AW11 K20a2 Project Phoenix

Thread in 'Project Cars and Builds Threads' started by Lawrenceselly, May 30, 2018.

  1. Lawrenceselly

    Lawrenceselly New Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2018
    Posts:
    22
    Likes Received:
    18
    The Beginning

    Welcome to my, so far, 2 year project.

    In April 2016 I found an AW11 MR2 in dire need of saving when I went to a lockup owned by one of my dad's friends.

    A plan was hatched, and for the small sum of £50 I saved it from its airsoft playground grave.

    68wPlLz.

    z4OHQ9L.

    oyNUAsx.

    oi9CDvG.

    pqDM2og.

    It was a right state, but once we pulled it out of the barn to the clear light of day. Everything started to get a bit clearer.

    6IqRE7o.

    HxAeafa.

    I then started the mammoth task of stripping it back to start the restoration process.

    The Plan

    Engine

    K20a2 using Hux racing mounts. Sourced from an EP3 Type R
    Hondata or similar engine management

    Chassis

    Polybushed all round
    Adjustable control arms where available
    Coilovers
    Everything that is serviceable will be removed, blasted, Pol15'd, sprayed, and placed back on the car.

    Body

    Front:
    New, lighter front end by using
    fiberglass wings
    original bumpers
    new front lip from Woodsport (Buddy Club)

    Rear:
    repair original wings
    Twin exhaust tips, total JDM style, CT Fist test approved

    All over:
    Rust repaired
    Pol15 coated

    Interior

    Zilla bucket seats ( I wished! now its going to be MK4 Golf wingbacks )
    Android head unit + Amplified mini stereo system

    Engine Bay

    Detailed and cleaned, all wiring will be hidden where possible.
    Shaved, and moved to frunk where possible.

    Colour and Wheels

    Porsche Adriatic blue (possibly now Ford Nitrous Blue)
    Black / Carbon Detailing

    3SDM 0.05 16" wheels // 9" Rear , 8" front.

    A few things have deviated from this plan, but stay tuned for the rest of the build log so far.
     
    #1 Lawrenceselly, May 30, 2018
    Last edited: May 30, 2018
    • Like Like x 3
  2. Lawrenceselly

    Lawrenceselly New Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2018
    Posts:
    22
    Likes Received:
    18
    The Tear Down

    I started to tear down the car, and pack and bag quite a lot of it.

    I think most of you are used to rusty bolts and stiff joints. But this took it to another level.

    e1Dmsik.

    4d1r5xQ.

    I sold the engine on eBay, it had a few upgrades, but mostly stock. Ended up shipping it to portugal for a cool £200.

    dtL01Tt.

    A rust free boot! How rare!!

    dpWlwlj.

    fJXMFKB.

    cgI9WLU.

    6mEZRUC.

    After a few days of dismantling, we got to the big lump.

    X08MBpN.

    Engine crane required:

    3mV86fI.

    Obligatory MR2 owners pic:

    VZTrBhF.
    VQ7Dt3D.

    Scrap bin started to grow

    joFDTx6.

    Engine off to portugal

    38Qpz8l.

    Control arms removed

    rQ3MyMp.

    U8dZekt.

    Interior out

    V8IwgMm.

    P6KFcqs.

    jnX8tzg.

    Front dismantled

    fqHWVkS.

    lMLudyg.

    on to the restoration process...
     
    #2 Lawrenceselly, May 30, 2018
    Last edited: May 30, 2018
  3. Lawrenceselly

    Lawrenceselly New Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2018
    Posts:
    22
    Likes Received:
    18
    The Restoration

    Tools required!

    zsCNuBj.

    and put to good use!

    Fvl54rI.

    Fuel tank out, and cleaned up

    Z1yCzMl.

    6LyRRMg.

    Rust removed by grinder

    DJ4HjCH.

    g4WiFUV.

    HVAC system, cleaned and restored

    6snmJDm.

    f3TzBHR.

