I received the subframe brackets back from powder coating and they look amazing. With that back, I was able to finish the underside of the car by getting the brackets installed with the GKTech W brace.
Ran into a bit of a snag with the air-to-water cooling system — the original pump started leaking, so I grabbed two more off eBay thinking I’d have backups ready to go. Turns out all three pumps leaked from the exact same spot once plumbed in. Looks like a manufacturing defect in the sealing area.
I went full caveman with the RTV on one of them and gave it a full 24-hour cure. That one seems okay (for now), but I did try sealing another with only an hour of dry time — and sure enough, it started leaking too. I put together a quick IG reel of the water flow if anyone wants to see the setup in action.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIov1...RlODBiNWFlZA==
On a better note, I got the carbon seat mounted in the driver’s side. Thought I lost the original hardware, so I picked up some clean new bolts… only to find the OEM ones the next day. Still a win — the fresh bolts pop against the black rails. The brackets were custom fabbed by the previous owner’s shop and I cleaned them up with a quick respray. Hit the seatbelt buckle with air, WD40, lithium grease, and polished the plastic with Plasticx. It honestly looks brand new now.
Getting the OEM seatbelt working was a big deal for me. Despite what the car looks like, it really is a drag and drive STREET car. I will get a harness hooked up later (and retain the lap belt).
At this point, the car is nearly ready to head to Auto Dynamix for final wiring, exhaust and intake fabrication, and dialing in the body panel fitment. I just need to get on their schedule. Until then, I’ll keep knocking out the small stuff while I can.
I'm very happy with how everything is coming together. It's technically a new car... sucks that I have a salvage title now.
I added a thin coat on the flat spot too.
NOTE - I used a big backing washer and a locking nut.
