$2002 update...

["Storhok, Eric (E.M.)" <estorhok@domain.elided>]

Its been a while since I've updated the masses- as long as its been since I've updated the web group's pictures (which I still have not done, yet...).

Short reminder of what we are doing- for GRM's $2002 challenge we are building a turbocharged 78 spider. W&D springs, koni shocks, sway bar...

Anyway, we kind of squandered a great weekend to drive- it was in the mid- 50's here in Michigan the last 2 days...  But we are making progress.  Yesterday, the engine showed its first signs of life!  So, I'll back up some.

Over the last few months, we've finished all the engine work and installation, and continued to wire up the new computer EFI system.  Saturday was a big day for us- first signal testing of the system, and the first time fluids have moved around...  First the water pump leaked a little, but it was not fully tightened down- fixed, next- one of the turbo water lines was leaking- again, not fully tight- fixed.  

Then, we found a few wiring problems- 3 or so relays were not correct, and one computer wire got mixed up.  Again, that is what we were trying to find.  After taking care of that, we plugged the computer in, it ran and communicated with our laptop!  Now some non fuel cranking testing- check for spark, worked first time, and we could see the EFI module working properly as well (big relief).  Now, the scary part- the fuel.  

Plugged it back in, and disconnected the ignition- and spent some time priming the entire system.  Since I had to modify the Alfa fuel rail, I knew there would be problems, so I tried to find them all Saturday evening...  

By Sunday afternoon, all the holes in the fuel rail were patched up, and we were ready to really try it.  It took some time, but we finally got it to sputter some.  It wouldn't sustain running, but we all think the fuel system is rather dirty- today we get new filters, and I think we will be adding a second pump (the SPICA pump should be good to 250hp, but we want enough fuel past 320hp, just to be safe).  Since we have a pump that was already donated, we will be adding it before the SPICA pump tonight.  Hopefully that will do it.

Other things- the car really looks great- all the lights seem to work, now, the interior is fully trimmed, and we are getting excited.  For those of you who know that the interior is not being judged, we are trying to make a point- with about $25 in materials, we have this really cool interior.  Plus, since we don't have a top- its on the exterior anyway...

Updates should come a little faster now that we have less than a month to go.

Eric Storhok
Core Emissions and Fuel Economy Team
Advanced Powertrain Engineering
(313)33x75011
MD 35, FPC-B
Ford Motor Company

--
to be removed from alfa, see /bin/digest-subs.cgi
or email "unsubscribe alfa" to majordomo@domain.elided