    Interior metalwork POR15'd

    5b6EpGA.

    Back together

    IIxm7DY.

    KchKAu5.

    Did some painting too

    qrH2qeN.

    and got flocked up

    vNp33TF.

    Steering rack restored

    9F44pSA.

    Interior cleaned and returned (so it made more room in storage)

    dZ5H0BW.

    Floors coated with POR15

    Utfit4r.

    qldP66d.

    Metal work to get welded on

    T8nzPdi.

    OXYAT0f.

    6wbW9Jt.

    q8BfmOV.

    Undercoating started

    7BWtc2y.

    bq4qNsT.

    Powdercoated pieces thrown back up

    RBfumid.
     
    #3 Lawrenceselly, May 30, 2018
    Last edited: May 30, 2018
  4. Lawrenceselly

    Lawrenceselly New Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2018
    Posts:
    22
    Likes Received:
    18
    Restoration Pt. 2

    Lets bolt on some shiney stuff.

    Qg2qVHa.

    fJuO3kE.

    u5aClMc.

    23KLrzV.

    9m6H6ww.

    Old wheels tested for fitment.

    uII9miv.

    xeMis60.

    5MbKdlf.

    Back to bodywork

    nDrsHqJ.

    Fuel tank restored.

    7WCvLPg.

    Walbro 500 fitted and back up it goes

    xhEYaBK.

    Battery relocation started

    N6ztf1W.

    gRNeKCV.

    Speaker wiring too

    BhLL1gI.

    And a bit more future rust prevention

    tPxlsuQ.

    yN3Xdy2.

    refurbished lights

    n2thy9r.
     
  5. Lawrenceselly

    Lawrenceselly New Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2018
    Posts:
    22
    Likes Received:
    18
    Restoration Pt. 3

    Slightly modifying.

    wCQ0ZFN.

    Adding rear arch extensions (Woodsport)

    3QAWuux.

    And smoothing them into the original side skirts

    jOecmMC.

    Obzb2Zh.

    b0zRkYq.

    MK3 MR2 shifter fitted to use adapter for K20a2

    F8xqFoJ.

    Gear knob is a bit crappy, so lets upgrade that!

    1SKfRB1.

    Back to bodywork

    EWFvQZE.

    kNdmKUd.

    42FWtPJ.

    pStuGKK.

    And some new panels that will stay good looking for a long time!

    d2mDuba.

    i0ZEkqx.

    izbquKI.

    I also picked up an exhaust system I want to use! So lets make it fit!

    JnQsv4u.

    pJPLhx3.

    bV4BTAD.

    w3WbyWY.

    aZnvimJ.

    8ixL9SD.

    0VpzMSJ.
     
  6. Lawrenceselly

    Lawrenceselly New Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2018
    Posts:
    22
    Likes Received:
    18
    Engine Pt. 1

    Picked it up from a breaker, 80k miles on the clock (and I've got the clocks to prove it)

    EIi8QL8.

    Stripped and sent a few bits to get sandblasted

    OShKyuD.

    Uq8zmGa.

    New steel sump, because its going to be quite low!

    yObATJl.

    did some painting

    4Zf7ltF.

    PIkk1SJ.

    5XZTvUA.

    adb5ifw.

    Even got as far as painting the car!

    6DWtrPz.

    vmUKRje.

    HWEHOJD.

    Notice the exahaust is standing on its own, no more wood!

    kb6QTJn.

    ZGeXkwW.

    Engine partially assembled, with a new headgasket

    Lph8nGC.

    kx23yII.

    b82oLcY.

    and with the addition of a timing chain, and a wiring loom

    t6hW4NX.

    Ready to go!
     
  7. Lawrenceselly

    Lawrenceselly New Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2018
    Posts:
    22
    Likes Received:
    18
    Restoration Pt. 4

    Lets carry on with that bodywork!

    rFX1kE8.

