October 2019 Update: Exhaust and Continuing The Go Kart Check-List
Engine I mocked up the exhaust using my existing Boig Motorsports exhaust and a portion of the downpipe from the EJ207. It won’t be as nice as the original Boig exhaust but it’ll do and it didn’t cost me anything extra. A short drive with the exhaust confirmed that all my low-speed engine issues were […]
August 2018 Update #3: Pausing Point for the Build
Moving to Michigan for another co-op term I won’t be working on the car much, if at all, from now through the middle of December because I have moved to Michigan for a co-op work semester with General Motors. Would’ve like to keep working on the car, but it’s sadly not practical to move everything […]
August 2018 Update: Trans Rebuild, More Hickups
Transmission: So the transmission news unfortunately did not get any better in the last week. I went to pickup a used 2004 WRX transmission for $300 from a guy about an hour away. I brought the transmission back and immediately started to disassemble it so I could install the diff and check out the condition […]
July 2018 Update #4: Engine Install
Engine: Installed engine mounts Connected a couple more vacuum/coolant lines. Still 2 or 3 more to finish like the boost control solenoid. Alternator partially installed, but I seem to have left the power steering bracket that’s used to tension it in Michigan…hopefully will resolve that soon. Installed the engine into the chassis! I probably could’ve […]
July 2018 Update #3: Rear Suspension
Rear Suspension: Prepped and painted the rear brake mounting plates. I removed the rusty dust shields from them which seems to be a common thing to do when they rust out. I installed the rear wheel bearings, e-brake assembly, and hubs. This went pretty smoothly as the process was similar to the front wheel bearings. […]
July 2018 Update #2: Front Brakes, Steering, and Engine Odds/Ends
Front brakes: Cleaned up existing brake discs for semi-temporary usage. I’ll replace them down the road but they’re fine until the kit is fully finished. The pads are even in good condition with lots of material. Mounted the 4 piston front calipers. Front suspension Issues: The replacement ball joint I bought was poor quality and […]
July 2018 Update #1: More Suspension
Front suspension: Disassembled front axles and inserted outer axle stubs into the spindles. Used the pipe trick which made this super easy compared to FFR’s vice and hammer method. One whack and it was off for both axles. Tore up the boot to one upper ball joint when I used a pickle fork to remove […]
June 2018 Update #3: Front Suspension
Worked on getting the front suspension bolted up last weekend. Repainted lower control arms and attached lower shock mounts. Replaced the wheel bearings and ball joint in both front spindles. Hydraulic press definitely required for this but wasn’t too bad overall. Assembled the upper control arms. Mounted the upper control arms, lower control arms, and […]
June 2018 Update #2: Front Firewall and Donor Parts Prep
Engine Rebuild Mounted exhaust manifold and turbo. Installed hard coolant lines but waiting on replacement rubber hose connections for them. Timing system fully installed and covers added. Suspension Parts Prep: I disassembled the rear donor suspension. However, I have to tackle one more long lateral link bolt that has rusted in place as well as […]
June 2018 Update: Underbody Panels and Suspension Prep
Riveted the underbody panels. Coated with 3M Rubberized Undercoating. It’s hard to get the finish consistent with this paint but it turned out alright and not terribly important for an underbody panel. Donor suspension prep: Derusted the spindles using a chemical rust-reverse product. It turns them a nice black color. The stuff’s fairly expensive though, […]