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Build Threads / Re: Venom's 95 RX-7 Feed Widebody Build
« on: April 16, 2024, 01:19:19 PM »
I really like the "smoothed" transition to the lights. Looks more OEM.
April 17, 2024, 08:28:25 PM
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Electronics / Re: Auto Manual idea - Can MaxxEcu do this?
« on: April 16, 2024, 01:18:09 PM »
I'd think for this to be viable you'd need to have their box control the clutch and shifts, with you requesting the shift via button, and the computer doing the rest. It won't be fast enough otherwise. That's just remaking a first gen SMG design though.
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Build Threads / Re: Aston Martin V8 Vantage
« on: April 13, 2024, 07:34:49 PM »
Ordered up most of the pieces to finish the AC system. I'm going to put in swagelock fittings to convert the OEM lines to "universal" ends and then use normal "hot rod" style hose to connect to the Sanden compressor. I think I'm going to need a 12" piece of hard line on one side of the compressor to get the lines clear of the spinny bits.
I -think- that's just about it for hoses/lines. I'll get the pumps mounted (vacuum and intercooler) and finish out all of that plumbing, plus the oil lines and it should be all plumbed out up front. Then the trans/diff coolers and plumbing (minus fuel system) is done. Electrical will follow soon.
I -think- that's just about it for hoses/lines. I'll get the pumps mounted (vacuum and intercooler) and finish out all of that plumbing, plus the oil lines and it should be all plumbed out up front. Then the trans/diff coolers and plumbing (minus fuel system) is done. Electrical will follow soon.
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Build Threads / Re: Aston Martin V8 Vantage
« on: April 12, 2024, 10:56:11 AM »
That video got way better feedback than I expected, so I'll make them a little more regularly. Apparently my "off-the-cuff" narration is good enough, LOL.
Progress this week:
Plumbing. Lots of plumbing.
- Cooling system is fully plumbed. This is upper/lower AN lines for radiator, both heater hoses (including head shielding), and all of the steam/degas plumbing which makes for a bunch of hoses. I was able to reuse the Aston degas tank.
- Power steering is fully plumbed. I reused the Aston power steering reservoir, lines and cooling. I did build a new line from the pump to the rack after converting the high side of the rack to 4AN (just TIG'd a fitting on).
- AC is about 1/2 done. Line to the evap is done, and lines back to the reservoir are in place. I need to cut both of those lines and adapt them to universal fittings to connect to the Sanden. I also need to add a fitting for the GM pressure sensor and wire that in. Doesn't look like any of that will be to terribly bad.
Next up:
- Put heat shield on clutch and install clutch line back to master.
- Rebuilidng one oil cooler line that I smashed while putting the subframe in. Whoops.
- Build the oil feed/return lines for the dry sump tank.
- Mount vacuum pump and connect hose to the brake booster.
- Mount reservoir and pump for the intercooler then install that plumbing.
- Mount diff/trans coolers and run hoses.
- Order/build air intake. This will be 4" with a big K&N in the driver front bumper.
Once all that's done, wiring is next up. I do have the harness put "in" where it goes, so in theory it's just sorting out the chassis side and integrating it, plus wiring up the cooling fan and vacuum/intercooler pumps. Oh, and install/wire the GM DBW pedal.
Once all of THAT is done, I need to sort the fuel system upgrades (new pump, lines, fuel pump control module, boost-a-pump). Then it's reinstall suspension, measure and have half-shafts fabricated.
It's a big list, but progress is going well. If the wiring goes well and my clutch/engine work was good, I think this should go smoothly.
Progress this week:
Plumbing. Lots of plumbing.
- Cooling system is fully plumbed. This is upper/lower AN lines for radiator, both heater hoses (including head shielding), and all of the steam/degas plumbing which makes for a bunch of hoses. I was able to reuse the Aston degas tank.
- Power steering is fully plumbed. I reused the Aston power steering reservoir, lines and cooling. I did build a new line from the pump to the rack after converting the high side of the rack to 4AN (just TIG'd a fitting on).
- AC is about 1/2 done. Line to the evap is done, and lines back to the reservoir are in place. I need to cut both of those lines and adapt them to universal fittings to connect to the Sanden. I also need to add a fitting for the GM pressure sensor and wire that in. Doesn't look like any of that will be to terribly bad.
Next up:
- Put heat shield on clutch and install clutch line back to master.
- Rebuilidng one oil cooler line that I smashed while putting the subframe in. Whoops.
- Build the oil feed/return lines for the dry sump tank.
- Mount vacuum pump and connect hose to the brake booster.
