**The Completely Unanticipated Hammerhead Build(s) Thread**

[Greasemonkey2000]

Such a GORGEOUS interior and car! Well done John! Can't wait to see more!

[NCGreasemonkey]

<--- is jealous of all you Fl. folks that have expert [insert what ever job you need done to anything auto here] right up the street.

Want to rent out a spare room to an unfortunate when I finally start with the real disassembly?

[— Hammerhead —]

I had some time to get back to work on the car this past week, so I finished up the DIY fan shroud:





Test fitting pics. It's easier to see the 1" of insulating tape that I ringed the radiator with to ensure a tight fit against the fan shroud. Additionally, I had some U-channel edge moulding that I used to cover the top edge of the shroud. I think it gives it a more finished appearance than the rough cut edge that was exposed before.:







**NOTE** Something I did not consider was the close proximity of the fans to the sway bar. I may end up having to make another fan shroud and raise the fans 1 inch closer to the top of the shroud to provide better clearance.

[— Hammerhead —]

I also worked to finish up the wiring for the gauges in the DDM radio cluster and the ZOOM tombstone:

Instead of soldering or twisting and taping the wires I had to splice together, I opted to try out some WAGO lever nuts:



Everything neatly tucked (not yet shown is the foam insulating tape I wrapped around the lever nuts to prevent rattles):

[— Hammerhead —]

When the gauge wiring is complete, it'll be time to finish the wiring for the injectors and COPS and get the motor finalized for the install:

[Corifto]

Looking good. Hope I can take a build to that level later on.

[oldgrayleather]

Looks fantastic and certainly ample inspiration to move me on from the "merely cosmetic" upgrades. Is it just me or does that bay feel like it may have inspired Optimus Prime?

[— Madaboutmx5s —]

Looks very nice work you have done recently. Good work.

[HarryB]

That engine is pure porn

[— Hammerhead —]

Some uncommon (and not so uncommon) parts just back from paint...

[— Madaboutmx5s —]

Good updates. Look forward to seeing it all done. Some nice parts there. You guys in the US have far better garages then here in the UK.

[— Hammerhead —]

Mounted the driving lamps into the J-Wing nose and fitted the zoom headlamp covers. I need to epoxy on some longer tabs to the lids to get a more secure fit.



I also cut some new plastic lenses for the TSIs and added a mesh overlay (cut from an old metal wastebasket).



I need to complete the wiring of the Pro-sport gauges through the fire wall and into the engine compartment. The fuel pressure gauge is acting up, too, which I need to sort out. The PS Halo gauges allow you to change the background lighting color, too.

Red for night driving:


White for daytime:

[Hyper]

The engine is pure porn with the black paint is going to look awesome!!

[— Hammerhead —]

Finally had a free weekend to get some more things done for the car. I am having my Bilsteins rebuilt/revalved to match my FM springs, so I'm keeping the front subframe out, thus no engine/trans install this weekend. However, I did install another GV rear fascia and the Work rear bumper.



Before the clean and polish:


And after...


One thing that always bugged me about the GW/Rev GV tail lamp trim rings was the gap at the sides where you can still see the lens under the ring. I know there is a design limitation, due to the clearance of the lamp to the fiberglass, but it still bugged me. Then I recalled that I had some "brushed aluminum" automotive vinyl lying around...







I think it fills the gap nicely.

[Munky]

That rear bumper looks glorious. I love the center exit. What muffler will you be running?