Motor Assembled and Install

I ordered a new JDM motor, that is going in instead of my fully built block.  I'm going to spend more time building the block while it's outside the car and upgrade it according to my budget.  But this engine will get me going for now, I can't wait to finish.  So basically a 450 hp setup so I'm not too disappointed in it.

z1 solid engine mount, GT600R turbo, SS water/turbo lines (driver side)

(passenger side)

fidanza flywheel w/ brand new insert

Z1 Rps Clutch Kit

Exhaust My Anger

Just took the original header and chopped it and re-welded it.  Chop and weld.  So tools required: welder, chop saw, saw-all, safety goggles and gloves.  Kinda bummed out with the coming of winter.  That means i can't work on the dune buggy as much.  But on a lighter note, I did order some part for the 300zx so next year I could work on and hopefully finish both of these projects.

  

Rear suspension DONE!

Made a huge break through getting this baby to stand up on it's own.  Now it's a matter of mounting things the engine needs for it to run.  Stay tune, things are going to get interesting fast.  Also, I must thank Mr. Craig Baker for all his help and letting me use his shop!

http://www.franconia.org/about.html

Had breakfast with Elise this morning and I ran in to...

I

October 20th

Gastank

So I made a Fuel Cell.

Engine mounted

Engine mounted and there is tons of room for a fuel cell.  Well i guess I have to build one.  

3D Scanning trial

I am currently using horizontal laser to scan parts in to David Laser program.  Just testing it out before i build the booth to scan the parts in.  

Rear coil-overs Set

I'm sorry about the picture quality of this post, but I just got a new phone and I forgot to switch the camera setting into a higher resolution.  I realized this later so try and guess which ones I turned up the resolution on.

The rear coil-over is finally complete.  Making your own coil-over is a great way to save money and get the exact springs you need for the weight of the dune buggy.  The weight of the dune buggy is 600 lbs and with me in it that's 735 lbs.  My springs total up to 800 lb/in with most of the weight in the back.

Front suspension done!

Thanks to my friend Craig my front suspension is complete.  He does great work and he manually program a laser to cut out all his parts.  No CAD needed for him, he's old school.

The Damage

I've not posted an update of the cost of the project lately so I'm going to do that now.  Here we go:

12x7 wheels @ Discount tire.com $250

AFCO Springs Front 12" @ 150lb/in $100

AFCO Springs Back 14" @ 250lb/in $120

Fleet Farm Bolts and Nuts Washers $50

Civic Del Sol Radiator and fan $100

Swedge bar 16" @ hyperracing.com $30

Bring our total up to $3,100.

Mini Monster Truck

I've now relocated the project, to a friend of mines, Craig Baker's shop where he does some custom fabrication on British cars.  He is very insightful of what I need to fix and what I need to do for a better dune buggy:

I need to change the geometry of my steering to make the steering more effective.  It does not match the Ackermann steering geometry .  To correct this geometry, I'm going to have to get creative and try and get the tie rods into the back using linkage.

Second thing, I need is and extra link in the rear suspension.  I didn't realize that the CV joint doesn't help hold the wheel in so I have a little bit of play in the rear toe.

Third, I need to turn my shocks into coil-overs.  The kart doesn't hold itself up so I need to assist it with a spring.  I'm probably going to make a spring holder for the shock, but I will have to look at it and see.

There is still a ton of work to be done so come check it out later.