I got home last night from ST Motorsports about 11:30... but I didn't drive my car home. Major bummer...

The good news is that it fired up and sounded GREAT! The bad news is that it didn't want to idle right, and then it threw a P0345 code. I left Adam's shop a little after 10pm, and he was going to mess with it some more after that.

But, since there are a few other little details that need to be finished, I'll just have to wait a couple more days.

 

I talked to Adam earlier today. He suspected something having to do with the cam or the phasers, so he pulled the left side cam cover. I'm not sure what he found, but he got it working. He was at the shop until 4:00am, and had it running smooth before he left. Barring any more setbacks, I should get it back in a day or two.

 

Very cool. When you finally take it to the track, I'd like to make the trek down to S.D. Let me know.

 

I just got off the phone with Adam. He has my car on the dyno now making minor tweaks, mostly to the tranny tables. But, he did say the AFR was a consistent 11.9-12.0 across the board. He also mentioned that the lower compression ratio can be seen in the form a decrease in power, too. About 25-30 at the peak. I'll have to swap pulleys to get the ponies back... but not right now... later. Unless something else comes up, I plan on picking it up tomorrow. He's going to call me later tonight to let me know what time.

 

Adam just called back, and he took it for another road test. A "real" road test. And he say it's running pretty good. When I asked him how it felt, he said, "It spins through 1st, spins through 2nd, chirps 3rd and chirps 4th." I like the sound of that.

Oh yea, he also said that the boost has dropped down to 6.5-7.0 psi (with the "8psi" pulley). Maybe I'll be swapping that pulley sooner rather than later. After my break-in miles, I'd like to get the actual boost up to between 8 and 10 psi.

 

I'm glad to hear your ordeal is hopefully finally over... congrats for being a patient man... i'm sure you're # of posts per day will slowly drop the more you drive

 

Well, the Sonic beast finally made it back to it's own garage last night here at home!! It was great to finally drive it again. I put almost 200 miles on the odometer yesterday!!


Before I got a chance to test drive the car, Adam finished fabricating/installing the cutouts. Adam did an awesome job welding stubouts and flanges onto the back of the X-pipe.

The pics below show how it was done.

 

And now for the fun stuff! Burnout Videos!! My friend Ed shot these videos for me with my camera... Thanks Ed!!

The full exhaust w/Bassanis was on for both burnouts (cutouts closed), and the line locks were on. The first burnout was done in 2nd gear; on the second burnout I shifted from 2nd to 3rd in the middle of it. On the first one, look at the traffic in the background. hehe... busy street. But, I like the smoke in the second one better (plus the commentary).

I hope you like these.

Burnout Videos at S.T. Motorsports, 7-8-06 (17mb)

 

Congrats Don!!! its about time... im jealous

 

Sounds like a monster. Hows it feel?

 

Hey Don,
I am glad your beast is finally back on the road. I know it took a lot longer than you originally thought but..... You did it right.... It will be worth the wait.... And I am 2500 miles from you but I can still feel your emthusiasm from here.
Scott

 

Thanks guys! It's been a long frustrating ordeal... I'm glad that chapter is behind me now.


It feels a little underpowered right now, but then again it's got a "break in" tune in it, it's only making 6.5 lbs of boost, and it's quite hot here. I'm going to drive it for a while and see how things go. And in a few weeks, it will go back in the shop for a new pulley and tune.

 

I just realized I never posted any pics of the complete engine back in the car.
D'oh....

 

thats because you swapped out the stock heads and the new heads flow that much better.

more port flow = less boost

with all your stuff id try and find the limit for the blower and run a 115 octane
tune with like 15 pounds of boost! ( then you can also test out just how bullet
proof your tranny is )

jay

 

Awesome vids Don,
I'm looking to buy some stock in a tire manufacturer. Are those your original Nitto's or the MT's.
Scott

 

Actually, it's more likely because we dropped the compression ratio.

 

Thanks, Scott... those are the Nitto 450s.

 

Update...

I dropped the car off at S.T. Motorsports tonight for a pulley swap and retune, and a few other minor things. Since I lowered the compression ratio with the new pistons, the "8psi" pulley is only making about 6.5-7 psi. He's going to put on a smaller pulley, which should give me around 10 or 11 lbs of boost. I need to keep it 91-octane friendly for daily driving. Sometime in the coming months we'll get it set up with 16psi or so, and a race-gas track tune. That's when it should really get up and go.

Hopefully, I'll get it back on Thursday and hit the track this Saturday. I just hope the weather cools off a little... 100+ degree temps is not much fun to race in.

 

Congrats on getting the car back. Nice burnout

Keep us updated. Btw, what did the Teksid block come out of, I dont think I read (or I overlooked by mistake).

 

I'm not 100% certain, but I was told it was a late 90's Cobra. I know the casting numbers of the block, but so far haven't found any reference resource to confirm what it came from. If anyone knows how I can find that out, I would appreciate it.