- Mount reservoir and pump for the intercooler then install that plumbing.
- Mount diff/trans coolers and run hoses.
- Order/build air intake. This will be 4" with a big K&N in the driver front bumper.
Once all that's done, wiring is next up. I do have the harness put "in" where it goes, so in theory it's just sorting out the chassis side and integrating it, plus wiring up the cooling fan and vacuum/intercooler pumps. Oh, and install/wire the GM DBW pedal.
Once all of THAT is done, I need to sort the fuel system upgrades (new pump, lines, fuel pump control module, boost-a-pump). Then it's reinstall suspension, measure and have half-shafts fabricated.
It's a big list, but progress is going well. If the wiring goes well and my clutch/engine work was good, I think this should go smoothly.
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Build Threads / Re: NZ JZRX-8 (1JZ RX8 project in New Zealand)
« on: April 11, 2024, 02:21:41 PM »
Man, that looks great!
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Suspension/Brakes/Wheels / Re: 17x9 questions
« on: April 09, 2024, 07:34:42 AM »
17x9 +25 will be pretty wide up front. Should fit fine out back if you have rolled fenders, depending on your tire choice.
The +40 might be a better fit up front, but it's been a minute since I sized FC wheel offsets. What tires are you looking at, size wise?
The +40 might be a better fit up front, but it's been a minute since I sized FC wheel offsets. What tires are you looking at, size wise?
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Build Threads / Re: Aston Martin V8 Vantage
« on: April 08, 2024, 02:21:31 PM »
All hail the algorithm.
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Build Threads / Re: Ten Pounds of Shit in a Five Pound Bag - Twin Turbo LS3/DCT Daily Driver
« on: April 08, 2024, 02:21:08 PM »
That IC bracket looks pretty beefy!
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Build Threads / Re: Aston Martin V8 Vantage
« on: April 07, 2024, 09:49:42 PM »
Not edited, so, don't have high expectations. Ain't nobody got time for that.
Less progress right now than I had wanted. Had to get some spring yard work done today, and then did a quick wash/detail of both my car, and the wife's SUV. Oh well, progress is progress.
Less progress right now than I had wanted. Had to get some spring yard work done today, and then did a quick wash/detail of both my car, and the wife's SUV. Oh well, progress is progress.
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Build Threads / Re: Aston Martin V8 Vantage
« on: April 04, 2024, 10:17:35 PM »
Glass filled nylon is super cool stuff. I need to get a better dry box so I can do carbon nylon for engine bay bits.
Made some progress on the car. Redid the fuel lines to (hopefully) clear the last of the stuff in the bay that was in the way. Installed the harness and got it located where it needs to be. Swapped an incorrect fitting in the water pump, torqued down the blower lid, put the plugs back in along with plug wires and fixed a belt routing error.
Next up I need to add a tiny bit of clearance in one area where the rack and ac compressor are a little close, then fix one broken wire I found near the DBW throttle body, then the engine should be ready to go back in.
I did also get the dry sump tank the catch can bracket installed. I am going to snag some 5/8 hose to pre-run for the heater hoses and power steering low pressure feed (suction) side tomorrow. If all goes well I'll get the drivetrain in Saturday night or Sunday, then start finishing up cleaning the suspension arms (about 2/3 done with the rear arms) and put in poly bushings/reinstall.
Made some progress on the car. Redid the fuel lines to (hopefully) clear the last of the stuff in the bay that was in the way. Installed the harness and got it located where it needs to be. Swapped an incorrect fitting in the water pump, torqued down the blower lid, put the plugs back in along with plug wires and fixed a belt routing error.
Next up I need to add a tiny bit of clearance in one area where the rack and ac compressor are a little close, then fix one broken wire I found near the DBW throttle body, then the engine should be ready to go back in.
I did also get the dry sump tank the catch can bracket installed. I am going to snag some 5/8 hose to pre-run for the heater hoses and power steering low pressure feed (suction) side tomorrow. If all goes well I'll get the drivetrain in Saturday night or Sunday, then start finishing up cleaning the suspension arms (about 2/3 done with the rear arms) and put in poly bushings/reinstall.
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Build Threads / Re: Aston Martin V8 Vantage
« on: April 03, 2024, 11:41:51 AM »
1. I want a vapor hone, just can't justify the price vs. how little I expect to actually use it. I'd rather spend that money to get a CNC lathe or plasma table I think.
2. Xometry seems cool, as well. I would like to try some 3d printed metal stuff from there eventually. I can CNC small/medium stuff and 3D print in fairly fancy plastics, so I haven't had a ton of need for them overall yet.
