Mech-Head's "The Other Woman" build thread - LS3 Upgrade

[mech-head]

Connected battery tonight to check if anything melts.  Interior lights came on and warning beeped when I put the key in.  I don't have the dash installed, but I did hook up the Integra speedometer.  It jumped up to about 60 mph, so I was able to push the needle back on at zero.

It sounded like the pump ran for a couple seconds and then shut off.  Is that right?  It's an Aeromotive in-tank pump with a relay and signal from the CPU.

I did press in the clutch and bump the starter.  It responded, so the first start-up should be a go for tomorrow!

Wish me luck...

[FC3S Murray]

Exciting  shit bro!!!!  The pump is priming, that is normal.

[digitalsolo]

Congrats man!

[mech-head]

Can you guess what my mood is right now?

Both fans indented the core.  One fan has obviously run at some time and bore a hole into the radiator.  Water started pouring out of this hole after I poured in 3/4 of a gallon.  Did this radiator come from Hinson in need of spacers, or did the guy I buy it from take the spacers out?  I guess it's a good question, but I will have to try and get it repaired on my own.

Fuck it, I am going to try and start this thing up dry.  At least that will tell me if everything else is working.  It's too bad that I won't be able to let it run for a while.

Crap...

[FC3S Murray]

aghhh shitty man. I too had cooling issues when i was about to start....my radiator was missing a water level sensor.
 
Anyway dont let run too long man...would suck to fuck the heads up just because of impatience.

[thetastelingers]

Minor setback. Take it to a radiator shop and they can patch it up quick.
Sucks though.

[mech-head]

Riddle me this Batman...

No spark, so no start.

Pez is giving me things to check, but nothing is jumping out so far.  We have 12 volts on the pink wires at ignition on, and close to 10 volts when cranking.  Pez is very patient, because he must feel like he is talking theoretical physics with a three-year-old.  Damn, I knew that I should have paid more attention in that stupid EE class in college.  My electrical guru/CPU programmer doesn't see any codes.  He said the CPU is set up for an automatic (I have a T56).  The harness is from a manual car, would that be an issue?  He didn't have the file available to switch the CPU to a manual, but will get that loaded in his laptop tonight.  We might try to mess with it tomorrow some more.

Minor setback. Take it to a radiator shop and they can patch it up quick.
Sucks though.

No radiator shops are open today, or the ones that are open won't repair an aluminum radiator.  Looks like that will have to wait until Monday.  I also need to hear back from Hinson about the radiator.  It is something that should be able to be repaired, so minor setback or not, it still bites.

aghhh shitty man. I too had cooling issues when i was about to start....my radiator was missing a water level sensor.
 
Anyway dont let run too long man...would suck to fuck the heads up just because of impatience.

If the engine does get started, it will be short so things don't get hot.  Like Sean said, it would suck to mess things up because of being impatient.

[mech-head]

Welp, radiator was finished today and was able to start it up.


Now it's time to get the interior back together and get some exhaust on this thing so it can be driven!

What are good fan temperatures to use?  The stock ones seem really high, but I have the stock thermostat.

[digitalsolo]

Stock are pretty high.   I think I ran on at 205 and off at 195 on a stock thermostat and it worked well.

[bergls1]

rick - congrats...its going to be a sweet car- See ya in Oct., Berg

[sonicgroove]

Wow... congrats dude...! Another one running on the road! Everyone is coming along! That tranny brace looks awesome btw! How did you mock it up? Use the grannys brace as a outline to hold the tranny in place then just mock up the custom one accordingly?

-groovin

[mech-head]

Wow... congrats dude...! Another one running on the road! Everyone is coming along! That tranny brace looks awesome btw! How did you mock it up? Use the grannys brace as a outline to hold the tranny in place then just mock up the custom one accordingly?

-groovin

Thanks.

The Granny's brace was used for placement.  It was what I originally intended to use, but decided the exhaust routing would be easier with a brace similar to what I saw atli126 was using as picture in the exhast thread http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=1399.105.  So I cut and drilled a couple of angle iron pieces and use a small length of metal banding to form a mock-up member.  Then I was able to take measurements of the banding for the actual brace.  It ended up fitting pretty good right out of the chute.  If I was to do it again, I might try to get it a little closer to the transmission.

[mech-head]

First Impressions...

I actually drove the car for the first time today.  Only 2/10ths of a mile to just see how if the car still rolled.  Plus, it is still open exhaust.  Holy crap this car is going to be a lot of fun.  I imagine new tires will be needed by SNS.  Damn I have to get this exhaust done quick so I can really start driving it.

[sonicgroove]

Did you use the same mounting points as grannys?

Also, would you be willing to mock up another mount and sell me either or sell me the granny mount?

-groovin

[mech-head]

Did you use the same mounting points as grannys?
-groovin

Mounting point on the body is the stock location for a brace.  Transmission location is the same as the Granny's brace would provide.

Also, would you be willing to mock up another mount and sell me either or sell me the granny mount?
-groovin

I won't be making anything for other people.  I can be responsible for myself, but don't want to be liable for anyone else.  I suggest you talk to Pez or possibly Ronin for this style brace.  The Granny's mount will be for sale, so I will PM you about it.