Filled up yesterday. 1891 miles, total of 77.5 gallons of fuel and a half quart of oil. Seats are comfy, to a point. For 12 hour stints there isn't enough padding on the bottom but the upper and lower bolsters make napping in the passenger seat quite easy as they actually hold you in place.
The silencers with steel wool packing did the trick (even if they do sound like poo outside). There is a lot more room inside than I initially thought. Should have plenty of room for One Lap. Small oil leak right onto the rear header. ITs stinky but not a huge problem yet.... will get fixed as the vents suck that straight into the cabin. But the AC worked great in the humid 85* days last week.
As far as competing, its about what I expected. Tires were terrible, but they were round and black and didn't blow up. Suspension is hosed because 215k miles. So to finish not DFL and respectably in the Gastropods was good in my book.
Now... Phase II begins. This phase doesn't care (so much) about the budget and is about making it reliable and durable for 4k miles, 8 tracks and keeping us sane. So with that said... onto the next phase.
Heres's the list of "to do" before May:
XG350 calipers, rotors, pads
braided brake hoses to replace the 17 year old 215k mile versions and fresh fluid (again)
Get the exhaust hangers tight so it doesn't keep coming loose and banging into things.
Replace the remaining wheel bearings. (both rear and the right front)
Brake ducting from the fog light housings.
Reinstall the coilovers and wheels/tires.
Those are must do's. This is the "Might do" list:
Possibly longer studs and different nuts that don't require a special socket.
Fix the rust on the left rear wheel well.
remove headliner and sunroof for extra clearance for helmeted tall persons.
repaint the rear bumper or something vinyl