1 (edited by RandomTask 2013-08-13 07:34 AM)

Topic: Yeah, we're getting laps. . .

Some background - We dragged this turd out of the woods. It had been sitting on a trailer for 13 years. Owner wanted his trailer back so he sold us the car for $100. It didn't run, all the brakes were seized, but the price was right.

When we went to get it;
https://userweb.jlab.org/~jguerra/Me/Chump/pickup2.jpg
https://userweb.jlab.org/~jguerra/Me/Chump/pickup1.jpg
Interior had been leaking a while too. Floors were composed of moss;
https://userweb.jlab.org/~jguerra/Me/Chump/interior.jpg

When we first got it, about 2 cans of starting fluid later, finally got the thing to fire up. It spat tons of rust/rats nests out the exhaust. . .cool, motor works.

Stripped everything out, sold what we could, started building a cage;
https://userweb.jlab.org/~jguerra/Me/Chump/cage.jpg

Finishing cage;
https://userweb.jlab.org/~jguerra/Me/Chump/cage1.jpg

As we were working on it, the front right wheel had a wobble to it. Thought it was the wheel bearing crapping out. Turned out the wheel bearing had already been replaced. . . but with a trailer unit. . .
https://userweb.jlab.org/~jguerra/Me/Chump/notsafe.jpg

Battening everything down;
https://userweb.jlab.org/~jguerra/Me/Chump/work.jpg

Once we finished, we went to chump VIR where it lasted a whopping 6 laps.  The trans gave out first, not shifting into 3rd.  The motor followed 2 laps later.

Dragged the car home to figure out what to do next.  We contemplated bunches of ideas, ecotec setup, something diesel, anything really.  Then because I'm more cheap than anything, that week, I stumbled across an LT1 for sale,  *may* be good.  Owner decided to upgrade his jeep to a LS1.  He sold us the entire setup, motor, clutch, ecu, etc, for $300.  As an aside, I pulled out the old motor and sold it for $450. Also, the clutch setup was for an LT1 to an SM465 which is worth something to the 4 wheeling guys, so I also sold that for a couple hundred.
https://userweb.jlab.org/~jguerra/Me/Chump/lt1.jpg

So we're doing LT1. I hunted for a replacement trans and considered rebuilding the auto in it.  This was going to be expensive either way. Calling around, I found a stupid cheap manual trans. . . also blown (bad first and second gear grind), but who needs those gears anyway? Also, we have a REALLY low rear gear (2.52:1) so sixth is useless too . . . essentially its a three speed manual trans. . .
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5504/9498314680_180ab75ab3_b.jpg

Will a dual mass FW that weighs in at 29lbs survive a road course? . . .
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3770/9498314044_9a72ca52ec_o.jpg

Bolting everything together and doing a test fit;
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7313/9500146074_f125ca95fb_z.jpg

Turns out the camaro accessory bracket won't work. . . the correct one is ~$200. . .which means we're custom fabbing something. . .

So this is where we are, doing the wiring and a bunch of stuff this weekend. Should get it fired up in the next week or two. . . I'm sure we'll get laps on the principle of the matter. That stated, the car has actually cost us negative.  We sold a bunch of parts off of it when we first got it (headlights, intake, etc).  All that money went to buy replacement parts or consumables (brakes, tires, beer, etc).  Hopefully we'll be back on the track soon. We WILL have a theme for the car then too smile

Re: Yeah, we're getting laps. . .

Cool. I've actually thought about racing a 350/SM465. It's a cheap engine/transmission combo that is easy to find in junkyards. Probably not the best racing transmission, but bullet proof. If our 300SD blows it's engine I'll try and talk my team into doing that swap.

Planet Express
"IOE" "C Win" 4834.701 Race Miles and counting
Toyocedes
"Least Southern Pickup Truck" "IOE" "C win" "C win (again?)"

Re: Yeah, we're getting laps. . .

I don't know about getting laps-- document everything you buy and sell, make it convincing enough that I can shut up the "$500 CAR MY ASS!!!1!" whiners, and you should do OK at the BS inspection. Much of the time I'll value a free/absurdly cheap car at its scrap value, but that's mostly when a team is trying to squeeze a bunch of hot-rod parts into the budget and getting all Arthur Andersen on the accounting.

