Andrew's GT Forte build.

[Bill Musarra]

Andrew,
Your pipes are basicly the same layout as mine in the DRB. You will like the lower tunnel height when you get around to putting in your pedals. Allow enough room to add some closed cell insulation around the pipes. I used the stuff that is used on hot water pipes and got it large enough to close around the pipes I then insulated the outside of the tunnel with Dynamat and then leather(this winter)Dynamat.com | DynaPad Under Carpet Padding

Bill

 

[Andrew S]

Hi Bill, yes got the pedals in already, went for Wilwood suspended type and the lower tunnel height in that area will make a huge difference.

Going to try and make up a tunnel template over xmas to see how things look.

Andrew

 

[Andrew S]

Progress and a major milestone past today.
The front end panels are all on and just need a good scrub up to get them nice and clean.

That's 6 months it has taken to get to this point but think that was the hard part of the paneling.

Andrew

 

[Paulbav]

Wow, looks great.

 

[Michel]

Very nice and neat panelling !!
Following tubes with bended alu is something very "tricky" work and you did it perfectly ; congrats

 

[Andrew S]

Thanks guys, expect it to look even better once it has been cleaned.

Cooling pipes were tricky, i drew them in 3D and then sent the design off to have it made. Guy did a good job, but not cheap, but worth it i think.

Wife working today, so a free pass to go and play in the garage again !

Andrew

 

[Andrew S]

got the grinder out with a polishing mop today and gave the panels a clean up. Come up nice !

Question now is, paint it all black or leave it as polished aluminium ?

Painted the front clip panels in matt black to see what i thought.
Final black would be crinkle finish which i do like !

Happy New Year all.

Andrew

 

[Bill Musarra]

Andrew,
Before you commit I would suggest looking at a product such as "Linex" or truck bed liner material. It is like the Krinkle finish but much stronger and will last a lot longer. I did this to my front bay area as the frame members of my 40 were exposed to the inside and that had to be dealt with.

Bill

 

[Andrew S]

Thanks Bill, found that stuff on Google, looks very interesting, and they have a dealer in the UK.
Looks like it has to be professionally applied, did you do it yourself or get it done by the distributor ?

Andrew

 

[Andrew S]

Some progress at last. Has been a bit slow recently, mainly due to work commitments and being a bit undecided on how to proceed with some areas.

Spent a bit more time getting the inside area tidied up and paneled, still a bit to go, final floor pan and firewall, but starting to take shape.

Been playing around with paint finishes to try and get an idea of waht i fancy... matt, gloss, wrinkle... can't decide.... off and on a couple of times now.

Seem to have spent a lot of time just standing and looking at the car with a cup of tea.

 

[Bill Musarra]

I had the dealer do it for me. They do sell some in rattle cans but I have never seen it applied. If there is some available it would be worth trying to see what it looks like. The commercial stuff is high temp. Noticed the other day that my new Ford eco boost truck had the liner applied in the bed. Looks just as good as my 40.

Bill

 

[Andrew S]

More progress today.
Only one more panel to fit into the footwell.
Cooling pipes laid in, fit perfectly... phew ! leased:
Pedal box and accelerator fitted, again, fit very nicely.
All coming together like it was planned that way.

A

 

[Bill Musarra]

Andrew,
Looking at your pics, remember to leave access to the fuel lines/fillers. Putting them in is easy. Then sealing them in and trying to repair,change or add to would be difficult. Rivnuts are your friend.

Bill

 

[Brett James-McCall]

Andrew, I agree with Bill. You also may want to consider cutting the holes for the fuel filler/caps before you start to get too cramped in that area.

 

[Andrew S]

Yeah, thats the next job, cut out some access panels and secure them with rivntus.
Then fuel pipes in.
Andrew

 

[Keith Stafford]

Andrew, it will be very tricky to get the main filler pipes in and connected. I bought a part finished car and had to remove the end panels to get at the pipework, getting the jubilee clips on would have been virtually impossible. K

 

[Keith Stafford]

Andrew, looking again at your pix, you seem to have a panel to the rear of the triangular panel that I removed, (the pic I just posted). On the Tornado, when the door opens, part of the door swings into this void, so should not be panelled. Is the Forte different in this area? K

 

[Andrew S]

Nope it's the same Keith, I have panelled that part with the intention of cutting an access hole for the door to swing into. Just wanted it to be seamless round there, for purely aesthetic reasons.

Andrew

 

[Andrew S]

Cooling pipes in and the clamps have come of the 3D printer and fit.
They need to be secured back to the tunnel frame with 6mm screws and rivnuts, but coming together !

Andrew

 

[Brett James-McCall]

Nice Andrew, very nice! Is it your 3D printer, or did you get somewhere local to do it?