GRM $2015 Build: I bought back my old Maxima!

Mini-meister #2 arrived today, Maxima still not complete. We'll see how this all plays out.

Well, my thread still sucks with no pics, but the Maxima runs! I fired it up yesterday, and man did it sound awesome with open headers! . Got a decent amount of stuff left to do, but it looks like will make it! No minute like the last minute, right?

Why put off til tomorrow what can wait till the night before?

Congrats on the running swap andmunchkin.

Thanks!

I actually drove the car out of the barn/shop today! No coolant or PS fluid, so I just backed it out to see if it would move under its own power. It appears that my super ghetto throttle setup just might work! Now I have all the little nitpicky things left to do and hopefully have a week or so to drive it and check stuff out and put it on a serious diet. Also need to order tires and brakes this weekend.

Ok, a little late, but here are a few pics of the process. The bumper and hood are back on now, and I am down to the last few remaining items (hopefully). I am ordering tires (Federal SS-595), pads, rotors, and an IACV adapter today, and hopefully they'll get here in time. I have a first start up video, but I'm having trouble uploading it.

Here it is, 1st start up!

Fired up!

Oh, and yes, I am new at welding. It's ugly, but man it was fun and I'm glad I can say I did it myself! I painted the bottom of the support black once I was all done. Fingers crossed that the subframe doesn't rip out of the core support.

Nice! Good luck!

Thanks! Man I am getting down to the wire. I have to go renew my State Inspection license in the morning since it expires on 10/31. Hopefully I can get in and out quickly and get some work in on the car. Need to pick up some coolant, vacuum, and fuel hose for the final placement of some things, then finish some exhaust stuff and add some more fluids. A few things are I'm transit that will hopefully get here quickly. Fingers crossed for the next 10 days to go well!

Car looks good!

Those welds look like they just need a bit more heat.

In reply to wvumtnbkr:

Good to know. It was tough because the stock metal is thin, the patches I put in were thicker plate, so it wanted to burn through pretty easily. I used what I had and I think it will work, but I would like to get some more practice in and have a pro teach me some things.

I got a few things cleaned up this morning...fuel pressure regulator mounted, cats gut...er...modifiying almost done, PS fluid in, some fuel and vacuum line rerouted and lengthened, etc. Pretty productive morning actually. RockAuto order (brakes) has shipped, waiting for tires and iacv adapter to ship. Come on postal service, don't let me down!

I'm late, but congrats on the little one!!

In reply to mrwillie:

Thanks! I'm looking forward to being done with the car and spending more time at home with the fam. I've been gone most of the day Mon-Fri for the last month and a half!

First test drive this morning! Got the exhaust all welded up and installed...no more loud and nasty, it sounds pretty boring now. Might have to do something about that if time and money allow. I drove it out on the road for just a quick run--seems strong, need to work out a few bugs I think, though. As long as my last few parts arrive on time I should be good to go!

Looked over my budget this morning, I'm at about $1915 or so. Man, the little last minute things really eat away at it. Looking for a decent seat on CL now.

Test drive this morning was great. This thing screams pretty good at WOT. Just some last minute buttoning up and she'll be ready for FLA!

So much to do in 3 days!! Copies of receipts & binder for registration, finish intake, install iacv adapter, new tires should be here tomorrow, mount them Tuesday, clean/gut interior some more, State Inspection Wed morning so I don't get a ticket driving in VA, and actually drive it more than a couple miles to check for any issues. Wow.

The car is home! Mechanically she is as good as she's gonna be. Binder and receipts are done, intake is done, iacv adapter is done, new tires and State Inspection first thing tomorrow morning, then lots of cleaning.

Got about 25 miles on it so far, all seems to be good! Of course a 700 mile road trip is a different thing entirely...

Plan is to head out around 8am on Thursday, hopefully that puts us in Gainesville between 6 and 7 pm, barring any traffic/floods/catastrophes.

Man, this is coming down to the wire. I could kick myself for how I've done this whole thing, I've spent most (ok, all) of my budget just getting the thing to run, and the more I drive it the more I realize I seriously need some suspension. Unfortunately I only have about $67 left in the budget, and $60 of that is going to getting my tires mounted. The rear struts are toast, but alas, I think they will be what I am running. No choice at this point, and no time. Nothing I can take out of the budget, either. Oh well, live and learn, right?

As long as you make it down there in a freshly swapped car, have fun, and drive it home afterwards I would count the effort as a huge success! Good luck!

That's exactly how my first budget was. You'll learn so much on Challenge budgetry your head will spin. Making it there and having fun is where it's at!

I agree! Just getting there and competing is what I'm shooting for. Thanks guys!

Tires are on, State Inspection done. Only a 700 mile road trip stands between me and the Challenge.

See you tomorrow, have a safe drive.

Good luck dude!

Also I'm available for (semi)pro MIG welding lessons :)