Project Thunder

[THE Adam V]

Just wanted to open up a build thread for me to add pics to later tonight. I'm sure quite a few of you have seen my pics on Facebook and Instagram. Here's the full build thread. It's mostly body work. But there will be some go fast parts going on very soon. I've got quite the collection of boxes in my garage full of parts. No this was not a car that was totaled and bought back on insurance. I would have spent more paying my deductible than I am into this whole project besides my add on's.

Loaded with pics and some may not be for the faint hearted.

4 Days before the accident, took a trip to visit Aussiek2000 to help him with his trans cooler.
http://i61.tinypic.com/2lxtnyg.jpg

10-8-13 No excuses, I was fucking around and lost control nothing else to it. Took a Telephone pole to the door, and street sign to rear quarter.
http://i62.tinypic.com/10qzy8k.jpg

Put it up on the frame rack at work, Turns out the steel underneath the outer shell is extremely strong and likes to tear instead of bend. Oh and Found a door.
http://i60.tinypic.com/14mgosm.jpg

We had to cut a hole in the structural frame of the car and insert a pipe, then put a hook on the pipe and pull. Worked out well but I was left with this.
http://i59.tinypic.com/2gucutw.jpg

After 2 months of searching, even contacting CP to see if he had anything to patch this section, I found it! And locally!
http://i62.tinypic.com/20iayrl.jpg

The outer skin is welded on, but we won't stop there. Even though it's covered, Let's make it look like it never happened.
http://i58.tinypic.com/11ub886.jpg

Time to prime!
http://i59.tinypic.com/2utm1yf.jpg

Left to do:
Make grills for the bumper
Finish up projector fog lights
Pick up DOD delete parts from Pace
Order cam from Rick C

[Crazy Paul]

Cropped to remove 2 acres of floor.
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[MongosG8]

Nice to see it coming along. Looks like a lot of labor involved

[THE Adam V]

Peek a Boo. That's right it's a brand new Evolution front bumper.
http://i57.tinypic.com/24kzkn5.jpg

Door Jams are painted. This is the first look at what the whole car will look like. and yes that is MATTE PSM.
http://i62.tinypic.com/2cwk8c7.jpg
http://i59.tinypic.com/6e3rkk.jpg

This was probably the lowest point I had in this whole process. Seeing my $20k+ car in shambles waiting for parts, paint, and help.
http://i61.tinypic.com/21m7vrc.jpg

But then my new tires came in! 305/30/19's!
http://i57.tinypic.com/4pwglw.jpg

Doors and trunk lid are cut in. I went as far as even spraying the hinges.
http://i59.tinypic.com/2vj6c08.jpg

Doors are on, car is back together. Big thanks to Andy J-Series Gerzina and Aussiek2000 for coming by to help.
http://i62.tinypic.com/2a6ukvn.jpg

Let's give those fenders a pull and a roll!
http://i59.tinypic.com/23r2g1.jpg

Primer's done! 2 coats on!
http://i61.tinypic.com/2v2yvi9.jpg

[THE Adam V]

Wet Sanding with 800. Twice! I think I still missed some spots.
http://i60.tinypic.com/29bf0wn.jpg
http://i57.tinypic.com/35k1q1k.jpg

Got the antenna off! Thanks Peterg20000 for giving me some great instructions on how to do this.
http://i58.tinypic.com/2s0iz6a.jpg

Front bumper is finished, Ready for primer and paint.
http://i62.tinypic.com/wl4tut.jpg

New Holley Black Valve covers, NGK plugs, Taylor 10.4mm wires and insulators, LS7 MAF, 4" housing and a fresh tune.
http://i58.tinypic.com/e5jtl0.jpg

At the body shop waiting for the final touches to get finished, I also got a nice box of brand new trim in today.
http://i57.tinypic.com/2vjpqf9.jpg

[TooManyHobbies]

First post pics do not work for me.

[Matt G8 dude]

This is going to look amazing when it's done!

[THE Adam V]

First post pics do not work for me.
Thanks! I'll get it fixed asap!

Edit: All fixed

[Crazy8]

Looks great! Man that's a lot of work.

[texn884]

Custom paint job from down under


Cropped to remove 2 acres of floor.
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[THE Adam V]

Latest word is Thursday the 5th for paint and clear. We'll be spraying one last coat of primer on Monday. The plan was tomorrow, but we fitted the front bumper one last time and I wasn't happy just yet.
On my way right now to go pick up some expanded metal to make the upper grills. Monday I've got to run to the exhaust shop to get a piece of 3" stainless with a flared end made up for the custom fogs that have been a nightmare.
Pilot has been screwing me over day after day on shipping for the maloo side skirts. Going to give them a call and raise some hell.

[2lazy4agoodname]

Subd. Awesome work so far!

[Eidolon]

Pretty incredible! Looking forward to the finished product!

[texn884]

The car will look GRRRR8 when done. Really like how it's all turning out. It lives again

[-Ray-]

In for the finish.

