BUILD-OFF CHALLENGE: Tygaboy's '75 LS3, It seemed a good idea at the time... Options

[tygaboy]

Back to some wiring madness. Today, I check off another major milestone:
I can control all running light and headlight function with a single button on the wireless steering wheel panel!
Note that the functions demo'd only use three of the relays. The others are there for the wipers and heater blower. And it's looking like we can get away with fewer relays, based on a bit different approach.
Also, no crap about the mess o' wires. It was all about making it work. Tidying up comes later.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia-Y5RHZr84


I'm also looking at taking a more serious swing at a YouTube channel so I thought I put a little more effort into this video. I'd say "constructive criticism welcomed" but I know I'll get it without having to ask... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif)

And a big thanks @Andyrew for taking time to talk with me about his experiences getting the Budget Outlaws channel up and into continuous improvement mode!

[Andyrew]

1. Thumbnail
2. Title
3. Intro and outro (people need to know what they are going to watch, and when it's over)
4. I think you have it on "made for kids" which removes commenting ability. Change that to "Adult" and then people can comment on your vids.


Content was good! Everyone likes tension followed by a "Win"!

[djway]

Back to some wiring madness. Today, I check off another major milestone:
I can control all running light and headlight function with a single button on the wireless steering wheel panel!
Note that the functions demo'd only use three of the relays. The others are there for the wipers and heater blower. And it's looking like we can get away with fewer relays, based on a bit different approach.
Also, no crap about the mess o' wires. It was all about making it work. Tidying up comes later.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia-Y5RHZr84


I'm also looking at taking a more serious swing at a YouTube channel so I thought I put a little more effort into this video. I'd say "constructive criticism welcomed" but I know I'll get it without having to ask... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif)

And a big thanks @Andyrew for taking time to talk with me about his experiences getting the Budget Outlaws channel up and into continuous improvement mode!

After going through all that I could high beam low beam all night long (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)

[Cracker]

Hilarious.

Good job.

Cracker

[Front yard mechanic]

I want

[Cairo94507]

That was cool and entertaining. Nice to see you getting the electrical sorted the way you wanted. Even your wiring "mess" is neat. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Mueller]

Great video Chris and great job sorting out the wiring and interface.

[tygaboy]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

The car is running great and I've been taking it on longer and longer drives, getting know its ins and outs. Essentially, it has two very distinct personalities:
- One that says, "Hi, I'm just a friendly cruiser!. When you roll gently into about 1/4 throttle and shift casually, just using it like a regular car. It's actually quite civilized and easy to drive.
- The other is one that gets right up in your face and yells "The F*** you looking at?!?". I'm going to take @napasteve Steve's term and call this "Beast Mode".

The transformation happens any time you push down your right foot with any sort of urgency and get much past that 1/4 throttle point. The car makes all sorts of intake and exhaust porn noises and it launches/pulls hard with pretty violent urgency.

It's a bit scary at first but I'm getting used to it.

Onward with development and completing all the little things that need completing.

[tygaboy]

Speaking of little things that need completing, I have to close up these gaps around the front chassis bars where they pass though the heater hose holes.
What to do? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[Dion]

Vid was fun! Keep it going! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

[tygaboy]

Step 1: Make a paper template to determine needed shape and hole location. Note that the bar passes through the hole at an angle so the hole needs to be an ellipse, not a circle.

Step 2: cut a metal blank. But remember, it has to be 2 pieces so draw up two circles with a 1/2" tangent linking them.

Step 3": Cut the blank essentially in half, stamp a step in one of the sides (using up that 1/2" mentioned in Step 2) so it overlaps the other side and helps to seal it up.

[tygaboy]

Clearance as needed and... done!
Turned out pretty well. Now on to the other side.

[Rand]

I had thoughts of when welded, where are going to be the stress points... where would the first crack start... But dang, that combo is rigid.

[tazz9924]

Clearance as needed and... done!
Turned out pretty well. Now on to the other side.

That looks really good

[napasteve]

Passenger experience in the Beast.

