Breadfan
01-28-2006, 06:57 PM
Well, it's been a long time since the install officially started, but at about 5pm today Trilogy 112 sprang to life.
I've spent about 5 days of work, with those days varying in how much actual work I was putting in. A few of those days the temps were about 30deg and I was working in a non-heated area. The cold really hurt me. One day I quit early due to not feeling so well, and even work cut into my time a bit. Aside from a few hours of help from a good friend of mine (and a few phone calls) this truly was a "self" install. Note for other potential self-installers - some of the tasks are alot easier with another set of hands, having a helper will most likely make things go faster.
I only had weekends to work on the car, so that's why it took so long.
First, I have some thanks that really need to go out - carfixer was fortunate enough to serve as my telephone life line (he was the lucky one who's number got stuck in my head! :) ) Tallboy also lent a hand by helping me with tips and finding the best splice kits for the alternator. Also, my parents were kind enough to have me come over - my mom kept me fed and my dad even let me borrow one of his car when I was not complete at the end of the weekend. Also had a friend stop by one night to lend a hand and he stopped by again today to help wrap things up.
I'm not one who likes leaving a job undone or unfinished. For me to have to do this made the weeks between the weekend work very tough.
But around 5pm today all fluids were filled, and the keys hit the ignition switch. First I had it turned to "Run" to be sure the fuel pump kicked on and the intercooler pump worked. When it did I quickly filled up the resevoir and made sure there were no air bubbles.
Once things were looking good, the key went one turn further. I was thrilled beyond belief when 112 fired up after only a few quick turns of the starter.
Aside from a check engine light due to the egr electrical cnnector not being hooked up things looked good. I did have some smoke rising from the back - but that turned out to be coolant from diassembly that had pooled in the back just burning off.
Right now things appear to be leak free. Tommorrow I'll make sure the main cooling system is air free.
I took the car out for a few quick test loops today though, after warming up plenty I gave it some thorttle to get into boost. Wow, the grin is still there. Took my dad out for a quick spin, hit the gas and between the raw power and the whine of the blower I think it was clear instantly that he wasn't expecting so much! I was surprised by the amount of HIS surprise!
So anyway, hopefully tommorrow will be smooth as 112 makes it's maiden trip home. ;) :)
I wish I had been done earlier to make the CAM meet at the autoshow, but I couldn't shy away from 55 deg temps today. With rain in the forecast for tommorrow I knew this was the only day I had to get this job taken care of.
So, that's the story of how #112 came to life on January 28 2006.
:banana2:
I've spent about 5 days of work, with those days varying in how much actual work I was putting in. A few of those days the temps were about 30deg and I was working in a non-heated area. The cold really hurt me. One day I quit early due to not feeling so well, and even work cut into my time a bit. Aside from a few hours of help from a good friend of mine (and a few phone calls) this truly was a "self" install. Note for other potential self-installers - some of the tasks are alot easier with another set of hands, having a helper will most likely make things go faster.
I only had weekends to work on the car, so that's why it took so long.
First, I have some thanks that really need to go out - carfixer was fortunate enough to serve as my telephone life line (he was the lucky one who's number got stuck in my head! :) ) Tallboy also lent a hand by helping me with tips and finding the best splice kits for the alternator. Also, my parents were kind enough to have me come over - my mom kept me fed and my dad even let me borrow one of his car when I was not complete at the end of the weekend. Also had a friend stop by one night to lend a hand and he stopped by again today to help wrap things up.
I'm not one who likes leaving a job undone or unfinished. For me to have to do this made the weeks between the weekend work very tough.
But around 5pm today all fluids were filled, and the keys hit the ignition switch. First I had it turned to "Run" to be sure the fuel pump kicked on and the intercooler pump worked. When it did I quickly filled up the resevoir and made sure there were no air bubbles.
Once things were looking good, the key went one turn further. I was thrilled beyond belief when 112 fired up after only a few quick turns of the starter.
Aside from a check engine light due to the egr electrical cnnector not being hooked up things looked good. I did have some smoke rising from the back - but that turned out to be coolant from diassembly that had pooled in the back just burning off.
Right now things appear to be leak free. Tommorrow I'll make sure the main cooling system is air free.
I took the car out for a few quick test loops today though, after warming up plenty I gave it some thorttle to get into boost. Wow, the grin is still there. Took my dad out for a quick spin, hit the gas and between the raw power and the whine of the blower I think it was clear instantly that he wasn't expecting so much! I was surprised by the amount of HIS surprise!
So anyway, hopefully tommorrow will be smooth as 112 makes it's maiden trip home. ;) :)
I wish I had been done earlier to make the CAM meet at the autoshow, but I couldn't shy away from 55 deg temps today. With rain in the forecast for tommorrow I knew this was the only day I had to get this job taken care of.
So, that's the story of how #112 came to life on January 28 2006.
:banana2: