|
INTRODUCING THE TEAM
We’ve teamed up with a small group of Engineering students from Oakland University to assist with the project and contribute to the education of a few future automotive experts in some small way. These guys are so keen they’ve already given themselves a name. They call themselves the “Qauttro Sqaud”. https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8013/2...60c9b774_c.jpgIMG_1557 by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr So who are the Quattro Squad? Well we have Amanda, Nathan, Matt and Aaron. All students at Oakland University and all way younger than this car! They vary in age from Sophomore to graduate student and most have worked on OU’s Formula SAE car to some degree. They have never worked on restoring a car, building a street based race car or, for the most part worked on modifying any street car, though Nathan did install mud flaps on his Dodge Dart. This is truly going to be a new experience for all of them, as it is for us and we are excited to be able to help broaden their experience as they progress with their engineering careers. https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8218/2...1d7a8294_c.jpgFullSizeRender by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr We plan to work on the car as a team one evening a week and maybe some weekends. Last Wednesday was our first such gathering. So what did we accomplish? Well job one is to strip the shell so it can go off to our fabricators: Thompson Racing Fabrication, for a proper shell and then paint. All the team were very eager to jump in and not shy to put wrench to car. Fortunately one of them seem too overly aggressive so much of what comes off should survive the process and as we discussed, most parts should get bagged, labeled, organized and photographed as we disassemble everything in a logical and methodical way. These are engineers and future engineers after all. I myself being a recovering engineer ;) https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8350/2...4d51d71f_c.jpgIMG_1507 by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr We assigned people to different areas of the car but they spontaneously teamed up when needed. Nathan and Aaron attacked the interior but that soon turned into stripping the trunk as they had to to get the rear belts out. Typical Audi. https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8155/2...4b141b93_c.jpgIMG_1543 by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8276/2...323af561_c.jpgIMG_1505 by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr Amanda took over trunk duty as she was also working on interior wiring and much of that terminates in the trunk. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8169/2...8890af1a_c.jpgIMG_1530 by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8514/2...87c66d0f_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr Matt removed what he could from the front suspension then went after the front body work: bumper and spoiler mostly. https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8088/2...694863d8_c.jpgIMG_1493 by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8677/2...0371b50e_c.jpgIMG_1521 by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8256/2...61c32fac_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr It seemed as if everybody was involved in removing the dash. https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8348/2...ec30a0d9_c.jpgIMG_1592 by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8337/2...bee3f4ae_c.jpgIMG_1594 by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr Next time we will continue stripping the shell before we figure out how to get it off the rolling platform so we can drop the rear sub-frame then front sub-frame/engine/transmission. Should really test the engineer’s skills that one. |
Second evening for the "Qauttro Squaud". We were a little light on numbers last night due to unforseen testing of the Formula SAE car. Still, we made some progress.
We stripped the trunk lid of its lights, spolier, trimmings and wires. https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5644/2...c9708dd0_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8126/2...0aef7e9d_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr We also got the rear lights out but forgot to photograph that. Matt continued with the interior and managed to relieve the car of the dash panel and the blower housing though that is hardwired into the harness as far as we can make out. Good one Audi. Sorry, we had to cut the dash as the current cage goes through it. It was already cut up and cracked anyway. https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8521/2...5dba667c_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8526/2...b1fb27bd_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr Next week we hope to remove the headlining, pedal box, fuel tank and the rest of the interior wiring harness. And we think we have a plan to get it off the table and onto the lift so we can remove the engine, transmission and sub-frames. Stay tuned. |
So this is an unusual experience for us, being a parts supplier we are often asked for donations to people's projects. Now we are now the recipient of donations ourselves! So we'd like to introduce a couple of project sponsors:
Firstly, Thompson Racing Fabrication (Home) will be doing our cage and other fabrication. We have helped them with a couple of their project cars in the past and almost always use them for any fabrication needs we have such as the custom radiator and exhaust for our Subaru Rally Wagon and the custom harness bar and skid plates they made for our Porsche 911 RX. https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...02913104_o.jpg Then we have BRAID wheels USA (www.braidusa.com) who are going to provide a set of wheels for the car once we settle on a design. We are currently contemplating their Serie 6 three piece design but with hidden spokes as it looks very reminiscent of the Speedlines the factory used to run in tarmac trim. Probably will be 16x9 with 245/45-16 tires. http://www.braidusa.com/Wheels/Comp/...2873311big.jpg Lastly (for now) Cherry Classic Cars (Cherry Classic Cars | Auto Restoration) will be helping us restore and paint the shell and body panels. These guys do fantastic work and are TRF's primary source for bodywork and paint so we will be in good hands. http://cherryclassiccars.com/images/home-main.jpg Thanks guys. Now we wonder who else can help............... https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8599/2...c3fd93c2_b.jpg[/url] |
On Wednesday the Quattro Squad continued to turn the 83 quattro inside out.
