Getting closer........

[Jim Nilsen]

I made the decision to send the ecu and distributor to Accel and let them have a chance to get me something that works. It hopefully won't cost me anything to get a working unit that will plug and play and not give me the need to have any help to get it running with a good enough tune out of the box that I can learn to tune it myself. The least of it all I will at least have parts that I might be able to use or sell instead of total junk that doesn't work.

It will be almost like starting over from the beginning except this time I will have all of the other excuses that it wouldn't work taken care of. I spent a lot of money chasing the problem and those things that were done can't be excuses for anyone to take anymore money from me and blame the results on Accel or me. The unit that comes back had better work or they will get it back until it does. I will not settle anymore and swallow, I will get guarantees from now on that the work I pay for will get done or I don't have to pay. I figure it will keep anyone from ever taking money they didn't give me results for and it will keep them from practicing on me and getting paid for it.

So we will see if Accel can get me something that works. It is their chance to show a lot of people that they care about the customer and have a product they stand behind and works. If this doesn't work I will drive a stake through their business like nothing else if I can have anything to do with it. I really hope they send me something that works so I can finally put this whole thing to rest and move on to the rest of the car.
If I have to put a crank and cam trigger on to make it work at least I will have tried to let it be resolved and the whole world will know if the dual sync distributors actually work well if at all.

The next time I ever take my car to a tuner I will be totally ready for it with no bad parts to give excuses for bad results, the car will run good but just needs to run better and it will be already as good as I can get it and want more before I ever even go.

I hope these are lessons none of you have to learn the way I have.

Place your bets, Will Accel come thru or will I be right back where I am right now?

[Jim Nilsen]

I keep going over the whole damn scenario in my head of what has happened and what might happen and it is making me think things that lead me to believe I have been beating my head against the wall of hopes and dreams that will never come true until I get the piece of crap efi out of my life.

It keeps haunting me that I have listened to people who have said they can get it working and have failed every time and have taken my money every time with no results. I am beginning to trust noone and have realized they can take my money with no conscience. God how do people do that?

If I was to get the crank and cam trigger setup and then go to get a tune on it and the ecu is still part of the problem I will have had a diagnosis of a bad dual sync distributor that would eat up $1500 or more and still not work. That would mean that I would have spent $2500 to hear another set of excuses about the parts and I would be screwed again. For that kind of money I could have bought an LS motor somewhere or an new Bigstuff 3 or just about any scenario you have seen around here that cost less to get something that works. along with it I have lost money from taking time off to get this fixed.

Along with all of this the anger is making me sick and tired. Cancer was easier to beat than this problem and I only beat it because I didn't listen to the people who said they could help and decide to treat myself. Do I have to do the same to get my car going?

All of you do yourself a favor and if you are on the fence about what to do for an engine, get a running LS motor out of a car and never give in to the advice to run what you have when what you have will never compete with a stock LS motor for the money.

2Years ago or less Andrew told me I wasn't crazy for thinking I could ditch the whole damn setup I had and offset the cost of an ls motor and be way ahead. I got advice from some that said to get what I have running. Guess who's advice was the best? Every time I have followed Andrews advice or instructions I have had success with my problem. Andrew has true vision and common sense that just works for the guy on a budget. A big kick in my ass is what I got for not following his advice.

I keep waiting for something good to come from all of this and if I am not going to get any good out of it I hope some of you do. It seems like it has made everyone somewhat speachless as to what to say about this. When it comes down to getting help I keep hoping for some good help. So far the best help has been free and saved me money and those people should be proud and their Karma good. I will let you figure out what I got when I paid.

When you get cancer you ask yourself ,Why Me what did I do to deserve this. When you get bad parts and bad help and advice all together you ask yourself the same thing. The worst part of it all either way is you are paying people to help you and it just keeps killing you until you stand up and tell them to get F'd and help yourself.

If it is me and my attitude that is messed up let me know because my belief in any of this and the people involved is almost gone and I really need to know if it is me and bad decisions or the people who give you a vision of what you are going to get and then want you to poke yourself in the eye to be blind enough to see it their way and keep giving them money.

Jeff Jasiek who came and got the car running and was not able to put a tune on it because of time has been the only one who couldn't take the money he wanted because he wasn't able to give me what I paid for, he only asked to be paid for what he did that helped. He is a good man and I want everyone to know that.

I am all ears as to what you guy's think because I am confused about what is right and wrong at this point by the outcome?

[Payton King]

Been there before plenty of times on my yellow car...think its the color. LOL

I see 3 things sitting on the sidelines and watching this unfold:

1. See what Accel says about the stuff you sent back
2. Put a regular intake and carb on the car so you can drive it.
3. Do #2 and start saving for an LS motor.

Personally, I like option 3 the best. It is hard to beat an LS motor.

[srh3trinity]

I think that after all that you have been through on this build, you deserve to be able to get the car on the road and enjoy that. Payton's suggestions seem to be the most likely way to do that. It seems like you ought to be able to get an intake/carb setup on it for relatively cheap so you can drive and enjoy the car while you are waiting on option 1 or option 3. I can't even begin to imagine your frustration, and I for one would like to see you get to enjoy your car.

[Jim Nilsen]

Been there before plenty of times on my yellow car...think its the color. LOL

I see 3 things sitting on the sidelines and watching this unfold:

1. See what Accel says about the stuff you sent back
2. Put a regular intake and carb on the car so you can drive it.
3. Do #2 and start saving for an LS motor.

Personally, I like option 3 the best. It is hard to beat an LS motor.

Hi Payton, So when you see a Yellow car, does that mean they really worked twice as hard to get it on the road? lol.

I got confirmation that Accel recieved my stuff at 2pm today so I expect to get a call tomorrow. The big hope is that I can put the ecu and distributor back in and with the number of times I have been thru the timing sequence, I should be able to turn the key and have it start right up. I have been thru the idle setup and I have the cam specs more figured out. So plug and play should be the way. If it revs up and runs even fair it will be good enough to have fun. I will work out the tuning part later when I can get back on the road, snow is here to stay and no more drives but I can open the garage door and do some tuning I hope.

I have resisted putting the intake and carb that came with the engine just to get it running. Reworking the fuel system and wiring to go back is not too hard but it is a lot to do. If I can't get something going by March I will do it. I may have to rebuild the carb so I would know it didn't leak but it should be jetted right. All in all I really don't want to go back that direction.

I am going to start looking for an LS setup from a wrecked vehicle that has the ecu,harness and a good program to go from the start. I have heard too many people saying they have picked them up for less than a good set aluminum heads for my old school engine.
OOOOH Yes I am going to start looking.

Thanks for the advice I needed it.

[Jim Nilsen]

I think that after all that you have been through on this build, you deserve to be able to get the car on the road and enjoy that. Payton's suggestions seem to be the most likely way to do that. It seems like you ought to be able to get an intake/carb setup on it for relatively cheap so you can drive and enjoy the car while you are waiting on option 1 or option 3. I can't even begin to imagine your frustration, and I for one would like to see you get to enjoy your car.

Your thoughts are appreciated a lot. Keep them going and I promise the car will run and I will get to enjoy it. Road America,Gingerman, Blackhawk and who knows where else is where the car is going to be. The main priority is to go have fun. With the job situation the way it is these days one never knows when one might have to sell the car and if it just sat there the memories that could have been would never be. I never thought I would be able to drive around Road America in someone elses car much less my own, I hope the event happens.

Keep up the faith for me !!!

[Jim Nilsen]

I have been distracting myself for the last week looking for tires and wheels. I found a virtual wheels place I can put a basic pic of a 67-8 Camaro you can make the color of your car and then put the wheels and tires on it, you can even raise or lower the car if you like. www.performanceplustire.com (http://www.performanceplustire.com) is the place and you have to have java loaded on your computer for it to work. If you don't have java they send you to where you can download it. It was a lot of fun and really enlightened me how what I thought might look good didn't. The big question is to spend more on wheels and less on tires or go with functional wheels and the best tires ?

The ecu from hell is getting a new board and an upgrade !!!!!

Accel called today and after checking everything out they couldn't find anything physically wrong with the ecu or the distributor leaving only some kind of corruption in the board that could be making the timing be bad. So to make sure that I didn't install it back in the car and then find that it was a bad board still that was just updated they made me a deal I could live with and I am having an updated new board and the much newer version of the software. This should get rid of the problem if it was the board and then if I have problems it will have to be from something else. It will run at twice the speed the other processor did and have features I didn't have before. I would have gotten 4.0 instead of 6.0 so it will be worth it I hope. It should be plug and play from now on.

I am hoping to get it back before Xmas and get it installed to here it fire up before the end of the year. I will feel a lot better knowing I can have it all running well before I get started on finishing it before spring.

So check out the tires and wheels and have a good Christmas.

[Bow Tie 67]

Jim if racing is the concern, TIRES!!! if looks are your concern ( we both know that is not the case ) then rims.

I think my car looks F ing Ugly with my track tires and rims. Have a great holiday.

[Jim Nilsen]

I have an email that has a tracking number and it says my DFI is on the way and will be here tommorow :fingersx: Go Brown !

While looking for a Belden usb cable I found the other brand I couldn't remember the name to, Startech, while reading the features of the adapter I found out something interesting. Some usb adapters must have a problem going from one port to another because the Startech claims it can be unplugged and plugged back in and go from one port to a different port with no problems. If this is the case, my usb port problem on my laptop will possibly be solved.

I am getting a bit more enthused about putting it back together and starting it up. With a new bit of info on the screen and more control of things I am hoping it will be plug and play. I will actually have a lot more choices of programs to download from Accel that will work with the ecu now because of the new version.So with some luck I just might be over the hump with this and can move on to things like they were supposed to be.

I have learned a lot this year and got to have more fun along with the disappointment than a person should probably have in one year but it was way better in the end of the year than the dead start I had going into it!!!

Anyone see that Brown Truck?

[bigshotsho93]

wow jim, i cant believe the problems your having with the efi... your stronger willed than i am. i would have at the very least put an intake and carb setup on it and saved for the LSX setup. but you are strong willed and want to see this project through as invisioned :twothumbs. hope the big brown truck brings good news for you today.

[Motown 454]

Glad to hear its going in your favor with the upgrades.

[Jim Nilsen]

I just got my setup back from accel and they went over the whole thing and even put more shim in the distributor just to be sure. I went from version 3.1 to 6.1 5 . I am able to monitor the cam and crank signal now and have a whole bunch more troublshooting and help info in the program along with a much faster system.

It is sleeting outside and the garage is getting warmed up and I am putting it back in.

[Jim Nilsen]

sZHUxQklsnI

While the garage was warming up I posted a couple of videos on youtube.The link above should get you to them. They are from a bit of a drive I took to go to the Sonic drive in that is located in Belvidere. You get to see a decent shot of the gauges when it is dark outside about 2 min into the larger one. The quality isn't the best but it does have sound and the sunset wasn't too bad for a late November day.

It may take a bit for them to post them up. Just put the number 4 or 5 in place of the title and you should get them.

[Jim Nilsen]

It's been a long time waiting for the damn weather to get a bit warmer so not much has been going on in my garage.

I have just started to get back to things and my computer is back in the car along with the dual sync distributor ,it is definately not the same so it hopefully is going to work now. I tried to get my laptop to connect with the ECU but the ECU still wants com port 3 and I am going to have to get my laptop repaired or get a new one. It's almost the same price to do either. I have a friend that I am waiting on to bring over their laptop to just get the car up and running again.

The break away from the car has been a good one too, I was getting stressed out over the whole EFI situation, the more I kept trying to force it to go my way the farther I went the wrong direction in my bank account,lol. I have a plan and am going to follow it thru.

More to come soon.

[Bryce]

very cool Jim. Thanks for sharring with me.

[Jim Nilsen]

I finally have a laptop that got me into the ECU last night. I have the distributor in position and plug n play program in with most of my startup procedures done. I am going to go back over it again today to double check some of the parameters to make sure I didn't overlook something in the excitement.

I was able to get in with com port 4 and not 3 for some reason on the laptop. It is a laptop that I had used before from a friend and it liked com port 3 the last time but why it changed ? Could be the plug on the laptop? I had to move it from the bottom usb plug to the top one to get it to work at all. It is good to know that things are different as hopefully it will be all different since it didn't work right before.

I am trying to find someone to make it over and be the timing light person. Not even going to try and do it all by myself. I know the engine is a running engine that has no problems that can plague me as before and as long as I follow the instructions and what I have learned from all of this I hope I will be able to go past 3,000 rpm without igniton timing problems.

:fingersx::cheers:

[Jim Nilsen]

I just got done going over everything in the ecu 1 more time and found a couple of things I hadn't gotten to in the VE predictor table that will make start up a lot easier.

Everytime I go into the ecu I learn something new.The new program has a much better help section and when I talked to dave at accel the other day I feel more confident in the dual sync dis. having been gone over. It even had torx screws replacing the phillips screws to tighten the rotor adjustment.

I am pretty confident that I everything setup correctly, plugged in and can go to start it up as soon as I get a helper.

I have been through the routine so many times with bad results and nothing to be found wrong at the very end ,that along with all the nightmare stories of ecu's coming back and not working at all I am just going to expect something and if it works right I will feel blessed for once.

Everyone keep their fingers crossed and positive thoughts, This unit really needs it !!!!!

[Bryce]

:fingersx:

[Jim Nilsen]

No more igniton problem, AMEN

the car runs great when it gets enough fuel by pooring it in, the rpms go up like right now and will go up to 4 grand like it never has.

The problem I am having at the moment is getting it to start without pooring fuel in. I have talked to Don Bailey and he says it is more than likely just the starting fuel enrichment that is not enough to get it to fire off and it is cold. 56 degrees makes it harder. I am warming up the garage to around 70 and going to see what happen while trying to enrichen everything until it starts on its own.

If it would have been warmed up more and not been stupid to try I think it would have gone to the rev limiter :jump:

[John Wright]

woot!...waiting to see how it acts once warmed up...woot!

[Jim Nilsen]

:jump::bananna2::worship::yeah:


Got it to start and idle nice and it revs to 5500 rpm with no ignition problems noticeable anywhere

I have to thank Don Bailey , Jeff Jasiek and Dave Seidel from Accel for their help today to tell me what to do and for me to get it straight in my head and answer the questions about what to do next.

And a big help from my friend Jim who came over to pour gas in the top to let me know it was going to run and not an ignition problem.

Now I can finally move on to finishing up the rest of the engine bay and the interior.

I have to wait for the snow to melt and streets to clear to have some driving fun but I can at least start it up and keep tuning it bit by bit until I have it as close as I can and then it will be off to get a max tune on it to complete the search for power.

Thankyou to everyone for hanging in there and praying for me to get the beast running. It's been a long hard road to get this far.

I will try to get a video up as soon as I can on youtube.

It sounds better than it ever has !!!!!


!:cheers:

[wmhjr]

Good news, Jim! Spring isn't THAT far away... Pretty soon that thing will be on the road.

[Jim Nilsen]

Good news, Jim! Spring isn't THAT far away... Pretty soon that thing will be on the road.

I've had the car up and running for only a few hours and I already have the itch to go for a ride real bad. It sounds so sweet at over 5k that I know I will be pushing it to 6 soon enough.

I finally have the smile on my face that I was looking for the 1st time it started up. The next drive out of the garage is going to be as soon as possible. My mind has had visions that were broken but they are back and I am excited again.

A lot of nervousness has finally left and I won't miss it one bit !!!!!!

Now I just have to make sure it doesn't look like Bad Penny at the moment for any length of time. The front clip won't come completely off but I do have to pull the grille and header panel to finish up the hood hinges and get the header panel repainted.

I am going to drink a beer and celebrate


:cheers:

[NOT A TA]

Congrats Jim! As soon as you get a time when the roads are dry and the driveway mud frozen take her out for a rip around the block! And don't forget to have someone take some pics or video.

[Motown 454]

Glad to hear you got it whipped. Now all you need is some 70 degree weather to drive in. lol

[David Pozzi]

Great news Jim!

[Jim Nilsen]

Congrats Jim! As soon as you get a time when the roads are dry and the driveway mud frozen take her out for a rip around the block! And don't forget to have someone take some pics or video.

You saw the end of my drive in the video didn't ya !!!!!!!

That is more than likely what will happen too :)

As long as it is together the morning sneek down the frozen tundra to the clear and dry street in late March is more than likely going to happen. The thought of the car being show perfect left my mind when I saw what the track does to these cars so quickly :enguard:

Function over form has been the philosophy and the show car people will just have to deal with a little bit of wear and tear when they feast their eyes on it.

Yesterday was a good experience for me, it made me a better tuner right out of the box by neccessity. The guidance I recieved from some of the best to get it running forced me to learn the basics and get more confidence in a hurry. Now I have to keep playing with it to get the practice it takes to keep that info locked in my mind. The parameters of tuning are something I understand but the ability to translate that into a computer to make it do what you want are a whole new ballgame.

My mind has been racing since it started and if that is any indication of what the car is going to do by kinetic energy I think we are going to get to the track and have a lot of fun. :6gears:

[Jim Nilsen]

Great news Jim!


You more than anyone knows how long the journey has been for me with the car. It's been a long time since the Camaro Research Group days. I hope you like what you see and feel when you get to get the close up view and go for a drive :)

[Jim Nilsen]

Kind of ironic that the last post number before it started and ran well was 267.

[John Wright]

Great news Jim! Glad that thing is revving for ya now. I know that is a load off your mind, since you have battled that gremlin for quite a while.

[Jim Nilsen]

Probably made the neighbors wonder what was going on. Just got done doing about 30 minutes of tuning and made a bit of progress but probably missed saving the best part. I am learning that when it seems to be running just that little bit better that I better save it to a file then instead of trying a bit more and losing where it was.

I am surprised at how close I was with just guessing to start with. The auto cal only changes the values I put in by just a very small amount or none at all. All of this is without a load and could be off I would think. The engine really likes to run around 12.5 to 12.8 and when I go into the teens it sounds lean.

I ordered a wideband setup today so I can do better at the tuning and have it run where it will like it. I just don't see this engine liking to run close to 14.5 below 2000rpm anytime soon but I have a lot to learn.

I do know that it will be 10 times better than it was no matter what.

It will be a week before I probably get the wideband so I am going to do other things that have to get done and save the gas until it shows up.

I still want to get a video to post up so I will work on that probably tomorrow night.

The fun is just starting!!

[Jim Nilsen]

I ordered my 77062 wideband thru amazon.com and got a great deal at $367 and free shipping, they said 4-7 days for that and I just got in 3 days. They have 2 more left it said. Everyone else was $500 to $700 for the same unit.

I was expecting to do other stuff this weekend on the car but now I know what I am going to do:idea:

I worked on playing with the program last night and am getting a better feel for it and what each section is doing for me. I really like the 3d map to plan the ve table. It shows you the peaks and the holes without having to look at he numbers and go crazy.

I posted up a new thread to keep everyone posted on the tuning and to make it a place for those of us with an Accel gen 7 to share tuning tips and program files.

I am excited about being able to do more with the wideband and if all goes well I will have a decent tune before I pull out to the street and get going under a load, plus I will know more about how to manipulate the program.

:drive:

[Jim Nilsen]

After thinking about the install of the wideband I am doing the usual and tearing into the wiring harness to make it all nice and tidy instead of a big hole and a big grommet. I sure do wish they made non terminated kits, but at least I have been down the road before with their harnesses so it will be ok.

If I have to go thru one more battle with my wiring other than my steering column I am going to just stop with any new products and just run the car for the year the way it will be.

I did a bit more tuning today and found a bit better idle and a lot leaner startup. I keep getting closer and better at making the changes.

I couldn't believe how fast it warmed the garage up 10 degrees from 48 to 58 in about 10 minutes of running, it beats my furnace but it probably cost more for fuel,lol. but it sounds better .

I sure hope March brings a few days to get out and test drive.

[NOT A TA]

Thats one of my favorite tricks for warming the garage! Let the car warm up to full temp then shut it off and close the door. I've even done it a few times this week all the way down in So FL!

I think you've got a good plan with no more new stuff till ya get out there and drive it for the season.

[Jim Nilsen]

AHHHHHH

I spent some money to get my old laptop fixed up that has a 9 pin serial port and XP Pro. I now don't have to go thru the usb entry protocol to get in. I just hit the key and go to the online button and tap I'm there.

It seems to be working well and it only cost $120 to get there.
Now if it will hold up to the wideband data hook up at the usb port I will be good to go. Or I will have to try the usb port for the ecm to see how that goes.

All in all I can return the laptop I am borrowing and move on.

I'm going to try and find something that will let me double up the serial ports. If any of you have one let me know.

Good news is I just found I can get in thru the usb port too. YeHAAAA

Now back to actually working on the car.:)

[Steve1968LS2]

Glad to see progress on the car.. really hope to see it at Gingerman.

[Jim Nilsen]

Glad to see progress on the car.. really hope to see it at Gingerman.

It will be there for sure!!!

Will you be at either of the Road America events?

[Jim Nilsen]

I have looked at the harness long enough and the routing of the wires and everything else that has to be done and I have a plan finally. I don't do anything it seems without a plan that I can envision the outcome. I hate doing things twice especially when it involves making holes in the car. So far no holes that haven't been utilized somehow.

