[pjlietz]

Finished pic's in post #2

Edit: Please be prepared for a lot of rambling and pic's

Due to running out of room for pic's, I have restructured this thread. The following are links to the posts with the updates!

Update #1

Update #2

Update #3

Update #4

Update #5

Update #6

Update #7

Update #8

Update #9

Update #10

Update #11

Update #12

Update #13

Update #14

Update #15

Update #16

Update #17

Update #18

Update #19

Update #20

Update #21

Update #22

Planing Stage

Well it's been a few months since I moved my system in to the Monstrous Mozart. From there I upgraded to a Core 2 rig so I have a few extra parts laying around. I figured I load up the old Armor again, with a few mods of coarse. Some of you may remember the 'Throne' I built for my Armor quite some time ago. As well as it worked I want everything in the case this time. I figure this will take a few weeks to get done and maybe longer to get the few parts I still need. Moneys kinda tight right now, planning a big trip to BC in a few weeks! I'll be starting out with a few mods out of the way, it's already been painted and had the fan grilles and fill port cut at the top. The paint will need a fresh coat and the cut's cleaned up a bit, but it will be easy work. The main part of this mod will be the front panel as well as trying to find a place for the heater core I have kicking about in the Throne. I'll be cutting on the front flaps and locking them closed. I will also be sealing the top of the flaps to the bezel with some mesh and filters, looks sick in my head. I'm a little unsure as to the lines I'm going to cut for the bottom of the closed flaps, but the tape in the pic's below kinda gives an idea. I will mount a 2x120mm rad flush in to the closed flaps with a push/pull config on the fans. Also some mesh filters on there. Well enough rambling, here's a few shots that may give you an idea as to what I'm doing

These were taken with the case laying sideways on my foot stool, that's why they look kinda odd, lol.

The DVD/RW, Drawer and power button will mount in the lower three bays, I just put the filters there to line stuff up a bit.

If my Mozart mod is any example there should be many more pic's to follow!

 

[pjlietz]

Well this took a bit longer then I thought to finish. However it is finally done! It was a long build, however I think it turned out great! Just like I pictured in my head, well minus the hardware change. The system seems to preform great though.

Here's lots of pic's

Full side view,

Custom top fill port,

Custom front bezel. Bye bye flaps,

Inside,

A little UV action,

First time the side's been on for well over a year, still fit's, lol.

A little move UV just for good measure, lol.

I will have a few more pic's to come when I get the system setup in it;s final spot. Until then.

 

[Asce]

How did you secure the rad in the case as im planning on doing the idea, with a 240 rad at the front

 

[Shadowrunner340]

that's what i want for my armor, a fully internal WC setup

 

[Asce]

thats what im doing but the only part i cant figure out, is how too secure the 240 rad on the front.

 

[pjlietz]

I haven't figured out how I'm going to mount the rad yet, but when I do I'll share.

Update #1:

I changed the placement of the rad a bit and lined it up to the front of the flaps. Securing the unit will be a bit of a pain, but thats what case modding is all about

I think I've decided to seal the top of the flaps shut and fill it all in so it's a smooth contour to the top of the case. I also raised the rad one bay to allow a bit more cool air in to the mobo. Here's some more pic's.

My mad photoshop work!

Area I'm going to fill in

Lower portion, I'll be making the cuts to the flaps here to allow the drive and drawer to open.

More to come...

 

[pjlietz]

Update #2:

I figured out how I'm going to mount the rad this morning, 1/4" Aluminum U channel. I took my daughter out to Home Depot this morning and just wondered around until I found something that would work. I'll use metal epoxy to joint the U channel to the rad then drill screw holes to mount it to the frame of the case. There will be 6 mounts in total.

Pic's,

I have two Ideas for the cut I'm going to make to the lower part of the flaps. I can't decide which I like best.

This:

Or this:

Help...

What do you like best?

This:

Or this:

 

[TwIsTeDbOi]

Would have the say the second one. It doesn't just stop abruptly and leave jagged corners. It also just flows a lot better.

 

[pjlietz]

I kinda like the second one better to. The top of the first one though would be more rounded then in the pic.

 

[pjlietz]

Update #3

I got a lot done on the filler piece for the top today. I was racking my brain last night trying to figure out how to lay out the design I had in my head, when it hit me, paper machete lol. It worked perfect. I layed out a tape and mesh outline and just layered the paper on. Then this morning I put a few coats of body filler on, followed by a layer of siliconed mesh. Unfortunately I didn't have the camera for this part, so all you get is the last pic.

When the top is done it will blend in perfect with the top of the flaps and top of the case.

I'm still looking for ideas for the cuts on the lower part of the flaps!

 

[Shadowrunner340]

i have to say 2nd one too

 

[pjlietz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadowrunner340 i have to say 2nd one too

Seems to be the one everyone likes. It should be easy to cut. Hopefully I'll get it done this week end along with the top filler piece and get the paint started.

 

[pjlietz]

Went with the second one.

Update #4

I got the front flaps cut yesterday, along with some holes in the mobo tray for wire management. I filled in the grilled sides on the flaps as well so it will have a smooth look to it. To facilitate removal of the W/C'ing loop I decided to mount the fan grilles to the flaps as then the whole front will come off as a single piece. I started cleaning up the cut on the back of the case as well, just a bit more to do there. The interior paint will be stripped over the next day or so. Cyber's got me wanting the Silenx 90 CFM fans now, so I think I'll be swapping the fans out on the rad, the one's there now are only there for setup.

Time for pic's!

Still need to clean these up a bit,

Last test fit before I epoxy everything together.

Thats it for today, I'll start filling the top in after work tomorrow.

 

[pjlietz]

Update #5

I got a bit of work done on the top. It's only the first coat and hasn't been sanded, but it gives you and idea as to how I want it to look. I'm happy I decided to include the filters in the front panel. Here's a few pic's

I've been having a lot of fun with this mod and hope I can get some more done before I go on vacation next week.

I also changed thread title from 'My Armor De-Throned' to 'My Armor Reborn'

 

[pjlietz]

Update #6

Changed format of thread. Now the first post will be updated, as well an a new post containing the same Info.

Well I finally got back to working on my case, been having to much fun in the nice summer weather, lol. The finishing work on the front is taking a bit longer then I thought it would but it's a good learning experience working with the bondo should help when I start working on my old car. I picked the paint out for the inside of the case and layed down I bit of the trim. It will be Brilliant Metallic Black trimmed in Metallic Pearl Midnight Blue. Both are Dodge Charger colors (I love my Midnight Blue Charger!!) I may put a light tint on the side window as well. Here's some picks!

I'm only doing the cross bar, back and left front 5 1/4 support bar in blue, the rest will be black.

Getting there on the front, but it's being a PITA to get smooth and even. More soon!

 

[Syrillian]

The Bondo work is looking good.

It is gonna look schweeeet!

...and uf I may say so, that hue of blue is excellent.

Keep up the great work.

+

 

[pjlietz]

Thanks! I was starting to think no one liked my mod

, lol. I really like the blue aswell, I almost did the front of my Mozart that color.

 

[coldchillen]

cool idea. cant wait to see the finished product, although process looks fun

 

[pjlietz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by coldchillen cool idea. cant wait to see the finished product, although process looks fun

Thanks, I can't wait to see it finished either! I hope it looks thae same as the pic in my head, lol. Working on it is fun, and relaxing, however looking at the finished product is so much better IMO.

 

[Rick Arter]

Great mod never seen something like that done to the TT Armor. Anymore to this thread?