Intro and Update: Slugmobile and Mean Mini! (long read, but worth it)

[wheming]

uhh changing it much from the way Gus had it is kind of defeating the point of having it right?

That directed to Simon or me?
Only thing i've really done so far is maintenance and restoration stuff.
And the aluminum intercooler plumbing we both wanted to do for years. Although he was happy with the steel pipes and triple hose clamps since they were already there and worked. I suspect he would have eventually done this, once the hoses needed replacing.



my android sent this for me using Tapatalk...

[GLHNSLHT2]

towards simon mostly. Though I think the cars should be kept as much as Gus had them as possible. They're a piece of TD/TM history.

[wheming]

But did he ever call it "done" or did it exist in a state of continuous development?

His cars were changed around more than my Spirit.
He was always trying something different. Look how cut up his grille got over the years as an example.
Since Mini has and underdrive pulley I am trying to lower the electrical load. Going to try some lower current lighting. And that'll help visibility too.



my android sent this for me using Tapatalk...

[turbovanman²]

His cars were changed around more than my Spirit.
He was always trying something different. Look how cut up his grille got over the years as an example.
Since Mini has and underdrive pulley I am trying to lower the electrical load. Going to try some lower current lighting. And that'll help visibility too.



my android sent this for me using Tapatalk...

I love the HID's, but you need to tape off the top inch otherwise you blind people. I really need to make some proper headlights.

---------- Post added at 09:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:56 AM ----------

towards simon mostly. Though I think the cars should be kept as much as Gus had them as possible. They're a piece of TD/TM history.

True, but you can still change a few things.

---------- Post added at 09:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:57 AM ----------

Those wheels were given to him and are 15x7. I think they are lighted that stock aluminum dodge wheels. Thats the only reason why he was using them. They were on Slug at one time.
I would like a lighter weight wheel but still maintain the sleeperness.

I have a bumper cover and reinforcement. But its just too much heavier than the stock aluminum bumper.



my android sent this for me using Tapatalk...

Gotcha.

I have them too, I am going to take out the factory heavy metal bars and fab something up our of aluminum.

[wheming]

I was eyeballing if the factory aluminum bumper could stay and put the cover over it. You would just need to add some tabs for the bumper cover to bolt to.
And if you are not too concerned about accidents, you could remove a bit of material from the bumper and cover.

I'm not making any big changes, or at least in my opinion. They will still use his fuel and boost setups. And although i am re-installing A/c in Mini due to the hot and humid summers here, Slug hasn't had a/c put back in her and she's been here 9 years. But i plan to use Mini much more.

Since Mini has the underdrive pulley, she runs negative at idle with some accessories or lights on. I think she may not be so bad with hids and led replacement bulbs. That'll be my first experiment when i get her back. And replacing the broken cruise control.

I think anyone at SDAC will still be able to recognize her as Gus' Mean Mini.


my android sent this for me using Tapatalk...

[GLHNSLHT2]

I love the HID's, but you need to tape off the top inch otherwise you blind people. I really need to make some proper headlights.[COLOR="Silver"]

Simon the light that blinds people comes from the bottom of the lense.

Since Mini has the underdrive pulley, she runs negative at idle with some accessories or lights on. I think she may not be so bad with hids and led replacement bulbs. That'll be my first experiment when i get her back. And replacing the broken cruise control.

Maybe an upgraded alternator would be easier? Does it have the ND alt on it? 120amps are easy to find.

[wheming]

Maybe an upgraded alternator would be easier? Does it have the ND alt on it? 120amps are easy to find.

Already have the ND alt. And it can supply everything just fine when driving. But at idle (and worse in gear) the belt isn't rotating the alt enough to provide all required current.
So i want to reduce my lighting load anyway, but i'm left with either changing alt pulley to a larger one or get my idle speed changed in the smec.
If the reduced lighting amps don't give me what i'm looking for.





my android sent this for me using Tapatalk...

[Reaper1]

I have the same issue in my Daytona. It's REALLY bad if I have the blower motor on. I actually killed a battery sitting in a traffic jam once because of it.

[turbovanman²]

I turned up my idle and use a voltage stabilizer, works great, but will still pull down a bit with everything on, so not a big deal,

[RoadWarrior222]

Is/was this AC equipped? just thinking, some had high idle sensed off the AC switch, you could tap into that to trigger it from other high loads. Then when you don't have those loads on, then it needn't idle so fast.

[Reeves]

But at idle (and worse in gear) the belt isn't rotating the alt enough to provide all required current.
So i want to reduce my lighting load anyway, but i'm left with either changing alt pulley to a larger one

You'd actually need a smaller one.....which is what I did.

[GLHNSLHT2]

you've got a 120amp ND and it's still discharging at idle? I've got a 120 or 130amp chrysler or Bosch (one with the black plastic cover) on my GLH from a Dakota. I can have the high beams on, all 4 Hella 550 driving lights powered, the defrost on high and the doors open at idle and the volt gauge barely budges.

[Reeves]

you've got a 120amp ND and it's still discharging at idle? I've got a 120 or 130amp chrysler or Bosch (one with the black plastic cover) on my GLH from a Dakota. I can have the high beams on, all 4 Hella 550 driving lights powered, the defrost on high and the doors open at idle and the volt gauge barely budges.

With an underdrive pulley?

[wheming]

You'd actually need a smaller one.....which is what I did.

You're right. Smaller for more rpms. Glad i didn't buy one yet...



my android sent this for me using Tapatalk...

[contraption22]

Underdrive pulleys are a huge PITA for the amount of power they may or may not give you.

[Reeves]

Underdrive pulleys are a huge PITA for the amount of power they may or may not give you.

True dat......but look way cooler than a big a$$ hunk of stock metal. LOL..

[Reaper1]

I'm game for a stock sized pulley made out of aluminum! *HINT HINT*

[wheming]

Underdrive pulleys are a huge PITA for the amount of power they may or may not give you.

Wow Mike, now I'm catchin crap for keeping a part that already was on Mini?! lol



my android sent this for me using Tapatalk...

[TurboMinivan]

Hi, Wayne! Dempsey Bowling checking in to express my approval of your restoration of Mean Mini. The new paint is beautiful! Please keep the updates coming as the project progresses.

-Dempsey

[contraption22]

Wow Mike, now I'm catchin crap for keeping a part that already was on Mini?! lol

Hahaha. Didn't mean to sound like I was giving you crap. Just letting you know that I've had negative experiences with underdrive pulleys. Might be fine for a more bare bones car, but I was never satisfied with how my Acclaim charged with headlights and the A/C or defogger on.

Personally, I feel that these are your vehicles now and you should be able to do whatever you like with them. Gus wouldn't have left them as they were forever. You shouldn't feel you have to either.