    RsQX8aO.

    fCtiuwn.

    9Ngx8uF.

    izp1FkH.

    Added some new bushes, and removed a few stubborn bolts!

    tv7GcTS.

    Did a bit of wiring

    WrTUSci.

    ZIYkKu1.

    and made the Civic clocks fit the AW11 frame

    KlghPe8.

    Did a bit of full assembly as the rear wheels arrived.

    DefQ5cJ.

    gMsgBOY.

    7psXQnQ.

    Then made a battery bracket.

    AEIVL03.

    K7NzT4j.

    32iyuOJ.

    Because guess what arrived from the USA

    uyMl8cd.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  8. Lawrenceselly

    Lawrenceselly New Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2018
    Posts:
    22
    Likes Received:
    18
    Fitting the engine

    Before we can get there, lets get our wiring game on... it is winter after all! (well it was then..)

    FnVg35i.

    tXz5tYX.

    Oxik39v.

    Got myself a gearbox, just came attached to another engine -_-

    EkOyVbO.

    5fv6GS2.

    z3pEqeN.

    oooh! look, stage 2 clutch with lots of meat on it!

    oWUCU6J.

    Flywheel on!

    p50acMw.

    Mounts on!

    8aa8TXH.

    CyFAAuo.

    Lets get it in there!

    Pz7RjLF.

    AgySg9K.

    Lets get an exhaust mocked up.

    IqbMNCZ.

    orznZqy.

    G5IGp0o.

    I3up5S5.

    BICcq6a.

    Sitting on its own now.

    nAwhipQ.

    Wiring pain has started

    xtFELMs.

    radiator in!

    Y4xGPGA.

    AND That is everyone caught up! Onto the present day.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  9. Lawrenceselly

    Lawrenceselly New Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2018
    Posts:
    22
    Likes Received:
    18
    The last week

    Over the years I've learnt to hate my front bumper, I want to go back to stock.

    I got this bumper with the shocks and first set of wheels for a steal!

    F4CqpI2.

    So lets swap back to the original!

    XZtuIGO.

    81nY9TE.

    WAY Better!

    Just ordered the missing side pieces (in fibreglass of course)

    Just waiting on those, and in the background I've started the bodywork train back up again. So stay tuned for more updates. Until then.

    Shed open

    GqM7C9q.

    Sound system turned up to 11!

    dy5CVSl.

    Check the dog's pulse

    H4GxVtO.

    Then:

    Fill
    Sand
    Clean
    Repeat

    Loz out.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  10. jon07043278

    jon07043278 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2010
    Posts:
    1,884
    Likes Received:
    43
    Cool write up :)
     
  11. Darren-C

    Darren-C New Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2018
    Posts:
    28
    Likes Received:
    0
    Savage write up, some serious work done.
     
  12. ShaunV90

    ShaunV90 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2014
    Posts:
    186
    Likes Received:
    31
    Never been a fan of these but this thing is changing my mind. Looking forward to more.
     
  13. Lawrenceselly

    Lawrenceselly New Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2018
    Posts:
    22
    Likes Received:
    18
    Started painting today. Bit of hard work, and effort, dismantling the car ready to put onto stands, truss, poles, benches... pretty much anything i had lying around that fit the bill.

    AXEAlAs.

    You just don't realise how many pieces there are... untill you put them on the floor

    RfATpdx.

    Masked up the car

    1XGPLiN.

    And made a modern art sculpture in my tent XD

    btHFwKG.

    I call it "foreshadowing"

    DXPAnXq.

    Off to BTCC tomorrow! See you there if you're going!

    Loz out.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  14. lowanslow

    lowanslow Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2015
    Posts:
    117
    Likes Received:
    24
    some work done on this. different man i like it
     
  15. Lawrenceselly

    Lawrenceselly New Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2018
    Posts:
    22
    Likes Received:
    18
    Been painting a LOT, and I also picked a Colour.

