RideTech 33 Ford

[454bug]

Great project Bret!!

[jorge]

Interior is being put back in today. Wiring is the now the focus, the engine should be fired this weekend / early next week.

[65-fastback]

Nice project!!

Going ISIS with the wiring?

[Tig]

That looks amazing.
Great job guys.
Cant wait to see some vids of it in action.

[jorge]

Wiring, always a bunch of fun.

[jorge]

Steering wheel is in, lots of behind the scenes work being done.

[Yelcamino]

Beautiful! Absolutely beautiful!

[sokoloka]

What style / layback Kirkey seats are those?

[the dan]

looks great, those dynasty tigs are the s*** for aluminum

[Dalamar]

beautifully done at every step!

[wellis77]

Love that you're running air on this. Can't wait to see how it performs.

[Chevrolaine]

Stunning and it's not even done yet!!

[bret]

Love that you're running air on this. Can't wait to see how it performs.

I will likely debut the car on coils first. We fit the ShockWaves to make sure there was clearance for everything. Since this car has so many new [and untried] components [rear wishbone suspension, quickchange rearend w/ floating axles, handbuilt front control arms, 5.5" carbon clutch, really light weight and short wheelbase] and there is so little room for the compressor/tank/controls, I want one less variable for the initial run. Another issue is the front ShockWaves/coilovers sit inboard right behind the radiator. I do not yet know the effects that amount of heat will have on altering the contained air pressure [and therefore the spring rate] in those units, and don't want to find out at the first event. We will likely start with the TA shocks with the Hyperco coils and very quickly we will be comparing the ShockWaves and the new Hyperco carbon fiber springs.

I have no illusions that this car will be totally immune from the normal new car issues that must be sorted out. Just as any NASCAR, F1, or NHRA team does, we'll be testing and trying diffrerent combinations to find A. what falls off the car first, and B. what makes the car fast.

Why am I saying this? Well...don't draw any conclusions if the car shows up for a couple events with coils. I'm still thinking it will end up fastest with the Shockwaves...or maybe the carbon springs. We'll see...

BTW...look for the 48 Hour Camaro to show up with ShockWaves at Nashville. The 66 Chevelle and the 69 Mustang already have the TA series ShockWaves and are REALLY good right now. The 66 Chevelle ran 2nd at Charlotte last year with those TA Shockwaves, and the Mustang was the winner of the Vendor class in Texas this spring. They will both be at the Battle at the Banks in Salem next weekend and Nashville Goodguys on May 18-20.

The 33 Ford and the 48 Hour Camaro will also be running the optima series this year at the Power Tour, Road America, and [hopefully] in Vegas. We'll also be in Columbus for Goodguys, at Gingerman for the Motorstate Challenge, and are trying to attend the Pirelli Ultimate Track Car Challenge at VIR in July.
I'm getting worn out just thinking about it!

[jorge]

There are now wires coming out of every opening on the car ...

[tommycomfort]

I remember seeing this when I stopped by for the 48 hour Camaro build. Then over the winter Deb and I picked up coilovers for the wagon and got to see it well on its way to becoming a monster, but now... Holy Smokes!
Tom

[bret]

The engine ran for the first time at 7:32 pm Saturday night. Yep, its a race car. The 6 lb clutch allows it to rev like a cup car. Today we'll likely drive it at least around the block. Still to do:

hook up fans, headlights, turn signals, guages
re-bleed brakes
mount headlights
scale
paint seats
install harness tabs and harnesses
install doors, decklid, and hood
install remote charging terminals
radiator overflow
make breathers
get a real air filter
shifter boot
hook up power windows
rearend vent can
license plate light
license plate mount

Possible testing on Wednesday. Hope so, we need to race on Saturday!

I'll try to get some video up later today.

Busy...bye!

[jorge]

Here is that video of the 33 starting up:

Music to my ears!

And here are some pictures from this morning:

[tommycomfort]

Absolutely love it! Was there a change of plan on the gauge cluster?

[Daves69Coupe]

that thing sounds effing mean!

[Z06killinSBF]

Nice, what was the big spark during start up?