Almost ready for Iowa...

Well we're not quite ready yet, but we're getting close. Jeff got the new headlight bar started. Its not quite done yet, still slides in a bit tight, and we might lower it closer to the bumper yet. But other then that we just need to finish up the wiring and its good to go.


We did get the new radiator mounted once we got the support bracket remade. Took a little tweaking to get all the mounts lined back up, but it fits good and sturdy now. Got the fans hooked up, and mostly rewired. This time we're wiring them direct to switches and their own 12V power. We think whatever computer they were running through last year, and at RA, weren't working anymore. Luckily it wasn't hot that race...


We also decided to make another durability upgrade for the summer races. We've added a transmission cooler fan. We noticed last year at races like Iowa, where we'd have high speed time on the banking and slower speed through the infield, that you could watch the transmission temperature drop and climb based on car speed and airflow. So we think the fan will help with this. We also remounted it for straighter more efficient airflow.


With more power going to individual switches, we cleaned up some wiring. Soren and Erik almost got the new stuff done. We also replaced our makeshift alternator wire rerouting job from Brainerd last year, with a single wire. This also ended up moving our kill switch to the dash panel for easier wiring.


And lastly, we cleaned up Pon's epoxy job on the air intake and air filter housing. A dab of RTV and we should be all set with no leaks. We debating going with an aftermarket conical air filter and making our own adapter, but didn't want to get dinged for any AIV increase for using a more expensive air filter.


Next weekend there's a little wiring to button up before we can start it up. There's also some tubing to hook up for the transmission cooler and radiator, now that everything is mounted again. Add the new gauge for the transmission temp, maybe add a real coolant temp gauge, recalibrate the fuel level gauge, set the alignment, and a do quick front brake job. Doesn't sound like much, but it'll be a full day's worth of work.

Working for the weekend

Of course I had to throw in another picture of our awesome trophy. Still haven't done a good post race explanation, which I apologize for, just been busy trying to fix things in time for Iowa.


So we had a good work day today. Got the radiator out, and its pretty clear that the frame moved, because the radiator didn't used to have a notch in it. But the frame did spring back somewhat. Soren measured the suspension mount points, and everything still seems to be square. So we're moving forward with fixing stuff.


Our radiator mounting cross member has seen better days. Between the original bear hit, a trip through the gravel, and not meeting wall, its about time to replace it. So we're going to cut it out and make our own.


The airbox was more damaged then we thought. It was pretty much cracked all the way around. Pon got it put back together, and epoxy'ed. Hopefully it holds fine. A little sanding and it should be as good as new...ish.


Apparently after the broken tie rod, the brake rotor decided to contact something. Not sure what, but the rotor had a big gouge in it now. I guess its time to order new rotors. Grant got the tie rods all replaced. First the broken one, then based on the amount of play in the inner tie rod, we decided it was time to replace the other side as well.


And yeah, maybe it really IS time to replace our brake rotors. Stress cracks throughout. But I guess the Frozen Rotors held up pretty well considering they did 14 hours at BIR, then around 18 hours at Iowa, and probably about 3-6 hours in track days. But for fun, I'm going to put on regular rotors and see what the difference in life span is.


And I guess its time for a little race update. As most of your know, we placed second on Saturday, and earned the fastest lap of the day. The Lexus was running well. Below is a picture after we received our fancy trophy.


Also, here are a couple videos that I've uploaded to Youtube. There are more available on my youtube channel.

Road America damage report, part 1

Sorry, a race update will follow later tonight or tomorrow. But I did a little initial investigation of the damage. So pretty clearly the driver side inner tie rod is gone.


Lower a-arm looks to be okay.


Upper a-arm looks to be straight and okay as well.


Radiator, not okay. We knew this from previous inspection at the track.


And the left frame horn seems to have tweaked a bit. How much? Not sure. Enough to matter? Not sure. Hopefully its all in front of the suspension and shock mount points, and those stayed straight.


Lastly, the engine will not start. Not sure why. Something may have gotten disconnected, but the old ignition switch didn't work either. So a fuse probably blew (hopefully that's all). We'll be checking it over more tomorrow. It would go back into the garage a lot easier if it was running.

RA delayed one week

So our race got delayed due to the snow, ice and cold. Big shocker being that Road America is in Wisconsin. The good news is, that gave us more time to button up the car and fine tune a few things. I think we're pretty much ready to go now, just need to pack the truck and trailer.


Added a couple new sponsor stickers to rep the nice tire deal we got.


The hood and bumper almost line up now.


Jeremy wanted to mount a bumper cam, for a sweet view during the race. So since we don't need headlights in this race, I stuck it right up front.


