Return of an Original Gangsta

[autox320]

I'm heavily considering doing a similar scale build myself now. Looks like it will all pack away easily and won't take up too much room.

If want to copy mine exact I wrote cut lengths on each piece in one of the pics above. Can always PM. Can always do 4, 5 or 6 lever ratio for heavier cars. During my search found some pcar guys only complaint on using the purchased version Ruggles is the pad size wasn't large enough for a 315 wide tire Figured I'd make mine specifically around a 12"x12" square to easily accommodate up to a 240/255 on the M3 (a shim; for steel beams shimming the ends level. Steel places usually keeping in stock) My local place was out of 3/16" so I ended with 1/4" plate. Figured for this use thicker than 1/8" due to flex.

[autox320]

Finally, a scale I can weigh myself on!

I somehow did convince the lady to get on one to show how it's suppose to work. Typical woman doesn't like to get on a scale but I told her this one is perfect for women

[autox320]

Yesterday was a busy day, covered lot's of loose ends. Fuel tank, more heat shielding, test muffler with WB02, axles, ballpark alignment. If deal with the 8 hole guibo it needs to be compressed slightly using a hose clamp to get all the bolts in. It comes with a band on a new one to aid in install. Once good remove the clamp.

Oh and the best part, finally know what we're working with.

Total weight WET minus driver is 1743 lbs. Bit over from what we imagined but has a good cage.

[OLD MAN]

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Jody - I am thinking you may find this a little hard on the ears to drive.

Been there done that and went out the side

[autox320]

- - - Updated - - -

Jody - I am thinking you may find this a little hard on the ears to drive.

Been there done that and went out the side

Oh I know Daryl, this is just a test muffler rig to have something on it and WB02. I'm sure the drone will be insane under the car. Once I can establish a base tune with the carb, I've the dynomax super turbo muffler setup for side exit where the driver tank used to be. Meanwhile yes I'll probably wear ear protection riding in this contraption I've made

Plan to buy some play sand for our horseshoe pits, and borrow bags to put in the driver seat to corner balance. Also need to find a reliable source for 100+ octane. Last but not least can't drive until make a custom throttle cable. Already trying to find time this weekend to start on that, but it's looking busy for other things.

[OLD MAN]

I used a "HOT ROD" throttle cable and cut to length as needed. I need to look up under the dash to see how I got it attached to the peddle - don't remember.

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[autox320]

I used a "HOT ROD" throttle cable and cut to length as needed. I need to look up under the dash to see how I got it attached to the peddle - don't remember.

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Thanks I may be browsing. I've a couple Honda cables, and e30 BMW cables I want to try first. Not messed with it yet, but probably going to have to modify something to fit unless get lucky for once.

[autox320]

Picked a starting point. Spent awhile on it but settled to start with this and adjust once on the road. Will lock down the collars for now. Shifting front to rear is an issue with the way we've built the car putting all weight inside the axle lines. Much as I'd like more rear weight bias the rear is super light. May add addition small fuel tank in the trunk or something. Who knows as my buddy says run it and see if like it. Could be good or could go like $h!t lol.

[autox320]

After dinner I just went down to look at the throttle cables I had. Couple beers and decided to just go for it. A new Honda one came in yesterday but it looks like more work than a BMW one to modify. So decided to chop up a used E30 M3 cable I had to see if it would work. Saw a guy make his own bike cable this way. A bit crude but works. Find diameter of the ball you need and use that size drill bit for a "mold". Bent the gas pedal end in the vise to make it more of a hook so won't come off.

[autox320]

New 91 318 cable came in. Since the old M3 one worked as a mock piece it still was a tad short (since the end is a long stick to cut off). The M cable for some reason also had an additional grommet at the firewall. The 318 one is much cleaner and simpler. Just a snip of the crimp end and modified like the other. Another mold and hot solder job fits like a glove. Tad of heat shrink to add a bit of abrasion resistance to the cable.

Was digging around once again in my parts bins and found these solid aluminum throttle cable bush kits. I tried them years ago on the M but since I've changed brackets they wouldn't fit. Years later here they are; made them fit for this to eliminate any grommet failure. They are threaded so no need for an insert. The cable just threads in.

