[Build Log] Project Restomod (Update 1.5ish)

Socky · March 4, 2016

Project Restomod

It's been a while since I've worked on computers of any type. It's also been about a year since I've posted on here as well. I spent most of my time working on cars and such. I am now in my senior year of high school and I need a computer for a college dorm. I had my very first desktop that I could call my own then. Its an old HP Pavilion a4000. I decided that it should be my new case. There is something called a restomod in the car world. It's essentially taking an old car like a 69' Mustang and restoring it and making it more modern. That is what I am going to do with this case. The trick part is that, the case supports mATX only and I want to put an ATX motherboard in it. Now with all that background out of the way, I introduce Project Restomod.

Parts list (subject to change)

Intel i5 3570k

Corsair H100 (Yes the very original)

16gb of DDR3 (Random memory really 4x4gb)

GTX 760 (Might change)

Crap ton of random used HDDs from my old computers (About 4-5; will definitely change)

OCZ 650w 80+ Bronze PSU

Update List

Update #1

Update #1.5ish

I don't have a picture of the case untouched as I've cut it before for other projects. Here is the picture I found online.

Yeah it was a sack of crap. It had a Athlon X2 (Idk what processor specifically) with onboard nVidia GeForce 6000 series with 4gb DDR2. Thats how old that computer is, about 7-8 years now.

Here it is when I started working on it today. It also has stuff inside of it for test fitting. These are the parts going in it for now as I have to source a new Z77 ATX motherboard for my 3570k.

Everything will fit in this case. However, I'm going to need to cut a lot of stuff.

So my H100 previously (I say that lightly, more like 4 years ago) sprung a leak in the hoses. So I just replaced the hoses a week ago, but it doesn't have a fill hole so I need to now add a reservoir down the road. However, right now I have lost a nut for the mounting bracket for my test motherboard which is a MSI FM2-A85...ect. For these pictures I swapped to my iPhone for now, been using my DSLR since.

Off to the hardware store with my lovely Miata <3!

Found the nut at my local hardware store.

Now to mount it for testing.

Works like a charm!

Here's the side panel, or what was or is the side panel. I have been cutting it previously to add a plexiglass window.

All I need to do is cut this last side of the panel. The Dremel cut off bits last like 10 seconds so it takes a while to do.

Its now time to cut, new pack of Dremel cut off bits should get everything I needed cut.

I didn't really take much pictures in the process of cutting but, I did some cutting . Sorry!

Here's the side panel after cutting.

Here is the chassis of this case, I've cut a lot of it out which has destroyed the structural integrity of the case. You'll notice that there is no drive cage, I drilled out the rivets previously from today to get rid of it for more room in the chassis.

I did also cut out the rear panel of the case to make way for a new custom panel.

I ran out for one more time to the hardware store to grab some sandpaper (I will be painting the case) and some sheet metal for the rear panel. Here is the sheet metal on the rear panel. It will definitely need a lot cutting. I also started tracing the radiator to make cuts for the grill.

That is it for today! I'm running out of daylight today so I'm going to have to put a stop to it today.

PCgamer324 · March 4, 2016

@QueenDemetria

Socky · March 5, 2016

Update #1

P.S. I got a bit lazy and didn't take any pictures with my DSLR, so the subpar pictures from my iPhone are what I have.

Stopped by my local Microcenter today to pick up some water cooling parts.

I went with the cheapest reservoir and coolant they had.

When I got home to unpack the Swiftech reservoir, I didn't

really expect much. However, I'm very impressed. For something so

simple I actually am surprised.

Now it's time for cutting up the rest of the case. The top mount 240mm

radiator comes first.

First cut

Here is the finished cut

Midway through the cutting job I realized that I screwed up and cut too far. It

isn't much of a big deal. I can just fill it in with some solder joints.

Next is onto the sheet metal and making a rear panel.

Here it is cut to the Y-Axis of the case.

Now it is cut on the X-Axis and it fits almost perfectly. All I need to do is sand it down to size.

Finally it is time to start wire brush sanding the case to prep it for paint and solder.

While at the same time getting rid of all the stickers.

That is it for now. Might be another update later tonight. I need to borrow a buddy's solder gun to solder the rear panel to the case. I might end up riveting or bolting them together. Right now I need to focus on cutting the rear i/o panel.

MEC-777 · March 5, 2016

Dude, this is awesome. I love these cases and love seeing them modded. Keep the updates rollin in!

Socky · March 6, 2016

Update 1.5ish?

Not much done after the first update. All I really did after the fact was to make the rear I/O Panel. I deemed it the hardest part of the project because fitment is everything. Since, my Dremel cutting skills are sub-par, this made it more challenging. On top of that I can't print out a template to cut because my printer is out of commission.

OH JOY.

Stopped by my work, which is a hardware store to pick up a few things. My Sharpie I've been using previously went bad so I had to get a new one. I also needed non-electrical solder for the rear I/O. Also strong Magnets to hold the rear I/O panel in place for measuring (It's also cheaper than C-Clamps).

Here is the rear I/O held in place and ready for measuring and marking.

Marking the rear I/O of the motherboard was very easy because the previous I/O cut out of the old case was still visible.

Now it is time for marking everything and making sure everything seems right.

Finally to the cutting. Motherboard I/O first. Here is the final product, worked great!

Now the PCI Express Slots, the one that actually matters. Here is what it looks like.

Now for test fitting the GPU... A slight oversight on my behalf...

Back to cutting, time to disregard my entire plan for the panel. Had to stop here because I went through all 36 Cut Off tools for my Dremel. *Sigh* Still needs more cutting and sanding down to a straight flat level. Mean while I'll have to devise a new plan.