I don't have nearly enough time to work on this project.
I continued to modify the motor. Relocating the sump wasn't enough; to clear the headers and mount the engine closer to the firewall in my soon-to-be constructed subframe, I hade to relocate the motor mounts too. I figured the simplest, and most realistic way to do that would be to make a motor mount that extended from the stock location to the forward edge of the block. I'll look more sensible after paint.
So, like an idiot, I decided to make the trunk open so you can see the fuel cell and battery inside. I cut out the trunklid, and added a hinge. It was surprising how difficult it was to finagle it into operation. Also, I should have made the hinge a semi-circle, instead of a right angle. This would have allowed the trunk to open more, but I'm not going to redo it.
I then built the subframe. The subframe is just two lengths of styrene rod, cut and bent to shape. On the forward rod, I added to short lengths sticking straight up. These will hold the motor in place, with the motor mounts. I also added the lower mount for the front end of the car. The notches are for the positive locators molded into the kit's front fender. I elected to reuse those, for a better bond.
You can see how the positive locators stick into the cross bar in the front. The top is held into place by two styrene rods, which will eventually also hold the top of the strut and the strut tower bar. You can also see the upper and lower control arms, and the upper's mounting points. They were stolen from other kits. They were both intended as upper control arms, the ones on the bottom are from a Supra and the top are from an RX-7.
You can see my bonus holes. I initially drilled the lower holes for the upper mounting rods, but they were way too low and it looked dumb, so I redrilled them higher. I won't fill and putty the holes, but instead install a piece of rectangular sheet styrene over them so I can put turn signal repeaters there. Bonus holes aren't that bonus after all.
You can also see how the new motor mount hooks into the subframe.
Motor in place:
And a quick mock-up so ya'll can see the stance. It will have a little more rake, though, bc there will be a mm between the rear tires and the wheel arches. Just a touch.
