The shop

Someone told me last week that I should blog more about work. I’m not sure if anyone’s interested but this is what we’ve been up to at the shop.

Some new long term projects include a BMW 2002 which will be powered by a Nissan SR20det motor. This will be a world-first, and probably a world-last depeding on how hard it becomes and how well it comes out. We expect good things but like any project of this nature the payoff over a built standard motor has to be great to justify the time.  The jury is out.

We also have an Evo IX MR at the shop for some race preparation. We aren’t certain if the customer will run the car this year but it should be ready and running soon.

In business news we have been making great headway this winter in developing new business relationships. As trite as this sounds it is actually really fun and also effective at strengthing both your reputation and bottom line in a time that requires a maximization of every dollar and minute spent at work.

Tein

we have finally met our buy-in requirements with Tein. This means that we are direct dealers for Carbing, Tein, Defi, Takata and Peltor helmets. What it means for the customer is that we have access to direct information and warranty work for them rather than going through a third party.

Tomei

Tomei USA has been very helpful since we met them at PRI in Florida. We are now dealing directly with them and really hope that some Subaru customers chose their new ARMS turbo. It is very promising. We will run Ron’s Tomei Powered 2.2 Impreza at time attack this year to test the durability of their stroker kit.

Cosworth, Endless

We have been with these companies for some time  but it’s still worth mentioning since they have a very good parts bin for serious racers. Endless quality is somewhat lost on a street car although they do have a good selection of “fast road” pads that compete in quality to our other favorites. What they do have is brake fluid that you will have to replace only once a season for HDPE and some pads that should allow for the same interval.

Stance

We are testing the new Japanese built Stance coilovers as a part of our team’s sponsorship from Stance USA. We are also dealers for them. Stance has a great deal on 3 way adjustable coilovers that are Japanese built and very high quality. They are probably the best deal on the market for price and quality at the moment.

********************************************

The Raider

In personal news the 1jzgte Swapped Dodge Raider is proving it’s value over the winter. For a total investment of about 3k I have a good car. I’m not superstitious so I can say that there have been zero failures as a result of the swap. It’s been running well all winter but smokes in warm weather which could be a good reason to just ride my bicycle all summer.  The smoke is oily for those ruminating.

Failures and shortcomings not related to my work include heat that is warm at best,  like a fall morning compared to a winter morning, worn clutch master cylinder (repaired) worn brake pads, drums, cracked brake lines, windshield kicked and broken by drunk friend, broken center console  (2o year old plastic has the flexibility of an arthritic octogenarian) constant windshield wiper issues, stopping in the rain, stripped arms, frozen linkage body.. Frustrating issue that one.

Summer plans for the truck include new brakes, lines and some new wheels/tires. I also want to paint it white so when I tow the Evolution I look super cool with two matching white vehicles; even if one is 20 years old.

*************************************************************

The Evolution II

As if the list for pending repairs on the Raider weren’t long enough the Evo is completely under the knife for a 2009 season that depends largely on sponsorship from a company with a less elastic business model than ours.  We were hoping lottery, cigs, or perhaps alcohol marketed to urban areas might receive our request for sponsorship in a positive manner.

The engine has been rebuilt. As things turn out it didn’t need a rebuild but there was only one way to find out. The crank and rods were fluxed and measured and are fine. The bearings were even fine after 3 years of race service. Nonetheless it’s all fresh and back together. While the engine was out I removed the ABS system and replaced it with more shiny and expensive hoses in order to save some weight. I also revised the plumbing system and removed the HVAC from the car.

A major visual change to the car is going to be the removal of the carpet. I liked the carpet in the car even with an otherwise barren interior landscape. I don’t like slippy-shoes when it rains. It’s been removed for new fuel lines that are run through the interior (they are aluminum) and I’ll be in the market for a used carbon floor panel soon for the driver’s side.

I’ve built a fuel surge tank (pictures coming) and some other small items to keep everything where it should be, fuel in the hoses, detonation at bay.

Lastly  but certainly the most important change is a Ralliart Dogbox that is to be paid over the summer. The last season cost two gearboxes and this was the only way to continue with the car. TO install this former Galant Group A part I had to make new motor mounts and order new clutch disks as the input shaft is the same size as a CT9A Evolution.  This conversion was harder than I expected. John Buffam was nice enough to donate two throw out bearing collars which I will get into CAD for future sale of this discontinued part.

I think that does it for now.

Alex

PS-

Some diversions for those sitting at home on a rainy Sunday.

Our friend Mick D sent us this, for you DTM fans this is a festival at the ‘Ring in Germany that takes place in conjunction with the H+R cup. It’s a revival ovf classic DTM Cars with their original drivers when possible. I can’t wait to buy the DVD.

http://www.tourenwagen-revival.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=42&Itemid=53&lang=en