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time to get back to this
getting there https://i.imgur.com/6c4v4jnh.jpg this may be dumb but I'm going to make the Optima spoiler adjustable. https://i.imgur.com/DOlikseh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/G0iOHnth.jpg from the other side https://i.imgur.com/9cker1ih.jpg explanation... Optima has some requirements that make the 'standard' wing pointless... so I am building brackets that allow bolting a clear duckbill style spoiler onto the car in place of the other spoiler. With that said, the rules allow them to be adjustable, just not on the fly (no active aero) I need to do a touch more tuning on the car, and take it to the detailer for a full buff, correct and ceramic coat.. thus the stickers came off.... what to do with them? because racetruck? https://i.imgur.com/VU71OJCh.jpg can't imagine they'd complain about this stack location https://i.imgur.com/9DLQoOwh.jpg probably get in trouble, though, because that would be aero that is adjustable while driving.... maybe I'll have to ask those in power.... |
Optima spoiler
so we saw it in CAD... now in alumineeeuum https://i.imgur.com/6EHDrCgh.jpg round 1, full, square sheet https://i.imgur.com/zWMRy5kh.jpg race mode https://i.imgur.com/s9L08URh.jpg autoX mode https://i.imgur.com/qDPLvm5h.jpg now bottom has first trim to more match the spoiler's curve https://i.imgur.com/ztZaY4ph.jpg using lasers to be sure of the height https://i.imgur.com/pqapdwHh.jpg final cut https://i.imgur.com/CUKZ49eh.jpg now in the correct height. It's an interesting rule to apply - no taller then 8" above the highest point on the deck or no more then 6" higher then the lowest point of the window... in this case, the window is the high point... so 6" it is... https://i.imgur.com/cciMOXZh.jpg final bit will be some kind of brace to keep it from flopping (and attaching, but need fasteners) |
the most fun part of autox is making YOUR car handle. There is a huge body of knowledge out there to make cars handle - but all cars have an aero signature... the reason I used a radar arch instead of this style of aero is because that step to the back window creates huge turbulence, but putting the wing in clear air, I could get good flow. Problem to be address is that wing is illegal for Optima. Not dissing the rules at all but what you can go wild (duckbills, splitters, etc) really are hard to integrate into my car's body shape.
So we have where we're at today.... and I'm really questioning why bother... but we'll carry on - however, don't be terribly surprised if I simply bag it and and run without. You'd think that'd be a terrible disadvantage - I'm not convinced... if I wanted solid aero, I'd have built a 3rd gen Firebird. so here we are. https://i.imgur.com/9Y9S01th.jpg https://i.imgur.com/taKa2vkh.jpg in this position, I need to brace the foil otherwise it'll flop more then a politician https://i.imgur.com/owob399h.jpg even though adjustable - I might run it in a position like this or even one notch more flat - then pull the rear window out 4 weeks and I leave for California to race... March 2. |
alrighty.... spoiler is on, looking good, and speaking of looking good, Trio is 1 year old today.
https://i.imgur.com/OsUTzLgh.jpg other side looks okay too https://i.imgur.com/NyxIOQAh.jpg and the Optima spoiler https://i.imgur.com/jXnL7pRh.jpg truth is I like the wing better.. looks like there's a lurker https://i.imgur.com/u56j2M8h.jpg The FJ40 I built with proceeds from the prior C3.... the red C3 is getting a 496 and belongs to a really good friend of mine. And no, I can't decide on what kind of wheeled adventure I like, there are also airplanes.... |
Turned out great!
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Looks great. Curious how you mounted the supports? Any cool pics from underneath? TIA.