I got my fix again today for firing it up so I will have to wait till the wideband is now for the next time.

I feel like Steve Rupp tearing my car apart again. I probably might as well get used to it going back and forth. It always makes me nervous going backwards with progress.

:cheers:

[Jim Nilsen]

step one of the harness is done, the wires came out of the main plug very easily and it was a simple 1/2" hole in the firewall and a grommet to put all the wires for the O2 sensor wires through. I have all the wires back in the main plug and wrapped back up.Now for the fun part of hooking them to where they go inside the car.

Fortunately the wires are marked for the connections.

The one thing that seems to bug me the most is how I am going to watch the 2 screens at once? I think I can hook up the other laptop to the wideband for tuning it to start . will it be ok? we will see.

I probably should hook up the gauge wire output to the Racepak. I will have to look to see if it can go to the usm with no problem with the voltage output. It would be nice to have the a/f ratio on it.I will have to call and talk to Donny and I know he will have the answer.

If all goes well I will be done with this by the middle of the week.

I am headed to a swap met tomorrow morning in grayslake,il.

I don't really need anything but some other friends are going in and i never know what I might find?

Now for step 2 to take out the gauge panel in the center of the dash and start wiring everything up.

[Jim Nilsen]

The wideband is in the car and is working.


The program I got from Rob is closer than the one I had.

Still a few bugs to work out but it is ready to button up and finish.

There is a lot to finish for detail work up front and in the interior but it won't stop me from making it to the track.

Now if it hadn't run out of gas I would start it back up,lol.

It is getting warmer out and the snow is melting fast,rain coming instead of snow and the car runs.

Now if the weather for the events is all good it will be a good spring.

[Jim Nilsen]

The weather was good enough to get the car out today.

Things are a lot better than last year.

After 650 miles I already have a header gasket leak,lol. I have the stage 8 bolts and I didn't retighten them up soon enough it sounds like. As with most headers there are just those couple of bolts that are a royal pain to get to and there were so many other problems I really didn't get to it in time.

I was taking it easy but it seems to be wanting more timing. With the header leak I was afraid to really get on it because I couldn't tell if I was starting to knock over it. Sure didn't sound like it was knocking at all but without someone else to drive I couldn't really adjust the timing to tell so I played it safe.

It is going to rain some more but I am ready for the next sunny day to get out and do some more tuning.

Spring is here as far as the car is concerned. It stays so nice and warm in the car from radiant heat I don't even miss the heater above 40 degrees.

I am having a hard time finishing some of the other things until I get the engine running good. I really hate pulling the car apart and putting it back together after driving it. I now know that driving is a lot more fun than working on it.

I will try to get a video soon, I have been slacking off about doing it too long.

[Bow Tie 67]

I now know that driving is a lot more fun than working on it.



Told you, I wish I listened to my own advice.

[Jim Nilsen]

The weather was nice again today and I got the car out.

I am having a hard time deciding what the engine is needing at times because the computers autocal for the ve table varies a lot with the lifters pumping up and down in the mid range.

I keep thinking alphaN might be the way to tune it has a constant thru the rpm at a given throttle postition.

I do keep getting a bit more power at times . The engine really gets loud when you get past 1/4 throttle. The noise coming through the throttlebody comes right through the cowl fresh air vent loud and clear.

Did a few 1st gear lauches that were enough to tell what it will be like when it makes some more power off low rpm. I should be able to get the tires to spin in 1st just by hitting the gas from a slow roll but it just isn't there yet.

The thought of a different cam haunts me. Tuning this one is a challenge. The cost for a new one just isn't what I want to do.

Finding a roller cam and lifters that someone thought was too big for them for the street would probably be just right for my needs and would have a better profile than the stock car cam I have.

I was moving up in the gears today and it was picking up speed quickly and it could be really awesome if it was running like a normal engine.I really like the gearing.

Tommorow will be nicer and just maybe I can get another opinion about how it sounds. I should make a video and post it up so you guys can hear it and let me know?

It sure is fun to drive it!!!!!

[Jim Nilsen]

I am making progress on tuning and had the chance to go out again today. I have been dealing with the acceleration tables and finally starting to get it closer to handling some throttle. The original settings are way off and the changes are going slowly as I learn to do it.

I keep thinking about a new EFI specific cam. $250 get me in the game and it might save that in just fuel cost before the end of summer. I have to see if I can get the power out of the old stock car cam. I may like it?

Another good day on tap for tommorow.

[Payton King]

are giving you problems. I would change those first and see what happens.

[Jim Nilsen]

are giving you problems. I would change those first and see what happens.

I had some strange looking solids on the cam to start with and it was far worse to try and get anywhere it seemed and it had no vacuum at all and the compression was around 125 which is not much at all but is typical with a race cam like this I have heard.It is a full race cam for a late model stock car and I think they had the range of 3000-7000rpm in mind. If I pull the lifters out the cam is coming out too. it's not much more work to get that far with my setup and wish I had changed it when I changed the lifters the last time. I keep trying to get by doing less and end up doing more.

I really keep thinking about how much gas this thing is drinking and the different cam would probably pay for itself in a month if it gave me some mileage and a lower idle.

I do know the car won't be down for any time too long because I really like driving it.

When I finally hit the gas in 1st gear from a slow roll and the wheels spin I know I will be where I want to be be and with the gears I have it should do that with a stock 350. You know how it feels and it is sooo much fun.

I still remember how much power Deadcat has and 1/2 that would make me smile the same. This car is going to be so much faster than my last 67 and it is all because of the gears mostly.

I can't wait to see you again so I can take you for a ride!

I am going to work on the acceleration table again today. I have a lot more thoughts as to how it is working after thinking about it overnight.

The event in April is looking to be a lot nicer weather than I was thinking when the snow was deep. Spring is seemingly coming early this year. We will see?

Did you get my email address?

Talk to you soon, Jim

[Payton King]

you ordered up a new cam.

send me an email to [email protected] and I will send you that picture of you driving.

[Jim Nilsen]

you ordered up a new cam.

send me an email to [email protected] and I will send you that picture of you driving.

Yep that's the thought I had. Any more tuning will just waste gas and won't be much good for what I will need.

But it is such an amazing day outside and the car still runs and I need more practice tuning, SOOOOOOO I drove it again before I pull it apart.

It is going to snow this weekend and I won't be able to get back out for at least a week after that mess.

I am still not 100% confident the dual sync is working like it should? It is working better but things may not be the way they need to be.

I will be at the events if I have to limp there. It's too much fun to miss even if you don't have a car to run.

You will have an email

Thanks, Jim

[Jim Nilsen]

Things are moving along with the cam swap. Pulled a spring and found they are too stiff for the new cam by 50lb seat pressure. Ordered springs that will work today.

I have been disassembling the front end for the swap and am detailing some items that have had to get done so it will take a bit longer for the swap to happen.

I keep telling myself I am doing the right thing in the long run. If I have to replace the dual sync distributor with seperate pickups is the big question, more of a quest in reality. The timing holds to what it says it is so i am keeping my fingers crossed that it was just the cam being too radical for what I really want.

I am glad I actually got to drive it already which is something all in it's own.

I will be getting excited about it when it runs again. Until then I will just keep moving along.

[John Wright]

Jim (you probably already know this)check your rocker/pushrod/valve stem geometry too while you have that spring off and can measure the valve stem length. Who knows what that stockcar motor had in it with the tricks they try to pull to stretch the rules. Would suck to unknowingly use a set of pushrods that wasn't the right length due to those "special" lifters, especially if you are going to a roller cam.

[Jim Nilsen]

Jim (you probably already know this)check your rocker/pushrod/valve stem geometry too while you have that spring off and can measure the valve stem length. Who knows what that stockcar motor had in it with the tricks they try to pull to stretch the rules. Would suck to unknowingly use a set of pushrods that wasn't the right length due to those "special" lifters, especially if you are going to a roller cam.

I decided to go with a flat tappet cam because of the cost. I just couldn't spend the 1k to do a roller setup. I am going to an XFI cam that has good midrange and excellent top end. With my gearing I should be able to pull the midrange through a corner with as much power the car can handle and have plenty of power to pull in the straights.

I had to get new springs to do it right and not have forseeable problems. I will be doing all the checking to make sure it is correct. So far the lift is almost exact to the stock car cam but the spring pressures were too heavy because the stock car cam was a mechanical cam. I was forced to go with the comp cams beehive springs because the installed height and lift made the pressure of the springs I have too much at both installed height and full lift. I almost went with solids but I just don't want to mess with them.

I am most certain there will be something else that needs changing but I think I have discussed it with Comp Cams enough to get it working with no problems.
By the time I am done ,the old stock car engine will still be less money than starting from scratch with my L82 I have in the garage. i just wish I had changed the cam when it was out of the car. I fought with that thought for a couple of months and the voices all around me said to run what I had and see.

I will have one less thing to want later and it should give me a lot more low end and a good idle along with as much usable top end I will be able to get from a gen 1 engine.

I am simultaniously doing other finishing touches to the engine bay so it will be a couple of weeks to get it all done.

We'll get there one way or another.:enguard:

[Bow Tie 67]

Good going Jim, get that thing together. I have been slacking / burnt out, so my progress had been sloooooooow.

[Jim Nilsen]

Got the springs in last night and am happy about how well it went. It was a nightmare to start because the valve locks had really held tight to the retainers because of the high pressure.

Once I got the sequence down and the advice from Dave Pozzi about the best way to get them freed up it just took figuring out how to use the tool I had to the best of my advantage.

If the rest of the swap goes as good as the springs I will be happy and hopefully ready to start it up next week sometime.

April 17th is the day I am shooting for to be ready to go to Road America for a test of it's abilities.

Still enough time to get a lot done.

[Jim Nilsen]

Just pulled the lifters out and the rest of the story is out of the engine.

2 intake and 2 exhaust went bad. So much for luck. I knew I was taking a chance but I did get to drive it for 600 miles with them and didn't get stranded at least.

They all came out easy so at least it wasn't a mess and there really wasn't any metal to be found for the most part or the lack of material on them.

Haven't really seen the lobes to know what was going on there.

Now I am glad I pulled it all apart but wish I had done the whole cam and lifters when I did the rhoads lifters.

I will never do that again. Live and learn the hard way when trying to save money most of the time. You can't save money unless you spend it all in the right way sometimes.

I have to pull the water pump,balancer and timg cover now along with the radiatorand fan. Another couple of hours should get it out and the big picture will be there.

I am going to get it all in and pray for the god of engines to bless me.:hail:

[Motown 454]

Maybe it would be worth buying a Filtermag to help pick up any particles in the oil system. I hope it all works out for you.

[Jim Nilsen]

Maybe it would be worth buying a Filtermag to help pick up any particles in the oil system. I hope it all works out for you.

I have been running the Mobil one filters and tore the last one apart and didn't really find anything big or small.

There is minimal wear on 2 of the lifters and the other 2 are dished some. I didn't even have a hard time pulling them out.

I am considering pulling the pan since it is very easy to do on my car. If I have to loosen the front bolts to get the timing cover off the whole pan will come off.

I should have have put the new cam and lifters in before I ever put the engine in the car. I always thought I could run it it and see and it would cost me anymore to find out. It really did sound like a late model when I first drove it and it was something I didn't have to pay for to find out. I have a really good sounding video of it too.

I have had worse problems than doing a new cam.

I am looking forward to something that will be trackable and streetable.

I was also going to pull the front pieces off of the car to detail it all up so it really isn't a lot more work right now, so I am glad I didn't wait and have it get really bad after all of the details.

I so much keep thinking LS motor !

[Jim Nilsen]

The old heart of the engine is out and in goes the new.

Gonna get it all layed out and the tools ready to start installing tommorow.

I think this heart is a bit more up to the life it is going to lead.

[Jim Nilsen]

Just got done degreeing the cam with the intake centerline method and the cam is right on the money at 109 degrees.

Now it is on to putting it all back together. The rest of the parts I need are on the way and if all goes well I should be starting it up by the end of the week.

I have a new pulley on the way for the alternator drive to speed it up so I have good voltage at the new idle which will be much lower. I am hoping for a 600-700 rpm instead of 1000 rpm idle.

It should be straight forward to put it back together. The geometry seems to be good so far with the lift being so close to the other cam. I should be setting rockers tommorow night and starting to button it up.

Still lots to do but getting it back up and running is on top of the list.

[Jim Nilsen]

Just a few things left to do before firing it up.
Almost made it today but there is a lot to put back together and I am waiting for my new pulley. I won't wait since I can change it easily later.

Priming the oil system and putting the ignition back in and I should be ready to fire it up.

It is late and it has been a long day.

If all goes well I will fire it up tommorow.

[Bow Tie 67]

That sucks about the lifters. But like you said good thing it was caught now.

[Jim Nilsen]

Up and running again and it sounds good so far. It started right up and went to 3,000 rpm and then to 2500 and stayed there. I let it run for 10 minutes and then shut it off and let it cool to room temp so the springs could get broke in too. I just got done with the 2nd step and am letting it cool again to room temp and will run it again for another 10 to 15 minutes.

I sure hope it is breaking in the cam instead of my wallet again.

I might be able to drive it later if I get the grille back in and a few other things buttoned up.

So far so good :fingersx:

[dropit69]

thats awseome Jim. Gotta get out and enjoy the weather while we have it..had mine out last few days feels good to cruise and rip some rubber..

[Motown 454]

Glad to hear its going well for you Jim. Good luck with the test drive.

[Jim Nilsen]

Just got done going for a run up and down the street for a block or 2 just so I could get the car out and clean up the garage before going any further.

It purrs like it should and feels way more powerful than before.

I now have 35 kpa instead of 65kpa at idle and none of the other problem with tuning like the other cam had. All the practice with the other cam makes me feel like I know what I am doing when you tell it to and it does instead of the opposite.

Now it is time to put it all back together and drive it for a few miles.

I hope this is finally the last thing I need to have it just run like a normal car.

The weather was as good as it gets today even if it was summer.

I have some oil to change and hopefully that looks good too.

:cheers:

[Jim Nilsen]

There is a god of engines afterall.

Went for a good drive this morning and it is a beautiful thing. This car pulls really well and I haven't really got on it yet. Did a little tuning to the accelertion and it is responding well to all adjustments. It revs up no problem and the timing seems to be working like it is supposed to.

I am finally excited about the way it runs for the first time. Running is nice but when things aren't like they are supposed to be it takes all the fun out of it.

Now I can move on to the details and enjoy it as I go.

I am ready to go cruising this weekend and show everyone that hasn't seen the car and give rides to those who want one.

YEEEEEEE HAAAAAAAAA

:6gears:

[Jim Nilsen]

I have a smile from ear to ear right now !!!:bananna2:


I no longer suffer from engine envy. The old gen1 is cranking out some power that feels as good as anything could. The tires were screaming for help and the car was picking up and moving well in the parking lot of the machine shop I visited today. You can only go as fast as the tires will let you and we have enough to get them moving faster than the car.

This is where I wanted to be last year at this time and never made it. Just show to go ya that some things are not always in the order you want them to be. I really did have a good time last year just going to the events and seeing everyone and getting to drive Deadcat was an experience that left me with visions to be fulfilled and now with the engine running good it is happening.

I am sure I can count on a few friends to drive while I tune. It is such a handfull now that you can't even think about tuning and driving without bolting the laptop down.

I feel I now have the car it is supposed to be near completion. It is what it is and from a distance you are deceived and up close people are in amazement at the work. The feeling after 19 years of slowly building the car of my dreams on a budget leaves me still in awe as to how much cars like this are worth now. Who would have really known?

I will have a video after the weekend.

You know it is as close as it gets when the carpet goes in and all the finishing touches are ready to be done.


:drive:

[Jim Nilsen]

I just posted a video up at youtube.

It isn't very good quality but it does give an idea of how it sounds when you get on it easy. It has a bit more tuning to go before we go to full to the floor throttle.

The title is..

The CORMARO 6

It may take a bit to load for everyone to see.

[John Wright]

I just posted a video up at youtube.


The CORMARO 6



IR2KuVCMk54

Sounds good Jim......

[Jim Nilsen]

Thanks for linking it up John. It is getting better everytime I do more programming and was running really well at full throttle yesterday. Everyone who went for a ride thought it ran great and didn't even notice the qwirks.

I have a friend with a much better camera and hope they go for a ride and get me a good video with higher quality.

Cornering is still the cars best asset.

:cheers:

[Payton King]

I knew the cam and lifters were giving you problem. Glad you are heading down the right path. Looking forward to seeing you and your car at RTTH

[Jim Nilsen]

I knew the cam and lifters were giving you problem. Glad you are heading down the right path. Looking forward to seeing you and your car at RTTH

I am looking forward to being there unless work keeps me from going.

The new cam is awesome. I actually can make the power it takes to keep up with you guys on the autocross and maybe the track.

I pulled 14 mpg yesterday in a 105 mile trip with a bunch of times having my foot into it. the acceleration is awesome and it will get better with more tuning. Startup and idle are great and I just have a couple of things that have to be adjusted to get the overall as good as a factory car.

I feel like I have finally arrived and can be proud of what it is after all of the time and effort despite the $$$$ that it required.

I am going to Matt's ( Bowtie67)tonight and give him a ride so there is a good opinion from someone who really knows what it is supposed to be like.

The funniest thing said yesterday was that the car made my nephews feet tingle. One friend said it gave him goosebumps. Getting used to the time it takes to redline is going to take some getting used to, it is very quick to get there.

:twothumbs

[Jim Nilsen]

The drive to Matt's went well and I got there before it rained. We had a good drive and the car ran well. I did have a loss in fuel pressure 2 times that were unexplainable but it came right back up and the car never died.

I drove through some really hard rain on the way back and had no leaks anywhere in the car and no other issues.

I have to do a bit more tuning in a few areas but there are places I can't get it any better. The start up is great in the morning as it goes up in temp it goes down in rpm just like it is supposed to and all without touching anything but the key and clutch.

I got 15.5 mpg on the trip and really do think that if I just cruised it will do 20 mpg.

The idle is very good at 800 rpm with some fluctuation still. I might go lower but I am not sure if it will be good for the plugs? I hate to foul them up just to idle lower but I should be able to get it right so it won't.

I have to raise the rev limit another 100 rpm or so to keep the shift light at 6000 rpm and not worry about hitting the limit. I am having trouble reacting fast enough to keep it from cutting out before I lift to shift in 1st and 2nd. 1st really comes up fast but I am getting used to it.

It is the start of a good week and I hope it stays good.

I think Matt really liked the ride but he will have to speak for himself on that one.
:cheers:

[NOT A TA]

Good to see you're out driving it Jim!

[Payton King]

in pressure? Not sure if you baffled your tank and what pump you are running, but fuel slosh will cause what that problem. Ususally it is going around a corner will a low fuel level.

They sound mean idled down, but it will be more crisp if you leave it where it is. Try it and see. Mine idles at 950, but it sounds like a beast at 650.

Glad you are having fun! Long time to reap the rewards.

[Jim Nilsen]

in pressure? Not sure if you baffled your tank and what pump you are running, but fuel slosh will cause what that problem. Ususally it is going around a corner will a low fuel level.

They sound mean idled down, but it will be more crisp if you leave it where it is. Try it and see. Mine idles at 950, but it sounds like a beast at 650.

Glad you are having fun! Long time to reap the rewards.


Hi Payton, the tank has foam in it and when I checked the fuel level it was over half full. The 1st time it went low I was in a long corner on a ramp and it went down early in the corner to 30psi. The 2nd time it was just going down the road and had over a half of tank and it went down to 16 psi. I am not sure if it is the pump turning off or aeration? I wonder if it is the pump failing prematurely? The other day when I turned the key , the pump did not turn on to prime and I had to turn the key back off and turn it on again and it did prime then so I am wondering if it is the pump or the ECU? It did come back up qwick enough to not die but it came close each time.

I have a good idle at 800 and the throttle seems to be responsive enough from that point. To go lower it would really start to sound thumpy but right now it isn't too radical sounding at all. From what you are saying I might just leave it alone at 800 rpm because it won't save that much fuel to go lower and the ecu might not be as easy to keep happy in all the other areas of the tune. it really seems to have a great idle right now and messing with it is probably not a good idea until I get the rest of the engine dialed in.

I never knew it would take a year to get this far but I didn't really break the bank trying, I spent more than I wanted to but I was really trying to not spend anymore at all. It is the age old thing of trying to save a dollar and spending lots of time and a hundred to do it.LOL

With a little more tuning it will be as good as I ever expected it to be and it really hooks up inthe corners and I still need to make and install the rear sway bar. It really has a bunch of understeer and the rear just follows wherever the front goes unless I hit the gas hard and break it loose.

It is raining today and I won't be able to go out and tune today but I can keep moving on the other stuff that needs to get done.

Talk to you later.

[Motown 454]

Glad to hear its going well and the tuning is getting easier.

