To this point Murphy and I have had a good battle going on. We’ve both punched each other a few times and drawn blood. Things started to get serious during the SMC Tank Install, but now we’re both ready to reach for our swords. We both head for our corners and return with our foils. No words are exchanged but it’s clearly understood between us that no quarter will be asked for, nor given. As we both begin to grip our blades I notice that he’s about to begin dueling left handed. I also take my sword in my left hand.
We begin. When the first attack comes, I parry. I attack. He dodges. I feint. He holds his ground expecting no attack. We are both masters of our art and the ensuing battle will be an epic struggle of strength, steel, and wits. A furious dance of flashing blades and clanking steel brings life to an otherwise still night background. He is using his slashing blade to hold me at bay as he manuvers to the base of a rocky hill. I can see that he is trying to make for higher ground but can make no attack that will change his direction away from that strategic advantage. His heels edge closer as his left hand twirls furiously, keeping my sword just inches from chest while he makes the ascent.
Once he reaches the top of the rocky outcropping, a small smile begins to creep up his face. While our blades cut the air with alacrity, a conversation begins:
Murphy:"You are WONDERFUL!"
Me: "Thank you, I've worked hard to become so."
Murphy:"I will admit it - you are better than I am."
Me:"Then why are you smiling?"
Murphy:"Because I know something you don't know."
Me:"And what is that?"
Murphy:"I am not left handed."
He sends his blade spinning into the air and grabs it with his right hand. The battle then resumes with renewed energy....
Mods #28 – Methanol System Arming Switch.
For engine management I run a UTEC. One of the main features about the UTEC that I really like is the ability to switch maps on the fly. I know a lot of people setup meth kits and then run them all the time, but for me that would remove one of the primary reasons why I use the engine management I do. As a result, I needed a way to turn off the meth system if I want to switch to a valet or low boost map. The method I came up with is making an arming switch.
Here is the switch I picked up at Walmart, and the OEM switch blank that's next to the Cruise switch on non-Sti's
I ran some wires to it and made sure it would work as part of the meth test earlier:
Steps to T3H W1N:
1. Drill Hole:
2. Test Fit:
3. Mark an outline of where you want the switch to go.
4. Dremel out the opening, then use fiberglass jelly to fill in your mistakes(be sure to tape up the switch and use vaseline so that the fiberglass doesn't stick).
5. Wait till fiberglass is dry but not rock hard, and remove switch.
6. Install switch in the car
7. Profit!
Um, the switch isn't all the way in...
Oh.
I had to take everything out and redo the mounting plate by carefully grinding away material. I also used wiring so stiff that the switch had little choice but to stick out. I fixed both, but this little setback cost me at least an hour.
Mod #29 – SMC Controller Install.
By this time, a new day approaches. A new day that I’m supposed to be at work for. It’s midnight, and I’m exhausted. I’m also not done. Brandon and I continue…
You can’t have a methanol injection kit without a controller to manage when the thing turns on and off. The SMC unit comes with a nice progressive controller that’s activated based on boost. It comes in a nice heavy duty plastic case which I was planning on mounting in the ashtray slot.
First, let me say that I am never selling this car. Or at least I’m not selling it any time soon (maybe when I’m like 40 and want something different as a track car). When you’re never planning on going back to stock, you have a level of freedom to hack things up that’s very liberating.
My original idea was to just hack up the ash tray in the dash and install the SMC unit in that. x86Brandon comes up with the idea of taking the board out of the controller case and actually make the case out of the ashtray. The ash tray is plastic and therefore non-conductive, so it should work theoretically - it’ll just take a lot of dremel action.
Brandon is an electrical engineer by education and has therefore spent all kinds of time soldering on boards (I haven’t done this yet) and working with plastic enclosures.
I tell him I’m way too tired and my hands are shaking way too bad to do that level of precise work on the ashtray. He tells me that’s not a problem as he can do it. I LOVE CALLING IN THE CAVALRY!!!!! NASIOC RULES!!!!!! I tell him to go ahead and do it and let me know if he needs help.
He got most of the way done (ready for the actual mounting) but had to leave at 2am. I can totally understand this as he has to get up for work at 6am, and his car (unlike mine) actually works currently. Here is why I think this is cool: someone I didn't know before that day was willing to not only come over to my house, but make three runs to stores on my behalf and then drink beers with me till 2am working on my car. This is why normal people see car people as a different breed. We are. Try getting someone to do that for your dishwasher...
I finished securing the board and faceplate after Brandon left. Here’s how it turned out:
Here is why this was another murphy special: - the unit doesn't fit in the ash tray slot because it's too tall.
I therefore have to grind out some of the metal plate that holds the ash tray and spend another hour getting everything to fit.
That round of sparring with Murphy clearly ends in a draw which is where our story continues...
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