On the Aston, I have the clutch hydraulics stacked and installed. I have what should be sufficient input shaft engagement on the pilot (0.4") and I have .150" of air gap on the slave cylinder now, so that all matches recommendations. Torque tube final clearancing is done, and the shifter linkage is painted, pinned and installed.
Next up is getting a few things mounted in the bay that are easier with the engine out, then put the harness back on, and tweak fuel line routing, then I can "final install" the drivetrain and finish cleaning/bushing upgrading/reinstalling the suspension.
Then some oil/coolant hoses, wiring, fuel lines/pump upgrade, and half-shafts.
2. Xometry seems cool, as well. I would like to try some 3d printed metal stuff from there eventually. I can CNC small/medium stuff and 3D print in fairly fancy plastics, so I haven't had a ton of need for them overall yet.
On the Aston, I have the clutch hydraulics stacked and installed. I have what should be sufficient input shaft engagement on the pilot (0.4") and I have .150" of air gap on the slave cylinder now, so that all matches recommendations. Torque tube final clearancing is done, and the shifter linkage is painted, pinned and installed.
Next up is getting a few things mounted in the bay that are easier with the engine out, then put the harness back on, and tweak fuel line routing, then I can "final install" the drivetrain and finish cleaning/bushing upgrading/reinstalling the suspension.
Then some oil/coolant hoses, wiring, fuel lines/pump upgrade, and half-shafts.
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Build Threads / Re: Aston Martin V8 Vantage
« on: April 02, 2024, 02:30:32 PM »
SendCutSend is dangerously addicting, just a warning, haha!
On the topic of constant scope creep, I ordered a full set of poly bushings for the car. There was an occasional clunk in the front, and the car is 17 years/~60K miles old, so fresh bushings can't hurt.
Since I have to mess with the suspension more, and I just cleaned/painted both subframes, I decided to soak the suspension arms in detergent/water and scotch brite them all as well. Not trying to polish/show car it, just clean the crap off of all of it so it's nice and clean to reassemble/work on later. I'll coat it all in Boeshield T9 when I'm done to help make it easier to clean later.
On the topic of constant scope creep, I ordered a full set of poly bushings for the car. There was an occasional clunk in the front, and the car is 17 years/~60K miles old, so fresh bushings can't hurt.
Since I have to mess with the suspension more, and I just cleaned/painted both subframes, I decided to soak the suspension arms in detergent/water and scotch brite them all as well. Not trying to polish/show car it, just clean the crap off of all of it so it's nice and clean to reassemble/work on later. I'll coat it all in Boeshield T9 when I'm done to help make it easier to clean later.
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The Lounge / Re: Martial Arts, fitness, etc...
« on: April 02, 2024, 09:24:47 AM »
I did pretty well. I competed in 6 events, podium in 3. Took 2nd in forms, 1st in weapons (the form above) and 2nd in combat sparring.
As far as training time:
~5 hours forms (traditional and "XMA" which is more gymnastic-y) and gymnastics.
~3 hours weapons (traditional and "XMA")
~3 hours sparring (combined drills and match style)
I do a 3-4 hour straight sparring class (for our team competition sparring) once a month, and another 3-4 hour elite sparring training about quarterly, and then one 9 hour/day for 3 days sparring camp annually as well.
Beyond all that, I try to run 2-3 miles 3-4 days a week, and walk the same on the days I don't run, just to push cardio. I also do various stretching and light strength training things throughout the day on breaks to try and keep the joints/muscles happy-ish.
Injuries suck.
As far as training time:
~5 hours forms (traditional and "XMA" which is more gymnastic-y) and gymnastics.
~3 hours weapons (traditional and "XMA")
~3 hours sparring (combined drills and match style)
I do a 3-4 hour straight sparring class (for our team competition sparring) once a month, and another 3-4 hour elite sparring training about quarterly, and then one 9 hour/day for 3 days sparring camp annually as well.
Beyond all that, I try to run 2-3 miles 3-4 days a week, and walk the same on the days I don't run, just to push cardio. I also do various stretching and light strength training things throughout the day on breaks to try and keep the joints/muscles happy-ish.
Injuries suck.
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The Lounge / Re: Martial Arts, fitness, etc...
« on: April 01, 2024, 10:27:06 AM »
About a year later, still training 10-12 hours a week or more with this stuff.
Here's my gum do (Korean sword) form at Dallas Spring Nationals (big tournament) last weekend:
Here's my gum do (Korean sword) form at Dallas Spring Nationals (big tournament) last weekend: