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This part of the build was stuck in my head way too long, so it feels great to finally get it knocked out. I made a mountain out of a mole hill getting the drive-by-cable done.
My TSR Mustang race pedal was already mounted up, but adapting it to work with the Motion Raceworks throttle cable meant drilling out the pedal's eyelet just enough to press-fit the aluminum cable insert. The insert locks down with a nut and a couple of Allen set screws, making the whole thing super solid with zero slop. Honestly, it's crisp and feels way nicer than I expected. Pedal height and pressure are absolutely perfect—not even remotely a downgrade. The Motion Raceworks cable passes cleanly through the firewall, routing right into the Icon manual throttle body mounted to the Shearer Fab ultra-low-profile intake. Everything just worked—no fighting, no forcing. That alone felt like a massive win. Lastly, I wanted to securely mount the Motion Raceworks overflow tank next to the swirl pot. Without a 3D printer handy, I grabbed some scrap plastic, epoxied it together, and shaped it into a simple cradle insert. A buddy of mine is working on a custom leather strap that'll cinch it all together without resorting to zip ties. I'll 3D print this later. I really want to get the radiator lines done before doing the cold side. The fittings have been on backorder. https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...FI0?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...tFY?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...5eQ?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...hd8?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...qg?height=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...w8?height=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...W4?height=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...otU?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...9M?height=1024 |
I received the subframe brackets back from powder coating and they look amazing. With that back, I was able to finish the underside of the car by getting the brackets installed with the GKTech W brace.
Ran into a bit of a snag with the air-to-water cooling system — the original pump started leaking, so I grabbed two more off eBay thinking I’d have backups ready to go. Turns out all three pumps leaked from the exact same spot once plumbed in. Looks like a manufacturing defect in the sealing area. I went full caveman with the RTV on one of them and gave it a full 24-hour cure. That one seems okay (for now), but I did try sealing another with only an hour of dry time — and sure enough, it started leaking too. I put together a quick IG reel of the water flow if anyone wants to see the setup in action. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIov1...RlODBiNWFlZA== On a better note, I got the carbon seat mounted in the driver’s side. Thought I lost the original hardware, so I picked up some clean new bolts… only to find the OEM ones the next day. Still a win — the fresh bolts pop against the black rails. The brackets were custom fabbed by the previous owner’s shop and I cleaned them up with a quick respray. Hit the seatbelt buckle with air, WD40, lithium grease, and polished the plastic with Plasticx. It honestly looks brand new now. Getting the OEM seatbelt working was a big deal for me. Despite what the car looks like, it really is a drag and drive STREET car. I will get a harness hooked up later (and retain the lap belt). At this point, the car is nearly ready to head to Auto Dynamix for final wiring, exhaust and intake fabrication, and dialing in the body panel fitment. I just need to get on their schedule. Until then, I’ll keep knocking out the small stuff while I can. I'm very happy with how everything is coming together. It's technically a new car... sucks that I have a salvage title now. https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...EQQ?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...reg?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...Jfs?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...AE?height=1024 I added a thin coat on the flat spot too. https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...-NE?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...deg?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...zyc?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...uOM?width=1024 NOTE - I used a big backing washer and a locking nut. https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...J_E?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...V7g?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...FQM?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...3A?height=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...O8?height=1024 |
Picked up a new miter box and got to work finishing the cold side piping. I must have actually learned something over the years, because I knocked it out without a single miscut — which still feels a little wild, honestly.
My goal from the start was to avoid pie cuts, based on some past lessons learned. I pushed both pipes out as far as possible to the sides to mirror each other. Packaging constraints were dictated mostly by the alternator location and the swirl pot. Ideally, I would’ve loved to tuck the pipes tighter to the frame, but moving the alternator or swirl pot wasn’t an option (hard no). Each joint is cut to sit perfectly flush so the welds won’t pull the tubing around — another lesson learned the hard way from past projects. It might look simple in pictures, but it doesn’t take much to mess up angles once you start stacking cuts. The end result? Basically a giant chrome handlebar mustache. Both pipes were dropped off to get welded at Auto Dynamix in Kalamazoo, MI (local performance shop) https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...-fs?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...0o?height=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...qQ?height=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...v8?height=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...RdI?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...BE?height=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...cn4?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...So?height=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...uw8?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...IY?height=1024 |
Been slammed with work lately, but I’ve managed to knock out a few things — with some much appreciated help from friends.
