[Tim M]

This weekend the remaining parts came in and redid the accessory drive a bit. Old parts:



Hood insulation damage:



New Parts:



Complete!

[Tim M]

I should mention I was successful in installing the stretch AC belt...previously always used the original prior with its as-stretched length. I was struggling to get it to walk it on...so used a vise to extend the belt and let it sit overnight - solved! I'm sure there are installation tools available...

[Boost Creep]

It's always nice to see a full coolant reservoir. Seems like every time I see a pic of an engine bay the upper coolant tank is low.

[Tim M]

Boost Creep: Agree. Not sure why the challenge...it self-bleeds after a few cycles.

[Tim M]

Took the car for a quick drive on the back roads of Stuttgart...without traction control, the car is 'exhilarating' to say the least! Engine revs increase, the X-Port blower screams, and the tires lose traction! Great fun and keeps it interesting!

Decided to disassemble the original 33K mile LT1 and see what failed:

Short block:



All looked great - main and rod bearings barely showed any wear:



But the first piston removed (#1) showed another story:



And #2 cylinder not much better:



Likely a partial ring land failure first occurred during a 190 mph topend run running 11.5 psi and pump 98 fuel. I held the run too long after ~4+ miles resulting in the rear main seal failing (likely the blower got hot). I then crutched it a bit with larger upper pulley (9.5 psi) and less timing...but failed in a more spectacular way on the Ring (35 degree temps!). No fault of the tuner who tried to make it work, but I resisted the downgrade on the blower psi.

My son and I needed a project as it was...ha!



I'll have the block looked for damaged cylinder bores in #1 and 2...hopefully it is reusable...all cool garages have an engine on a stand...(or a coffee table in the office ;-))

[Boost Creep]

Ring end gap.
If that wasn't increased when boost was added, the rings expanded with no where to go.
That long high speed run probably built up enough temp in the ring pack that shorter runs didn't have a chance.

[Tim M]

Boost Creep: Yes! 3+ miles WOT in 5th is likely the hardest on an engine...found the weakness!

Signed up for a Track Day at Spa Francochamps this Thursday. Looking forward to a dedicated track to enjoy the bump in power. 4.5 hour distant and right at $800...not insignificant.

Hope another belt doesn't shred!

[Boost Creep]

Should be worth it just to have that on the cars "history" or pedigree if you will.


The closest mine has been to a race track is the driveway to the Nazareth Speedway that closed 20 some years ago.

[Tim M]

Boost Creep: Agreed - any laps on a famous F1 track are worth it...just a bit more difficult with the USG shutdown!

I did get a bit of noise from the front end recently. Hoping it wasn't a tire...but changed the front bearings anyway (considering the autobahn safety aspect!)...about the easiest hub to change. Love the design and only $80 for piece of mind.



Old vs new:



Otherwise, fresh oil change, cleaned/inspected tires, and gave it a bath.

Unrelated, but the car won't pass German inspection due to a damaged windshield (ring chip?) and tires that aren't 1.6 mm across the tread! Even the OEM GY SC3's can wear slightly before they are 'unacceptable'. And currently these tires are backordered for months. So will be contemplating an order of SC3R's. Stickier, but at higher cost and much higher wear.

[Boost Creep]

Do the tires have to be same as factory equipped brand/model for inspection, or can you substitute to a tire with more tread depth?

The factory Goodyears have a decent amount of rubber even after the "tread" appears gone. There are witness holes that show how much is still left IIRC.

[Tim M]

Boost Creep: Quite a bit of flexibility in tires models...but very little quibling with wear items. The outside block on the OEM GY's is nearly molded at the limit so any miles means not acceptable. Timing tire replacement is the goal with bi-annual inspections. I'd only consider the OEM tires as a nice mix of life and stick for my skills.

​
Spa was a success! 10-hour round trip, 105 track miles, and a "best" of 4.8 mpg!

As typical now a days - quite rusty, but felt great by third session...until the moisture came.

Quite a few cars in the street category...mostly Porsches with wings it seems, few Ferrari 458's, 2x Corvettes, couple of BMW's, Audi's, 2x Huracan race cars, 2x AMG's and R8...with lots of good driving!

First session was wet with tires that were 'Cool' until the last lap of the 25 mins session. Second session, track was nearly dry and got much more comfortable, but hat to say it, lost quite a bit of confidence in the car from the last track visit...losing the main serpentine belt and taking out a coolant hose...along with the 2 weeks recovery. Really wanted to make it home that night for work the next! So short shifting and a slow warm up...still great fun. What a fun track!

Third session was a hoot with my quickest lap and little traffic...video is unusable...

Fun!:



Beautiful - even 6 piston rear brakes!:



Flashy:



Money!:



What is this?* Copied from 80's Corvette Challenge cars???:



Not the best lap, but I had a smile on my face! Would love to do it again...



5 hour drive home was a hoot...averaged over 100 mph on cruise (17 mpg)...4th gear pulls when passing the unlimited signage always puts a smile on my face! Really an amazing car...

​

[Tim M]

Success!

[Boost Creep]

Outstanding!

Would sixth add any, or too much aero drag/gear ratio of 0.5:1 combo make sixth fruitless?

Almost seemed like you had the power that you could go a little more if didn't run out of rpm.



Oh yeah, the left lane tourists kind of limit things too.

[JANNETTYRACING]

Originally Posted by Tim M

Success!

Congrats