[THE Adam V]

Here's a pic of the maloo side skirts. I believe they are supposed to be here Monday.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/31/uquzy2y7.jpg

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[camopaint0707]

looks good

[Posidon42]

Where did you get the skirts from?

[THE Adam V]

Now that's something you don't see every day!! I got them off a group shipment on Facebook. Can't really say more than that due to the seller not being a vendor.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/03/qutubetu.jpg

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[redline05]

I'm excited to see this come together. Keep up the good work!

[THE Adam V]

Spent tonight working on a friend's (mancosman's) GXP. put BMR front and rear sway bars and end links on it.

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[THE Adam V]

That'll work!
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/05/epajejy2.jpg

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[CommodoreG8]

That's gonna look sweet!! Never knew there were different side skirts out there. Can't wait for final pics!

[THE Adam V]

Tomorrow is the day! Paint will be done. Car won't be back together until Tuesday most likely.

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[THE Adam V]

We've got color and clear. Can't wait to see it in the sun!
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/08/ebebybyb.jpg

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[Erbby325]

Loving this so far deff subd!


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[THE Adam V]

I can't wait to get this back on the car. It is beautiful!
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/08/qeza6e8e.jpg

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[travis gore]

looks good.I like the Maloo side skirts

[TooManyHobbies]

What is that color?

[THE Adam V]

What is that color?

The color is Pacific Slate Metallic. (WA610R). To be specific it is DuPont ChromaBase Karma Green. The clear is a Matte finish Via BASF.

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[STL_G8GT]

Pretty epic, dude.

[-Ray-]

Looking forward to seeing it together and out in the sun. Good job!

[texn884]

Will ne a milestone and cant wait to see it finished

[kevinm0131]

looking good.

[THE Adam V]

OH MY G8!
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/10/ysehetep.jpg

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[MongosG8]

Coming along real nice ..the suspense is killing me.:)

[THE Adam V]

This right here is just beautiful.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/10/neby2udy.jpg

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[texn884]

Sweet, now if only no stones hit the front or the car after its all done

[THE Adam V]

Rear wheels are finally on.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/11/enury9eg.jpg
Side markers are on.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/11/re4emany.jpg
Spent the last 2 days fishing all the wires back through the doors. Putting handles and trim back on tonight. Then the interior can all go back in.

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[THE Adam V]

Back seat Is back in? The interior is back together besides the door panels. The front bumper is sitting in the garage ready to go on, and I'm bringing the side skirts home today to put on.

Looks like the first nice day will be Saturday so my plan is to clean it and drive it then.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/12/4yjavetu.jpg

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[texn884]

Is the paint a matte finish?

[THE Adam V]

Is the paint a matte finish?

Yes! Matte PSM

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[texn884]

it looks so good and its going to be an original.

I wish I had your talent

[THE Adam V]

it looks so good and its going to be an original.

I wish I had your talent

Appreciate the support! It's not just me. I have a lot of friends who know what they are doing. If I didn't have my connections this would have been an insurance job.

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[THE Adam V]

I've got everything back in the interior. Exterior trim is all back on and blacked out. Still waiting on my rockers to get painted. They have been primed and are sitting in the booth for tomorrow.

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[THE Adam V]

Custom fogs... check
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/16/ebamavem.jpg
Just a little side shot action
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/16/qubasu3u.jpg

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[Posidon42]

Looks the the front rubber is pretty stretched. Are you concerned about that?

[THE Adam V]

Looks the the front rubber is pretty stretched. Are you concerned about that?

It looks worse than it is. I'm running a 255(10.0394") tire on a 9.5" rim. The small sidewall makes it look stretched.

I'll probably run 265's next time around.

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[texn884]

Looking GRRRR8 keep the pictures coming, im making more popcorn and got beer:beer::watch::surprise:

[texn884]

Any more updates?

[THE Adam V]

Got the hood on.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/22/ade6e9u6.jpg
Trunk is empty of trim and new trunk mat Is in. The interior is all back together. The lock actuator in the door I bought doesn't seem to work right so I'll have to exchange that for my old one.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/22/gegaje2e.jpg
Vortex generator and door handles are both painted dark metallic blue
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/22/uty9aba9.jpg
Handles are on. Mirrors are on. Black trim is on. The trim turned out great. I just used a DuPont satin black trim paint and it works wonders. You can't mess it up!
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/22/vehy5esu.jpg

I finally got the brackets I needed for the bumper, p/n 92159883 and 92159884.

All I have left to do is put the bumper on. Put the side skirts on. And wire in the fog lights.

I got lucky with the lighting for the fogs. VW has a recall out right now (94G8) which you replace the headlight low beam socket. I took the old socket from one of them and I am using that for the fog lights now. I just have to wire in the connector. I can run a standard H7 bulb now. If anyone can source a fog light wiring diagram for me I can do that this weekend. If not, Monday!

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[-Ray-]

Hope this helps.

[texn884]

Wow looking good. Keep the updates coming. Wish I had your skills.

Looks like a carbon fiber hood?

