Got just a tad more done this weekend on my SC. I replaced the tensioner spring on my jackshaft tensioner with one that is MUCH stronger to help prevent additional belt slip. I was having some issues when I last had it on the dyno. I also decided to modify another tensioner (same tensioner) to see if my modifications would work.

Basically taking the stock tensioner, cutting it apart about mid-way on the arm and lengthing it by about .670". There were two reason I wanted to do this. First was to try to get a tad more belt wrap on the crank and jackshaft pullies. The other reason was to maybe be able to install a larger pulley onto the tensioner. I've got my eye on an idler pulley from Billet Flow, but in order to even install it on the tensioner, I had to lengthen it. I'm not sure that it will work though because there's not a ton of room down there. I only have about 3/4" or so (not measured, just eyeballed) clearance between the tensioner pulley and the crank pulley. So my goal is to first see if by lengthening the tensioner, it will still fit. Then I'll have to see if I have clearance enough for one of the 2 pullies that Billet Flow offers. The jackshaft pulley I have on there right now measures 75mm in diameter. I would love to be able to install the 100mm diameter pulley that they offer, but that seems unlikely at this point. They also offer a 92mm pulley that may fit the bill just a tad better. I'm not sure though as I first have to see if it will even work with the stock tensioner pulley on there... It's just another custom project that I decided to try on my car. Anything to improve performace (or consistancy in performance) is a plus. Since I had an extra tensioner available, it was an easy thing to try.

Going to try to get a socket today so I can change my O2 sensor...got one that is located high up on the manifold and can only be reached by socket...got to get that special one that allows for the wires.

The tires still need to be mounted and balanced, valve body installed on the transmission, brakes bled, O2 sensor replaced, fuel filter replaced and along with the valve body, a transmission flush. Then I'll have to take it to the mechanic (because I don't want to hassle with this stuff) and get the power steering flushed, a boot replaced on the rack and pinion, a 4-wheel alignment and I think one other little thing that I can't remember right now for the life of me. :)

It's so close to being road worthy! I've got a baseline dyno coming up in May as part of a larger dyno tune, so it's got to be ready by then...and it will be...I can't wait to drive it again!

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I had yesterday off and it was such nice weather both yesterday and today, that I decided to go ahead an get some more work done on my car. It's getting very close to driving down the road again.

Yesterday I changed the old oil that had been sitting in there for a couple years now and put in fresh oil and a new filter. I also installed one of two O2 sensors (the one that I didn't need the special socket to remove/install), and then started taking my engine back apart. Yes, you read right...just days after I got it back together after a year and a half, I started taking it back apart. The goal was to retape some of those wire looms that had the factory tape falling off and just plain looking like crap.

Today I finished that up, installed my new brake accumulator (so I can stop!), cleaned my air filter and did a general detail of the engine. It had a couple years of dirt and dust build up on it that I wanted to get off. I also swapped a couple pullies (which was a real pain) and had to fix a section of wiring that has become brittle over the years.

The final result is as you see in the picture. It's back together (although I didn't start it tonight as I want to go ahead and bleed the brakes before I pressurize the accumulator. Attached is also the album so you can see before and after shots of the engine as it was reassembled. Enjoy.

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Well, it's been over a year, my treatment for cancer has come and gone and finally I got my car running again today. It's been a long haul to get here, but now it's here.

The DIS heat sink is working 100% as is the new coil. My IC fan wiring harness works great. I can't believe that gas that's a year and a half old is still good either.

Now, I just have to get the tires mounted and balanced and then I can take it for a test drive. I can't wait! I've been way too long without being able to drive it. Now that it runs, I just want to drive it. But I've got to wait just a tad longer. I've got to change the oil, drop the tranny pan and install a new valve body, install new O2 sensors and get those tires mounted and balanced. Then I'm good to go for a while. I've got a couple other little things to do, but nothing right now. I'll be plenty happy to just drive it for this year... More mods will come next year... :D

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I took advantage of the nice weather today and made some significant progress on my SC. I got my IC installed, new wiring harness installed (awesome I might add), replaced the #1 plug that had a broken electrode, installed the supercharger top and upper IC tube, installed my DIS module with a custom heat sink under it for increased cooling, found a couple bolts that I dropped in the engine compartment last fall, fixed a couple wiring issues that I had found while digging... I think that's about it. I know that's a pretty long sentence, but you can deal with it. :)

Now, to get it running, all I have to do is install a new battery. I've got a good one coming tomorrow so I will be able to find out then if it'll start up. I'm a little concerned because it's been sitting for so long. I'm sure the fuel in the tank is not good anymore. I just hope it's good enough to get me the mile up the road to the gas station.