[Jim Nilsen]

Had a really good day. I got to meet Shaun (subtlez28) and we put one of his wheels on the back of the Cormaro to see how 11" wheels would fit and they seem to be able to work. They sure look good and would really add some traction. The offset was what I was worried about and this answered my questions about 50mm offsets,it won't be a good idea.

I got back and had a friend drive while I tuned some and even in the rain we made progress. I really had to fatten up the whole full throttle areas and was able to put a lot more timing in everywhere and still might be able to go more.

I blended the program to be smooth and am now waiting for the next nice day which won't be tommorow, snow is in the forecast.

I have plenty to do on other things and will be busy doing them.

I can hardly wait to get it out to see how the new blended progrm will be. My friend said he could really tell the difference in the throttle as I made adjustments. It was getting too cold and wet for me to want to go out and see how it went.

The amazing thing was how much traction there was with the Comp T/A's. Acceleration was still very impressive before it broke loose.

I am going to have to keep practicing on my launches out of the hole because it really comes out spinning with just a bit of pedal. I always figured I would roll into it easy and that is what it will take to keep it from spinning and hitting the rev limiter. I did raise the rev limit up to 6500 rpm and have my shift lights at 6000 rpm to give me time to know when to shift without hitting the limiter. The engine was built to go to 7000 rpm so I shouldn't have to worry about it. The cam seems to pull all the way to 6200 rpm with power still on tap.

I am getting excited about the track days coming up and have a lot to do to have the car like I want it to be when I get there. I am guessing at least another 100 hours to get to where I want to be, but I could go just like it is and be a happy guy.

:cheers:

[Jim Nilsen]

Thanks to Jeff VanBuren for selling me his spot.Things are looking good and the weekend is booked for Road America.

I have a few little issues to take care of and I will be ready to go. I am getting excited and nervous. I keep telling myself the car is ready and then find something to worry about that is nothing to worry about really. I wish the car was perfect but then they never really are, Right?

I got my wink mirror in yesterday and stopped the header gasket leak. It sounds much better without that pesky ticking/pufft sound at accelleration.

I am going thru a checklist and making sure it is all good to go.

If anyone has any advice about Road America and what I should be really thinking about let me know, I don't want to forget anything.

:cheers:

[wmhjr]

Jim, I hope you have a great time! I'm jealous of you. I'm sure that car of yours will give you loads of fun on that track!

Take pics!

[Jim Nilsen]

Jim, I hope you have a great time! I'm jealous of you. I'm sure that car of yours will give you loads of fun on that track!

Take pics!

I am going to have as much fun as possible. It will be an experience for sure.

I have not had one problem with my cooling system until I had to pull my radiator out to change the cam and I think my temp probe got damaged pulling it out. The fan isn't working now and I have a manual switch running the fan wich is not as good at keeping it steady on the temp but it does work very well.

I went out and beddied my brakes some more and found the threshhold of the rear brakes finally. I had to take a little bias off of the rear to keep them from locking up. I checked the rotors with a heat gun and they are all within 10 degrees of each other after hard braking , the rears are 10 degrees warmer than the fronts. Repeated hard stops left me with some fade by the forth time which is why I need to bed them in more from what I have been told. The brakes do stop much better when warmed up and so far are getting better each time.

I am really nervous and hope things hold together. I keep trying to be positive about the little things and the setbacks they cause. I have been through so many problems that I just figure they will always show up.


Get the plates that make your life the easiest and keep you out of trouble, you don't want them to impound your car even though the reason they should be illegal in itself.

So much to get ready and not enough experience but I am getting it now!!!!!

[Bow Tie 67]

Jim,
I've been very busy thanks again for the ride. His Camaro is coming along very nice. It's drivablility seems very close to spot on. The power is great and very linear, the black marks I kept seeing in the rear-view can attest to that. As far as stick, it has it, and I feel it will be very competetive.

For RA, you will have butterflies. Just start out learning the track, its markers, the line and dont worry about your times. As the day goes on you will start to relax. Take every advantage you can get to have an instructor ride along, this will be worth their weight in gold.

As far as things to bring, extra oil / fluids, glass cleaner, approved helmet, long sleeve shirt and pants, comfortable shoes, lots of fluids, make sure you hydrate. Tools, tire psi guage, jack, torque wrench, rags, something to kneel on or lay on. ty-wraps, duct tape serious, the + battery post will need to be covered and tape is acceptable. Something to check tire temps if you choose.

Have fun, and remember baby steps at first.

Matt

[Jim Nilsen]

Jim,
I've been very busy thanks again for the ride. His Camaro is coming along very nice. It's drivablility seems very close to spot on. The power is great and very linear, the black marks I kept seeing in the rear-view can attest to that. As far as stick, it has it, and I feel it will be very competetive.

For RA, you will have butterflies. Just start out learning the track, its markers, the line and dont worry about your times. As the day goes on you will start to relax. Take every advantage you can get to have an instructor ride along, this will be worth their weight in gold.

As far as things to bring, extra oil / fluids, glass cleaner, approved helmet, long sleeve shirt and pants, comfortable shoes, lots of fluids, make sure you hydrate. Tools, tire psi guage, jack, torque wrench, rags, something to kneel on or lay on. ty-wraps, duct tape serious, the + battery post will need to be covered and tape is acceptable. Something to check tire temps if you choose.

Have fun, and remember baby steps at first.

Matt

Thanks Matt, glad you think it is doing as good as it is. I will follow the tips and hopefully an instructor will come for the ride.

I am making a checklist so I don't forget everything cause I know I will forget something.

I just got done hooking up the cooling fan to all time power at low, the engine is getting less air now that I blocked off the the area up front to force it through the radiator. Evidently it needs the extra flow of air all the time. I think I still need to have a new temp probe because I pulled on it too hard getting it out. It did however stay at 165 degrees +- 5 the last ride and it is getting warm out.

I am going to be doing everything I can to get it prepped to hold together.

Talk to you later, now get out and get your car back together.

[NOT A TA]

Have fun at the track Jim! Don't forget your helmet (almost forgot mine once).

[Van B]

Thanks Matt, glad you think it is doing as good as it is. I will follow the tips and hopefully an instructor will come for the ride.

I am making a checklist so I don't forget everything cause I know I will forget something.

I just got done hooking up the cooling fan to all time power at low, the engine is getting less air now that I blocked off the the area up front to force it through the radiator. Evidently it needs the extra flow of air all the time. I think I still need to have a new temp probe because I pulled on it too hard getting it out. It did however stay at 165 degrees +- 5 the last ride and it is getting warm out.

I am going to be doing everything I can to get it prepped to hold together.

Talk to you later, now get out and get your car back together.

Jim,

See if you can get Dave or Mitch to ride along with you. They are usually the ones that give the kick off talk in the morning. They are both real good guys. Tell them you took my spot.

Have fun.

Jeff

[Jim Nilsen]

I am up at Road America for the weekend and am looking forward to learning a lot. The car is still having a few problems that need to be sorted out but it is running and where else to put it to the test.

The ride up was good and I am glad I came up on friday to get oriented with everything.

I will keep you all posted as to how saturday goes.

Wish me luck!

[Motown 454]

Good luck Jim. Enjoy.

[454bug]

Good Luck Jim!! :twothumbs

I know it's been a long road in coming... Stay safe and enjoy every minute of it!

The awesome feeling of being able to be part of the fun is what's most important right now... being competitive will come with time through fine-tuning and experience.

I look forward to the day of joining you in the fun!!

Have a blast! :6gears:

[John Wright]

I am up at Road America for the weekend ...............Wish me luck!
Wishing you Luck Jim....woot, another new build getting tested at the track. I'm excited for ya!

[Jim Nilsen]

I had a good day learning about driving and my car. My instructor was very understanding about the issues the car was having and how I was driving to cope with them.

The fuel pressure was dropping in the hard right handers when it was below 3/4 of a tank which somewhat made 1 session difficult to concentrate on the track and the corners. The drivers side valve cover gasket decided to take a leak when it got full of oil in the hard right corners but the great thing is that the Canton road race pan worked very well and I never lost oil pressure once which from what the instructoor said is very surprisiing.

Learning the track is overwhelming because of the size and the blind corners along with the elevation changes. The apexes are all taken later than you would normally think and see. I am going to look at the track map before I go to sleep and dream about the day tommorow.

My instructor told me that he liked the way the car handled and the way I drove it and always felt safe and could tell I had good control. To know that he felt the car had a secure feeling and sticks like it does made all the hard work worth it to me. He thinks it will be a very fun and competetive car for my ablilities. I really do need to get a rear sway bar on to help with the understeer, I was told that if I was to be a bit smoother and a bit more on the gas in the corners it would not be as bad.

I have to fix a few problems in the morningand look forward to going back out and learning some more.

I can't believe how exhausted it makes you by the end of the day.

One cool thing that surprised me was that I actually got 10mpg on the track. Never expected that. I was at speeds over 100mph and topped out once at 125mph and had more to go but the hood flexing up is taking some getting used to, hood pins may be in my future but I have a few ideas that may help and they won't be needed.

The work never ends to improve these cars and to finally get this far and find that for the most part they are little things is nice but the thoughts of bigger brakes and 17" wheels will be there until they show up on the car.

I will give an update tommorow and will post some pics next week.

[Van B]

Hey Jim, glad your day went well. Who was your instructor? You do find out those little problems a lot quicker when you run a track day. Back in 07 I had 60 miles on the car when I went up to RA for the MFBA event. I quickly found the need for a remote breather tank and found out that Baer's recommendations for adjusting the proportioning valve were way off for my car.

Enjoy tomorrow. See you in a couple of weeks.

[Jim Nilsen]

Hey Jim, glad your day went well. Who was your instructor? You do find out those little problems a lot quicker when you run a track day. Back in 07 I had 60 miles on the car when I went up to RA for the MFBA event. I quickly found the need for a remote breather tank and found out that Baer's recommendations for adjusting the proportioning valve were way off for my car.

Enjoy tomorrow. See you in a couple of weeks.

Charlie is my instructor, can't remeber his last name right now.
I was lucky enough to talk to Jeff Schwartz on wed and he talked about making sure my brakes were realy bedded in and I had the chance to really set my bias and I had to take some out of the rear which would have been a bad thing for my car with no rear swaybar.

I have to think about a vacuum scavenge from what I can tell but it may be ok.

I have learned that I need to locktite everything because the car wants to shed the bolts for less weight,lol.

I have a bunch of stuff to address and may pass on my 1st run to make sure everything is good but I think I can get it ready before if the drivers meeting goes faster today.

Thanks for the deal on the spot, it will really help me in 2 weeks.

[Jim Nilsen]

I wish I had good news all around but I don't.

I had a blast on the track and the car ran like noone would have ever believed it would. It sticks like you would hope for and it had enough power to keep up and chase down C5's. I couldn't believe how it was doing and the instructor was more than impressed. The crowd of people around my car throughout the weekend was amazing. I felt proud considering it still needed to get finished in a few areas.

It is as much my fault as it was the the instructors for what happened and it could have as easily happened to me at least I keep telling myself that to feel better. I was lifting a lot on saturday to let the fuel pressure catch up when it lost pressure but the instructor was concentrating on the track and when I saw 10lb of pressure and he still had his foot in it the car obviously went lean and cracked the piston or that is what we though might have happened? but it didn't seem like it was that bad because it still ran. He thought I could make it home but I made it 75 miles which was 1/2 way before it let go. I figured broke was broke and it couldn't get worse than that. Now I am hoping the cam and lifters are still ok. The top end is probably still all good it seems, I will be taking a look in a bit to assess the whole amout of damage.

I learned a very valuable lesson and so did the instructor. Never drive someone elses car or let someone drive your car when it is having a problem like fuel pressure. I think I could have made it thru the weekend with it and fixed the tank when I got back so it would be good but I didn't speak soon enough to get his foot out of it in time.

I keep thinking now that the engine has been possesed from the day it was built.I have never told the whole story about the engine but figure it is time since it is coming out and never going back in and the reasoning about it all might not seem right for what I went thru.

I got this engine from my childhood next door neighbor who's son had just had it out racing for a time or two and was told by his wife she wanted a divorce. The kid then decided to take his own life over it all. Now I wonder if it wasn't the engine that had possesed him becuase it had given me thoughts like that several times when it was having problems but with what I have been thru I just wouldn't go there and persevered. Watch the moving the Shining and you might understand.LOL. I was sold this engine for $500 which had 3,500 worth of parts and labor in it along with a full clutch and bellhousing. It was really a good deal or so it seemed. I did everything a guy could do to try and get it to go and make good use of it. It seems that no matter what I have done to it the upgrades didn't work with it. I finally thought it was going to be alright once the cam,lifters and springs were in and it came to life like a real engine. It is a sad thing that it was running so well after all I went thru and now this. It did have some oil blow by but nothing a guy couldn't live with.The time it went to 10:1 A/F ratio it probably washed the cylinders and wiped out the oil rings a bit but it was livable. I had finally accomplished the goal of getting it together and tuning it myself to run really good. I was very happy with the way it finally ran and what I had achieved. Now it is all going to be history.

So there you have the history of the engine possesed and why I tried so hard to get it to run. My old neighbor was really happy to see his sons engine run. I am not usually a sentimental kind of guy but it was something I tried to do.

Now I am going to pray that the new cam and lifters are still good and will work in the L82 engine I was intending to use from the very beginning. It is ironic that my website for the car says it was going to have the Corvette engine in it and not the stock car engine.

Could it be that the car just wants to be all Corvette driveline? Do cars have a way with there own destiny?

I am going to try and put the thing back together in record time to make the May 1st event at Road America again. I have had a lot of experience taking it all apart and putting it back together again.

I know you guys have me in your prayers all of the time and if you can keep them going it sure wouldn't hurt.

Thanks for listening and I will post up the pics I bought from the track photograher with the money I saved on gas for the afternoon I couldn't go out and drive.

May the engine and my neighbors son finally rest in peace together.

[wmhjr]

Wow Jim - what a weekend you've had. Keep your chin up!

[Van B]

That really sucks Jim. Sounds like you may already have the parts to fix it but will probably have to go through and make a new tune for it. Hope to see you in two weeks.

Hell, I hope I am there in two weeks. My car was torn apart today to install the Ridetech rear suspension. My fab guy swears I will have it back in time.

[Jim Nilsen]

Thanks for the support guy's. I just pulled the valve covers for the last time on this engine and found 1 rocker that was just a bit loose, it is not a good sign that the cam and lifters are ALL ok. I am kicking myself for listening to another person for advice again. The only consolation is that the tow cost me less because I made it 1/2 way home. I saved enough to buy another cam and some lifters from the quotes to get it home. $2.75 to $3.00 a mile plus $75 for showing up was the average. I don't know anyone with a trailer and kick myself for not leaving it at the track and looking for someone to help. I just wanted to get the car home. The towing company only charged me $260 and the driver was the best you could ever hope for, He took really good care of my car and di everything he could to not get a scratch on it and he succeeded.

Jeff, as far as the tune for the new setup goes I am not too worried because I had it tuned really good from what I could tell and that only took me about three hours worth of time and IF the cam and lifters survived the new setup should be closer to the tune I have compared to the one I started with.

I can't turn the engine over more than a half of a turn back and forth but it didn't seize or anything like that. The piston and rod are probably locking up on the block. I don't know what will be worth anything on the inside right now but all of the accessories are still good.

I have the L82 short block that could use some freshening up but might still be more than good enough to bolt everything on it as it is. i have to really think about it for a day or 2 while I pull the damn F'ing possesed piece of **** out . I may consider a long block for the right price and just sell all of the pieces I have to offset the cost and save some time. I have had enough of used parts in my life and am just sick of it trying to save money and getting the bad end of it.

I just can't figure life out right now. Some parts of my life are as bad as they could ever be and other parts are as good as they could ever get. I am trying to walk the middle path and just do what is right and am bouncing back and forth like a ping pong ball in a Chinese match.

I will keep at it like I always have and get the car running even better but it may be bitter sweet in the end.

If anyone knows someone with a good complete engine that they know runs for a firesale price I might be interested.

I am going to go lick my wounds and spit out the bad taste I have in my mouth right now. I keep wondering when I am going to get a break on the car from all of the **** that keeps happening. Just when I think I have it under control someone or something comes along and takes it back a step or 2. If I hadn't beat cancer I would think that life was futile and that I had no control over things. I am glad I didn't ever listen to my doctors advice and told them they were F'ing idiots or I would be dead by now. Now I just need to do what I know is right and get this engine problem over and done with.

I am so thinking LS motor but that would really cost me way more time and money and the way the car ran today when it was still running it was amazing for a 1st gen engine and proved to me that an LS motor is not as bad ass as we would all think they are over a good 1st gen that is built right.


Thanks again for listening to me rant and pray and I will keep my chin up just for you Bill. Now get that GTO on a video so I can hear your engine run to cheer me up.

More to come tommorow

[MonzaRacer]

Jim, Sorry to hear of your engine issues but as for that engine, pull it, dissect everything for tell tale signs.
Heck what you learn from pulling engines apart broke make up for it when going back together.
Lets see, my foray into oh crap land was back in 97. I had wrecked my 70 Monte so I had picked up a 71 to fix up and sell. Well owners son worked at Jasper engines (he IS an idiot) and they bought it with supposedly cracked heads and he builds some heads, typical rustoleum paint inside, ground valve and seats.
So I am figuring its good to go for now, drove it for a week, tuned it up with new points/condenser/cap/rotor and LOF.
Well comes up 3500miles later one Friday night, car dies, "tinkle, tinkle, tinkle" oil light on. Crank no start clank clank.
Well turns out cam snapped behind middle journal, 2 lifter drop down bend one rod, broke another.
So I have a spare one piece roller block at home and Jasper engine has rear seal adapter and pans available at their parts outlet. So I figure out I need a set amount, dad had came to tow me home, loaned me cash to get engine running.
Well Saturday morning is half day at work so drove dads truck, picked up parts, and my front tooth feels funny, by 3 pm its all puffy and hurting, ah abbess tooth.
So I had picked up rings and rod bearings/gaskets and such from AutoZone , turns out I had deep groove rings and shallow groove pistons, well in pain I decide to check things, I was honing block ,and tapping holes and had stripped old rings(was warranty pull from dealer with less than 8k miles) well as I looked at them the rings/expanders looked same(ie same as HAstings rings I bought)Well after fussing for few hours I clean up old GM expanders, used new oil rails(those were same size only diff wa expanders).
Well asked buddy if he had any old stock CS274 cams kits as they always save stockers and install hotter. Score cam and lifters, also got offered his old SBC Chevelle headers, so I got those too.
Well dropped heads off at old machine shop I used to work at, jsut had them fix only bad valves on cyl with broke piston.
No issues there, they WERE fresh. Famous last words.
Ok so got car back together, go get all parts I need including a MSD5, new Taylor wires, etc. Picked up heads, went home dropped parts, went to dentist, root canal of tooth(mistake should have pulled it).
Come home finish up assembly, cut it short for some rest, went to work next day, came home, still miserable but engien is going in, friend show up to help but needs to get back home as he gets up early, car is fighting us to go together, close, then moves wrong.
So I go in take some pain meds, get drink, come back out and engine falls right in.
I get it bolted in and few other things done, and call it a night.
Dad wakes me up before Ineed to get up, tells me he got a call, he has new job and need truck Thursday no matter what, so car has to get done or I dont work Thursday.
Well hang exhaust pipes loose in headers and drive it with new engine, stock, and take it to ex shop on lunch.
I then take next 6 months dialing in the Qjet and putting miles on iteven took it on Power Tour 97.
Well next spring decide to install the HOT roller I bought off friend.
Get that in, it develops what seems to be vacuum leaks, or bad lifter, so I replace lifter, then find out it has 6 WIPED OUT exhaust guides.
So I build another set of heads, swap them, then go on 98 Power tour
Ok while on near zero budget i have had to build a lot of stuff from leftovers.
salvage what you can, after it breaks the bad JUJU is used up.
Just do whats right and not necessarily the cheapest.
And remember after you eliminate all possible issues, there are you actual problems.
As for FI issues, just remember garbage in/garbage out.
you have 90% of the parts you need already there, probably most you need will be some rebuild parts and gaskets and time to swap it all over to the L82.
Wish you was closer I would come help.
But Considering I wa going to start installing big block in Caprice this week end and now have ANOTHER Abscess tooth, I couldnt even get my mower deck welded up.
Good Luck
Lee Abel
AFTERMARKET PERFORMANCE

[ryeguy2006a]

Nice Build!!

[Jim Nilsen]

I had a terrible nights sleep, I am still in shock, I can still remember there were some really bright moments in the blur of it all but am having trouble believing they happened. I keep trying to stop beating myself up for not shouting to the instructor to get his foot out of it and let the pressure come back up.Why he couldn't do a better job at it than me at watching the pressure right in front of him like I did all day saturday still haunts my mind. We both knew better and I know it but just don't know why we screwed up so bad? I am trying to not 2nd guess it all but it is running thru my brain like a freight train off a track.

I am coming to a realization that I can't rush this or I will be right back at this spot again. I have more than an engine issue and the fuel cell needs to be modified and that will take at least a couple of days on it's own to get it right.

