It has been over a month since the last entry. Allow me to bring you up to speed. The car is getting dangerously close to completion. Within the last month, the car has had the entire fuel system completed, ready to run. The Enderle barrel valve is plumbed w/ regular and high-speed bypass. The prime system is 25% completed. The 1 quart fuel cell has arrived, but needs to be mounted. The fuel pump has not arrived yet, but we are looking forward to this. The Doc has determined that we will plumb the prime system into the hat nozzles for optimum efficiency. All switches are wired, and live. The ignition system is wired and ready for the track. Starter, battery, charging connectors, coil, gauges, lights, everything is ready to go! We located some headers complete with flowmaster collector mufflers, and have polished them up so the car should be much easier to work on in the pits, due to less noise. Every electrical connection in the car is a soldered connection, which should provide a solid platform for years of reliable service. Dave and The Doc worked long hours designing, and redesigning the best way to route wires. It's definitely the tedious part of the build, but our hope is that by using MSD weathertight connectors, and solder everywhere, we will have an easily serviceable system.
Well, we have taken a large step in the build process. This last weekend, the engine and transmission were installed. The scout troop was here helping to get the process done right. We have performed a final mount of the mid-plate, making sure everything lined up just right, and then polished the midplate, in preparation. On late Friday night, Dave, Paul, and Dad installed the transmission. Then Saturday morning, "Fat Sam" was put to work between the framerails. With the scouts helping every step of the way, we were able to get the engine and transmission in, holes drilled for motorplates, and even a new mount for the ignition system. Next step: Wiring and fuel system. Stay tuned! Pics of the installation will be available on the new page Dave will be making to show the scout troop in action!
We are inching closer to having all the items ready for a large installation weekend. Paul and Buzzz realized a large opportunity when NHRA mandated the use of MSD ignition components in Pro Stock. Many teams were running the Holley Anniahlator systems on their cars, and now had to discontinue use completely. Buzzz and The Doctor purchased entire systems and complete back-up systems from teams such as Mark Pawuk, and we will be using that system on the dragster. Paul compiled all the necessary items for me to recognize what needed to be where. I will be making a custom mounting system designed to be solid, but take up the minimum amount of space.
Tonight was a large step in the right direction. With the engine completed, we needed to get a new mid-plate made. Buzzz sent the specs to the water-jet company, and they used high pressure water streams to actually precision cut the aluminum mid-plate. The block has been prepped and both mid-plate and front motor plate have been properly clearanced and installed. We have purchased all new gauges for the custom carbon fiber dash. Buzzz supplied a sweet piece of carbon from his shop, and it looks great installed. I will also be working on an updated seat for the dragster. The 10 year old pastel-colored design has got to go! Time to fire up the sewing machine and see what we can create. Also, the transmission is back from the shop with a re-certified case and it's ready to run. Our hope is to have engine and tranny installed and mounted by the end of February, but we'll see. Paul and Buzzz have been busy with the carbon fiber flatbottom boat they are building from scratch, so their time is eaten up there. Hopefully when the boat comes to completion, they can get working on the "Big Dragster". Having both cars at the track would be a kick in the pants. I'm looking forward to finally race with them.
This information represents the opinions of Dave and may not include the feelings and/or opinions of the rest of the WannabeRacing team. By no means should this information be taken as an official released statement by the team, or any of it's members. The information will be verfied to the best of my abilities, but I cannot guarantee 100% accuracy with any information presented in this form.