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

[James23Parkin]

Thanks all! We came home today. Just mega...

 

[tyrer]

Congratulation James!!!

Amazing times ahead

Hope the family are all well

 

[ReDBull]

Me and my wife Janey are pleased to announce the arrival of our baby son William, who arrived yesterday at 1551 hrs, weighing in at a nose under 6ilbs; a tiny little might for a baby Who was 11 days overdue. So small i had to pop to Mothercare this morning to buy some smaller clothes (a dump valves worth... Hahah...) Mum and baby are doing well

Now that was the update I was waiting for!!!! Congratulations mate that's great news!
Glad to hear both Mum and baby are doing well enjoy these early days they're special time.

 

[jonjay]

Congrats James

 

[worzel]

Good times ahead mate glad mum & baby are ok...& you of course James

 

[Dsgfr11]

Congrats on the new arrival.

 

[EL]

Congratulations buddy

 

[jonjay]

Thanks Maz. I have bought some Megs NTX Metal Wax which seems to be reasonable. Doesn't leave any residue and doesn't dull it too much. Is there a better one that you personally like?

Blackfire All Metal Sealant is best one I used.

I think you can use any high temp sealant to be honest. As long as it bonds to the metal surface it will work just the same.

 

[James23Parkin]

Thanks all 11 days old now and we're getting into a reasonable routine. So much so, I managed to have a couple of hours on the car this afternoon whilst Mum and William were having a nap.

Strut Brace, Inlet Manifold Cover Bracket and Battery Bracket removed.

They've been sent for shot blasting and powder coating. I've decided to have these powder coated as they're prominent to spots of rust so hopefully the PC will prevent that. They should be back with me early next week.

I've purchased an N249 Resistor from Badger5. It should hopefully be with me early next week. This will allow me to remove the N249 module which is still plugged in to avoid any fault codes.

Finally, I have bought a 50L 2.5hp compressor. Whoop Just searching for a spray gun. I've already purchased some 2k primer, matt black and lacquer. Let the (bad) art of spray painting begin! On the hit list is the Slam Panel, Battery Cover and Scuttle Panel. This should take the quality and durability of the finish up a notch

Question for anyone who has sprayed their bumper plastics... Has this been the right move in your experience? OEM plastics are durable and have a nice finish, but I'd like a matt black with lacquer finish; looks lovely on the Mk2 LCR and Golf R... Any feedback would be very much appreciated

 

[tyrer]

All my plastics are matt black. Had to touch them up once in 2 years - did them gloss first but didn't like the look.

I did front grills including the badge surround and lower rear valance aswel.

Pics are in my RR

Glad all family are doing good!!!

 

[t0m]

Good work James I'm sure all those bits you're doing are going to come up a treat.

I've left my N249 in but might remove it one day like you're going to. Will keep my eye on how yours turns out.

Impressive you've managed to squeeze some time in for the car what with the addition to the family so recently! Hope you're all doing well mate.

 

[James23Parkin]

My N249 Resister from Badger5 arrived mid week. A very nice little unit for £15. Probably 1/3 of the size of the N249 valve itself, which was electrically plugged in and tucked away. Much better...

My compressor arrived mid week too. Now we're in business! Just waiting for my 1.2 nozzle spray gun to arrive and then I'll get practicing and see where it leads. My Dad has given me some air tools, which is cool. The man cave is coming on

I managed to have an hour on the car today whilst the sun was out (whilst mum and baby were having an afternoon nap), spending the time buttoning things up and getting it running, which it does... thank god I've just been replacing discoloured hose clips, nuts, bolts and washes; getting it in A1 condition. I should have my powdercoating stuff back on Tuesday evening - held up by the shot blaster... Mates rates so happy to wait.

James

 

[James23Parkin]

Super chuffed! Just got myself a Forge 008 for £51

I should be buying a V2.2 next week and I'll finally get round to fitting my new MAF with it. Then an oil change and we're good for some summer driving

 

[SlimLCR]

Did you get down to the track day? I knew nothing about it or would have been all over it. Only by chance I stopped by camp on Sunday to drop some kit off I heard it going on.

