$2015 Challenge entry - 88 Accord LXi

I is married to a Redhead, if AC failed during a heat wave, no amount of money would be too much to pay.

My guy is from up your way if you want to see what he will quote you?

it was $4k for my 4 ton, tower, new tubing, and condenser inside. Whirpool gold too. limited lifetime warranty too. (My air handler was already a 4 ton gas heat furnace...)

random thought. Have you tried lowes? they offer 0% financing for things like this (they sell a/c units/installation.) might be a way to stomache the bill for a while.

Just get each of the Tunas one of these:

Mad_Ratel wrote: My guy is from up your way if you want to see what he will quote you? it was $4k for my 4 ton, tower, new tubing, and condenser inside. Whirpool gold too. limited lifetime warranty too. (My air handler was already a 4 ton gas heat furnace...) random thought. Have you tried lowes? they offer 0% financing for things like this (they sell a/c units/installation.) might be a way to stomache the bill for a while.

We've already arranged for 0% financing through Chase Freedom, but thanks for the Lowes suggestion. I try to avoid places like that as they typically are upcharging you and finding the lowest bidder.

I got a quote from my guy and from another company which is a family of a friend. I am not sure more than two are necessary. You do have me curious now, though. The 10 year warranty sounded really good. What is "limited" about yours? I would be curious about that.

I'm not entirely sure. The warranty was on the compressor etc with Whirlpool. (gold if that matters.) I think it was if the unit self implodes they'll repair it...At the time I was still hyperventilating at the cost... And now I cannot find anything online about it... sheesh.

Folks,

I have not been too idle.

I have purchased a number of pieces and parts for the intake, as well as looked long and hard and finding a used set of tires. The exhaust is good and finished, and the Accord has registration and insurance now. All that is left is the battery/intake/tires and then attack whatever is left of the suspension as I drive it. It really needs all new bushings and dampers on all four corners, but we're going to see if there isn't a cheaper way to do that.

I'll update with pictures and budget updates when the parts come

While I am fairly certain that nobody cares anymore since the Challenge is off the table, I figured I'd update this to show that I have mocked up the new intake tube. I believe I'll weld the first two segments together rather than use those couplers. Before it's done, it will obviously be stripped of labels and painted black.

There is a cone filter from a '91 Prelude in the cavity where the old resonator went.

Also note the tractor battery.

$810.30

New "real" (including tools and drinks and such) budget

$909.11

Your lack of GRM Challenge doesn't quell my interest at all. Saving cars is sort of what many of us do here--- Challenge or not. Hell, check out the video Tim posted of his new Lotus.

Agreed - Challenger or not, this car's resurrection is high on my "want to see" list.

...that and, no one ever said a car had to built the summer immediately prior to a challenge, theres always next year!!!

Thanks fellas.

The schedule is abbreviated now, so I'm in a hurry. Wheels and tires and that intake are all that I "need" before driving it, but it could sure use dampers and an alignment.

The Leaf goes back at the end of August, BUT wife is flying out to see her sister (twin miscarriages) on the 21st, so I'm single Dad for a week and I have to have the Accord done a week early.

Also, it has a name.

Cattywampus

Tape measure and plumb-bob the alignment. Make sure you dial in a degree or so of negative camber, for teh handlings.

volvoclearinghouse wrote: Tape measure and plumb-bob the alignment. Make sure you dial in a degree or so of negative camber, for teh handlings.

I'm not sure I can adjust much without buying parts, though. I know it needs more negative camber on the passenger front, but I think I have to buy things to get that.

Toe I can do.

You're right though, between string and the inclinometer on the iphone, I should be able to get pretty close.

can you use a few washers for some negative camber? or maybe slot the top mount holes a bit?

Seems like there might be a trick or two you can use, especially if you have a welder to un-berk it up if you need to.

Looking good!

How low is the cone filter?

rcutclif wrote: can you use a few washers for some negative camber? or maybe slot the top mount holes a bit? Seems like there might be a trick or two you can use, especially if you have a welder to un-berk it up if you need to.

I'll look in detail soon, but as far as I can tell, washers will only add positive camber. From first glance, the one side has positive already, though it may be a bent wheel.

bgkast wrote: Looking good! How low is the cone filter?

Not low at all, it fits easily in the cavity above the underbody tray. There are holes in the fascia for air to get in, so I figure being high up along with the tray means that water won't be an issue.

Cool, sounds like it was made for it.

bgkast wrote: Cool, sounds like it was made for it.

Pics to follow once I'm happy with the air inlet. It may not be tonight as I have a surprise planned for you guys.

Tunatruck updates? Is that the suprise?

Dusterbd13 wrote: Tunatruck updates? Is that the suprise?

I wish.

I'm so poor, I can't pay attention.

The truck won't see any big updates for a while. I have to concentrate on getting Cattywhampus going strong for a while.

tuna55 wrote:

Dusterbd13 wrote: Tunatruck updates? Is that the suprise?

I wish. I'm so poor, I can't pay attention. The truck won't see any big updates for a while. I have to concentrate on getting Cattywhampus going strong for a while.

With the additional year to prepare, the mechanical done, and room in the allowed (GRM) budget, I see a great opportunity for impressing the concourse judges with your awesome automotive painting skills that you are about to develop any day now, as a rehearsal for the truck.

This is not the surprise.

I did some more fine tuning on the air intake, but honestly I got scared. We had a lot of rain last night, and the car was parked, but the filter was soaked. Now, it wasn't attached, so it was just sitting on the bottom panel, which was just loose, but still. I am spooked a bit. Anyway, the tube is nearly finished. I need to drill out a bigger hole for the breather connection, and clean and paint the tubes and we're done.

In other news, Tunawife was a little upset at how ugly the pedals were. They appeared to be well worn and then wrapped with nasty old tape around and around and around until they were pedal-balls.

So I did this:

New budget ($2 worth of skateboard tape used):

$812.30

New "real" (including tools and drinks and such) budget

$915.51

Also, wow, I need to clean this car.

tuna55 wrote: This is not the surprise. I did some more fine tuning on the air intake, but honestly I got scared. We had a lot of rain last night, and the car was parked, but the filter was soaked. Now, it wasn't attached, so it was just sitting on the bottom panel, which was just loose, but still. I am spooked a bit. Anyway, the tube is nearly finished. I need to drill out a bigger hole for the breather connection, and clean and paint the tubes and we're done. In other news, Tunawife was a little upset at how ugly the pedals were. They appeared to be well worn and then wrapped with nasty old tape around and around and around until they were pedal-balls. So I did this: New budget ($2 worth of skateboard tape used): $812.30 New "real" (including tools and drinks and such) budget $915.51

You don't drink nearly enough. If my beer budget ever falls under the car budget, I call for some friends to do an intervention and lock up the toolbox.

tuna55 wrote: Also, wow, I need to clean this car.

If you find yourself at a coin op car wash bay anytime soon, hose those rubber mats down with tire cleaner and blast them good. I've been doing this with the cheapo Eagle One foaming cleaner from Wallyworld to the mats in the Forester lately and they come out like new, and not the least bit greasy.

Probably old news to some, but a light bulb moment for me.