I also need to install my new O2 sensors before I try to start it. And a quick check of other things like oil, coolant, etc needs to be done before I just crank it over. I know I'm low on coolant and am due an oil change. I'll hand crank the engine over to make sure that everything is still moving (if it's not, that's really going to suck!). I'm pretty sure it is because the engine was turning a little when I was tightening up my alternator pulley.

That's about it. Wish me luck. I'm hoping to at least get it started tomorrow...

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I'm happy to have made some progress today on my Super Coupe. Not sure if I had blogged about it yet, but I sent the bolts for my alternator off to the chrome shop to make my alternator jump out just a tad more. They came back a couple bolts short. After a search, the bolts were not located. Unfortunately one of the bolts was the main mounting bolt that runs through the accessory bracket, through the alternator back to the accessory bracket where it screws in. No big deal, right? Apart from the fact that it took me some time to locate my spare one (believe it or not I did have one) and that it's not chromed, it wasn't too big of a deal. So today, I finished up installing the alternator, re-installing the coil, plug wires and belts. I wish I had a better place to store my car because there's quite a bit of surface rust on all the pullies now that it has set as long as it has. Now to my "to-do" list...

It got shorter because I got that stuff done. But I also received my M112 this week. So now my list is that much longer. My list now includes:

To drive my SC:
o Replace #1 spark plug
o Replace O2 sensors
o Re-install intercooler
o Re-install supercharger top and upper intercooler tube
o Replace two wire connectors...one failing grounding connector and one for my intercooler fan switch
o Re-install DIS module with custom heat sink
o Purchase and install new battery...Optima type
o Replace brake accumulator
o Mount and balance new tires

Things that I need to get done soon:
o Install Mark VIII spindles and brakes
o Install transmission valve body-flush transmission fluid
o Install the rest of the front suspension, lower control arms, upper control arms, tie rod end links, sway bar end links, rack and pinion...etc

New things added to my list now that I've got the M112:
o Modify M112, inlet plenum, intake plenum, lower intake manifold and fuel rail to make M112 fit
o Purchase 60 lb injectors
o Purchase 75mm throttle body (currently have a 70mm)
o Purchase OD jackshaft pulley
o Purchase intercooler core (going to build a new front mount IC)
o Purchase aluminum tubing for IC piping
o Purchase quick change pulley set for M112
o Purchase battery relocation kit
o Purchase larger radiator (with front mount IC, I'll have room for a much larger one)
o Purchase additional IC fan for use with front mount IC
o Purchase air dam to funnel air into lower bumper cover (flow over IC core)
o Possibly purchase BBK valve covers-for use with front mount IC. Routing of IC pipes will be different, requiring use of n/a 3.8 valve covers
o Purchase cam and valve springs (and hardware) to take advantage of M112
o Install all of the above mentioned items

Then there's always the want to have items on the list:
o Purchase new wheels
o Purchase tires to go on the new wheels
o Plan for a custom paint job as soon as next winter
o Replace exterior trim as part of paint job

So the list got shorter, if only for a moment before it got longer again. I have the opportunity to finally get some nice wheels for the car, but I also have this M112 now too. There's a lot I need to purchase for that as well and could put money towards making it work...or get wheels. I'm torn because I've started the M112 project officially now, but have the opportunity (and permission) to finally purchase some nice wheels for my ride. I may bite the bullet and get the wheels, then work feverishly on the M112. Money is the big set-back at this point. It costs money to go fast. Unfortunately it's getting harder to come by lately....

Man I got to get some TDY for work...

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Well, I have finally found a good deal on an Eaton M112 supercharger. This particular model is from a Jaguar. It will require a lot of custom modifications to get it to work, but it's nothing that I'm not ready for.

I have not yet actually sent the money for this, but as soon as I get my tax return (any day now) I will be sending the money out for it. I can only hope that the seller hasn't decided to sell it out from under me. It didn't sound like he would do that, so I'm optomistic that it will be there still when I'm sending the money.

One thing that I'm going to do for sure is to open up the inlet to match the Magnum Powers MPx style opening. This greatly increases the efficiency of the supercharger at higher rpm. It allows the rotors to fill more completely with air which is required if you want to make more power. I know of a couple of these already on Super Coupes out there and they are making impressive numbers. Especially torque numbers...

