Cement 873 Report post Posted July 22, 2022 Last night got the super thick power cables (starter, alternator and engine fuse box) under control finally with some nice rubber lined P clips. Also reinstalled the OEM PCV lines. Most exciting news is the arrival of the first batch of custom anodised AN fittings, along with finding a 3D model online of the shift boot surround so i can convert my accidentally purchased LHD boot to a RHD one 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1662 Report post Posted July 22, 2022 A 3D print file of RHD surround is something that has to exist on the internet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cement 873 Report post Posted July 23, 2022 1 hour ago, Eagle said: A 3D print file of RHD surround is something that has to exist on the internet. Yep that's exactly what the orange thing is Will just use the leather / vinyl boot off the LHD one with the new frame and winner winner chicken dinner ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1662 Report post Posted July 23, 2022 Yeah i probably worded that it bit wrong Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cement 873 Report post Posted July 27, 2022 Time to throw some more update pictures up ... firstly, pimped out the 3D printing capabilities so I can do some more functional parts in ASA filament. The heating element is a 700w unit so can essentially heat the enclosure to any temperature required. It takes a descent while to get going but when it does the temperature rockets up !! So much so it overshoots the thermostats set point by over 8 degrees which is not ideal. I've ordered a PID controller off Amazon to keep it super steady but as it turns out the chamber is so well insulated now that it sits at about 46 degrees just from the heat coming off the build plate set to 110 ... at least it'll be there if I need it The Peterson oil tank finally arrived !! Its super tight in the engine bay, and I had to offset the radiator (mockup at this stage) all the way over to the left hand frame rail ... but it fits, which is good news. I had not counted on the clamp to be so large and sitting right near the OEM power steering pump which I originally did not intend on using. Now that the 3D printer is in a heated chamber again I made a two piece 'grommet' to seal up the hole where the trans cabling comes through. Next up is making a much larger flange for the shifter linkage to hold the OEM rubber boot (since i had to enbiggen the cutout). And now for the real fun stuff where we finally get to add some visual appeal to the engine bay !! Completed working out all of the remaining plumbing for the oil and power steering systems. Worked out where the dry sump breather can will go (you can see it on the middle of the engine front) as well as the power steering reservoir, coolant expansion tank and washer fluid tank also (all Chase Bays). The red pool noodles are the beginnings of making the two intakes which will head down into the corners of the bumper. Will do some sort of snazzy carbon fibre bendy tube action ... current thinking is to use either copper tube through the middle and hand bend to shape, or maybe PVC conduit plus steam. Then parcel tape, release agent, carbon and Bob's ya uncle etc 😅 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1662 Report post Posted July 27, 2022 So that what's alloy looks like in a E46 engine bay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cement 873 Report post Posted July 28, 2022 (edited) On 7/28/2022 at 7:50 AM, Eagle said: So that what's alloy looks like in a E46 engine bay I'm trying to avoid the hot rod look but will see how we go once there is a lot of stainless braid about the place ... hopefully should be contrasted by black silicone for the cooling hoses and Chase Bays cans etc. Edited July 31, 2022 by Cement Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cement 873 Report post Posted July 31, 2022 Main achievement in the last few days was getting all of the gauge sensors in place (bar the water temp, as no radiator still) along with the power / light signal etc for them. Have them stuck onto a bit of plastic for now while I get the console sorted. Pretty happy with them, white backlight during the day and amber at night which will suit the factory cluster lighting perfectly !! Decided I want all 5 gauges mounted in the centre console, so have started on that project to 3D model and print a new console with the gauge cutouts just as I want them (probably aim them at the driver a little). Will ensure I have a mechanism to trigger the peak / programming button on the rear of each without having to remove them. In order to get a head start on the 3D modelling I'm trying the hand at some photogrammetry to see what sort of results I can get. Was pretty bad with the black of the console so its got some grey paint drying on it at the moment ... have dug out the camera camera also to see if that can get some better results than the phone. The random generated images are to help the software do its thang. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cement 873 Report post Posted August 1, 2022 So I have a pretty rough looking 3D mesh of the console. Should serve as a reasonable base for positioning the mounting locations and getting the overall shape in the ball park I think. Still lots of work 😕 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cement 873 Report post Posted August 3, 2022 It has been decided ... locking in September the 3rd for the 1st start party Will also be spring, and I think Fathers Day eve errrrr ... so plenty to be happy about if it turns out to be a 'come and listen to it crank for a while' party !! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cement 873 Report post Posted August 15, 2022 A long time between posts means ... lots of pics and progress Had the 3D printer at it again making some custom functional parts again. Made this cover for the hole in the trans tunnel where the Serial Nice CD999 shifter comes through. Got a hold of a rubber shifter boot courtesy of Mitre10 Its not fantastic but should get the job done for now. Next up was the mini project of making a home for the 5 gauges i'm running without having to use an A-pillar or steering column mount. With a bit of luck this will look kinda fitting with the interior style. Decided to not carry on with the remake and 3D print but instead to modify the existing console. First up was to glue the existing flap closed with some of this JB Weld goop ... used hot glue on the back side for initial location. Once dried i sanded flush or slightly less than flush. Next up used some Isopon plastic bumper filler to fill and contour ... this was pretty good stuff. Did about 4 applications to get it looking fairly good. Once happy with the shape I drilled the holes for two gauges not catered for in the top piece (Ebay sourced). Gave it some painting with Dupli Color Vinyl and Fabric and it was looking pretty reasonable. May change when its in proper sun light but can always re-do or wrap it etc. The final product looks pretty cool, white illumination during the day and amber at night which ties in with the rest of the console very nicely. Also here you can see the fake leather shift boot installed topped off by the auto selector knob Got all of the new fluids at last !! Decided to go with the Redline products ... trans oil, diff oil and power steering here. Another milestone achieved in getting the radiator sorted !!! Canceled the Chase Bays item i had on order due to crazy long lead times (ordered April, shipping in September ... maybe). So got a unit from Fenix which was their race 56mm edition for a Holden HQ / Torana It would have gone in with minimal modification if the oil tank had not being in the way ... alas it had to get 70mm taken off one end. This proved very useful however allowing relocation of one of the ports to work beautifully with the oil tank in place. Also got two temp sensor ports installed along with a drain bung and mounting tabs where they needed to go. The filler neck was also removed as the Nissan VQ filler is engine mounted. Made another 3D printed item to mount one side of the radiator to the stud thats in the cross bar thingy in the front. Will be in interesting to see how it holds up. That about brings us up to date ... current mission is getting all of the plumbing sorted. Have done most of the -6 line for the power steering and will start on the oil system as soon as the tank is mounted with its final brackets etc (waiting on laser cutting). 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hunter 408 Report post Posted August 15, 2022 Epic as always. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1662 Report post Posted August 16, 2022 Are you planning on getting rid of the wood trim?. I reckon silver or some black would suit those gauges much better. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cement 873 Report post Posted August 16, 2022 1 hour ago, Eagle said: Are you planning on getting rid of the wood trim?. I reckon silver or some black would suit those gauges much better. Yes I'd like to replace with something less ... woody. Hopefully I can start to look at some of the cosmetic bits once its mobile !! I was thinking the other day, once its on the road again it will look EXACTLY like it did when I brought it 2 years ago 😂 Some additional bits to report on today after getting my laser cutting back. As per usual I'll let the pictures do the talking. Dry sump guide washer to keep the belt where it should be along with the slightly modded pump bracket in the back ground: Power steering cooler mounted up all cosy ... happy to supply the DXF for cutting this bracket if anybody wants to use the same Chase Bays cooler: Blanking plate for the exposed section of the transmission: Oh yes and did my daily postage tracking review to discover the new Nismo gear knob was apparently sitting in my letter box or garden ... and sure enough there it was !! Looks really good in the car, harsh lighting not doing it any favors here. Fits nicely with the theme of subtle nods to the VQ beneath 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cement 873 Report post Posted August 21, 2022 Completed the power steering and oil system plumbing at last !!! Looks really busy in the photos but in the flesh it looks fairly tidy. Just need to get the real brackets made for the power steering and breather tanks. They are 3D printed items at the moment. Radiator / heater hoses are also in the country at last so should have those arriving this week to complete the cooling system. The blue hose is the place holder for the radiator