Engine is out

It's a little weird seeing the giant empty spot under the hood.  Transmission is separated from the block and now I am just waiting for the new Clutch and Flywheel that should be here on Friday.

As with any project like this on an older car... I found that the engine mounts are basically shot and should probably be replaced....  so that's another part that will have to be ordered and waited on.  but I can get it mostly ready to go back together while I wait for those.

Small update

As you can see from the image above, I have attached the head and installed the water pump and timing belt.  Right now I am on a bit of a hold as I wait for some goodies that I was actually hoping to put off for a while but since I am putting the engine in I decided to go for it.  those include a 10lb fly wheel and a new clutch.  The clutch that is in there should still be in good shape because it really isn't all that old. but again... while I am in there I should probably just do it.


Other that that I have put the car up on ramps and will begin pulling things off to get it ready to be pulled. That should start this weekend assuming the weather isn't quite as bad as they are saying its going to be.

Until next time...

Engine Progress Update

I have spent the last few evenings working on getting the spare engine completed.  At this point, the head is together other then a few peripheral items like water lines, the cams are in.  Tonight I finished installing the oil pump and pan.


Tomorrow I will be putting the block back on the stand so that I can get to work on the front of the motor some more.  Namely installing the water pump and then the head.  Once the head it on, it's just a matter of putting on the new timing belt and making sure its all in line. after that, button it all up.

She's Dead, Jim

Well after a day of running at The Commons in Bozeman on the 9th of August.   We made it about 40 miles back from Bozeman and its looking like an exhaust valve has cracked on me.

Just spent the last hour running compression tests on all of the cylinders and pulling the valve cover.  Cylinders 1,2 and 4 are sitting about 160psi and cylinder 3 is sitting at a big fat 0.  after pulling the valve cover I have verified that there is nothing visibly broken there.

At this point it could be a cracked valve like we are thinking or it could be a broken valve seat.

Looks like I am done for the year with my car unless I can get the engine finished.



Below is a shot of the plugs in order.  Cylinder one is on the left.  Number three has a nice crusty build up on it.

Corner Balancing

I spent some time to day with the help of Dave Kirk getting the corner balance of my car just right. 

Here is what we had at the beginning:

Total: 2382

LF: 642

RF: 596

LR: 572

RR: 573

Left: 1216  - 51.0 %

Rear: 1145 - 48 %

LF/RR: 1214  - 51.0 %

Right: 1169  - 49.1%

Below is what we ended up with.

Total: 2378

LF: 627

RF: 609

LR: 579

RR: 567

Left: 1206  - 50.7 %

Rear: 1142 - 48 %

LF/RR: 1198  - 50.0 %

Right: 1171  - 49.3%

All it took was raising the RR spring perch 1.5 turns.

It isn't a huge change but I am pretty happy we where able to get the LF/RR to right at 50%.  The LF and RF are also much closer which will help with making sure I am not locking up one tire or the other while braking hard.

At the next event we are going to take temperature measurements across the face of the tire to see if the camber is set at the optimal angle.

Next event is August 9th in Bozeman at The Commons.  ( Map)  This is our "index" event.  We try to setup the course exactly the same as last years and we can compare our times between the two to see how our modifications and driving skills have changes our times. I have not run a Bozeman event since last year. It will be interesting to see how I fair with all of the work that I have done to the car.

Here is a spreadsheet with the first two years times on it. (link) As you can see, almost everyone who ran in 2012 and 2013 improved their times. Some by a pretty significant amount.

Last event recap.

Here are the results from both the 19th and 20th of July:
July 19th Event Results
July 20th Event Results

I was unable to beat out the other CSP driver this weekend.  It's down to my tires being a major limiting factor at this point.  I am stuck with them until at least the beginning of next year.


The 19th was an interesting day relearning the car with all of the changes I made to it.  started out with tire pressure way to high.  once I got those dialed in I was able to be much more consistent in my times. As for Sunday, The car felt great, I spent most of the morning trying to find the sweet spot for the suspension. My first run in the afternoon was my FTD, I tried to push it a bit more but I should have sprayed my tires as they over heated on the last run and I was all over the place, lesson learned...

This weekend I am going to spend some time corner balancing the car and trying to shift some weight to the rear of the car as it is a bit more tail happy then I would like.  I'm not sure how much I will manage to get but if I can get it just a bit more planted in the rear I think I will be able to take CSP and keep it.

Update!

The issues I was having with the ECU earlier this season have mostly been solved.  There is still a bit of hesitation but it is manageable.

Today I had the limited slip differential installed.  Have had a chance to drive the car a little bit and it is a different experience just around town.  I notice the car seems to hook up far better and accelerate better.  through corners I get a bit of under steer while accelerating hard.  Something I am going to have to adjust out a bit and get used to.

Tonight I am going to lower the car about 3/4" give or take a bit. If I can find the brackets I am going to finally put the rear sway-bar back on. I am hoping they are in my storage unit otherwise I will have to buy new ones from a Mazda dealer or a used parts place.

There is an Autocross event here in Helena this weekend, If I can manage to beat one other guy both days I will take the CSP trophy for the Montana Challenge series. Everything I have done to the car in the last week has been to ensure this goal is met.