While we wait for delivery of the springs and shocks, some progress was made on the interior. Specifically, the tunnel sheet metal cover was fabbed. It will be held in place with a series of small screws that will tie into nutserts on the frame. The shifter will get a leather boot at some point in the near future. (And yes, the seats are in desparate need of re-upholstery/re-covering....)
Overflow catch-can is now complete; Joe created a work of art. Radiator shroud is next up in the queue. Southern Arizona is a friggin' hot place to live, so anything/everything we can do to keep the engine temps in check are worth the effort.
Well, she scoots under her own power! Huge milestone today!
She still needs actual springs and shocks; we're currently running hard steel pipe in place of springs while we order the actual units. Also needs a dozen odds and ends, most notably a proper tune, some body panel fitment issues, interior work, and various electrical wiring stuff (horn, front lights and signals...). But I don't care! She runs!
Replacement Wilwood master cylinders arrived, were installed, and the system bled. Still need some plumbing done on the clutch, but the brakes are working! Woot! Also, we got the custom driveshaft built and installed. And the trick custom overflow tank that is tucked down in the passenger-side wheel well is nearing completion. Big week for the car...
The car was put on scales today. The reason for doing the weight now (besides pure curiosity) is to help size the springs and shocks, which will be ordered ASAP.
Total weight (sans springs/shocks and driveshaft) is 1,846lbs, with a 48:52 Front:Rear balance. A little heavier than I expected, but still not too bad. The rear-bias is also preferred to front bias, but regardless, it's pretty close to the perfect 50:50 goal. When I pull out the current beefy steel strut bars and replace them with proper springs and shocks, plus add weight of the 11-inch long driveshaft, I'll probably be around 1,925lbs.
First the bad news: the master cylinders we're using are NLA... and mine are not functioning correctly. No problem, right? Just get a rebuild kit, and... uh, you can't get a rebuild kit anymore. Long story writ short, we're going to have to convert from my current CNC M/Cs to Wilwood units. Worse, this means we're going to have to get creative with packaging, as the Wilwoods are taller, and (of course) hit the bonnet when it's closed. Sigh.
In good news: we got the transmission driveline adapter installed, and the driveshaft measured up. Next up is to get the driveshaft builder to, well, build a tiny little drive shaft for us. About 12-inches in length, total.
Brakes lines nearing completion. Fuel tank fully installed and plumbed up. Next up will be driveshaft fab and then springs and shocks. Lots of other little things in the works, too, like radiator shroud, catch-can, headlights, horn, and such. Goal is to get her "drivable" within a few weeks. Woot!
A short video of the Dakota Digital gauge cluster with lighting on:
Also, the vapor trapper for the fuel system was installed using a custom mount that is attached up under the rear of the car behind the rear firewall.
Rear lights (taillights, turn signals, & brake lights) all work now. Still have to get the license plate light in, but the wires are run to that location. The lighting for the gauge package are also working; it really looks great. And some initial mock-ups for the tunnel top are being worked on. Really, really happy with the way the whole car is coming together. Can't wait to get her on the road...
The Dakota Digital Dash got electrical power and works! Most of the wiring is now run throughout the car, though there are still some ancillary wiring to complete connections with (e.g., radiator fan, headlights, etc). The vapor cannister for the fuel system was purchased. We're within a week of first engine start-up. Really excited.
The gauge set we're using is from Dakota Digital. It comes with a black box where all the various "gozzinta's and gozzouta's"signals are currently getting connected. The box is mounted behind the dashboard on the firewall. Wiring continues...
Wiring continues, with the focus on extending and making harness connections that will allow us to start the car for the first time. Fuel level sending unit was installed; the tank is now ready to go into the car. The under-hood fuel pressure regulator and gauge were installed, including a trick little custom vacuum tube to connect the fuel regulator and wastegate to intake manifold pressure. The list is getting pretty short!
Funk Motorsport heat shielding installed under the exhaust system (looks even better in person). Intake plumbing mostly complete, and fuel tank nearly ready to go back into the car. We're shooting for the end of this month (August) for the first engine start.
