D-Min, very nice touch...that's the difference between an amateur such as myself and you. I didn't even think about the photo in that way - I was pissed it was snowing and wanted to capture how much had fallen. Business has ruined nearly all of my creativity.

 

Here's the part I ordered today for the ignition:


It's being overnighted and should reach me tomorrow.

Where should I mount it? Norman thinks next to the rocker switch assembly which is to the left of the steering wheel. Easy for him - he can just jump on the plasma cutter and make a mounting box. Me? I'm thinking in the dash to the left.

BJ is overnighting me the axle stuff. Norman said don't turn the wheel all the way until I get a bump stop on it.

Seven (Mike) is out of town this week (helping fam and then going to MMW) but I left a message that I want to be on the schedule for an improved steering rack (Italian made) and to adjust my ball joint. Hondata guy is my only hope and he's trying to get out of town to China. If only Big Norm lived down the street. Such is that. I have to call Mini World tomorrow and confirm or reschedule. I think I'll go for it.

 

Very cool Wyoming pictures.

 

Since you're asking for opinions... does the Joe Racer faceplate fit in with the wood dash? I think Norman might be right by suggesting a rocker switch box left of the column. And... you're right, the plasma cutter (among other tools) make for a pretty damned impressive design-on-the-go operation. I'd consider asking BJ to make you a new switch plate, and add space for the JoeRacer components to drop in. Meno, you realize this is a selfless suggestion because if you go this route, it will likely push my project toward Sept.

 

Axel stuff is in hand - BJ done did it. Ignition module is in hand, too. I have no idea where this thing is going to fit though as it is larger than I expected - 3.5 x 5 inches! It looks and feels cool though. The directions say I need a battery disconnect switch! Steve is almost a stinking race car now and with that battery disconnect switch, it will be...albeit slow and small (race car wise).

D - the selfless comment is quite funny and accurate but I was thinking October. Regarding placement, I think you and Norman are right. It would have to go next to the steering wheel, one side or the other.

 

I have been thinking of going different than the Honda S2000 start button. I love the look but want to have switches as well.

Also check out the mount I found. There is a place right here in town that is a dealer for these guys. Apparently they are really popular with the big wing type dirt track cars...

http://www.longacreracing.com/catalo...d=429&catid=12

Same thing but in Carbon Fiber.( Me likey)
http://www.longacreracing.com/catalo...d=901&catid=12

Mounting bracket on rollcage.
http://www.longacreracing.com/catalo...d=858&catid=12

 

Photo shoot is on for Monday.

T - I saw those too but they had too much schwang for me. I'd prefer to do the S2000 route but time is of the essence.

In looking at the dash layout we decided to put the ignition console to the left of the steering wheel like discussed. The shift light will be relocated to the steering column.

Tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic.......

 

Well Lance, I ended up with the carbon fibre one. It solved my problem of additional switches that I needed too.

I am really thinking about mounting over the drivers side speaker hole that came in my minitec dash. Time will tell...


Link to the one I got.
http://www.longacreracing.com/catalo...d=901&catid=12

 

tti-

double thumbs up the the CF switch plate. I think the colors/graphics on the other example whose link you posted are a little ugly and a mismatch for your mini.

 

What he said. --> D-Min

I just got back from dropping off more parts - car to be ready tonight. Yeah, right.

In the speaker holes? Are you going to put a fish bowl on the other side to balance it out? Sounds like you've been drinking again. I do like the plate though, especially if the dash is carbon fiber or black. Could you just use toggles and mount them in the A/C flange or make a master toggle board like D-Mini suggested to me? Had I the time that's what I would do and you have plenty of time before December 2009.

 

I have an extra one of these:


It will look kinda like this one in my racer. I was thinking of just moving all of the switches from the carbon one to the new plate.


tti

 

Car is back - finished at 10:00 PM Cali time. Didn't have time to take it to be aligned. The nerve of alignment shops keeping banking hours! Well, so much for straight line...seems to be a curse. A new steering rack is in as well. It's a 2.25 end to end rack rather than a 2.75 rack. It is far tighter than my last one as it had a wee bit of slack / sway. Seven suggested putting in the plastic stops that they use on the Moke for 13 inch wheels and sure enough, they work for my situation (hyper extension of the CV - reduces to 2.0 to 2.0). I did lose some of that groovy turning radius. I'm some where in between steering arm issue 2.1 and 2.3. The rack is off center a bit so I'll need Mike (7) to fix hopefully on Monday morning (if he's back from MMW).

T - I love that idea. I think you could find some sweet lit and non-lit toggles and perhaps some chrome finger guides like the MINI. That could be really slick and not all that expensive.

See this place for a gander of product: http://terminalsupplyco.com/Default.aspx

Where will you mount your stereo...will you use a stereo?

 

Miniworld called and cancelled for tomorrow...wheewwww, it could have worked but would have been quite a push. Besides I'd like to have Steve Austin dialed before the shoot.

Push button starting is interesting...seems rather Star Wars-ish.

