Project Cobra

[TnT_M]

A little more productive day today. I got the plug wires cleaned up, coil wire installed, temperature sensor installed, fill neck installed, coolant bottle installed, Gates coolant clamps installed, cooling system filled, oil presssure, oil temp and coolant temp wires installed. I need to clean up routings but they are connected to the sensors. I also got the clutch cable and shifter handle installed.

I also removed the FFR throttle pedal. It has too much play so I declded to order a Breeze pedal. Hopefully that will solve my linkage situation. I can't get WOT on the pedal but I can with the linkage.

 

[TnT_M]

Well I'm ready for a first start! I turned the key last night to see if I would get anything after programming the Sniper ECU and natta. I will troubleshoot wiring today after noon and hopefully get there. I need to check the clutch safety switch and starter wiring for power. The fuel pump, Sniper and e-power steering all cycle. I can manually override my fan as I intended with the button as well, so most of the wiring works!

boy oh boy can you sure get lost with AI! I spent some time this morning trying to figure out car color. I thought I had it right with the Espresso the wife likes, but a build friend recommended Lexus Brandywhine as an alternative! See these images generated by Copilot.

The 3 images are Brandywhine, Candied Brandywhine and the original metallic Espresso

 

[jkasch]

Not that my opinion has any bearing, but the candied brandywine shows off the beautiful curves best and would be my choice.

 

[SatinSilver]

Not that my opinion has any bearing, but the candied brandywine shows off the beautiful curves best and would be my choice.

I agree with this statement as well.

 

[CleanSump]

Ditto The almost metallic dark burgundy is superb.

 

[TnT_M]

Well the boss said no to the candied Brandywine. Not a surprise at all. She is open the the metallic Brandywine. Her thought is this car will attract enough attention without a very head turning paint job.

 

[TnT_M]

Well what a relief! My cranking issue was the clutch pedal is not engaging the clutch safety switch all the way. As soon as I pushed it in manually the engine cranked right over. I will need to have my son 3D print a spacer to assist with that.

Now I am chasing a fuel pump failure and some fuel line leaks. Oh the joys! Anyway marching to a first start tomorrow hopefully.

 

[CleanSump]

Well the boss said no to the candied Brandywine. Not a surprise at all. She is open the the metallic Brandywine. Her thought is this car will attract enough attention without a very head turning paint job.

That's a bummer. Candy is classic.

 

[jkasch]

That's a bummer. Candy is classic.

Yeah, that car is going to be a real sleeper. Wouldn’t want to attract too much attention.

 

[TnT_M]

Busy night last night. I set the front end geometry and greased everything after fighting through fuel pump and fuel leak issues. I bled the brakes and got everything buttoned up on that front.

Today, finally got the fuel leak fixed with a new fitting from Amazon. First start was seamless with the first crank and immediate fire. Now onto Mothers Day activities with the wife and boys. Mini golf and dinner.

Tomorrow is to warm up the car to set timing and the idle.

 

[TnT_M]

Well I got packed for a work trip to Mexico this week, so I figured it was time to play car 1 more time before I go tomorrow. I had to troubleshoot a blown fuse for the the Sniper. It was the 5 amp gauge fuse. We probably did this last night working on wiring up the interior lights. Once I had that fixed it fired right up again. I let it idle long enough to get to ~195F. That should finish off the fluid top offs.

I think I will work on seat heater harnesses now and get ready to do the Kilmat and Breeze seat mounts

 

[TnT_M]

I got home from my work trip to Mexico yesterday and then spent some time in the garage last night and today after our son's graduation. He graduated from WIU with a mechanical engineering degree. As my wife said he had a very bumpy and unconventional path, but he got it done!

Work last night was torquing the driveshaft bolts and installing the Metco driveshaft hoop. My son installed the driveshaft and heated seat harnesses while I was gone. It is nice to have the help.

Today was putting the potentiometer for the Epowersteering in the dash and adding some temporary hangers for the side pipes. I drove the car out of the garage which was a trick with no gas pedal. I warmed the engine up and set the timing on the distributor. Now it looks like it is time to fix a thermostat housing leak and some melted plug wires. It loks like I need wires that go under the headers to avoid this situation.

 

[CleanSump]

In our old hotrod days we'd use silicone plug wires and heat shield sleeves from one of the hotrod/performance parts purveyors.

 

[TnT_M]

In our old hotrod days we'd use silicone plug wires and heat shield sleeves from one of the hotrod/performance parts purveyors.

I ordered some wires with 90 ends on them and some DEI heat sleeves tonight from Summit. I hope this will fix my issue.

 

[CleanSump]

Summit is the bomb.

 

[TnT_M]

Summit is the bomb.

I actually prefer Speedway motors, but price always wins out. I find Speedway's loyalty program the best. That said both have gotten a decent chunk of my wallet building this dream!

 

[CleanSump]

I actually prefer Speedway motors, but price always wins out. I find Speedway's loyalty program the best. That said both have gotten a decent chunk of my wallet building this dream!

I've used both too. Yeah, my wants exceed my disposable income.

 

[TnT_M]

What an amazing feeling! My first drive in a car I have built. This car is going to be a blast to drive. The power to weight ratio is nothing like I have driven before, so it will be a constant remind to not be overly agressive.

 

[CleanSump]

Love the big cam idle sound.

 

[TnT_M]

Love the big cam idle sound.

It's actually pretty mild for a built motor, but yes it does have a nice sound. An iPhone speaker and mic does this thing no justice!

It still runs a little rough because the Sniper is learning. I need to get it completed and on the road for some good drives so the ECU can process the data and update fueling. Overall I am very happy with the Sniper.