Mach 1 Build Up

[Bill Putnam]

Thing is I haven't been working on the car in a long while and completely frustrated with it. It's been complete and running for over 6 months now but got held up due to fuel and tuning issues. The blower has been off 5 times already, this engine has been out once already and now I'm going to pull it again. I had to hammer the exhaust collectors on so they are going to be a bitch to get off. The transmission was impossible on my back and a nightmare with a broken transmission jack. Not to mention pissing away $100 in fluids, $200 in gaskets...just a lot of BS to swallow.

I'll be pulling it apart and giving the longblock to Nick to look over but not for a little while. I need to relax this weekend and clear my head before I start slowly undoing all my work. That and make space in the garage because I can't afford to take over the entire garage again like last time.

[Ed Galanda]

Bill as much as your frustrated. Give it some time and do like you say. Let someone take look at shortblock. May as well just do all the bearings for peace of mind. If that turns out the only issue other then time taking it apart and putting it together. I'd be happy and continue on.

[Bill Putnam]

Deconstruction once again has begun and I have to say it sure does come apart faster than it goes together. Between last night and today I spent about an hour and a half and I have about an hour of work left before it's ready to go to the shop to drop the drivetrain out.

Since I've tried every other option I figured I'd try a different way to remove the engine this time. I'm going to bring it to work and put it on the lift and drop the engine/transmission through the bottom as a complete assembly. That way I can separate the transmission on the ground since out transmission jack is not working and there will be less chance of scratching anything.

A few changes I'll be looking at while it comes apart.

* The intercooler adapter under the blower works good with a stock blower but with the Whipple it pinches the top hose against the case. I'm going to see about getting a 45* angle fitting welded on to clear the Whipple.

* Since putting the bigger reservoir on I've had problems getting air out of the system and getting the pump going. Plus I'm not happy having a hose crossing in front of the engine and the reservoir being sandwiched up front. So I'm going to locate the reservoir to the trunk next to the battery. I'm also looking at putting a real water pump in there to circulate. I'm not sure where I will locate it as I don't want even more noise inside the car.

* Relocate the regulator/gauge into the passenger side fenderwell. I wanted easy access originally because I was worried about it working and fuel leaks. Now that I got a handle on it I want to hide so it's not sitting on top of the valve cover. I want to mount it in a way where the top of the regulator and gauge are both in the opening next to the filter so I can still make adjustments from the engine compartment but it's out of the way and kind of hidden.

* Power steering reservoir relocation. It's not a major issue and probably my lowest priority but the low pressure line sits on top of the alternator. The same hose sits in front of the alternator pulley with less than 1/2" clearance. Putting a belt on can be a pain and I don't like it being so close. So I'd like to move it into the fender well somewhere. It's not like you have to top it off often so I don't mind if it's hard to get to.

[dave281sc]

Glad to see you're back at it. Good luck.

[nickmckinney]

Get er dun, and bring the pizza

[04Ryan]

When my tuner blew up my brand new engine I felt the same...got it back together and hit a slick spot on a road going into 3rd and put it in the ditch. Insurance paid for it...but still I was like screw this crap. But then I got to thinking about it...and as much money as I have in this car. I'd lose my ass selling it...even with parting it out. Not to mention the pain it is to part a car out. And deal with people low balling you on good expensie parts! Take your time and it will all work out in the end...I know sometimes it seems like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. But there is! Goodluck man...and Nick will help ya get it right. He's good people...even though he won't swing that Edelbrock intake setup my way for free!!! Even after all the nice things I've said about him and his work...oh well maybe one of these days

[NeverEnuff]

Sucks Bill. Let me know if you need anything....

[Bill Putnam]

This project is officially over. I made the decision a few weeks back that since it was all coming apart to also switch to twin turbos. It sucks I didn't get final numbers out of this combination and get some use out of it. I know ball park what it should have done since it was really just an 03/04 Cobra engine with a Whipple and E85 but still.

If anything I can say it was a learning experience doing the Eaton swap and installing/removing the Whipple multiple times.

The bulk of the parts are now sold so I've started buying turbo parts so no looking back. I've got back to working on the car and the engine/trans will be out soon as I get an extra pair of hands to help me out.