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Oh this week!. Got little done except a list of what I need to get done in 12 days. https://i.imgur.com/S6nAb7o.jpg and I've added to it since this picture... pray for me, it's going to be close |
so the list got longer.... the filter media is completely gone from the top... ordered a new top so the list is back but it's fun surprises like this... also had a couple leaks (now just one) to fix...
https://i.imgur.com/9tHC931h.jpg this progressed quickly... brief explanation - the console cover moved because it wasn't fastened down in the front... not a huge deal except that I use the phone holder - and it moving was a problem https://i.imgur.com/hnDSMTih.jpg a new brace, a couple more screws in the side, a few threaded inserts and it's solid https://i.imgur.com/hnDSMTih.jpg back together https://i.imgur.com/y6vbPNZh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/aNFdiubh.jpg list is shorter https://i.imgur.com/asKGbSzh.jpg it's fun, when this is all said and done, outside of the different spoiler, it will look the same but this is, after the last race in July: all new rear arms lower rear gears (3.91) new wheels new tires (upgrade to 200 tw and a 295 front tire instead of the 275) elimination of the cam bolts in the C5 front end revise the camber and castor new spoiler refasten the interior replace the rack different tune on the motor before July I'm changing the Sniper to Terminator X and port injection along with a sheet metal intake (and new lifters)... intake to finally get a decent air filter on it. |
Just a couple things left to wrap up. but first...
brake bolts needed tightening and fresh thread lock (blue) https://i.imgur.com/TC5JoYMh.jpg air ducts too https://i.imgur.com/lRowGXPh.jpg stupid horn relays... it's new, it's junk https://i.imgur.com/lRowGXPh.jpg tomorrow, hopefully, the air cleaner will come and I can do that along with verify the tune (make sure the TPS is right, that the IAC is working - remarkably, it has been, and fine tune the various a/f ratios along with timing).... then i goes into the trailer for a week. |
Corvette is back out of the trailer from its duties of anchor...
who says you can't get good headlights? https://i.imgur.com/09nGrht.jpg now with brights https://i.imgur.com/hMdSfDYh.jpg air filter... there just isn't much room under the hood... as it is, this isn't perfect but it's good enough for now https://i.imgur.com/d1Wa4jNh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/vIrU9EZh.jpg well, after a whole bunch of trial, this is what it will be https://i.imgur.com/YdG8GLwh.jpg x marks the spot https://i.imgur.com/4gfG4KMh.jpg remember geometry? https://i.imgur.com/BFdgD8Ph.jpg did I just void another warranty? yep, and there will be more https://i.imgur.com/BkGzmWoh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/0nGrDREh.jpg this will work https://i.imgur.com/0c0w518h.jpg chopped down an offset base, flipped it over https://i.imgur.com/2Lhlzyqh.jpg there it is... offset, chopped, and barely touches https://i.imgur.com/2DUjaexh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/1BI0mKCh.jpg a little more cleaning tomorrow and then it's back into the trailer to get packed for next weekend. |
alright... wheels are decided... better or worse...
https://i.imgur.com/nUEkxw4.jpg also, like the reuse of the Corvette bumper? this thing has been bouncing around for a long time - now it's a wheel chock loaded... still hate that spoiler... https://i.imgur.com/zLTmizph.jpg will need to dust when I arrive https://i.imgur.com/hjk8qFwh.jpg truck serviced https://i.imgur.com/iIJlf3Hh.jpg |
Well, the weather forecast for Willow CA shows rain on Saturday. I spent a fair penny on the 200tw Continentals and Apex wheels... and will likely use the old ones
https://i.imgur.com/7x0sx9sh.jpg I know, I know, 340 tread wear is laughable but it's supposed to rain all day Saturday and most of Sunday. I'll use the Connies later and in July in Portland... now I just have to make it to Willow - and honestly, that's not likely going to be a problem - it's supposed to be nice tomorrow through Friday (yeah). I'll pull the car out tomorrow and also figure how to keep water out of the intake... |
stickies on
https://i.imgur.com/Yv9ijcbh.jpg rain on https://i.imgur.com/vHkKDith.jpg reload https://i.imgur.com/4CJk3xFh.jpg I'd be faster in the dry with the 200tw tires, but these give me a better chance on staying on the track when it rains...only time will tell if it was a good move. |
loaded and ready for adventure... fun fact, less rain - maybe even no rain... ah well
https://i.imgur.com/nNMkoJMh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/5n9g5bVh.jpg |
Adventure pictures
https://i.imgur.com/PYJpItTh.jpg I admit that this was hamming for the camera.... not that anyone else would ever do such juvenile things (though I wish he'd gotten the end where I punted a cone about 40 feet) https://i.imgur.com/SnCSveCh.jpg on the track https://i.imgur.com/hulbBsRh.jpg In the wet - had it totally stayed wet, I probably would have done pretty well https://i.imgur.com/bvapGR7h.jpg https://i.imgur.com/A7D2Z0xh.jpg there are some pucker factor corners at Thunderhill... this isn't one https://i.imgur.com/AxDJY7ph.jpg this is https://i.imgur.com/TNwqL3dh.jpg up a steep hill, a blind left corner, then a blind right sweeper.... I went off this corner... pretty sure I was airborne https://i.imgur.com/0tUpAHah.jpg dry autox https://i.imgur.com/ltWaSfAh.jpg |
Great pics!