Keeping this post simple: -- The cold side is now fully welded. -- Fenders, bumper, and headlights are fitted. -- The boost tubes fit perfectly with the turbo placement. -- Rear Z1 bash bar w/ jack point swapped out OE crash bar. The passenger-side turbo is clocked a little differently than the driver’s side. I’m not thrilled about it… but I’m also not about to re-fab the up-pipe just to chase perfect symmetry. A cookie will be awarded to anyone bold enough to scoff at the imbalance. The car is now rocking a fresh NISMO plate and is fully insured. Power steering lines have been crimped, but I’m still waiting on one suction line from the remote reservoir to wrap that up. The to-do list is getting short. I’ll keep buttoning up what I can over the next couple weeks. Next major move: getting the car to Auto Dynamix. I'd like to have it out and about by June… but at this point, I’m not holding my breath. EDIT - Had to order new OEM calipers because the old OEMs were seeping a little. I want a bit more confidence scrubbing speeds doing 165mph in the 1/4mi. https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...YVA?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...KME?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...4xI?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...fk?height=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...9ns?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...kgc?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...9kw?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...nqM?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...kX0?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...JW4?width=1024 |
Buttoned up a few more crimped lines: return lines leading to fuel pressure return (needed to be PTFE), power steering lines, and turbo return line from collector.
Turbo couplers are on, they give a lot of flexibility paired with the Motion Raceworks wiggins clamps. This pig is ready to take to Auto Dynamix for a few final touches. I'm on the waiting list and will likely be a few weeks. I'll try doing various small things leading up to that, but nothing significant (although it all matters). Probably not going to see any updates until it's running. Pretty wild to think it's about that time! I can't believe I've done this process twice. Don't expect any hero numbers coming off the dyno. At this point I'm more concerned with enjoying the car with some drivability. Any questions- feel free to throw them out there. https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...R8w?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...Ig?height=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...HAY?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...dY?height=1024 |
Joining the glad it is running crew soon I see. Enjoy the car. You can turn it up any time at a later date.
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Took care of a few small things since the last post: Mounted the battery, re-mounted my driver's side turbos because a few bolts were not in, grounded and ran some wiring, added some fluids, fixed leaks, nut and bolt checks. ... The small stuff would have been a larger afternoon of fixes at Auto Dynamix if I didn't do them. Not what I wanted the shop to take care of while it was in, so I took care of the odds and ends.
That being said.... I took the car in for final wiring, exhaust fab, CO2 hook-up, and dyno tuning. Am I out of the mix? No way. I took the week off to help finish! I don't 100% say it will get done when I plan anymore, but I'll sure give it hell. Tow truck company sent their veteran (much appreciated). https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...5yw?width=1024 That's a fat azz....I really like how the car looks! https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...VQ0?width=1024 Finally got a nice roller picture. https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...SBQ?width=1024 |
Need some gaskets on those turbos. RTV won't cut it.
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I took some time off work to push this thing forward — right in the middle of a humid heat wave, in a shop with no AC. I was soaked through by noon and wrenching from 8am to 10pm on a few of those days. Didn’t have much time to post pics until now.
