On The Final Stretch

 It has been a while since I posted an update so this one will get everyone up to date.

Since the last post I have been staying focused on getting the car functional and running before doing the finish on the body.

The car is a completely different car than it was with the new FuelTech control system and electronic fuel injection. The way the car functions is VERY different from the old RacePak system!

As of this post, I have just finished up all of the wiring and function testing. Everything is working how it is supposed to in a “sitting still” mode!

There are many things I like about the FuelTech system and a few things I hate. I love the interface which has a more modern feel. I hate not being able to program logic to do special functions!!! The FuelTech system takes some of your flexibility away and forces you to do functions in a more traditional approach. It is much like the way modern office type software has dumbed everything down for the masses! I hate that too.

I have spent a lot of time in every menu in the system and know it pretty well now. It was a steep learning curve and forced me to think more traditionally. Not my best trait!

My plan is to build some basic fuel injection and ignition maps and start the car for the first time in the next couple of weeks. Once I get it to run, I will put it on the hub dyno and start doing”baby” pulls while learning the EFI system. The wildlife and our kitties are about to need hearing protection!

I also had a custom seat pour done and some custom head pads built to protect myself if I ever crashed the car. The seat and pads are molded to your body to keep you in place in a violent crash. I fit great in the new seat pads and feel super safe now!!!

Once I get the car somewhat sorted out, I will finish the body and do the final assembly, graphics, etc.

I will warn everyone, there are lots of pictures because a lot of stuff got done since the last post!

I have been so blessed to pursue this dream and have the resources to finish the car. God has blessed me beyond belief!

Luke 1:37 For nothing will be impossible with God.

This is how it all started!

I made nice looms with bulkhead fittings to go through the firewall.

Laying out the electronics on a carbon plate that attaches to the firewall.

Bracket I made out of titanium for the 16 fuel injectors.

Bracket on the supercharger. I made it so it can be taken off with two quick pins and two bolts for easy maintenance.

Injector manifolds mounted on the bracket.

Plumbing up the injectors to the injection points on the engine.

New Waterman dual fuel pump (one for each set of injectors).

Injection pump plumbed up.

Pumps, filters, and regulators all hooked up.

Injector manifolds all hooked up with supply and return lines.

Pneumatic system laid out on a piece of carbon that attaches to the floor of the car. These pneumatic controls provide the motivating force for shifting, transbrake, torque converter lockup, parachute deployment, etc.

Transmission transbrake controls

Starting to lay out wiring and pneumatic lines.

Electrical bulkhead fittings and wire looms mounted.

Carbon fiber conduit I made to protect wires and clean up the look of the cockpit.

Tidying up the wires and hoses.

Everything is in a protective wrap and cable clamps to protect the wires. These are violent machines.

More tidying up. The surface rust is from all of my sweating in a hot shop. It has gotten hot in Texas! I re-treated the metal and it all disappeared again.

Looking pretty clean now.

Yes, I am anal retentive!

Powered up for the first time. It is alive!

Computer interface used to test function and program sensors, function, timers, etc. Green means the channels are working correctly. All of the errors are gone now!

Function test video of timed events commanding air solenoids to open and close based on time from a launch of the car.

My view when going down the track!

New seat and head pads are so nice. The car fits like a glove now!

Another view of the cockpit. Lots of time and money have gone into this thing. Starting to get exciting now!

Looking pretty businesslike now.

Can’t wait to let her rip!

This little instrument cluster controls everything, amazing!

Things are pretty complicated on these cars. A lot of engine for this tiny machine!

Getting suited up to let Marc and Leanne from DSP seats to do the custom seat pour. “It is hot in those Rhinos” (quote from movie Ace Ventura)

Pouring the foam into a bag under me. The foam then expands around your body and makes you feel like you are a part of the car.

Marc trimming and sanding the foam to final shape.

Leanne covering the foam insert with flame proof cloth.

All done! They did such a nice job!

Video showing how the head pads limit my head movement to save your spine in a bad accident.