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Your plastic is fantastic!:drive:
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thanks. the photographer is well worth the little he charges for pictures.
it arrived https://i.imgur.com/y489Ypvh.jpg and put the old wing back on https://i.imgur.com/j9QNqfjh.jpg did an oil change https://i.imgur.com/Ba6sZ4gh.jpg oil looked okay and the spark plugs showed a touch rich and that I might be able to add a degree of timing... but at this point, it's safe so since I'm changing the entire fuel and spark system next.... I'll leave it for now. I'm pretty close to doing the port EFI swap. Need a few parts, order them tomorrow. |
Time to clean up the shop....
https://i.imgur.com/yysm3JSh.jpg yes, I can get another project in there :) https://i.imgur.com/1uCNJyBh.jpg street tires off https://i.imgur.com/wKao8ich.jpg and get the racing tires back on it https://i.imgur.com/xFGssQHh.jpg |
fancy things
https://i.imgur.com/SyBp5GLh.jpg good grief do they wrap this well https://i.imgur.com/X09I06fh.jpg and the throttle body https://i.imgur.com/UwKOEoCh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/3fE00UMh.jpg good to 850 hp - calculated I needed 58 lb injectors, these are 72 - or 20% more... https://i.imgur.com/QbiiDX2h.jpg |
More pictures today - some are repeats... sorry
Ax day 2 https://i.imgur.com/WOOTXTp.jpg https://i.imgur.com/YZzcnMh.jpg brake challenge, I think https://i.imgur.com/WB8SyUG.jpg https://i.imgur.com/rEfowSu.jpg https://i.imgur.com/lqEHzdS.jpg this launch, 7k rpm and the brake challenge/Ax space is in a bowl... the noise... glorious. I'm sure I heard angels singing too https://i.imgur.com/L020vcC.jpg or Ax... one thing - the rules say you cannot change your tires.... that was roundly ignored https://i.imgur.com/yHNOGz3.jpg this picture plus one other convinced me to move the rear sway bar rate up https://i.imgur.com/COIGeZF.jpg plus one https://i.imgur.com/jOu5qfF.jpg and two... and this is without my max grip tires https://i.imgur.com/RxlBZAJ.jpg more wet Ax https://i.imgur.com/QhLrgmE.jpg https://i.imgur.com/nyZ6bGi.jpg https://i.imgur.com/56Czg5F.jpg https://i.imgur.com/NiTnxBS.jpg https://i.imgur.com/ECNxtix.jpg https://i.imgur.com/iY4zEiZ.jpg https://i.imgur.com/bEdlUHb.jpg https://i.imgur.com/a6lNrMF.jpg https://i.imgur.com/WM2ddPh.jpg out on the track.... so numbers.... my practice lap was 2:41 in the wet, 1:47 dry... I needed about 2 more days of practice to get to the normal track time of 1:17 or so and better tires https://i.imgur.com/eJ4ghB1.jpg still glad i did it, it was a great experience https://i.imgur.com/QEfdSEv.jpg pucker factor for certain https://i.imgur.com/jkun77Q.jpg imagine, the photographer is horizontal to my car in this picture - the Buick cannot see me or the corner from his perspective... https://i.imgur.com/xJJI3Dm.jpg the camera isn't leaning... this corner really is that off camber https://i.imgur.com/TDt1FuF.jpg brake challenge again... I got 2 good times and said bag it... https://i.imgur.com/YvJWbhw.jpg get it https://i.imgur.com/l05zAHE.jpg |
Looks like a lot of fun
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so decision time.
