I would recommend it to everyone who is tempted.  Its super easy and I did it with an electric air gun that was only £79.99.  Like most things about my car, I imagine for the majority its not to their taste but for anyone who is in to the look of matte cars, its the best, fastest and cheapest way to achieve it.  

[Davegtst]

That looks mint!