The last 2 years I've shown up with the datsun. Completely unsorted, just off complete build in 2015 and ls swap in 2016. Both years were finished within a week of the challenge and "take it around block and throw in trailer" years with no sorting pre event. the car did well both years but has way more in it, and the ability to contend for overall win with the things i just did, a little removal of unnecessary parts to get back down to $2017, and some attention to detail and changing the look up some.
I'm building a hopefull $2017 car. It's insane, never been done before on multiple fronts, and heads may very well explode at the sight.
Herein lies the internal dilemma. I'm 3 months out from needing it done and ready to go. Everything is based on the assumption that the car, when power is put to it, is okay as it sits. At this point all trans fluid was under car when I moved it. Body and interior are completely incomplete. Cage doesn't exist. Need to plumb brakes, fuel, trans lines. Much welding to be done, zero cooling system, zero exhaust. Then there is the tuning. Will be tuning a computer for a very different engine for the base vehicle with many firsts for me. I generaly have used hptuners to change minor things, never a full custom "here read the wideband numbers and make changes to fuel tables" tune.
I'm thinking this is now a $2018 car, which is hard because i was hoping otherwise but it really is crazy to start in june on a full build and expect to make it like i have the last 2 years.
Would you throw in the towel and resume after head is clear? I'm a one man show except when john welsh and xlr99 spent a day here helping cut things apart. $2015 put a strain on myself and family because i was in the garage literally every night for 4 months and painted the car on our anniversary. One more year of now well sorted Datsun is starting to sound better and better, and maybe some vinyl to change the look up and clean up the little details like scratched engine bay paint and screws in glaringly wrong colors
I really wanted to show up at the challenge with a car only a handful of people have seen and drop a nuclear warhead as regular bombshells are too ordinary for me, but i feel by the time i get it sorted enough people might figure out what's been happening in the laboratory.
I think writing this post helped me decide that $2018 is the way to go here, and that the Datsun is up to the task one more time. Thanks for listening.
Robbie
UberDork
6/28/17 11:16 a.m.
Too many builds (and way too many ideas), not enough time.
My confession is that I've been avoiding the build threads subforum because it makes me feel guilty that I haven't been making the progress on my own builds (and am even further behind on build threads) that I hoped for.
It will still be nuclear in 2018.
1) Get the Datsun right. No sense on bring two cars if neither is done right.
2) Keep the family and keep the peace.
3) Work toward some completion of car #2 but don't let it overshadow all else.
John Welsh wrote:
It will still be nuclear in 2018.
1) Get the Datsun right. No sense on bring two cars if neither is done right.
2) Keep the family and keep the peace.
3) Work toward some completion of car #2 but don't let it overshadow all else.
This E36 M3 is supposed to be fun. That timeline isnt fun. It makes me stressed just reading about it.
Punt for 2018. Enjoy the wife and kids. Enjoy the builds. Finish the stuff that takes up the most room in your head.
Duke
MegaDork
6/28/17 11:59 a.m.
Dusterbd13 wrote:
John Welsh wrote:
It will still be nuclear in 2018.
1) Get the Datsun right. No sense on bring two cars if neither is done right.
2) Keep the family and keep the peace.
3) Work toward some completion of car #2 but don't let it overshadow all else.
This E36 M3 is supposed to be fun. That timeline isnt fun. It makes me stressed just reading about it.
Punt for 2018. Enjoy the wife and kids. Enjoy the builds. Finish the stuff that takes up the most room in your head.
Even never having been to the Challenge, I fully understand and support this post.
In reply to Robbie:
The guys that have been to my place know where my head is. Literally everywhere.
After the roadkill weekend is over, I'm planning to long term indoor storage the Devin at my dad's place and mothball the future future challenge nuclear warhead and its parts. Then I can concentrate on finishing Impala repairs(fill trans, install rad and hoses and belt) so that's 100% done and back, and put the now $2018 car in the portable harbor freight garage so i can tinker with it here and there.
I really need to get the chevelle done for Carli. It's got a pile of new parts on, next to, and in front of it.
So many projects, so little time.
Actually, I'd personally like to see the z car realize its full potential in year 3...and nuke in '18.
Whatever you decide it's more about you showing up again and less about what you bring vehicle-wise.
I'm only speaking for myself and maybe others but I want you to show up this year and kick my ass with a Datsun
Let the ass kicking begin?
