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PaddyPrix

If breakin' parts is cool, consider me Miles Davis
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Pulled the motor out, and looks like I was fortunate to escape with just some minor cuts and scratches. Other than the harness, the engine looks alright.

1627871727241.png

Transmission looks alright too, just burned those little nipple things along the top, which I'm going to assume are some sort of pressure vents?

1627871826832.png

Downside is that the harness that goes to the transmission is part of the greater harness loops, and not one of the simpler ones that plug into the PCM, so that kinda sucks. Not sure if I'm going to just order that harness to then cut/splice the busted parts in to save all the wiring mess, or thinking even bigger, rip all that shiznit out and do something like an AEM Infinity since I have all these wires of which I use so few of them... no windows, no airbags, no radio, no pretty much everything. I'm probably going to lose out on ABS which to be honest wasn't really working in the first place with the busted sensors, so why not? Issue looks to be that the Gen3 isn't fully yet understood, so I'd have to somewhat downgrade to some Gen2 mix to use something like that... which stinks. Dunno, will make some calls tomorrow and see what that comes up with.
 

PaddyPrix

If breakin' parts is cool, consider me Miles Davis
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I just spent the last 2 hours reading this thread lol

Good stuff. Glad you ok from the fire...we at least you are.
Thanks a bunch. Perhaps one of these days I'll produce some sort of abridged Reader's Digest version, but until then, enjoy the verbosity, I guess. Yeah, I'm fine, not even shook, more angry and disappointed in myself more than anything. It was something preventable, and even though I had double checked everything, even right before going out, I keep thinking there's something more that I could have done. Regardless, that moment has passed, and I've got the opportunity to really think about what my next steps are, and plan accordingly as Rome wasn't built overnight... but it sure seems like it was destroyed in one :D
 

PaddyPrix

If breakin' parts is cool, consider me Miles Davis
725
1,081
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San Diego
So I pulled the engine about a month ago, and been waiting on the engine harness to come in this whole time. Equal parts angry and disappointed, but the adult in me took that opportunity to take out a bunch of put options against them, and watching their stock drop 1.5 points means cashing those options in just got me a free set of Hoosiers... which I would almost happily trade for the g-d engine harness.

Ended up getting a new intake, thinking further ahead in the future, even bigger plans after the next season, so, might as well go with the Cobra Jet, which, is yuuuuuge. Top to top, it's a couple inches taller than the 18+ Intake, and those long runners are well, downright sexy.

1629867525398.png

also just look how much bigger it is after the throttle body, the CJ it just tapers out immediately from what was already huge.

1629867796151.png

Until I get the engine harness, it's just kinda going to sit, all dressed up, and nowhere to go.

So, trying to stay busy, decided to take on the cage which I stupidly left untreated from I believe last March. Not that it rains too much out in San Diego, but moisture here, fog there, all those add up and start pulling a lil' orange glow to the cage that I wasn't much digging on, so, I put my man skills to use and stroked the hell out of all this big ass pipe.

1629868296813.png

My crappy phone makes everything look fuzzy, but it's pretty dang shiny in person. Also learned the difference between emery cloth and sandpaper, feeling like such a fool for not finding it earlier, it's perfect for the job when you're sliding it in nooks and crannies that might have sharp edges, and its fabric like backing takes that abuse without breaking in the slightest. Did some research into things to coat it, some $77/qt stuff to make it look shiny with mixed reviews, chrome spray to blind other drivers as well as myself, or some metallics to look blah, but absorb all the nicks and scratches that will very likely come its way. Did a small test on an area with a color and will see how I like it in the morning, and maybe I'll report back if it goes well... although between us, if it doesn't go well, I'll probably fix it, try something else, and make it seem like it worked the first time around. Wouldn't want you all to think I don't know what I'm doing, ... like just about everything else I've done so far with the car :D
 

Fabman

Dances with Racecars
6,518
8,154
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Exp. Level
20+ Years
Pleasanton: 1/2 way between Sonoma and Laguna Seca
So I pulled the engine about a month ago, and been waiting on the engine harness to come in this whole time. Equal parts angry and disappointed, but the adult in me took that opportunity to take out a bunch of put options against them, and watching their stock drop 1.5 points means cashing those options in just got me a free set of Hoosiers... which I would almost happily trade for the g-d engine harness.

