Center Section Mounting Questions...

[Corsair613]

I've been plugging away at my "complete before mounting the center section" list, including some tasks left until much later on the build CD. Drilling floor panels for seats & belts, installing carpets, etc. Figured I'd get those various items completed before access is seriously restricted by the center section. All that's left is the dashboard leather…and a few questions:

- What's the proper sequence of events to install the rear bulkhead carpet (new chassis style with welded rear roll bars)? I'm thinking about gluing the middle between the roll bars, installing the center section, then tucking the flaps in to either side and gluing them down. Is that about right?
- What about the cutout piece of GRP that fits beneath the aluminum firewall? Shall I just glue it to the bulkhead carpet and then rivet the aluminum panel over it? On a related note: won't the various engine-related items mounted to the firewall result in rivet heads being visible inside the car?
- Should I run the engine wiring harness (for an LS7) down the right side through the luggage bin prior to installing the center section, or will there be sufficient access to do it afterwards? Related query: will I really have room to install the ECU mount through the forward right side access panel? The photos seem to indicate that's how it's done, but I thought it better to ask now than be sorry later.
- What's the proper routing for the front clip latch release cables? I haven't seen those pictured anywhere.

What else hasn't occurred to me?

Ken

[UltimaCH]

I like your list of things done in the cockpit area before getting the center section mounted. Sorry I can't help as I'm building a Can-Am with a center section which is probably much easier to place and fit.
Regarding the ECU, is it's home in one of the side pods? If so I would probably get everything placed with brackets and loom installed in there before mounting and sealing the upper alloy plate. I imagine that the side pods would then be installed later. For the front and rear clip latch release cables I have installed mine in the driver's pod at the front for the front clip and rear for the rear clip. I've also got the electrical cut off switch in there also. Hope that helps.

[prads]

Sorry to go slightly off topic but do those red pull latches come with the hinge and lock kit from the factory?

Thanks

[Corsair613]

The ECU fits, not in the side pod proper, but behind the right side forward access panel. You know, the mate to the left side panel covering the relays and fuses.

The engine wiring harness runs from there aft through the right side luggage bin via 38mm holes located beneath the A/C hoses. Good point about the luggage bin alloy covers. I'll run the wiring harness before riveting the cover if only to facilitate access for zip tying the harness to the A/C hoses.

I've already got the four clip release cables installed in the left side (driver's side) luggage bin, but am wondering about the route of the forward cables through the car to the latches. Where do they run and where are they secured? Is the driver's side cable cut short or simply doubled back on itself?

My goal is to have the center section mounted in March and the engine installed in April. After that, I'd really like to be driving the car by my birthday in mid-June. That may be pure fantasy, but at least it's a goal…

Ken

[UltimaCH]

prads said:

Sorry to go slightly off topic but do those red pull latches come with the hinge and lock kit from the factory?

Thanks

Yes it's the factory kit.