Not much of an update. (well, not as much as there will be in a couple weeks)
I got a box from Japan and a box from Joel (thanks again!) recently.
Unfortunately, I've had no time to install or fix anything lately; my friend (Mike) asked me to help him take some parts off his car, so we've been busy with that on odd nights the last few weeks. We're not professionals by any means, but we managed the diffuser, exhaust, header, supercharger/manifold, clamshell hinge modification, oil catch can, fuel surge tank, front sway bar and end links, rear tow links, and a surprisingly difficult air/fuel ratio gauge.
We thought it'd be put onto an Exige, but he's decided on another, very nice Elise. So, some parts will be sold (supercharger, diffuser), and some are currently being installed (surge tank, oil catch can, etc) on the new Elise.
It's going pretty well (put the clam hinge on last night):
Last Sunday, I got to go to a road course for the first time! I didn't drive quite as well as I wanted, but it was really fun.
I got some parts in recently, too:
Zoom fuel lid
(still have no pictures of it)
M2 1028 mirrors
Eunos Roadster turn signal harness w/ corner parking lights
A cool M2 Paper catalogue about the 1028 Clubman-II.
and, finally, a KG Works rear spoiler (free shipping ftw!)
I decided to mount the spoiler on with bolts rather than the double sided tape it comes with. It's not a pretty process and it's irreversible, but it's now safely mounted. Plus, I like the way the bolts look.
I'm not sure I want to post the pictures (again, not pretty), but if someone wants to know how to bolt the KG Works onto the trunk, maybe this will be helpful. This was my first time using a hand-held saw, so, not perfect.
What I used:
Angle grinder w/ metal cutting wheel
Cordless 19v drill (craftsman C3?)
1/4" drill bit
Some bigger drill bit
6 1/4" diameter bolts/6 nuts
sharpie
KG Works Spoiler
First, I taped up and marked where I'd be drilling into the spoiler. I drilled a small hole first, then worked up to the correct size. I just chose the smallest bit and skipped up.
Pilot hole
Originally, I was planning to use button-head style metric hex bolts in chrome, but with 6 bolts (no nuts) coming to a total of $25, I bravely decided not to go that route. Locally, the only thing available that was somewhat close to what I wanted was some carriage bolts. Still, only $1 for ten including nuts. So, carriage bolts:
Because carriage bolts have nothing on the face, they have a small indention on the underside of the head to sit in a slot. This allows them to be tightened down. I didn't have a square seat for the bolt, though. To get around this, I counter-sunk the bolt. The spoiler is drilled through first with the 1/4" bit, then partway through with the larger bit to accommodate this square. The correct size bit took some testing.
Drilled spoiler:
Next is to prepare the trunk for the spoiler. To reach the nuts you'll need to screw in, some of the bracing needs to be cut. Place the spoiler on and draw a vertical line down on the brace inline with the holes in the spoiler. Then, draw a square over that line. The square should be large enough to fit a few fingers in.
Measure and mark carefully and...
whoops. Didn't come out as clean as the lines suggested. :/
Also, be careful with the angle grinder. It will shoot sparks downwards and sideways when working. I removed the carpet and everything from my trunk, then placed a wet towel over the rear deck. Afterwards, check around and make sure nothing is smoldering.
Next, place the spoiler on and mark the hole locations with the sharpie. Take it off, and drill through the skin with the 1/4" bit. You may have to enlarge outside holes due to the angle at which they go in.
With my 1 1/2" long bolts, the inside two bolts closest to the 3rd brake light are shrouded by the 3rd brake light bracket. This isn't really a problem; it will still fit, you just have to remove the 3rd brake light to screw in the bolts. I would recommend either getting 1 1/2", 1 1/4", or something much longer (2 1/2"). I'm afraid now that 2" (what I originally wanted) would end up somewhere inside the 3rd brake light mount and not be able to accept a nut.
Final results:
In a couple weeks, the car will go into paint and body. When it comes out, it will have a new OEM front bumper and paint on the trunk (spoiler is staying black), windshield frame, and rear quarter panel to fix some sun damage/clearcoat failure. Finally, after that, I can fit the mirrors, R-package front lip, and some other stuff.
Then will come more maintenance. After co-driving at autocross with Mike a few weeks ago and watching my car take corners from outside the cabin, I've decided that I need new shocks (at least). The nose-dive on braking was violent. :S
So, wheel bearings, brakes, and suspension. In that order.
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Originally Posted by Blueiii
