Plastic Fantastic 2

[SuperBuickGuy]

minus a window switch, I'm ready for autox on Sunday

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

2 hours of set up later


Add some shims to the front, top

-2.25 degrees camber is too much

-1.65 is a good 'next' point. with a cross camber of less then -0.01

My first alignment was 1.0 and it understeered
I also set the toe to 1* front 2* rear and the rear camber is the -0.9
caster is whatever I can get - 5 degrees or maybe a touch more

I'll see how that does on Sunday on the season opener autoX

 

[phantomjock]

Nice trick from Mark Saveske; Once you figure out the number of shims you need for AX vs street. Tie the AX shims to the cross member - That way you can drive to the course, and do the setup there. No big deal if you are going to put on a trailer though.

Another thought, if you can and the space (and admin) allows, at the AX location - see if you can set up a Turning Circle. Take a big piece of chalk or spray paint (the marker kind) and a 100 foot tape. Could make everybody better knowing their understeer/oversteer. Better still, if you have some data analysis you can extrapolate g-load too. Or, if you want to keep it a secret, use the high school parking lot. Mind the coppers!

Cheers - Jim

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

what a day.... no racing, but got a track home.... everyone has wanted gold for their crap, then this unplated crap came up... 454, 94, 25'

 

[phantomjock]

Perfect. Good score with the 454 @94 - few electrical bugs - until you add your own. And I bet it has "kennel" space onboard too.
We are "sleuthing" for a 20-ish (under) with 5k towing. Looks like it will be an MB Sprinter-based chassis - only first the boat sells.
Gotta move my gold-plated crap first!

Cheers - Jim

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

Perfect. Good score with the 454 @94 - few electrical bugs - until you add your own. And I bet it has "kennel" space onboard too.
We are "sleuthing" for a 20-ish (under) with 5k towing. Looks like it will be an MB Sprinter-based chassis - only first the boat sells.
Gotta move my gold-plated crap first!

Cheers - Jim

the hardest part was finding one with sufficient towing capacity. I guess most people don't tow race cars and trailers... who knew?

 

[phantomjock]

MB Sprinter 4x4 + Dualies + Twin Turbo? I'm dreamin'!

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

MB Sprinter 4x4 + Dualies + Twin Turbo? I'm dreamin'!

I truly think they're capable.... they're hugely popular in the overland community - and for good reason, they're tough, get good economy, and last forever.... but I've yet to see them popular in any situation where they tow - and don't read much in there, never seen doesn't mean not a great idea.... just never seen it.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

oh good grief...

so I missed the last Autox to take advantage of an okay deal on an RV (for racing purposes). I get another notice from the Autox sponsors that another is coming up... the 19th.... I think "oof, that's about when our next chance of major snow" then "and on the 20th I go race the big track" Weather isn't certain but so far, I haven't been wrong in my long term forecasts....

 

[rtj]

I like that gold car you posted ( although not a fan of gold paint). I’d like to know his impression of the wing addition (before vs after). I checked the notes, maybe need to go back and look at the comments.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

Time to make the die for the gas tank

center the top punch (aka top die) on the bottom die

weld on both sides


build tank


simple, no?

 

[bobs77vet]

I like it. are you going to TIG weld it up? does it get a fuel cell so there is no baffles? and do the ends have 90* flanges or will they be flat end caps?

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

I like it. are you going to TIG weld it up? does it get a fuel cell so there is no baffles? and do the ends have 90* flanges or will they be flat end caps?

Tig weld
Holley hydramat
baffles to reduce slosh.

 

[bobs77vet]

the hydramat just sits on the bottom of the tank? does it get held down by the baffles?

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

the hydramat just sits on the bottom of the tank? does it get held down by the baffles?

usually with magnets .... obviously not this time....

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

you know the day is going to go bell up when you're using a razor blade to clean PVC off stainless. Basically it adds hours of refinishing because no matter how good you are, you'll scratch it..... and before someone pipes up 'ceramic - that scratches it too.... just doesn't last as long


time to assemble the internal stuff - Hydramat


I'm using a lot of parts I've had around... like the hydramat from the first fuel system


time to decide whether to lap or butt weld it...



tune in Sunday for the exciting answer

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

Tanks for the memories?
with my gear, precision rolls are not a likely result...

what stopped me tonight is I need more clamps.... seriously

drove it yesterday, this is too restrictive so went back to the old air filter

 

[bobs77vet]

lap joints are so forgiving.....especially for porous situations they have to help

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

onward
I think I ended up using every C-clamp I have

I also made an adjustable right angle to hold it square. If you're doing this, don't lure yourself into just welding it then pipe clamping it square.

weld a bit, let cool, dolly, repeat

once the outside is welded, I run a hot bead down the inside with an aluminum bar against the outside - it sucks the weld 'flat' with the top... less grinding to make pretty


woohoo, I made a tube



crack check, then baffles, sump, fill neck and finally end caps

and yes, this is part of the defuser that is coming soon... and only published here

 

[phantomjock]

Well thought out - and skilled too!
Multi-purpose + weight minimization. Cool.
Cheers - Jim

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

somewhere in my workings, pedals will happen


might as well use my aeromotive pump

 

[bobs77vet]

very nice.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

entire day, what did I get done? nothing

got the part to fix this...

nope

so I did put stuff in the motorhome and got a start on cleaning out the house in anticipation of a move.... but still, nothing.

 

[bobs77vet]

a move??? are you giving up that big shop? I hope the new place has a bigger shop!

 

[phantomjock]

Or, at least closer to the track!
(Maybe lower taxes?)
Best of luck.
Cheers - Jim

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

closer to where I autox, not closer to Pacific Raceways or Portland International.... closest big track, I think, is UMC
I'm a Christian - around here, that's not a positive.... and honestly, I'm tired of it.

people with tiny feet don't get it, but the pedals are pretty annoying to anyone else.


a bit more space for feet - and the benefit of not catching your foot under the brake pedal


power window switch fixed


and the rest of the wing parts arrived

 

[phantomjock]

That is looking good. The placement should help the area behind the rear window/on the rear deck. I've got to get busy with the CFD soon.
Packing up that shop will take a few days.

Cheers - Jim

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

That is looking good. The placement should help the area behind the rear window/on the rear deck. I've got to get busy with the CFD soon.
Packing up that shop will take a few days.

Cheers - Jim

Indeed, the key is going to be having the new shop ready before I put anything in it...... unlikely, but a goal

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

a bit further

 

[Red77]

I completely understand the pedal thing. I used to chuck my boots in the rear package tray just to drive. My foot would always catch on the brake pedal unless I was barefoot it seemed. Not sure if the auto cars have the same issue, but who wants a Corvette with only two pedals?