Re: Yeah, we're getting laps. . .

Judge Phil wrote:

...getting all Arthur Andersen on the accounting.

Judge Phil just suggested a great theme as well, Arthur Anderson Racing...  Great themes have been known to distract the Judges from the task of handing out laps.

2012 North Dallas Hooptie Judge's Choice Winners
If life gives you Lemons, install racing brakes!
https://www.facebook.com/JoBoRacing

Re: Yeah, we're getting laps. . .

$500 CAR MY ASS!!!1!

That is all.

Dangerous Banned Technology (NOLA 09), Judges Choice (Houston 2010), Organizers Choice (NOLA 2010), Most Heroic Fix (Dallas 2010), $100 from Jay's Pocket (Dallas 2010), Dangerous Homemade Technology (NOLA 2010), Ununhexium Legends of Lemons Status,  Index of Effluency (Dallas 2011), Most Heroic Fix - (Houston 2011), Index of Effluency (TWS - 2012), Organizers Choice (Dallas 2013)

Re: Yeah, we're getting laps. . .

Y U DO RUIN THAT CORVETT? THAT IS A CLASIC!!!!!!!11111!

Eric Rood
Everything Bagel, 24 Hours of Lemons
eric@24hoursoflemons.com

7 (edited by Bayley 2013-08-13 10:35 AM)

Re: Yeah, we're getting laps. . .

THIS CAR IS GONNA DOMINATE!!!

Edit:  BTW - I have a brand new LT1 Optispark sitting on my work bench collecting dust.  Hit me up for a lemony price if you need a spare.

The Pentastar whisperer

Re: Yeah, we're getting laps. . .

Bayley wrote:

THIS CAR IS GONNA DOMINATE!!!

Edit:  BTW - I have a brand new LT1 Optispark sitting on my work bench collecting dust.  Hit me up for a lemony price if you need a spare.

Ive changed more of those than I would like to remember. so far, only the msd replacement has lasted more than a few months. We bought oem, Autozone, etc when it died. We even made a tool to flex that seal to make it easier.

Team Lost in the Dark
Winner " I got screwed" and "Jay's dream car"
2012 Gulf region champs

Re: Yeah, we're getting laps. . .

FPRbuzz wrote:

Cool. I've actually thought about racing a 350/SM465. It's a cheap engine/transmission combo that is easy to find in junkyards. Probably not the best racing transmission, but bullet proof. If our 300SD blows it's engine I'll try and talk my team into doing that swap.


No.

Idle Clatter Racing: 1979 Mercedes 300SD Delivery Spaceship,  "Not all ideas are good."
Fall 2013 CMP I.O.E.
Shine Country Classic 2014 and Southern Discomfort: Showed Up; Didn't Blowed Up
Humidi TT: DOMINATION. Barber 2015: "Least Southern Pickup Truck"

Re: Yeah, we're getting laps. . .

It's amazing how many people have Optispark after Optispark fail but mine had over 100k miles on it when I sold it... most of them fail because the water pump is leaking on them.  Ignore a leaky water pump to replace the Optispark and you'll be replacing it every few months.

Quad4 CRX - Wartburg 311 - Civic Wagovan - Parnelli Jones Galaxie - LS400 - Lancia MR2 - Boat - Sentra - 56 Ford Victoria
Known Associate of 3pedal Mafia, Speedycop, and the Russians.  Maybe even NSF.

Re: Yeah, we're getting laps. . .

dculberson wrote:

... most of them fail because the water pump is leaking on them.

Yup, that was the only time I ever had to replace mine.

The Pentastar whisperer

Re: Yeah, we're getting laps. . .

And the original Optispark in my '96 Z28 has run 170K miles so far including one leaky water pump that I ran for months before finally swapping in a new pump...

To the OP:  CHEATERS!  That trans is $1000 all day long even as a core.  wink

Nick
Focke Ewe racing -> Muttonheads! Racing -> Torque Junkies
86ish VW GTI...now with TDI Powah!

