E30 Safety Third
Working through the final checklist prior to the upcoming LeMons race at Sonoma Raceway. It always amazes me how long the little things take, but perhaps that is just me being a perfectionist even on this turd.
Window Net Installed
Replaced our window net with a new non-aged out version. Also less Barney colored (no more purple).
Valid through December 2023
Not required for Lemons, but a good safety factor if some random wheel comes flying at us or we hit a wall sideways…
Plastic Brake Switch
Well it broke for the last time. Noticed it the other day and today we replace it with a new brass version. I still cannot believe the areas where people will cut corners.
Brake lights are crucial for your safety, use the proper parts!
I’m sure the original German Engineered version was also plastic and square to stay in the square hole, but these washers will come in handy with the new switch.
New Brakeness!
Simple part to let my competitors that I am braking into the corner.
Do need to think about how to add some layer of taunting since they are behind me when the see brake lights.
Hmmm…. More thought (beers) required.
Poor Critter
Not sure when it arrived since I last cleaned out the interior a few weeks ago. But clearly it suffered by poison.
Cleaned out the interior again.
Finally installed
Took a bit longer than I hoped because I couldn’t reuse as much of the lines as I had hoped. Spent a little time ensuring everything is secured and tucked away so nothing is broken when we haphazardly toss stuff into the passengers area.
Have I mention how much I dislike flaring aluminum lines?
Such a headache with the tools I have, perhaps I need a better setup. Currently the process involves flaring, sanding burrs from tool flush, fighting with the steel sleeve until it finally finds home, then tightening the nut. I’m probably doing things in incorrect or the flare tool from Lowes for copper pipe isn’t the best. But at the end of the day I think it will seal and be fine during an emergency.
ESS Fire System
We chose to install the economical system sold by IOPort Racing locally in Lafayette, CA.
A few comments about the system:
Includes all necessary parts
Does not include a clearly labeled pull tether for the pins. This is a safety concern as forgetting to pull a pin on the bottle or main pull handing will result in you not having a fire suppression system when its most needed.
The mechanism for activating the system is simple, but installation requires delicate care during installation to not accidentally trigger it. I really disliked this when compared to SafeCraft systems that allow easy installation and removal for re-certification.
Crude Nozzles
I appreciate the ingenuity for leveraging an existing AN fitting to create the fire system nozzles, but I seriously question the manufacturing techniques used to cut and drill these parts.
Confident they will distribute the fire suppressant adequately, but didn’t give me a warm fuzzy feeling for something meant to keep me safe in the worst case scenario.
This system will not be installed in any other car I build.
Overall a productive day.
Few annoyances and nit picky items about the fire system. But we are one step closer to racing! I also put the wheels back on the car and hope to install the new fuel pump tomorrow. Then a test drive around the block!
See you at the track.
