1st test drive

[rficalora]

Posted a video on YouTube -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmjIgDGJQuc

Raised it up a bit & still too low to make it out of my driveway -- exhaust just hangs too low so will have to address that.
Also only had 2nd gear.  Tranny is ok; adapter I made for shifter "stalk" was hitting the shifter casing keeping it from fully engaging 1st or 3rd... so stayed in 2nd.  Fixed that last night.
Bigger issue was it overheated -- turned out I have the fan running backwards; should be able to correct that one evening this week & try it again.  

Still lots to do before May, but this was a big milestone!

[ex-tyke]

Despite a few niggling issues, you've got to be tickled pink about the first test drive. Congrats Rob!

[psmg]

Looks and sounds great Rob. You've still got 2 months to get the bugs out. The nice thing is you've got great weather for all your testing and tuning. We've still got cold and snow. Great job, see you in Townsend.

[harv8]

Awesome Rob!

[Jim Stabe]

Looks really good, sounds great also. Rob, you have to figure out how to get your car lower. The original stance you had was to die for.

Jim

[rficalora]

Jim, agreed -- expensive mistake... Going to have to lose the chambered exhaust & move to regular mufflers.  Not only will the pipes under the bulk of the car be smaller diameter, but I'll be able to tuck them up tighter too.  With luck I'll be able to resell the chambered exhaust tubes.  I have a lot into the current set-up with the cost of the chambered exhaust & ceramic coating -- lesson learned.

[RMO 699F]

Congratulations Rob...look forward to seeing the car at Townsend!!

[cgill]

Wohoooo! Nice work Rob. That car is music to my ears.

[rficalora]

Flipped the fan around & tested it this evening.  Seems to be coling fine.  And the fix to the shifter is good too.  No more issue fully engaging 1st or 3rd.  Going to measure for what I need in the way of exhaust pipe and get that ordered so I can knock it out hopefully next weekend.  What recommendations do you guys have for mufflers?  Want a mellow tone but not too loud (it'll be parked in a parking garage whenever I drive it to work).  And, I'd like the mufflers to tuck up behind the IRS on either side of the fuel tank (centered tank).

[cgill]

Rob,

Have you checked out dan master's exhaust setup on his gt?

[filospinato]

Your car looks and sounds fantastic!  It made me smile to watch the video of your first drive, thanks.  Brought back some fun memories of my own first foray.

[rficalora]

Thanks Jake -- it has been fun.  Kids keep wanting to go for rides which is great but I do need to spend the time to sort the exhaust & install the interior .

[BillinCT]

Nice car, and sounds good.  I could never live in such a place where the houses were so close, but it looked good to see grass and barefoot kids and t shirts.  I hope it gets that warm here soon.

[rficalora]

Thanks Bill.  Shoes are definitely optional & generally frowned on by my kids.  Believe it or not, our neighborhood has some of the bigger yards around.  Most around here are about the size of a postage stamp.  If it were up to me I'd live on acreage somewhere but my wife likes having neighbors.

[BillinCT]

My kids never wore shoes when they were young, and had feet like leather.  They could run in dirt and gravel as if they had shoes.  I have an average size lot here, about 2 acres, but there is farm fields and woods to where the neighbors are few.  I took the supercharged b out yesterday and went around the block, which is about a 5 mile trip.
I hope my V8 project comes out half as nice as yours.

[Bruce Mills]

Very nice

Still have the smile on your face?

Bruce

[deltadave]

hey Rob, great looking car and the engine sounds terrific, you've got some fun driving coming you way!

[pspeaks]

I hope my GT sounds half that good Rob; fantastic job!

"P"

[rficalora]

Thanks guys.  Exhaust sound will likly change since I'll be swapping out the chambered tubes for regular exhaust tubes & mufflers.  Not sure if he was just talking or was serious but the guy who did the alignment said he wanted to buy my exhaust from me for his car (I didn't see what he had).  Told him I'd call him in a few weeks when I have the new exhaust done & am ready to sell the parts I have.

[mgb260]

Rob, What mufflers did you decide on?

[rficalora]

Haven't decided yet Jim.  Am thinking about the Spintech ones -- tight fit under the car & room in the back for resonators if needed.  Also wanted to look up dimensions on the mufflers you recommended to see if there'd be room behind my IRS for them & resonators but haven't been able to re-find that post.  Do you recall what post that was in?

[mgb260]

No, We cross post all over the place. I think it was the Thrush website.  Hush Thrush Super turbo, not the welded Flowmaster clone they make. Edit: I found it in the next thread down on exhaust clearance.