Chasing the Ghosts of LeMans - Thunder - Project 487 Super Snake

[WSSix]

Good luck making that exhaust system. I'm going to start making my own soon as well.

[Ripped]

Originally Posted by rickpaw

Contact these guys. They may save you some time building the oval tubings.

http://www.spintechmufflers.com/tubi...ng/cat_41.html

Thanks I looked at theirs also. they had a slightly different shape than what I needed for my clearance.

Originally Posted by WSSix

Good luck making that exhaust system. I'm going to start making my own soon as well.

Thanks

[Ripped]

After an almost endless home renovation, it's time to get back to work on the car.

The alarm system died. I operated the power door and trunk locks, along with the alarm system.
I opted to keep the wiring as simple as possible and upgraded the old compustar system to a new one.
I added the drone GPS locator as well.

In order to make the power door locks work, I needed to construct a relay system (the older compustar had the relays built in)

I used the opportunity to polish the rear folding seat assembly.

An annoying vibration was present in the clutch/flywheel. I decided to get off my butt and find out what was going on.

I made up some cribbing to get the car nice and high, and pulled the trans.

1st the pilot bushing fell out. So that was not good but common with the FE's

So fixed that, and put the dial indicator on the bellhousing. It was perfect, after spinning it several times.

Then decided to send the flywheel and pressure plate out for machining and balancing. More on this later

[Ripped]

So it turns out;
The flywheel was good

The pressure plate was badly out of balance.

It's a good thing that I didn't drive the car much.

So I worked all last night, and put everything back together, dropped the car on the ground.

Wow what a difference. It's like driving a different car. Fresh syncromax fluid in the trans, and I am impressed.

The only thing that has me bothered, is that the starter is making a funny noise now, like it is hitting a small piece of sheet metal or something, or is misaligned.

Not sure what would have happened, same starter same location...

Guess I'll be taking that puppy out again

[Air-bender]

Man, thanks for posting this! I have a small vibration in my car and somewhat certain that it's coming from the clutch/flywheel area. I also have a McLeod clutch, RST twin disk and now you have me guessing I should have done a balancing check before all was put together. Did you send all you parts to a racing shop to be checked?
Thanks,

[Ripped]

Originally Posted by Air-bender

Man, thanks for posting this! I have a small vibration in my car and somewhat certain that it's coming from the clutch/flywheel area. I also have a McLeod clutch, RST twin disk and now you have me guessing I should have done a balancing check before all was put together. Did you send all you parts to a racing shop to be checked?
Thanks,

Yes a racing machine shop. I think based on what I've experienced, I'd say yes get it balanced, if you can.

Obviously this one (pressure plate) was bad, but driving around, the engine is smoother, revs quicker, even sounds different.

And thinking about all the trouble engine builders go to when they balance a performance engine, why wouldn't we?

Especially since it it really more or less an assembled series of metal components. There are a lot of variables.

We balance the engines, we balance drive shafts, flywheels, wheels etc... so why not a pressure plate. No matter what anyone suggests, I am always going to go with my gut and balance every one from this point forward.

My starter is still acting up, so I am going to try and figure out what is going on with that, maybe tomorrow. It's a tight fit in there so not an easy job.

[Ripped]

I got the starter working properly again.

When I checked one bolt seemed fairly loose and another slightly loose.

I just backed up all three bolts, juggled the starter and then snugged everything back up.

All back to normal.

Now it's on to the air conditioning system and a revamp of the exhaust.

[WSSix]

Glad you're back to making progress with the car. Good luck!

[Ripped]

Originally Posted by WSSix

Glad you're back to making progress with the car. Good luck!

Thanks

Well I ordered the new mufflers that I want to use. Similar to what I have now, except the patriot varaflow mufflers are much too small for the stroker FE.

Too loud in the car, actually deafening at times (I must be getting old lol)

I just have to see if I can find someone that makes a 3" tailpipe set that I can order separately (not a whole kit.)

These will be a 3" in 3" out, with some very custom oval pipes around the trans and x-pipe to work with the low to the ground chassis

[Ripped]

Started working on replacing the old 2 1/2" exhaust and too small mufflers, with the 3" exhaust system.

I have demoed the old exhaust, and am mocking up the new mufflers.

I have bought a flex coupling to put inline in the system somewhere, to reduce transmitted vibration. I have to put it up in an area that gives me enough ground clearance.

I'm looking forward to having it done, already and I am just started