Matt relieved it of its sunroof https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5145/2...0c6a76c7_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr Then we decapitated the halo cage. https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5202/2...af2f70ef_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5621/2...8f1b47b9_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr so we could extricate the headliner. https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5114/3...34d4c548_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr We also removed the trunklid https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8071/2...bb42d7cc_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8072/2...d188fdc2_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr and the gas tank https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7773/2...31965d7f_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr We are producing quite a pile of parts https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5612/2...eba9aa87_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8599/2...c3fd93c2_b.jpg |
Not much action to report this week as we took the Quattro Squad on field trip. We managed to get our 85 quattro running again for thew first time in 2.5 years to to celebrate we took three of the students in it to visit a friend's shop and quattro heaven.
https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5495/2...4dbeeff6_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr Werner owns a 85 from Switzerland and an 83 that he rescued. His 85 is for all intents and purpose a restored example but, because he is a perfectionist, will undergo a full engine rebuild this winter.His 83 is a rescued project that for now is just sitting. We believe the squad were suitably impressed. https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5749/3...c2d68bbd_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5153/3...16a9b4ef_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr Perhaps inspired by their experience the guys removed the rear bumper when they returned to the shop. Though it put up some resistance. https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8358/2...1fd370c6_c.jpgBatch6. 9/28 by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5192/2...a7c8ba34_c.jpgIMG_2004.jpg by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5517/2...4ef58057_c.jpgBatch6. 9/28 by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8072/2...d188fdc2_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8537/3...9949fc0f_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr Now the hoist is free perhaps we can take the engine and transmission out. https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8599/2...c3fd93c2_b.jpg |
Not a lot of progress these last two weeks. We didn't meet last week as we were at Lake Superior Performance Rally posing about with a bunch of other old rally cars.
https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8278/3...437e5fb4_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr However, progress was made "off" the car while we were away. The Quattro Squad came up with a logo and created a Facebook Page that already has over 140 likes. https://www.facebook.com/QuattroSquad/ https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5653/3...d60cdfbb_z.jpgfb page by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr We did accomplish some stuff Wednesday night though, mostly in the engine bay in preparation for removing the engine and transmission. https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5484/3...41cca2e0_z.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr We managed to pull the radiator https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5785/3...4ffd3042_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr The distributor and hydraulic "bomb". https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5493/3...a4584979_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5550/3...74eb21fa_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr Nathan and Josh struggled almost all night to remove the fuel distributor. https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5665/3...9c787e38_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr But when they got it free they were very happy; disturbingly so. https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5519/2...a9746b44_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr We are a little concerned about how they will react once we drop the actual engine. Stay tuned for that one and like the Quatro Squad on facebook |
Two weeks of progress to report! We didn't get much accomplished last week as we had a very special visitor in the form of Paul Ritchie, former head of Porsche Motorsport and Porsche Engineering. Needless to say there was much conversation and much left over pizza as everyone was too bust talking to chew.
https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5350/3...a0bd4b93_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr We did discover that 12 year old gasoline will dissolve a plastic cup! https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5759/3...35c04d4b_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr This week we continued to remove as much weight from the front of the car https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5623/3...59727f55_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr and stuff as much weight in the back of the car https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5537/3...1bb974ca_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr in anticipation of moving the car from the table where it has sat for the last twelve years to the host. I tricky endeavor as the hoist has a center post so we couldn't just wheel it over the hoist and lift it up. We settled on jacking the front just off the table and sitting the subframes on jack stands then moving the jacks to the rear to jack that end off the table. https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5586/3...b1e5a658_c.jpgIMG_3117 by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr Once it was elevated we carefully rolled the table out from under the car and smartly brought the hoist pads into contact with the jacking points and BOOM! The car was on the hoist! https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5591/3...45bc2ba9_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr Our goal now is to remove everything from the underside of the car starting with the front subframe, engine and transmission as it is rather nose heavy at the moment. This is the first time we have really been able to get a good look at the underside of the car. The body looks to be remarkabley rust free except for two spots but the fuel supply components have not fared so well. All to be replaced anyway so no concern. Just hope all the fasteners cooperate. https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5530/3...fbee3fd9_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr We dont think we should put it back on here. It's just too long and gets in the way of the suspension. https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5696/3...0c3819f8_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr Excited by the leap forward Matt decided he wanted to get a lift too. I think we'll call him Jack. https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5455/3...96583b2a_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8599/2...c3fd93c2_z.jpgtransformation by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr |
Yesterday the Quattro Squad accidentally took the engine and transmission out! Well, it wasn't a proper accident; just that it wasn't part of the evening's plan. Being a little light on peeps and wanting to have an early night we only planned to prep for engine removal. Instead it just sorta happened as we were on a roll and we still got out of there by 8:455pm. Not a bad night's work.