Ended up getting a new intake, thinking further ahead in the future, even bigger plans after the next season, so, might as well go with the Cobra Jet, which, is yuuuuuge. Top to top, it's a couple inches taller than the 18+ Intake, and those long runners are well, downright sexy.

View attachment 67773

also just look how much bigger it is after the throttle body, the CJ it just tapers out immediately from what was already huge.

View attachment 67774

Until I get the engine harness, it's just kinda going to sit, all dressed up, and nowhere to go.

So, trying to stay busy, decided to take on the cage which I stupidly left untreated from I believe last March. Not that it rains too much out in San Diego, but moisture here, fog there, all those add up and start pulling a lil' orange glow to the cage that I wasn't much digging on, so, I put my man skills to use and stroked the hell out of all this big ass pipe.

View attachment 67775

My crappy phone makes everything look fuzzy, but it's pretty dang shiny in person. Also learned the difference between emery cloth and sandpaper, feeling like such a fool for not finding it earlier, it's perfect for the job when you're sliding it in nooks and crannies that might have sharp edges, and its fabric like backing takes that abuse without breaking in the slightest. Did some research into things to coat it, some $77/qt stuff to make it look shiny with mixed reviews, chrome spray to blind other drivers as well as myself, or some metallics to look blah, but absorb all the nicks and scratches that will very likely come its way. Did a small test on an area with a color and will see how I like it in the morning, and maybe I'll report back if it goes well... although between us, if it doesn't go well, I'll probably fix it, try something else, and make it seem like it worked the first time around. Wouldn't want you all to think I don't know what I'm doing, ... like just about everything else I've done so far with the car :D
Scotchbrite pads and a jitter bug work really well….jus’ sayin’
 

Fabman

Dances with Racecars
6,518
8,154
Exp. Type
W2W Racing
Exp. Level
20+ Years
Pleasanton: 1/2 way between Sonoma and Laguna Seca
So I pulled the engine about a month ago, and been waiting on the engine harness to come in this whole time. Equal parts angry and disappointed, but the adult in me took that opportunity to take out a bunch of put options against them, and watching their stock drop 1.5 points means cashing those options in just got me a free set of Hoosiers... which I would almost happily trade for the g-d engine harness.

Ended up getting a new intake, thinking further ahead in the future, even bigger plans after the next season, so, might as well go with the Cobra Jet, which, is yuuuuuge. Top to top, it's a couple inches taller than the 18+ Intake, and those long runners are well, downright sexy.

View attachment 67773

also just look how much bigger it is after the throttle body, the CJ it just tapers out immediately from what was already huge.

View attachment 67774

Until I get the engine harness, it's just kinda going to sit, all dressed up, and nowhere to go.

So, trying to stay busy, decided to take on the cage which I stupidly left untreated from I believe last March. Not that it rains too much out in San Diego, but moisture here, fog there, all those add up and start pulling a lil' orange glow to the cage that I wasn't much digging on, so, I put my man skills to use and stroked the hell out of all this big ass pipe.

View attachment 67775

My crappy phone makes everything look fuzzy, but it's pretty dang shiny in person. Also learned the difference between emery cloth and sandpaper, feeling like such a fool for not finding it earlier, it's perfect for the job when you're sliding it in nooks and crannies that might have sharp edges, and its fabric like backing takes that abuse without breaking in the slightest. Did some research into things to coat it, some $77/qt stuff to make it look shiny with mixed reviews, chrome spray to blind other drivers as well as myself, or some metallics to look blah, but absorb all the nicks and scratches that will very likely come its way. Did a small test on an area with a color and will see how I like it in the morning, and maybe I'll report back if it goes well... although between us, if it doesn't go well, I'll probably fix it, try something else, and make it seem like it worked the first time around. Wouldn't want you all to think I don't know what I'm doing, ... like just about everything else I've done so far with the car :D
Send the intake to be CNC ported. Worth the price for sure.
 