Hunted and asked around through parts buddies for race fuel this week. Word of mouth an easy speak. A shady Marathon station near me have an old dirty sign in the window that says "race fuel sold here". Sure enough there's a Sunoco pump in the back. I drove back to the pump to take a closer look. Sunoco supreme 112 leaded fuel. SWEET! . Grabbed some and probably mix it 50/50 with some Sunoco 93 to make approx 103 octane as a starting point.

If time tomorrow may test for fire. Wish me luck, here goes nothing.

[Bonsaibacker]

Good Luck!!!

[OLD MAN]

[autox320]

Weather was nice today and I wasn't going to mess with the 320, but I couldn't let it sit for long. Was antsy to call dad with it running on the phone. Mixed up 5gal of 103 using the 112 and 93. Reversed the leads on the starter solenoid after blowing 2 fuses in a row . Primed the motor with the starter letting it breathe in between 10 sec or so turning over. Finally saw the oil light blip out and shoot up to 50psi. Next ran the fuel pump solo till it filled the bowl and can hear it strain a bit as the float cuts it back.

Went full hot and bumped it; only a couple seconds and. . . . WHAM!! it lit off with a sweet lopey sound . I reached over and turned the idle screw another half turn. AFR is a bit rich but runs at 11.7 . 60psi of oil pressure and should drop once warm. I didn't let it run but less than a minute cause best to run it on the road right away to seat the rings. Enough for a day, and I'll register and tag it so can get to road tuning on nice days.

Small issues but found a couple oil leaks. It's always something right but not bad for a full build thus far. The T junction of the oil pressure switch is leaking with pressure so need to add teflon tape and tighten that. The valve cover gasket right at the seam of the front cover weeps from the chain oil splash. I'll take it off and dab with rtv at the seams to see if stops it.

I know I'll have to tune and possibly re-jet the carb, but happy for now.
NITE GENTS!

[OLD MAN]

ROCK ON!!!!!

Video - brother or it did not happen! LOL

[Bonsaibacker]

Flipping awesome! I'd hate to see this thread die, so please update on tunings and refinements.
Congrats man- you have got to be PUMPED!

[autox320]

ROCK ON!!!!!

Video - brother or it did not happen! LOL

PM sent

Flipping awesome! I'd hate to see this thread die, so please update on tunings and refinements.
Congrats man- you have got to be PUMPED!

For sure the plan is to keep updates.

-Break in the motor and road tune re-jet for 12.5AFR when WOT sustained fuel ratio
-then work on jetting to maintain that WOT ratio while working on midrange power and throttle response for best running AFR's
-there's always cam timing adjustments too but will be last if any cause AFR will be skewed; and have to tweak again circles I know
-double check everything's still tight
-really beat the crap out of it and test n tune
-get some vids actually driving my road
-prep for a track weekend; re-verify all suspension and settings again
-trailer it up and hopefully some decent track vids

[m60b30530i]

Congratulations on the first start. Always a very satisfying.

[superj]

does your local small airport have a pump? usually you can get 100LL from there.

when i worked at a small private plane airport in college, we would have to drain the wing tanks when doing repairs on them and there was no place to get rid of the gas so all the mechanics would line their cars up and we would just go until the wing tanks were empty, ha ha ha, the good ol days

[autox320]

does your local small airport have a pump? usually you can get 100LL from there.

when i worked at a small private plane airport in college, we would have to drain the wing tanks when doing repairs on them and there was no place to get rid of the gas so all the mechanics would line their cars up and we would just go until the wing tanks were empty, ha ha ha, the good ol days

Good question. I actually know someone that has access to the local smaller airport (Cessna's etc). Hmmm I'll tap him this week about it. Yeah back years ago we used to talk about using AV gas, but I assumed those days were over.

It's not that I refuse to pay for 5gal cans of VP directly, it's the shipping hazmat cost that gets ya. It's ridiculous. The 112 sourced pump seems to be a well guarded spot not going anywhere in the mean time. Just hate having only one local source. If need be I'm told to take a bunch of cans to the local drag strip in SC. When at the track fuel won't be a problem just $ . Most tracks have plenty of Sunoco of significant grades to pick from.