Wiring is complete! We chased a few gremlins during the process — loose AN fittings, a failed hose on the power steering line, and some minor plumbing cleanup. Nothing major, just typical new-build cleanup before real issues show up. Shoutout to Dave for welding up the BOVs. I’ll admit it… I butchered the clamp-side of the aluminum pretty badly. His comment: Dave: “A truck could be driven through the area of aluminum filler rod I had to use.” Me: "Tough sh*t, Dave. I believed in you." :roflpuke2: First start didn’t go great. Turns out I didn’t have a pushrod properly seated in the lifter — that’s on me for not double-checking. On top of that, the injectors aren’t flowing properly. They’re 220lb injectors (plenty for 500whp), but fuel delivery is inconsistent. I cleaned them once, but I don’t trust them. Plan is to run the car on low boost until I can get them professionally cleaned or replaced. The car is ready for a dyno run, but another car had some issues and pushed back the schedule. Totally fine. I’m right at the tail end of this thing, and at this point I’ve got the patience to ride it out a few more days. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/dYzZyz6q1es Snapped some pictures in-between the chaos — I think they tell the story better than I can. https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...RBE?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...Z6o?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...5Q0?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...ysg?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...aW0?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...q50?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...1g8?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...rYo?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...H90?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...a98?width=1024 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...DMg?width=1024 |
Updates in video format:
Car up and running at the shop https://youtube.com/shorts/dYzZyz6q1es?feature=share Low power dyno action: https://youtube.com/shorts/SYePP0HarQc?feature=share ECU and Mystery brake fluid leak. https://youtube.com/shorts/NAhrJH2vYas?feature=share So… the car is running — but it’s definitely carrying a little baggage. Not mad about it at all. Wish I had dyno numbers to share, but the dyno itself started acting up. It was reading fine until around 400whp, then things went bonkers. Based on how the car felt, I’d say it made around 600whp on 10psi at 7,500rpm — conservatively. After getting it home, I took it out to fill up with E85. That’s when I noticed the car completely shuts down under power, almost like the ECU dies. Light throttle is fine and I didn’t feel unsafe, but definitely not right. On that same drive, the digital display stopped working entirely (got a short video of that too). I think the shop has a spare MS3 ECU I can try. Long-term, I’d like to move to FuelTech or Haltech and rewire the car entirely. (not the parts that have already been wired) One more thing — I still need to cap the trunk where the Winters Quick Change peeks through. I can deal with noise, vibrations, and rattles… but the sound of straight-cut gears is next level. Think 100 banshees screaming in your ear. It’s that loud. I ended up wearing noise-canceling headphones just to go get gas, and honestly, that made it tolerable. Last photo is from when I stopped for a Mexican salad. Within 10 minutes, three different people came over to check out the car. Kinda wild. https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...&height=999999 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...99&height=1024 |
Nut and bolt checks are frequent... because I know the guy that put most of this together:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMl6L...JqZG5yeHg4cw== Took the car back to the shop and swapped the MS3 EVO for a brand-new MS3 Ultimate edition ECU. The EVO has less I/O, but more importantly, the injector drivers kept crashing. It passed bench testing, but my theory is the board would heat up and fail because of bad capacitors… probably a side effect of the ECU being underwater for two hours a while back. Video of the car leaving me stranded after the fuel line blew out... I thought it was exclusively the ECU at the time https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMn4y...J0NDZtdWpkZw== After that, Nick at Auto Dynamix and I ran through some tests and noticed we weren’t getting fuel line pressure. Nick didn’t hear the “pressurizing” sound inside the tank, and the ECU showed zero pressure. The sound was the giveaway. I peeled the tank open and, sure enough, one of the sending lines had ruptured. Replaced it with a Holley fuel sending line, buttoned it back up, and the car came to life — snappy and responsive… for about 90 seconds. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNCm_...NiOW0yczQ2dw== Then it died again. Same symptoms. Fuel pressure dropped off, tank went silent. I pulled the pump again and found the other sending line blown out. I had inspected it earlier, but it still failed. Didn’t have the right e85 compatible line on hand, so I used a temporary hose just to get the system running. End of this video has Steve and Kyle Morris looking over the "Better Half Camaro"... I fired my car off while they were all trying to get their car fired. Noice. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNEso...NiNDkyN3pmazMy And that was the moment. After years of building, tearing down, and rebuilding. The TT swap is operational. Not “done,” but alive. My buddy caught the exact moment it hit me on video, and the photos really captured the vibe. Surreal doesn’t even begin to cover it. I hope that someone finds this build thread and it helps them.... Maybe even entertaining? None the less, I wanted to stay committed to posting the nitty gritty of an extended complex build with all the setbacks. It's not all rainbows and sunshine, but it's sure nice when it works out sometimes. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNE4f...p3Y3dya3c4Yg== I sweat through the shirt because the dyno room is like a green house. It's soooooo hot! https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...&height=999999 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...&height=999999 https://1drv.ms/i/c/942f5c6807cc6a62...&height=999999 |
I absolutely applaud you on your effort and I'm super happy I can follow this build here on the forum. Thank you very much and please keep updating us.
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