Jonnyc's MK5 ED30 Build Thread..

[jonnyc]

Oh, they're nice! Do they slide and everything? Pole Positions??

....They slide on the runners and tilt adjustability is done via the screw fixings in the slots and holes in the aluminium side supports. I know because I helped Jonny install them - Easy when you know how but took a heck of a lot of working out!

As you'll doubtless see when Jonny completes and posts pics, they really suit the car interior - I was surprised how they don't just look like a bolted on goodie - Their detailing matches the interior finishes (the ones which are currently remaining!!).

Thanks again for the help Robin! 

Turns out the base frames are sided, which would go to explain why it was such a mess around fitting the passenger side base frame to the driver side of the car!

Think they have found the other base frame too, only problem is that its going to need fully re building on both sides now! Never mind, will be easy now I know what to do haha..

As Robin said, they really do suit the interior, purposeful but not in your face, that was something I was worried about with the LARGE Recaro branding on the head rests, but thought I would see how it looked first before having them changed, which would involve replacing the top section of leather with a non branded section.. So quite a job! Im really glad I did because it ties in great!

As for the weight, as you all know thats the reason I changed, but the difference is pretty huge, one seat can be lifted easily with one hand, where as the OEM seats are a full bear hug style lift haha..

Its all of the little bits added together that makes the difference, if you just changed the seats and left it there then really its pretty marginal, but combined with all of my other weight saving parts its getting there now, I think I should be able to get down to around 1100KG in the next couple of months, then its going to be pretty rapid!

Ill get some proper pics once there both in the car and set up correctly 

[tony_danza]

I'm very impressed they slide, can't wait to see them... looks like they match the OEM leather, as near as damn it too - result!

[RedRobin]

^^^^
Yes, very good match to oem finishes.

TTshop have a Pole Position version with subtle carbon pattern and without the big RECARO graphics (which suit Jonny's white car btw).

[vwrascal]

looking tight there jonny     (getting in and out that is)   

[keith]

Nice seats Jonny, the recaro holders I might have sprayed a matt black to blend them into the carpet & seat.

[RedRobin]

^^^^
It's up to Jonny of course but the slightly racey/competition look is quite funky in the flesh.

[But please remember that this is the opinion of someone who has large silver vinyl RACINGLINE.COM letters down the sides of his GTI]

[jonnyc]

Update..

Hey,

So looks like there is going to be a bit of a wait for my other base frame, very annoying!!! This means that my car will continue to be a 1 seater!! haha.. Getting some funny looks driving it about..

Heres a few pics anyways, seems like its going to be a while until I can post pics of TWO seats in the car haha..






In the mean time I have figured out a way to drop the Pole Positions by about 20mm whilst retaining the seat belt and sliders! So really looking forward to that, as at the minute they feel too high for me, but I like to sit as low as possible.. I have also made some new inserts for the base cushions which improves the feel a hell of a lot.. The standard cushions were rock hard and really thick..

They will be fantastic once I get them all done.. The RECARO branding on the top of the seat has really grown on me, think it goes well with the car, so ill be leaving that.. Glad I didnt have them removed before I collected the seats..

As for other bits on the car, I have been working on a new intake, which should be ready within the week (hopefully) think you will all like it.. Should help a little with the cars performance too which is the most important thing! Heres a teaser..



Re installed the lower grill on the car, just couldn't get along with that open front, looked like someone had stolen it lol.. Only £13, pretty pleased about that too lol..

(much better)



Ill be removing the fog lights and blanking the holes off with pieces of carbon, removing the washers for the headlights, and generally going round the car and removing / tidying up all of the little bits and bobs that I have neglected to sort out yet.

Made some cool plans for the interior also, just to tart it up a little, again very OEM look, but should tie it all in very nicely!

* Black Dynamica centre arm rest
* Black Dynamica door trims
* Black Dynamica trimmed OEM steering wheel (not sure if this one is possible, but I think it would look great!!)



The last thing would be to have the head lining trimmed in black Dynamica, I love this, and have never had it in a car of my own, so it would be a great addition, again woulndt be standing out, just nicely tie in all the other parts of the interior..

Similar to this..