https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5825/3...fc1313d0_z.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr Being a Quattro it comes out of the bottom with the sub-frame and transmission. Being a Quattro it doesn't just drop straight down but instead has to be quided past several obstacles on the way down. This is not a Porsche 911. https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5347/3...901dce7c_z.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr Nice job gentlemen. https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5794/3...8ee3179c_z.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr Toothless grin https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5535/3...7c2474ed_z.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr The right side engine mount fell apart; as they do. https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5660/3...0595bb5a_z.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr And this doesn't look exactly pristine. https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5803/3...bbc6b17d_z.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5738/3...3215b2f2_z.jpgtransformation by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr |
This past Wednesday we reached a big milestone with this project: we finished stripping the shell! The biggest chunk that came off was the rear sub-frame and diff then the steering rack and drive shaft. We also introduced video to our arsenal so you have been warned.
We also visited a local rally prepped quattro that's up for sale to get some ideas and, in the process acquired a windshield for our car. https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5694/2...ff6e0688_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5684/3...8a6896d6_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5456/3...8a9e8ef8_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5677/3...73ac2b4e_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr We also took delivery of our tires. Bridgestone Potenza RE11 in 245/45-16. A little ahead of ourselves here but they are hard to find and we already had two. We now need to finish the car before they age out. https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5736/3...a9d62d5f_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr Next task is to get it off the hoist and back onto the table then onto the trailer so we can haul it up to our cage builder Thompson Racing Fabrication . That won't happen till the first full week in December as we are off to Barcelona to see how BRAID wheels are made and then to Stuttgart to visit the Porsche museum. https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5341/3...3f77fd6d_z.jpgtransformation by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr |
Almost a month since the last update. Boy does time fly when your'e having fun. In this case the fun was a visit to the BRAID factory in Barcelona including a few laps around the F1 track there in BRAID's Ligier LMP3 car.
Album here if you're interested. https://flic.kr/s/aHskQ93ZSB <a data-flickr-embed="true" data-header="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/team_illuminata/albums/72157677496999435" title="BRAID 40th Anniversary"><img src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5562/30653064483_ce05a41abf_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="BRAID 40th Anniversary"></a> We also went to Germany and visited the Porsche museum in Stuttgart. https://flic.kr/s/aHskQ2wchj <a data-flickr-embed="true" data-header="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/team_illuminata/albums/72157677423090366" title="Porsche Museum 2016"><img src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5819/31473929645_c820939193_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Porsche Museum 2016"></a> So you see, we have a couple of good excuses. We have been busy on the quattro though. In fact we managed to get it onto the trailer and drag it up to Thompson Racing Fabrication to get caged, restored and painted! It took a bit of engineering to get it off the lift but we managed alright. One more pair of hands and we could have just lifted it but this method worked quite well too. <iframe width="784" height="441" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wk1IgaIdSeA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5651/3...fd8a2389_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr Looks good on the trailer https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5651/3...5cfbd33d_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5757/3...962e6ec2_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr It's going to be in good company up here. https://c4.staticflickr.com/1/16/313...d9c6afd3_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr New temporary home https://c4.staticflickr.com/1/33/315...b48f465f_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr So maybe it will be caged early January then Cherry Classic Cars can work their magic fixing the rust and preping it for paint. There are many other fabrication tasks to take care of, some of which require body panels etc. but we are not ready for those yet so the shell may be up north for some time. Still, there's plenty to do back at the shop, like sorting out all the parts we took off and deciding what to keep and what to sell. Stay tuned. https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5341/3...3f77fd6d_b.jpgtransformation by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr |
Thompson Racing Frabrication have begun work on or quattro shell. They began by removing and patching the old cage then removing all the sound deadening and various bits and bobs that we (hope) we don't need.
https://c6.staticflickr.com/1/393/30...dcb072f6_c.jpgimage1trf by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr US telescoping bumper mounts; GONE https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/482/31...395a8fef_c.jpgimage3trf by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr Seat mounts; GONE https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/31/308...25fea14e_c.jpgimage4trf by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr Rear parcel shelf and firewall; GONE https://c5.staticflickr.com/1/505/31...5a503c9b_c.jpgimage5trf by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr Main cage hoop is now in and it's nice and tight to the roof! https://c5.staticflickr.com/1/648/31...b3017ee2_c.jpg15590470_10157855547640858_4907235395387032308_n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/737/31...f0856f36_c.jpg15665619_10157855550575858_7266763248904887653_n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr They also received the dash kit frm Bufkin Engineering. https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/430/31...9cebd767_z.jpgIMG_6121 by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr Which they couldn't resist playing with. https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/327/31...6885a52d_z.jpgIMG_6119 by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr Happy Holidays!!! https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5341/3...3f77fd6d_b.jpgtransformation |
More cage photos from Thompson Racing Fabrication.