Re: Yeah, we're getting laps. . .

Bayley wrote:

THIS CAR IS GONNA DOMINATE!!!

Edit:  BTW - I have a brand new LT1 Optispark sitting on my work bench collecting dust.  Hit me up for a lemony price if you need a spare.

Prob will do that. I'll be in touch soon. I envision tons of issues with this thing.

zebrabeefj40 wrote:

And the original Optispark in my '96 Z28 has run 170K miles so far including one leaky water pump that I ran for months before finally swapping in a new pump...

To the OP:  CHEATERS!  That trans is $1000 all day long even as a core.  wink

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-part … using.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-part … -sale.html

Blown Zf's are cheap. A nice running, low mileage unit may go for $1000 tops. No-mileage NOS stuff goes for $1100-$1500. That stated, essentially the only person with the tools and knowledge that can really rebuild these is ZFDoc out on the left coast.  Shipping out there and usually $800 just to crack the case open for a basic rebuild make the bad units pretty cheap, especially if the person on CL has no idea what they have but just know its blown.

Re: Yeah, we're getting laps. . .

RandomTask wrote:

[

zebrabeefj40 wrote:

And the original Optispark in my '96 Z28 has run 170K miles so far including one leaky water pump that I ran for months before finally swapping in a new pump...

To the OP:  CHEATERS!  That trans is $1000 all day long even as a core.  wink

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-part … using.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-part … -sale.html

Blown Zf's are cheap. A nice running, low mileage unit may go for $1000 tops. No-mileage NOS stuff goes for $1100-$1500. That stated, essentially the only person with the tools and knowledge that can really rebuild these is ZFDoc out on the left coast.  Shipping out there and usually $800 just to crack the case open for a basic rebuild make the bad units pretty cheap, especially if the person on CL has no idea what they have but just know its blown.

Didn't know that...and I thought it was a T-56 not a ZF.  Thanks for the info.

Good luck with your build.  Looking forward to seeing it on track.  smile

Nick
Focke Ewe racing -> Muttonheads! Racing -> Torque Junkies
86ish VW GTI...now with TDI Powah!

Re: Yeah, we're getting laps. . .

zebrabeefj40 wrote:

And the original Optispark in my '96 Z28 has run 170K miles so far including one leaky water pump that I ran for months before finally swapping in a new pump...

To the OP:  CHEATERS!  That trans is $1000 all day long even as a core.  wink

early cars didnt have the vac port to remove moisture. The one ive done went bad due to a leaky pump, and then the replacements would fail randomly. After replacing it and everything spark related, and having to replace the opti a few more times (covered under parts warranty) we put the msd replacement on, and its still going. The MSD has a vac port.

Team Lost in the Dark
Winner " I got screwed" and "Jay's dream car"
2012 Gulf region champs

Re: Yeah, we're getting laps. . .

RandomTask wrote:

...essentially the only person with the tools and knowledge that can really rebuild these is ZFDoc out on the left coast...

Also, Rockland Standard Gear in the northeast: http://www.rsgear.com/products/transmis … ce/zf.aspx
Not that it really matters in the context of this thread...

Good luck!

Former chief proprietor and lead bad idea generator of Binford "More Power" Racing, 2010-2013: humbly self-proclaimed the best Chevy Beretta in Lemons history.

Re: Yeah, we're getting laps. . .

Hmmm... I didn't even notice the shot of that transmission. Is it one of these? I just paid 800 bucks for an allegedly good one with lots of extra hardware. I may have to invoke the "real world" price rule on stuff like that if it makes it into this build.

18 (edited by RandomTask 2013-08-13 07:27 PM)

Re: Yeah, we're getting laps. . .

Judge Phil wrote:

Hmmm... I didn't even notice the shot of that transmission. Is it one of these? I just paid 800 bucks for an allegedly good one with lots of extra hardware. I may have to invoke the "real world" price rule on stuff like that if it makes it into this build.