I would leave the handbrake and gear lever alone, just so that there is still a little leather in the interior..

The last touch for the interior would be to go with carbon trims for the dash and doors, nothing but looks for this one, can't imagine there would be any real weight saving lol.. I would also have a nice little Edition 30 sticker made up to keep it looking OEM..

As always I have been thinking of more weight saving tricks, and changed a few plans along the way..

I was thinking of going for carbon front wings / rear hatch etc and having the car vinyl wrapped in Matte black so that I could leave the carbon bare without it showing up too much against the white etc..

I have now decided to stick with the CW and get the bonnet wrapped in colour coded vinyl, just looks too 'jap' for me really.. I like the sleeper look to be honest.. I favor vinyl over paint for a couple of reasons, keeps the weight down, and gives the option to back to carbon without any problems..

Ill be doing a few more Matte black details on the car though, mirrors, lower front splitter etc.. To compliment the rear diffuser section of the rear bumper that I did a little while ago (close up pic for those that have requested)



The revised target base weight for the car is going to be 1050KG, this should be achievable without going to extremes on the car, I know this is already way past what some people would like to go with their own cars but the plans were getting a little mad, and expensive too.. To save a further 50KG and break the 1000KG barrier and keep the OEM look interior which is very important to me would cost another £5000 give or take.. Thats getting silly for a daily driver road car I think..

I should have the car down to the 1050kg mark by GTI International, hopefully the surface is ok and I can run some reasonable times on the strip, would be good to have a bit of a play there.. It does seem like the starts are going to be an issue though with it just being a normal runway surface rather than a prepped track..

Anyways a couple more pics..

Couldn't resist a nice rear 3/4 shot to show off the new ride heights..



Can't beat a bit of contact patch!! You can really see the front negative camber on this shot too..



Thats about it for now!!!

[mixit]

Amazing Jonny, just amazing....    Really like the steering wheel. 

[T88OMM]

I can't keep up with you Jonny! Car is sitting perfect 

[RedRobin]

The last touch for the interior would be to go with carbon trims for the dash and doors, nothing but looks for this one, can't imagine there would be any real weight saving lol.. I would also have a nice little Edition 30 sticker made up to keep it looking OEM..

....Do you mean the 'brushed aluminium' horizontal strips on doors and dash? - I'm going to have mine wrapped in carbonskin vinyl along with the Recaro seat backs (if possible).

Btw, I think I've found a source for Interlagos cloth and am just waiting for a snailmailed sample - So I'll get back to ya soon

Yours is looking very good, jonny

[jonnyc]

The last touch for the interior would be to go with carbon trims for the dash and doors, nothing but looks for this one, can't imagine there would be any real weight saving lol.. I would also have a nice little Edition 30 sticker made up to keep it looking OEM..

....Do you mean the 'brushed aluminium' horizontal strips on doors and dash? - I'm going to have mine wrapped in carbonskin vinyl along with the Recaro seat backs (if possible).

Btw, I think I've found a source for Interlagos cloth and am just waiting for a snailmailed sample - So I'll get back to ya soon

Yours is looking very good, jonny

Yeah thats it mate, same deal with mine 

Cheers, ok just let me know on the rears! 

[RedRobin]

Cheers, ok just let me know on the rears! 

....Hopefully any day now - I just need to know that the Interlagos option is a goer.

[gaz b]

Holy smoke!    This is some project dude..

Credit crunch? What credit crunch..........

[jonnyc]

Hey all..

Got some new wheels on order, should be ready in about 4 weeks..

Heres a quick teaser 



Custom Neon Blue centre cap, this will be carried over the car, little touches here and there featuring the Neon Blue, just to make it a little different, quite a few cars around running with the while grill strip now..



Anyways this means the Team Dymanics Pro Race 1.2's with Toyo R888 235/40/18's are for sale (see for sale section)

I would let them go for £700 but obviously need them until my new wheels arrive!

These new wheels (not hard to guess what they are) will be something a bit different, planning on running a pretty extreme size tyre, just to help get that power down, and should further improve the handing and performance of the car! Im really looking forward to getting them actually..!!

Jonny

[P10YRS]

Liking the Neon Blue jonny!

Nice to see a different colour on the front grill...