didn't get much time to work on it today, however, did get to checking the alignment.... 6* castor, 1.5 camber. great for a street car, I can flip the shims on the lower control arm to gain 1 degree of camber - which is about perfect for an autox

I'll take it



https://i.imgur.com/X7SrCqjh.jpg

I should use dzus fasteners to install this.... what is this, rear diff number 3?
​​​​​​​https://i.imgur.com/CwIKoazh.jpg

Nobody can say you just give up lol!

what can I say? :lol:
nothing left to do it but do it....
https://i.imgur.com/flspy73h.jpg
my 'stock' C3 rear suspension :)
https://i.imgur.com/pitgMBYh.jpg
old ready to drop
https://i.imgur.com/IOYrix0h.jpg
empty hole
https://i.imgur.com/Wyjke2Ph.jpg
getting back together
https://i.imgur.com/hssjOA3h.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/UzGEZ53h.jpg
oil is in it, tomorrow I'll tighten everything back up - I also want the rear up about an inch...

the 'to do' list:
replace inside mirror with one that doesn't move under g-forces
oil catch can
do something about the center console - it's dropped and now is hit by the shifter
get run it across a computerized alignment machine - which finding a shop to do it is a challenge...

put it away - then collect parts for the port EFI, better headers and maybe build a spare motor.

building cars and 4x4s is my happy place.

and back on the ground.... I may have tightened the rear coil overs a bit too much but past experience says drive it a few times
https://i.imgur.com/PgwIcAAh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/SLkP1jRh.jpg

I ordered a very cheap set of 304 stainless 16g shorty headers.... next up is build new headers. I also ordered a port efi intake manifold. I'm going to assemble it myself. I don't trust FiTech and the Holley does give enough fuel at full song.

With that said, I may put this in its box after putting a solid heat cycle or two in the differential (and reset the speedo)

It's been tucked into my enclosed trailer for a bit now, but collecting parts for the new updates.
1) port efi
2) coil-per cylinder
3) backup motor
4) better sidepipes


okay.... so explain. I bought a Terminator X and have most of the parts to build the port efi/coil-per cylinder.... I've already sold the Sniper to the friend who I brought the BBC back from Reno.... and the sidepipes... he gets a great deal and I get not to deal with craigslist... win win

so that's the first 2

I've been fighting the oil pressure problem - specifically, at idle it has 20 psi - all with a high volume - high pressure oil pump. In talking to people at SEMA (2 cam manufacturers and several engine builders - the only thing I haven't 'checked' is lifters... bbc, I guess, can have variance in lifter-bore height. Add to that some lifter manufacturers make their oil passage wider then others and you can have a perfect storm.... of course, the right thing to do is just build another motor....which a 4 bolt bbc fell into my lap along with forged pistons.... having a spare isn't a bad idea, either, so I'll use a lot of the parts I already have and build another motor.

and sidepipes.
this has been on my radar from the beginning but now I finally have the space, place, time and
Summit had these sitting in their return pile.... cheap
https://i.imgur.com/yFCsCeqh.jpg
​​​​​​​

my winter project has been progressing - but it's not, really, something for the ultimate street car - though, this picture is because I bought new-to-me tires indirectly for it in the same town where I autox. These tires would have been appropriate when I was there...
I've always been amazed how big tires can make a POS truck look good...
https://i.imgur.com/3urp344h.jpg

Anyway, the reason for the post

well, looks like we have the rules for 2023 Ultimate Street car (aka Optima Challenge)
https://ultimatestreetcar.org/wp-con...gYNy5V6ZNVP6bg

my to-do list isn't terrible but part of me wonders if I should just run as is because it will take 3 months to do them.... the list
1) change intake for port EFI
2) put different roller lifters in*
3) install Terminator X
4) Build better headers

I should pull the motor and reseal the pan along with check clearances.


*discussion of #2. I talked to several engine builders, cam manufacturers and lifter manufacturers (including Iskederian - the maker of the lifters)... and the deal is that short of pulling the motor completely apart - there was manufacturing tolerance on the lifter bore height which can sometimes run afoul of the lifter manufacturers. From memory - so some correction may be needed - there are 2 "factory dimensions" for the lifter bore height. They are 30 thou difference. Thus on huge cams, you run the risk of the lifter oil passage coming out of the lifter bore. That could, at idle, lower your oil pressure. I'm not convinced that the volume that bleed could create would be enough to be a problem, but if you stack that issue with bleed-off that Isky Red racing lifters put in place and suddenly you do have an issue. I also think the oil pickup - let's just say I have questions.... On my FJ40, I had a similar oil pressure problem. Same basic deal, factory set 'height' ... wasn't enough. Moved it to 1/2" off the floor and never had oil pressure problems since.

and to be clear... 20 psi at idle hot.... it's enough but I think I want more and I want to run a thinner oil (30w now)

So, update. There has been so much progress that was planned and not started.... but there IS news. First, I'm doing Optima at Thunderhill and Portland this year. Also, there is a possibility that I'll be on MAVtv Dec. 30 at 8 pm. I dunno, they asked lots of questions - but I dunno if it made it.

As far as the car, I'm likely going to open trailer enclosed trailer it to Thunderhill (between Sacramento and Redding CA). Motorhome isn't ready and I'm not sure I want to do a mid-winter drive over several mountain ranges - all with tight time constraints....

In other news, I think they changed the rules on the spoiler... so I'm going to have to rethink all of this.... part of me is considering just leaving the wing at home - OR - doing a (can't remember the term) a spoiler extension... the benefit of that is where the wing is at Optima heights is dead center of my rearview mirror.... use some plexiglass and that solves two problems....

love to hear thoughts....

preview of things to come
https://i.imgur.com/03cqc0Nh.jpg
file this under "I can't believe that I'm making a spoiler for only 2 races"