PaddyPrix

If breakin' parts is cool, consider me Miles Davis
725
1,081
Exp. Type
Time Attack
Exp. Level
Under 3 Years
San Diego
Send the intake to be CNC ported. Worth the price for sure.
I was looking into somebody doing it last night, seems like it's $300 well spent. Thanks for the scotchbrite tip, much cheaper than using all her nail polish remover.

Will the CJ intake fit under your hood?
It should be close, but I've got no issues cutting holes in my hood and might have to skin some of the stock hood inner metal skeleton and help it out with a K Member spacer or two. I was planning on getting some hood pins and tossing a fiberglass sheet, but I'll get some measurements when I get closer.
 
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Fabman

Dances with Racecars
6,518
8,154
Exp. Type
W2W Racing
Exp. Level
20+ Years
Pleasanton: 1/2 way between Sonoma and Laguna Seca
Bret is the guy to go to for intake porting...can't remember the name of his shop in Arizona ATM cause "senior moment"....who remembers?
I thought it was AFR or something similar? Anyone?
 

PaddyPrix

If breakin' parts is cool, consider me Miles Davis
725
1,081
Exp. Type
Time Attack
Exp. Level
Under 3 Years
San Diego

Fabman

Dances with Racecars
6,518
8,154
Exp. Type
W2W Racing
Exp. Level
20+ Years
Pleasanton: 1/2 way between Sonoma and Laguna Seca

PaddyPrix

If breakin' parts is cool, consider me Miles Davis
725
1,081
Exp. Type
Time Attack
Exp. Level
Under 3 Years
San Diego
I think thats the one...Bret Barber is the guys name IIRC. Did a stellar job on my intake.
Awesome, that's what I needed. Been seeing his name bounced around, but didn't know the people saying so. Here's hoping you get a sweet Christmas card out of it.

What track was that at?? What took so long for track rescue to get to you…
Willow Springs Int'l Raceway, the oldest continually used track in the country.

Interesting you talk about how long it took. I was talking to somebody who was mentioning a fellow racer who lost their ZL1 1LE to a fire, and they are looking at legal action related to how long it took for them to respond. Unfortunately with all the forms and indemnification you sign to get to the track, I don't think they'll have much of a leg to stand on. How would one quantify how long is too long? What is the average? It's not like these guys have the data of all their stops and whatnot with a 99.99999% uptime. If you think about our race cars doing a lap in 1:30, what would you expect a pickup truck loaded with fire extinguishers to do? 2:30? They're not going to come the second you go 4 off, so there's some lag time where they're figuring out whether or not you need the help, and they can't watch every single car on the track, and at some tracks, they don't even have visibility to the whole track either. Hell, if you watch my video again, it's as if he almost came over to yell at me for getting out of the car.

No malice intended, just further justification the need to take matters into your own hands whenever possible, even if they get there in just one minute, that's still a full minute you're burning some really hot race gas on all your plastic and electronics.
 

ChrisM

Mostly harmless.
1,180
1,419
Exp. Type
HPDE
Exp. Level
3-5 Years
South Carolina
I've been told that if you aren't willing to set it on fire and push it off a cliff yourself, then you probably shouldn't take it to the track (not meant to be a dig at you @PaddyPrix ).

Obviously an exaggeration; I wouldn't do it to my car, but I understand the sentiment. Sounds like something the ZL1 driver should have considered. If I had to venture a guess, I'd say the first priority for those response crews is preservation of life. If the car is on fire and the driver is not in danger, the sense of urgency goes down a little bit rather than drive a little more hastily and risk an accident themselves.
 
