Scratch Build Project Simodd - 6 September

[Fifas]

Hi guys,

I'm not new to bit-tech, I was just a reader, but thought i would share my build log here aswell.

First, let me say I'm sorry for my English. Not that good

Let's begin. So, explaining the strange name. Simodd - Sim Modd aka Simulator Modding. Strange, but not that hard to understand (need a better name )

One more thing, I'm sorry for the photo quality, but I don't have a good camera

Now, to the presentation. After my first mod I wanted to make something different. Something crazy! So I planned a Scratch Build Project.

Because I'm a Sim Fan, I planned something where I can put my G25 and play without fear of breaking my tiny desk one more time. So I started building a cockpit!

The design doesn't have anything new, but I build it at my way, with small details that make it unique!

And here, the first prototype almost ready, as you can see


And then, i took it to my room to a "test fit"




And then, painting, and last details...


The seat was removed from an old car and then repaired with new cloth.






After some time 'playing' with my new toy, I decided to take it to the next step. changing what's not that good, and making the last details

First, a Sketchup design.









And now, the hardware. It's not that great, but I don't have money for a new one :P

CPU: Intel P Dual Core E5300 @ 3.06GHz
MB: ASUS P5K Deluxe Wifi/AP Edition
RAM: 2x Corsair XMS2 1Gb + 1x Kingston 2Gb
VGA: ATI Radeon HD5850
HDD: Hitachi 250Gb + Western Digital 500Gb
Sound: Creative Audigy 2ZS
PSU: LC Power LC6550 V2

Starting with the hardware mod/tweaking for better looks

CPU Block Before




During:




And After:




Placed:







And these are the connectors I'm using:






And now a little more paint work








Don't forget the mainboard coolers





After:





Before:







After:









And a small detail in the board...Before:





Sanded:


And after (Blue LED)








And a test fit in my old case:














And then, I did a little test in the CPU Block. I didn't paint the sides of it, so it looks cool with a LED





And finally, I've started building the case for the hardware! This was build in Foamed PVC, because it's really light, and easy to work with. This case will be placed inside the seat 'base' (don't know how it's called )


Cutted pieces


And a important thing. Measure once, cut twice....oh wait



The only piece I didnt build...


Planning....




And more photos to come.

Thank you for watching!

[Fifas]

A little more progress...

Start working on the sleeving.








Did a "HDD mounting" (sorry...don't know how it's called ) and start testing the hardware...




And finally, the wood work on the seat base started.




And here, just to show the margin of error with the PSU


Finally, a little detail in the hardware window. A small dent in the wood for the acrylic

[Fifas]

More progress...

Started the work in other parts. In this case, the monitor stand! (Phone photos alert! Sorry)




And next, start painting and cable management...






Let's do a little test




Finally, a artistic photo...Love it

[Slash88]

Wow looks like a pain in the ass to make.

[Fifas]

A little ..But it's fun

More progress. Hole for 3 120mm Fans in one side (I will not use those fans. They are just for testing.)


In the other side, preparing begins for USB and power/reset buttons


And finally, paint preparations began






And here comes one of that moments I completely forgot about everything else. It was thursday, and I'm trying to prepare everything to get to one LanParty on Friday. Painting and everything.

Challenge accepted, but i forgot about detailed pictures...SORRY!

Before going to the LAN, made a quick test, only to be sure everything works


And prepared some last details.

[Fifas]

As I said before, I did this with the objective of going to a Lan Party here in Portugal, so I assemble everything and went there. The project isn't finished, but here's the pictures of it in the LAN Party.

For my joy, I win first place in modding contest

























Here you can see the side USBs and Buttons. (also, Faboya's awesome project by my side )


Here is a small detail. In the front of the build, I connect a Power and Ethernet cable, and everything it's connected inside





Now that I have more time available for the build, I will disassemble it and finish the interior. With detailed pictures

[Burnout21]

most awesome!

[dietje1908]

very nice and congratulations on winning first place !
dont worry about your english its all good :-)

[bulldogjeff]

tHIS IS SERIOUSLY COOL. i WANT ONE. TOP MODDING DUDE, LOVELY PROJECT

[Faboya]

The best..the best

[Fifas]

Thanks guys! Really appreciate it!