The economy being the way it is there could be an engine out there that would be faster and less expensive than messing with the parts I have. If the heads and the valve train are all still good I am ok but if the heads is damaged I will not be able to get it done in time for anything in 2 weeks.

I am so sick of it all at the moment and keep telling myself I am better off than the guy's who hit things this weekend but it isn't working too well.I want to just crawl in a hole and hide like a wounded animal.

It is going to be an interesting day with the impact wrench. I just want to assess the damage asap to see where I am at?

I haven't sent the $$$ for the Optima event and don't know if I even want to go now? I was going to come back home from the event and finish the interior so it would be more finished and presentable for judging on sat.

I have some great pics from a proffessional photogragher and have hoped that some day my car would be in a magazine. My pics have never been good enough to make it from what I was told. Maybe the pics from the weekend and the story will finally get the car in there now? Steve , are you up to an article about a guy who has worked to build a car for 19 years and never given up to only have it turn out like this? It could be an inspirational story and one with lessons learned the hard way and pics to show that anyone with perseverence and a little money can attain someday in their life. The bright moment has become bittersweet.

I will keep hoping that there is a reason for all of this and it will have a better ending. I just don't want the ending to be like this so I will try to go on. There is a mail scam going on right now that says you can get everyone to send you a dollar and make thousands just by sending out 200 letters and 1 dollar to 6 people. Maybe if everyone here sends me a dollar I can finally get this car right? If you need my address I will email it to you,LOL.

Now I have to clean up an area to put all the good parts and be glad scrap metal is up in price.

If you want to stop by and cheer me up I could use it!!!

[Jim Nilsen]

Nice Build!!

Thankyou for the compliment.

The people who looked at my car this weekend were very impressed and those who looked long enough to see it all loved it. It is those moments right now holding me together.

Thanks agian for letting me know you like it :)

[John Wright]

Jim it was good to read about your car doing very well out there. I know it sucks to lose the motor, but motors will come and go...that is just the nature of the game. Main thing is to have fun and enjoy the fruits of your labor, that's why we spend the late nights under the car. Keep your chin up and get busy looking for a short block. It sounds like you were having lots of fun up until it broke, so that was good. Don't second guess and chew on the what if's too long, it will take away from the fun you had up to that point. Your car sounds like it is very capable, just gotta get the motor put back and...

...Be sure to get that fuel tank out and open it up to add some baffles. Gotta keep that pick up submerged in fuel.

I'll be praying for ya buddy. I get pretty discouraged not having the extra funds to finish up my car. I read about everyone else out there having fun and watching threads of cars getting build in record time while mine is just setting waiting for me to save up a few pennies to get another part or two. I feel a little bit better when I see how you and some others were able to fight through some tough times and numerous setbacks and still get to see your car make it to the track. Hang in there buddy and keep pushing forward.

[Jim Nilsen]

Jim it was good to read about your car doing very well out there. I know it sucks to lose the motor, but motors will come and go...that is just the nature of the game. Main thing is to have fun and enjoy the fruits of your labor, that's why we spend the late nights under the car. Keep your chin up and get busy looking for a short block. It sounds like you were having lots of fun up until it broke, so that was good. Don't second guess and chew on the what if's too long, it will take away from the fun you had up to that point. Your car sounds like it is very capable, just gotta get the motor put back and...

...Be sure to get that fuel tank out and open it up to add some baffles. Gotta keep that pick up submerged in fuel.

I'll be praying for ya buddy. I get pretty discouraged not having the extra funds to finish up my car. I read about everyone else out there having fun and watching threads of cars getting build in record time while mine is just setting waiting for me to save up a few pennies to get another part or two. I feel a little bit better when I see how you and some others were able to fight through some tough times and numerous setbacks and still get to see your car make it to the track. Hang in there buddy and keep pushing forward.

Thanks John, the number of times I thought I would be ready to go to the track are countless and when I finally got there I still wasn't all ready. the fuel problem should have made me not go until it was fixed but I just had to go and get some practice. I have ideas for the tank and they will wrok likethey have for others. i will have to keep the tank more than half full but it won't be running out of fuel with almost a full tank like it was. It is amazing that the fuel would move over like a wall and leave the pickup open but it does. A container that the pickup and the return line occupy is the next step.

You will get there when the time comes. I never thought I would make it at all but I have pics of the car at Road America that will live forever and they will live forever no matter how bittersweet it was.

Keep on Keepin on as they say

[Jim Nilsen]

I want to take a moment and talk about the good points of the weekend.

If you ever want to have the experience of a lifetime, sell your soul and go to an event at a big track. It is overwhelming to say the least.

The car handled like it was built to do and was able to actually keep up with C5's when the instructor was driving. I got experince that told me I am a good driver when I have my head in it.

The power of the car was more than I thought it was and the realy good parts did what really good parts do, they worked without problems. I never ran out of oil with the Canton road race pan and the gears were as awesome as can be and the instructor commented that he had always wanted a car geared like it is. He had a hard time with how I was driving until he drove it and then he understood. You just don't find a car geared the way the Cormaro is with off the shelf engineering.

Even with no rear sway bar it was holding it's own.

The people's comments about the sound of the engine amazed me the most. The words SWEET came from many people and I was self conscious about it before I went.

Several people said they had always dreamed of doing what I have done to it and couldn't figure out how to do it until they saw it on mine.

When someone would say it looked nice with the Corvette wheels I would reply with: It also has factory Corvette wheel adapters, and then they would look closer and see the suspension. Many were amazed at the engine bay and the engine setback.

I am now a better driver and have more experince at high speed.

Pics to come later.

[NOT A TA]

Jim:
Good to hear you were having a good time and were happy with the cars overall performance until the engine problem. Mechanical issues can be overcome.

In your own words :

"I had a blast on the track and the car ran like noone would have ever believed it would. It sticks like you would hope for and it had enough power to keep up and chase down C5's. I couldn't believe how it was doing and the instructor was more than impressed. The crowd of people around my car throughout the weekend was amazing. I felt proud considering it still needed to get finished in a few areas."

"The work never ends to improve these cars and to finally get this far and find that for the most part they are little things is nice but the thoughts of bigger brakes and 17" wheels will be there until they show up on the car."


"I am coming to a realization that I can't rush this or I will be right back at this spot again."


To custom build an entire car that can take the increased stress levels of road track use without anything going wrong the first time (or second,or third....) out is unrealistic. Stuff goes wrong, sometimes little things, sometimes big, and things will continue to go wrong as you become a better driver on track and increase the stress you put on the car. BUT, you will have a more reliable, better performing combination and incresased driving skills compared with not taking the car to the track. AND you get the thrills, adrenaline rush, memories, etc. along with an increased confidence level in both car and driver.

A friend was driving my car once (alone) on the way home from an event and hurt the engine (rod knock but still ran), I had the feelings you have today, however it was probably the best thing that ever happened in the long run. Pushed me to get another engine. Not having the budget to buy a freshly built engine I patiently searched for a "deal" for a short while telling everyone I knew I was looking for something to replace the engine in my car. Then I got a call about a potential engine donor. I bought the car which had been damaged in a fire with a known good engine that was more powerfull than the first. I parted the car out and used the money from parting the car to pay back the investment, so the engine was "free" not considering my labor. The engine is still in the car today.

Gen 1 small blocks are everywhere and perhaps a trip to some of the local machine shops and performance shops in your area might turn up something. A lot of high performance engines get built and very little mileage put on them afterwards. They get yanked to go BB or LS or whatever and end up sitting in someones corner on a stand. Maybe there's a project car with a brand new engine you could part out or resell as a roller to get the engine cheap.

[Bow Tie 67]

Jim,

I was going to give you a call, but life happened. I'm glad the good points were great, the engine part sucks. Think positive that it was not a huge investment. And like you said, your much more lucky that there is no bent metal. From experience that really sucks, I'm leary about fixing my quarter, I feel it helps ward off any other damage. lol

I'm busy all week and working different shifts all the way up to the event, otherwise I would be there to help.

Keep your head up, your a hell of a mechanic and this problem is a fairly easy fix. :twothumbs

[wmhjr]

I just can't figure life out right now. Some parts of my life are as bad as they could ever be and other parts are as good as they could ever get. I am trying to walk the middle path and just do what is right and am bouncing back and forth like a ping pong ball in a Chinese match.


Jim, you have no idea how much I understand that statement - or how much it applies to my life too. It almost makes you feel bipolar, doesn't it? You've put my own thoughts into some pretty clear words.

[Payton King]

hate to hear about your motor. Read about it this morning and have been thinking of how to reply.

Maybe the instructor killed the motor maybe he did not. I found when I was having my sump uncovered durning a corner my car would start sputtering and cutting out. maybe the motor was hurt before you bought it and hammering on it made it finally let go. We could what if this thing to death. We all beat up ourselves whe something happens and think of what we should have done something different. That is the way we learn not to make the same mistake twice. Sometimes no matter what you do it happens anyway as many a person on these forums have lost brand new professionaly built motors.

As much as it sucks, you have to look at what happened and get a plan together and move on down the road. Now the biggest problem with advice the person giving it does not have the problem. LOL

I do feel for you and I have been there myself.

So what is your plan? My thought is get a motor in a soon as you can so you do not miss the rest of the driving season and the events you want to go to. Who cares if it makes 180 hp or 400 hp. As long as it is realiable and you are driving would be all that I would want. Spend the rest of the summer working out the bugs, IE your gas tank and the rest of the little things. Plan on doing the hot motor in the winter when you do not get to drive anyway. I bet you could piece another motor together stupid cheap and get by. 2 bolt main, cast crank, all used...you get the idea.

Keep your head up as you know I am pulling for you. Remember how much fun you had before you lost the motor and how good it felt to have your long hard work appreciated. Focus on that for motivation.

[Jim Nilsen]

hate to hear about your motor. Read about it this morning and have been thinking of how to reply.

Maybe the instructor killed the motor maybe he did not. I found when I was having my sump uncovered durning a corner my car would start sputtering and cutting out. maybe the motor was hurt before you bought it and hammering on it made it finally let go. We could what if this thing to death. We all beat up ourselves whe something happens and think of what we should have done something different. That is the way we learn not to make the same mistake twice. Sometimes no matter what you do it happens anyway as many a person on these forums have lost brand new professionaly built motors.

As much as it sucks, you have to look at what happened and get a plan together and move on down the road. Now the biggest problem with advice the person giving it does not have the problem. LOL

I do feel for you and I have been there myself.

So what is your plan? My thought is get a motor in a soon as you can so you do not miss the rest of the driving season and the events you want to go to. Who cares if it makes 180 hp or 400 hp. As long as it is realiable and you are driving would be all that I would want. Spend the rest of the summer working out the bugs, IE your gas tank and the rest of the little things. Plan on doing the hot motor in the winter when you do not get to drive anyway. I bet you could piece another motor together stupid cheap and get by. 2 bolt main, cast crank, all used...you get the idea.

Keep your head up as you know I am pulling for you. Remember how much fun you had before you lost the motor and how good it felt to have your long hard work appreciated. Focus on that for motivation.

I hear what you are saying and am going to do the best with what I can find asap.
The hard thing about what happened is that I spent a whole day with the instructor and hearing him tell me I had to get the fuel problem fixed so I didn't have it as a distraction and he told me he would not hurt my engine when he was driving it, then he forgot about it all when he was driving. I can tell you that he really liked the car and think he got a bit carried away at showing me what it could do for himself and I can't blame him for that because it was a blast to hang with the Vettes and other cars that I wasn't capable technically on the track to keep up with. We were going a conservative 25 to 30mph faster when he was driving in the straights and thru some of the corners and the kink we were catching up to the other cars. it gets addicting I think no matter who's car you are driving.

I also had the thought several times that I wanted to pull it out and freshen up the rings because of the blow by. I also contributed to it subconsciously I think. I can think of several times I wanted to blow it up with dynamite and start over,lol.

The sad thing was that the car would only lose a bit of power when it went way lean and was impossible to tell unless you checked the gauge. It was however right there in front of your eyes when you watched the tach. So if he wasn't looking he would not really have known it.

It was very funny when he was missing 4th gear and getting 6th and realized how much I was at it than he was but it still is something that will take practice for anyone to drive it.

When I get to concentrate on the reassembly I will be over it since the bad parts will not be slapping in the face. I really did just want to limp around and have fun more than be competetive but he wanted me to be a track racer and not a poser which is what his job was supposed to be in eyes.

The best compliment he gave me was how safe he always felt when I was driving, he could tell I wasn't a hotdog and yet not so conservative to be last on the track. I know from experience that you can't go anywhere broke down and to be called slow is a matter of opinion. I did however let the mechanicals hold me back none the less and that bothered him a bit and at one time we thought we should get the car and me off the track because of the problems which would have put a damper on the fun for both of us but when you start to get a train behind you because of wechanical problems it sucks for everyone. I of all people know what it is like to be held back by a slower car.

I know I will be glad to see it gone in more ways than one.

As always I thankyou for your support and insights, you know what it is all about and keep me more focused and I need that in times of disparity.

[Jim Nilsen]

I just went and looked at a 409 cu in 4 bolt main roller motor out of a car that caught fire because of a bad fuel line install. It is all apart because they were inspecting it. It looks like it is all ok and would go back together easy enough but it really needs to be gone over more than the L82 I have and I am hurting for time to say the least. The guy wants $1,000 for it. i would however be right back at the stage I was with the stock car motor not knowing what it has for a cam. without a bunch of work. We tried to look it up from the numbers on the cam and couldn't find anything, there is no manufacture name on it at all.

I am getting a quote for a short block with a 4130 crank and h beam rods that will hold up to the punishment and I was told I could have it by the end of the week if I decide to go with it.

So I am up to 3 choices and there is a place in California selling long blocks with much better heads and lower end also that I have to get a quote from making it 4.

By tommorow I should have it all apart and know the whole amount of damage.

I will hopefully be over feeling so upset by tommorow too.

I do like the idea of the 409 cu. in. for more torque but I am not that keen on the roller cam specs for the EFI.

I am still very tired from the weekend and am having trouble concentrating on it clearly with the anticipation of so many variables.

Decisions , decisions, hmmmmmm what to do?

[Ron.in.SoCal]

Hey Jimmie --

I started reading your thread from the beginning when you were having all your FI issues. You stuck with it and you beat it. It was no easy task and you ventured into a place you had never been before and conquered it. Just like your cancer. Which is WAY MORE IMPRESSIVE THAN FI, right?

Ok, so now it's time to stop all the negative thoughts and move on. Jim, I've been there. Custom bikes that nothing fit on and I wanted it done right then and there, a 600 cu in blower motor dies (as in blew up) two minutes out of the harbor with a whole group of friends who travelled very far to have a fun weekend on the water....and don't get me started on that repair cost!

You are a hell of a mechanic. Stop obsessing/losing sleep over it and make a repair plan. Do the right thing, no more shortcuts ever (the post above about getting an interim motor for the season is a good idea), and get the motor built in there that you want and can afford.

As Gaetano would say "Gitter Done"...everyone on this board is pulling for you!

Ron

[Jim Nilsen]

I really want to thank all of you for supporting me through this.

I realized that this is the first engine I have ever had blow up and I have tried to blow one up and couldn't one time , so it is really a new thing to get used to just like losing your first woman you thought you were in love with. I have to keep telling myself that the new engine will be a better one than the other and it is cheaper than divorce,LOL.

The 1st relief so far !!! I just got done getting the top of the engine apart and the lifters all looked really good and from what I can tell the cam is good too. It turned from end to end so it didn't crack the cam either. I was most concerned about the one intake lobe that the rocker was a touch loose for what ever reason. I had relashed them all just before the drive and tune so I know they were good then. It was probably good when pumped up and as you all know I do obcess about things that are small to the detail.

I have to take off the headers now to get to the head bolts and then we can see how the valves all look? I don't know if I will reuse the heads if they are good or swap out to something better. Some 190 cc runners would really move a lot more than the 160cc stockers and maybe be lighter if I go aluminum.

So far it is looking as good as it could be. I do know that there is a place for water to go out somewhere because I didn't have to drain the radiator of much.

Also on the bright side of things I will be able to get to a couple of other driveline nuances fixed up when I get the exhaust off , these had to get done sometime but weren't urgent. The car will be much better all around when it gets put back together. The extreme use of locktite is in the future of every nut and bolt. Damn car can shed them better than any machine I ever worked on, must be the 6400 rpm that makes them dance deep down and out.

I am going to call it a day and get the heads off tommorow.

The L82 shortblock is looking pretty good right now over anything else. The only shortcut about it is the rings, They were good when the engine was taken out of the car. I know that shortblock intimately and know that the assembly is rock solid and blueprinted right. It also has a ton of grinding and passage work done to the casting to make it stress relieved. The rods were also smoothed and polished to be as strong as they could be. It was good to 6000 rpm with no problem and the limitation was the cam and springs back then. The shop that did the work made it good to 7000 rpm just in case I would ever bump up the cam to something hotter.

It will be interesting to see what is in the oil pan when it comes off and also what damage was totally done to it. It should be an easy fix for me but it is a Sunday oil pan with holy mother of a hole.



:fingersx:

[Jim Nilsen]

Here's a pic of the car in action.

[Bow Tie 67]

Nice pic Jim :1st:

Hey take some pics of the post mortum and post them up, I think it will help with closure.

[Jim Nilsen]

here you go Matt, the carnage.

I didn't think the pan took it that hard but damn it is a mess. it's nothing I can't fix but it sure will take a patch instead of a hammer back and weld moment.

The number one spark plug electrode was bent but no damage to the piston. On the other side it was the number 2 piston that went to lunch and it slightly bent the intake just like I thought when the rocker was just a bit loose,now I know why.

I can get the valve fixed if I use the heads and it won't take much to do it. The block is really gone on the number 2 piston.

The thing that is weird is that there was water in the number 3 piston hole? How or why it was there is a mystery to me. It was about 2 or 3 oz. at most but it was there.

[Denvervet]

ouch...poor guy. I feel for you. I know you were chasing EFI issues and maybe what caused this was at least partially what your gremlin was. Good luck man. Probably a new block in order....unless you super check/magnaflux that one. Does it look your new cam is ok?

[Jim Nilsen]

ouch...poor guy. I feel for you. I know you were chasing EFI issues and maybe what caused this was at least partially what your gremlin was. Good luck man. Probably a new block in order....unless you super check/magnaflux that one. Does it look your new cam is ok?

It was the fuel supply shortage that took it out, the pickup needs to be moved and the return line needs to be feeding it too. I know what to do to fix it and it will take a day to fix it for sure maybe 2.

The block cylinder wall is broken to heckola. The number 2 valve got bent slightly but not bad enought to ruin the seat hopefully, a new valve and reseat should do it if I don't go to better heads. Better heads will make up for the 8:1 compression vs 9:1 I would think. I know I can get more out of the program for sure.

I just don't know if I can get it done in time? I think I can I think I can.

I will feel a lot better when it is out of the car and out of sight. That will take another day of work from what I know about tearing the car apart. I have had all of this stuf in and out so many times I think I can do it in my sleep.

I really didn't need this to happen when I was ready to show it at the Optima event more complete.

Take a look at the pics and copy them if you want them because I won't leave them where I can see them for long. It is a bad memory I won't ever forget and I don't need pics to remind me.

[GregWeld]

Wonder if it didn't hydraulic... is there water in the oil? The head gasket looks "funny" between the cylinders... hard to tell from the pictures.

[Jim Nilsen]

Wonder if it didn't hydraulic... is there water in the oil? The head gasket looks "funny" between the cylinders... hard to tell from the pictures.

I know for a fact it was the lack of fuel that did it. I saw the fuel pressure go to 10lb and he didn't back off and I should have screamed so loud he would have heard me without the radio we had. He thought I was having surge problems because he didn't listen to what I was telling him on saturday. It is my fault for not asking him if he understaood the problem and make it perfectly clear what he was to look for. My bad. I rarely keep my mouth shut but several times in my life I think people understood and they were smart enough to know better and I was wrong ,totally expensive and life changing event wrong. I learned a lesson to drill people from now on to make sure they are clearly understanding and repeat it to me. You can bet your life that I will never keep my mouth shut again.

I spent the money on the Racepak and the fuel pressure gauge to make sure I knew what was going on. I have so much data requisitioning on this car that if I had it all recording I could have shown you what rpm and how long it was going without fuel and the wideband would have recorded the A/F ratio at the moment. It is something that there is no 2nd guessing as to what caused it.

It is weird that there was a bit of water in the number 3 cylinder but it could have just gotten there from somewhere else when I lifted the head, as I said it was not much and it could have just fallen in the hole when I lifted it up because the left side came up and tilted that way. I think if it would have hydrolocked itself there would have been some carbon removal on the piston.

It is as if it was destiny for the engine and the car and if it is my destiny then I guess I am not listening to what is going on and it will be the end of me and life as I know it. Learning experinces like this change you and hopefully it is changing me for the better.

