Not going very fast at this point due to being busy with a million of other things but some stuff has been showing up lately, which I can't wait to use in the car, namely this Titanium goodness:
This forged 18" set:
. Would love this gauge cluster in my CLWhilst they were being made I thought it would be nice instead of cluttering up the cabin with extra gauges and dials for this and for that, to actually have everything displayed in one place. Modern race displays have the ability of not only pulling the information from the ECU but also allow some add-ons in form of sensors, indicators, etc. This would be really handy as I could not only see almost everything that happens in the ECU but have the road going features like high/low beam and side indicators, fuel level, set out some some warning (e.g. low fuel) and messages based on conditions of the ECU/sensors. With this in mind I removed the instrument cluster, took it apart and scanned the backplane. The idea was to integrate the new display into the dash pod as opposed to mount it on the steering column in front of the old one.
A couple of hours in the Illustrator playing with various dash templates and I had a nearly perfect match:
The new dash has lots of features which I don't immediately need but among the useful ones are:
- GPS module (e.g. for circuit driving as well as for measuring the speed - aka VBox)
- 8 screens of data (although I probably need only a couple - one for road use, another for showing the actual sensor data)
- Gear calculation & display based on speed and RPM (with the manual gearbox there was no way of knowing which gear you're in. Until now)
- Ability to add various CAN expansion modules (I use one for converting indicator/lights/fuel level sensors to CAN and displaying them on the dash)
After making all the necessary brackets and wiring the dash:
A quick test to confirm that it works in its new place:
I then took a drive down to the BOTG but arrived a fair bit later than planned due to 2853 traffic accidents that day, all on my way there:
Posted this in another thread by mistake...apologies to those forced to read it twice!
Just spent an hour I didn't have following this thread and like so many others on here, feel the need to pass a comment or two.
Alex, your sheer tenacity at the way in which you have overcome to achieve your end game is astounding and admirable, to say the least.
Your taste in project appeals to me on so many levels...Q car stealth (noise notwithstanding ), engine looks fantastic (lurking as it does in gloss red and black without a plastic cover in sight) and wonderful attention to detail to realise it.
I once read a book about a driven chap like you, and I used to wonder where he found the hours in a day. His name was something-or-other Brunel. Great thread, well documented, and thanks for sharing! S**t, is that the time...!
As ever Alex, absolutely amazing work, the under side looks virtually new, I really cannot wait to hear what this exhaust note will sound like given what your making, look forward to seeing the car when it's back together.The progress has been a little slow due to a let down by one of the suppliers going under with my money and order. Ordered some titanium back boxes and lambda controllers from BTN Performance (part of BTN Turbo Charger Services) on the 3-4 weeks leadtime. Being let down multiple times before, been following up two weeks in onward when learned that the company is no more and all assets are being sold to a third party who hopes to restart the business and fulfil the outstanding orders. Heard all that before so got on the phone there and then (BTN's last work day apparently), got my money back (thanks for that) and went on re-ordering the parts. With over 4 weeks wasted, it's another few until the parts arrive, now from the US direct.
AEM Electronics came in first. Took over where BTN left, made an exception given the circumstance and allowed to purchase direct, and at a lower price. Which is a bonus. The back and middle boxes have been ordered from Burns Stainless instead of going titanium like planned before. Burns makes light weight re-packable exhaust boxes so the weight differential to Ti will be kept to the minimum.
Managed to squeeze a couple of jobs whilst waiting for the parts and that's full refurb on front and rear axle. Both subframes removed, completely de-rusted, treated with the converter and re-painted. Febi suspension components used to rebuild. All done in-house. Rear bushings upgraded to poly, made and supplied by Creative Steel of OR, USA. Normal weld and fab will resume next week. So hopefully not too long before she's back on the road again.
Some pictures of new headers taking shape in the "Lego" kit form before all the metal cutting and welding as well as of the suspension overhaul.
Do you have an idea on what the final capex will be Alex? Did you ever start with a budget in mind?
Would you ever sell it?
I think it’s brilliant what you’ve done pal, I really do, and I’d like to throw my hat in to the ring when the time does comes to sell.
last i saw you were working on the exhaust, which given what you had already done there, it was already a work of art.. wish all workmanship was like that, is this diversion solely as awaiting materials from Aus..?? as ever mate, my hat goes off to you, astounding work.
Very good to see the latest update, but you have digressed Alex..
R
