Well, after such a long time of not posting much about this, and my son didn't want to until now, we are finally showing a thread about the progress of the car.
This all started early 2009 and my 10 year old son (at that time) wanted he and I to build him something for when he turns 16. The 6 year project quickly became a finish as soon as we can. We even attempted to pull off making DGRR 2009, but due to certain difficulties we couldn't. The most contributing factor to the no show for DGRR was that I had to make the difficult decision to close my manufacturing and fabrication business during that time.
That was only the start of one of the most difficult times in our lives. Not only did I have to close, I had to relieve some good people of their jobs, I lost my income, and no job became available for me until November. We home school our kids (3, with #4 on the way as I type this
), but no income made it extremely tough. We drained our investments, savings, everything, etc...to make ends meet. The position that became available required a cross-country move from Alabama to here in South Dakota. We made the move and things have finally gotten back on track, as of May 2010.
All the while, the TII pretty much remained sitting. I should have sold it to help pay for groceries or bills, but I couldn't bring myself to part with it as this was supposed to be something for me and my son to build together. My son remained very understanding and a trooper about the delays.
Fast forward to today...the car is approximately 80% finished with a few big ticket items still left to do. So, without further adieu, here's the progression from start to as she sits today.
February 2009, this is how we get the car (thanks to Phil and Bryan @ BNR). Good foundation to start from with only minor fixes required. Supposedly, the engine has been rebuilt with only about 100 miles on it. Which after as much inspecting as can be done without going inside the engine, it appeared to be a fresh rebuild.
Only rusty spot on the car (I've cut it out and will weld in new metal):
Then we started stripping things and cleaning up the engine bay, prepping for the S5 bumper conversions and S5 mouldings, addition of a factory rear spoiler, etc...
S5 bumpers and factory rear spoiler are on, S4 moulding off and waiting on the newer S5 moulding, S5 tails waiting to go in:
New struts, Tanabe lowering springs, new cross drilled and slotted rotors, and EBC green pads at all four corners:
RB braided oil lines installed:
HID projector lamps in place (still awaiting the ballasts to be wired in), and FMIC mounted in place:
Bryan @ BNR hooked me up on a deal with his S5 turbo setup off of his gold TII (with all his goodies in there), semi-solid engine mounts can be seen here, stock flywheel in great shape but going back with a new Stage III clutch (I can't remember the brand right now since it has been over a year):
Then my son and I began discussing really where we would like to see the car heading and the end result. My son wanted some sort of military theme and for the TII to be completely different than most of what you see. Well, I suggested we do something that I am comfortable with and can teach him about something that is sort of fading away like many good things that we have had and is now gone........let's go carb and turbo. He liked the idea so off we went into it like two pioneers. I know certain carbs pretty well, but had no idea of the overall challenge this would ultimately (and still is) putting me through.
.....
....
...
..
.