This project will likely be a long one, not getting finished until sometime next year. I've got a few other things to do as well, like rebuild the shortblock, install a decent cam, get my large valve heads on there, etc. I think I may put this on my current engine while building another for serious power. I just can't see doing a lot of work and then letting it sit for who knows how long until I get my performance engine built.

This has altered my plans for wheels slightly though. Instead of purchasing them now, I'm going to wait until later in the spring or summer before buying those. I just hope I can keep my wife happy enough to let me get this stuff for my car!

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Well this last weekend finally saw my alternator finished. I received my bolts back from the chrome shop. I have to say that the difference is fantastic. I knew the old bolts, even though they were clean, just lacked the luster I was trying to get going in my engine compartment. The chromed bolts add just a touch of refinement that is the start of something much larger. I haven't yet snapped any pictures of the alternator in its finished form, but will when I get home tonight, and I'll post a pic of it then.

Unfortunately, though, it has caused me to look a lot closer at the rest of my engine compartment. There's a lot of work that needs to be done. I'm trying to approach it with the concept of making it really nice, show winning in fact, but I don't want to go overkill. No offense to anyone who has done this, but an engine compartment that is all chrome looses some of its luster. Everything tends to blend together and detail is hard to pick out. The same thing happens with people who color their engine components to match. So I'm approaching it from the perspective of making it really nice, in a conservative way, with accents of color and chrome. People say that the small things make the biggest difference. I guess we'll see about that. I've got a lot of planning on the small stuff. In fact, some of the big stuff, I'm still not too sure what I'm going to do on some of the big stuff, but it will all come together in the end.

I'm looking forward to working toward my end goal of a nice show winning car that can perform at the track as well. So far, I'm very happy with the results, but I've got a long way to go. I have very high expectations...

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Well, I'm making my check list and checking it twice to see what I need to get done before spring so I can enjoy by car to the fullest extent possible. Some things will have to wait until Spring as I have elected to suspend my insurance coverage on it (meaning it's "in storage" for the winter months). So now it has comp only on it just in case the neighbor's tree falls on it. So I'm waiting until March or so to re-activate the insurance on it...so no driving until then. That said, here's my list:

o Install new alternator (currently waiting for chromed bolts)
o Install repaired IC and fan
o Install new O2 sensors
o Replace spark plug on cylinder #4 (there's a story behind it)
o Replace fuel filter
o Install Lentech valve body (Would really like a torque converter too, but we'll see)
o Install Mark VIII spindles and brakes (need to drive it to the shop for this one)
o Reinstall misc engine parts disassembled to replace alternator, spark plug, coil, etc
o Get tires mounted and balanced
o Get 4-wheel alignment (preferrably after Mark VIII spindle install)
o Replace rack and pinion
o Replace the rest of the front suspention besides the rack and spindles
o Install PIAA fog/driving lamps purchased over a year ago

I think that's about it as far as my "To-do" list for the SC. I've got a couple other things like replacing the tensioner springs and installing a better inlet plenum, but I'm not 100% sure I'll get that done. Sure would be nice though! Those two things could add as much as 25 hp at the wheels. That would be significant and could push me within striking distance of 300 at the wheels. That's very impressive considering I still have stock valved heads as well as the stock cam and bottom end. Underdrive pullies will help getting there too...There's always something, isn't there?

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Well, I decided to put my birthday present to use today (only one day after my birthday) and decided to finish the wiring harness for my intercooler fan. Long story short, it was already in my SC, and working. Then it stopped some time ago. I got sick, the car sat, and this winter I finally was able to get back to it. My accessory belt had worn through a wire. Simple fix. Well, since I had to remove my IC to get my alternator out (issues there too) I decided it would be a good time to re-do the harness with OEM style water tight connectors and just make it look professional. My birthday present was the crimping tool to use these nice connectors. I played with it a little yesterday, but went all out today. Attached is an album of my "in progess" stages. I didn't get really any pictures of what was, but what little I did get you can compare it to what I have now. There's really not a comparison at all. The only thing I have left to do is connect the switch to it. Since it was all hard wired before, that's all in the car right now. I do need 2 more single wire connectors to finish it off the way I want it to be (one for the switch and one for the ground from the fan).