It needs a new look for concours, problem is i love it how it is. So something super cheap or free that can be easily undone.
Vinyl wrap. In pink. With hello kitty.
Dusterbd13 wrote:
Vinyl wrap. In pink. With hello kitty.
...and matching team costumes for you & the fam! 
In reply to Pete Gossett and patgizz:
Ill buy and sell it all to you for twenty five cents just to see you do it.
In reply to Patrick:
Wrap the left side of the car nice in carbon fiber or Chrome vinyl...leave right side with real patina
This:
This E36 M3 is supposed to be fun. That timeline isnt fun.
Punt for 2018. Enjoy the wife and kids. Enjoy the builds. Finish the stuff that takes up the most room in your head.
And this:
Also, the standing invitation for help if needed is still there!
wheels777 wrote:
Our $2017 monster is now a $2018 weapon of grandeur. Take your time ... you know what we got ... I know what you got ... the battle will be epic!
I know exactly what you've got, and you get to see what's happening here Friday. I'm excited to show you, and excited that there is going to be a new bar set next year. I'm looking forward to being part of it.
wheels777 wrote:
Our $2017 monster is now a $2018 weapon of grandeur. Take your time ... you know what we got ... I know what you got ... the battle will be epic!
Patrick wrote:
I know exactly what you've got, and you get to see what's happening here Friday. I'm excited to show you, and excited that there is going to be a new bar set next year. I'm looking forward to being part of it.
im so excited i peed a little
I feel you. I just got my chassis rolling. I still need to mount the engine, adapt a Ford to Toyota driveshaft, invent some steering linkage, sort out all the wiring for the 2JZ swap, mount the body, built a floorpan - no - build an INTERIOR, and get it running, sorted out, oh and painted??
At this point I'm thinking of another, simpler build...I basically have a free 2JZ and trans to swap into something easier...like someone's neglected mini-truck project...
maschinenbau wrote:
I feel you. I just got my chassis rolling. I still need to mount the engine, adapt a Ford to Toyota driveshaft, invent some steering linkage, sort out all the wiring for the 2JZ swap, mount the body, built a floorpan - no - build an INTERIOR, and get it running, sorted out, oh and painted??
At this point I'm thinking of another, simpler build...I basically have a free 2JZ and trans to swap into something easier...like someone's neglected mini-truck project...
Duh i have that super 99.9% rust free 85 s10 short bed here. $100 if you stuff a 2jz in it for the challenge. Has title
Patrick wrote:
maschinenbau wrote:
I feel you. I just got my chassis rolling. I still need to mount the engine, adapt a Ford to Toyota driveshaft, invent some steering linkage, sort out all the wiring for the 2JZ swap, mount the body, built a floorpan - no - build an INTERIOR, and get it running, sorted out, oh and painted??
At this point I'm thinking of another, simpler build...I basically have a free 2JZ and trans to swap into something easier...like someone's neglected mini-truck project...
Duh i have that super 99.9% rust free 85 s10 short bed here. $100 if you stuff a 2jz in it for the challenge. Has title
lol...I know this is a thread about not having enough time, but jeez...still no pics
you think you got Crunch Time? I still need to pay for the Car and Move it up to Georgia ..Then Fix it . So I say Just Come down and watch( How many times ya'll said that to me?) There's always next year, Lol. Heck buying a 2018 car has kept the 2017 car in Fla. But I have a 2019 car in the yard .UN LESS some one buy's the 2019 Car in time to Finish the 2017 Car.
I don't do watch well. I'm a challenger for life or until the event goes away. I'm a builder, i need to build.
I did some head clearing after work,went to hardware store for some bolts and got some Impala put together. Need to hit advance after work tomorrow and should be good to go there. Getting ready to say goodbye to one of my favorite trucks ever monday, which will leave me with a full challenge budget in my pocket.
The nuclear warhead looks bloody glorious in the driveway, but i think slowing things down are going to lead to all aspects of the build being better than if I try to get it done in 3 months.
At this point, I can't wait to drive the impala with the ~400hp cammed LS1 since it was a stock 5.3 last time i drove it. If only it was under $2017, but I probably have 2x that in it
In reply to Patrick:
Really appreciate the offer! After getting home and reading Mr. Suddard's latest editorial about not being a lazy bum, I went outside and threw the engine on the frame. It's starting to feel more real now...but I'll let you know if I cave between now and the Challenge.
