Wiring Done

I did not get to work on the "Black Hole" this weekend because it is now Spring in Houston. We had to spend the entire weekend doing spring cleanup of the yard and mowing. Thank God it was beautiful weather and we got everything done that hd to be done. In the next couple of weeks we also have to do the same thing in Bonham!

I have been working on the car every night after work so there has been progress!                                                                                                  

With the exception of some wire ties and a few wires in the back of car, the wiring is completely done.

I built a carbon fiber isolation plate for the wiring terminal strips to mount on. Each wire is labelled with heat shrink labels to make it easy to trace wiring. Everything is now nice and neat!

I have done something a little different than most car builders. I am using a product from Racepak called a Smartwire. I mentioned this in an earlier update but now I have fully utilized the Smartwire. The Smartwire is basically a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) that provides switching functions for every system. The Smartwire has a really neat feature of logging every switching event in the data logger. This will allow me to overlay all of the shifts, fuel leanout valve events, transbrake release, parachute release, and any other electrical events in a chart with all of the other race data so I can see how all of those events affect the run.

Running everything through the Smartwire also allows me to program parameters to a switching event to make it only happen if certain criteria have been met. For instance, the starter will not work unless the neutral safety switch is in the SAFE position.

I have tested all of the circuits and everything is functioning now. I even rolled the engine a few times with the starter. I am getting very close to starting the engine for the first time now.

I still have to tighten and check every bolt from the front to the back of the car, fill and bleed the brake system, install the driveshaft, install the axles, and fill everything with fluids.

I still have a few things to weld up and paint to match the rest of the car. Some of the things that have to be painted are the steering shaft, starting line controller bracket, and magneto support.

Once I finish all of those items, I have to start setting up the suspension, ride height, steering camber/castor/toe-in, etc. At that point, I will start the engine to test all of the systems prior to mounting carbon roof panel and the body for the final time.

I will be shifting my focus back to the trailer once all of my parts for the trailer come in. I will be installing air ride suspension and disc brakes on the trailer to give the cars a nice safe place to ride.

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Engine Compartment Complete

I have been focusing on finishing one area of the car at a time. I pretty much have the engine compartment done. I have all of the sensors connected, all fuel lines are built/installed, all electrical is done, magneto timed, plug wires installed.

One of the requirements for ProMod is to hydrostatically test all of the hoses and tag them with the pressure and date that they were tested. I have every hose on the car inspected and tagged now. I tested each one to 600 psi and let them hold that pressure for a few minutes. I then made stamped aluminum tags showing the pressure test data.

Now I am working on wiring inside the cockpit. Lots of tidying up to do in there.

Here are some pictures of the engine compartment.

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More Billet Porn

Folks,

It has been a while since I updated my blog. I have been waiting for parts and have been working on the trailer and little things on the car.

Today was a big day for me because my new billet rear end housing came today. This rear end is a piece of art!!! The guys at Tim Mcamis Race Cars designed and built this in two weeks and it fit like a glove. They had to do some custom work to get it to fit my car. They are very good at what they do. The service there is outstanding. Scott always gets me exactly what I want and usually ships stuff out  the same day.

I already pulled the old rear end out and have mounted the new one.  It should be very strong and looks awesome! Tim even signed it as a personal touch.

Tomorrow is going to be a good day as well. My trailer cabinets are supposed to be here some time tomorrow.

Here are some pictures of the new rear end. Pure Billet Porn!!!

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