D-Min, here's what I could come up with in Photoshop...the young apprentice I am.

 

Meno-

I had a '59 Mercedes w/push button start. The dash was very cool, understated, and most folks couldn't figure how to get it started. Let's see a snapshot of your pushbutton installation. Did BJ make you a new switchplate?

 

D-Min, I'll try to get to posting a picture this weekend...I didn't have time to design / order a switch plate from BJ on account of the rush to get the car done before the photo shoot WHICH didn't happen...for the better.

Steve Austin goes in for an A/C makeover on Monday.

Houseman Autosports is due to have the new tranny back to me at the end of the month. I'm contemplating changing the 3.47 (the ratio I requested) to an even higher ratio. I sent them an email to discuss the topic moments ago. A month ago housman stated that at 65 MPH I'd be doing ~2900 RPM's. In the cars I'm driving around (normal cars, mind you) the RPM's at that speed are 2500 or less. I'm not wise about such things but it seems to me that I might as well get the ratio high enough to get really quiet cruising speeds. Don't I have plenty of power to turn the wheels anyhow? There's likely more to it and so I'm interested to hear from Houseman or anyone with some insight.

On the calculator the ratio looks like this:

GEAR................SHIFTSPEED...SPEED AT MAX RPM
1ST........................NA..................43. .........
2ND ......................4950................76...... ....
3RD ......................5544................117..... ...
4TH ......................6535................154..... ...
5TH ......................6891............... 192........

Tire size = 29.25 inches / 8600 MAX RPM

Does this jive?

 

Don't let Rocan see the max. speed on those last two gears... He'll certainly be hitting you up to co-pilot Mr. Austin for a Mini land world speed record.

 

DAMNNNNNNNNNNNN thats F**KIN SEXY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

BTW Dustin - that was pre-supercharger...it looks naked like that to me now.

Well, part of the new A/C system is in. Let's call it version 2.0.a. Here's what it looks like:



Don't know yet if it works but it sure is a lot bigger.

My gears are due soon which reminds me I need to send an email to find out when exactly.

I'll post a picture of the new ignition panel as soon as I remember to do so.

 

The new ultra low security ignition system...

 

Meno-

All you need to offset the low security ignition is one of those dandy quick-release steering wheels. Probably doesn't work with a Cooperworks-branded motolita, but what the heck.

As of HVAC... Wow-- two condensors? Wonder if this is due to K-series management, or if your HVAC vendor/engineer would prescribe this for all the MT systems? (Still crossing my fingers that my little chipmunk trucklette will have adequate engineering on these sorts of items). Seems to me there's a customer consensus that MT vtec conversions still suffer electrical issues going back to the 1% of Lucas crap left in the car--the ignition switch. Why don't they just bypass the headaches with a friggen $29 NAPA unit so we don't have to carry around fire extinguishers? How many meltdowns would that have saved you already?

 

Saw Steve Austin yesterday and the A/C is blowing cold...real cold - thermo read "47". I pick him up on Monday and will real world test it. I have yet to address the overheating scenario. Same vendor is looking at replacing the radiator with a heat exhanger of some sort. Steve never has "technically" overheated BUT the code light goes off so it may be an issue of being right on the edge. 1 gallon of coolant only goes so far. So we'll see.

The B series apparently didn't have the issue and truth be told, time will tell with the other K series vehicles. Perhaps it was the manner by which mine was wired keeping in mind it went first (MTK-1) and with a different electrician. Who knows? The K wagon we've seen doesn't have the column wiring so it won't hyposthetically be affected...the two going to South America do and we may not hear. If Travis wires his K through the column, then we'll have a chance of seeing what's what otherwise this issue may not surface for quite some time.

I know Lucas has had it's isssues but this is more of a capatability issue, methinks. The Lucas ignition was not designed for that type of load. I think some relays set in front of the system would work fine and in fact I have that option now to abandon the new keyless start and go back to a standard set up. Something is kooky with the power coming into that dash it seems because my GPS tracking and alarm system both have back up batteries that were swelling. The A/C guy pulled them lest they blow and acid spray all over my wiring. So the work there is not yet done. He wanted to talk me into using the trunk as the wiring bay instead of behind the dash for the sake of access and ease; this is how he does hot rods on which he works.

Tranny is due in soon.

Getting closer and poorer by the minute.

 

I am used the column for the turn signals only.
Everything else is on a panel somewhere.

 

tti-

Sounds like a good plan. I would think (hope) OE switches can handle turn signals. Meno has a good point. Problems can/do exist when one mates a new engine system and it's electrical needs with a few old, simple components that weren't designed to carry the load.

Meno-
Great to hear that you have COLD air. Steve Austin wants to be invincible, I can feel it. Give him a chance. You probably don't want to hear this, but IF having your ignition switch returned to a key-in-the-column style is an option, I think it suits your car's aesthetics better than the Joe Racer track version.

 

Agreed...sorrowfully.

 

nice job!!