[roadracetransam]

Well. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif) Motor is blown. It happened 3 weeks ago. Buttonwillow raceway on the first lap of the first competition session of the weekend. I was hoping to pull the engine out the last 3 weekends to find out exactly what went sour, but did not get around to it yet. So here is what I know so far:
The engine got a bit louder, sounded like the Y-pipe was falling off (so I thought at the time.) Than 15 seconds later, POPP, whole car filled with smoke. Engine stumbled for a second and than died. (Never turned over ever since.) I coasted thru the next 2 corners, (I was carrying speed and just hit a downhill,) staying way off line, and pulled off behind the flag stand on the infield. Once I got towed into the pits, I found out the damage. 2" hole on the side of the block. Apparently a rod, or part of the crank was trying to exit through there. Unfortunately it is almost impossible to see the damage since it is on the passenger side, right were the dip stick tube connects.
I will definitely need a short block. I am undecided on what direction to go. Back to stock, (run CMC2 in the future), rebuild current setup with the ridiculous cam I got (run TTB or PTB) or build a stroker (run AI). For CMC2, AI, I also got to swap transmissions. For PTB, AIX I can keep what I got. But AIX will need a serious engine and plenty of $$$, just to be in the same ballpark as Rocco. (one can always dream)
Anyway, due to lack of funds, I won't be running any time soon.
As for the Regional Championships, I losed 2nd place. Big Thank you to Artur who let me borrow his girlfriend's 3rd gen. I went for a "Sunday" drive for 3 laps to get last place points on Sunday. With that I locked in 3rd place for the season.
Also, thank you to John for the moral support his Coronas gave me Saturday. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/drink.gif)

This post has been edited by roadracetransam: May 27 2008, 04:23 PM

[roadracetransam]

7 months of not hearing the sweet rumble of a V8 in the garage can become defening.
It all changed last night. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/drink.gif)
I finished the wireing on #233 (again for the 5th time in 3 years),
turned the safety cut off on, turned the ignition toggle on, turned the instument toggle on.
Scaned the system with the Tech2. Everything checks out, except the ABS is throwing a code (I'll worry about that later)
Pushed the clutch in (I have one of those now)
Hit the strater toggle.... Turned over 3 times, than started.
SHE IS ALIVE. Sweet, sweet rumble fills the garage.
Oil pressure good, slight water leak at the upper radiator hose, smoke coming off the oily passenger side header.
Idle is a bit high, 2000 rpm, I got to adjust the TB stop, and the PCM (those were still set for the old cammed-up engine)
The car is still on jack stands, I want to bleed the brakes one last time before putting it on the ground.

So what took so long....
First I had to source a good used stock LS1 for the right price. Fund one in Las Vegas, took a gamble and picked it up.
I traded the Auto Tranny for a 6 speed.
The car went on a major diet. I am estimating 3100 lb with me in it (100 lb short of my goal, but the front and rear glass is not Lexan yet)
Roll cage got extended, stenghtend.
Seat moved back and over.
New pedals ( I still need to build a throttle pedal)
New steering column, wheel, ect.
Dash is gone.
ABS is moved, power brakes are gone, lines are rerouted.
Radiator is repositioned.
New front spliter, bumper support.
On and on and on.....

Anyway now I know that the new (used) motor runs. It cased me some anxiety over the last few months, wondering if it runs or not.

Otherwise the car is 90% ready to run TT or HPDE. 80% ready for racing (safety items missing).