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Looking good. Getting to the timing cover is fun on these cars isn't it?
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Nice project. I like your garage remodel a lot, one of these days I'll get all the crap out of my garage and do a total rebuild. at least at this point I can get the car in and out with no issues. I also have a 05 LMB Z51, but mine is a vert and my wife has reign over it!
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Getting the timing cover out is just a ton of work.
Beach Cruiser - I saw you and your Camaro last year at Kershaw at DSE's southern slam. I drove the G8 down there. The garage has been a lot of work - too bad I am going to have to do it all over again. The woman and I are starting to look at places together as we both have houses - with the job loss - its starting to make sense to consolidate and just live in one place. I soooo don't want to do all that work over again - but it is what it is. I know next time - I'll be going with porcelain tile instead of the epoxy coat. |
Been a little while since I last updated.
I had to wait for some parts for the car - so I took about a week off from working on it. I managed to get the LS9 cam installed, the new LS7 lifters installed and there new plastic trays all put into the motor. Next steps will be to drop the front suspension - drop the oil pan, change out the oil pan gasket - and make sure the new oil pump seats properly. Then I can put the oil pan back on, timing chain and get the bottom end of the motor buttoned up. Now for teh pics: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7319/1...295444ab_b.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5506/1...611ba445_b.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5502/1...28886e12_b.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2879/1...f47e9267_b.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2813/1...a5fa122e_b.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7399/1...36b0b9c5_b.jpg I also picked up some push pin remover and panel popper pliers from Harbor Frieght while they where on sale. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3706/1...dd34c92a_b.jpg |
This weekend I got the front cradle lowered, got the oil pan out - and removed the windage tray.
I had dropped a few lifters down into the block when I was pulling out the cam. I fished them out of the bottom end - most of them where sitting on the windage tray. I put the windage tray back on - put in a new seal on the oil pickup tube, new oil pump, and new timing chain as well as new oil pan gasket. I had the motor this far apart - might as well replace all the parts. I put everything back together - got the cradle raised back up and the engine back off the hoist and the mounts back in. I'll be putting on the cam sprocket and and the timing cover - then it'll be time for the heads. Slowly but surely - finally getting closer! Some pics: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3679/1...6db09795_b.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3779/1...a2a28a5a_b.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2866/1...eba58779_b.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3720/1...180efc43_b.jpg |
First update - Truck:
My father in law has these tie down hooks in his 2010 GMC 1500 - and really liked them. So I cross shopped them and found out they will fit in the stake holes in the bed of my '05 - so found the best deal online and ordered them - not bad for 50 bucks. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5487/1...708eb741_b.jpg Second update - Corvette: Since I have had the front suspension dropped to get the oil pan in and out - I was decided to shop around for some coilovers - since everything was already torn apart. Plus I had to get an alignment anyways - so might as well only pay for an alignment once. I happened to find a set of Pfadt Coilovers for over half off. So a deal was made - and I got these in about a week. These are single adjustable and have 16 different settings from soft until stiff - and ride height adjustable. I have installed the front since everything was apart - I haven't put the back on yet. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5490/1...c0f764cc_b.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2810/1...8ed43577_b.jpg Back to the engine project: I got everything buttoned up on the bottom end except for the crank pulley - I attempted to put it on last week with the old heat it up a bit and push it on - I got it onto the snout a good way and then it started not move - so I tapped it with a hammer a few times - and I must have it on the wrong spot and I completely broke the a 2" chunk of the lip off of the front lip. Mind you there is a TSB out there specifically for my year Corvette for crank pulleys going bad - but online research shows that usually happens with 60-80k miles on the car - my car only has 42k miles on it and was trying to save some $$. After I broke the lip off the pulley - I ordered a new Powebond crank pulley from O'Reilys - and the proper install tool! It took about a week - but the pulley got here, and with the proper install tool it went on with no big problems: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3769/1...a7833c45_b.jpg While I was waiting for the install tool - and the crank pulley to come in - I finished up the top end of the motor. I cleaned off the block one more time - put on the GMPP CNC LS3 Heads, the pushrods, the Lunatti LS3 rockers with the trunion upgrade, valve covers, and the LS3 intake. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7414/1...5b10fb64_b.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3742/1...b6ab0453_b.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5525/1...2a993a5e_b.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3782/1...2a75a192_b.jpg So that wraps up the engine assembly - I just need to put in the headers, steering rack, radiator, fans, hoses, Varram intake - and all the other misc crap. So hopefully I get the car finished up in the next few weeks - it will need an alignment - as well as a tune. |
Time for an update!
