Quick update. My target of starting the car on the 14th (my birthday) came and went, lol. Not a huge deal, I knew it was going to be tough to finish everything by then. I was actually at a point where I likely could have had the key components "ready enough" if I had done a late night on the 13th and a few hours in the morning of the 14th, but the weather was beautiful on the 14th with cold winter weather moving in on the 15th, and I had the day off. So, I pushed off the car work and went mountain biking instead. No regrets.
When I got back to it, I spent more time than I expected resolving small fuel leaks. I also had a bit of a hiccup when pressure testing the intake tract. Wasn't expecting problems with this since it is all stock past the turbo inlet, but had to order some new grommets for the fuel injectors which took a few days to get. Also, have been sorting lots of little things.
Current status:
Wiring is in and connected up for first start. Will be tidying things further and adding loom once I verify everything is working properly. I should have all the factory gauges functional. Planning another iteration later on with a small panel near the battery to mount circuit breakers and the fan relay - haven't found the parts I need for that just yet.
brakes are done
trans and driveshaft done
battery tray and battery installed
fuel system is done
cooling is done
oil system is done
Air filter, BOV, and intake done (though there will probably be a version 2.0 later on)
exhaust is done (just need to swap the block off plate for a gasket at the downpipe exit.)
Major things needed before first start now scheduled this Friday:
deal with a bracket that is interfering with the intercooler - it's bent, but hard to see where and how to fix.
final install of upper intake, throttle cable and intercooler (after I do whatever is needed with the bracket)
quick pressure test then remove the blocking plate from the exhaust
connect up the interior switchgear and make sure all is working
make sure no wires will be too close to hot, spinny bits
get the car down off the dollies
throw the driver's seat and steering wheel in
move all the crap off the roof
A couple of random pics though doesn't look much different:
BOV to intake: needed to reduce from 1" to 3/4"and use an elbow to mate things up. So many hose clamps!
Block off plate to test for boost leaks - never found an engine position where intake both combustion chambers were sealed
Wheels on!