Project Hatch

[kcook]

Splitter looks great

[JustinG]

Got bored....

Decided to take a whack at some radiator ducting, with the 6 inch gap between the front bumper and the radiator I figured directing air into the radiator may be a good thing. Not necessarily needed, but couldn't hurt right?







Plan is to get some vac hose and slit it down the middle, and put it on all the edges. I only had enough to keep it from contacting the radiator while test fitting. Plan on using an L bracket to mount it securely to that bar running up the center of the opening.

Next is to try and fab up my own cooling plate to cover the 2-3in gap between the radiator support and radiator, then integrate the radiator stays into the cooing plate as well.

Like this but for a full length radiator.....

[JustinG]

To Do List this Winter:

Replace brake rotors all around
Grab some AutoX brake pads
Tranny fluid (Mikey any idea when this was last done? What fluid did you use?)
Radiator flush
Change spark plugs
Fix exhaust rattle

Hook up trickle charger
Wait til January 15th for next autocross.

[Mike]

trans fluid was done when i put the trans in... sooo ~2 years and 100 miles more than you've put on it.

can't remember what i put in it, but i'm pretty sure honda mtf.

[JustinG]

So i was trying to sell my UCAs for stock UCAs to get 4 points back. Thought I had a buyer of vadriven but surprise surprise he turned out as a flake. So I was just going to keep them and install new hardware. Well i was able to get one ball joint loose but the other, not so much. Enter the drill, after trying to drill out the bolts I obviously screwed up, a drill press is really needed for bolts these small. So I ended up royaly fucking the top plates....

first 2 holes are on the left, after I realized i got into the threads, I just went into break shit mode and drilled the right bolts out


The ball joints I'm pulling off are perfectly fine, and I was thinking about fabbing my own top plate, because there isn't much to it. But after I looked up the replacement ball joints and their price I said screw it. Ordered replacement ball joints, they are "Blox" branded, same as Skunk2, Blackworks Racing, etc etc.

Old ball joint



So ordered the new ones, $66 for the pair.



New ones seem to be improved a bit...mostly the ring holding on the boot, instead of the spring, its a clip instead.



And notice in the above picture the new ball joints came with the same hex head bolts... :finger:

So fixed that with new hardware from Advance.



Anyway, so I'm bead blasting the control arms to clean them up and repaint, probably red again (RICER), since there was some rust on them. Then reinstalling, hopefully corner balance after VIR, and finally get a damn alignment.



Also, got rid of the ghetto fabulous bent stock radiator mount and ordered one from Ebay for $9.99 shipped,I wanted to verify it would work, and it did. Now I just need to order one for the driver side and drill a new mounting hole.



New vs. Old and busted

[ScottyB]

I just went into break shit mode

you have one of these too? this is my default setting.

[Kaan]

green or purple... its the new cool color for the ricer kids.

[JPolen01]

Where did you get the balljoints so cheap? I need to replace mine, but the eibach ones I am looking at are like $170.

[JustinG]

Do you have a skunk 2/blox front camber kit?

Sent from my DROIDX

[JPolen01]

Do you have a skunk 2/blox front camber kit?

Sent from my DROIDX

Nope. The only company I can find that makes a full front camber kit with ucas for my car is progress sports or something, but I couldn't get them to answer their phone to ask about it :?:

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

[Mike]

old radiator mount was the shit.

[JustinG]

Jon, do you need camber adjustment or new ball joints?

[JPolen01]

I need adjustment. That seems to be what's making it a little more expensive. I'd replace the control arms if I could find a kit with adjustable ball joints.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

[JustinG]

Ive read where people have more success with the anchor bolt camber kits over the adjustable ball joint camber kits, unless you can find the UCA kit like mine.

[JustinG]

So no real changes, just updating with pics from my recent AutoX. Prosport OP gauge sender stopped working.....big surprise.

Car feels great, I am pretty comfortable in it now. Enough to beat 2nd place in class by 1second

Placed 12th overall out of 66.

Pics courtesy of Ryan S Burkett Photography. Never have any good pics of the hatchpile, so I figured I would splurg and snag these from him. I am happy with the shots.

[JustinG]

Annndddddd, My fastest and final run.

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[JustinG]

Soooooooo, I am at somewhat of a crossroads.

Im being honest with myself and I don't see myself getting out on track anytime soon. I dunno, It just isn't on the top of my priorities.

I love to autox, but at the same time I am thinking it is silly to have this car when I really only autox 4-5 times in a year.

So I am contemplating the departure of the hatchpile. With the parts on the car I think I could get a reasonable offer.

I dunno, I love the car, it is super fun, but at the same time I can have cash, and AutoX the fozzy, or easily snag a co-drive from someone.

[JPolen01]

I was wondering when this would happen.

[navin]

Justin -- let me know if you decide to part with it, I think I have a buyer for you... and it will be brought out to the track as well.

[JustinG]

Justin -- let me know if you decide to part with it, I think I have a buyer for you... and it will be brought out to the track as well.

If the offer is good, its sold.