Going to Toip Hat tonight...hope to hear RB26 turn over for the first time

[Scott Buwalda]

Gents:

We are off to Top Hat for the intercooler and exhaust piping, transmission mount fabrication, and driveshaft fabrication tonight. We're going to do a power session for the weekend, in the hopes of figuring out this pig's electrical problems, and hopefully have her running by weekend's end. Here's the engine: http://www.tophatperformance.com

It's been a while since I've chimed in here, mainly because we built another S14 for eBay...a mobile electronics and show car/demo car for them. Here's the pics: http://www.buwaldahybrids.com/currentprojects.htm We are looking for companies that sell on eBay to co-sponsor the vehicle with body kit/hood/trunk lid, etc. So if anyone knows of any eBay sellers that own a store/distributorship, please alert them that an eBay-sponsored car is in need of some body parts. The exposure is going to be MASSIVE. eBay has hired a PR firm to represent them for the NOPI unveiling with the body mods and hopefully some engine mods as well. eBay plans to promote this on their Motors web site, and might auction the car off next Spring...it has promotional exposure written all over it.

So anyhoo, wish us luck. We'll have Mike and Scott of Top Hat on the blue car, and with any luck, she'll be purrrring by weekend's end.

Scott

[Ramius83]

Well Scott, as always, if you need any help, let me know.

Just as an FYI. Since you semi-built your RB, be expecting some good numbers. On my basically bone stock RB26, I just ran a 12.06 in the quater mile. Stock suspension, stock turbos, stock everything, 13 lbs boost, slicks.

Anyways, holla out if you need anything.

Erik(404) 372-4730

[Phat_Optimo]

Sounds like its in the right hands. Let us know how it goes. I still want to see more pics

[rb250sx]

does this mean we get to see the rest of the car soon?

[Scott Buwalda]

Hey guys:

The beast runs!!!!!

OK, understand for a moment exactly what we did here. There is NO S14 wiring anywhere in this car. It was all removed and replaced with an aftermarket wiring kit I made using circuit breakers, relays, and etc. Why? Just to say that I could, and to do a better job than what OEM did. So remember that when you think about the wiring. The only wire in this car that was OEM was R32. So, for all intents and purposes, this is an R32, at least as far as wiring is concerned. The poor guys at Top Hat nearly fell over when they realized that none of the wiring was OEM, other than a small amount of wire from each sensor or plug.

So as some of you may be aware, there was an issue with the electronics. I knew it wasn't wiring, as we had continuity tested every wire, front to back. The reason why the starter wasn't kicking over was because we had a faulty/faux pas engine ground. Reconnected that, and the engine immediately started to try to turn over. WE start working through the various scenarios...have spark, have fuel...tested timing....way off. The set screws on the adjustable cam gears were, well, loose. The motor was 40 degrees out of time (oops). We adjust it down to 20 degress and go to start. Now, under the advisement of Scott, we were only priming the fuel pump, and not allowing it to run. We have fuel (or so it seemed), spark, air, but the engine wouldn't turn over. So the car stereo guy in the group (me), amidst all of the engine guru's says "maybe we should just let the pump run for 30 seconds and see if it'll start." So I re-engage the fuel pump (Aeromotive), and try 30 seconds later....it studdders a bit then "wooooom", it starts right up. Loud as hell with only a downpipe. Music to my ears though.

So we might have a transmission problem now. I may have the wrong clutch in the box. It was not very clear if the RB30 box needed a push style or pull style. The driveshaft yoke spins irrrespective of whether or not the clutch is pushed in or out. I think the clutch is right, and that there's an internal issue caused by shipping (as the box won't go into any other gear than third or fifth with the engine off). The guys at Top Hat think it's the wrong clutch. More to come on this.

The interior is (hopefully) being finished up this weekend. Then we can debug the engine...we need to:

1. Remove the back half of the transmission (or the entire transmission).Fix whatever is causing the transmission to spin all the time, irrespectiveof when the clutch is in or out. Figure out if the clutch is indeed thewrong style. If it is, change it for the new clutch. Fill transmisssionwith Shock Proof oil. Fill rear differential with Shock Proof oil.2. Install new gaskets onto turbo water lines (the HKS ones leak).3. Bend, weld, and install test pipe between downpipe and KYO cat backexhaust.4. Install o-ring onto high-pressure power steering line and re-install theline. Re-fill system with power steering fluid (power steering leaks)5. Verify that the alternator is charging, now that the voltage regulatorwiring has been fixed.6. Polish and install stainless mandrell bent intercooler piping.7. Fix the cosmetics of the engine and wiring; fix all hacked heat shrink,etc.8. Install driveshaft.9. Measure and install torque damper bar to intake plenum and shock tower.

So, another few weeks, I hope. More detaisl to come soon. Meanwhile, Top Hat posted pics at southeastdrift.com They just neglected to mention me, the guy with 4,000 hours of labor on the car! LOL It's all good, these guys busted arse all weekend on this car, and I can't say enough about them!!!!

Scott

[gawdzilla]

awesome news Scott, congrats!

sucks about the transmission though... you can easily tell if your transmission is "meant" to be a push or pull by looking where the slave is...

if the slave is mounted behind the fork (on the output shaft side), you have a PULL. if the fork is mounted in front of the fork (closer to the engine), then you have a PUSH. my rb25 transmission was from an r34, so it was a pull. i converted it to push, not too hard. hit me up if you want more details. whichever transmission you have, all you need to do is have the clutch match whatever type of transmission it is... i happened to get a push type clutch so i converted my transmission to push to match

[Scott Buwalda]

AH HA! That's what I thought. There still seems to be some confusion though with everyone involved.

My box is a push style. The slave cylinder is toward the engine. The clutch I bought (Ogura Racing Clutch twin plate) was also advertised as a push type. That means there's something wrong with the box. The internals must've been jostled around while in shipment, cause the yoke spins whether or not the clutch is in or out, and it won't go into 1st, 2nd, or 4th gear. Only forced into 3rd and 5th. Problem solved. Time to take the back end of the pig off and see what's up.

Thanx mang.

So anyhoo, add me to the growing list of RB26's running. It should have been two and a half years ago, but hey, we all have crosses to bear with our importers.

Scott

[Ramius83]

That is great news to hear that you got it started up.

That does suck though about your transmission. As with any transmission/clutch install, I always fear that something may happen. I can only imagine being in your shoes, having a BEAUTIFUL car with a BEAUTIFUL engine, and the transmission is your hold-back.

Anyways, Scott, we need to meet up sometime since mine has been running for quite some time now. Good luck with the transmission man.....

Erik

[s13burger]

Buwalda's s14 is a piece of art. The car is simply amazing. It was a relief to finally here it startup for the first time. Thank you Scott for letting us have the privelegde to help you with your beautiful car.

[Scott Buwalda]

Tim-quite frankly, you guys rock!

Scott

[burnin240sx]

No scott you rock!!!!