For the canyon runners!

[masagsxr]

^yeah no problem... at least 320miles on a full tank for me filling up about 12 gallons.

[deucegirl03]

you know Mark i love having people to talk to about my plans cuz i only know a few people who actually give a sh#t. everyone else in my life gets that glazed look in their eyes when i start spouting off about fabrication and cars and what not........
so here is my general plan:
-strip down the 2
-stitch weld/reinforce as needed
-install a killer suspension
-maybe fab my own tubular A-arms
-fab my own exhaust system (yes including the header)
-fab my own intake
-throw in a 3S and a turbo (haven't gotten the details on what i am doing w/ the motor or trans yet, but i like what Smokey Nagata did w/ his 3S....)
-fab anything else that comes to mind
-haven't decided if i am gonna do a headlight conversion or not
-as for the body i am still figuring that out but i do want to learn how to work w/ composites, and i want to make my own carbon fiber pieces. i may mimic the TRD2000GT kit but out of carbon fiber...or may make a one piece shell...if i don't make a one piece shell i will def make a carbon fiber hood, trunk, mirrors (if i still have side mirrors), and i would really like to make carbon fiber replacements for the glass t-tops so one can choose not to race with glass over their head....

So there is a list of the main ideas running thru my head right now. i am really interested in making those carbon fiber t-top replacements cuz i think that other owners would be interested in something like that, i know i have never seen anything like that for 2's before.....

[Mark_Dorman]

I know you feel. Whenever I talk about my cars people just start to stare and look board...which eventually leads to them changing the subject or asking me to stop

A few companies made CF Tops for a while. I actually just sold a set to a guy in Georgia. I got them for my red T-Top but then got my hands on a hardtop so decided to get rid of them. If you can do dry vacuum packed carbon you'll save a lot of weight. The sucky thing about carbon fiber is the cost of materials.

Sounds like you have some big ambitious plans for your two. Headlight conversions can be cool if done right. What conversions have you considered. I'm still thinking about doing a flush mount. The stock units are ~12lbs each so there's some weight to be lost. For handling purposes I'd focus on removing weight from the front first.

What suspensions have you looked at for your car? You thinking springs and shock or coilovers?

[deucegirl03]

well now i will have to see what those other companies are doing i am interested to see those tops..
yes the dry carbon process def saves weight. depending on where you get the mats from its not so much the carbon fiber that is expensive but the whole process if so time consuming. i just really like learning things, doing things on my own, and being able to say "yeah i made that!"..
as for the headlights i haven't even started researching anything on those yet.
i do know that i will save some weight if i get rid of the pop ups, i just love the way they look...
as for suspension def gonna go w/ full coilovers. i am thinking tein. still not sure yet.
i am taking a lot of time to do parts research, considering i have some time before i have the place to do this project and the money to sink into it....

[honda_bar]

how long have you had your car? year?

[deucegirl03]

actually for about 2 but i have been a starving student and haven't been able to put any money or time into her.
now i am back at my parents house (damn layoffs) and am getting back on my feet financially so i am getting to the point where i can give her the love she deserves.
i may have a few opportunities panning out to where i may be able to start this project a lil sooner than i had hoped....keep ur fingers crossed for me!

[Cjung]

lol... im a starving student and try to take care of my two

but dayum u know how to weld? how do you go about welding sheet metal? i planning something for my car =D

GL and this was a good read

[mr.asian.m2]

[deucegirl03]

thanks i am glad you liked it!
what did you have in mind for your car?
yes i love metal fab and welding i am specializing in TIG right now trying to get a job in aerospace....

[Mark_Dorman]

I think i'm in love

Learning to weld is still on my to do list...but I wanna get a house first so it'll probably be another year or so before I get to play around with it

[Cjung]

i have tons in mind for my car,

but stuff that requires welding is bodywork

I want to add fender flares by cutting and then welding sheet metal
also want to get rid of the moldings, and maybe
shave the door handle but im not sure about that, cuz if somehow i have an electrical problem i wont b able to open the door...

I have a small welding machine at home that i still need to play around with. mayb i should start

[Mark_Dorman]

^Take some classes.

Yeah...don't shave the door handles...could come back to haunt you

[datguydeni]

if you are ever near a radio station, it will cut off the frequency --" had some experience with that lol lets just say i was stuck on a hill for a while lol

[Cjung]

hmm... i shouldnt shave those then... since it is gonna b my daily

[Davis]

Mmm 22RE. (to lazy to read past that post. )

[deucegirl03]

all i can say is that when it comes to welding practice makes perfect. when classes are in session (my school is the only place i can weld right now as i don't have any equipment and i am not yet in the field) i spend at least 4 hours 5 days a week in the booth just running beads and trying diff metals and positions.
some processes are more demanding than others, MIG isn't as hard depending on what you are doing and that is the process that is usually used for bodywork.
However since i like doing things the hard way i am specializing in TIG....that sh#t is tough, especially aluminum it is a weird freakin material...
when it comes to bodywork you have to be careful too cuz that stuff is usually coated in zinc for anti-corrosion...
basically it comes down to this:
-practice
-know what you are welding and be aware of what's around you
-be safe
-and more practice!

[Cjung]

haha... i wonder if the welding machine i have at home is sufficient for the job im looking for....

wat i have is this:

[deucegirl03]

yeah that is alright for thin gauge stuff. i don't think it will weld very well on stuff much thicker than maybe 3/16", supposedly it welds up to 1/4" but prob not in a single pass.
do you have the gas kit tho? it doesn't come w/ one, you have to buy them separate for about $100...its worth it to get one it will be more versatile in that way espec if u r gonna work on sheet metal...
its a great lil first machine tho!
btw i love how they come w/ those hokey face shields that u have to hold w/ you hand, cuz u r really gonna weld one handed right???

[masagsxr]

Originally Posted by Mark_Dorman

^Take some classes.

Yeah...don't shave the door handles...could come back to haunt you

+1... I had shaved door handles on my previous car before and ran out of battery on my remote hahaha... U can work around it tho by doing some hidden switch somewhere that only you would know. Hard wire it to the battery or something.

[Cjung]

lol.. i see ur sarcasm which is hard to actually tell when ppl just read it

but yea that faceshield is kinda w/e need to buy another one

what is this gas kit you are talking bout? is it like a mini propane tank?


Mixxer,
that is a good idea, but where can i hide a switch? hmm mayb in the trunk? since u can open the trunk w/ a key...

i think its just make my life easier by just not havin a shaved door handles thou