not this, I needed to update seat belts so I bought the twist to unlock rather then the latch.... everyone, and I mean everyone - no matter their ability on the autox course could not easily figure out how to latch... fine, I'll dumb it down. https://i.imgur.com/gL4A9SX.jpg but that's not the decision. I have 99% of the pieces for the port EFI/COP system. I have another Optima even in mid-July. I need to run a few autox events before but the first won't be before mid-May. Should I pull it apart and do the upgrade? it runs now. is basically ready to go. and let's manage expectations. I'm not competitive yet. So there is no Vegas trip coming, and there is more HP coming in the winter... If I was in the heat of the points, no way I'm changing it - but at this point, I figure 2 weeks to get it back running again. oh, and don't hold your opinion - I'm either going to swap or not tomorrow night. |
pics look great. I'm glad you had fun and the car performed well.
I wouldn't pull a working car a part to make upgrades. Just my two cents based on the fact that everything always takes me longer to do than planned. |
I'll wait until after the Portland event... probably end of August is more likely.
In other news drove the Corvette today - was acting like it had a vacuum leak.. it did https://i.imgur.com/K3Zh6cbh.jpg this stupid throttle cable holder... it had moved back and forth - thus loosening the bolt on the back corner of the efi. Add to all of this that it removed about 10% of throttle opening... stupid little things. Ah well, temporaried again, but looking for a solution. I had a different throttle cable holder before but it doesn't fit on the Sniper... |
today's announcement - which I'll follow up in 3 or so months when it all comes to pass
I bought PF3. A 68 C3 - or rather, a 68 C3 tub and doors. I'm going to build a frame which copies PF2, then flare it like before. Not sure whether it will be BB powered or not - the 'next' BB I'm building will likely land in PF2.... I might see about building something like what a friend built for his 56 C1... something in the 900 hp NA neighborhood. the other thing, it's a coupe, not a convertible... which is fine I'll buy a hardtop for it and make the car into a roadster. I'm sure the haters are going to hate, but I no longer post in CorvetteForum, so they'll have to hate from afar. |
time to do the maintenance and stuff to get ready for the rest of the season
as mentioned before, the rack is leaking... I have a 'new' 'lifetime warranty' one. https://i.imgur.com/XZDe4A8h.jpg someday soon I'm going to make my 'spare' rack manual. I may also come up with another solution for the brake assist and ditch the hydroboost* when I built the car, I verified I could pull the rack out from the driver's side... when I do the frame for PF3, this will happen too https://i.imgur.com/mDpTzN1h.jpg https://i.imgur.com/20Uftsth.jpg https://i.imgur.com/QVFpgnPh.jpg volume reducer https://i.imgur.com/3aTLN3Sh.jpg the other thing I MUST fix is this rub. This is the 3rd time and there won't be a 4... so welding is going to happen https://i.imgur.com/8AK4LR1h.jpg *I like the hydroboost, but I don't like the leaks and I'm concerned that the current 'fix' for the rack (reduce pressure and volume) will negatively affect braking. Right now it's absolutely perfect.... by reducing volume and pressure by 30%... tune in for updates. |
Thanks for all the great pictures! Awesome!
