MadaboutKitcars

Sorry no time sheets being filled out, not sure of the purpose of that for me that is. Am keeping track of spend and will release all figures at end of build. My time is free and not costed also I think everyone has their own pace. I spent months working every now and then on the interior and also prep'ing the car before the build, brakes, springs, etc. I think the poeple who can best advise are those doing it all the time and probably take their pace and double or treble it for a first timer.

I guess I have had around 7 full days on mine since the kit arrived on 1st Aug, it will give you an idea. 1st timers are going to make some mistakes as well as there is no manual! just this great forum, without it I would be loathed to take it on.

I know my 2nd one will go together much faster!

Good morning!

I had to remove the whole fan and cover, grind/cut away some panels and re position the pipes, I took photos all the way and the one you see above shows the front end resting on the fan housing so it is not all the way down.

As I dont know yet how much space is between the back of the new grill and the radiator I don't know if I will be fitting any fan there yet

Cheers

Hi,

I didn't want to trim the lip, but that was my fall back plan

With my wheel sizes my ride height is going to be pretty high so the lip will be noticeable, although will likely be behind the reg plate.

I had most of the problem not with the fan, but the metal pipes and their position, luckily there was plenty of adjustment with the fitting brackets to persuade them to get out of the way!

Hi, I only bought it yesterday and have not fitted it yet, its on my long list of todo things

i'll take a picture when I get to doing it and need to think about where and how to mount it also.

This one shows how much those pipes need to be into the car to get the clearance, anyhow for my car at least...Those pipes need to go as near to the Aircon radiator to make the front end come down nicely without any interference. BTW the bonnet is fully down in this picture

DSCN4473 by eric holm, on Flickr

Hey Richard! hope you are well and probably feed up of answering the phone as it must be ringing off the hook. I have seen the magazines, 2 of them only online, haven't been through WHSmith recently as been out of country and now back at work

Will pick up a copy when going though the airport next. From the photos Iv'e seen it looks amazing and gives me that little bit of inspiration encouragement we all need in the middle of a build.

Ha ha we can joust when we meet next with our cars in reverse

Yep all going well and loads more parts turned up today including bump stops for rear suspension, just waiting for extra thick pads and coil overs so can fit, hopefully I can get the issue with ride height and wheels sorted.

I still have those seats, looks like there is no takers yet, what it needs is for them to be promoted somehow to get more interest in converting Rover 75 seats for use in a Z3... or maybe someone passing Milton Keynes who needs a pair may take pity on me and give me 1 metre square space back in my overloaded garage.

Boot switch pictures,

About 70mm in length, sprung loaded, normally closed when switch at full height (i.e. when boot open)

£2.00 from Newark auto jumble

Wheels and tyres today,

So heres a pic of original, 235/55 and 235/65
DSCN4582 by eric holm, on Flickr

Fitted 235/65 to rear and 235/55 to front

first issue I had is closing the bonnet:

DSCN4592 by eric holm, on Flickr

After some adjustments managed to get it clear:

DSCN4594 by eric holm, on Flickr

Well inside wheel arch at the front:

DSCN4599 by eric holm, on Flickr

More images on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/134265488@N05

More images:

235/65/17 on rear and 235/55/17 on front

DSCN4628 by eric holm, on Flickr

DSCN4617 by eric holm, on Flickr

DSCN4624 by eric holm, on Flickr

Umm, I'm still undecided about tyre on rear, will put the front one on the back to see what that looks like next. My Wife definitely wants the 235/55 on rear, but what does she know! shes probably right, anyhow we'll see.

Thank you Roadster, its coming along and really I want to get to the fun bit of the fine detailing when all the major body bits are done.I reckon I'm about 50% the way there and the transformation is starting to show now, I hope to get a good weekend on it, electrics are next big job.

Ha ha,,,,, nope. I have 4 x 65's and 1 x 55. Need to get another 55 I agree.

Boot stay added:

DSCN4639 by eric holm, on Flickr

Lots of electrics done today and front end:

DSCN4648 by eric holm, on Flickr

DSCN4649 by eric holm, on Flickr

Grill fitted, had to grind some sections away to get it flat and to fit correctly, but not too difficult:

DSCN4652 by eric holm, on Flickr

DSCN4658 by eric holm, on Flickr

Yeah, It came like that straight from Tribute and I sort of like it but have other plans......

Repeaters added, number plate on, door handle fitted

Dscn4664a by eric holm, on Flickr

Dscn4669a by eric holm, on Flickr

Few more pic's now its stopped raining :

DSCN7704 by eric holm, on Flickr

DSCN7700 by eric holm, on Flickr

DSCN7698 by eric holm, on Flickr

DSCN7697 by eric holm, on Flickr

DSCN7696 by eric holm, on Flickr

DSCN7693 by eric holm, on Flickr

DSCN7676 by eric holm, on Flickr

DSCN7683 by eric holm, on Flickr

Hi Paul,

Convertible, as couldn't even consider turning a convertible into a hardtop, so really chuffed when Tribute bought it out

Yep grill is fibreglass, I will have it finished to my spec, maybe they have sprayed theirs? I need to do some adjustments there though, as with the rest of the car to get things to fit well. You can't see it in the photos but there is a small lip all along the top edge where it doesn't meet the front part of the main bonnet section and it really will stand out when finished, anyhow thats fine and will be classed as tinkering time.

I think its an illusion, as I have still to refit the back end correctly and there is still lots of wiring, washer jets, suspension, tyres and wheels, door locks and opening, vents, sealing, the list goes on and on......

I just wanted to get the bulk of it done whilst the weather was good, but in reality I won't be going anywhere in it until good weather time next year.

Ha ha, kit only arrived on 1st August and we are still in August and I had a week in Italy and 1 week away on business, for me its lagging to far too long already.

Thanks for the comments and we are all running along at our own speed, its not a race and there are no prizes, just fun and a sense of achievement. Good luck also I am sure you don't need it

Drilling out brake vents:

DSCN4670 by eric holm, on Flickr

DSCN4671 by eric holm, on Flickr

DSCN4674 by eric holm, on Flickr

DSCN4677 by eric holm, on Flickr

DSCN4678 by eric holm, on Flickr

Used a cutting drill bit to open holes out and will fine tune with dremel

It takes a steady hand and also make sure to keep drill chuck from contacting with car body to prevent damage

Thanks Ian, I will take your advice on the next 3 corners!

Ha Ha!, it will never see the wet I hope....