Trying to keep things moving along as assembly day creeps up. I had my car guys from work come over last night and we attempted to mount the new Stillen front fascia so it can be sent for paint next week and be ready for install after the motor swap.
It took almost 2 hours, almost an hour just looking at things and noodling through the best method for install so we don't get gaps near the sides or lights and keeping the hood line nice and uniform.
The operation was a complete success!! Nice smooth lines and less than 2mm in the front hood line from side to side. This piece actually fit better than my stock bumper, kudos to Stillen for a quality product. I have some small gaps around the bottom corner of the headlights, but it was still tighter than the stock bumper. Pics:





The sides are not a perfect match yet because the bolts are not tightened since I have to remove the front for paint, but when we snugged them up last night they lined up really well.

 

I think I am finally done with all the powder coating. I just picked up the last of it today and the redone plenum (upper and lower) looks great. The blue is a definate improvement over the silver I had it done in the first time around. I can't seem to get this POS Sony camera to take a single pic that shows how vibrant the colors are, but they are very nice - basically a very close match to the Daytona Blue.



Old finish:



The extra money spent on sanding seems to have paid off, the finish appears glossy and smooth and no longer looks textured like before. It still isn't 100%, but it would have been several hundred dollars more to have it sanded to polish quality prior to powder coat and it just didn't seem worth the extra expense.

 

A couple of pics of the top and bottom put together If the exposed tabs are not covered up after install I can get a touch-up paint from the coater made from the powder and clear coat to cover any exposed areas.



I had the rear diff cover done as well. It looks great, but the powder coater did the bolts in blue (wrong color), I was trying to match the theme from the front timing cover, so I guess he will have to recoat another set down the road and I will have Frank swap them out. Its **** I know, but I'm all about the details .

 

WOW... Even the diff is BLING BLING!!!

 

noice!!!

 

The last of the random parts. I got a bunch of bolts back today as well, I hope that Frank can figure out where they go because I've had stuff apart so long I can't remember what goes where.

A hard coolant line on the drivers side of the motor, the (cam?) oilers and the replacement Brembo caliper I had to purchase. The caliper came out great this time with no cracks thus verifing that the original calipers were just picked up when they were too hot and the change in temp caused the color to crack under the clear coat. I will have these fixed for free next fall, but they will do for now, they will just be 5 footers as Frank calls them.... from 5 feet away they look awesome, but as you get closer you can see the cracks in the finish.

Before pic of the oilers:



Pics of the rest of the red pieces - oilers done in red with blue bolts I think:



I would like to plug my powder coater one last time - a very nice guy and quality work, no coated over threads or pluged up holes:

POWDER WORKS
6258 B BASEHORE RD
MECHANICSBURG, PA 17050
717-766-1099

I am in the final days before assembly - 9 days and counting...

All of the pieces of the puzzle are ready for install. I just need the front piece to be done at paint on time next week and Mike at Blouch called me today to confirm that the turbo upgrades will be complete by Wednesday next week. It will take at least 2-3 trips to get everything down to Hill's Garage, so I will start shuttling parts down early next week. I have told my employees not to call or text me the first week of March so I can hang out with Frank and Dave and see it all come together.

 

Not getting excited or anything are we

 

Tom - I figured I should dress up the back end a bit since that is the best view more than a few people will see . They can get a look at the diff and my plate as I walk them like its my job!!!



In case you can't tell, its beer o'clock and I feeling pretty good about my car right now

 

The powder coating looks great. Theres='s a big difference between the before and after. You worked your fingers to the bone.

 

Orering my vanity plate here in the next few weeks hehehehe

Tom

 

I have a feeling I would get a good look at yours unfortunately..... and probably Rude's as well

 

LOL My street tune should be in the neighborhood of 500whp.

I've got my own vanity plate too. It's "708A"

Explanation: ARS 28-708A is Arizona's traffic code for "Racing/Exhibition of speed"

 

I wanted "HUH" but that is only available with numbers after it, so it looks goofy......

but CUNFUZD is available.......may have to draw a little question mark after it heheheh

tom

 

NICE.... I got one of those tickets once

I need to get one of those little mini-badges for my license plate. I feed the entire morning patrol force of the local PD for $1 per day.... I should be able to speed all over this hick town!!

 

NICE!!!

Romey is still the king, his is UR LOSIN - that's just plain badass.

I tried for *****, but that was by the state.

 

mine is Z8URV8 ...mustang and corvette guys get pissed!!

 

Looking good thus far.

Are you clear coating the engine bay prior to the install to show off the engine bling? --- hint:

 

I just thought about that the other day and am afraid that I will not have time. I will make a call to see if anyone in the plaza with Hill's Garage does paint and if so I will see if we can get some DB laid down right after the old motor comes out, but I would guess that this is unlikely.

 

maybe you should bring it down a few days before so you can definately get it done. ita must.. dont you think. by the way it was goot meeting you this weekend..

 

Dang, I'm gonna have to check this out when I get home. I'm right up the road in Dillsburg.

So I'm not the only built APS TT car in the area, cool!

I only thought there was just one other Greddy TT car, now all of the sudden there are a bunch of FI cars around.

I don't know if I can hang with you 700HP+ guys in the G, but I can always bust the GSX out for a run or two.