New Engine - Update 4

Our enormous group of fans has been clamoring for an update.  Sorry for the lack of posts.  As you're probably noticed by now, we are consistently inconsistent with our chump updates.

We did not make it to the Road Atlanta race in February.  This was partially because we had some initial troubles with the engine installation.  We finally got it running right after fixing some wacky ignition timing issues.  The other problem was drivers.  With the later cancellations from Travis and Duncan, we were scrambling around to find alternate drivers.  Pretty much any kind of racing is popular, people are always eager to get seat time.  There's a famous quote that goes
"Racing makes heroin addiction look like a vague wish for something salty." (Peter Egan)
But it's not as simple as just grabbing a random guy.  Chump has fairly strict requirements on safety gear, so in some cases guys who have experience doing track events would have to fork out several hundred dollars to buy gear.  Also, we certainly have a few qualms about putting just anybody in our car.  Yes, these are $500 race cars... but that's before spending hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars on roll cages, tires, brakes, engines, and safety equipment.  This is an investment we're eager to protect.

So the new engine is in, and it runs, but we have more work to do in order to finish it up.  We are also in the middle of installing the fire suppression system.

The next race we are shooting for is the 24hr race at Virginia International Raceway in late August.  More to come!

New Engine - Update 3

Since the last post, the size of our group has diminished.  Travis has decided to pursue other hobbies.  Duncan has acknowledged he will miss the Road Atlanta race due to family issues.  That leaves only three of us.  We are actively recruiting additional drivers.

We expect to have the engine installation finished this weekend.  We are currently installing a new temperature gauge that will give us a more precise reading during our races.  Considering we've had some overheating issues twice now, the gauge along with the new radiator should help to improve our reliability.  The new sensor for the gauge was sort of holding up installation of the old intake manifold onto the new engine.  But that is almost complete.

- Install intake manifold
- Attach intake piping
- Plug in passenger side fuel injectors
- Add engine oil
- Start it up and make sure it runs
- Check compression
- Install exhaust downpipe along with new muffler
- Install fire new supression system
- Install ventilation tube
- Add tranny fluid
- Change oil & filter
- Check wheel bearings
- Bleed brakes
- Add new temp gauge