I've been super busy around here - I got the headers on, the front suspension all bolted back up, and some more of the engine bay assembled. The Kooks headers went in with absolutely no problem - I wish the LS7 parts went in this easy! I did end up fighting the power steering hoses that go to the reservoir for a couple nights, I ended up taking the power steering pulley and the reservoir off the car tonight to get to the hose fittings on the rack - and that made enough room to get good access to them. After I finished up with the hoses, I put in the EBCM bracket, the tie rod ends, and bolted the swaybar back up. Won't be too much longer until I am done - I still need to put in the radiator and the fans - and the rear coil overs - after that its time to fire this SOB up and get an alignment - and schedule the car to get tuned. Now for some pics: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3734/1...b4acf5a4_b.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2863/1...e4852be4_b.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7452/1...d5b6ac3c_b.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7434/1...e9ab7f3d_b.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7403/1...ca7b3f71_b.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5524/1...32a576b1_b.jpg |
Nice job. You're making good progress. How much additional HP do you expect with cam change, headers, intake and of course a tune?
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Yep
BC your project is looking good:thumbsup: X2 on what Jay said what kind of numbers are you hoping to see after the Tune??
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My car with the Vararam intake, and the LS7 manifolds put down 375 RWHP - which is about 430ish at the crank on the stock tune.
Between the cam, the CNC heads, the Kooks long tubes, and a proper tune - I am hoping to get ~500 HP at the crank so around 430-440 at the wheels would be a good goal. |
So this past weekend I got the radiator and fans in, the intake, and the rear coilovers in.
This week I drained the transmission fluid relatively easy and couldn't figure out a way to refill the t56 still up in the car. I ended up using a really old cheap fluid pump that I bought like 10 years ago to drain a fuel tank - I didn't think it would work - but it got the ATF into the trans with no problem. I then installed the Kooks X-pipe, reconnected the Corsa axle back - and tightened everything up. I tried to fire up the car last night - but the battery is dead - so by tonight I expect to get it up and running! I still need to adjust the coilover ride height - and then reattach the rear swaybar as the rear is lowered and the endlinks won't line up anymore. Now for some pics: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3738/1...ce714d06_b.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7456/1...4ebdb89c_b.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7380/1...f5e7c611_b.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3758/1...68c86388_b.jpg |
Well I tried to fire up the car last week - and I got it running for a couple minutes and it was running like absolute garbage.
With the 60 lb injectors nearly being double the stuck LS2 injectors - it was throwing a ton of gas into the and out the exhaust. So I decided to have the car towed up to the tuner as I didn't want to risk messing up the motor. They are tuning it now - and I should get it back next week - I really am looking forward to finally driving this thing! Also before having it towed - I lowered the car down onto my race ramps and was able to get the rear swaybar attached - I will have to fine tune and readjust it after I get the car back. Here are some pics of the car on the lift - and of the 3" Kooks long tubes and X pipe. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3779/1...ea123247_b.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7344/1...795bdece_b.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7364/1...5883cdbc_b.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7364/1...1c373363_b.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5544/1...9b7202e1_b.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3707/1...1af816ba_b.jpg Also for my birthday - my girlfriend got a set of 2" tripod stands that I will be able to use under the lift - they are from Greg Smith Equipment. They are made in China - and some of the hardware is pure garbage - I stripped one of the bolts putting it together - so I got some better hardware from Lowe's. I have seen some people support entire cars on these - I know that I wouldn't - but I would have no issue putting a rear axle or hold up an exhaust pipe or two with them. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5486/1...bd660213_b.jpg |
I picked up the car last Friday from the PCM of NC - they had no problem tuning the motor with all the parts that I had added.
They did a dyno tune, and tweaked it on the street as well. Here are the final dyno numbers - I have to say that I am more than happy. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7386/1...98c603c9_b.jpg For 6 weeks of work and doing it all by myself - I can't complain about picking up ~120 hp at the crank. I previously dyno'd my car and it made 375 at the rear wheel - now its making 450! Also - here is a video of the LS9 cam idling - it has a bit more lope than stock: PCM filmed the last dyno run - so I should be able to post that in a few days. |
Like I said - here is the chassis dyno video!
