As you know I have a project car, I even posted about it below. Anyway, looking through my collection of stuff I realised I have a heap of 'progress' pics. So I thought I'd share the journey, I've enjoyed it!
Where did project car begin? Here, it's where you saw it a few weeks ago:
And it was as standard as it could be, inside and out...
Seats are a bit worn, but they'll do for now.
Pro Tip: Those two cup holder flaps are easy to fix. Fix them before they break. It's a simple case of pulling off the centre console and putting in a tiny screw and a washer so the spring doesn't fall off.
One was broken on this car, the other on it's way out.
Engine bay is fine. Bonus was the factory strut brace - I wasn't expecting that, but in the end it saved me a few dollars. Mind you, it was lost in the engine bay, not very 'Because: Racecar" really...
And, because I'm not the idiot I used to be (search on Project Beemer) I actually made sure I had some upgrade funds. I reckon a fair proportion of the enjoyment of buying this car was searching for the bits I wanted.
This gave me an early Christmas...
I also ordered a new stereo (no usb on the one that's factory) and double din cage.
I will say the fitting of just about everything was super easy, partly as I only bought bolt on stuff, but also I think it's a very simple car to work on.
Soon had the interior done:
So that sorted the car, but it's not "Because: Racecar" in any way other than being great fun. Enter a peruse of eBay. On there you can pick up some bargains, and a K&N Pod filter was one of them. Less than half the price of one from the site, if you're careful you can get one that's a further 20% off the ebay price. Which I did...
The results were worth it though...
Probably not to everyone's taste, but not overdone I think, and I like it, it's enough "Because: Racecar" without setting me up for re-tunes and the likes. And frankly as my current tally of speeding fines tell me, cars are fast enough mmmkay.
Note to others, the stainless radiator shield is good, and is in fact a good price, but if you're being pedantic it doesn't cover the final bulkhead/radiator gap, just the bulkhead gaps. I'm pretty much fine with this, but I do keep an eye out for a discount on a full cover that's stainless or indeed carbon.
And the external bits?
I like it. And that's what matters!
The fuel cap I'd do again for sure, it really should have been stainless from the factory (was it an option?). The clear lights? Sure they make it look good, but the pricing was a bit brutal.
Next on the list?
Radiator - Funny story. Took the car in for a service and they found several leaks in various seals and gaskets. Those, the brake grinding and an oil change took me to $1k and wiped me out. On the way through the mechanics recommended a radiator upgrade. I'll do that with the help of ebay for a full aluminium one. Next project once funds are free...
Headlights - I can polish them, but I think I'll go with some after market ones and start afresh. I can then polish/sell the factory ones to cover costs - possibly all of the costs as they're expensive compared to non OEM.
Race headers & Exhaust back box - I like the sound basically. CX Racing does them but you're losing various sensors on the way through apparently. Research time, and expensive, so we'll see how we do.
Brakes - Had mine faced off so they're good for now, but I like the idea of a lot more feel. There are various suppliers of kits - I like the Wilwood set, they bolt right on there. Maybe need some new wheels and tyres at that point too.
Roll bar - As they say, don't have it unless you plan to use it. But I do like the idea of a track day, hillclimb or motorkhana or two with this car. But I don't like the idea of being folded up inside it...
For now though, and probably for year or more, it'll be my weekend sports car, dressed up as it is. It's perfectly fine like that!
Where did project car begin? Here, it's where you saw it a few weeks ago:
And it was as standard as it could be, inside and out...
Seats are a bit worn, but they'll do for now.
Pro Tip: Those two cup holder flaps are easy to fix. Fix them before they break. It's a simple case of pulling off the centre console and putting in a tiny screw and a washer so the spring doesn't fall off.
One was broken on this car, the other on it's way out.
Engine bay is fine. Bonus was the factory strut brace - I wasn't expecting that, but in the end it saved me a few dollars. Mind you, it was lost in the engine bay, not very 'Because: Racecar" really...
And, because I'm not the idiot I used to be (search on Project Beemer) I actually made sure I had some upgrade funds. I reckon a fair proportion of the enjoyment of buying this car was searching for the bits I wanted.
This gave me an early Christmas...
I also ordered a new stereo (no usb on the one that's factory) and double din cage.
I will say the fitting of just about everything was super easy, partly as I only bought bolt on stuff, but also I think it's a very simple car to work on.
Soon had the interior done:
I wasn't sure of handbrake fitting, but it's been secure.
Double sided tape works it seems!
Ended up really appreciating the centre console cubby, shades go in there, followed by phone, and there's a lip so it doesn't slide out.
A comment on the stereo - the speakers in the car are fine for sure. What's more with the loom converters it's a relatively simple fit. And as a bonus the whole thing dims with lights on at dusk. I do recommend this Pioneer too, or at least one you can change the fascia colours on - matching orange/red looks awesome at night.
Worth the discounted price I paid.
An easy half hour to fit. And, cheeky, an oil breather filter - note that this isn't replacing EGR stuff, that's still there, this is a crank breather that used to feed to/from the air filter.
I also took off the strut brace, and sprayed it ceramic red.
Turns out I really don't like spraying, or rather the time it takes to spray. An agonising few hours...
Probably not to everyone's taste, but not overdone I think, and I like it, it's enough "Because: Racecar" without setting me up for re-tunes and the likes. And frankly as my current tally of speeding fines tell me, cars are fast enough mmmkay.
Note to others, the stainless radiator shield is good, and is in fact a good price, but if you're being pedantic it doesn't cover the final bulkhead/radiator gap, just the bulkhead gaps. I'm pretty much fine with this, but I do keep an eye out for a discount on a full cover that's stainless or indeed carbon.
And the external bits?
I like it. And that's what matters!
The fuel cap I'd do again for sure, it really should have been stainless from the factory (was it an option?). The clear lights? Sure they make it look good, but the pricing was a bit brutal.
Next on the list?
Radiator - Funny story. Took the car in for a service and they found several leaks in various seals and gaskets. Those, the brake grinding and an oil change took me to $1k and wiped me out. On the way through the mechanics recommended a radiator upgrade. I'll do that with the help of ebay for a full aluminium one. Next project once funds are free...
Headlights - I can polish them, but I think I'll go with some after market ones and start afresh. I can then polish/sell the factory ones to cover costs - possibly all of the costs as they're expensive compared to non OEM.
Race headers & Exhaust back box - I like the sound basically. CX Racing does them but you're losing various sensors on the way through apparently. Research time, and expensive, so we'll see how we do.
Brakes - Had mine faced off so they're good for now, but I like the idea of a lot more feel. There are various suppliers of kits - I like the Wilwood set, they bolt right on there. Maybe need some new wheels and tyres at that point too.
Roll bar - As they say, don't have it unless you plan to use it. But I do like the idea of a track day, hillclimb or motorkhana or two with this car. But I don't like the idea of being folded up inside it...
For now though, and probably for year or more, it'll be my weekend sports car, dressed up as it is. It's perfectly fine like that!
