As usual you guys weigh in with great advice. All accepted without any "yeah buts" on my side.
By now most of you know Tom is my mentor and I get these long emails. I mean detailed stuff that is sometimes hard for my little brain to process. He knows his subject and I've followed his advice to the letter. He said turn everything you learned about the lightweight race cars you've been used on its head. Build heavy and strong. Overkill. He stressed that I enclose the roll cage completely to avoid FOD in the event of a crash and mailed me many photos of the end results of crashes. It was clear that an open roll hoop was not the way to go.
When he suggested I strengthen the chassis from the cage back I jumped on it immediately and built a substantial structure that was removable and would do the job. What I failed to do was take into account that my "box" would interfere with everything coming from the turbos to the plenum chamber and more. I painted myself into a corner. I can't mount the coil packs on the rocker boxes, plumb the tubing from the cold side of the turbos to the plenum and a bunch of other stuff because of my "gung ho" attitude. Packaging is crazy on this project. This was the most shocking thing I've encountered on the build.
I've got the materials to remedy the situation and a design that takes the main braces in a straight line to the roll hoop. I should have waited until I had completely mocked up the motor with all the plumbing and coils before jumping in feet first. TOTALLY my fault but it's a minor glitch when compared to my 14 iterations on the tandem steer. I eventually asked Brad King if I could please copy his system and he said "knock yourself out brother".
I'll get into the new design today and my guess is by Friday I should have it sorted. I want to thank all of you for your input. This liner wouldn't be possible without all of you pitching in.
I logged in this morning to tell you guys I was going to can the project but after reading the comments I just can't bail.
I know everyone thinks their problems are the biggest in the world and I'm guilty of this. I've been getting whipped locally by a lot of broken promises and people who judge me by my appearance.
Sponsors come around to drop off product and when they hear I'm also the driver I get the "look". I know it well. Been getting it since I was 5 years old. Too small for school sports, hockey and even had discrimination in the Army. Bullied by everyone. These guys look at this old dude and can't figure that he can drive. I've never driven a liner but neither has any other South African.
Guys are laughing at me "behind my back" when I go collect stuff from sponsors but I see and hear everything. I'm not 5 anymore and overcame the bullying, size thing and other obstacles. I'm not here to brag because humility runs in the family on both sides. We do however tell it like it is.
I had a drama at my power tools sponsor and if it were not for the project and all the other sponsors involved I might be sitting in a cell right now. I treat everyone with the utmost respect but don't try make a fool of me based on what your eyes are showing you. From the age of 13 I've never lost a fight on the street, on the ice, in the ring or in the Army. I served in a unit known as the "terrible ones" and I get some kid with Lilly white hands condescending me. I got out of the building intact but I'm that guy that will cut off his nose to spite his face. I love my Makita tools but the staff at Rutherford need manners and also need to tell the truth. They can shove their tools.
Building a liner on a zero budget is not for sissies. I have to swallow hard and I'm being treated like a beggar or an operator of sorts. My intentions are pure. There's no angle to this project. I'm offering advertising space in return for materials or products. I've got some awesome sponsors who show real interest in what I'm doing and then I have those that sent a delivery truck without even meeting me in person.
Members here send me a message asking what I still need?. They say $130 is chump change, give me your details. That 130 bucks is 8 grand here. Packages arrive!!!!. Just when I'm ready to quit.
I'm a known whiner!!!!. Maybe it's my way of venting?
. Maybe it's motivation?.
I have no idea where the next penny is coming from but I got myself into this and I refuse to quit.
Lourens Kloppers is a cool dude from BCSG Stainless Steel Products and he dropped off a pile of Stainless Steel elbows and a Y junction on Friday. Thanks BCSG!!!!!!. I have enough material to keep me busy for a few months and hopefully in the New Year more miracles arrive.
The thing that bugs me most is the lack of communication. Companies agree on a deal and I don't hear back. You call and someone is running interference. If you've changed your mind just tell me!. If the answer is NO I can deal with it but leaving me hanging is causing sleepless nights.
Too many things up in the air right now.
Sorry for the story of my life on here but I wear my heart on my sleeve.