I keep winning the fight to get it to the the car it should be but I am getting tired and weary from it. I am also trying not to get angry because it doesn't do any good but maybe I should be a bit angry when someone told me they wouldn't hurt my car and then they beat on it like it was running perfect when they knew it wasn't. There I go again dwelling on it and being negative but if you had heard the words about how I wasn't driving like i was supposed to be driving when I was protecting my investment instead of worrying about becoming Mario Andretti in a day you might understand that it may be the instructors karma to learn something and I am holding back teaching him what he needs to keep myself from looking like a bad guy. I will be sorting it out for awhile before I get over it but I do know exactly what caused it! my BAD all around and I take all the blame but accountability still goes with the driver who is not paying attention to the vitals just like running out of oil because you didn't check it.

I learned the most valuable lesson and that is to never let someone drive you car when it is having a problem and never drive someones car that is having a problem.

Thanks for the help Greg as I need all the eyes and ears I can get to help me get through this.

[GregWeld]

Well -- I feel for ya Jim... but at the same time -- if you track your car or drive it hard - STUFF HAPPENS... and it will always happen no matter how hard you prepare for it.

Doesn't probably matter that you weren't driving it.

I have had the dyno operators ask me about what RPM I want to take a motor to... I tell them the number... never fear... the guy next to you will say "what if he blows it up"? My response is - then it was going to blow up anyway - regardless of whether it was on the dyno or in the car and I've got her sideways in 2nd gear.... Saves me a tow job if she blows on the dyno. LOL

The important thing to me - when this stuff happens - is what I've learned so I might POSSIBLY avoid that the second time (or 3rd) around. The current motor (now out) in my Nomad is on it's 2nd REBUILD... so Original motor - rebuilt - now rebuilt again. I drive the snot out of it - it's ragged to start with. Guess what? This time around I'm DE RAGGING it a bit... Maybe it will last a bit longer. DOH! LOL

[Jim Nilsen]

Well -- I feel for ya Jim... but at the same time -- if you track your car or drive it hard - STUFF HAPPENS... and it will always happen no matter how hard you prepare for it.

Doesn't probably matter that you weren't driving it.

I have had the dyno operators ask me about what RPM I want to take a motor to... I tell them the number... never fear... the guy next to you will say "what if he blows it up"? My response is - then it was going to blow up anyway - regardless of whether it was on the dyno or in the car and I've got her sideways in 2nd gear.... Saves me a tow job if she blows on the dyno. LOL

The important thing to me - when this stuff happens - is what I've learned so I might POSSIBLY avoid that the second time (or 3rd) around. The current motor (now out) in my Nomad is on it's 2nd REBUILD... so Original motor - rebuilt - now rebuilt again. I drive the snot out of it - it's ragged to start with. Guess what? This time around I'm DE RAGGING it a bit... Maybe it will last a bit longer. DOH! LOL

You are absolutely right that it could have happened to me.

I was having a moment in my last post. Just going over all of the broken pieces and seeing them ,inspecting them and then throwing them away. Then I saw the post and got involved in the moment it happened. Being there when it happens gives the clues as to what caused it to happen and that moment coming around from the carousel into Canada corner faster than you can imagine ( I can imagine what fast is because I have driven with Dave Pozzi in Bad Penny), and then you rocket out of it like a slingshot with the g force still going and all of a sudden you look over and the speedometer is reading 125mph and the fuel pressure is 10lb. and then you hear a noise that isn't right and the the car stumbles and is never the same after but it made it another lap like it wanted to run hard still. The noise seemed like it went away and then you could hear it when we slowed down. It was probably the fastest lap at Road America in my car I will ever make unless I go there a lot more than I anticipate. If I had paid to get a ride around a track with a pro in a racecar it would probably cost me as much and it wouldn't have been the same.

I now know that I can build a car that handles and rides really good and was able to keep up with cars in its class. The thing I am thankful about the most is that I can do almost all of the work and not have to pay someone.

I will look back at how all this went down and hopefully be able to smile from ear to ear because I can wear a T shirt that say's

I blew up my engine at Road America going 125mph
What did you do last weekend !!!!


:cheers:

[Bow Tie 67]

I will look back at how all this went down and hopefully be able to smile from ear to ear because I can wear a T shirt that say's

I blew up my engine at Road America going 125mph
What did you do last weekend !!!!


:cheers:


Now your talking, I want to see that shirt by the Motorstate Challenge. :)

[HILROD]

From the pictures it looks like a rod let go. Low fuel pressure shouldn't ever do that. It might go lean, burn a piston or plug, but I've never seen it do anything like that to a non forced induction motor. One motor I saw did just that but the cause was ever so slight piston to head contact. Good luck.

[Bow Tie 67]

From the pictures it looks like a rod let go. Low fuel pressure shouldn't ever do that. It might go lean, burn a piston or plug, but I've never seen it do anything like that to a non forced induction motor. One motor I saw did just that but the cause was ever so slight piston to head contact. Good luck.

Frank, I was thinking the same thing. Now as far as lean causing it, when she went lean, piston expanded slightly, and contact. Or the gasket gave from hot lean mixture and hydro-lock. No matter what, bad Ju-Ju hes on the road to a much better experience than this one gave him.

[Jim Nilsen]

Frank, I was thinking the same thing. Now as far as lean causing it, when she went lean, piston expanded slightly, and contact. Or the gasket gave from hot lean mixture and hydro-lock. No matter what, bad Ju-Ju hes on the road to a much better experience than this one gave him.

The outside skirt of the broken piston has marks around it. The number one spark plug electrode was bent but no other marks. The pistons expanding and hitting the head could have done it and the rest was all down hill from there. I think we can rule out hydrolock becuase the carbon build up is still in tact and looks like all the other pistons.

I am going to leave it at " I caused it because I bought parts that were all a guess as to what they were and it was lucky it all worked for as long as it did and the parts that are left are the most important ones to get back to where I was and pick up from there.

I have been through enough to know that the components I have to put on the assembly I am looking at getting will give me what I would have wanted to do before the LS engines took over.

I can only think going from 160cc to 200cc runners it will wake it up just a bit more.

I still can't believe how much power I was making with what I had. It was sweet while it lasted and I know it will be better if I do it right. Going back to used or unknown parts has been my curse so far and I need to let that thinking go.

I am oh so glad that I went and took Matt for a ride so there was at least one member here than can attest to what it was like and will know if it is better when it gets back on the road. The car is what it is still and the engine is still just a component. The car is awesome even without an engine so I should be glad for that,right!!!

[Jim Nilsen]

I have a plan that I just commited to with a 350,9:1 comp, all american made parts that are made to last, these are parts that he uses all the time and has few issues. I know the builder is a good shop and he is also the only one that is willing to do what is needed to use all of the good parts from the blown engine and make sure it is all good to go. He is also the only one I have talked to that is willing to put off a few customers to get it done in time. He is booked up like everyone right now but fortunately he has restoration customers ahead of me that will give me their space.

Now I can focus on the fuel supply and if I get a little help I can get it back together soon enough. I hope it doesn't take a day to do the bellhousing alignment to the new block like it did the last time.

Now to just get it all out and room for the new!!

I am glad I have had practice taking this all in and out like Steve with Bad Penny. You guy's who have it all put in once and never take it back out have it lucky, or do you? LOL.

[Payton King]

Assuming you are running iron heads that should be just fine. gonna make more power as well.

Flat top piston w/ 64cc chamber heads will yeild the 10:1.

Glad you are heading in the right direction!

[Jim Nilsen]

[QUOTE=Payton King;662273]Assuming you are running iron heads that should be just fine. gonna make more power as well.

Flat top piston w/ 64cc chamber heads will yeild the 10:1.

Glad you are heading in the right direction![/QUOTE


Hi Payton, I probably can if I ask him to. The cam specs don't really say the best compression to use but when I talked to comp cams they said 9:1 was good. I should call them and ask. I think the 10:1 compression pistons are probably on his shelf. I do like the power I had and I should get more with the heads. The way fuel is going these days I like the idea of 9:1 so I can get buy with less octane if needed. Do you get by with 91 octane? We have 93 now around our area but here are a few places all you get is 91.

I was debating going with aluminum heads to save 40 lb up front. There are pluses and minuses with them. I will more than likely get the iron heads as fate has them on the shelf ready to go and the aluminum heads may not work with the springs because there is no shoulder in the base to keep the springs in place.

The ultimate details are not written in steel yet.The original plan was for iron heads.

I am feeling better about the move forward, it took a lot of figuring out how to swing it. The car is an entity of it's own, I figured that out years ago and yet sometimes I think I can control it's destiny. The intent for this car is to have fun and not have to worry about it too much unless you get crazy stupid. It is capable chassis wise to go very far as it is just at factory stock level now,LOL.

I am all ears as to what heads are best, the debate has been fun to hear for decades. They look so cool unless you paint them black to be smart and get rid of the heat even faster, I like slealth looking cars with form over function design.

As I progress the vision of what I always wanted is coming together. It may be fate that I didn't lunch the expensive engine 1st and then go to a cheap one. It would have been a lot harder to take it I had a bunch of $$$ in it but I really didn't so the learning curve was less expensive if you look at it for what it really is.

This car can go as far as your driving skills and pocketbook can afford to reach the level you want to drive at and if the weekend I just had is any resemblance to what everyone goes thru, WOW !
It takes more determination than the average guy can muster.

Thanks for shaking my thoughts and asking about why not 10:1 ?

I am so going to try and make RTTH even if I can just show up for the ride and drive and spectate and 1st on the list to see how you and Deadcat are doing. It is more fun than anything just being there and getting a ride is always fun! You can then get your chance to drive the Cormaro see how she drives? It's as fun fun as throwing a Deadcat to find it.lol.

Take care.

[Jim Nilsen]

Just got off the phone with the engine builder and the engine will be 9:1 comp. I could go 10:1 but the fact is how long can we all get gas that is as good as it is or it could be like the gas station at Road America that was running out of 93 octane and I might have had to fill it with 89. It will also be a bit more durable with 9:1.

He does however think that the power will be the same with the aluminum heads and i would lose 40 lb. He still has to check to see if the springs will work with the heads. 1st. So fate will decide iron or aluminum. 40 lb less would really make a difference.

So far I am still on schedule to make it and feel confident about how it will go. I have so many things that I was worrying about and were untried that the 1st time out was a big guess as to what was good or not. I know what I have to concentrate on that will help prepare me for more fun.

I will be prepared to go to Gingerman and if I don't get up there next weekend I might go to the midwest challenge instead and that will give me a month to get it all ready.

:fingersx:

[wmhjr]

Jim, you and your builder are probably well beyond this and have been very methodical. I just thought I'd mention one thing based on what you wrote.

IMHO Aluminum heads need more compression to generate heat to make power as compared to cast iron heads. I'm running 11:1 compression and my motor is pretty happy with 89 octane. I'll run 93 (and not Sunoco street 93) but I'm comfortatle with it drinking 89 should that be necessary. We spent a good bit of time deciding what the chamber sizes would be, and what compression we wanted with these specific heads and finally decided on an 11:1 Alum head combo, zero decked, with the Ross pistons. Surprisingly I could have probably added in some compression if I wanted. Just make sure that with 9:1 compression and those heads, you'll have enough heat in the heads to make power. It's always easier to drop compression than to add it :)

But like I said, you're probably way ahead of me.

[John Wright]

I was gonna say earlier that 9.7:1-10:1 shouldn't give you any detonation problems as long as your timing tables stay reasonable. My latest TPI motor is just a hair over 9.7:1 with flat top forged TRW slugs.

[Jim Nilsen]

The engine I blew had 9:1 iron heads and made more power than I ever expected it to. The new engine with heads that flow 20% more will wake it up no matter what the compression. I truly feel comfortable with the lower power and know some would wonder WTF. When you have more power you have more problems and I don't need them.

The car as it was had a very linier feel to it and predictability that comes with less power. I feel I can go with a procharger and light boost with 9:1 or I can always shave the heads for more compression. The pistons will be set up to shave the heads if I ever want to.

The springs being able to go into the aluminum heads is the deciding factor and I am betting that they won't work? Who knows? I do know that the builder thinks the way I do about the whole big picture of what the plan for the car is and knows what to give me now so that there are less growing pains later. The mill in my garage can cut them in a weekend if I ever decide to have more compression. I was also told that the actual compression will be a bit higher than 9:1 and in most cases the components he uses get 9.22:1 at minimum.

I don't really know how much it will make a difference but the DCC controller for my cooling system is capable of holding the temp +- 2 degrees and I can vary the temp to what I want it to be. I could in theory bump up the temp of the engine until it has more heat in the heads. Don't know how much I could gain that way but it is a possiblility?

After the weekend I just had I can tell you that I am looking for durability more than tons of power. When you are screaming around the track and you run out of oil or fuel because of the g forces you will find that the power is in the ability to stay alive not out run everyone with power.

I can assure anyone that the gears I have could make you giggle with a 250hp engine and it would stay alive longer too, uhm maybe. LOL.

If it wouldn't have taken me all summer to put in an LS motor I would have. tHe cost would have been comparable for the engine but the swap for everything else would add so much time and $$$ that it would have taken away from the summer of FUN for me.

I learned one big thing, the engine is just a component and not the whole car, they can and will get replaced,modified and just tired or you are not trying to have more FUN.

[GregWeld]

Detonation is much more of a timing issue than purely compression -- obviously with more compression - the timing becomes ever more critical.

I once did a dyno demo where we messed with AF ratios to see what they would do to the overall power... Way fat and lean - made VERY VERY little difference in the power - but 2 Degrees of timing either way was HUGE.

I agree with the other poster about HEAT and aluminum heads... There's kind of an old adage (not that old!) about 1 point of compression for running aluminum over iron - and 1 point more for EFI over a carb etc. So a modern EFI aluminum head can run some serious compression and live... compared to the old style iron head carb motor. Having said that - there's many "white papers" discussing the power difference of "same motor" - compression vs power made... and compression is important - but 1/2 a point or so is not as big a deal as we would like it to be. I've learned - as many here have - that the CAM is important when mated to the compression... in other words CYLINDER PRESSURE... take a lame ass 9:1 motor - with too large of a cam - and you have zippola for power... as it (the cam) bleeds off cylinder pressure. Different cam - wake the motor up and it'll run just fine... so full circle -- it's all about the TOTAL COMBINATION.

[wmhjr]

The engine I blew had 9:1 iron heads and made more power than I ever expected it to. The new engine with heads that flow 20% more will wake it up no matter what the compression.

Jim, my understanding is that 9:1 cast iron heads replaced with similar aluminum requires 10:1. Aluminum needs more heat to make the same power. Flow means something, but not everything (at all). I'd guess in your build velocity is more important, as is the port design. In any case, without sufficient heat you may be unhappy. Aluminum needs heat. Low cylinder compression with a good cam and aluminum heads may well lead to a loss of power without any reliability gain. I would personally never run less than 10:1 compression with decent aluminum heads.

I can sure understand you being a bit shy right now after just having a motor grenade on you, but to me it's LOTS easier to make a good estimate of static compression, build the heads/slugs that way, and try it. You'll quickly know. If you decide you want to then reduce compression, it's way easier to pull the heads, send them to a good shop to have a few cc's milled out of the chambers and you're done. If you start with too low compression, it's a far more difficult process.

[HILROD]

All other things equal I'd go with 10-1 with aluminum heads in a heartbeat, before the less compression iron heads. They would both run on the same gas. The aluminum headed one should make more power, and weigh less!

[6'9"Witha69]

I am @ 10.8:1 with al heads. Before that I consistently ran 9.8:1 with Iron heads. As said, depending on timing, it should all work just fine.

[Jim Nilsen]

Jim, my understanding is that 9:1 cast iron heads replaced with similar aluminum requires 10:1. Aluminum needs more heat to make the same power. Flow means something, but not everything (at all). I'd guess in your build velocity is more important, as is the port design. In any case, without sufficient heat you may be unhappy. Aluminum needs heat. Low cylinder compression with a good cam and aluminum heads may well lead to a loss of power without any reliability gain. I would personally never run less than 10:1 compression with decent aluminum heads.

I can sure understand you being a bit shy right now after just having a motor grenade on you, but to me it's LOTS easier to make a good estimate of static compression, build the heads/slugs that way, and try it. You'll quickly know. If you decide you want to then reduce compression, it's way easier to pull the heads, send them to a good shop to have a few cc's milled out of the chambers and you're done. If you start with too low compression, it's a far more difficult process.

Very good point about taking out material to lower the compression. I can actually port them and cc them myself if it came to that and get the benefit of removing the right amount in the right places. I will talk to him about that option, milling them can bring it up but hat does require making the manifold fit and clearances.

Monday will be the day we decide on the heads and then he said we could decide on the lower end.

I am getting better about tearing into the engine and drivetrain and find it is a fairly easy car to work on once you get it down and have all the tools lined up. It is both metric and standard all over the place.

I now have certain rituals with raising and lowering the car and sure could use your lift .

I figured out how to fix my fuel problem and have to get the materials and the fittings together. I should be able to always have fuel at any amount over half full and then it will be up to the reseviour containment area and the return supply volume. Anything would be better than what was.

I am confident the builder understands what my abilities are but I might need to enlighten him? I like the idea of being able to cc the heads and not have to deck them to be the right compression.

I can also take out iming at the touch of finger so that isn't an issue it would seem. I have to talk to him to see what he thinks.

The rest of the car is getting better too, it seems that there are so many things to do everytime it comes apart that it gets scary to start tearing it apart at all.

I need a day of rest from it and have too many things to do to be able to do it.

:cheers:

[Jim Nilsen]

I got the word about 4:30 that the engine will be done late this evening and I might be able to pick it up tonight. I get the truck treatment tonight and if it is tommorow I will use the Vibe. I have already set and engine in the Vibe to see if it was doable with my picker and it is a no problem for clearance and there are 8 hook points to tie it down with. The weight hardly did anything so I can do it that way if I have to.

I will have iron heads as originally planned, the spring pockets on the aluminum heads were too big. He has dynoed engines with all of the the components and a little less cam and carb and was getting 400 lb of TQ at 2800 rpm and 398 HP at 5800 rpm. I have a bit more cam and rpm range so I expect better but it will be more than enough power to learn with and keep the car under control. I need better brakes if I go any faster and then bigger wheels and then............


If all goes well I may have it ready to start Friday night or Saturday morning. I expect some delays for something but I should have everything or be able to get it in a few minutes at the local stores.

It all could go right back in just like it came out and be even better than before, that's the object, Right !!!!!

The fuel system is going to be better or plan B will come into effect and that will take some fab work but it will solve it for certain and it will get done later unless the new setup work well enough to keep the cell the way it is.

As long as this is just a base engine swap I should have it go well.

:fingersx:

[Bow Tie 67]

* in a cheer voice * ......J... I....M..........spells........JIM.........Lets go Jim!!

[wmhjr]

Good news, Jim! So, did you get the motor last night? Or are you Vibing it today?

[Jim Nilsen]

Good news, Jim! So, did you get the motor last night? Or are you Vibing it today?

It's good Vibe-rations today. He didn't get it all done last night. I am expecting a call very soon this morning. It is an hour drive to go get it. I'm ready to go any time he calls.

I have to get break in oil and all the other periferals by tommorow and I also am getting some help tonight. It is going to be interesting to see how it all goes.

[Jim Nilsen]

The Vibe came thru with the duty of hauling the engine, it was easy and well strapped in. It never moved an inch the whole trip and was easy to bring to the edge and lift out. I once thought about it when I was buying it that it could haul an engine and it did.

The engine is 9.4:1 with iron heads and with the change of a head gasket will go to 10:1. The parts are all nice stuff and the quality looks good. I am told that it can go to well over 7000 rpm if I ever wanted to go with the valvetrain to do it. 6400 rpm is what the cam is good for and maybe now it will pull the extra 400 rpm with more power.

I had a friend stop by and we already have it in the engine bay and I can start putting it back together. Can I put it all back together in a day? If it all bolts in good the first time it would be a miracle but then again the sales amount for the engine was full of lucky numbers.

I think it is going to be a lot faster and best of all not an oil burner. At the cost of oil I think it could have added up to a monthly payment for the engine,LOL.

More tommorow....

[Jim Nilsen]

I would like to be telling you that it is running great,

but the bellhousing alignment is kicking my ass again and I may need some different offset dowels. My dial gauge is also giving me fits and not want to do it's job, may borrow the one I used the last time as it did work much better.

So I won't make it for the weekend. They are calling for rain on sunday when I wanted to just go up and spectate.

When the builder called and asked how it runs and I told him I was having trouble with the bellhousing alignment, he told me he could have done it for me real easily. I would have been glad to pay right now.

Maybe I will go to the MidWest Challenge and be a bit more prepared.

[Jim Nilsen]

After fighting with the bell housing alignment all weekend I finally got it within .003. It just did not want to find its way to the right spot. The dowels were marked just a little off of the true high side and I don't believe that they always go in perfectly straight when you have to pound them in only 1/2 in.

I just couldn't put the Richmond in with any run out that would make it shift hard, it shifted really well and never came out of gear. It only had 3.5 run out the last time.

I think I was up and down 600 times and had it on and off 15 times. :bsjerk: . I am really good at pound the dowels out in a contorted postion. Glad it is over until it goes on a different engine.

