Lighter = Faster (N/A build thread #2)

[Silver86]

Really cool to see how far its come! Nicely done.

[djmtsu]

Soooo......DGRR this year?

Maybe?

[infernosg]

Originally Posted by Silver86

Really cool to see how far its come! Nicely done.

It's certainly come a long way from when I picked it up from you nearly 5 years ago! All the remains from back then is the body, windshield, doors, steering column, and some interior trim and carpet.

Originally Posted by djmtsu

Soooo......DGRR this year?

Maybe?

I REALLY want to. I may not have it completely broken in by then but it is certainly driveable. The hard part is getting it down there and I'm working on a towing solution. It just depends if I can scrounge up enough funds to drop on a new trailer.

[djmtsu]

Originally Posted by infernosg

I REALLY want to. I may not have it completely broken in by then but it is certainly driveable. The hard part is getting it down there and I'm working on a towing solution. It just depends if I can scrounge up enough funds to drop on a new trailer.

Trailer?

Don't need no stinkin' trailer!!

[infernosg]

Originally Posted by djmtsu

Trailer?

Don't need no stinkin' trailer!!

A little nervous driving a car ~6 hours when my longest trip to date is ~1 hour. Not to mention no heat, A/C, or radio.

[djmtsu]

Originally Posted by infernosg

A little nervous driving a car ~6 hours when my longest trip to date is ~1 hour. Not to mention no heat, A/C, or radio.

Come on man! Live a little!!

The Cosmo came from a field! We put the engine in Monday, and drove out Wednesday. It had less than 100 miles on it, and then went on a fantastic voyage!!

I do have heat though

[djmtsu]

So, that means Pete is coming this year???????????

[Pete_89T2]

Originally Posted by djmtsu

So, that means Pete is coming this year???????????

Yup, would have been there last year too, except I had an untimely issue with the then newly installed AEM Infinity ECU.

[infernosg]

Finally got the suspension aligned and the car weighed. ~2340 lb with half a tank of fuel and no driver. From my understanding of stock weights that's ~300 lb lighter than the '86 base model. With me inside it's nearly an even 2500 lb - perfect.

I'm getting some noise out of the front end so I think it's time to check out the wheel bearings. Hopefully it's just preload but I'll pull everything apart and check all the races to be sure.

I still haven't replaced the front transmission bearings but I did finally order another seat and harness so I can have passenger's again. I'll be taking the new ones and swapping the older stuff to the passenger's side.

I still want to make it to DGRR and it's looking more and more like I'm going to have to drive it. I'll be taking a 3 hour road trip the weekend before, which will be a good shakedown. It won't be fully tuned but it'll definitely be broken in by that point.

[FC Zach]

Originally Posted by infernosg

I still want to make it to DGRR and it's looking more and more like I'm going to have to drive it. I'll be taking a 3 hour road trip the weekend before, which will be a good shakedown. It won't be fully tuned but it'll definitely be broken in by that point.

[infernosg]

Originally Posted by FC Zach

Committed. No turning back now. The FC is the plan provided I can get the transmission and wheel bearings sorted in the next two weeks. If not it'll be the SA.

[infernosg]

There is a chance, yes. I got the new seat installed and the old seat switched over to the passenger's side. I just need to drill a hole in the floor for the fifth point.

I've ordered new rear bearings for the transmission. I figure since I'm already going to be in there replacing the front bearings I should replace the rear as well. I'm not planning on replacing the center bearings since that requires near complete disassembly of the transmission. I plan on re-checking the clearances and have ordered new washers just in case anything is out. Hopefully that'll fix the neutral and 4th gear noise I'm getting and maybe even fix the vibration in 5th. The plan is to have all this done by 4/20 and I still need to check the front wheel bearings...

[infernosg]

Been trying to figure out why the car has been tracking to the right after the alignment. I don't doubt the shops machine so I'm thinking the issue is with the car. Tire pressures are good. Ride height is even. Front wheel bearing play and pre-load was way off. After removal and cleaning the bearings and races looked really good so I just repacked them and properly set the pre-load. I haven't road-tested the car yet but all the play is gone. I'm track to hit 2000 miles and complete break-in by the end of April. If I can make it to DGRR maybe I'll get some road tuning in...

[infernosg]

Some pictures...

New seat and brackets:


In the car with the old swapped over to the passenger's side:


Even with the new brackets I wasn't able to get the driver's seat low enough to prevent the steering wheel from blocking the shift lights and turn signals. I broke down I got a 380 mm wheel with a 35 mm dish. The old one is 350 mm with a 65 mm dish. Installed:



It's noticeably larger but overall it's a more comfortable position and I can see my full display. The larger diameter also helps with the low speed turning a little.

In order to make it to DGRR I have two things to accomplish:
1) Replace front and rear bearings in the transmission and check end play.
2) Get headlights aimed properly

(2) is easy and I'll have that done this weekend. (1) is still waiting on some parts to come in.

[FC Zach]

That looks great!