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Great job man! Nice numbers you have there.
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6800 redline? Sure sounds nice!!!! Watchin dyno video's never gets old.....
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6800 - guess thats where they cut it off.
The lifters and fuel are good for it. Only thing that would really hold back would be the valve springs. |
I finally got the Corvette all finished up - the Kooks midpipe was rubbing against a heat shield on the gas tank.
I had to loosen the shield - move it over just a tad - and also bent the tab a bit upward to make room - no more rattling when I first fire the car up! I finally got the first fire up video off of my GoPro - mind you the car wasn't tuned yet and was on the stock LS2 tune: I finally took down the lift - and put all my tools/parts away - two get 2 cars parked back in my garage. A few weeks back my G8 got backed into by my neighbor - she managed to crush both doors on the drivers side. I took the car to the body shop and it got repaired. Ever since I got the car back the front suspension was making a creaking noise when I turn the wheel - and I took the car to the dealership for an alignment - and the tech couldn't get the wheel straight. So at that point - still having a car payment for 2 more years - and having no more warranty - I decided to talk to the sales guys and see what they would offer me for the G8. After going over this purchase in my head for a few hours - they gave me a good deal, and my rate on the new car was lower then my g8 was! I ended up lowering my monthly car payment by a hundred bucks - so I ended up taking my car in for an alignment - and went home in a new car. Here is what is in my garage now: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7041/1...f808b85e_b.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3768/1...acc1e98d_b.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3711/1...4a85fd75_b.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3731/1...5dd94616_b.jpg Some pics of the G8 next to the SS: http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2862/1...29ab0536_b.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3765/1...7d4f4f77_b.jpg If you notice - I kept the CTS-V wheels and brakes - I haven't decided if I am going to put them on the SS yet - we'll see. First thing I need to do is add Homelink to the car - I actually removed the visor that I modified in the G8 - and I am going to put it in the SS. Yes the colors are different - but it should plug right in. |
Nice upgrade
Love the new color, white is awesome for a daily driver.
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Nice work on the Vette, sounds good. How do you like the new SS? Those SS's look like they are pretty nice.
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I really like the ss in white. I love my g8, but the interior is dated. The ss doesn't look as similar as I thought it would. Did you keep your ctsv brakes?
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I really like the SS - the interior is a ton better then the plastic interior that Holden designed back in like 2005.
The materials are a lot better. The electric steering isn't bad - and seems more precise then the old hydraulic unit of the G8. I did keep the CTSV2 wheels and brakes. I just haven't had a time to put the wheels on yet - not sure what I am going to do do the brakes. 2 things on that project - 1) I dont know if the TPMS are compatible between the G8 and the SS. 2) I dont know if there are those stupid brake wear indicator sensors on the SS. |
Love the SS. I wouldnt mind moving to an SS from my G8 GT. However, I think they missed the mark on pricing the SS. They are significantly more than the G8 GT was. No doubt they are "better" but geez there isn't that much difference. $47k vs ~$35k for nicely equipped G8 GT. Of course that gas guzzler tax is a chunk of it.
I'm curious to get your review after a few months with it. I hope they do well. |
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14" Brembo's.
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Another shop update - now that I have gotten the Vette fixed up, and the lift torn down.
I finally had time to assemble my last Gladiator purchase - this time I got there foot locker/bench assembly and I got it on sale through Lowes. So far I have put my floor jacks in there, and some shop shoes - its nice getting stuff up off the floor. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3806/...4b3096d4_b.jpg https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2827/...82ff3f19_b.jpg |
SS update:
I through on my set of V2 rims that I have laying around - sorry for the rainy pics but the weather sucked her last weekend - they fit with on the SS with no issue. As far as the TPMS sensors - haven't driven the car to know if they work or not. I know the part numbers are different. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3801/...432de4d1_b.jpg https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7103/...5fe0a772_b.jpg https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/...eaf94320_b.jpg https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7320/...ba07e0e82e.jpg https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3828/...f15c6128_b.jpg https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2845/...15758edc_b.jpg So if I decide to go with these I will have to buy new sensors and swap them out. |
Long time no update...