https://c4.staticflickr.com/1/736/31...5b8ef276_c.jpg15697526_10157879979145858_3299758409184512101_n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/322/31...00b8487b_c.jpg15726813_10157879979115858_3972699987043245004_n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5613/3...d7b81497_c.jpg15697308_10157879978990858_7616371704754221065_n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/738/31...c5a73e65_c.jpg15665389_10157879978975858_3705828719246349184_n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c4.staticflickr.com/1/348/31...8957f319_c.jpg15622290_10157879978710858_6228798589995069905_n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/335/31...22d9a3ef_c.jpg15622081_10157879978770858_5657510185316430138_n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/641/31...6748413b_c.jpg15672831_10157879978535858_7191633439301101392_n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/764/31...aed5d1ac_c.jpg15621658_10157879978500858_5864114060040511527_n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr |
While Ryan at Thompson Racing Fabrication was busy putting the finishing touches to our cage we were engaged in the less glamorous, but never the less critical task of sorting through all the parts we took off the car. i.e. everything. It doesn't make riveting viewing but here is what we faced:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/52/316...6f1a6d2c_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr and here's what's left to deal with: https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/674/31...615480d8_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr and here's where it all went: https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/633/31...02d06e63_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr By the way there is an identical shelf behind the camera and a complete interior in the parts trailer. (more on that later) Our filing philosophy was to retrieve everything we need or might need for the build and then decide what to do with the rest. This all went into one of two piles: if it might serve as a spare part for our 85 quattro it went in the KEEP pile. If not it went in the SELL pile. There is a lot in the KEEP pile; probably way too much but how do you know what you won't need one day? More importantly, how do you know what you have? Well, being super-nerds we created a spreadsheet with all the KEEP and SELL parts listed along with their part numbers and a photograph. I think we are still going to have too much stuff! Meanwhile, at TRF, Automotive Journalist Tara Turbo-Hurlin was busy documenting Ryan's handy work for a soon to be published article. Check out her photos: https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/358/31...9b1f7537_c.jpg15724600_1619043068404863_4909803094314230541_o by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/418/31...55a50334_c.jpg15697475_1619042915071545_2285291684832066773_n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5616/3...9dcce14d_c.jpg15726974_1619043941738109_6874472111315882210_n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr Stay tuned for more spreadsheet action! https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5341/3...3f77fd6d_b.jpgtransformation by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr |
Progress both up and down the state of Michigan this week.
We and the Quattro Squad "filed" the last of the pile of parts "we" took off the car. https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/766/32...6cf304ef_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/781/31...9634ab11_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr Then proceeded to fill the floor with all the parts the previous owner took off the car that have been resting in the parts trailer for 13 years. Some good stuff in here: two sets of wheel, full interior, all the glass. Some of this we need, some will make good spares for our 85 and some we can get rid of. https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/489/31...3ccce9e7_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/339/31...0006727a_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr Meanwhile, up north at Thompson Racing Fabrication they wer keeping warm by welding on our cage and installing the new aluminium (it's German) rear bulkhead. https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/551/31...03114d4e_c.jpg16114245_1627110210931482_1826577289610259263_nTar a Turbo-Hurlin by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/620/31...1a5ddd72_c.jpg16114330_1627110577598112_8144196697396533355_nTar a Turbo-Hurlin by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/595/32...77693665_c.jpg16142755_1627110580931445_3339272179656459664_nTar a Turbo-Hurlin by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/561/32...5140584c_c.jpg15977071_1627110367598133_5874796021293810145_nTar a Turbo-Hurlin by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/434/32...4091fcf7_c.jpgimage by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr You can see all their handy work here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/team_i...h/32357568746/ <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/team_illuminata/albums/72157661951402543" title="83URQ"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8016/29640685286_3d8cfeb74c.jpg" width="500" height="279" alt="83URQ"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Now the shell rests while we order body panels but work will soon commence on refurbishing all the other parts necessary to reassamble the car as a Grop B monster. Subscribed and stay tuned. https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5341/3...3f77fd6d_b.jpgtransformation by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr |
With the cage complete the shell is now in storage up north awaiting the wide body kit so we thought "what should we do next?" We'll, we ordered a carbon/kevlar wide body kit of course: Should arrive from Europe in 6-8 weeks.
