The Project Returns - Preparation

Hello again Zero-Fans! Welcome back to the blog! I'll admit, since completing the car I have been very poor at keeping a blog running with updates. This is all down to the fact I could happily access the blog and write it whilst I was building and on placement. Then I went back to University for my final year and turning on a computer for anything other than university work became a weekly event! Following completing the car halfway through my final year I had also secured a job so went from poor student to slowly rebuilding my bank balance, again the Zero not getting much attention yet still running like a dream (why fix something that isn't broken right?) Well eitherway life and lack of funds stopped any major changes or developments.......until now!

With a previous post you saw my new project direction looking to incorporate the Mazda KL, 2.5 Litre V6 engine into the Zero. I am pleased to announce that Project GBS Mazda Zero V6 is now commencing!
Having found the engine a long time ago, I had quickly dismissed it due to the lack of the Jap-spec 200bhp KL-ZE version. However having looked into it again at a later date, I found this blog post: http://crapengineering.weebly.com/
This showed me it could be done and with Claire (the mastermind behind it all) willing to produce her adapter kits made to order, meant I quickly began trying to gather funds and research to commence the project. I read more into the project and found the KL-DE version of the engine (rated at 164bhp) was much more available and had also been proven to produce up to 200bhp with the modifications to the exhaust and intake.

So, first thing first, new house, new garage. I had built the Zero in a tight garage that leaked, had no power and was actually pretty basic. My new garage was not going to be the same. With electricity already installed, a tidy and a bit of tarting up was all that was required.

As you can see, pretty dull and basic. So off to B&Q for some floor paint!

Job done.....but something still isn't quite right. Back to B&Q!

Well now that is much better! White emulsion on the walls, another coat on the floor and around the base of the wall and suddenly it looks quite professional! What's next? A pit and lift? Maybe not....

I had been toying with the idea of racking or a tool cabinet. There is only so much you can do when working out of boxes. I was lucky enough to have been left the racks by the previous owners. They asked if I wanted them and if not, they'd take them to the tip for me. I thought why not. What is the worst state they could be in........?

 Well, a lot better after a clean up and wire brushing. I have no idea what some of the congealed substances were but gloves and a face mask helped.

I am quickly discovering I am becoming even more susceptible to making sure things look good and this was another case. It was an opportunity to test out my new compressor and spray paint attachment. I read up on the subject and decided this would be the perfect little project to test my learning and understanding. As a result I contemplated red (so any imperfections would be covered) and that I could get away with bad paint job as various other sections are red too. But I didn't think it would suit the garage and decided on a hammered blue finish. Yes I'd considered orange but that would be too much with the Zero in there too!

Not sure how well this will come out but one of the finished shelves (I'm not saying its the best or worst....its just a good picture of the finished colour....)

Future reference....cover the ground too when spraying!

 And then put into place in the garage to dry fully before I move any parts/tools into the garage.

And here is the Zero, in it's new home. It looks happier already! Just need to sell some wheels/car parts and organise this tip properly!