Weather is getting better out but today was overcast all day, so I figured I'd better get busy on the car work before it gets too nice out! Still waiting on the Quadspark to come so I decided to work on some ancillary projects to prepare for when it does.
Because I have the CZT manifold and it's throttle cable mount was broken when I received it, I have a home made mount that I cobbled together years ago. I noticed a while back that the throttle felt pretty loose, and realized the cable wasn't fully taut with the butterfly in the closed position. I adjusted the mount to fix the slack issue, but in doing so I realized that the butterfly was fully open a good half inch before the throttle pedal hit it's stop. As my first project this morning I set about fixing this.
Took 2 huge washers I had in a bin, made a couple cuts, and drilled a couple holes.
Installed. The throttle fully opens about 1/16th of an inch before the pedal hits the stop, but I figure it's close enough... would rather have 1/16th too much travel than 1/16th too little travel.
When I had gone in to adjust the throttle cable mount, I remembered just how ugly it was. All in all the design really isn't terrible, it's just so poorly constructed. So the next project was to cut and weld it into something with the exact same functionality, but just a bit prettier/sturdier. Started off with this.
Drew up some basic plans for what I wanted it to look like
got to cutting
and welding
And how she looks installed. Better than before, still not great, but at least it wont fall apart. This is all just rough draft stuff, mind you.
Decided to cut down the upper radiator brackets as well
I very much want to de-power my steering rack and remove all the accessories, but I also don't want to attempt to remove the rack with the engine in. So in the short terms I decided I'd at least remove the cooling loop.
Before
Bypassed the loop all together and ran it right back up
All gone
I realized the other day, when attempting to actually start the car, that I no longer have any sort of valve cover ventilation system. I purchased a mazdaspeed catch can a number of years ago and realized I'm finally at a point that I actually need to install it.
Can in all it's glory
These were cut to attach to the can and the mounting location in the engine bay
Measured out and tacked an intermediary piece. tacking is difficult in such tight spots!
Welded her up
Installed
Still need to run the lines from the valve cover vents to the catch can (obviously), refill the coolant, change the oil, figure out why the start button for my alarm doesn't work (or just use a different start button), figure out the brake wiring, and install the Quadspark when it gets here.
Because I have the CZT manifold and it's throttle cable mount was broken when I received it, I have a home made mount that I cobbled together years ago. I noticed a while back that the throttle felt pretty loose, and realized the cable wasn't fully taut with the butterfly in the closed position. I adjusted the mount to fix the slack issue, but in doing so I realized that the butterfly was fully open a good half inch before the throttle pedal hit it's stop. As my first project this morning I set about fixing this.
Took 2 huge washers I had in a bin, made a couple cuts, and drilled a couple holes.
Installed. The throttle fully opens about 1/16th of an inch before the pedal hits the stop, but I figure it's close enough... would rather have 1/16th too much travel than 1/16th too little travel.
When I had gone in to adjust the throttle cable mount, I remembered just how ugly it was. All in all the design really isn't terrible, it's just so poorly constructed. So the next project was to cut and weld it into something with the exact same functionality, but just a bit prettier/sturdier. Started off with this.
Drew up some basic plans for what I wanted it to look like
got to cutting
and welding
And how she looks installed. Better than before, still not great, but at least it wont fall apart. This is all just rough draft stuff, mind you.
Decided to cut down the upper radiator brackets as well
I very much want to de-power my steering rack and remove all the accessories, but I also don't want to attempt to remove the rack with the engine in. So in the short terms I decided I'd at least remove the cooling loop.
Before
Bypassed the loop all together and ran it right back up
All gone
I realized the other day, when attempting to actually start the car, that I no longer have any sort of valve cover ventilation system. I purchased a mazdaspeed catch can a number of years ago and realized I'm finally at a point that I actually need to install it.
Can in all it's glory
These were cut to attach to the can and the mounting location in the engine bay
Measured out and tacked an intermediary piece. tacking is difficult in such tight spots!
Welded her up
Installed
Still need to run the lines from the valve cover vents to the catch can (obviously), refill the coolant, change the oil, figure out why the start button for my alarm doesn't work (or just use a different start button), figure out the brake wiring, and install the Quadspark when it gets here.
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