XR4Ti Build Progress - Updated 06-23-08

[biscuitninja]

Anymore video's of you driving?
-bix

[Ray]

My co-driver is the one who does the video work - he's been rather busy the past couple events and wont be able to attend till the end of the month - so hopefully videos then. Sorry bix.

[Ray]

Adjustable clutch quadrant installed (you can set where it engages). Pics to follow.

In the next couple months:

• Stainless brake lines
• Quick ratio steering rack
• Modification so that i can use a ford focus wheel (possible)

[Ray]

Some few pics.
















and my codriver... the blue tape is ... well we hit a cone REALLY hard and it popped the marker light out.














and some progress pics. installing new clutch quadrant (adjustable), and new front konis after one decided to get into a fist fight with a caliper after the bolts sheared. the koni lost.

oooh, pedals. wow.


how the cable attaches to the pedal.



removed the assembly.


cable. ended up removing that sound deadening later on in the day.


pedals out of the car.






and installed.



i am getting really good at front end suspension in these cars. i think i might have lost count how many times i've done it. just sucks that money spent is for no net gain but rather to replace a damaged part.


murdered koni and the new one


murdered koni


brand new koni + die grinder = hahahah






and, installed.

[hEaT]

Probably the only pictures I've taken that aren't sideways lol

[SVTADAM]

Your springs are dirty. Too much overspray. I am disapointed. LOL.

Im sure Sam is glad to get his strut back.

[Ray]

yeah i got some overspray on them when i was painting over where the slicks rub the inner fenders on full lock.

it's not a show car!


edit - you know i think the overspray is from when i rolled the fenders...

[SVTADAM]

I say its dirty. I know how deep inside it bothers you.

[Ray]

no, what bothers me right now is the fact the starter (new) just started a new fun thing of not disengaging. gonna test and put in a new switch (push button starter) if that is not it, it's time to use a part that actually has a warrantee's warrantee. heh.

hey - at least i USE my car

[hotdimmes]

ray, are those autovation pedals on there?

[Ray]

they're pedal covers i bought for my zx3 back in 2002 or 2003 - i dont remember who makes them.

[CT SVT]

looks good, Ray. hope you bring it the the BOMC bbq sunday

[Ray]

i hope this is the most boring video i'll ever post about this car. the lightweight starter solenoid decided to not disengage as i was leaving the last autoX - it continued to run for about 3 seconds after i released the switch.

this progressed to about 6 seconds. then longer. new starter will be in shortly, but here is a super boring video showing how it still runs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VFCjtjXIl0


In more exciting news...

I am finally replacing the floppy wheel with a smaller sport grant wheel (waiting on merkur specific adapter), and in even more exciting news, i finally got my hands on a ZF quicker ratio steering rack from a fellow autoX'r (thanks ben!). Shipped all the way from california. 3.7 turns lock to lock on a floppy wheel will become 2.6 turns lock to lock on a non-floppy wheel. should really help... steering.

[brads03zx3]

Glad to see you all are wearing the proper safety equipment, like a face shield, reptile, shoes, shirt, etc.


Sorry, can't bring myself to watch your bum starter video. Post up some more autox vids please (yes, I know, it's the codrivers fault)

[Ray]

brad, it was like 90 degrees with 90 percent humidity that day.

Anyway, new starter is in, car starts fine, brakes track straight, and i'm ready to go kill some more cones.

And, yes, the pass front marker light is still held in by tape.

[Mr. Blue]

Yeah, Ben is a good guy isn't he?

[brads03zx3]

Originally Posted by Ray

brad, it was like 90 degrees with 90 percent humidity that day.

I understand Ray, just yankin' yer chain

[biscuitninja]

Yep changing those throttle quadrents are a bastard..... Almost every must I had has needed one.

Anyways good luck
-bix

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Mr. Blue

Yeah, Ben is a good guy isn't he?

Yeah, i was surprised to have met someone who competes nationally at one of the autoX's who was just "drawn" to my car (he used to race the xratties) and we started chatting, then he mentioned ben, and lorin, and such. i was like "!!!"


but yeah he's a super nice guy - even tho i've never technically "met" him. figure i'll start swapping the steering rack next weekend maybe. not looking forward to it. power steering fluid is one of my non-favorites.


bix - the throttle quadrant wasn't too bad. took maybe an hour?

i'm sorry i haven't had many fun "updates" of the car - i've been just kinda racing it and that's it with no HUGE changes this season. maybe that's a good thing?

[jinstall]

Man you so need to do a YB conversion and then kick the class you keep getting bumped into. Imagine their faces when you tell them you went to a SMALLER motor.

[Ray]

unfortunately, i'm not horsepower limited as is. the turbo lag is a killer - but i'm going to start practicing left foot braking to keep the turbo spooled. a lot harder than you'd imagine.

to be competitive in X Prepared i'll need a lot more tire. something i'm not willing to do just yet.

[Ray]

Project updates:

Installed ZF quicker ratio steering rack (old one was 3.8 turns lock to lock, new one is 2.6). This necessitated the need for new power steering lines, both high pressure and low pressure.

Purchased grant sport 13" leather wrapped wheel. Couldn't figure out a way to make the focus one work w/o sacrificing the oem wheel. Ordered adapter for steering wheel. Will be here late next week.

Painted the new steering rack ford blue (OMG!) and installed nylon bushings into new rack.

Lining the car up has been a chore. I am able to get the car to 1/8" toe out easily, but it's been a bitch to get the steering wheel straight. I'll fix that later on.

Pics to follow in the next couple days.

Oh, and i put yet another starter in.

Initial impressions of the new rack ---> i like it. feels much better, like a car should. Shouldn't have to throw the steering wheel back and forth as much to dodge the cones now, i'd say.

[brads03zx3]

Who needs a straight steering wheel

That's why race cars use tape at the top of the wheel. It's temporary

[hEaT]

Originally Posted by brads03zx3

Who needs a straight steering wheel

That's why race cars use tape at the top of the wheel. It's temporary

We'll, that blue tape looks pretty worn and it's 10* to the right

Ray, if you want, I can hold the wheel straight while you turn the tie rods then hop out and we can check toe. It may work better than using the steering lock.

[Ray]

yeah i think that would work better.
brad - i have tape at the to