hose. Poured in some oil and got the power drill driving the pump to check everything ... got oil pressure up no problem so thats really reassuring prior to start up !! Got another side hustle project going also to make a PID temperature controller box for the 3D printer heater ... in reality the cabinet is so well insulated that i almost need a cooler as opposed to a heater 😆 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cement 873 Report post Posted August 29, 2022 Plenty of little loose ends getting tidied up this week, got most of the hoses under control and just received my Gates PowerGrip heatshrink 'clamps' ... if you want a sleek look to your hoses then give these a look. Supposed to be pretty amze-balls !! Gates PowerGrip Clamps 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cement 873 Report post Posted August 29, 2022 (edited) Starting putting the 'clamps' on ... looking pretty tidy. Got a few fiddly ones to get to down behind the engine for the heater but should be able to get to them with some hot air. Also gave it a good cranking over to check the oil pressure light function, great success and good pressure. Edited August 29, 2022 by Cement Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cement 873 Report post Posted September 3, 2022 Such progress ... much gains ... wow. Not many images but a lot of small items but important jobs sorted in the last few days due to the time pressure of hosting a party for the hopeful first starting 😅 Made a wacky steam generator which I will use to help shape my intake tube pool noodles with PVC electrical conduit ... another side project of significance !! Pretty tricky welding the super thin stainless complete with somebody elses left over food stains !! Made the required plate with new outlets for the heater and coolant bypass hose. Had to get to one tricky location to shrink down one of my fancy hose clips so made a heat gun attachment, got the job done !! Then onto the main event ... got the wheels on and the car lowered down for the first time in over 2 years !!! Looks so much better with a wash and not being up on the stands. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cement 873 Report post Posted September 4, 2022 And here is the money shot video folks ... no exhaust and a F1 'idle' to sort but no fundamental problems !! 2 years on stands and we are super close to being back on the road. I can almost taste the fossil fueled fun 😆 7 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1662 Report post Posted September 4, 2022 Even got an audience Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cement 873 Report post Posted September 7, 2022 On 9/4/2022 at 9:12 PM, Eagle said: Even got an audience Yea made a bit of a day of it, was a great excuse to catch up with people !! Have since driven it up the road and back, I think 1.5km in all now 😄 The idle is trying its best and does manage to settle around 1000rpm but its not quick at getting there and there is a small oil leak where the pump attaches to the filter block. So all in all pretty good ... really needs the exhaust pronto as its ultra obnoxious as it is and prevents much driving. Still progressing on other items and just today got the tacho working !! Switched from pulling the value from the Nissan CAN data and instead plumbed in the dedicated engine speed signal wire from the ECU (otherwise unused) to the Arduino. Bit of jiggery pokery in the code and it seems to be working like a champ now ... very pleased. Just need the temp reading now from Nissan land and I'm good to go. Will likely double down and get the Arduino to control the cooling fan relay also ... easy after what has gone before it. In other pictorial news the concrete mods are under way so I can get in and out of the garage ... got the skip and concrete breaker hire lined up for the weekend. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cement 873 Report post Posted September 10, 2022 Concrete demo weekend well under say ... pretty heavy and hard work !! The mesh is right at the bottom of the slab in the garage (as in, sitting on the polythene) so the saw cuts don't quite get all of it and then it rises up into the concrete in places soooooo basically the blocks are still tied together with the mesh mostly 😫 Instead of using the big breaker to turn the slab into small rocks I got a couple of log splitting wedges from Bummings and they work an absolute treat !!! Pound on those with the sledge hammer and it pulls the mesh apart no problem .... RESULT !!! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cement 873 Report post Posted September 12, 2022 Just more concrete demo work round these parts ... pretty heavy work, got a little setup going to drag the large slabs into the skip 🤓 Can't wait to see the truck to a wheelie trying to lift it !! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cement 873 Report post Posted September 19, 2022 Made a fun time lapse of the concrete driveway / garage slab demolition 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cement 873 Report post Posted September 27, 2022 New concrete is poured and looks great !! Will be able to give it the first test drive on Friday ... exciting times 🚙 Checked the laser cut profiles I had made post pour and it looks spot on. 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