And the interior is all cleaned up. We also added a new fuel level gauge. Hopefully it works close enough. Even though we need to top off the tank each pit stop regardless.

We're all ready to Chump it up at Road America!

The bumper is now relocated over the new tubular bumper. Charles and Pon stitched the bumper back together, and preserved the bear hair yet again. Good work guys, it looks, well, as good as it can.


Here my dad was getting the heater fans (aka computer fans) installed with the adapters. The adapters were going to make it easy to add ducting, but we went another route later.


This view shows the big inlet fan. This will provide "low" fan function, and blow air through the heater core. The computer fans will provide the "high" fan function.


And here's the final location we decided to mount it in. Mounted up off the cage, it let us use some tubing elbow to aim airflow rather then having to run ducting. I hope it works. Actually I hope its warm enough that we don't need it!


Friday night Soren swung by to drop off his mess of wires and switches. When I plugged it in to test it, it worked, so there's a method to madness. Apparently 90s luxury car wiring isn't as straight forward as one would think.


Here's where we got by the end of Saturday. The switches were all mounted, but the car would no longer start. Frustrating...


So after a good nights sleep, some delicious birthday dinner, a clear head prevailed and lead me to the kick panel fuses, where I found two blown fuses. I believe these were the result of working on the cutoff switch with battery power still hooked up. Whoops. So a couple new fuses later, and everything's lit and running. While it was running I even bled the powersteering since we had replaced the hose again.


And here we are, everything's back in the car. We did get all the wire zip-tied away after the pic was taken. So we're all ready to roll. Time to pack the gear and get ready to race. I'll probably take it for a spin tomorrow or Tuesday after work. And yes, I added a couple additional sponsor stickers too.


Big thanks to everyone who helped wrap up the car in the last couple days. Especially my dad, who came up and worked with me all Friday night and all day Saturday!

Just about ready to throw some heat

Well we start with Jeff getting almost done on the door mods. Had to smooth it a bit, and there's still a little work to do, but its close.


Saturday we got the new dash panels cut out. The center one is all mounted and ready for switches. The steering column gages need tabs welded in place, and some final trimming to be done. You can see the steering wheel hanger mounted on the cage, it should help keep the nice wheel from getting dinged up.


Caz welded up the new box for the heater core. Of course all I had in the right size sheet was stainless, but it shouldn't rust now.


We decided to reuse the old heater core, and just remount in something smaller and removable.


Here's a mock up I did Saturday of the mini fans we're going to run for the defrost and driver heat.


Then I mocked up the inlet fan.


To help hold up the heater core, I made a brace for the base of the box. Here you can see it through the big hole for the inlet fan.


And here's a view of the core resting on the support brace.


Then I stole the supports from the original heater core box, and reused them. Since I can't weld stainless at my house, I decided to do the remaining work as bolt on or screw on. This worked out pretty nicely.


One hole saw and a little plasma cutting later, and we have 4 holes for the mini fans. I also drilled all the mounting holes. Now I just need to get some fans, wire them, and build a mounting bracket for the box. Its pretty close though, it should get installed next Friday. Also need to decide where to put it.


Then on Sunday night we made a stop by Caztek to check out the new City Cycle tourer. Caz and his crew have been working for months on a new, better touring pub-cycle.


Close up of one of the many nice Caztek details.


Nice little spot for the driver.


Two sides of "bars" with pedals and coolers in between, you know, in case the keg empties, like it did tonight.


And here's a shot from the side, for more info check out The City Cycle

Getting closer to being a real chump...

So its been a couple weeks since I've posted an update. But don't think work hasn't been going on. A little time over at Caztek's shop got my new steering column all situated. Then Jeff and I spent some time getting the column located and braced up. What you see here is the finished product, with the new fancy suede steering wheel on.


It is a removable wheel, with a nice Longacre quick release. Here we also have the new "dash" panel mocked up. Pon came over and helped get that done. Saturday we should get the new panels made up, and hopefully start getting some of the new switches wired up. We should also have the new heater box, so we can hook up the defroster. Then we just need to tuck away the wiring and tie things up for the race. The muffler is back installed. We gave up trying to get the Y-pipe off until we have more time. So for now the catalyst material stays put.


And Jeff started work on smoothing out the door entry point to make getting in and out with the door closed easier(ie loading the car on the trailer). That was of course until we ran out of welding gas. On to our third bottle. Tune in after the weekend, some more work should get done soon.


Also, I thought I'd share that those damnedable cottonwood trees that almost ruined our fancy paint job last spring, are officially firewood.