Time for this weeks update.
Well things didn't turn out how I expected in the end. It was almost a complete disaster but I wasn't going to give up.
During the week I needed to get Cerberus ready for its pre MOT. Basically a very thorough MOT without actually putting it though.
I started off by bonding the passenger side indicator side light. Simple clear tiger seal and a stool to keep the pressure on it over night whilst it dries.
My first job was to finish putting all the interior trims back and to make sure everything fits correctly.
Minus the carpets.
This is one good thing about sticking with the original mr2 dash and console. Every thing fits so perfectly.
Unlike when you do a custom build. It never looks factory fitted however good it is.
The whole dash, centre console and door cards have been refitted.
I have fitted my new steering wheel as well. I spent ages looking for a wheel I liked. I found one on flee bay. I myself prefer a fully covered leather wheel with an air bag look. Looks more substantial and chunky.
I also needed to refit the seats correctly.
Because I'm a big fella the seats can't have any runners on them. The seats need to be mounted really low. This is the only way I get just about 1 inch of headroom inside. If I was to use runners or the original mr2 seats you would need to be a munchkin to drive it.
Both seats are bolted straight to the floor.
It was time to fit up the new race harness seat belts. I have chosen orange 4 point harnesses to match the outside orange.
I had the gear panel on the centre console painted in the same colour as the car when it was done.
I like a little orange hear and there inside the car.
Even tho the seats haven't been re trimmed yet with orange diamond stitching they look rather good with the orange harnesses.
I've chosen race harnesses over ordinary seat belts because it gives A more super car feel and look. Well it does in my book
As I had no electric windows it was time to call in some profeshional help with getting them working again.
A friend of mine specialises in auto electrics so he was lumbered with my windows. It's amazing how much cableing is required for just for 2 windows. 4 relays and 2 switches. To be exact.
It wasn't long before my windows were working as they should.
So now the car is ready to hit the rolling road.
My plan was to take Cerberus to a local dyno rolling road to see how the engine was performing.
Then in the afternoon to take the car to my local Ferrari garage for a pre MOT.
So I dug out Sherman my old frontera and got the old tank ready to tow.
I picked up the trailer from the trailer hire place first thing and the chap still guaranteed that this time my lambo would fit on to his trailer.
Once I got back home it wasn't long until I found out that there was no way on this earth Cerberus was going to fit.
Shit!
Basically firstly the nose won't clear the trailer. So I tried with 2 planks of wood. It did then clear the first part but then half way up it wouldn't fit between the wheels of the trailer.
not impressed. So I had to cancel the rolling road trip.
Now the problems really started. What did it do? Pissed down with rain.
It hasent rained for nearly 1 month and when I need to move Cerberus about it rains. WTF.
I was kinda stuffed as the Ferrari garage is only a quarter a mile down the road but I have no windscreen fitted
Well I wasn't having it. Stuff the weather. Stuff the trailer problem. I got my new windscreen from under my bed. Put some masking tape around it and popped it on to the car. I then used masking tape to stop the rain coming in and keep it in place.
As it's going for a MOT it's quite legal to drive it to its MOT destination and back. So that's exactly what I did. Simply stuck my number plates back on and drove it down the road to the Ferrari garage.
It was absolutely pissing down with rain and I made the right decision to put the windscreen in. It kept the rain out as it should.
Hurray
I was at the Ferrari garage.
I haven't driven her since I first brought her. But it was a nice feeling that she's nearly there on the road again.
So the garage started the MOT test. Once Cerberus was on the ramp there's a few niggles I need to sort out. Firstly my headlights were all over the place. My height adjuster worked a treat bringing the lights to the correct level but they were cross eyed. I haven't made any adjuster to move the lights left or right. So this is the first thing I will need to tackle.
Everything else seemed good except for 1 nackered passenger side lower ball joint, excessive play in the steering rack and crap rear brakes
.
So I have some mechanical work to do before next year. The ball joint and brakes isn't a worry but I need to buy a new steering rack from somewhere.
What's really good is the car passed the emissions test. This means the engine is good.
I did take a little wander around the garage whilst all this was going on. Umm nice to see a garage full of ferraris.
That's what I call a proper place to work. Lucky people getting to work in there.
Once everything was checked I came away with my small list of things to do.
One thing we did discuss was the crazy wheel spacers the extreme replica uses to get the wheels to fit.
He said that by using these spacers there is some serious stresses going through the wheel bearings.
His solution was to extend the track arms and drive shafts.
yea that's easier said than done.
But these spacers would only be an advisory. There not illegal.
I mentioned deep dish split rims. They would work but there would still be stresses on the wheel bearings.
Don't forget we are dealing with a top notch Ferrari garage here. Not bodge it motors.
I'm happy with the spacers for now as I'm not going to be driving thousands of miles in the car.
So away I went from the garage back home.
the long way round the houses.
I did put my foot down abit and the turbo spooled up nicely with a nice chuff when I changed gear.
So the new turbo is working as it should
I couldn't beleave as soon as I drove straight back into my car tent it stopped raining. WTF.
it was like god turned of the tap. Maybe he was watching and having a laugh.
Anyway I managed to get half of what I wanted to achieve today.
So what are my plans now with Cerberus?
Well I'm now going to strip out all the interior again.
I'm then going to start the carpeting and sending off various parts to the upholstery company for retrimming.
I'm starting with the seats and then the door cards.
I've decided I'm not going with a Woodsport v6 engine change for now. Because the original engine is good I might as well stick to it. Don't forget I brought a new turbo last year and spent about £1k doing the timing belt and water pump etc etc.
I'm going to redesign the exhaust system with a switch between loud to quiet. To keep my bell end neighbours happy.
I need to re design the headlight adjustment so I can also adjust left to right as well as up and down.
I'm getting the rest of the mechanical work done to include the steering rack.
I want to look into getting some air suspension on the front. The car is a nightmare being so low and could do with being able to raise it when required.
Lots and lots to do.
Of course you can keep up with it here as always.
Oh and loads of photos