Truck update! I got one of those Meguiars Heavy Duty Headlight polishing kits for Christmas - I finally had the time to use it. The kit comes with a buffing wheel, Plastix polishing compound, and a UV protectant sealant - and 2 sanding disks - 1000 grit and 3000 grit. Since I had 7 lights to do on my truck - I quickly blew through the 1000 grit sanding disk - luckily I had a sheet of 1000 grit sand paper in my shop - and ended up using that for the rest of the lights. I think its a decent kit - just wish it had more sanding disks with it. The best part I noticed that it helped was on the fog lights - the headlights had some hazing and yellowing - and it took care of that as well. Now for teh pics: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7300/...12fae4b7_b.jpg https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7450/...8e4602ca_b.jpg https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7064/...ce34e22c_b.jpg https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7193/...f02a08a4_b.jpg https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2926/...4fd9bcfd_b.jpg https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7458/...f4a2d8af_b.jpg |
Vette update!
Finally after hoarding car parts for 4 years - I finally got all of the bits and pieces for the Z06 front fender swap! If you look back I think I got the first z06 fender back in like 2009. I ordered the hardware and all the plastic crap for front end swap from Gmpartshouse - they worked with me on all the pieces that needed to be ordered and everything came in 4 big boxes. I took the fenders and bumper to my body guy - and he painted everything and put it all together. I also had a decision to make for the front splitter - either go with the GM plastic piece for the z06 - or go with a set of aftermarket RPI ZR1 style front and side skirts. I went with the RPI pieces as they are way cheaper then GM's - and if I ever smack the front end up - it wont be that expensive to replace compared to a $1400 CF splitter from GM. Also - to not piss off the purist - I had my body guy shave the Z06 fender badge holes in the CF fenders. I got the car back last night - and I installed the zr1 side skirts. Now for teh pics: https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5231/...5dd71036_b.jpg https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7038/...f1417c7e_b.jpg https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2922/...1ccd6080_b.jpg https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2915/...aacbe561_b.jpg https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5543/...567cb839_b.jpg https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5106/...ec933be8_b.jpg |
Car looks great! If I had a c6, I'd do the same thing.
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Thanks!
I got some daytime shots outside: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7336/...3780b9cd_b.jpg https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7450/...263773f3_b.jpg https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5240/...a316fbfc_b.jpg As you can see the ZR1 splitter is stupid low - I put some boards out in my gutter/curb - and I actually ended up hitting the board with the side skirt - so in trying to prevent the car from hitting - I hit my board. So needless to say I got ride of the boards and pulled out of my driveway with no problem. I guess thats what I get for trying to prevent some damage! Thankfully I was going slowly and the side skirt is fine. |
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This will be the last model made Downunder. I wonder if they'll make this car in the USA after our production run finishes. |
No LSA in the USA.
Now time for a truck update: So I have been stupid busy working on my truck over the last month or so. First I really wanted an OEM bluetooth to work - I have it in my SS and I love that feature. So I found a VCIM out of a Trailblazer - put it in - and it works with the steering wheel controls. Pic of it showing up on the radio: https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5487/...6f2c34ea_b.jpg Second - I also had ordered a replacement HVAC door actuator to replace the one that has been acting up on my truck - well the one I ordered has only 3 pins in - and all of the actuator doors on my truck are 5 pins - and verified this by pulling the dash apart enough to get to all of them. I couldn't return the one that I had ordered as it was opened, and I had ordered it more then 30 days ago. Third - since I had the dashboard out - and the paint was chipping up - I asked my neighbor to borrow his power washer. I used his power washer to blow all of the paint off the dash. It did a great job at removing the paint. So I had to find some paint to match the interior - after taking a gamble I had ordered the SEM paint code that matched the Very Dark Grey Pewter interior - but when I brought in my fuse panel cover - it didnt match at all. Turns out that I have the Medium Dark Grey Pewter Interior. So I ordered SEM 17163 from my local O'reillys. They where able to get it next day. I used SEM's cleaining and prep system steps. So I ordered there SEM Soap, SEM plastic and leather prep spray, and finally there SEM Adhesion Promoter. The paint went easily - and I am pretty impressed with the final product. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3924/...3a2a5572_b.jpg https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5116/...1e15001e_b.jpg https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2921/...495d13b5_b.jpg https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3911/...23a592f3_b.jpg Fourth - since I had everything torn apart - I decided to improve the factory radio - looking on Ebay - the price for the upgraded Bose amp and the factory touch screen navigation has fallen a bunch - I got both the amp and the Nav radio for less then $300 - and they are factory pieces not to this truck but within the GM Truck/SUV family. So after repinning the Bose harness - I got everything put back together and finally finished up my interior mods/upgrades! https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5528/...ce7c34cc_b.jpg https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3868/...93b87d2b_b.jpg https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3898/...8ef65747_b.jpg https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3869/...7a3cc2fd_b.jpg |
Nice job! Dash came out great.