    As far as I know, its the 2nd time someone has chosen this colour, and its utterly gorgeous.

    Ford Grabber Blue

    KLKlIGj.

    bQhNLMk.

    Just got to paint the rest of it now!

    And throw on some clear coat, that's just base.
     
  16. Lawrenceselly

    Lawrenceselly New Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2018
    Posts:
    22
    Likes Received:
    18
    Added the clear coat, and god does it make it pop

    levEp2I.

    I got a few more pieces done today, and I forgot the strip across the top of the windscreen! So I finished that off too.

    1qKyjib.

    HQiHH0c.

    Had to start attaching pieces to make room on the benches for all the little things!

    pfbEtY4.

    But the defining moment of the day, was bolting the wings on.

    7FNnPBU.

    NmmCs9A.

    VUny4Td.

    Its getting closer!!
     
    • Like Like x 1
  17. Lawrenceselly

    Lawrenceselly New Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2018
    Posts:
    22
    Likes Received:
    18
    Couple of pictures to share:

    Front on, Doors on, Glass in, trim on. and just waiting on some J-type rubber seal to go around the side skirts and over-fenders.

    XmwNVes.

    sxEmRFO.

    Then that frees up all of the stands ready for the Bonnet, boot, and engine lid to get painted.

    Then... It's done!... for painting anyway :D

    Just:
    - Seats
    - Driveshafts
    - Gear Linkage
    - Front Brake hoses
    - Cooling fans

    Then its ready for some tracking, and an MOT.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  18. Jackula

    Jackula Member

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2016
    Posts:
    48
    Likes Received:
    2
    Sick! As others has said, not my favourite car in the world but what an example this will be when it’s done! Lots of effort mate, hope it all pays of for you .
     
  19. Lawrenceselly

    Lawrenceselly New Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2018
    Posts:
    22
    Likes Received:
    18
    Hi all, life has been happening again. Getting in the way of fun stuff.

    Also other cars have also been getting in the way too... but not in a good way either.

    The Mrs was hit by a van with some bull bars. So shes had a complete new bumper and tailgate installed this weekend

    9THqajv.

    Just need to wire up the new parking sensors that came with the bumper!

    I've also been having a lot of fun with my Audi.
    The dual mass flywheel went, so I ordered a Sachs one for £320, and installed it. Great.

    Untill I turned it over, and it sounded like a bag of spanners! and the clutch wouldn't disengage.

    Turns out it was a maufacturing defect and the insides of the new flywheel had basically shattered, so I've asked for a Single mass kit instead, so I'm currently waiting for that to arrive, along with a £200 refund for the busted one.

    Zmc5Bi6.

    Unfortuently for my parents, its going to be sat like that all week, as work is sending me away tomorrow!

    BUT

    I have managed some time on the two, obviously not much spare cash or time to throw at it right now, but I managed to:

    - Finish all the side skirts and arches.

    1tiTIuD.

    sZNrH9O.

    GgJTDp9.

    - I've also gotten all of the last pieces left to paint and set them all up ready for some time, and weather, to become available.

    ffVGKQ4.

    - I've also stripped out the engine loom again, just to tidy it up as I made a lot of dodgey connections when diagnosing things, so thats sat in a bag in my room waiting for a rainy day.

    Not much left to do now, my list is:

    • Tidy wiring loom
    • order and fit new driveshafts
    • order and fit gear linkage from H-tune
    • retrieve seats from storage and fit those
    • still waiting on my crash bar to come back from the galvanisers
    • fit electric fans to radiator and wire up
    • fit 25mm spacers to rear wheels
    • MOT, insure, and tax.

    Better crack on!
     
  20. keef247

    keef247 Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2009
    Posts:
    212
    Likes Received:
    9
    love everything about this build mate bar the wheels but that's personal preference. I think a set of regamasters or work miester's would suit more or reps of either, regas keep the honda theme too. the blue is spot on too ;)
     

Share This Page