Of course we do have lots of parts to refurbish so we started to look at those and figure out how to go about things. First we pulled out our collection of Hella 2000 lights. we have about 10 lights in various conditions, beams finishes and levels of completeness and we need 6 pristine black ones, preferabley two spots, two driving and two fogs. Then we'll need some brackets to mount them. Like these ideally: We also pulled out the brake parts we got with the project: Refurbished G60 twin piston calipers. ATE brake discs and refurbished stock rear calipers. We also got new rear rubber lines and front stainless lines. We still need to source front caliper brackets and probably some better pads. There's also a theory that our brake discs might be a little big for the G60 calipers. Once we figure it all out we'll send them off for plating or powder coating. Still trying to inventory all the left over parts for USE, SELL or SAPRES: Stay tuned |
The 83 quattro squad rally build keeps inching forward. A few days ago we received these beautiful G60 brake caliper brackets from a very generous chap on the Motorgeek forum. Thanks Dave, they will be put to good use.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/607/33...788cc1bb_c.jpg We offered them up to our struts and calipers and they fit perfectly. https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/569/33...0128b928_c.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/672/33...c587d7cd_c.jpg Only question now is how to finish these and the calipers for best effect. Options are: 1. Red powder coat 2. Black powder coat 3. Yellow dichromate like OE (gold) Feel free to weigh in. Here's an interesting aspect to the project. We found this 1:18 die-cast model on eBay. Quite cheap; probably because it is quite plain. https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3889/3...472d9844_c.jpg We thought it would be a good idea to refinish it in the same livery we are planning to finish the car in. That is, our version of Rothmans with BRAID and TIM logos. http://www.slotforum.com/forums/uplo...1510_26293.jpg So first we had to strip it: https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3872/3...0a3eb2c5_c.jpg We are not sure how to proceed from here however. Damn, another bloody Quattro project! Stay tuned. https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2684/3...bb136236_b.jpg |
The 83 quattro squad rally build keeps inching forward. A few days ago we received these beautiful G60 brake caliper brackets from a very generous chap on the Motorgeek forum. Thanks Dave, they will be put to good use.
We offered them up to our struts and calipers and they fit perfectly. Only question now is how to finish these and the calipers for best effect. Options are: 1. Red powder coat 2. Black powder coat 3. Yellow dichromate like OE (gold) Feel free to weigh in. Here's an interesting aspect to the project. We found this 1:18 die-cast model on eBay. Quite cheap; probably because it is quite plain. We thought it would be a good idea to refinish it in the same livery we are planning to finish the car in. That is, our version of Rothmans with BRAID and TIM logos. http://www.slotforum.com/forums/uplo...1510_26293.jpg So first we had to strip it: We are not sure how to proceed from here however. Damn, another bloody Quattro project! Stay tuned. |
With the caliper brackets fitting well we took the opportunity to muck up a front strut before sending the calipers off to be refinished. We are still not sure what color to refinish them. Options include black or red powder coating or gold zinc dichromate like they were from the factory.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3759/3...7f5e5010_c.jpg We started in on the model's livery. Tried some blue vinyl but we are not sure it is really suited to cars this small as it won't mold into the crevices well. https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/738/32...aec31476_c.jpg We did one side with the factory droop to the front bumper, which we have never liked, and the other with a full straight line to the back of the headlight. Which do you prefer? https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2820/3...0a57e50f_c.jpg We then added some BRAID decals https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3919/3...14776de0_c.jpg Our BRAID wheels came in from Europe. We love 'em. https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3735/3...08e5335f_c.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/764/32...22c55cee_c.jpg They are three piece with hidden screws and reminiscent of the factory Speedlines. Specs are 16x9, et12. We could resist throwing one on our 85 but, of course, they are way too wide for this car. https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3946/3...d376cf7a_c.jpg As part of our quest to prep as many parts that are going to need refinishing as possible we pressed out the bushings from the lower control arms. https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2911/3...dca974f5_c.jpg and disassembled some Hella 2000 lights as we have some chrome ones that need to be black. https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3726/3...df77e97e_c.jpg This is the pile so far. The parts in front still need disassembling. https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2826/3...e19cfd3b_c.jpg Quattro Squad https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2684/3...bb136236_b.jpg |
Scattered progress since our last update but progress non-the-less.