1,040
1,088
Monaca Pa
Awesome, that's what I needed. Been seeing his name bounced around, but didn't know the people saying so. Here's hoping you get a sweet Christmas card out of it.


Willow Springs Int'l Raceway, the oldest continually used track in the country.

Interesting you talk about how long it took. I was talking to somebody who was mentioning a fellow racer who lost their ZL1 1LE to a fire, and they are looking at legal action related to how long it took for them to respond. Unfortunately with all the forms and indemnification you sign to get to the track, I don't think they'll have much of a leg to stand on. How would one quantify how long is too long? What is the average? It's not like these guys have the data of all their stops and whatnot with a 99.99999% uptime. If you think about our race cars doing a lap in 1:30, what would you expect a pickup truck loaded with fire extinguishers to do? 2:30? They're not going to come the second you go 4 off, so there's some lag time where they're figuring out whether or not you need the help, and they can't watch every single car on the track, and at some tracks, they don't even have visibility to the whole track either. Hell, if you watch my video again, it's as if he almost came over to yell at me for getting out of the car.

No malice intended, just further justification the need to take matters into your own hands whenever possible, even if they get there in just one minute, that's still a full minute you're burning some really hot race gas on all your plastic and electronics.
When I lived in Lancaster Ca 36 years ago I used to go there an watch races. My local track Pittsburgh International Race Complex has pretty quick response to track incidents. Like you I keep a fire extinguisher close by just for what happened to you. I would never try to sue the track. Good to see you got out and extinguished your fire.
 

PaddyPrix

If breakin' parts is cool, consider me Miles Davis
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Geesh, I can't believe it's been this long since I've posted here. Some of you follow me on some other places, so none of this will be new. I took some time off after the last bit to figure out really what I wanted, and more importantly, why I wanted. As I'm sure some of you have noticed, winning isn't everything, and even if you do win, it's not like people come out of the woodwork and magically pay the bills... at least not for a car named the Albuquerque Stripper. I think the motivating factor was my dad's birthday coming up, and he was one of "those don't start it if you're not going to finish it" types, and if I was the one who got me into this mess, I'm going to be the one to bring myself out of it. So went on down and pretty much took over my local parts department for a few hours, and for those of you who harp on them for not knowing shiznit, please take a look at the antiquated system they're using, it's f***ing terrible. However, it's nowhere near as terrible as the worthless customer facing public Ford part sites which use your choice of poor layouts and stock pictures, wrong pictures, or no pictures. To make matters more complicated, the part numbers that weren't burned off were generally engineering numbers which weren't always a simple direct translation across.

So, what did we learn?

Your parts person may or may not be an idiot. I've been sold a fuel filter for a vehicle that hasn't had one for a decade, only because the computer told him so. There were so many times where it suggested the wrong part, and when you think about it, our Mustang has an awful lot of crazy combinations. From 2018 onwards, we have 6 trims (Ecoboost, GT, GT350, GT500, Bullitt, Mach1) which share 4 motors and 4 transmissions. We further complicated matters by putting some of the GT350 parts into the Mach 1 and to a lesser extent to the Bullitt, which only further confuse people who don't know or care about the Mustang. When you give them the last 8 of your VIN, if it doesn't get them to the exact matching part, there's still some guesswork as the picture which has a part in magenta and another hot pink doesn't zoom in too far to help figure out what is what. Oh yeah, no returns on electrical or fuel parts.

PXL_20211029_005134507.jpg

The main engine harness is 35 pounds. I weighed it. I have some crazy anorexia car weight fetish going on, and wonder if it'd be worth the time to unwire, pull, and remove things I know I won't be running from the harnesses, which more often than not were at the far end of the strands, like the 5-6 wire windshield wiper motor. I doubt an extra pound will do anything though, maybe I could just drive more gooder.

