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

[wheming]

I drove her around the subdivisuon yesterday after installing a final clamp on the exhaust, and I can say this with certainty.... she'll at least be as fast as she was with only 3 cylinders!
I didn't want to drive too fast in the subdivision, but she felt really nice at even only 5psi. And she sounds different.
I am anxious now for tomorrow to get her inspected and registered.

And in other news, my Spirit must have been jealous of all the attention given Slug, so she decided to puke out all the power steering fluid. Now I need to see what broke on her...

[turbovanman²]

Awesome,

[wheming]

Awesome,

Which part?
The part that the power steering crapped out on my Spirit??

It was nice to drive her around yesterday. I think today I'll just drive her around a bit and see how everything is. I also wanted to see if I could get the wideband installed.

[wheming]

Slugmobile:
Got a wideband installed. Innovate MTX. Mounted it on the column, as I couldn't really find a place I liked. All in all not too bad of an install. The hardest part was cutting a hole in the floor big enough to pass the sensor through. (I didn't want that connector outside in the elements.)

[wheming]

Slugmobile Simon & Shayne stainless log header update:
Ok, been driving it a few days now, and the entire car sounds different.
I'm using the header with an Ed Peters Super 70 that has a clipped turbine. It would take a bit to spool when it was on MeanMini. But on Slug with the header and an ATP ultimate 3" swingvalve and a custom downpipe made by Pat Culkin, it spools up much quicker! The turbo whistle is much more pronounced now also. I'll try to get some video during a drive, but I may need to wait for an extra set of hands.
I'm still breaking in the motor, so no high boost runs yet. But it seems quicker even on lowest boost which is about 7-8 psi.

[1BADVAN]

Did you change the turbo intake? Meaning the air filter to turbo? Different filter or piping?

[wheming]

Nope. Same crusty filter and same household dryer flexpiping.


She's got a better feel leaving a light. She's never barked launching at 7psi before. When she went over the white line she barked and surprised me. She doesn't normally do that on dry pavement. I can't wait to see how 15 or 20 psi feel. But I need to find the source of an imbalance feel at high speed. Checked my lug torque and it helped but I need to get my wheels rebalanced to see if that fixes.

[turbovanman²]

Woo hoo, thanks for the update.

[GLHNSLHT2]

Not to take away from simon but that ATP SV does a huge amount for turbo efficiency vs the stock style SV. Friend is running one on his mostly stock 2.5 with a T2 garrett. Even after porting the WG hole boost is still 14psi minimum.

[wheming]

Just to make sure it wasn't a fluke, left some stoplights heavy again today. I always stop short of the line about 6-10 ft. When Slug's tires hit the line they're barking on minimal boost. That's like 7-8 psi or so.
The entire exhaust is smoother flowing now. I know the swing valve and Pat's downpipe helps significantly, but the real gains to be had are in conjunction with the header as well. I kind of wish Slug had a ported head now... oh well...I'll just have to "boost port" her!

[Pat]

Glad to hear she's working out! When I went to the ATP swing valve and nice downpipe years back, I saw outstanding gains. I'm sure coupled with the header, you're doing even better. Wait till you get the boost up and can really wind it out.

[cordes]

Glad to hear she's working out! When I went to the ATP swing valve and nice downpipe years back, I saw outstanding gains. I'm sure coupled with the header, you're doing even better. Wait till you get the boost up and can really wind it out.

That's when it gets really fun. 12-14PSI can be pretty amazing in a properly modified car compared to the same boost level in a stock car. Night and day really.

[wheming]

Gave her a little shot of boost today.
Only like 10 or so psi, but that was enough to not bark but roast the tires on leaving a stoplight.
This is going to be fun...

And then, when I was over my buddy's house working on Mini I told him how good Slug was running so he wanted a ride (we have a race bet between Mean Mini and his modified 86 911 cabriolet...) well, luckily we didnt go far, because the nut, washer, and bushing and sleave for the alternator fell out while driving! Belt started squealing like Ned Beatty in Deliverance! Luckily again I was actually able to find the sleave and bushing but gone was the nut and washer. And the last bit of luck was my buddy actually had some metric nuts of the correct thread. I double-nutted to lock them.
After I fixed I asked my buddy if he wanted that ride, and he declined...
So he only got a taste of the absolute minimal boost, which is about 6-7 psi with an inital spike to 8-9.

[Reaper1]

I've had that issue with the nut and washer coming off. I ended up getting some Poly Bushings alternator bushings and using a nylon lock nut on it. Solved the problem. Now I need to modify the tensioner bracket because the bushing in that is completely shot!

[wheming]

I had that on and off so much that nut was no longer a lock nut.
And I do have polybushings. Good stuff!
I found a brand new Mopar alt tensioner thingy I had ordered a few years ago. If my rbryant piece doesn't come in before I am ready for it I'll have to use it.

[turboboostman2]

so cool to see the slug running again!!! keep up the good work!!!!

[wheming]

MeanMini update:
I've got the shortblock coupled to the trans and mounted. Installed the passenger side polybushings engine mount. Got the starter installed.
Still have to bolt up the torque converter, but I was thrilled to get done what I did. I did forget to have my new timing belt with me, so I will have to lift that mount again.



I have to install the new lifters, followers, and cam, and install that #4 cooling mod kit. That way the head will be ready for when the last of the parts come in.

Hopefully the rest goes smoothly...and quickly!

[Reaper1]

SWEET!

Question: what is that black cannister on the passenger side up near the radiator support? It looks like a cruise control servo, but I thought those were on the driver's side?

[wheming]

Correct!
But it is an aftermarket cruise. (Audiovox unit) Mini was a stripped down model. She did have A/C from the factory though.

[Reaper1]

Ah!!! I have a friend that added an Audiovox Cruise system to his motorcycle. It's pretty cool.