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Thanks Jay - wish I had a shot of it before but i was chipping up pretty badly and was really nasty/grungy.
It's made the rest of the interior look kind of bad, haha. |
So I had the Vette clear bra'd last week right before the Power Tour - went with a different installer this time and they did a really good job.
The PT had an event at Hotchkis Performance East. Lou Santiago was there and I got to meet him - hes pretty cool. The shop they have up there is pretty nice. We then went to Zmax Dragway in Concord, NC - and saw some cool cars there. Saw Ken's LSA powered Chevelle and Mark Stielow's old project car that he built a year or two ago. My last day of the Power Tour was driving up to Knoxville TN and got to meet Rutledge Wood again, and also saw Bad Penny - such a cool car. Here are a few select pics: https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3896/...18d43ce2_b.jpg https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2932/...884bf199_b.jpg https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3854/...033c5d0d_b.jpg Here is my gas Mileage average - not bad for > 500 hp: https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3840/...390227d8_b.jpg The rest of my pics: https://www.flickr.com/photos/979034...7645127595831/ This was the first extended road trip for my built up LSx motor in the Vette - the car got over 32 mpg on the highway when I was easy on it. The car drove fine except for that after driving 500+ miles this weekend - and 5 mins from home the Check Engine Light came on. The car threw a P0430 code - complaining about the exhaust catalyst being to low efficiency - its weird because it only happens when I'm idling. Talked it over with friends, the CF, and all said to take it back to the tuner. So I contacted PCM of NC - and they are going to take a look at it. Also - the alignment is out of whack on the front end - I took the car to the clear bra shop and the wheel was off a bit - got back in the car after they where done with it and it was really off. I need to checkout the coilovers on the front/rack to see what's going on. I just had an alignment done right after I got the engine all back together. So either the lift needs to go back up - or I get to figure out how to raise the front end of my car with the ZR1 splitters there in the way, ugh! |
First off - shop update:
I picked up a Gladiator stand up cabinet that is 36x72x18. It is there RTA series and was pretty easy to put together. I got this on sale for Fathers Day - put it together, and got some tools, and other junk up off of the floor/my work bench! https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5521/...cd908111_b.jpg Second - I went autocrossing with the local SCCA chapter down at the Michelin Tire Proving Grounds in Laurens SC. It kind of sucked getting up at 5am for the 2 hour drive to get out there - there proving grounds are in the middle of no where, but it was well worth it and had a ton of fun. We autocrossed on there "Black Lake" - its a flat perfectly paved facility that had very little elevation change. Here where my runs: Run 1 - I DNF'd and got lost - I somehow convienetly lost the footage :p Run 2 Run 3 Run 4 Overall I had a fun time - and dropped times on each run. Here are some pics that I snapped: https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5561/...54c8fda8_b.jpg https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5530/...d47a5f89_b.jpg https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3910/...0a644a7d_b.jpg https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5473/...9d4c4838_b.jpg https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5539/...205dbe5d_b.jpg |
Looks like you're having fun. Power Tour and than an AutoX!
What are you using to integrate the track and speedo into your vid? |
Ron:
GoPro Hero 2 OBD2 Bluetooth Adapter - $8 bucks on Amazon Android App - Torque - $5 on Google Play store MPEG Stream clip (PC Software) Free Race Render (PC software) $25 or so Not a bad setup for less then $50 bucks. Clip your videos with MPEG Stream clip, Torque datalogs in CSV format, import both into Race Render and BOOM = video with gauges. It take some configuration to get used to. Torque defaults to KM/H and didn't have RPM logging turned on - hence why I didn't check it - and it didnt get recorded this time. Race Render takes some time getting the gauge data and video to sync up - you have to fidget with it a bit but its not too hard to use. |
That's awesome! Thank you :)
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