Zr1 black tag /= non-zr1 black tag. Zr1 black tag came with a larger diameter input shaft and for such, is a stronger (more desirable) unit. That, and you paid $800 for one in good condition wink

Re: Yeah, we're getting laps. . .

I'm just saying that nice parts purchased for credibility-stretching prices have a cumulative effect on my classing/BS-laps judgment. A nice Saginaw 3-speed would be cheap AND enrage the Corvette purists.

Re: Yeah, we're getting laps. . .

Judge Phil wrote:

I'm just saying that nice parts purchased for credibility-stretching prices have a cumulative effect on my classing/BS-laps judgment. A nice Saginaw 3-speed would be cheap AND enrage the Corvette purists.


I gotcha - smile Again, hence the thread title wink


And that is a fantastic idea. Would we get hit on the bellhousing? LT1 to Saginaw bellhousing is $500 in itself hmm

Re: Yeah, we're getting laps. . .

RandomTask wrote:
Judge Phil wrote:

I'm just saying that nice parts purchased for credibility-stretching prices have a cumulative effect on my classing/BS-laps judgment. A nice Saginaw 3-speed would be cheap AND enrage the Corvette purists.


I gotcha - smile Again, hence the thread title wink


And that is a fantastic idea. Would we get hit on the bellhousing? LT1 to Saginaw bellhousing is $500 in itself hmm

Give this a quick read and see if it clues you into the "sprit" of cheatn' the right way.

http://jalopnik.com/400309/what-would-s … ge-murilee

22 (edited by Sledge 2013-08-14 08:36 AM)

Re: Yeah, we're getting laps. . .

I read this and immediately thought of your project:

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/how-to … 1131506504

Sell your engine and trans and be even better off budget wise, hell I might even do this for out Thunderbird.

2011: Gator-o-Rama, North Dallas Hooptie, Garrapatas Peligrosas GP
2012: Yee-Haw it's Lemons Texas!, North Dallas Hooptie
2013: North Dallas Hooptie

23 (edited by Spank 2013-08-14 08:57 AM)

Re: Yeah, we're getting laps. . .

Sledge wrote:

I read this and immediately thought of your project:

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/how-to … 1131506504

Sell your engine and trans and be even better off budget wise, hell I might even do this for out Thunderbird.

The article says they had 2 heads get 3-angle valve jobs plus a couple valves replaced and then resurfaced all for $120. Someone please introduce me to this machine shop.

Re: Yeah, we're getting laps. . .

I want to see a Corvette with a Japanese or German V8, just so I can enrage the Corvette freaks by writing about it. You'll have the Corvette Jihad on your ass, but it will be worth it. The Toyota 1UZ can be found in hooptie-ass Lexus LS400s and SC400s for next to nothing all day long (scrap-value on these cars is great and I have learned that you can sell off parts easily). You might even be able to convince me that you picked up an R154 5-speed and fabricated an adapter plate cheaply enough for Lemons.

Or you could just go with a Ford 5.0 and T-5, or a Chrysler 360 and whatever 5-speed the Dakota and 1500 got in the 90s. The Corvette Jihad would issue multiple fatwas on you for that.

Keep in mind that Jay, Nick, and Jeff spent many years as the editors of Corvette Magazine. In fact, the reason they put such desperate effort into making Lemons pay the bills is that they hated dealing with Corvette freaks and wanted to quit the magazine business forever. If you build a car that pisses off the Corvette Jihad, they will love you for it.

Re: Yeah, we're getting laps. . .

Spank wrote:
Sledge wrote:

I read this and immediately thought of your project:

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/how-to … 1131506504

Sell your engine and trans and be even better off budget wise, hell I might even do this for out Thunderbird.

The article says they had 2 heads get 3-angle valve jobs plus a couple valves replaced and then resurfaced all for $120. Someone please introduce me to this machine shop.

I was just going to stop at LQ9, not do the whole 500hp route.  No car in Lemons needs more than 350hp

2011: Gator-o-Rama, North Dallas Hooptie, Garrapatas Peligrosas GP
2012: Yee-Haw it's Lemons Texas!, North Dallas Hooptie
2013: North Dallas Hooptie