Updating on where I am on the winter projects. Lets Start with the X 1/9. It has been sitting in its temporary home awaiting a new garage. We are converting our current garage to an “in-law suite” for Kendras disabled uncle. Once its completed and his house sells, the garage will be replaced with a more functional detached garage. Although there is a little room to work on it in the temp garage, it is freaking cold and no real room for the heater. the heater is kerosene so it kicks out humidity which I already have an issue with because of the tarp style roof (condensation is a bitch). I hope I dont have a ton of rust to clean up. I know I will have a little.
So the X. Where it sits right now is I had 2 issues. One is when it goes into vtec, it misses like crazy. Late fall I found there was a transistor that was broken. 2 of the legs werent even connected. I bought a new one and soldered it in. Insurance was already switched to storage so I really didnt think flying down the road to test vtec would be smart without insurance. Damn I am getting old, I actually cared about not wanting to get a ticket. the other issue I had was with idle coming off throttle. it hangs about 2200 RPM until I blip the throttle, then it settles. I went through a couple forums and all the suggestions didnt help (iacv, vacuum leak ect). Right now I am running on crome (yes, spelled without an “h”). a free software to tune the honda. Because of the transistor issue it got me thinking if something else could be wrong with the ECU. Well I guess it is time to get a new one. I figured as long as I am going that route, I might as well go with a different tuning setup. Crome isnt bad, but Neptune and Hondata have more to offer. After alot of research and deliberation, I chose Hondata. Why? the number 1 reason why is it hooks up to other industry digital dashboards if I choose to replace mine. Another, albeit minor, reason is it has more industry following. More shops will tune hondata than any other honda tuning hardware/software. Downside. it is more expensive as well as needing a module to connect to my RD-1 digital dash where the neptune was direct plug and play. yup another $$. I think it is a small price to make sure any issues are not ECU related as well as will last for future endeavors. Out of the box I wont see any real performance gains, but even in stock form, I should be able to tune another 10-15 HP from everything I have seen on Dyno vids. Now, if I decide to go with more displacement or turbo…. yeah there is a big boost in HP. Personally, my goal would be a modest 250 WHP. Along with this, hondata allows me to control the temp the cooling fan comes on. right now it is hardwired to a switch. Being mid engine, I had issues with the fan coming on way too hot. The thermoswitch is in the radiator, where the honda is in the engine. this will allow me to kick the fan on at engine temp 186. this is where I was hitting it manually. usually when I stopped at a light.
The Spider. This one also stalled with the lack of garage. I was hoping to get it to dales to work on (still might) but life got in the way and we have had fun doing other things like working on cars we NEED to work on. I still havent replaced the timing belt I need to do before I try to start the car. but it does spin by hand and has compression. I have the new belt and tension pulley ready to go. The rear panhard rod was dead. there are 2 types put on these cars. a straight one and one with a slight bend. the one on this car was the slight bend type so I bought a replacement. ISSUE. it needed the straight one. Still need to order it. The Steering idler also was broke and needs to be replaced. I did get a almost new top for it that I am waiting for spring to replace. hoping to do a video during a “garage day” with other Michiganders that have done this before. I havent bought the new seat upholstery yet as I am still thinking of what color. I am sure Kendra will have a say. it is originally black, but the top will now be tan so thinking I might want to switch paths and go tan. I know I am also in for a treat when it comes to rust. I already know I am going to have to fix a few spots on the bottom as well as one of the front frame rails needs a thick band aide.
On the Photography front. I got a new tripod. Figured my meijer special has done its time. In reality it was because I went to take a picture of the blood moon and the slight wind we had was too much and it wouldnt hold still. as I was looking at tripods, I started thinking about a gimble as I am getting more and more into wildlife. I found an inexpensive (Cheap) neewer brand. the reviews were pretty good with the exception of it is still as hell. sure enough, when I got it. it was crazy stiff. even with the lock bolt undone it would unscrew rather than spin. Quick google search and plenty of people fixed this issue by tearing it apart and re greasing it with wheel bearing lube. I went through the process and poof. smooth as silk. Great purchase. No big lens purchases this year. been pondering either a 70-200 or a 60-600. the 70-700 probably would be better as that fills a gap I am missing. I currently have 17-50 1.8, 85 1.4, 120-300 2.8. Sigma also makes 50-100 1.8 that might fit in nicely.
Well those are the projects for now. just a quick update before bed. I am also thinking of doing a video on where I am on the X as people have been asking for a video and more pics.