OldAndyAndTheSea Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 (edited) Big things a happenin'I've been busily re-configuring Megasquirt, for the umpteenth time. I finally have a RPM signal. What a **** show that has been..Long story short. I ripped out the EDIS system. Kurk added another bip373 to the equation and I was able to rip out that 90's Ford technology.So I, reluctantly, opted to revert back to using the distributor. However, only for trigger signal this time. Shown with the DIY replacement trigger wheel - that will make it easier for the ECU to read.Here's the OEM Nissan trigger wheel installed in the distributor.and a close up of the new 24-1-1 wheel.Since I am not worried about the distributor actually distributing spark, I can cut down the washer/collar that holds both the rotor and trigger wheel in place. This will allow for a nice low profile cover to give the install an OEM-esque appearance.Collar."A 'lil off the top, please"And the OEM cover back on. I'll be turning this into something a bit more subtle, and a bit cleaner later.So, as I mentioned, upon testing I have a RPM signal now.... I know I have fuel and I know I have air.Time to test for spark.Testing the coils - the ECU only thinks there are three of them, but I still needed to confirm each pair was firing.Spark!That was last night.I was sailing today, while waiting on some fresh spark plugs. Those arrived this afternoon.Tomorrow, I double check timing.....and then I go for it.Tomorrow could* be the day I hear it.I'm nervous.*almost didn't make this update just in case, as per usual, things go awry. But YOLO, Breh! And here is my first ever "start" video with the new setup. I walk through my test setup, and attempt to fire the car. Edited September 2, 2015 by OldAndyAndTheSea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LanceVance Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Those door panels... The clamshell... The sound of life from the motor! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FricFrac Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Oh yes! I've been waiting a long time for this post - Woohoo it's alive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Andy, Apologies if this has already been mentioned and I missed it, but could you please provide details on these wheels? Manufacturer, diameter, width, backspacing? I take it that you installed them before you converted the stock suspension to coilovers, correct? What was the gap between the rim edge and the spring-perch (front and rear)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seattlejester Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Very cool, congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98blackbell Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Nothing like that feeling! Congrats, hopefully we are there again soon. Motor stabbed in, just have the accessories to put on. That's on tooquick260. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryant67 Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Congrats on the milestone!! Think you'll manage to squeeze in a little drive time with the car before winter hits? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluDestiny Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 Ugh seriously start making one off carbon parts. I'm still waiting for a good dash and center console. Your project is coming a long way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndyAndTheSea Posted September 11, 2015 Author Share Posted September 11, 2015 (edited) Those door panels... The clamshell... The sound of life from the motor! Thanks Marcus! (By the way - I'm still thinking about/working on the clamshell pieces.) Oh yes! I've been waiting a long time for this post - Woohoo it's alive! You've been so integral to the process. I honestly cannot thank you enough. Andy, Apologies if this has already been mentioned and I missed it, but could you please provide details on these wheels? Manufacturer, diameter, width, backspacing? I take it that you installed them before you converted the stock suspension to coilovers, correct? What was the gap between the rim edge and the spring-perch (front and rear)? Hey no worries, and unfortunately no, these particular wheels would not fit the stock suspension. The spring perches make contact. The wheels are fairly common. http://www.racinglab.com/rota-rb-280z.html I'm running 245-40-17s on the fronts and 275- 40-17s on the rear. Very cool, congrats! Thanks! It feels great. Nothing like that feeling! Congrats, hopefully we are there again soon. Motor stabbed in, just have the accessories to put on. That's on tooquick260. Yup! Like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Congrats on the milestone!! Think you'll manage to squeeze in a little drive time with the car before winter hits? A milestone indeed! That's what I kept calling it. And I doubt it, but it will allow me to leisurely assemble the rear end, and finish up my last odds and ends during the winter in preparation for a full season come Spring. Very exciting! Ugh seriously start making one off carbon parts. I'm still waiting for a good dash and center console. Your project is coming a long way. Thanks. I finally feel like I have a handle on the project. It feels fantastic. I wont be headed back to composites work for another couple weeks, but once I am back in the shop I'll make my dash, and finish my console. Hopefully the results are pleasing. Video update Edited September 11, 2015 by OldAndyAndTheSea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FricFrac Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 There isn't anything as satisfying as overcoming adversity 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 tuff z Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 Congrats Andy, can't wait to see it in person [and have you take me for a spirited spin, of course]! