Beany's F430 Build

[beemaman]

looking good buddy you got a lot done now,so glad to see people making and doing the stuff themselves,keep up the good work.all my calipers now are painted and stickerd up,cant say what colour but we may be on the same wave length lol going to spend the weekend doing some more bodywork and alterations,got my folding genuine mirrors coming next week,can someone tell me were to downsize my pictures so i can start a build diary,bodywork and painting im first class,computers and pictures,useless lol do you have a completion date beany on your car,cant wait to hit some shows next year with you guys.....

[beanyfelix]

cheers sylvester1994 and beemaman,

i am hoping to have the car in paint by end of October and finished on the road by Jan/Feb time. Shall have to see how it all goes. I want to get everything trial fitted before it goes to paint, including interior so i can trim it while car is being painted.

Will hopefully make some more progress after the weekend.

Beany 

[beanyfelix]

Well,

I've finally managed to get the bonnet lined up to where i am happy with it. This probably amounts to over ten hours of adjustments here and there. I even resorted to removing the bumper and lowering the nose of the front clam. As a bonus, this has brought the front end about an inch closer to the ground for a more aggressive stance.

I was having problems getting the bonnet to sit level with the wings in the centre of it's length, the front foot or so was level and also the rear. Eventually by raising the rear hinge mounts up, i was able to get the bonnet in a position where it is put under slight tension in the middle in order to follow the contour of the wings.

If anything now, the bonnet maybe sits a fraction high in one small spot, but it is close enough and i will have the bodyshop make it flow seamlessly. Bonnet pictures below.

[beanyfelix]

More bonnet pics.

I just have to do a little filling and smoothing on the return edge of the bonnet now before paint.

I also trimmed the rear deck today, so it will clear the spring hinge assembly, and trial fitted it. i need to lower the hinge mounts on the rear frame about 4mm, so the rear deck sits flush with the rar wings, at the very back.

I plan to get the mirrors trial fitted so i can bond them on the same time as i bond the rear. Get the black nasty stuff over and done with in one go. Took me about two weeks to get it off my hands after bonding the shell and doors. LOL!

[Ferrari_NL]

well done Beany

[beanyfelix]

Cheers Ferrari_NL.

I brought a little work in with me tonight. Removed the airbag and steering wheel, then removed the instrument cluster, so i could replace the dials.

Photo 1: Instrument cluster, before removal. Instrument fascia/binnacle already removed. Just 3 screws and 3 electrical connectors to remove and out she comes. No fiddly speedo cables to bother with.

Photo 2: Dials with clear cover and black surround removed.

[beanyfelix]

Photo 1: Needle rests(pins) removed before needles, so instrument springs can come to their natural resting place. take note of where the needles rest then remove them using two teaspoons under opposite sides of the needle and lever upwards. Once the new dial faces have been put on, replace the needles in their resting place, then wind them far enough around the dial to fit the rest pin. Needle will then come to rest on it's pin. Failure to do this will caues your gauges to read incorrectly.

Photo 2: New dials fitted and instrument cluster re-assembled. Looking much better.

Should get a few more hours on her tomorrow morning, so will let you know what gets done.

Cheers,

Beany.

[Ferrari_NL]

I want my dashboard soon to make otherwise jump out the window ,
do you go so as to build the picture  or not!!!!!!!!!

[splne1]

I may make an attempt to manipulate my dashboard into something similar but more power to you if you decide to go for it. It's your build and your car and in the end if your happy with it, then thats all that matters!!!

[Ferrari_NL]

Today I go to the demolition mr2 to get my dashboard for 100 euros, I'm not picking up my dashboard, I go for my homemade build dachboard Ferrari 430 and how long it takes the better the design as F430

[beanyfelix]

My dashboard is gonna be mainly Black Alcantera(Suede) and Carbon Fibre, so should look a little different to the normal DNA, but not copying the original Ferrari. I have the DNA dashboard conversion, which i think is a great mix between the Ferrari style and something a little different. I've always put my own mark on cars i have modified in the past, so am not afraid to steer away from trying to produce an exact replica. I like to be a little different and hopefully that will be seen as the build progresses.

Today i have got the instruments back in to the car and all are working. Need to sort out the airbag light now though. Will probably solder a resistor across the redundent airbag connections to fool the system. The alternative is to tape off the back of the airbag warning light to block out the lamp. This however will require taking the instruments apart again, so i think it will be the resistor. May aswell fit one on passenger side at the same time and dissconnect the passenger airbag as this is covereed with new dash top.

Also got my start button wired up today and completed the steering wheel conversion. Will add some photos and details shortly.

Beany. 

[Sylvester1994]

Will you be removing the centre console? DNA did it on their first build, and I can't help thinking that it would look awesome with the vents. I too prefer to do it my way. My Land Rover has a Rover V8, 5 speed box and disc brakes! None of which was on the options list in 1970
You'll soon be getting to the really fun stage where the fiddly, unnoticeable bits stop, and the striking finishing touches begin!
Enjoy, mon amis!
(Wow, who'd have guessed it, me speaking French!)

[beanyfelix]

Sylvester1994,

The reason i've done the dials and steering wheel now is to break up the monotony of bodywork. and you're right it is good to see some of the finishing touches.

Here's the photos:

Photo1: Instrument cluster re-fitted, binnacle still off until dash top has been trimmed and upholstered. Ignore the flip switches they have been removed.

Photo 2: MR2 Steering wheel removed and stripped to it's bare bones.

[beanyfelix]

Photo 1: Carbon fibre front plate trial fitted. Prior to start button, dummy switch fitment and centre hole cutting.

Photo 2: Rear cover trimmed and trial fitted to rear of wheel using original fixings.

[beanyfelix]

Photo 1: Complete steering wheel mocked up.

Photo 2: Steering wheel completed. front dummy airbag and rear shroud covered with black Alcantera. This is to match some of my final interior trim. Plus i think the dark black gives a better colour contrast. will fit this to the car next week, as i am starting back to work in the morning. Bummer!!!!!!!