We started to attack the drive shaft last week. The CV joints seem a bit stiff so we are going to clean them out and see if we can save them. If not we think we can replace them. The universal joint in the center seems fine but we might have to destroy it removing the center support bearing which is also fine but whose rubber bushing is decidedly squishy. https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3930/3...d24c8d94_c.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3895/3...ee0393a3_c.jpg We also started refurbishing the fuel tanks. Initial inspection revealed only surface rust so we cleaned it out with some dish washer detergent. https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2884/3...95a46b14_c.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2878/3...892d282f_c.jpg We had a visit from the guys who run DIYAUTO.com https://www.diyauto.com/ last week, Nick and Steve Balistreri. DIYAUTO.com’s goal is to collate all the cool information in the various forum build threads on the web so the information is easy to search and the knowledge is not lost to us auto enthusiasts. We are proud they have both our quattro builds and our 911 build on their site. https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2911/3...a26f155a_c.jpg We continued to dismantle parts that are being sent out for refinishing. This week it was the turn of the suspension components. These did not want to come apart and the students learnt a great deal about persistence and the use of heat wrenches. https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2893/3...53b74023_c.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3935/3...8656352f_c.jpg We’re not even sure we can get replacement ball joints and bushings for this stuff and may have to fabricate our own. We optimistically mocked up the rear calipers again to see if we can make them work. Both the handbrake cable and the brake fluid line want to go through the rear axles but as we intend using a hydraulic handbrake we wanted to see if we could make a banjo fitting attach. Think not: https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2948/3...4710ee07_c.jpg Next update we hope to share some news about the shell. Stay tuned. https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2684/3...bb136236_b.jpg |
Been working on a few things but nothing too exciting. we finally found some proper UR quattro rear brake calipers
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4176/3...9621a2b2_c.jpg You can see how the handbrake cable and brake line come in from the back instead of the side therefor avoiding the axle. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4179/3...ba98fbb7_c.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4169/3...aa54c534_c.jpg Amanda made some more incremental progress on the model. She says she's going to paint the stripes next. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4157/3...a5d699b5_c.jpg Then we started on resealing the rear differential. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4155/3...40e09855_c.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4275/3...097f6782_c.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4192/3...41045e9c_c.jpg No wear groove on the input flange :) https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4245/3...375a5705_c.jpgBeen working on a few things but nothing too exciting. we finally found some proper UR quattro rear brake calipers https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4176/3...9621a2b2_c.jpg You can see how the handbrake cable and brake line come in from the back instead of the side therefor avoiding the axle. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4179/3...ba98fbb7_c.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4169/3...aa54c534_c.jpg Amanda made some more incremental progress on the model. She says she's going to paint the stripes next. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4157/3...a5d699b5_c.jpg Then we started on resealing the rear differential. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4155/3...40e09855_c.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4275/3...097f6782_c.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4192/3...41045e9c_c.jpg No wear groove on the input flange :) https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4245/3...375a5705_c.jpg |
Rear diff is back together with new seals. Now we need to decide what color to paint it.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4275/3...097f6782_c.jpg Amanda has started painting stripes on the model. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4246/3...08aa759b_c.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4250/3...6069089a_c.jpg We borrowed an OE refinished rear caliper and decided this is the way to go with ours. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4205/3...8ce87344_c.jpg In anticipation of panels showing up Thompson Racing Fabrication took the car out of storage and delivered it to Cherry Classic Cars. We must admit it's nice to get re-acquainted. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4213/3...f3cf6125_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4211/3...b34ed8d9_z.jpg Now we just need our wide body kit. https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2684/3...bb136236_b.jpg |
Panels did indeed show up from Europe from Cool Wheels in Latvia. Cherry Classic Cars wasted no time in offering them up to the body. As expected with composite reproduction panels it's going to take quite a bit if fettling to get a good fit.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4201/...e91c9092_c.jpg[/url] https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4216/...7933a52e_z.jpg[/url] https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4236/...96325831_z.jpg[/url] They also set about fixing the rust on the shell and other minor repairs. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4028/...3d269b5e_c.jpg[/url] https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4234/...d7c5cb0c_c.jpg[/url] https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4182/...f6bf2ddd_b.jpg[/url] Before applying primer. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4301/...259018b5_c.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2684/3...bb136236_b.jpg |
The shell is still at the body shop: Cherry Classic Cars in Michigan but we recently went to visit it and to make some decisions about how to put it together.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4437/...10308d6e_c.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4378/...9c56b255_c.jpg We also found a kevlar composite trunk lid in Canada https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4388/...58a831c1_c.jpg and received some vintage gauges and switches from another quattro aficionado. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4066/...ab40d469_c.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2684/3...bb136236_b.jpg |
More wide body progress on the rally build. Front and rear fenders are being wrestled into place by the guys at Cherry Classic Cars:
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4358/...50993976_c.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4394/...a53fd1c6_c.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4401/...81f6999d_c.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4368/...17b09e1a_c.jpg [https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4413/...782665ce_c.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4418/...19cd084b_c.jpg Starting to look like a car again. https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2684/3...bb136236_b.jpg |
Quick photo update of progress on the wide body build by Cherry Classic Cars.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4424/...4e979823_z.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4413/...631de61f_z.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4360/...9e21622c_z.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4409/...67b57c65_z.jpg |
The rally Quattro is still up north at Cherry Classic Cars but it's coming along nicely. We might get it back as early as this month! Meanwhile here are some more updates.
