Project Worth The Wait

[blake]

This project has been in the works for years and has stalled repeatedly. It has been such that I've been reticent to even talk about it like it might actually ever finish.

In the years since its inception things have changed dramatically. It was to be the first Mk3 running a Motec (this was before the AEM was even a rumor), it was to be the second Mk3 running an SP63, and so on.

Well it's time it actually got finished. And I don't intend to "Just get it rolling" like I've been tempted to before. It's no longer going to be the first at much, but it's going to be worth the wait.

Looks like a blank slate to me =)



P.S. Those of you with really good memories might remember me as WilLyons from supraforums. My e-mail address on the sogi list was WilLyons as well.

[Supra469]

I agree!

That's a good starting point! Nice.

[blake]

Well I lied about the blank slate. A quick trip in the wayback machine:



You might remember SP selling these a while ago. I don't know if anyone actually bought one, but I do know who they made the first one for =)



All nice and shiny, even the CPS housing. And thanks to Arz I'll have a matching CPS cover soon.

Speaking of shiny things, here are some valves I got from PowerHouseRacing in TX (with springs, retainers). I've long since forgotten the details but they are 1mm Oversize.



Ah but time is a harsh mistress, and that which shines brightly...



Not a very good shot of the rest of it, but you can see the thermostat housing, CPS, and valve covers have lost their finish.

"But that's just a picture from SP's website!" you say? Well ya you're right it is. They've been using my engine as their mockup for 7M projects for years. If there was any doubt: That's also my HPF Bronze clutch disk that's been collecting dust on the valve covers forever.

For those wondering why this has sat so long, I'll keep the explanation brief: I get the blame for the first year or so of delay, SP gets the blame for all the following years.

[Mr. Sinister]

Good to see you're still around (with car).

For those wondering why this has sat so long, I'll keep the explanation brief: I get the blame for the first year or so of delay, SP gets the blame for all the following years.

What happened? I remember your car at SP at least 5 years ago.

[blake]

Good to see you're still around (with car).

What happened? I remember your car at SP at least 5 years ago.

Life Happened.

----

I wasn't going to say much more than that as I don't want to be seen to be assigning blame in a situation that's taken place over years and in which nobody really remembers all the details. I had to refer to spreadsheets even for this post.

But even after my 'keep it brief' comment, you asked for more and I suppose if I'm sharing about the project it's an inevitable question. But go ahead and skip the rest of the post if you like, I assure you it's not that interesting =)

The initial stall was due to, shall we say, 'funding prioritization' on my end (a situation I'm pleased to say is long since resolved).

But after that, I suppose to a certain extent the guys at SP just got used to having the car around, and I got used to not having it.

You'd really have to ask Larry/etc I guess. Maybe it always slips in priority because they're not confident I'll pay the next bill? Still, I've had a positive balance with them for almost 4 years now (I changed my mind on some parts but had already paid), and they're welcome to ask for a deposit (and haven't).

I've been a bit bipolar on the issue myself. It has crossed my mind to just send them 10k and say "if we don't use it all, I'll pick up a check for the remainder with the car". Or conversely to 'legally request they return my previous payments for non delivery'.

Both parties bear responsibility for stalling things, so I don't plan to dwell on the issue. There are no hard feelings, as far as I know. I'm happy so long as it gets done.

If for some inexplicable reason you want to know more, feel free to PM me.

[88mk88]

That such a clean bay and your motor looks sick! Did you paint the exterior of the car to match the engine bay?

[blake]

Exterior repaint is on the list after the car is running.

There were a few things that needed attention when it went in (a small dent in the targa, a chip out of the paint on the hood, discoloration in the front fascia and rear bumper, the upholstery of the driver's seat) but after sitting for so long there is inevitably going to be quite a bit more.

[funky_monkey58]

Hey man what part of Mn are you from?

[blake]

Living mostly in St Cloud right now, though I still crash at my Dad's place in Orono (west suburbs, Lake Minnetonka) quite a bit.

I've fallen out of touch with the local Supra guys (ever meet Glen K?). Nice to know there are still a few around.

Nice build thread, btw =)

[blake]

Picture Not My Car (people seem to get confused easily when skimming threads, so I thought I'd make it clear)

Picture is from this post in the Elite Engine Thread.

Everyone seems to have their own idea of how to do the PCV routing once the stock rats nest is ripped out. This is my current favorite. Though I'll have to do something slightly different as I'm retaining my ABS Block and Charcoal Canister.