Meyer 818 build in Tampa Bay Area

[roadrashrob]

Scott,

I just started reading this thread, and it sounds like you and your son are a few months ahead of me an my son. He is 14, and our FFR scheduled delivery is 12/19. I will definitely be following and hope you save me a few mis-steps along the way. We purchased our 2004 WRX donor car on a Copart Auction, and I drove from NY to Savannah, GA and back with a trailer to get it. Only thing it didn't have that I needed was a passenger side mirror... None of the rust you are facing as it has never seen salt.

I'm also a pilot and have restored / upgraded my original 1984 Piper Archer, but now own a 2000 Beech A36 Bonanza which I keep at KMGJ. We are actually flying out to Michigan to the 818 Build School the weekend of November 13th. Would be great to get over to Ohio and see your build one of these days!

Our donor is fully stripped, all parts labelled, and the scrap metal fetched me a whopping $45. The engine is on a stand, separated from the transmission, and we are beginning to prep the parts. As many have stated, dieting the wiring harness seems daunting. I'm very good with wiring, and not afraid to tackle it, but definitely looking to the folks who have already done this for advice. My approach is going to be to build a "loom" so I can work on the wires comfortably, and keep them routed in the general direction they need to be until I do the initial diet and get it in the car. You mentioned earlier in this thread that you "got the manual", and I was hoping you could tell me where you got them? I have the AllDataDIY manual, but struggling to get a full shop manual (with wiring schematics) for the car?

I look forward to following your thread, and may have to start my own now that we are finally beginning the "build" phase.

-Rob

[Scott Meyer]

Dave - thanks for replying on the FFR axles. I have already added these to my order a few weeks ago! They look nice.

Rob, nice to hear from another pilot and Father/Son build! You guys will love the build school. Would like to hear your feedback on the 818 class at Mott in Michigan. I attended the school in 2008 prior to receiving and building my roadster. It was very helpful for me then. I had considered taking this class next month with Liam but it would be for him, not me. I’ve done a roadster, and restored several cars now and built an Airplane...so not much I could learn. In the last 2 months he completely tore down the Impreza and learned a lot so I’m not too worried about his skills.

Let’s keep in touch and get together for a fly-in to compare progress!

Speaking of some progress. My contribution is paint. At some point I will teach Liam the art of prep and painting...but for now that’s what he wants me to do.

Steering rack that he tore apart this week to replace the tie rods, is now ready for paint. I’ve done the POR-15 degreasing, Metal prep and it’s ready for the semi gloss topcoat.
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The SOHC valve cover are cleaned, primed and painted with VHT.

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Goal is to get the transmission and engine block painted this week.

[Scott Meyer]

The dreaded wait for parts on the back order list. The rear suspension is two brackets shy of being complete (on the POL sheet). Asked F5 to help send what they can and was promised the fab guys were making these brackets this week and would get them shipped. We also got the transaxle cover from Brandon Larson (thank you), and that’s now installed. Fuel tank and lines almost completed and making a bracket to hang a fuel filter I got to replace the OEM one Liam chucked. New cold air intake and new seats arrived (his Christmas present). Last photo was me trying out the legroom and new seats and pedals!

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