[autox320]

The struggle is real

Been running in circles a bit this morning. Was planning on a test drive after a warm up. Well couldn't get out of the driveway without temps creeping and the thermostat just won't open. Swapped in a spare no luck. Checked bleeding etc and nothing seemed to work. Verified temps with a temp gun, hit the thermo with a torch and it will open eventually but damn. So decided to delete it for now. Digging in the scrap bin found another sleeve from a mower deck like I used to make my shift knob. Welded a plug out of it. Radiator straight to water pump and blocked off the divider. Forces everything through the radiator. Worked for now and temps aren't great but 150F or so. I'll stick a washer to regulate flow for now on the radiator inlet hose and try to bring into a window of 180F.

Carb was rich so stepped down a idle jet size to 50's. Adjustment screws seemed to do something now May have to step down the mains a size too (air correctors to follow keeping about a 30 spread)

Found a nice coolant leak rather my lady found it. The plug on the manifold under the carb, so JB weld to the rescue made it permanent. The oil pressure line T was just loose from me needing to swivel it when mounting. I forgot to use a wrench on it so that's sorted. The valve cover dabs of black RTV in small places sealed it up.

Brakes feel like dog doo and maybe need bleeding again? seems strange I'll have to look into them again. No leaks detected and fluid is up there.

I edged it down my gravel driveway barely. Picked up a front end full of rocks, but made it to pavement.It drove on the road in front of my place. Holy cow is my first thought with a bit of what the hell have we built . Even with some rich AFR's I didn't push it hard at all and stayed below 4k rpm's. Just wanted to put load on the rings and do some medium acceleration cycles with deceleration to seat them. It goes so easy and can tell it's pretty light on it's feet. Has that driving a convertible feeling even though your in a cage if that makes sense. A few times I really felt like I was in a illegal shifter kart on the road

Ways to go yet, letting the JB dry and I'll hopefully do a bit more runs on it. Not sure what to think yet really. One things for sure, this will need a trailer to avoid tickets

[autox320]

Well putting back on jack stands. I've some exhaust pieces and want to finish the system myself if I can. Probably change plans on that too and stick with the race bullet mufflers. Really not unbearable as I thought. I mean it had 3 race bullets as a system before and wasn't bad. Even my girl thought it wasn't bad as I went up the road. She said it was just a bit louder than the M3 but not bad at all. Just sounded good she said, so listening to the lady . Will check the brakes again also IMO a priority #1.

May of had air in the coolant system due to the fitting leaking at the manifold. That's my best guess, and may of been my issue with the Tstat not opening even though both were 75c (176F). Ordered a couple more thermostats to try again. Also ordered a few more air corrector jets. I want to see steady temps before getting carried away jetting. My thought is good temps, step the mains down a size or two and air correctors to suit them. When the motor was really hot ie 200F mains still seemed too rich, and idles were about right. Then maybe step back up idle jet a size back to 55's. I really think the mains are just too much right now. Ah well gotta walk before you run.

[autox320]

In the mean time while I wait for a few parts. Made up the new exhaust system. Tried to tuck it close. Taped scrap as spacers to clearance areas like the driver floor and driveshaft center support. Tacked up in place. Removed, seamed it up, then a coat of POR high temp. Not sure how the paint lasts but worth a shot. JB weld is dry on the intake manifold, so made up another test thermostat. Drilled a couple 1/8" holes in a new 75C thermostat on the radiator side disc.

Welded in the lower 2 gauge panel.

[OLD MAN]

WONDERFUL!

The first couple test drives are always shaky for me and yet very rewarding. Glad to hear you can still hear! LOL I think the BMW sixs are a higher pitch or something, because they are really hard to get legal for the db police.

[OLD MAN]

Do you still have the threaded holes in the floor for the tanks? I mounted a piece of flat bar steel between the inner ones and was able to clamp the exhaust system to it just in front of the 90 bend.

[autox320]

Do you still have the threaded holes in the floor for the tanks? I mounted a piece of flat bar steel between the inner ones and was able to clamp the exhaust system to it just in front of the 90 bend.

I don't think anything is left ; was probably eaten by the grinder. I was going to just put a small very ltw chain around it to the center support bracket. That's what I did on the test muffler rig and it worked good.

I want to bleed the brakes again soon and see what's up with them this week. Few other tweaks, then try to see if temps stabilize when idling.

Yeah was nerve racking a bit trying to process so many things on the first outing. Mainly kept my eye on temps, oil press, and listened for any strange noises. Was thinking I was taking it easy just off on throttle keeping low revs, but it was shooting to 4k in a blink Once brakes work better I'll probably have to induce load to break it in ie left foot braking while driving.