 

[ReDBull]

Super chuffed! Just got myself a Forge 008 for £51

I should be buying a V2.2 next week and I'll finally get round to fitting my new MAF with it. Then an oil change and we're good for some summer driving

Great TIP which colour are you going for? How's farther hood suiting you?

 

[James23Parkin]

I knew nothing about it either until I heard them on Saturday morning. I had a stroll over on Sat afternoon with William. Mostly bikes from what I saw, but looked good fun none the less.

 

[James23Parkin]

Great TIP which colour are you going for? How's farther hood suiting you?

Yeah, I was going to go for the V3 but reading about the extra flow achieved from the V2.2, and taking on board what you said, it's worth spending the extra pennies. Should be a nice improvement over the Forge TIP, even on a standard map! I'm going for black to match all my other SHs. Hopefully Bill has them in stock.

Fatherhood is something else. Just brilliant. Last week was an eye opener with going back to work but we're getting into the swing of things

 

[James23Parkin]

It’s been a while since I’ve updated my thread; fatherhood has been brilliant but busy! I’ve been stealing an hour here and there. For those who have read my thread recently, I’ve been giving some spring-time attention to the engine bay; the focus being to make it more durable and hardy whilst maintaining its looks. There’s still the last couple of bits to do but here’s where I am and what I’ve been up to…

Strut brace back from shot blasting and powder coating. Mopped and looking nice and glossy. Went for my usual satin black finish. I also had my battery bracket and Inlet Manifold bracket PC too.

I finally managed to buy a V2.2! It’s bigger than I thought! Usual Badger5/Forge quality…

Out with the old Forge TIP and adapter fitted…

Whilst I was at it, I replaced the MAF as it was still the original unit; not faulty but future proofing…

All plumbed in. A bit of trimming was needed and pipes relocating, but really happy with it. To confirm (before I get the usual comments) the air filter is a 180mm twin cylindrical Green filter, housed in an extended BMC CF casing and fed with 2 100m direct air feeds…

More to follow...

 

[James23Parkin]

So, with all the metal polishing behind me (thank god!) and all the nuts, bolts and hose clamps replaced, I’ve re-lacquered the fuse box, washer bottle surround and inlet manifold cover. With the PVC removal complete, I reworked the brake servo vac pipe to suit. All the plastics were dyed with Autobrite black Dye; brilliant product but make sure that it goes nowhere other than intended; it’s a bugger to remove. So, I’m just waiting for the lacquer to cure on the inlet manifold cover then that’ll be refitted, along with the ECS engine cover and a couple of other bits.

Some pictures…

Really happy with the robust finish. It feels complete now. I’m going to respray the slam panel with my compressor/sprayer in 2K satin black soon. Engine to be serviced and I’m still waiting for my 008 to turn up (stuck at the sorting office ). Hope you like it? More to follow…

 

[James23Parkin]

As you might know, I run the Static+ airlift kit on my KWs. I love the helper system but there has been a gremlin in the system… The rocker switch keeps burning out, even though it’s a 50 amp one. Simply, rocker switches aren’t designed to sustain such a current. I’ve had a think and today sought and bought the following:

Viair Pressure Gauge
Viair Pressure switch rated at 165 to 200 PSI
Viair air safety valve
Airlift 2 gallon air tank with 4 ¼ ports
12v solenoid (same as the dumping valve that I already have fitted and a new paddle switch.

As you might have guessed, I’m going to replace the direct compressor air feed and introduce a tank. This way, the switch will only run the two solenoids. The benefits will be that I have instant lift (2 secs rather than 6 or 7 secs). The main benefit will be that it will be a reliable system.

This is my present boot install...

The tank will be bolted on the back of the floor and because it’s only 17” long, it won’t impede the present set up. A lot of what I’ve bought will be coming from the US so we’ll see when it all actually arrives. I’ll do all the plumbing and it’ll all be in and ready within an hour or so. Obviously, with a baby and a heavy work load, things are going to happen at ‘hobby pace’. I’ve been through another period of “do I have time for this”? This was echoed when we went shopping for our new family car (Audi A4 Avante). We’re fortunate to be able to buy the new car outright and so part chop isn’t needed. I just can’t get rid but I really do need to drive it some more…

Thanks for reading