584 replies to this topic

[allpaw4]

That looks tough!

[El_Freddo]

^ too right! Can’t wait to see it with the final front end on it!

Cheers

Bennie

[JDWhiteWRX]

I'm hoping to have the car on display at Subinats next year, just a few things I need to finish so I can easily get it on and off my trailer but it should be possible.

[RX25SE]

I love that front on pic. Looks awesome!

[JDWhiteWRX]

I have been a bit slack with the forum updates, sorry about that. Lots has been happening, I'm mostly working on the cooling system.

 

I started by trying to make my own radiator but that didn't go so well. The fabrication part was fine, I cut the core down to size and made some end tanks but when the time came to weld the end tanks to the core I had a lot of difficulty with the very thin and hard to clean aluminium.

 

 

So I took the easy way out and bought a radiator, its actually for a Mk4 Golf but the size was perfect for my needs and its a dual pass with inlets/outlets on one side like I need, although I will weld on some AN fittings.

 

I also ordered in all the bits required to build my header tank, swirl pot and connections for the electric water pump. Plus all the intercooler piping.

 

 

Next I got to work on mounting the heat exchangers in the car, I played with this a lot as like everything there are compromises to be made and things fighting to fit in the space available.

I ended up settling on a 45 degree angle for the heat exchangers, this should give both inlet and outlet ducting a reasonably smooth airflow with minimal change in angle.

 

Once the position was finalised I started making the end tanks for the intercooler core. I'm running HD clamps on everything too.

 

 

That brings me to the work I'm doing right now, I've fabricated a frame that will slightly space the intercooler off the radiator and also form a seal so all the air is forced to pass through both coolers. The frame has a mix of rubber seals and foam tape to prevent any air escaping. The radiator is riding on rubber mounts that are bolted to the intercooler. I will then run some tube out to bolt to the intercooler and support everything in place.

 

[allpaw4]

Nice work. This is really starting to come together. I love it. The workmanship looks top notch too!

[RX25SE]

Looks great.

 

So plumbing, then wiring then racing?

[JDWhiteWRX]

Thanks guys,

 

still lots to do but progress has been great with all this time spent at home.

[JDWhiteWRX]

Hey guys, Merry Christmas to you all.

 

I recently had a visit from a motorsport journalist and he did an article on me and the car.

 

Please take a look here

 

https://www.racefix....nK4GS4XvKKoEkfY

[El_Freddo]

Nice article, not what I was expecting! I thought/was hoping it would be an article written in the typical format by the author after interviewing/meeting with you and chatting for a bit - go into some of the more technical parts of the build specs, have them write about your vision for the vehicle in the second person. I think I was expecting this as I’m not really a fan of the interview question and answer format.

The car looks really mean with the stock front clip and bonnet fitted to it, I don’t recall seeing a pic like this previously.

From the article can we assume you’ll be painting it yourself too? Got any creative sign writing ideas for it?

Keep up the good work and all the best for 2022!

Cheers

Bennie

[JDWhiteWRX]

Cheers Bennie,

 

Alek (the author) spent almost 4 hours in my garage talking with me about the car, he was probably overwhelmed with information so that's why the decision was made to do a series of articles. I think he will go into more detail with the future articles.

 

I'm doing what is known as a "dry build", this means I'm going to finish the car without any painting, just the primer I have been using so far to prevent surface rust. It will probably go to the dyno and a few track days like this. Once I am happy that everything works as intended the entire car will be stripped and everything will be painted or powder coated, maybe the exterior will be wrapped instead of paint though.

 

I do have some ideas for the final look but I also tend to change my mind often, you will have to wait and see.

 

Joel.

[RX25SE]

Great article Joel.

 

It's great to see your efforts acknowledged. I think Bennie is right, a little more tech would have been nice but we have your thread for that.

 

Keep up the great work!

 

Jase

[JDWhiteWRX]

I've made the lower mounting brackets for the intercooler and radiator combo. There will be some upper supports eventually too and these will form part of the structure that supports front aero and holds the bumper in place.

 

 

You can see here how it fits with the bumper in place. There is a decent amount of space for ducting to bring the air out and over the motor as a hood exit.

 

[allpaw4]

My initial thoughts were that it was way too forward, but those pics just show how far back the engine sits! It looks insane! I take it you'll be putting ducting in and around the coolers to try and ram as much air as you can through the coolers rather than letting it go round them?

Cheers,
Ben

[JDWhiteWRX]

Yes Ben, fully ducted in and out.

[allpaw4]

Oh snap! That's gonna be epic!
Keep the pics coming lol

Cheers,
Ben

[El_Freddo]

There’s your luggage space between the engine and radiator

Looks good. There’s a mean lean on the rad and the intercooler that looks awesome! And the bodywork just finishes it all off neatly.

Love your work mate, keep it up!

Cheers

Bennie

[allpaw4]

Any time recently for working on this beast Joel?

Cheers,
Ben

[JDWhiteWRX]

Any time recently for working on this beast Joel?

Cheers,
Ben

 

Hey Ben,

 

Yes just some smaller jobs the past couple of weeks but this weekend I'm finishing most of the cooling system and I'll post up some photos soon.

 

cheers

 

Joel.

[allpaw4]

Sweet! Been following this thread. You're doing some amazing work!

Cheers,
Ben