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndyAndTheSea Posted October 10, 2015 Author Share Posted October 10, 2015 Thanks guys!It's been a while since the last update. I've started working in the Composites shop again, so that's keeping me busy.Finally got my rear brakes - Techno Toy Tuning's big rear brake kit, with the emergency brake cable option. I am going to make my dash on Tuesday. So that means Wednesday, I should know if I have a workable part.Assuming success, I ordered my Flocking kit.Imagine, instead of the dash cap, it is nylon flocking, and the bottom half will be exposed carbon. (note: mock fit nicer console.)And I've been dealing with a couple small leaks around the motor.Valve cover gasket.I'll be working more this evening. I'm STILL fighting a leaky thermostat....Hoping to quell that tonight. I'll update with what I get accomplished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndyAndTheSea Posted October 13, 2015 Author Share Posted October 13, 2015 Well....I have another thermostat housing coming in the mail. Let's just say, the attempt to fix my leak didn't go so well...It's absolutely ridiculous how many times I've failed at modifying one measly housing; don't want to talk about it. Meanwhile....I wanted to finally mount my rear lower control arms - so I did. I can't wait to detail under the car. It is so dirty.Grimey old bolts.A quick sandblastAnd some powder thrown at them.Bushings!Where they belong.Ugh. Wheels are so dirty.I still need to mount the E-Brake cable, then the braking system is potentially ready for a bleed attempt.Also, tomorrow is the day I hopefully make my dash. That will seriously light a fire under me, should it turn out successfully. Wish me luck.More to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndyAndTheSea Posted October 14, 2015 Author Share Posted October 14, 2015 Well more of the same.The offenders: Emergency brake cable pivot lever thing(s)SandyPowduhA little referenceTomorrow is another day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndyAndTheSea Posted October 15, 2015 Author Share Posted October 15, 2015 This evening was dedicated to emergency brake cable installation. Remounted the components.Spent some time adjusting the cable. Works great! I highly recommend the setup to anyone who is in the market (T3 rear big brake kit - with optional e-brake option)Emergency brake is done.Cool.What's next? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndyAndTheSea Posted October 23, 2015 Author Share Posted October 23, 2015 (edited) Some composites updates....I totally pooched dash attempt #1. The infusion failed. It only wet out about 15% of the total part. I made a careless mistake with my process stack and it impeded flow significantly. Failed to realize until it was too late...So this left me with the a couple options...1. Pop the failed part, as is, and throw it away, then try again.or2. Attempt to wet out the laminate, by hand, to test the mold and see if the geometry works.I picked the latter. Instead of just throwing the carbon away, I decided to turn it into a tool instead.Since the original plug was destroyed making this mold, the failed part will become a new master plug. Should a seriously catastrophic failure occur, I'm not out both the mold, AND the plug too. This is a checkpoint, if you will.So here it is.I've won the chance to play again! hah!Bask in its glory. Bask damn you. :lol: :lol:My findings.-The mold does NOT have to be destroyed to pop the part. That's HUGE. You just need to get a little creative - that's all I will say about that. haha.-The twill for the most part was very acceptable. I now know where to be more careful on the next layup.-The extremely resin rich laminate weighs 4 pounds. This means the actual good, infused, part will weigh in at around 3 pounds or so, and will be significantly stronger than this part, which happens to already be stronger than the OEM. Awesome.So in conclusion, the mold survived, and I now have a new replacement plug shape to tweak as I attempt to try again this upcoming week.Not the result I had hoped for, but I made it an educational experience in spite.Seeing bits of potential in the failed laminate makes me realize how cool this is going to look, once completed.I've tasted the sacred waters; No way I'm backing out now. Edited October 23, 2015 by OldAndyAndTheSea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndyAndTheSea Posted October 24, 2015 Author Share Posted October 24, 2015 Got some packages this morning.The latest thermostat housing.And here are the past sacrifices to the Speed Gods...Each one had a different, unique, failure. Well I've changed plans, once again, and won't be attempting to modify the latest. I'll be using (and calibrating to) Nissan sensors. I should have done this from the start, or like 4 housings ago...haha. I'm stubborn...This will be lucky number seven. Powder coated.Oil Temp gauge 2-5/8" this will replace my current fuel level gauge mounted in the dash. The current gauge has never read properly, because I attempted to "hack" it with resistors, trying to make it agree with the Nissan sender.Needless to say...Didn't work. Well actually it did, once. It read correctly once. That was it though.I will then mount the new 2-1/16" programmable fuel level gauge where the stock radio would go, in the new carbon dash.Upon initial testing, I found that my fuel level sender was out of spec. It also had a couple dead spots in the range of motion. Years of wear took its toll.So I bought a new one, and proceeded to calibrate the gauge.Confirmed each quadrant of the gauge works. Appears to make sense, based on the sender position. Very cool.FullMoved the arm down a little.A little further..More still...And empty.And a random position - just to be sure.Sweet!Now to put everything back together.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndyAndTheSea Posted November 11, 2015 Author Share Posted November 11, 2015 Composites update: Turned the failed first attempt into a new master plug. Deleted the vents this time.Also, decided to put a flange on the plug. This will make many aspects of the build much easier, it just takes much more time.After some time, I finally got to spray the plug tonight. Now the real fairing begins.In other news, I received this tote today - via GreyhoundWhat could it be?A factory Nissan 3.70, 2 way, CLSD out of a 1987 300zx turbo, that's what.A little freshening up, and into the car it'll go!I now own all the mechanical components necessary to drive.Yes.Yesss..Yesssssss... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fyanrudger Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 Where'd you pick up the CLSD? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98blackbell Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 Congrats on the diff score! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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