Erik Smith Posted January 5, 2018 Posted January 5, 2018 (edited) Well, this started when I had the Revell Rabbit sitting around, then saw Clearly Scale VW engine... Here is the kit and choosing wheels...steel wheels of course. Wanted something with a little less rubber on the sides, so probably going with the Tamiya Skyline wheels on some Aoshima baby tires... Edited January 5, 2018 by Erik Smith
Erik Smith Posted January 5, 2018 Author Posted January 5, 2018 Here is the engine - pretty decent casting overall. There is a little clean up and some small holes, but it looks cool. Last photo is kit engine with resin leaning in next to it.
Erik Smith Posted January 6, 2018 Author Posted January 6, 2018 There are some pretty simple modifications that need to be made to the kit drive shaft(s) to fit the resin transmission. The holes on the resin transmission need to be drilled out larger, the driveshaft needs to be severed in half, and, when putting the engine/transmission/front frame assembly onto the unibody frame, some trimming of the shafts is necessary.
Erik Smith Posted January 6, 2018 Author Posted January 6, 2018 (edited) Engine partially assembled and painted Alclad aluminum of some shade... Other side with exhaust manifold - it should line up with the kit’s stock exhaust system...I hope... Edited January 6, 2018 by Erik Smith
AdamC Posted January 6, 2018 Posted January 6, 2018 I saw this engine upgrade when I was looking around online for kit reviews and build logs. I was tempted to buy it, but decided to stick with an OOTB build. I'm still SUPER tempted to replace the kit seats though. Looking forward to seeing your build progress!
Erik Smith Posted January 6, 2018 Author Posted January 6, 2018 (edited) More work on the engine. I decided to paint the “chassis” and inner hood area yellowish color - why? I thought it looked neat I guess. It is testers enamel thinned, sprayed, “Futured”, washed, and dulled. Edited January 6, 2018 by Erik Smith
Erik Smith Posted January 6, 2018 Author Posted January 6, 2018 11 hours ago, AdamC said: I saw this engine upgrade when I was looking around online for kit reviews and build logs. I was tempted to buy it, but decided to stick with an OOTB build. I'm still SUPER tempted to replace the kit seats though. Looking forward to seeing your build progress! I have some replacement seats from Clearly Scale too. They will be getting “Ol’ German Guy Sweater” upholstery and a nice 80’s brown color.
blunc Posted January 6, 2018 Posted January 6, 2018 great choice on the engine upgrade, excellent work.
rsxse240 Posted January 6, 2018 Posted January 6, 2018 Very nice! I just saw this engine kit recently. NOw I am going to have to get it! Good thing I put my Rabbit back into the box, I guess.
iamsuperdan Posted January 6, 2018 Posted January 6, 2018 The Rabbit I have in the "stalled" pile also has the Clearly Scale 16V, plus a set of his Ronal wheels. I've got a bunch of Jeremy's parts for a few builds, and the quality has always been great. Looking forward to seeing this done. Love the colour choice.
espo Posted January 6, 2018 Posted January 6, 2018 That engine is a big improvement over the kit's engine. If and when I build a Rabbit I would get this same engine.
FredRPG Posted January 7, 2018 Posted January 7, 2018 I have one of those engines on order (been a couple of months hopefully get it soon) so I'm looking forward to seeing how you finish this. Might try to stick one in a scirocco as well. Thanks for posting.
Erik Smith Posted January 9, 2018 Author Posted January 9, 2018 (edited) Boop shebop... I got the engine thrown together... There is some interference with kit parts - the Webers make the kit radiator and shroud unusable and the distributor hit the brake fluid container. So...I’ll be scratch building a radiator and I found a container from an AMT explorer kit that sits below the distributor. Also...deleting the bumpers and the front shroud needs to be modified... Edited January 9, 2018 by Erik Smith
Erik Smith Posted January 9, 2018 Author Posted January 9, 2018 (edited) On 1/7/2018 at 12:04 PM, FredRPG said: I have one of those engines on order (been a couple of months hopefully get it soon) so I'm looking forward to seeing how you finish this. Might try to stick one in a scirocco as well. Thanks for posting. Yeah, mine took a bit to arrive also... Besides the above items, it fits really well. Remember to fill the slot in the wheel well for the stock intake mounting tab...I didn’t. Edited January 9, 2018 by Erik Smith
Erik Smith Posted January 9, 2018 Author Posted January 9, 2018 Overall the body is molded pretty good - no Tamiya stuff, but - there are mold lines running in the usual spots. Only real pain in the keister ones are on the a pillar gutter molding. Got some primer on and finishing up the front valance
Erik Smith Posted January 10, 2018 Author Posted January 10, 2018 (edited) Wheels... The center caps that come with the Tamiya wheels look too big with the smaller tires: Reminds me of the Humpty dance, so I’ll have to come up with something different. Edited January 10, 2018 by Erik Smith
Erik Smith Posted January 11, 2018 Author Posted January 11, 2018 Well, no Shock G wheel look... I took a small metal sticker ring, applied it around the stub for the original (OG) hub, and painted it goldish/brassish. I’ll hit it with a flat black wash later. Lugs painted with Molotow. Valve stem wire with Molotow “cap”...
Erik Smith Posted January 11, 2018 Author Posted January 11, 2018 Underside - the kit exhaust lines up perfect with the resin manifold - nice work Jeremy.
Erik Smith Posted January 12, 2018 Author Posted January 12, 2018 (edited) “Chassis” close to complete. It goes together very nice. Good work ROG. Underhood...with coil and booster and body colored tray thing attached. You can see the distributor from the resin kit comes off the end of the valve cover and hits the stock Rabbit reservoir. The replacement was from AMT Explorer - it actually looks better and fits better; therefore, it is better. Edited January 12, 2018 by Erik Smith
Erik Smith Posted January 12, 2018 Author Posted January 12, 2018 ...and on the inside... Clearly Scale seats (ordered them from Model Builders Warehouse - so no wait) ”Fabric” is what I call “Old German Guy Sweater” - custom made... I should have dulled ‘em one more time - but they look shinier in this photo than to my naked eye.
GlueTube Posted January 12, 2018 Posted January 12, 2018 Good job! Love the subject matter.... Regards Brian Kroon
kelson Posted January 13, 2018 Posted January 13, 2018 real nice work so far,looking forward to more.
Erik Smith Posted January 14, 2018 Author Posted January 14, 2018 Paint is on and polished. Tamiya TS-58 Pearl Light Blue with Deft Lacquer clear. Dash...
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