A few weeks ago we were summoned up to CCC to help figure out how to deal with this poor bumper fitment issue: https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4501/...6bed20d9_c.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4482/...bf018e7f_c.jpg Should the bumper go behind the quarter panel or should it butt up and why is the quarter panel so far out or the bumper so not wide enough? We feel we have a solution. More later. While we were up there we discovered that our car has manual, wind up windows! These must have been changed by a previous owner as no Quattros had these from the factory. Gues we don't have to find a spot for the window switches now but, because of the cage, we may only be able to wind down the windows with the doors open! https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4584/...910e4d7b_c.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4726/...b039a36d_c.jpg While we away in the frozen north our fab guy got a little creative with our engine. As a result we now have the world's only five cyclinder, turbo charged shopping cart! https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4575/...ac4e1d72_c.jpg The catalyst for this creativity was the Quattro Squad separating the transmission and giving it a good clean in preparation for either a rebuild or, hopefully, just a reseal. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4491/...71d6a83a_c.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4564/...6dcc40cf_c.jpg We also pulled the seats down from the parts shelf and cleaned them up in preparation for selling them. Not so much to generate funds but to create some space. They cleaned up very nicely and are in excellent shape. No tears at all; just a little wear on the driver's seat. I think they would restore quite well but we want to sell them as they are rather than cover things up. We think we could reasonably ask $1000 for them. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4734/...bce1bec1_n.jpghttps://farm5.staticflickr.com/4739/...d24ffb83_n.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4725/...52ec7c20_c.jpg Subscribe for more updates soon and to see if the car makes it back here this month. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...7e04340ef8.jpg |
Well, the seats are sold. That has freed up some space on the parts shelf at least.
The shell is still up north at Cherry Classic Cars but we are expecting the call any day now. It's basically just waiting for the primer to dry then it will be ready to drag back down state and start bolting parts on. It was decided to do this in primer as there is probably quite a bit of cutting and grinding and welding to still be done as we basically do not know what we are doing. Once we have it essentially together we'll strip it down again for paint. It's going to look grand in the works shop regardless and will inspire us to refurbish all the dirty parts we have been ignoring. It may even get it's very own space for the build up. Here are some pictures as it sits now courtesy of Scott at Cherry Classic Cars. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4603/...3dbeed28_c.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4622/...9987b3c2_c.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4711/...04b7875e_c.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4659/...47f3a910_c.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4621/...55740500_c.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4602/...2e34c404_c.jpg Next time you see it it might be in a trailer. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...aa09b4d6d4.jpg |
QUATTRO RALLY HOMECOMING
It was a big day last Saturday. We dragged the car home from Cherry Classic Cars where it has lived for the last twelve months. It was almost 15 months to the day that we dragged it up there with its first layover being at Thompson Racing Fabrication where it received its ARA legal cage and other modifications. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4668/...79eb311c_c.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4614/...338b908e_c.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4615/...a19e930a_c.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4798/...30f527ac_c.jpg Finally home. We think this is where we'll build it; in the showroom! https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4699/...f78e175c_c.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4787/...8ed05b29_c.jpg So yes, the car is in primer. This is because we still have quite a bit of cutting, welding and grinding to do. The front bumper bar needs various tabs welding to it and there are lots of brackets and tabs we probably wont use so to protect the shny paint we left it in the can for now. The plan is to almost completely build the car before striping it again and finally painting the shell. This will allow us to make any required modifications as we go and not ruin the paint. As the primer will get dirty easily one rule we are implementing is that nothing gets bolted to the car that is in its final refurbished condition especially anything containing oil. We will see how long that lasts. There's lots to do and lot's to buy. Mostly an engine. More on that later but for now we are on the quest for one of these 1/18 models that Sunstar just released. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4719/...473d0dd1_b.jpg Brace yourselves for an onslaught of updates. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4776/...52aa7cc9_z.jpg |
So we have had the car back a couple of weeks and there has been plenty of buzz though not, seemingly, much progress. That, of course is not the case with much of the action taking place in online shopping carts as we start to buy the parts we will need.