I did get my hood all stiffened up with some wood ,cloth and more glass. it added about 3 lb but it was needed so it hopefully won't flex and need hood pins. I even did a little color sanding to relax my frustation with the bellhousing.

Now I can get on with putting it all together.

Really wish I had made the event this weekend.

Should be running by tommorow if all goes well from here.
:fingersx:

[Motown 454]

Jim glad to hear you got it in within spec's. Atleast your past one of the most anoying parts of putting it back together. Post a video when you get it running.

[Bryce]

Here's a pic of the car in action.
Awesome. the best pics are teh ones when you see the car in action.

[Jim Nilsen]

I am just finishing up the exhaust and fire the car up and the power just went out.:machine:


I have enough daylight that I might be able to keep going and get it done :idea:

and so it goes..........

[Jim Nilsen]

IT'S ALIVE

Got it up and running and it sounds good. The tune seems to be good still and it is adding just a bit more fuel to compensate but only a few percent.

Now I have to break it in for another 15 to 20 minutes ,change the oile and filter,put the wheels back on and set it back down on the ground. The hood and grille have to go back in and it's ready for a drive.

I will be looking for the place to put the Accusump and getting it hooked up so it can do its job.

The fuel supply is hopefully going to work for now.


It's time for a beer

:cheers:

[Motown 454]

Great News!

[MonzaRacer]

COOL BEANS! Wish me luck in putting my 402 in my caprice and getting back under the Monza to work on the rear suspension, thinking or rethinking it as a 3 link with Fays2 watts link possibly. Oh And 283 went to machine shop, now just need time to get up there and get the machine work done, owner is friend so I can do it my self if I want to, and it keeps my machining skills sharp, now if pay check holds up I may have my much needed other 2 pistons by next week, unless they get backordered again.

[Jim Nilsen]

It has been an interesting day.

The code 66 keeps coming up and shutting off the ignition. I have checked all the grounds and the connections to make sure there is not one missing but all looks right. It will start right up sometimes and others it just doesn't want to. No distinct other problem?

Had the car around the block and it feels like it is going to really run good. Much better idle than the other engine for the most part. It doesn't blow out oil specs anymore from the exhaust. The back of the car should stay a lot cleaner now.

Until the thing stops going into the code 66 problem I won't be going to far away from home.

It feels good to have it back up and running again.

[Jim Nilsen]

I am going out to start the car and see what happens?

I sure hope to find the problem today. It is going to be nice out this afternoon so we will see how it goes.

I will be back for an update as to what the heck it is doing still.

Any good ideas and even crazy ideas as to what it is to make a code 66 come up is open for discussion.

[wmhjr]

Good luck Jim. You'll get it figured out - and then it's smooth sailing!

[Jim Nilsen]

The 1st time trying this morning it died in 2 seconds. 2nd time it died in about 30 seconds. By the time I unplugged everything and inspected the pins and grounds again, unloaded and loaded the program and tried 3 more times it decided to keep running and I took a ride around the block. It has a lot more power and it seems to run better all around. I may have to adjust the lash to 3/4 turn instead of 1/2 to see if it quiets it down a bit in the valvetrain. it is not too noisy but it just doesn't sound like they are all wroking the same. Could just be a break in thing as they all work their way into it all. I am also being very critical right now about everything.

We will see how it starts the rest of the day and if I get a good answer from somewhere as to what is directly causing the code 66.

It is saying it is supplying more than .25 amps and shutting down. Why it is supplying more than it normally did is still confusing me.

The battle is on and I am going to win again, I feel sorry for the gremlin that is trying to live in my engine because it is going to have to leave and go somewhere else.

[Jim Nilsen]

I just don't have any luck with new parts. I saw a leak under the car and thought OHH BOY the rear seal is leaking or the pan gasket, but NO ,The new oil pan is leaking from a spot on the weld at the very bottom. I recall looking at the inside of it before it went on and it had a spot that was a bit black inside from the weld. I thought it might be one of those places it just burned through and looked like it was filled and covered. It turns out to be a small drippy leak. Now to decide to either seal it with something or take it off and send it back for a new one.

It is not a real hard job to change the pan but it is a pain in the butt none the less.

I wonder sometimes if these places have a shelf with bad parts to send me?

At least it is not the engine or the gaskets leaking.

WTF will be next?

Can I have the 1st crack at the whip on the guy who is head of quality control !!!! Is there any quality control in this country anymore?

[Jim Nilsen]

Here is a pic of how to carry an engine in a Vibe. who would have ever thought to use it for this? Me of coarse and I actually thought I could when I bought it.

[srh3trinity]

How did you accomplish the engine in the back of your car and also, how are you going to get it out. I have a Trailblazer and I want to pick up an engine and I hate having to borrow a truck or wait around on somebody to do me a favor.

[Jim Nilsen]

How did you accomplish the engine in the back of your car and also, how are you going to get it out. I have a Trailblazer and I want to pick up an engine and I hate having to borrow a truck or wait around on somebody to do me a favor.

It was put in with a fork lift and I took it out with my engine picker. The engine was able to be slid back to the edge and had room to hook it from the top. You can pick really close to the top if you chain it right. You can also use a carb lift plate and a hook to make it as close as you can. If you have a gate that goes down instead of swings to the side would be helpful. An engine dolly that puts it lower would help too. I tested it with an engine that had no heads or valve covers and it fit easily, the valve covers almost had to be removed but it just made it in.

The biggest thing is to have something to tie it to and the Vibe has four hooks on each side to do that and I am not sure about the Trailblazer? You have to make sure it is in some kind of caster cups or a pan and some blocks to keep it from moving too. Look carefully at the pic and you will see how it was tied down and placed in the pan with the blocks. It never moved the whole trip.

Goodluck and be safe if you try to do it in anything including a truck, I have seen engines ruin truck beds from flying around loose and the driver thought he had total control over 350 lb.

Glad it has you thinking !!

[wmhjr]

Here is a pic of how to carry an engine in a Vibe. who would have ever thought to use it for this? Me of coarse and I actually thought I could when I bought it.

I think you're going to need to custom make headers to fit otherwise they're going to hit the floor :)

[Jim Nilsen]

I think you're going to need to custom make headers to fit otherwise they're going to hit the floor :)

At the rate things are going I might be putting it in the Vibe :idea:

I still can't find the reason for the ignition over current. The only thing that supplies the ignition current is the 6A box. I don't want to buy another one of those and I don't want to dig back into the wiring to take it out. I am going to go over the schematic tommorow and hope I can find something that is wrong. I have been over it many times and know it well. If someone else had put it in I would be still trying to figure it out but since I know all the wiring it is hard to see the forest for the trees so I will start looking at the forest again and see if a tree pops out.

Anyone want to give me a new EFI to test for ease of installation?
If your company is wondering how good your equipment is and the quailty control to make good ones you can send it to me and I will get a bad one if you made it and then we can trouble shoot and learn the hard way,LOL

Did I say I am sick of this crap :enguard:

[NOT A TA]

Anyone want to give me a new EFI to test for ease of installation?
If your company is wondering how good your equipment is and the quailty control to make good ones you can send it to me and I will get a bad one if you made it and then we can trouble shoot and learn the hard way,LOL

Did I say I am sick of this crap :enguard:

Good to see you're keeping a sense of humor Jim!

[Jim Nilsen]

Good to see you're keeping a sense of humor Jim!

It's a good thing that there is still some humor left because I am not able to make anymore sense of this than the creators.

What is Accel DFI and why does it exist? Who am I and why do I exist? Does Accel know who they are and why they exist? Questions you would normally ask about your thoughts on god and creation not about your car problems,LOL.

I am leaning toward the fact that the Accel gods made the codes just like commandments and it is writtten that it is an output driver that is bad.

ALL I WANT IS TO DRIVE MY CAR !!!!!!

[Bow Tie 67]

Jim,
Sorry I did not return your call, I was out of town all weekend with spotty cell service. Any updates?

Matt

P.S. I had a leak on my 4th gen pan at a repair weld. Cleaned it up and wiped it with a small dab of silicone, I know kind of back woods, but it did the trick.

[Jim Nilsen]

Jim,
Sorry I did not return your call, I was out of town all weekend with spotty cell service. Any updates?

Matt

P.S. I had a leak on my 4th gen pan at a repair weld. Cleaned it up and wiped it with a small dab of silicone, I know kind of back woods, but it did the trick.


Hi Matt, the leak in the pan turned out to be a star washer stopping the bolt from fully going down and sealing the threads up. The radius is very tight and you couldn't even get a socket on it and the open end wrench couldn't get it down either. I replaced it with an ARP bolt with the smaller head and it went all the way in and sealed. the pic and the black spot on the inside of the pan while inspecting it led me to think it was a hole. The oil coming down the side of the pan was invisible it was so thin and I didn't even see it while under the car but I just happened to touch the side of the pan in the right spot and felt it was slippery. A lucky find before I had all the other bolts off and the pan off.

I didn't have any luck with the new 6a box and coil but the builder gave me a couple more wild ideas to check and while going over them I found a loose rotor. It is so loose it is rocking and able to go back and forth about 20 degrees but it didn't ever seem to hit the terminals yet but hey had to be very close. I never saw a rotor get like that and it happened so fast it seems. The strange thing is that when I measured the slot that the rotor aligns itself on it is at least .050 wider than the rotor tab, so it could move back and forth if it isn't tight on the post it mounts on. It was always real tight when I got it but when I installed it the last time it went on easy but I didn't think anything of it and it really wasn't anywhere loose like it is now. I was excited about being so close to firing it up and it is something that has never been a problem before in all the years I have R&R them. very strange as to why it did it? It also explains why I couldn't see the problem and who would have thought it was the rotor if that is what the problem is. it could just be another one of the coincidences that was another problem ready to happen.

So hopefully it is the simple thing and it will all be good with a new one. It also would explain why it might run 10 seconds one time and ten minutes the next because reving it and a bump could have made it move.

I will feel so relieved and stupid at the same time as to not have noticed it and we will all have to add a bad rotor to the list for those who have one. You guys with cam and crank sensors have it so lucky. It sure was hard to miss it when I took it of this last time.

All in all the new engine runs great and has a whole bunch more torque. The builder told me that it is more than likely due to the longer rods than the heads. It is also much more fuel efficient if the VE table changes are any indication, all the values are less across the whole spectrum and my accelleration tables are off now too because of it.

My laptop power cord crapped out and the disc player also crapped out on it too. I have a new laptop coming and I hope windows 7 is a lot better than vista.

This is becoming really expensive lately and if anyone thinks they are going to spend less money once the car is on the road and going to the track or autox they are in for a big surprise. I was able to build it over a lot of years on very little money and to have fun with it is going to cost more but that is where all the fun is, Damn.

[Bow Tie 67]

Yep, on previous builds I would be carefull on what I spent after the car was " done ". With the racing gig, there are alot of consumables and up-keep. It's not like you just have to replenish cleaning supplies.

[Jim Nilsen]

Yep, on previous builds I would be carefull on what I spent after the car was " done ". With the racing gig, there are alot of consumables and up-keep. It's not like you just have to replenish cleaning supplies.

I've heard that you still need cleaning supplies for the racing gig , something about the passengers and their shorts comes to mind. LOL.

[Van B]

I've heard that you still need cleaning supplies for the racing gig , something about the passengers and their shorts comes to mind. LOL.

Believe me, I was more than concerned Matt would hurl in my car last week. :hammer:

[Bow Tie 67]

Believe me, I was more than concerned Matt would hurl in my car last week. :hammer:

Nice ............... I told Rubes I still felt like crap on Monday. But I wouldn't change a thing, I had a great time socializing. ( I think my liver may beg to differ though )

[Jim Nilsen]

I have a new name for the efi , ASSHELL DFI

I think they deserve it. It will take them a lot of kissing my rear to get me to stop calling it that. It is just too bad that one employee keeps giving me that attitude. Just when I thought he was getting better the disappointment comes back.

I hope it all gets fixed before the end of the month and it better work before the Motorstate or while I'm in Michigan spectating an event I should be participating in I am going to wear something to tell the world who made it happen.

Am I overeacting to this or would some of you be even more angry than I am? I know it comes with the territory building a car like this and I have come to expect delays and problems but this is wearing me out. I could have the whole interior and engine bay done for the amount of time I have chased the ASSHELL DFI problems. If they had to compensate everyone they have caused frustration they would get it together in a hurry to stay afloat. I just wish I didn't obcess about problems until they get solved like I do but it is the way I am, I like harmony and unity and work hard to try and get it yet it eludes me with this. What does it take to get good parts in this day and age other than luck? It's unfortunate that the real losers in this battle are the winners at the moment and it is sad that I have to even think of it that way but they just sold more parts and made more money and I feel like the loser again.:enguard:

If this kind of thing was just happening to just me I would really feel like it was my ability but since it has happened to others I still hold my head up and know I am capable to get it going and get it to stay that way.

[Jim Nilsen]

I have calmed down a bit from yesterdays frustration and will be removing the parts from the car sometime today and get them out the door.

I can only hope they actually find something wrong. It is really frustrating when they tell you that they didn't find anything.

This is going to keep going on until it works as it is the only thing will make it right.

The time it takes is what is killing me now. With the events coming up and already having them booked it adds to the pressure to get it done. I know some of us want to meet deadlines we make and I have been there for years with that but when you really do have a deadline it makes it all the more intense for me.

I am going to just start working on other things and get them done and just lay the this down until it is ready to go back in and see if it runs or not.

I hope it will be the last time I have to do this and then move on.

All I want to do is drive my car and for what I have spent on this setup and the energy I have put into it so many other things could have been accomplished.

Thanks again to all of the help and support you have all given me.

[John Wright]

Is there another engine management system that will work with what you have in place?...I'd have ditched that thing along time ago...kudos for having the patience to tough it out this far.

[MonzaRacer]

As for me I am NOT buying multi thousand dollar FI setups.
Jim you can buy a Megasquirt from DIYautotune.com, it is pretty much compatable with just about ANY electronic FI part, Ford EDIS, GM DIS GM HEI, MSD distributor and for a HELL OF A LOT LESS.
figure a MS-II V3.57(all assembled, newer board with surface mount technology) for $411 for ECU (still need harness connectors and such but heck if your patient (as you have the patience of a saint on the DFI *****) and dexterity and smarts you can buy it apart and buy a kit for like $250 and solder it together your self.
you can actually buy for like $88 a jimstim, simulator to test with, it can be mated to wideband O2 sensors setup, etc.
looks like harness is $50-$65 , Relay board is $88,,,
So:
Megasquirt II V3.57 black $411
Harness $88
Relay board $88
Wiring bundle if needed $40
HMMM total to start $627
Idiots charge, extra parts
And such ADD another $1000(this is for "if we need it parts")
much less aggravation factor online open source forums for issues and you dont have to deal with a very complicated design like the DFI and it would be CHEAP for a a little over $1600.
considering the hassle the DFI is .
Honestly the injectors and all sensors must have specs you can program into the Megasquirt( I am assuming) and not have to change mujch of anything. it can and will control spark if you need a small cap distributor I have an older GM HD (ie MSD) distributor, lock the advance and let Megasquirt control it and use the MSD 6 box.
anyone having issues.
heck you can even use the GPIO board to run electronic transmissions if needed.
also look here and check links to forums:http://www.bgsoflex.com/megasquirt.html

[AintQik]

Ok Jim, I gotta tell ya. I've been routing for you from day one. However it appears you are fighting a losing battle. You have been without a car for way too long. Throw all that crap out and start over. See if you can get it to run with another system. Might be costly, but at some point its time to throw in the towel.

Unless this has become a personal vendetta. :)

I for one am going to stay away frmo Asshell if I can.

[John Wright]

Ok Jim, I gotta tell ya. I've been routing for you from day one.
His first call to them was noted in post#46....Wow...that DFI system has been nothing but an uphill battle for sure.

[Jim Nilsen]

As for me I am NOT buying multi thousand dollar FI setups.
Jim you can buy a Megasquirt from DIYautotune.com, it is pretty much compatable with just about ANY electronic FI part, Ford EDIS, GM DIS GM HEI, MSD distributor and for a HELL OF A LOT LESS.
figure a MS-II V3.57(all assembled, newer board with surface mount technology) for $411 for ECU (still need harness connectors and such but heck if your patient (as you have the patience of a saint on the DFI *****) and dexterity and smarts you can buy it apart and buy a kit for like $250 and solder it together your self.
you can actually buy for like $88 a jimstim, simulator to test with, it can be mated to wideband O2 sensors setup, etc.
looks like harness is $50-$65 , Relay board is $88,,,
So:
Megasquirt II V3.57 black $411
Harness $88
Relay board $88
Wiring bundle if needed $40
HMMM total to start $627
Idiots charge, extra parts
And such ADD another $1000(this is for "if we need it parts")
much less aggravation factor online open source forums for issues and you dont have to deal with a very complicated design like the DFI and it would be CHEAP for a a little over $1600.
considering the hassle the DFI is .
Honestly the injectors and all sensors must have specs you can program into the Megasquirt( I am assuming) and not have to change mujch of anything. it can and will control spark if you need a small cap distributor I have an older GM HD (ie MSD) distributor, lock the advance and let Megasquirt control it and use the MSD 6 box.
anyone having issues.
heck you can even use the GPIO board to run electronic transmissions if needed.
also look here and check links to forums:http://www.bgsoflex.com/megasquirt.html

Thanks for that info, I just might go that route if the ASSHELL doesn't work the next time out.

[Jim Nilsen]

Ok Jim, I gotta tell ya. I've been routing for you from day one. However it appears you are fighting a losing battle. You have been without a car for way too long. Throw all that crap out and start over. See if you can get it to run with another system. Might be costly, but at some point its time to throw in the towel.

Unless this has become a personal vendetta. :)

I for one am going to stay away frmo Asshell if I can.

Thanks for routing for me, it has made a difference to know that.

I have been told I have the patience of Jobe and also a stubborn Norwegian,lol. I have had to make things work with what I have so much in my life that I have learned going to something new isn't always the thing to do. The one thing that continuing on has done for me in my life is that I always get smarter and education is expensive no matter how you get it.

The other thing about the gen 7 is that it really does have the control I would like to have in my future to tune the car. I also am able to tune it myself and understand the basics now. Learning a new system is not what I desire. If things had gone exactly like I had planned I would not know what to do now if I broke on the side of the road someday. All systems have their problems sooner or later and that is what scares me about a new system. Look at all of the new untried things I have on my car and you will see successes and failures. If anyone can get a bad part it is me and it has nothing to do with my ability or choices it is just bad luck, others get the same parts and never have a problem. I can get them delivered bad and have to go through the hassle. It just happens.

The engine builder has BS3 systems and he isn't quite sure he likes it better than the gen 7, the Thruster is a different story altogether because it is not as functional as the gen 7 .

I actually have 2,400+ miles on my car now believe it or not and it might not be all really the most enjoyable miles but it is a lot more than some people put on their car in many years of having them. I have been to Road America and learned a lot and from that experience I have learned that the way we all want to play is very expensive and building a car and the problems associated with just that are less money.

I have talked to enough people that have been through the battle and won the war that it has always given me enough hope to keep going. When these units finally get right and work they are very good units.

Who else do you guys know that can give you all the education you could ever ask for about all this and post it up for all to see,lol. It's like a public service,LOL. The code 66 is up on Google now as it sends people here, you would think it would send you to the Accel website but NO it sends you here. I bet there are more people who will find out about PT.com than ever before,lol.

The ECU is also still under warranty from the upgrade and I hope they uphold that. We will see what happens. The last time I almost spent a lot of money to get it to run and Accel came thru and made it right, I will give them the chance to do it again because money is money and I would rather use it to go to another event. There are lots of events compared to any other time in history. I wasn't planning on going to RTTH because of the distance but it may be on my adgenda before the end of the year if it has to be. I want to make an event that is covered by the magazines at least 2 times this year. I screwed myself out of blowing up at Road America at the Optima event which would have been better than the F noBody event I went to. I got experience and some really great pics that I ws smart enough to buy all the pics on a disc instead of just a few select ones, best thing I did so far this year. Look at my avatar and it is proof that the car is no trailer queen and has the looks of a true PT car that can hang with the others. I never dreamed in my life I would ever have been there and who else has?

I also have to say that in perspective to what I am going through ,I am not the only one who has these problems and won't be the last. It is a learning experience for everyone and who knows? It may take to places I would never get to go in my future without the experiences.

Someone told me not to long ago that the EFI is not the biggest thing I have tackled and lived through and survived, cancer is and I am lucky to even be having a miserable time with all of this.

A bad day at the track is still more fun than a good day at work, you just get paid for it in money at work, you get paid in experience at the track.

Accel is going to have to try a lot harder to ever get around what has happened to me and the bad publicity it gives them. I on the other hand am going to perform a miracle and they don't happen too often unles you area survivor.

Maybe I should ask Accel if they want to sponsor me at the events? I have the material it might take to blackmail them into it,lol. They could use the advertising and it is a lot better than the abuse I am going to dish out where ever I go if they don't? Do they care? Probably not but I should probably ask don't ya think? Nothing to lose but words.

