Fire = The Jetta Won't Be Coming to the Challenge-Page 2: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Oct. 2, 2008 4:11 p.m. VWguyBruce Reader

It took some time, but it runs fine now. It was backfiring in the airbox and wouldn't rev, like it was last night on the fire run. I turned the distributor way back and tuned it by ear and it runs great now. Revs like it should, spins the tires too.

Still debating making the trip (reference my first post). Feeling like if we don't go we failed. Don't want to go against my wife's intuition either. She's not saying don't go, she wants me to decide that, it's just that she has a bad feeling about the trip.
Oct. 2, 2008 4:15 p.m. Apexcarver SuperDork

You should have barbecue to offer the concourse judges with it!!!

seriously, its running, when you get there you will probly have counless people who will answer to "HEY YOU" that will help you out with the car.

you built it, its running why not go?

(I REALLY wish i could go, but the only way it could happen was if the challenge didnt take place during the school year)
Oct. 2, 2008 7:00 p.m. Xceler8x Reader

COME ON! I drove from Richmond to here in 11 hrs including a lunch stop and two fuel fills. COME ON DOWN! PM me if you want more details about anything on the way.
Oct. 2, 2008 9:58 p.m. wjbski None

VWguyBruce wrote:

Hey Bruce, that's exactly what my '86 looked like after it caught on fire. If you pull back the carpet in the rear passanger area, you'll see puddles of the rust inhibiting wax that VW sprayed into the unibody. It's harder to clean up than the melted under coating!

Great pics of the carnage. I'll bring my sawzall and I'll help cut the carcass up into tiny little pieces, it's a lot of fun!
Oct. 3, 2008 7:59 a.m. VWguyBruce Reader

It just occurred to me that there was a drain back valve on the later car's fuel line. I bet that will solve the start up problem.

I wasn't paying attention when we pulled the tank out of the other car and I don't remember where the drain back valve was on the supply or the return. Anyone care to venture a guess?
Oct. 8, 2008 10:40 a.m. VWguyBruce Reader

I just installed the check valve in the fuel return line. The car started after a couple rotations of the engine. Runs pretty darn good.

Going to get my camber plates welded today and cut the springs again to get the lower control arms level. I signed up for an autox on Saturday to do some testing. I hope to have some fun with it for the first time since I've owned it.

Thanks for all the support you guys. The guys on here are what got us motivated to get it back together as quick as we did. We're stoked about having a working car again.
Oct. 8, 2008 12:06 p.m. SVreX SuperDork

Missed you, man, but you did the right thing.

Glad to hear she's up and running again.
Oct. 12, 2008 8:25 a.m. VWguyBruce Reader

Success is sweet. I took the car to an autox yesterday with the Capital Driving Club.

http://www.capitaldrivingclub.com/

Great bunch of guys. ProDarwin was on hand and rode with me on the first couple of runs. His advice was invaluable. I did much better than I thought I would, only got lost once, actually took an extra loop, car ran much better than I thought and didn't break.

Changes to make:

Install coilovers, a must. Vr6 springs can't control the body roll. Lost a lot of traction on inside front wheel. Naturally tucked the inside rear too.

Need catch can for blow by. Thought I broke the motor we made so much smoke on the 2nd run.

More negative camber up front and proper toe. I swear it LOOKED like it had some negative camber when I left the house.

Wish I would have been at the Challenge with it but still good to get it out and use it. Many small tweaks and improvements continue on a daily basis. I'm actually kind of glad I didn't have to set up the car AT the Challenge. Going to make the changes and try to make an event in November. Going to be ready for $2009!