I've been stripping down the car over the past two weekends. I'll try to grab a few better pics tomorrow, as I finshed removing some more parts after dark. Those last few thread grabbers were a PITA to get off when removing the sunroof assembly!

Dave

 

Getting closer. I'm not sure how to pull the glass or trim that runs down the roof line, so I think I'm at a stopping point. I plan to drop the front and rear sub-frames once I deliver the car to the cage builder (it'll be a bit easier to roll off the trailer that way!).

Thanks for looking!

Dave

 

Nice build up, I book marked it to keep on following it

 

Made some progress with the wiring harness last weekend. Stripped out all the stereo wires, airbag related wires, door ajar wires, everything with the sunroof and antenna. I decided to leave the defrost wires in there for now, as I'm not sure if I'm going to do lexan or not yet.

Dave

 

One thing to consider. Going full lexan is nice for weight but there are times when having some extra weight in some creature comforts actually lets you go faster. I have seen rally cars that fog up like crazy because they messed up airflow.

As you are going to Pikes this is even a bigger issue as you will see a huge change in temp and humidity.

Good news is that your car should be wicked fast you may not have to worry about anyone passing so Lexan in the back ftw! =-)

 

Finally some shell prep pics. The roll cage is being installed by Phoenix Autosport in Colorado Springs. They're a full service rally prep shop, but they can also do maintenence work and parts. www.phoenixautosport.net

The car was fitted to a rotiserrie fabbed from 2 engine stands. FWIW, the rear bumper beam is bolted to the car in such a flimsy way, it was removed and Jason made adapter pipes that slide into the rear frame rails. Front bumper beam was left on the car and was sturdy enought to just drill a few holes and bolt up.

The sound deadening was removed from the interior and they have started stripping the seams. The roof was also removed to make welding the top of the cage easier, and to make way for the aluminum MR roof skin. Next step will involve drilling out more spot welds so that extraneous interior brackets can be removed (seat brackets, seat belt brackets, etc).

Also a little progress in one of the wheel wells where they are starting to remove the rubber coating. Looks like a PITA to me!

Dave

 

Awesome build, good luck with the whole project!

 

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get a weight on the tub once you have it prepped and seam-welded, and again when you do the cage. I'm very curious just how low you can get the weight.

 

I don't know if they've got a scale to weigh the car, but I'm sure I can get a shipping weight on the package that contains the FIA roll cage.

Dave

 

Got a call that the MR aluminum roof skin arrived at the dealership today...need to pick it up later this week. The cage was also dropped off at Phoenix Autosport today. Shipping weight on the cage as delivered from Custom Cages was 126 lbs, so probably ~120 lbs of cage. I don't think we'll have an opportunity to weigh the car pre-cage, but we will get it weighed once the cage is in.

Dave

 

this is pretty badass

 

Wow, can't wait to see the progress on this. Thanks for posting the pics.

l8r)

 

Very interesting build, looking forward to following your progress


Subscribed

 

Got a part number on that, Dave? Hadn't considered it until now but I think I should integrate that into my EVO 8 build.

It would be appreciated.

Do you get to Oregon Trail, by chance? If so, I'll buy you a beer (after we're done racing ).

Was happy to take a 1st & 2nd in Regional PGT (in a 1991 Talon TSi) the last couple times, but I am ready to see what I can do in an EVO!

Hope to see your car soon!

RallyDSM
Car #454

Scott
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Dave,

Are the areas in light grey in the shell shots above where the sound deading was in the car?