The future is unfolding in ways for me that even I don't know and why it is going the way it is may change my life for the better I keep hoping. If you guys aren't learning something from what I am doing it would be a total loss but I think you guys are going to at least have a bad example to keep you out of trouble and on the right path.

If the learning curve has you going in circles I guess you need to build a circle track car but that is not what I am here for.:lmao:

[Dons67]

Thanks for routing for me, it has made a difference to know that.

I have been told I have the patience of Jobe ........

If the learning curve has you going in circles I guess you need to build a circle track car but that is not what I am here for.:lmao:

Jim- Keep up the GREAT attitude !!!! - I've been following along for a while now and I've very impressed with the patience you've shown - I must admit that I DO agree with RJ and at some point it is time to call it and move into a different direction, you know what they say about doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result....:banghead:

Don

[Jim Nilsen]

Thanks for the support and maybe things are looking up.

I have a thread at Lateral G that one of the Accel reps resonded to.
Here is a quote from that thread.

"Read all of the post ,sorry for your troubles. But I have to say some of your problems are not the fault of accel but of your tuner"

You can go to Lateral G and see the rest which basically states he wants me to contact him and he will help me. I like the idea of some real help with getting to the root of the problem.

So we will see how it goes and whether or not he has a solution and can get this resolved without blame or costing me a lot of $$$$.

I don't see how any part of a tune that was running the way it was could be the problem but we will see what he has to say?

He has a lot to explain before he is going to convince me that a tuner, especially since the ones who have helped me are considered some of the best other than myself. I was the one who had the final tune on it that everyone said sounded and felt real good before it went to code 66 and it was well stated in the thread from what I recall but maybe interpretation is different from the other side?

So there you have another turn in the road and lets see what happens? Maybe this time it will be a long and straight one that keeps going like the Energizer bunny.

:fingersx:

[Jim Nilsen]

Just got done talking to Mark about my programs and other problems and he really does have the knowledge to make this better in the programming dept. I got to see a couple of programs that really are obviously better made than what I had. They raise the bar up to 6500 rpm where my other programs were only up to 5600 rpm. A big difference since I am going to 6400 redline.

The code 66 may actually have saved me from doing something bad to the new engine or it will have just made it give me a lot more power. Either way I will be better off in the long run even though it didn't seem like it.

There is still the parts problems to get squared away but I will have a much better start with his programs when I get up and running. The plug n play program that were made for my kit fell way short and noone could have ever known unless they had seen a better program.

I am starting to get my confidence back about the system and the direction I am going. My luck seems to be changing for the better and I feel relieved about some things that were worrying me.

I still have to get the parts worked out and get up and running but there is a ray of sunshine in the sky and at least one cloud formation seems to be lifting.

I will be working on the cosmetics of the car for the next week or so and let the engine problems rest for awhile. The car is going to be better when I get the interior and engine bay done and I have been putting it off because of the engine way too long.

I will sleep better tonight and tomorrow will be the start of finishing it all.

:cheers:

[MonzaRacer]

Honestly Jim I have priced and helped trouble shoot some FI systems in my life and for the record Accel has the worst reputation, bar none!
Not Even Fast or Big Squirt have this much trouble.Well Edelbrock stuff is kind of lame unless you want bolt on mild performance.
Now that said when it comes down to building FI systems I have swapped in,out,modded,and crossbred such stuff that its astounding, buddy has a truck with a Northstar in it and we used truck ecm and all I did was match injector ohm ratings, other than that pretty much all GM stuff inter relates on some basic scale. Reason a bazillion different models, why have more than say 4 temp sensors and all with either one or the other spec.
Hard to believe only issue he had was getting the factory ecm hacked to change knock sensors parameters fixed as once in a while it would throw a knock code.
Weird how well a 32valve 4.6Northstar will pull in a truck, very weird.
Honestly keep doing research so you have some reference and options if you have any more big issues, and if you check it out I think you might just get blown away, and with you actually setting up the tunes after getting familiar its actually fun tweaking. And you have literally hundreds if not thousands of tech helpers on the forums.
Oh and you can pick up a $50 laptop from ebay to tune it(ie less likely to be stolen as it would be like a 500mhz or so, this is what 3 friends have for tuning).
Oh and the really neat thing is building a MegaView and tada no laptop needed for minor adjustments.
But good luck.

[Jim Nilsen]

Honestly Jim I have priced and helped trouble shoot some FI systems in my life and for the record Accel has the worst reputation, bar none!
Not Even Fast or Big Squirt have this much trouble.Well Edelbrock stuff is kind of lame unless you want bolt on mild performance.
Now that said when it comes down to building FI systems I have swapped in,out,modded,and crossbred such stuff that its astounding, buddy has a truck with a Northstar in it and we used truck ecm and all I did was match injector ohm ratings, other than that pretty much all GM stuff inter relates on some basic scale. Reason a bazillion different models, why have more than say 4 temp sensors and all with either one or the other spec.
Hard to believe only issue he had was getting the factory ecm hacked to change knock sensors parameters fixed as once in a while it would throw a knock code.
Weird how well a 32valve 4.6Northstar will pull in a truck, very weird.
Honestly keep doing research so you have some reference and options if you have any more big issues, and if you check it out I think you might just get blown away, and with you actually setting up the tunes after getting familiar its actually fun tweaking. And you have literally hundreds if not thousands of tech helpers on the forums.
Oh and you can pick up a $50 laptop from ebay to tune it(ie less likely to be stolen as it would be like a 500mhz or so, this is what 3 friends have for tuning).
Oh and the really neat thing is building a MegaView and tada no laptop needed for minor adjustments.
But good luck.

Are you from the DARK SIDE ? LOL.

I feel like I am stuck between a convent and a massage parlor and all the women look good if you just look in their eyes only,LOL.

I really appreciate the alternative thoughts as it gives me something to chew on while I am chomping at the bit.

So much to do and so little time before the Motorstate and if I am lucky I may make the Midwest event just to spectate and let everyone see the car. I don't think I will try to participate and push the car that soon.

Now back to the show in progress !!

I really am commited ( did I say that in the right way.LOL) to the accel at the moment because of the time it would take me to change over. The packaging of a new system would take me a month to change and I really don't have that much time unless the Accel fails to work with the repaired ecu. I really am getting some good help now and I have to give it one last time to se if it all works out.

[Jim Nilsen]

Talked to Mark again yesterday and learned more in in the 1st 5 minutes that was very important to know about the programming than anyone else has told me about my programs.

There are a few very important questions that have to be answered or the tuner will not be able to get you the tune you need.

1: you have to know what rpm you are going to run up to.
2:you have to know the kpa range your cam is running in.

These 2 factors can make all the difference in how the main tables are setup and work for you. I was only programmed to 5600 rpm and run to 6400 rpm, big problem if the ve table is not set right before the cutoff of the tables.

If you know the kps range you can make the resolution of the tables work more smoothly.

I am going to hope all is well when I get the ecu back.

Things are looking up.

[AintQik]

Awesome. I've tuned a bunch with HP and to be honest I hate it. On some of the ECMs there are hidden tables working against you and lots of the adjustments are counter-intuitive. Plus there are so many people who THINK they know what they are doing. I know of one Corvette tuner who is like a god over in those forums and I know for a fact he is the direct cause of several motor and tranny failures. They run quick, but only for a few months lol. Lots and lots of information to wade through.

Thanks for sticking with it, you will in fact be a wealth of knowlege for others.

[Jim Nilsen]

It's been an interesting week and have finally made some progress that makes the car a lot better.

Went to fix the horn and turn signals and found a broken wire in the harness and went to replace it and the whole column had to come out and by the time I would have repaired it and what it was going to be when I got done I decided to put a Flaming River column in with tilt wheel. It fits nice and looks good too. I am on the fence about painting it but the 2 tone looks good enough.

I got some new inner fenders to make the front function better and get rid of the old crusty one I temporarily put in to keep things a bit cleaner for time I drove it.

The big news is that the ECU had a problem in the ignition part of the board and they are replacing the board at no cost for the board. The accel 6a box was found to be good and they told me it wasn't anything I did that could have caused the problem to the board. It should be here Monday or Tuesday so I can reinstall it.

I can't wait to drive the car again and finish the break in of the new engine. Still a few bugs to work out but it is going to be better for a lot longer I hope.

The weather is like summer now and the car shows are all happening and it will be fun to hear what people have to say about the car.

I just want to drive it !!!!!

[Motown 454]

I'm glad to hear they're taking care of it for you . I hope it goes in easy and you get to drive it soon.

[MonzaRacer]

DING DING DING AND HERE COMES ROUND 3,,,,,
Now hottie in tiny bikini walks through and waves a big number 3 card,,,,
And we certainly hope Jim has better luck THIS time with ASSHELL.
Wishin ya luck buddy!

[Jim Nilsen]

DING DING DING AND HERE COMES ROUND 3,,,,,
Now hottie in tiny bikini walks through and waves a big number 3 card,,,,
And we certainly hope Jim has better luck THIS time with ASSHELL.
Wishin ya luck buddy!

Ya gotta love having friends like you !!!! :)



:cheers:

[Jim Nilsen]

I just didn't like the gap in between the column and the gauge bezel so I made one and moved it up some. Here is a pic of it along with one that shows how much it got moved up. The paper is a pattern from the Flaming River bracket. It took me 5 hrs and no mistakes which isn't too bad for an $85 part. The next would be faster as always,lol.

[Jim Nilsen]

ROUND 3 and Jim is Back up and running again. So far it looks like I might have control of this round !!!!!! Stay tuned.

Just fired it up and let it get warm along with checking the timing and listening for noises. Seems to be good so far and it restarts good. Gotta put the passenger seat back in and the crossbar and then go for a drive.

It's back to tuning again to get the drivability back in it.

It should be better with the hood reinforced and the new front inner fenders to keep the air under control better.

Lots to do before the Motorstate gets here. Still up for debate as to go to the MMCC? Need someone to ride shotgun if I go.

:cheers:

[LSx_88_Ciera]

I call shotgun!!!
Have to stop and pick me up on your way though.

[Motown 454]

good luck on the first drive I hope it goes well.

[Jim Nilsen]

:fingersx:It's a beautiful day out and the drive was really good. The tune is going well and the drivability is very good for a start. The car rides much smoother as it gets more miles and settles in on the suspension. As long as it stays running and drives I am ready for just about anything now and am going to be a lot happier , I keep telling myself.
I learned a lot and that hopefullly will have taught me to respect everyone who still has a car to drive home in after a track day.

Now there are a few more things on the list to get done ,as long as the car keeps running they will stand a chance to get there,LOL.

[Jim Nilsen]

The weekend went well and I got to give a lot of rides and enjoy the car for what it is. The tune was good enough to have some fun and make smiles.

Did some tuning this afternoon and made some good progress. I did some blending in of the high and low spots and got the timing somewhat set for now. Tommorow will tell if the changes make it smoother.

Went to a small car show to look at some cars and ended up with a crowd around my car. It got rained out in the end but it was fun while it lasted. Had a guy lookin at it ask me if it was a trackday car? He loved it and had a Mustang he runs at events. I guess it is noticable as to what it is if you know what you are lookin at.

I'm getting anxious to get to Gingerman and have some fun. The car should make the trip no problem and it's up to me to know when it's had more than it can handle. It seems strong and rides great.

:cheers:

[wmhjr]

Jim, I'm jealous! I can only try to run AutoX courses as I don't have rollover protection for my convertible. So, no Gingerman or MWMCC for me :(

Isn't it enjoyable to have guys who know what they're talking about come up and notice little things you've done - you know - the ones that nobody else notices but you probably spent hours thinking about before doing?

[Jim Nilsen]

Jim, I'm jealous! I can only try to run AutoX courses as I don't have rollover protection for my convertible. So, no Gingerman or MWMCC for me :(

Isn't it enjoyable to have guys who know what they're talking about come up and notice little things you've done - you know - the ones that nobody else notices but you probably spent hours thinking about before doing?

You don't have to be jealous of blowing up engines and breaking stuff, it is a lot of fun then.

You will have all of the fun you can handle with just autox but you can still get to do novice parade type track to stuff to stretch it a little if you want at some places.

The great thing about people who know cars and see what has been done is that they just keep looking and looking and wishing they had the time to do all of the trick things to a car. It puts a smile on my face to know that all of the patience I have had to have to get where I am has finally paid off.

I worked on the Racepak today and got everything working except the fuel level and that may require a different fuel sending unit quite possibly? As long as I have a trip odometer it really isn't a big thing but it would be nice to have it work.

I now have acceleration and cornering g's to let me know how well things are progressing and it is going to help a lot.

I have 2 more weeks to get ready for Gingerman and I think I will be prepared for it for the most part, 1 year later,LOL.


:cheers:

[Jim Nilsen]

Here are a couple of recent pics I just unloaded from my camera.


Heres proof that it gets driven and cleaned. The front inner fenders are in now and a pic of the hinges if you look, the material is on the table waiting to be milled for the final design. Lots of details to finish but driving it is more fun and keeping me from thinking too much about them,lol.

[Jim Nilsen]

Here are a couple of pics of the headliner progress and the cowl induction air cleaner setup. I'm wating on a new product from Second Skin to finish off the headliner, they don't make Damplifier light anymore because they make something better to replace it. I have to thank them for getting me taken care of so well.
I now have a template for the better aluminum to finish the air cleaner so it matches the hood piece.

Lots of little things and a couple others that I would like to get done before next weekend , so we will see what the priorities are?

[John Wright]

Looking good Jim. Air cleaner template looks like it was made for the car...LOL(I know...it was)

[Motown 454]

Very nice .

[Jim Nilsen]

Got the air cleaner done except for the sealing foam in the back. It doesn't shake the hood and it seems to be giving me a bit more power with the cool air but it will be more apparent when I get it tuned real well and then take it off and see. You can feel the air go in through the cowl vent even at idle.

Here are a couple of pics

[68firebird]

that came out great!

[John Wright]

that came out great!
+1...came out looking great Jim.

[Motown 454]

It looks great Jim.

[NOT A TA]

Air cleaner setup looks good Jim!

[dusterbd13]

thats the most pictures ive ever seen of this car. looks great, and id love to see some more.

and is that a golf club handle as a hood prop rod?

one suggestion about the air cleaner piece: looks great, but i think a brushed finish would match the purpose look unde the hood a bit better. just my opinion.

and im trying to figure out whats going on with the headliner. looks like screening material with a flange in the center, correct?


lastly, i have to thank you for all the hope youve given me. im fighting EFI issues with my engine swap right now, and seeing how youve preservered and kept your spirits up really helps me. hopefully i can take some of your attitude with me and my laptop when i work on my truck. any pointers for a guy thats teaching himself on the fly? (and no, its not asshell efi, either. its all GM mix n match)

keep up the great work and inspiration.
michael

[Jim Nilsen]

thats the most pictures ive ever seen of this car. looks great, and id love to see some more.

and is that a golf club handle as a hood prop rod?

one suggestion about the air cleaner piece: looks great, but i think a brushed finish would match the purpose look unde the hood a bit better. just my opinion.

and im trying to figure out whats going on with the headliner. looks like screening material with a flange in the center, correct?


lastly, i have to thank you for all the hope youve given me. im fighting EFI issues with my engine swap right now, and seeing how youve preservered and kept your spirits up really helps me. hopefully i can take some of your attitude with me and my laptop when i work on my truck. any pointers for a guy thats teaching himself on the fly? (and no, its not asshell efi, either. its all GM mix n match)

keep up the great work and inspiration.
michael


Ah yes the golf club handle? A friend had some carbon fiber clubs he picked up for $2 each at a sale. One of them had a tag of $359 on it. It is lighter than the stainless tubing I was using and I threw a cragar sticker on it to cover up the golf name stuff. I think I might paint the shaft silver or the color of the car? The real cool thing is that the handle says "Pro-Tour " right on it so I couldn't resist. I may go with a hinged and swiveled prop rod that clips in a spot when closed once I know how the rest of the engine bay gets done.

I am already working on the air cleaner lid. I started to not like the black one the second I put the seal in. I have a gold anodized one that I can remove the anodizing or leave it gold? The gold kind of goes with the color of the car in a shiny way. I would really like to find a spun aluminum one that has the right profile and height and a reasonable price. The removal of the anodizing can sometimes leave a stain but I can always paint it if I have to until I find a spun aluminum piece.

The headliner is perforated aluminum I got through Metal Express. There are all kinds of hole sizes and spacing to choose from, it was hard to pic the one I liked and almost went with even smaller holes and spacing but it gets real fragile at that point. It hardly wieghs anything and is strong as heck.It is about $10 sq.ft. I used Damplifier on the back side of it to dampen any noise and give it some mass, it also makes the holes black and not able to see through it.The piece in the middle of it all is 2" x .125 aluminum that is screwed to the roof bracing. It is working very well so far and the car is much quieter than any all aluminum interior car I have rode in. It's darn near quieter riding than most any car you will drive in except the exhaust note when you get on it.

I'm glad that going through the EFI problems someone learned from it !! I have had to stay with many machines and make them work with no new parts unless I made them and keep production going and it taught me that when it is bad parts your frustration can only be stopped with new ones. If it is something you are doing wrong and don't know what to do, you are going to have to learn the hard way. With EFI you just have to keep trying to understand it all as a whole. I wish I knew more about the GM systems but thats a whole other ballpark to play in. You can find more people who tune what you have online than those that tune the Accel.

Keep on keepin on and learn something from everyone who leaks it out about EFI.

Thanks for the compliments.

[Jim Nilsen]

What a weekend!!!!!!!

I was having problems on wednesday with a driveline vibration that would vary and was at higher rpm. I couldn't find what it was and almost didn't go to the Motorstate Challenge. The car was running good and it would cruise just fine and had plenty of power with no vibration at less than 4000 rpm. I decided to drive to meet with everyone in Elgin and se then what to do? It made with no problems and I had plenty of help and a trailer if needed so I took the trip and it all went well.

I found I really need some new tires. I just don't have the grip to keep up. The car pushes and needs to possibly have a rear sway bar to help it out. The car car drove great on the track and was a blast. The autox proved to be a bigger challenge for the tires and it really hurt me there. It would have been a bit better if I could have had another 3000 rpm at my disposal but it was fun.

The cause of the vibration was discussed when I got to Michigan and the problem is the Centerforce pressure plate. the weights are obviously not returning to the middle exactly and causing the vibration. Other people have had the same problems so it is time to take the weights off and hope for the best.

It was really nice to meet with everyone again and the cars at the vent were awesome. I met a lot of new people and learned a lot.

Bad Penny wasn't there and I really missed seeing Dave Pozzi. i also was looking for a few others that didn't make it. The event is getting better and I can't wait for next year!!!

Now I have a trans to pull and some weight to take off the car. It might only be a 1/2 pound but it the most important to lose because it will add 3000 rpm and who knows how much more power. it makes me wonder how we all keep these cars together sometimes.

[Jim Nilsen]

I have been working on the closeout panel and have it pretty well done for now. I will have to modify it a bit for the final hinges when I get there but for now here it is.

Next on the list is pulling the clutch out and getting to the problem it is having, what ever it is. I am interested in if it will be the weights on the pressure plate causing the vibration or if it is something else ?

[NOT A TA]

Panels look good Jim! And nice pic in the Motorstate pic thread!

[TitoJones]

Jim-

It's been about 8 years since we first spoke and I have to hand it to you. You built one hell of a car in your garage and you stuck to your guns while all sorts of new products were exploding onto the market. That's tough to do.
If ever there was a good car that deserved a new set of wheels and tires it is this bad boy. The wheel combo is sleeper for sure, but I think the visual look of the car is lost in those C4 wheels.

Congrats on running at the track; I hope to be there one day along side you.

Tyler

[trapin]

Jim I am totally bummed I didn't get a better look at your car when I saw you at Motorstate. I agree, you've done a terrific job with it.

Hey, you need a rear sway bar for your car? Tell you what, I have a Helwig Rear Sway bar for a first gen that has never seen the road, I have all the parts for it too; it's practically brand new. You send me the money for shipping and it's yours. Of course I'll have to find some kind of box to put it in. Let me know. (586)872-0135

Or better yet, grab Matt and get your asses over here for Woodward in August and you can take it back with you. :)

[GregWeld]

Jim ---

Did you dial in the bellhousing to less than .005?

[Jim Nilsen]

Jim ---

Did you dial in the bellhousing to less than .005?

Yep, I spent a couple of days on it until it was within .0035 and the car shifts great and everything seems good in the trans.

The clutch is starting to slip when put under a load in higher gears but in 1st it will hook and go hard still. It felt different when it went back in after the engine change but it still felt good to me and my friend I have who drives when tuning. The vibration comes in at inconsistent times to be anything else except something in the rotating assembly of the clutch.Something may have happened to the disc plates or something else that has some weight to it but not much ? I would think I would have heard a bolt come loose in the bellhousing if it came out and it would drive right at all ? It could also be the flywheel ? it is an aluminum with bonded insert and has been down the long road and may have possibly given up a small section of itself under all of the stress of the new engine?

It will be a learning experience for me since I have never had the problem before but it should be simple I hope.