I used Painless Performance's Weatherpack connectors. They offer a variety of connectors ranging from single wire all the way up to a six-wire connector. The crimper tool and pin extraction tool (if you goof up) are available from MSD Ignition. I purchased all of the parts from Speedway Motors since they are right here in Lincoln.

I have to say that I couldn't be happier with the way this turned out. My soldering skill leave much to be desired and since my SC is slowly becoming more show-worthy, I felt it an appropriate time to upgrade the pitiful wiring I attmpted before. The terminals crimp on very easily and are secured plenty strong enough. Now the entire harness snaps together making it much easier to replace parts, remove the IC/fan or simply tracking where the wires are.

Now that I've got this under my belt, I've got a couple more wiring projets to complete... :)

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Well, I haven't actually purchased them yet, but I have decided on a new set of wheels for my Super Coupe. Yes, they are the wheels pictured here. I'm planning on getting the 18 x 8.5 for the fronts and 18 x 9.5 for the rear, chromed, of course. They have a very significant (and in my opinion, very nice) lip on the wheel. I have always liked that. The original wheels I wanted to purchase were manufactured by Zenetti and cost $100 per wheel more than these do. And, they are discontinued as well. These are the only other wheels that immediately jumped out at me. So I'm not going to sit on them at all. They are manufactured by Ruff Racing and are the R930 wheel. They are brand new wheels, so they should be around for a few years at least. I don't plan on waiting that long though and will get them next year sometime. Tires will have to wait, just because of the price involved in wheels and tires. The tires cost almost as much as the wheels which puts the overall purchase over $2k when it's all said and done. I just can't wait to get the wheels...even if they sit in my garage for a year!

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Well, I took advantage of the relatively warm weather today. I took another step closer to getting my SC back on the road. I went out and got it up on jackstands since I hadn't done this yet. I've got 4 new tires for it to put on anyway. I got my intercooler removed and discovered why my fan on it didn't work. Turns out the belt or the power steering pulley wore right through the negative wire and part-way through the positive. Yes, that was probably contributing to my electrical woes. I also took a look at the relay. Looks like I need to re wire the whole mess of them. The wires are all breaking off. I believe this was due to the fact that I pulled the wires very tight in an effort to keep them out of the way of the belt and power steering pulley...apparently that didn't work! LOL! I also got the battery removed as well as finished getting the alternator removed. Now I just need to get it disassembled so that I can get the bolts/screws/nuts chromed.

However, I am now again at a stand still in this project as I have to get the small stuff chromed before I can put it all back together. On a better note, I did locate some better water tight plugs that I can use for any of that engine compartment stuff. The plugs I've been using are fine, but they are not that high of quality or appearance. Problem is justifying the crimping tool to my wife...it costs nearly $50 for a very seldom used tool...

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Well, I got my alternator back today. I have to admit that I think it turned out rather nice. The color I picked is not everyone's cup of tea, but at least it's not jump-out-at-you fog visible yellow or anything! Although now that I have it finished, I find myself wanting to do just a tad more to it. So I have decided to have the visible bolts, screws and nuts chromed. I'm not a fan of a completely chromed engine compartment, but do like chrome for accents. So that's what I'm going to do now. Suck because now that winter is setting in, I'm not going to get to drive it. Once I get to drive it again, nearly 18 months will have passed since I last drove it. I guess it's not that big of a deal, because I'm keeping the miles off of it. I sure do miss it though...

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Well, I took a significant step towards restoring my SC to working order today. The alternator failed marvelously last year and as I haven't had to drive it, I haven't done anything with it yet. Now as winter is ready to set in, I find myself wanting to get it running again. Go figure! I think it had something to do with my medical situation the last year...

At any rate, I took my spare alternator in to a rebuild shop to see if it was good. Turns out it wasn't (good thing I didn't just throw it on my car!). So a rebuild was in order, not only because it was bad, but also because the alternator for this car is an odd one, so finding a replacement is difficult. I figured that while it was apart, I'd have the case powder coated. This is my first step in making my engine compartment looking much better than stock. I had it powder coated a dark gray color that almost looks like a smoked gray.

I also had to fix the wiring on my harness as the previous alternator had burnt the wire and actually melted it and severed it. I used a negative battery cable (15" long, but cut down obviously) so that I didn't have to try to attach an eyelet onto a 4-gauge cable. I spliced it with an aluminum splicer with two set screws that could splice up to 4-gauge cables. That done, I wrapped it in electrical tape and will put a small wire loom around it for looks.