I can now curse in 6 languages, (ty pieprzony kupo gowna!)

The battery harness for the s550 is separate from the main engine harness, and is responsible for connecting the battery to the fuse box, and powering the EPAS, o2 sensors, transmission speed sensor, and engine temp sensors, perhaps trans cooling pump if I had an auto.

PXL_20211030_204823207.jpg

The end of the main harness that go into the passenger cabin are extremely difficult when you've got the big fat pipes to your 8 point cage in the way. Absolutely no room to temporarily relocate and move the whole panel out of the way just for a connector. Very frustrating and cost me a bunch of time.

The end of the main harness that goes to the driver is slightly easier, but when you're 6'2 and f***ing handsome, having the cage and tight space under the steering wheel area give you very little room to move your big f***ing lady pleasers around those tight confines. Very fortunate that the power cables there were just straight plugs in, as compared to an ol' RJ-21 cable that the Foxbody probably has. Trying to fish those cables underneath, under, and around the brake cables might come back to bite me, I'll probably figure that out on the 2nd lap, but I've lost brakes on the car a few times now to the point where I'm confident I can drift myself to safety.

PXL_20211101_184955978.jpg

The engine harness isn't too bad, but I should have assumed more was destroyed so I didn't have to go back a few times to get additional parts which stopped me and killed forward momentum while I wait for more.

PXL_20211102_004151667.jpg

On removal of the intake, I let some of the fire retardant flakes into the intake ports, but truth be told, there was plenty of it on top. I'm not yet good enough to take heads off, but concerned that the fire retardant flakes either sit on the valves and shift the weight even the tiniest amount, or make their way into the combustion chamber and either on the cylinder wall or piston itself, figured out a way to remove it. The shop vac is just too fat (giggity) and while my household attachment is plenty long (giggity giggity), the problem is that it's hitting the valve stem and not doing a great job with applying the suction. Solution - handful of straws jammed into it, which mean you can dance your way around the stem, get right at it, and if you really wanted to, scrape things up since the plastic should be flexible enough to bend and conform. I was impressed on how well it worked.


All in all, it was actually a great learning experience that I won't forget the good and the bad of. I cleaned up the car along the way and while I'm happy and impressed with that it's clean, it's Southern California, and all of our tracks are in the desert, it'll sadly be on its way soon enough.

PXL_20211102_021305001.jpg

Next up is to put the motor back in, toss in the radiator, and of course the intake. I do have the CobraJet ready, but don't yet have an intake for it as the opening is that much larger, and don't have a tune for it, which has me leaning towards a stock 18 manifold which is a known quantity since I had been racing one all season long, but also it's one that I'm tuned for, and since I've been racing on a more or less stock motor and nestling up to the class limit by all the weight modifications. I'm not sure how good the motor is after all this, but I'd wager a bet that it'd be smart with leaving the power level where it is for a little bit.

The best part about this big hunk of wires is that there has got to be a few bucks of copper in here.

PXL_20211102_022450322.jpg
 
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PaddyPrix

If breakin' parts is cool, consider me Miles Davis
725
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Exp. Type
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San Diego
Other places? :toobad: Blasphemy. Make sure we get the good stuff here first! :)
Well, maybe had a certain administrative official signed the exclusivity agreement and revenue sharing of 'great grandparent taxidermy' and 'horseradish recipes' we wouldn't be having this discussion. It's not every day you can work out a deal with the NASA SoCal TT2 Champion.
 

Ludachris

Chris
Staff member
Moderator
1,658
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5-10 Years
Newcastle, CA
Well, maybe had a certain administrative official signed the exclusivity agreement and revenue sharing of 'great grandparent taxidermy' and 'horseradish recipes' we wouldn't be having this discussion. It's not every day you can work out a deal with the NASA SoCal TT2 Champion.
😆

Wait, where are you getting revenue sharing for your recipes?!?! I need to start posting my horseradish recipes too!
 

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