Thanks for checkin in. So far the Accel is still working good.:fingersx:

[Jim Nilsen]

Jim-

It's been about 8 years since we first spoke and I have to hand it to you. You built one hell of a car in your garage and you stuck to your guns while all sorts of new products were exploding onto the market. That's tough to do.
If ever there was a good car that deserved a new set of wheels and tires it is this bad boy. The wheel combo is sleeper for sure, but I think the visual look of the car is lost in those C4 wheels.

Congrats on running at the track; I hope to be there one day along side you.

Tyler

Thanks Tyler, it's hard to believe I have it done sometimes. You were so close with 50/50 and I thought you were going to get done before me. I thought I would have been done a long time before you and it helped me keep going trying to be done 1st. Look how long it's been and here we are getting our cars finished up. You still have some time to catch up,lol. I keep telling myself that the car won't be done until it has carpet and it looks like it will be a bit before I get it installed since it is kind of neat driving it like a bare bones racecar for awhile. The car will transform into a less racy looking interior to a more racy looking exterior. I am glad I started with the original plan of years ago to start out driving it. Working out all of the bugs before you are totally finished is a good thing as long as it is just cosmetic stuff. I have a splitter coming up as a project and have the material waiting to be scribed and cut or maybe get it waterjet cut if it is reasonable.

You are so right about the wheels. I get a lot of compliments about them and they really messed up my ability to see it with other wheels and not want them to be modern and something beyond my budget.I can't find what I want and what I can afford in the same package. I keep coming back to the ZR1 wheels like on the Red Witch because they fit the theme of the car and can be found cheap and are the right offsets. The tires are not up to the task for size or compound and will make a drastic difference in performance and looks. If you have any ideas on wheels with a 36mm to 38mm offset on 9.5 in. wheels for the front and 50mm offset on 11 in. that look great I am looking for them in 17 or 18 in. .

It will be a good day when we can be on the track at the same time. So get your car done soon !
:cheers:

[Jim Nilsen]

Jim I am totally bummed I didn't get a better look at your car when I saw you at Motorstate. I agree, you've done a terrific job with it.

Hey, you need a rear sway bar for your car? Tell you what, I have a Helwig Rear Sway bar for a first gen that has never seen the road, I have all the parts for it too; it's practically brand new. You send me the money for shipping and it's yours. Of course I'll have to find some kind of box to put it in. Let me know. (586)872-0135

Or better yet, grab Matt and get your asses over here for Woodward in August and you can take it back with you. :)

If we would have been thinking we could have gone for a ride. It was good to meet you talk in person. If you can get Matt to go I would love to do it just once with a guided tour.

I'll be calling you soon.

:cheers:

[Jim Nilsen]

Panels look good Jim! And nice pic in the Motorstate pic thread!

Thanks for the compliment and being at the Motorstate meeting you and everyone is the greatest times in my life. I dreamed about this for a long time before the time, effort and money all came together to make it happen and I felt lucky to be there.

Steve Rupp and the guys from Lanes did an awesome with all the pics and I am still smiling everytime I see that pic and realize it is my car at an auto x . The action and the pitch of the car couldn't be better for the shot and that takes a good photographer to hit the moment like that.

:cheers:

[Jim Nilsen]

Things are back on track so to speak. The clutch vibration has been fixed and the new Zoom pressure plate and disc are working good. The car runs back up to 6400 rpm with no problems now and I hope it stays that way for a long time, it has a kevlar disc so we will see if it holds up?

Now I can get back to the interior and the other items I have been wanting to do. I keep eyeing the material I have to do my splitter and move my front spoiler back some kind of like the Red Devil but different. I have had the concept of how I want to do it for a couple of years and have changed it in subtle ways in my mind. I think it will be different than anything else and will be very functional. The car feels very good at higher speeds from what I discovered at Gingerman.If it feels as good at over 100 mph as it did at 90 mph all will be good. I will be looking at a brake upgrade as soon as I get new wheels and tires and have the room for them.

There have been a few car shows I have attended and the response has been reall good from the people who know what a trackday car is, others just like it and a few have no clue as most of you know.

Now I have to break in the new clutch for 700 miles according to the instructions that came with the kevlar disc. It will be hard to restrain myself from full on hard blast but that's the way it is.

I wanted to go to a trackday at Blackhawk Farms today but didn't have the new clutch in until 5pm :nopity:. Now I have to wait again for all the fun.

I am thinking of driving to the Car Craft Nationals in Minnesota but am not sure about it? Are any of you going? I would like to share a room and have someone to drive along with in case of problems.

I am also trying to setup a photoshoot to submit to PHR and hope it can be done in time to submit it. I have Hooters girl to model and a professional photogragher that is interested in doing cars instead of weddings and wants the exposure so we will see how it goes ?

:cheers:

[Jim Nilsen]

Here is a pic of the night at Hooters !

[Chevrolaine]

Damn, I had no idea that was your car. I was pulling into the sub shop in Belvidere just as you were pulling out at the unofficial cruise night a couple of weeks ago.

Bad a$$ sounding car!

I asked someone whose car and they said no idea. lol

[bigshotsho93]

Here is a pic of the night at Hooters !

there ya go! i was out of town on vacation otherwise i would have been there too. il be calling you this week.

[John Wright]

Here is a pic of the night at Hooters !
Nice hood props!

[Jim Nilsen]

Damn, I had no idea that was your car. I was pulling into the sub shop in Belvidere just as you were pulling out at the unofficial cruise night a couple of weeks ago.

Bad a$$ sounding car!

I asked someone whose car and they said no idea. lol

Glad you got to at least hear it !
I guess I should have stayed a little longer. For an unofficial cruise it wasn't too bad. More people showed up late it sounds like. I am thinking of going to Coop's BBQ on wednesday this week instead of going to McDonalds to see who shows up.

Look forward to seeing you soon.

[Bryce]

I have been working on the closeout panel and have it pretty well done for now. I will have to modify it a bit for the final hinges when I get there but for now here it is.

Next on the list is pulling the clutch out and getting to the problem it is having, what ever it is. I am interested in if it will be the weights on the pressure plate causing the vibration or if it is something else ?

Looks good Jim, I like the aluminum panels!

[Chevrolaine]

Glad you got to at least hear it !
I guess I should have stayed a little longer. For an unofficial cruise it wasn't too bad. More people showed up late it sounds like. I am thinking of going to Coop's BBQ on wednesday this week instead of going to McDonalds to see who shows up.

Look forward to seeing you soon.

FYI Sycamore Cruise Night is this Saturday, Show Sunday. We always go to the cruise on Saturday night. Good time...couple hundred cars easy.

[Jim Nilsen]

Isn't summer wonderfull !!!

The weather is going to be perfect tomorrow and I now have a Canon Rebel T1i camera I borrowed from a good friend and I am going to do another photoshoot in the morning, the other camera just wasn't cutting it. I did find some other places and think they will be better. The model is happy to be doing it and really wants to try to get in the top 50.

The car tune is coming along with small changes now, some that make it a lot better and others that don't but it keeps getting better overall.

I keep trying to post some of the pics but they are too big still to send. I may take a couple with the old camera so you can see the model. She's worth the wait.

Stay tuned for more.



:cheers:

[Jim Nilsen]

Here is a pic of the model from Hooters.

[Jim Nilsen]

I just got back from the post office and my pics for the PHR photo contest are in the mail before the deadline. It was hard to pick 5 of the best pics out of the several hundred I took. I learned a lot as I went along. I got to borrow a friends Canon Rebel 500 D to shoot the last bunch of pics, it is an awesome camera and I wish it was mine.

The funniest moment of the whole photoshooting was when a guy with piercings everywhere and just dirty old blue jeans and a tank top pulled up in a van as I was shooting the car and girl in her bikini and came up to me and told me

" I think I can fit right in here"

I was at a loss for words !

I think he wanted me to take pics of him with my car as if he was going to make it a bad boy pic or something? The only thing I thought to say was that'
" I think the girl is much prettier "

I have to say that shooting a hot girl in a bikini in a public place sure does get some attention.lol. Most people really liked the car and enjoyed the moments. It was a lot of fun and I have to thank Stephanie for knowing how to pose and looking so hot.

I keep hoping that I have a chance to get in the top 50? We will see? The pics looked as good a I see in most pages of a magazine submitted by readers and the couple of friends who saw them thought they were really good. I don't think I stand a chance to win but you never know till you try? I wish I could have sent in 10 pics because there were several more that had good qualities over the others, but I had to pic just 5. I sent 3 with the girl and 2 without.

I am still working on making them small enough to post. Maybe it is time to sign up at photobucket?

I had a good time Friday afternoon going out and tuning some more. I finally got rid of of the pop in high gear at low rpm, it was just a bit lean and the timing was about 5 degrees to low. I am thinking my in town mileage will go up some from 12-13 to maybe 15mpg, we will see? The other engine got 15 mpg in town so it should be possible. Wide open throttle is really good and it pulls hard all the way to 6400rpm and a bit more if you go there.

I was hoping to go to the Byron Dragway today but it is lightly raining right now, it may stop soon and maybe they will open it up? I am hoping to get a pass down the track to get a time slip and a video.

Wish me luck ! I'm gonna need it. :fingersx:

:cheers:

[Bow Tie 67]

Nice pic Jim, did she ride with you to the photo shoot? Dressed like that?

[Jim Nilsen]

Nice pic Jim, did she ride with you to the photo shoot? Dressed like that?

She drove her own car and changed in it which was an interesting few moments each time:yum:. She had a white dress that was real hot too!! I couldn't have found a model with as good of an attitude as she has if I would have tried.

I still have to give her a ride in the car soon when she has the time, she was on a tight schedule between school and work each time.

We have to get together soon and have a beer!

:cheers:

[Jim Nilsen]

It finally cleared up and I was able to make 9 runs before I decided to call it a day.

For it being my 1st time at a dragstrip I found out how to sleep at the lights for 1.647 LOL. my best reaction time was .555. The best 60 ft. time was 1.892.
My top spd for the day was 104.56 and it took shifting into 4th to get there, I kept running 14.00+ at 100mph if I stayed in 3rd and hit the rev limiter.

My best time was 13.458 and it was a good clean run for the most part.

If the video camera worked I should have a clip of the best run.

The car handled perfect and always stayed straight along with never getting hot. I did have a problem with traction off the line to start with and finally got the hang of the launch.

For what it cost to do it was a lot of fun and worth the time to finally get some real world numbers to work from. I think I can get down to the 12 sec area with some better tires and a more aggresive launch. I am really happy with how it all worked out and I drove home with no problems to speak of.

I will be posting up the video on youtube later tonight or tomorrow.

:cheers:

[NOT A TA]

Roadcourse, PT events, cruises, hot girls, dragstrip.... You're having a great summer!!!!!

[David Pozzi]

Jim, I was thinking - It was so many years ago you and I "met" in this forum. I'm so glad you are out enjoying your Cormaro! A big pat on the back from Mary and I! :twothumbs
David

[Jim Nilsen]

Jim, I was thinking - It was so many years ago you and I "met" in this forum. I'm so glad you are out enjoying your Cormaro! A big pat on the back from Mary and I! :twothumbs
David

Thanks Dave, I always thought I would be done "next year" for a lot of years. The car is a lot of fun and is finally coming together the way it was meant to be. I really wish you would have made it to the Motorstate Challenge to go for a ride with me. I hope you will be able to get the chance someday.

Thanks again

[Jim Nilsen]

I am still smiling from the day at the strip. I was thinking I would only go the one time but it is so close for me and the cost was under $50 for the entry and my fuel for the day. That's less than the cost of a ticket leaving no room ever doing it on the street. I am now considering going back to get a few more videos and see if I can get the long reaction time down and put it toward the E.T. and maybe get it to do a 12.99. If you take my best time of the day and move the time from me sleeping and take it away from the total it is possible to do.

I have posted the vidoes up on youtube under the title:
The Cormaro at the Rockford Dragway.......

If you search for "Cormaro" it should come up.

:cheers:

[Van B]

I am still smiling from the day at the strip. I was thinking I would only go the one time but it is so close for me and the cost was under $50 for the entry and my fuel for the day. That's less than the cost of a ticket leaving no room ever doing it on the street. I am now considering going back to get a few more videos and see if I can get the long reaction time down and put it toward the E.T. and maybe get it to do a 12.99. If you take my best time of the day and move the time from me sleeping and take it away from the total it is possible to do.

I have posted the vidoes up on youtube under the title:
The Cormaro at the Rockford Dragway.......

If you search for "Cormaro" it should come up.

:cheers:

Don't worry about reaction time unless you are really racing someone else. Remember, the clocks don't start until you roll out of the beams. Worry about getting a good clean launch to improve your E.T.

Most of all, I too am glad you are finally having fun with it.

[Jim Nilsen]

Here are the videos of my good runs at the Dragway

RAvMnE8okrc
TXeBygnoOCA

[Jim Nilsen]

Don't worry about reaction time unless you are really racing someone else. Remember, the clocks don't start until you roll out of the beams. Worry about getting a good clean launch to improve your E.T.

Most of all, I too am glad you are finally having fun with it.

Well, so much for losing the 4 tenths off my time with a better reaction time. I think if I work at it a bit I can still get down a couple and maybe make it to the 12 sec bracket? Watch the video and let me know what you think?

I couldn't believe the difference at the launch when you have all that trackbite and rubber down. The 1st time out I actually got wheel hop for the 1st time in the car and fortunately it was the only time. The car felt good just letting the clutch out smoothly and squeezing the pedal down.

Maybe next week will be better if I make it out there?

[Motown 454]

Sweet, sounds like you had a fun day.

[Jim Nilsen]

Roadcourse, PT events, cruises, hot girls, dragstrip.... You're having a great summer!!!!!

I'm doing the best I can to live life to the fullest after what I have been through the last couple of years. I have always dreamed of a summer like this since I was a kid and it took years to get here. My doctors would have rather I died and gave them all my insurance, so much for their intelligence:spank2:.

Life is leading me down a path that is unfamiliar to me at times these days but I refuse to get swallowed up in the negative and am keeping things going until it proves to be impossible to surmount what is in front of me. I have learned there are more people who care about us in life and lots of them we will never meet or know who they are.

I want to thank all of you for being there in thoughts and prayers and most of all these threads !!!

:cheers:

[NOT A TA]

Been there with the doctors too Jim. Then I spent a lot more time going to all kinds of track events. LOL

After watching the videos I think you should try bringing the engine up to launch RPM after you've both got the cars staged, before the lights start dropping. Sounds like you're coming off idle when the light turns green. Your 60' times will drop and that makes a huge difference on ET. Try moving up a hundred RPM for the launch each time you run.

[bonecrrusher]

I spy Byron Dragway there.... the cooling towers for the Nuclear plant give it away....

That announcer guys is annoying as hell..... LOL!
I'd say I have at least 100+ passes there from over the years...

Now I'm stuck down south and no good redneck 1/4 mile dragstrips around. Yes I know Zmax is just up the road - but its NEVER open! I was just up in Rockford 2 weeks ago visiting my folks.

[bonecrrusher]

BTW - you going to RTTH?

[Joey_H]

Cool video! Car sounds mean too. Is that a tornado way off in the distance in the first video? Or maybe a fire?

[wmhjr]

Jim, AWESOME! Car sounds great!

I think NOT A TA is right. Bring up the rpms after both cars are staged. I think you'll see a pretty big difference if you're not fighting from idle off the line.

[bonecrrusher]

Cool video! Car sounds mean too. Is that a tornado way off in the distance in the first video? Or maybe a fire?

Steam coming from the cooling towers @ Byron IL Nuclear Station...

[Jim Nilsen]

Jim, AWESOME! Car sounds great!

I think NOT A TA is right. Bring up the rpms after both cars are staged. I think you'll see a pretty big difference if you're not fighting from idle off the line.

I tried several different types of launches and when I brought the revs up before the launch I would just light them up, I got wheel hop on the 1st launch with the r's up too high. The car leaves strong from an idle if I get the squeeze just right on the gas. The biggest problem is not enough traction with the old Comp T/A's, they just don't hook up with the power planted in them. I do agree that if I could get the revs up and hook it would be a lot better of a launch and take a lot of time off. I am looking into better tires and wheels, 315's keep coming up in the choices but they are a close fit and most tire makers don't make 295's. Kumho and Sumitomo do make them, the Kumho are a 180 tw and that doesn't fit our rules. Nitto NT05's are my 1st choice but they only come in 315's for the rear and that really sucks if I decide to go with the 10 in wheels I am looking at because they won't fit. I really wish the tire makers would make more sizes to choose from like they used to for 17" wheels. I don't think I am going to go with 18" wheels although it keeps coming to them for better choices in some brands.

All in all I am happy with my results at the dragway and I don't think I am going to set the car up to do both track and drag racing. I really need stiffer spings and softer shocks to drag race well and that just isn't going to happen anytime soon. The way I sleep at the lights I might as well open christmas presents,lol. I need corners to keep my attention on the track.

I keep telling myself to go again next saturday to just have more fun and see if I can figure the whole launch thing out better so when I auto-x I can get bit of an edge over what I do now. The whole idea of the low 1st gear was to be able to have more control off of the line in poor traction situations. The car effortlessly spins if I over pedal it in the launch at any rpm.

It just might be fun to try some drag radials to see how well they work and I think I have a friend that is going to let me use some. It could and should make all the differencr in the world.

I also think the tune could get better too. According to the mph I should be in the twelves when you look at the horsepower calculator. The calculator says I have 300 hp to get there and I think I can get more with a better tune. The car runs strong the way it is but the timing might be able to get me more and the A/F ratio might be set a bit too high for drag racing, I am trying to let the computer adjust for now and am still learning how to program it.

Keep the suggestions coming because I can use all of the knowledge I can get to sort it out.

:cheers:

[Jim Nilsen]

It has been an interesting weekend. I went to another car show and discovered I must not have filled out the form for the entry right. I thought I had a good chance to get something in the modified class but was beat out by a Chevelle that had minimal mods other than wheels and a big block. I always go figuring I won't win anything so I'm not too disappointed but it sure makes me wonder what people see, especially when it is just the car owners that get to vote. Several people just thought it was a Camaro with Corvette wheels, so the stealth look is working ,lol. With the hood opening the way it does and the engine set back you would think people would look further but they don't?

I am moving from the stock Corvette wheels to some O.Z. Racing wheels I am buying from Brownz-Brandon Slater that he posted up in the for sale section if you want to see them. I think they will help change the image of the car to something a bit more PT looking and will be a lot more functional since they are lighter by a few pounds. You will also be able to see the brakes and being wider might help too. I'm looking forward to more grip for the most part since the Comp T/A's just don't do it.

So it will be interesting to hear what people think when I get them on the car in a few weeks. I plan on putting them on with the gold centers to start but may paint them black, either way they will be a lot better look than I have and a lot more wheel than I can afford new.

I have been tuning some more and making a bit more progress but still think there is 50 or more horsepower to find. The calculator is telling me I have 300 hp at the rear wheels and that is a bit shy unless I am losing over 30% in the drivetrain which I doubt. I wasn't looking for just a bit more but the 104 mph speed puts me where it puts me. I know I can get better at driving at the strip with no problem and more traction should really help.

So thats the update for now and hopefully soon I will have some pics to show the new look.

:cheers:

[Jim Nilsen]

The new wheels are on and they fit without spacers by 1/4 of an inch, so a 1/2" spacer will put my clearance with plenty of room. With a custom offset I think I could fit a 315 with no problems in the back and up front I think 295's will go easily.

I went with 285 40-17 Kumho's for a few reasons that should have not been a factor, but tire sizes is a messed up thing in 17's from one tire maker to another. The Kumho's came in the best choices for the money.

So far the new tires feel a lot stickier like they should.

Here are a couple of pics.

I keep wondering what it would look like black?

For now they work well and look great to everyone so far.

Thanks Brandon, I hope you like them on my car !!!


:cheers:

[Tucks69]

I spy Byron Dragway there.... the cooling towers for the Nuclear plant give it away....

That announcer guys is annoying as hell..... LOL!
I'd say I have at least 100+ passes there from over the years...

Now I'm stuck down south and no good redneck 1/4 mile dragstrips around. Yes I know Zmax is just up the road - but its NEVER open! I was just up in Rockford 2 weeks ago visiting my folks.

Have you checked Rockingham Dragway out??

[Tucks69]

The new wheels are on and they fit without spacers by 1/4 of an inch, so a 1/2" spacer will put my with plenty of room. With a custom offset I think I could fit a 315 with no problems in the back and up front I think 295's will go easily.

I went with 285 40-17 Kumho's for a few reasons that should have not been a factor, but tire sizes is a messed up thing in 17's from one tire maker to another. The Kumho's came in the best choices for the money.

So far the new tires feel a lot stickier like they should.

Here are a couple of pics.

I keep wondering what it would look like black?

For now they work well and look great to everyone so far.

Thanks Brandon, I hope you like them on my car !!!


:cheers:

The Camaro looks great Jim. The wheels look great! You coming down to RTTH6? I would like to check your Camaro out. I remember Payton letting you drive his yellow Camaro at RTTH5!

[srh3trinity]

I like the wheels, I am trying to envision what they may look like in a charcoal?

[Bryce]

the wheels are sick!