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today's fun, make sure the top doesn't blow off at 150.... like it started to...
https://i.imgur.com/zpxi0fqh.jpg inserts https://i.imgur.com/2El9YHDh.jpg and glue https://i.imgur.com/jV4xEBkh.jpg and the hardest part is drilling in the acrylic ultimately success came from a slightly smaller hole, heating the insert so it'd thread in, then backing it out a bit and stuffing epoxy in the outside threads https://i.imgur.com/FhdxXeHh.jpg that ain't goin' nowhere. in other news, new toy https://i.imgur.com/ezwTTROh.jpg I also finished up the rack install - I took pictures of the parts needed to reduce the pressure (rack needs 800 psi max, hydroboost can handle 1100 and the pump puts out 1350 - now 800) of course the camera failed... I'll report back after driving it... I also lowered the front and aligned it. will drop the rear down as well... pictures of that part later |
the problem - out of date seat belts
https://i.imgur.com/5cVKGFDh.jpg the solution https://i.imgur.com/8PtKSOch.jpg the "that escaladed quickly" https://i.imgur.com/8PtKSOch.jpg https://i.imgur.com/i0QiBgOh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/nkyh9Ruh.jpg so why... I left the center open for better view - the problem was getting the battery out (under the floor) was a right PITA. Add to this issue that had I run the bar all the way across, horizontally, then I could simply tie the seat belts to the rear bar.... so that's what I'm going to do. Problem 2 is the cross bar is really in the way... so I'm going to make the roll bar into a seat bar. I will still function to aid roof support, but give me a bit more room for activities. With that said, the targa bar on the C3 is pretty stout from the factory - so is a cage necessary for what I'm doing? I say no. |
time to work on the seat belt bar/roll bar
the problem is simple - it's an utter PITA to get to the battery and getting to the top of the tank is nearly impossible while leaving the bar in.. https://i.imgur.com/NAIEEwe.jpg so time to take the drop part out https://i.imgur.com/KKUhUah.jpg and welded.... a few more things to do tomorrow then reinstall https://i.imgur.com/M3MSqyH.jpg |
now with paint
https://i.imgur.com/w9hnCvEh.jpg the white isn't an issue unless the carpet moves - since I have spare black paint https://i.imgur.com/oyZHTFLh.jpg better https://i.imgur.com/ugTx9Bah.jpg almost there... I don't know what I did with the grommet for the passenger seat - so I ordered another... https://i.imgur.com/MjapbNBh.jpg ah well, I can bolt it all down ... |
Very Nice work!
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it's here, well, it's been here for a week - but last week was busy - so finally got around to pictures...
1968 Corvette it's rougher then I thought it'd be.... but I bought it for the manual innards and the rear window surround (74 up don't have removeable rear windows, this lets me adapt that to my 76)... I'm still considering what I said before - PF4 - but whether this is the car that I start with... it may become a couch so here we go https://i.imgur.com/hJKHM5Y.jpg this is a clue about why this car is like this... that rod is normally straight - it has other signs it hit something in the front pretty hard https://i.imgur.com/N4adfVH.jpg https://i.imgur.com/41p2WBP.jpg weirdness is the windshield frame looks okay https://i.imgur.com/BILT8M4.jpg https://i.imgur.com/ap8Zsrz.jpg yet if you look at the roof bar - it rusted apart at the targa https://i.imgur.com/XMxLuAX.jpg don't care, I got the manual insides I wanted and I have 4 door shells.... and a billion other parts like manual pedals anyway, next up is get it out and stored (thinking above the bathroom) but for now I need it out because racing |
Optima spoiler stands installed
https://i.imgur.com/CkN4l69h.jpg this weekend go play in Spokane and see if I can get a final tune in on it... wish I could have found someone to do the tune (who has a dyno) but whatever, it's not like it's hard https://i.imgur.com/RZiprnkh.jpg |
clean it up, load it up for Optima this next weekend
https://i.imgur.com/TdFlTk5h.jpg https://i.imgur.com/thSSvEih.jpg https://i.imgur.com/2ho5Wbch.jpg https://i.imgur.com/kiQMLuxh.jpg |
Good luck! :thumbsup:
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yeah, fun.... day one, event 2
https://i.imgur.com/hy2ziZQ.jpg spent a couple hours trying to get it to go back on.... wouldn't go on in a way that I was willing to risk other people's lives... I think what happened was I had fuel problems and the car bucked - that decoupled the pipe and it sheared off the holder then went under the wheel... took a nice gouge out of the fender too..... and yes, that's racing, I'm disappointed but before that all happened... I was running quite competitively (like leading for a moment competitively)... |
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