Now, the bad news. :P Had a "little" problem with the water pump, and I will need to rebuild the hardware base...

Need to find some MDF, then, updates will come

[Fifas]

So, this happened...I heard my water pump making weird noises. Disassemble the case and found this:







The wood used in the base is all ruined. I had planned to rebuild the base in a simpler way, so it is not a serious problem.

While I do not find any wood to rebuild the base, I disassembled everything and started working on some details, and doing some maintenance .

First, removed the connectors in the front of the cockpit for remaking the electrical installation. As I said before, I only have a connector to power and LAN in the front. Everything is connected inside the cockpit.


here with the LAN connector


Next, did some work in the cuts for the cables in down side of the base. Here will go the PSU, LAN, VGA and USB cables to the Mainboard


Little detail in the front, for the cables go up


And with the carpet.


Next I decided to rebuild one side of the "interior case", because it was not good


Now, just for showing, the side of the case, with the USB and button holes


My buttons


And placed!


Now, this is not related to the MOD itself, but decided to do a little maintenance and a mod to the G25 gearbox
Started from disassembling it


Removed the spring and that little ball


And put a little spacer behind the spring for giving it a little streng


And next put some Heat-shrink tube in the ball. This way you dont listen that loud "click" that the gearbox does




Then started the assembling




Really better feeling than the original!


Next decided to clean my pedals. Latelly,I've noticed some "spiking" in my brake, so let's have a look. Removed them from the base


And after 3 years of abuse, I think I understand why they started the "spiking"




Poor pots :P


So, after all that mess cleaned, assembled everything


And last, did some soldering.



This will have the power to the PSU, and will have a hidden power strip for the G25/Monitor

I know this was more like a maintenance post, but it's kinda related to the mod :P

[Baguette]

Very neat! Fabulous indeed

[Kovoet]

All I can say is WOW I like

[Fifas]

Thanks guys!

It's your feedback that makes me want to continue. Thank you!

[Fifas]

Today I did a little more work

Found this connectores for the PSU cable





One side done!


Then, found this pieces for fixing the cables in the down side of the base


And started assembling the front




Then I did a little hole in the pedal base for passing the cable to the top


And continued with the assembling


At the end of the day, still had a little time for disassembling the g25 and do some maintenance


And found this gift




The cover of the gears is broken. I think I'm a little brute with the force feedback

[Fifas]

Today I've finished the work on the G25





Then started the electrical instalation. Here testing the position of the power strip



Here something I need to explain. To fix all parts together, I use this Allen 'screw' in one side



And a regular screw goes inside it on the other side


Assembled the gearbox/mouse tray


And placed the gearbox




Sorry, don't know the name of this, but it's for cable management


Lets paint


Started preparing the new side of the internal box


And preparing the power strip for paint


After everything painted and dryed, started passing cables from the pedals to the top






The monitor stand:


And with the monitor base in place


Detail of front vinyl with my nick


And finally assembled the G25


And the cable management continues


The "new" black power strip


And the hidden USB HUB, with lots of cables and zip ties




And then, started working on a little "extra". This will be placed in the monitor, with some LEDs for showing the RPMs and a 7segment display for showing the Gears.

[meandmymouth]

This is a great idea, nicely done!

[Fifas]

Thanks man!

So, today did a little update. Not too much, but I've found most of the materials I need to make the new base

Started by measuring everything


Look at the PSU, there's literally no space for a bigger one


Here, trying new places for the HDD


And my new fans...CoolerMaster SickeFlow Blue


Really beautiful fans! (Sorry for the dust...Working space )


And my custom made grill...Lovely!








Also, disassembled the seat "rails" (I think thats the proper name), because they are a little rusty...Going to sand and paint


90º plexi




And need to change this (oh god...)...this thing don't know it's name


So, picked my tools and CUT


Just a little


Then sanded and prepared for painting






And here, already painted










Then started assembling my connectors






And finished here today....Almost done

[dietje1908]

nice looking forward to th e watercooling in it !