I should get my alternator back tomorrow so it can then be installed. Not sure if that will happen though as the weather is supposed to turn bad on Wednesday here...Welcome winter.

I need to get a garage!

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After I got some of my performance modifications completed, I decided to start upgrading the appearance of my ride.

First up was a fiberglass hood. At the time my options were limited to a Cervini Mach I hood, an SCP Cobra R hood or an SCP Cowl Induction hood. I prefered the look of the SCP Cobra R with the ram air that was available for the '94-'97 Thunderbirds, but not for the '89-'93 Thunderbirds. I made a few phone calls and although it arrived 2 months past the initial projected delivery date, I received the first production Cobra R hood with ram air for the '89-'93 Thunderbird.

Next upgrade was the bumper...and what a story that is...

First off, when I got the hood, I had a new bumper installed because the bumper that was on the car when I purchased it was in less than good condition with paint rubbed off and torn bottom with no airdam. The new(er) bumper I had on a parts car, so I simply had it repainted and installed. That lasted about 3 months until someone pulled out in front of me and messed that one up. It had too many coats of paint for the body shop to deal with it, so I ended up getting one of the last remaining NOS bumpers in the country. It took 3 weeks to find and another week to be shipped. It was installed and looking great for about 6 months until it got torn off at a curb stop (I was not driving it then!). The I searched to find an early style bumper for the Super Coupe that had the SC embossed on the front. I also purchased a Xenon air dam to make the appearance a little more aggressive (it needed it with the hood) and am installing a motion sensor system in the air dam to warn of approaching items that could damage the bumper. All-in-all the front bumper has cost me about $4500 where as my go-fast parts have only cost me about $3000...Yeah, more money in the front bumper than in making it faster. But I want it to look the part as well as perform.

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My last major modification was getting ported heads installed on my SC.

Basically what I wanted to do was find out how much I could get out of a ported head, but retaining the stock sized valves and cam. I had them ported by a very reputable porter with better than excellent results. The end result was a gain of about 20 rwhp and 20 rwtq from the heads alone. My SC dyno'd in the neighborhood of 265 rwhp and 350 rwtq. I did discover that I had major belt slip above 4300 rpm limiting my overall gains.

In the future, I will install large valve heads with a custom grind cam to get the absolute most out of my heads. I plan on installing these when I install my Cobra supercharger.

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Another modification that was required by increasing performance was a better IC to cool my intake temps down. I wanted to keep a stock style set-up so I decided on an IC that fits in the stock location and uses 2 stock IC cores. I didn't actually do the welding, but I do more of the design and I've got a close friend who is a excellent aluminum welder. We installed a custom diffuser in the IC to provide better cooling efficiency and shaped the return end tank to reduce air turbulance. After my IC, we refined the design further to provide for better clearance under a stock hood with taller engine mounts. The fan shroud was a requirement to increase the effectiveness of my IC fan. It has been dyno tested to show is effectiveness. Ambient temp, 76*F 4th dyno pull maximum intake temperatures did not exceed 95*F.

This DIC will be removed when I install the Cobra supercharger on my SC.

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The first major modification that I performed was the installation of a Gen II M90 from a '94-'95 Super Coupe. This alone provided for about a 20 rwhp increase due to more efficient gearing and coated rotors. I also rebuilt the supercharger and ported both the inlet and outlet of the supercharger.

On the inlet plenum, I had the EGR port filled in with aluminum epoxy and ported to match my aftermarket throttle body. This provides for a much smoother intake that in turn increases hp.

It now sports a 10% OD pulley keeping boost in line at about 14 psi.

I have lofty plans for my future supercharger upgrade. I plan on custom building a lower intake manifold that I will install an '03-'04 Cobra supercharger onto with the liquid to air intercooler.

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I purchased this car in 2003 in nearly stock form. The only modifications it had at that time were being lowered and a Trans-Go shift kit in the AOD.

I have since installed all the items listed on my modification page, and some of those parts had to be home made in order to get it to work the way I wanted it to.

All the work that I have done (painting excluded) I have done myself or have had a "helping hand" along the way. I take great pride in saying, "I did that" instead of I paid someone to do that.

Some examples of things I've had a large hand in developing is the double intercooler with fan shroud and (an uninstalled at this time) lower intake manifold.

I'll provide a few journal entries to describe the major modifications that I have to date.

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