My LCR Since '05 with Static+ Front Air Lift - Project Gone to a New Home.

[James23Parkin]

Carbon Carbon Carbon…

With the new engine cover being CF, I wanted to keep other bits matching. I wasn’t keen on the ECS manifold cover as the weave goes in the opposite direction… I know…

As I’d already smoothed out my original one, this made the ideal donor to stay in keeping with the smoothed look.

Having read only good things, I bought a Carbon Mods Carbon Fibre Starter Skinning Kit.

The three items that I’m doing have all had their final coats and are drying as we speak. They’ll then be flattened and then lacquered. Got to say, I’m really impressed with the ease that you find with this kit.

Moving forward…

With the house move due to take place on 01 Mar, and everything going into storage for 26 days until our new home is ready to occupy, my hands will be tied in getting any further with it all.

I’ve bought some 8mm and 16mm Forge hosing to do a few little touches to finish things off in the bay, then I think I’ll be happy with that.

I haven’t done anything with the donor front wishbones yet. I’ll probably keep those and the bush kit at my folks and do that one weekend in between moves. So desperate to get them fitted now, as you only hear good things…

Nearly saved up for the suspension bits for the Static+ airlift kit for the front.

I feel as if I’m getting somewhere at last now. So many good LCRs around now brilliant threads so lots of inspiration

Thanks for reading

 

[RDS]

Nice update mate, looking forward to seeing those three items when finished. What are you using the 8 and 16mm hoses for?

 

[James23Parkin]

The 8mm is mainly for the carbon canister system (throttle body and canister can) and the 16mm is for the horse shoe bit that goes around the hose that feeds the charge pipe. Gonna re-route the pipe behind the hose so that there's no more horse shoe. Just want to tighten everything up/ hide some hoses, etc.

 

[D.K]

James have you watched the vidoe on Carbon Mods site ?

 

[James23Parkin]

I have Darren. It's been on my favourites bar for the last 9 months or so lol

 

[RDS]

It'll be interesting to see how it looks without the horse shoe, I hope your not planning on making us all wait 26 days. Are you going to remove the PCV system?

 

[D.K]

I have Darren. It's been on my favourites bar for the last 9 months or so lol

Good Dont underestimate how tricky this stuff can be to work with.
Firstly when they tell you to wrap the cloth around the ends of the piece and tape it down, I found this to be a bad idea, carbon does'nt like very tight fold's, what I do is let the cloth over hang the edge, when the base coat has set apply the 1st coat of clear resin, let that set then cut the excess cloth off and file it to shape.
Before you start get yourself some extra mixing pot's, stick's and brush's, old yogurt pots and lolly stick's are idea, I never throw them away now.
Get yourself some good scisors, mine have very small teeth on the blades, this stop's the carbon sliding and coming apart when you cut it.

If you get stuck or want any help give me a shout mate

 

[James23Parkin]

Thanks Darren, but I've pretty much done it all. Gonna wet sand the inlet manifold and the washer bottle cover tomorrow before lacquering. The fuse box is now finished; lacquer went on great and makes light work of bringing out the carbon weave. I'm really impressed with the kit. With regards to the weave, I paid the extra 4 quid for the stitched edges so that it keeps its shape when cutting and laying, etc

 

[James23Parkin]

It'll be interesting to see how it looks without the horse shoe, I hope your not planning on making us all wait 26 days. Are you going to remove the PCV system?

Hhhmmm... not sure about removing the PVC system tbh. I've seen the guides, including yours, but the cars running healthily and I don't want to temp fate.

I'll see if I get any time over the weekend to do bits but prep for the house move may get in the way

 

[D.K]

Thanks Darren, but I've pretty much done it all. Gonna wet sand the inlet manifold and the washer bottle cover tomorrow before lacquering. The fuse box is now finished; lacquer went on great and makes light work of bringing out the carbon weave. I'm really impressed with the kit. With regards to the weave, I paid the extra 4 quid for the stitched edges so that it keeps its shape when cutting and laying, etc

Well done mate now get some pictures up

if you want to cut any more and bit of hair spray will help

 

[James23Parkin]

Thanks mate, really appreciate the input. Just seen your latest work on Tom's page. Hats off to you

 

[D.K]

Thats far from finished They've had the final coat's of resin just need to sand them down and either polish or lacquire them.
I'm working on another bit for mine which should be ready soon.

 

[D.K]

Whats the deal with the Bose speakers ?
Are they that much better than the OE stuff ? Are they a straight swap ? and how much

 

[James23Parkin]

Whats the deal with the Bose speakers ?
Are they that much better than the OE stuff ? Are they a straight swap ? and how much

I sourced them from eBay. Mine weren't quite a straight swap, as explained due to the plastic mounts from the A3. The original speakers in the LCR are Blankrupt items, and sound great. Mine were a little tired. I have Bose in the house and they're great. An opportunity to change them came about so I stuck with Bose. They are channelled through the Rockford Fosgate amp that I have, to match the systems found in cars such as the Audi and Mazdas.

In my opinion, they give great clarity and don't distort at all. Very happy with my additions

 

[James23Parkin]

Engine bay parts update...

Probably not the best time to show this with D.K's carbon work gracing many threads and looking better and better, but big boy pants on...

The pieces are all finished off now, bar a final mop with the DA using polishing compound before fitting them to the car. They've come out pretty well considering it's my first time using the kit. The weave and finish stands up well to the ECS Carbon Fibre engine cover.

In the end, I lacquered then flat sanded them before using the polishing compound included in the kit. Amazed by the results of the clear finish. Such a good kit and couldn't recommend it highly enough.

They've been boxed up ready for the move. Once out of storage and into our new home (end of March), hopefully I can pick up where I left off and fit everything.

Really looking forward to Spring/Summer

 

[RDS]

They look great mate, well done. I'm always amazed at the level of your work, top notch every time

 

[Murdered LCR]

Looks awesome

 

[ben450]

Awesome build thread mate and love the engine bay. Cant wait to get mine now

 

[jonjay]

Awesome!

 

[t0m]

Great work James they look really good!!