Builds Big Red Toy

[The Phoenician]

Followed Dave's advice and strapped it down.

It's not sexy, but should hold until I'm back from drill.

I also installed some LED lights for reverse, hopefully that will help at night.

Forgot to mention,I spotted a bird trying to build a nest in my snorkel.

 

[mcguirejohnson]

Looks good Mike!

 

[The Phoenician]

Just made it to Ft Worth, drove most of the way under clear sky. The last quarter leg was in severe storms. The rig performed great, did most of the diving between 73 and 78 mph and never got it to 1200 degrees (impressive considering the rtt is still on ). passing other vehicles or keeping up was much easier and boost was above 10psi during cruising speeds. Then not sure what changed, possibly or hopefully it's a small leak in the pipes, boost dropped a bit, the egt rose a bit and no matter what I did boost could not do more than 13psi.
When the storm hit egt dropped about 100 degrees and the coolant went from 190 to 140. The scariest part was hydroplaning in the dark, but all is well.
So far I'm really happy with the larger intercooler but I'm hoping this boost thing is an easy fix. if you guys have a better idea what could have caused it please let me know.

 

[davegonz]

Probably leaking at the silicone elbows. With all the vibration and the lack of proper brackets, something came loose. Maybe....

 

[The Phoenician]

Probably leaking at the silicone elbows. With all the vibration and the lack of proper brackets, something came loose. Maybe....

That's what I'm hoping for. I think I know which one it is too. Can't fix it now it's really coming down.

 

[davegonz]

This is where duct tape comes in handy

 

[The Phoenician]

You know, I think I have a roll in the truck, but I'm gonna retighten it first. Also not sure how well duct tape holds up under rain and pressure.

 

[The Phoenician]

What a great and sad weekend. Had our ten year coming back from Iraq reunion at a friend's bar. Saw some guys I hadn't seen in literally a decade. All of them different yet still the same. They flew from all over the country to meet north of Dallas, not everyone showed up, but the 50 or so of us who did could invade a small state. We ate, drank, laughed and told stories that I dont think we've told anyone else. The irony is we all knew the stories since we were there when it happened. We remembered and celebrated those who will be forever young and forever heroes. It ripped my heart to see one of ours being helped by his family for almost everything and the realization that this has been their life for an entire decade was a very depressing thought. Nevertheless, he was out there laughing and taking pictures with us and making the best of it.


In tech news, I had a boost leak going and coming back from Dallas. It raised my EGTs and lowered my psi. Had to retune the methanol pump so I can make up for the list power and heat. I eventually ran out of methanol but made it home ok. I had to pull over a few times to retighten everything. I basically needed a 90 degree elbow that arrived while I was gone.

I then went to O'Reillys and got a 2.5 inch exhaust pipe and cut it to size to extend the piping for the intercooler.

As I wad working in this, a random guy in a discovery pulls up and introduced himself. He ended up helping me install the intercooler and wet got the hood to sit flush.

He apparently has permission to go wheeling on some guys ranch, so the next time he goes I might join him. Gotta love Texas.

 

[davegonz]

Glad you were able to make it up to see your buddies. Moments like those are priceless.

I've used exhaust pipe like that too, but have had the silicone elbows slip off under boost. You might try to roll a bead at the ends to keep then together. Here's one way to do it.

http://www.d-series.org/forums/diy-...ad-roller.html#/forumsite/20713/topics/163148

 

[The Phoenician]

Not having a grill is growing on me. I just need to figure or a way to line up the turn lights.

What you guys think, grill or no grill?

 

[robustbambi]

Can you shave the grill down in the back to fit over that monster?

 

[The Phoenician]

No. Best bet is to get a custom grill that sticks out. I love the performance I'm getting now. Was doing 80 today. The thing is the uglier it looks the more I like it. But not sure I want it that exposed.

 

[Mr Cimarron]

Anyway to cut the grill to fit around the IC?

 

[The Phoenician]

Not likely, at least not with my "skills "

 

[davegonz]

On my old 80, I carved the hell out of the plastic grill to make room for the small radiator that I used with the air/water intercooler. Is there room to do that?

 

[The Phoenician]

I would have to reroute that condenser line to push the ic back a bit. Honestly might have Edwin see if he can figure it out.

On a tech note, I'm cruising at higher speed at between 11 and 15 psi. Can give it up to 20 easy.

 

[davegonz]

Without the water injection?

 

[The Phoenician]

the injection is set up at around 14-16 psi. you can feel it kick in when it goes. I still have the rtt on so it;s not as aerodynamic as LCs are known to be

 

[cruiserpilot]

I think you better call Dave Gore for one of his custom grills. It'll be 80 - zero in a second if road
gator jumps up and smashes both rads. J

 

[boots4]

Yeah I side with running some kind of grill for both aesthetics and protection. Glad the bigger intercooler is doing its job.