Warning: some foul language is necessary to adequately chronicle the events of the day.

Last Thursday I paid a quick visit to The Red Barn for a look at the progress on the Beast as it’s now drivable. I’ve been following the build from the beginning and I won’t dwell on just how impressive Chris’ skills are or how innovative this build is. This is already well documented in this thread. I’ve never driven or ridden in a 914 with anything other than a stock 4 cylinder motor. So the concept of putting a SBC motor in the 914 flips the WTF flag in my mind. I know it’s done but I can’t imagine what it even means. Hence the visit; let’s find out what it means. So after some chewing of the fat, saying hi to Lori and having a quick look at the gutted 2000ish MB soon to be race car, it was time to get down to business and get at ride in the Beast.

Engine started; idle established, not crazy loud but clearly not your normal 914 noise. Passenger accommodations are austere; stock 914 seat sans cushion (replaced with a bath towel) and climbing in over the door bar was a bit of a challenge for this arthritic senior. Once belted we set off. Putting out the driveway and tooling around at 2-3000 rpm is a fairly mild. The ride is a bit harsh and the noise level is elevated (no sound proofing yet and no rear window so not surprising). The Beast, driven in low power mode is a great cruiser. We were out about 10 minutes and turned around to return home when the demonstration really started. First a couple of pulls thru 2nd and 3rd going up to 4000 rpm. Very impressive acceleration. Then about 5-10 seconds of “ludicrous speed”. Holy SHIT slap my ass and call me Sally! Sitting not more than one foot away from a SBC gulping fuel and excreting deafening noise and vibration while g-force pinned to your seat is, well, TERRIFYING!!. I’m pleased to report that I did not soil myself but it was close. And I’m pretty sure that Chris didn’t explore that last 25% of gas pedal travel (where “super ludicrous speed” lives) as the ass end stayed planted and there was no unplanned departures from the roadway. I think Chris sensed I was a bit nervous so we returned home is cruise mode.

So now I know what putting that much power into a light vehicle means. When I was 14, I had a quick ride from Concord to Oakland in the back seat of a P-51. The Beast is kinda like that.

Thanks for the ride Chris.

[steuspeed]

Fiberglass ashtray-delete dash! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)

Weighs almost nothing. Like my car needs to be lighter... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

Where is this dash sourced from?

[Cairo94507]

I have ridden with Chris in his car- it is definitely fast but he is also a very careful driver. I am hoping he semi-finishes his car before letting it move on to the next owner.

I would love to see the body shot in primer and all the glass, interior and trim go back in/on and then drive it to work out any issues before selling. Then the new owner can paint it what ever color they choose. That is one heck of a high performance car. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[tygaboy]

@napasteve Steve, great seeing you, as always, and thanks for your ride review! It'll be interesting to see what you think on the next ride, when the car's a bit more developed. I "installed" the rear window (thanks double sided tape/Gorilla tape!) and it makes a significant difference. In fact, I took Lori for a ride and she said "That was fun!"
If approval from the wife isn't a win, I don't know what is. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cheer.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

And your experience is a lot like mine has been: the first time I asked the car to "get with it", it was unclear what, exactly, was going to happen! As I've added miles and tested more into the upper reaches of the performance, I've become more comfortable that, while it does have quite the bark, I'm better understanding where it's likely to bite.

[tygaboy]

So, the big news, at least from my perspective, is that in response to my "considering selling" comment, I received two offers for the car, both over my "I wouldn't take less than" price.

Interestingly, when faced with actually parting with the car, I balked. So, it's staying with me and I'm continuing with the build. At least for now...

@Cairo94507 Michael - I think it may end up staying with me through paint!

Next on the list is to address the darty steering, finalize and install the heater system, and move the Arduino / relay mashup to a more compact and rugged design. And whatever else I think up.

Onward.

[Cairo94507]

@tygaboy - I am glad to hear it Chris. That car deserves to be finished and you deserve to be able to enjoy it finished before/if it moves on to a new owner. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)