[THE Adam V]

Thanks Ray. I'll see if I can decipher that for what I need.

Yes it is the maverick man carbon fiber hood. I've got the only PSM G8 with his hood. According to him.

I can't wait to get this thing cleaned up. I've got a bunch of Adam's car care products ready to go. Waiting on the Car wash shampoo to come in on Tuesday

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[THE Adam V]

Vortex generator is on! TSS dart is on. According to Jaison who makes the darts I have one of 2 sets which are black/PSM.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/23/egymasub.jpg

New cabin filter. Man that thing was nasty!
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/23/ygunu5y4.jpg

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[texn884]

Looking GRRRR8 my I just Want One decal got almost blown off last year in Wisconsin when I took it thru a touchless wash. :( It says now I want one, lol

[THE Adam V]

It's on! And so pretty! I will have to pull it back off tomorrow just to put the grills in but that's no biggie!
22680
Maloo skirts are ready to go on. Waiting on the adhesive to dry to for these grills!
22681
Third Shift dart is on the front! I think I'll have to find a better adhesive to attach it. Doesn't seem to fit quite perfect. But is held on there strong.
22682

[texn884]

Schweet

[THE Adam V]

Both side skirts are on. I won't have the grills or the fog lights in the bumper until tomorrow. I can't take pics due to it pouring rain. If it wasn't so humid in my garage I would have the rest done already.

[THE Adam V]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/26/ame5eqap.jpg

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[texn884]

looks GRRRR8

[THE Adam V]

I guess I can post this now that I got the car back... AGAIN. Hood flew up 1/8 Mi down the track. No Limit Raceway in Indiana. There was absolutely no safety inspection at this track. They didn't even require helmets. Would never recommend going to this place.
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[travis gore]

oh man that sucks!

[hartigan85]

That really sucks but why are you blaming the track? Would you have blamed the state if it flew up on the highway? I've had tech inspections and never once have they checked to make sure my hood latches properly. Personally I wouldn't trust that hood without hood pins, even before seeing this.

[THE Adam V]

That really sucks but why are you blaming the track? Would you have blamed the state if it flew up on the highway? I've had tech inspections and never once have they checked to make sure my hood latches properly. Personally I wouldn't trust that hood without hood pins, even before seeing this.
I'm not blaming them. It actually wasn't even my fault. I Let someone else run the car for a few runs. He popped the hood to let it cool. Didn't tell me. First run back on it flies up. But a few runs later another car had his hood popped and they shut his hood? I am just disappointed that they didn't catch it. And that there was no rules at this track at all.

[THE Adam V]

Also I was originally told it was fine without pins. I've had it up to 150+ without pins and no problems. We have all heard the stories. I'll be ordering the aero catch locking hood pins. No questions asked at that point

[TooManyHobbies]

I need to find a track around like that. How was traction?

[THE Adam V]

I need to find a track around like that. How was traction?

Well I was just running some GTO wheels with stock size tires so awful. LOL

[screaminChick-n]

New Holley Black Valve covers, NGK plugs, Taylor 10.4mm wires and insulators, LS7 MAF, 4" housing and a fresh tune.
http://i58.tinypic.com/e5jtl0.jpg

I hope the damage was not too bad and you can get it back on the road sooner than later. Good lucks

I was interested in knowing how you did the LS7 MAF with the VCM. If the LS7 MAF is a 3 bar MAF I would like to do the same to the ls3 in a Gxp

Details on parts, harnesses and any wiring is appreciated

Thanks man

[THE Adam V]

I hope the damage was not too bad and you can get it back on the road sooner than later. Good lucks

I was interested in knowing how you did the LS7 MAF with the VCM. If the LS7 MAF is a 3 bar MAF I would like to do the same to the ls3 in a Gxp

Details on parts, harnesses and any wiring is appreciated

Thanks man
All I needed was a few things. I purchased the MAF. The 4" housing. A 4" silicone coupler. And a L76 to LS7 harness adapter. After that I uploaded an updated tune and BAM! Damn thing works great! The coupler that is on the intake itself will fit the 4" housing. I got all my info from "The Official VCM OTR Install Thread"

[cstmg8]

How badly was the hood damaged? Mostly just windshield damage?

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[Crazy Paul]

How badly was the hood damaged? Mostly just windshield damage?

+ a large brown stain on the seat I imagine.

[THE Adam V]

How badly was the hood damaged? Mostly just windshield damage?

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Hood is ruined. It broke the fiberglass support underneath In about 5 place. on the right front of the hood it actually separated the carbon fiber from the fiberglass in about a 18" section. It was fairly bad.

[THE Adam V]

Prototype set of fogs is completed. As you can see I'm using a projector lens. I've got a red LED on the side of the housing which will be hooked up to a switch inside the vehicle for a demon eye look.
23221
This is what will be mounted on the back of the housing. It is a 3 piece setup. Which will hold 1 standard H7 bulb. I plan on making new housings that are slightly longer to allow for more room. I think these will work just fine for now though.
23222
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[THE Adam V]

23255
they are ready!