Most importnatly, an engine. We have the 10V that came with the car and that "ran when parked" as they say. But it's only good for 2-300 horspower max and then you have to ditch the CIS injection and spend gobs of money on it, jst to get 300hp. A slightly more modern 20V engine can easily manage 3-400 horsepower apparently with much more availble if you want to go bankrupt. We think 350 hp will be fine for our purposes so have decided to go that route. We have orderd a stock but tested engine from a quattro guru that is coming with a chipped ecu and a few other niceties that should give us a plu and play 300-350 hp. More on that when it gets here. So what else: well, we started assembling the iconic Group B dash by pulling out all the gauges and switches we had previously purchased. Then went to eGauges.com for the ones we are missing. VDO Vision Black; in Metric when available. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4790/...44c730c5_c.jpg Before we could order the fuel level gauge we needed to figure out what ohms range the stock sender puts out. The interweb didn't seem to know so we showed it our FLUKE multi-meter. That must hace sacred it because it didn't work. After careful disassembly and cleaning of all the electrical paths we finally determined that it went from 40ohms to 285 ohms so ordered a 33-240 ohm gauge. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/786/4...e33f404d_c.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/820/4...c82ac3cc_c.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4795/...0636f37f_c.jpg We also test fitted our Sparco seat bracket, both in the car and on one of our Corbeau FIA seats but resisted the temptation to test the both in the car, for now. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4795/...e4bd180f_c.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4777/...b5a271e5_c.jpg Then, with a little help from some MRF rally tires we installed the rear diff and subframe. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4785/...42749d48_c.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4774/...8ff41e6a_c.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4776/...d7cf8b44_c.jpg And yesterday our refurbished rack arrived from Jorgen Automotive so we threw that at the car too. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4772/...d4813754_c.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/801/4...92d52847_c.jpg Next on the list is to refurbish and install the steering column, pedals and shifter. Me should have the front subframe back from powder coating so don't be surprised to see that on the car too soon. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/822/2...3d12d597_b.jpg |
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/822/4...0cc319b6_c.jpg
This concept of refurbishing parts then bolting them to the unpainted shell is working out well as we have already discovered a few things we need to mod and are accumulating quite a parts list too. We got our first batch of parts back from powder coating: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/816/2...2dd4e36b_c.jpg And wasted no time attaching some of them to the car. Front sub=frame for instance: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/799/4...bdb25b91_c.jpg We also received a Sparco battery cut-off for the dash: https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4774/...6857c792_c.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/799/4...df021bbe_c.jpg Our friend Paull is concurrently building an RS200 replica with a Focus RS crate engine. He brought over his superfluous factory intercooler to see if it might work for our application. Maybe: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/821/4...b2260ccf_c.jpg We finished the refurb on the steering column but it is going to need a bushing sleeve replaced before being put into actual service. However, this didn’t stop us bolting it up along with the refurbished pedal assembly: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/871/4...df58a63a_c.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/868/4...de3c2fe4_c.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/886/2...311d9e49_c.jpg We thought our pedal assembly was in pretty good shape, until we took the over-center spring apart to clean it: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/882/3...83e2251a_c.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/885/4...9165b240_c.jpg Add that to the parts list. Stll, it didn’t stop us bolting it to the car: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/788/4...9c6e315f_c.jpg We also spent a bit of time prepping some parts for plating. We are having this lot zinc dichromated so they need sand blasting first. It was suggested filling the cylinder bores with hot glue so they wouldn’t get sand blasted so we gave it a try. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/801/2...84ffb881_c.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/879/4...a78bd485_c.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/788/3...5aee7439_c.jpg We took the opportunity to test fit the dash as we suspected it would interfere with the steering column. We were not wrong. There’s a reason for that cutout after all: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/789/4...9a727f7d_c.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/820/2...2788795d_c.jpg We plan to continue to assemble the car this coming week so look for an update soon. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/822/2...3d12d597_b.jpg |
TOO MANY FRONTS!
What do we mean by “fronts”. Well, we have opened up quite a few areas of work on the car, none of which seem to be nearing completion: namely: • transmission, • plating • pedals • dash • shifter We have power washed the transmission and replaced axle seals but we broke a tab off the rear output unit and only just found a spare transmission to steal one off. Now we will disassemble that and replace both seals. Fortunately the bearing in this one is in great shape so it actually saved us some money and time. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/877/4...4debca54_c.jpg[/url] Still have to clean the trans and replace the input seal. Then install the shift linkage we recently refurbished. Along with the calipers we prepped for plating we also have dozens of fasteners and brackets to re-plate. To help with the cleaning process we bought a vibrating parts cleaner from Harbor Freight. We are still learning what media works best for what degree of rust etc. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/796/4...fb293bd2_c.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/808/4...c828f938_c.jpg We did make some progress with the shifter in that we managed to disassemble it. Without breaking anything either! https://farm1.staticflickr.com/898/4...c8f34326_c.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/888/4...6a370428_c.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/799/2...dca5a8b1_c.jpg The reverse lock-out tab is bent but otherwise it’s OK. We ordered a short shift kit from 034 Motorsports for it too We laid down some plywood floorboards after installing the pedals. The floor was very uncomfortable to kneel on and our work boots made it dirty. This will be a lot more convivial. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/887/4...69743423_c.jpg We still need to find the accelerator pedal, get the dash to fit over the steering column and also fill it with gauges and switches. Lots to do! https://farm1.staticflickr.com/822/2...3d12d597_b.jpg |
We made quite a lot of progress this week but it doesn’t feel like it. Perhaps because we didn’t get to actually bolt anything to the car. What we did do was finish prepping the transmission. We replaced the rear coupling and seals with a non-broken version, cleaned and painted the case, installed new drain and fill plugs, replaced the input shaft seal and installed the mounts and brackets. Mounts are 034 Motorsport in Delrin.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/895/4...0fd3cd49_c.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/875/2...74ef907a_c.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/900/2...081a08ea_c.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/875/2...74ef907a_c.jpg People keep telling us we really need to run with the big, heavy rubber damper mounted to the back of the transmission as Audi intended but we’d really rather leave it off. Are we nuts? We also managed to recommission our ancient, homebuilt sand blaster and put it to work on some rusty components. Unfortunately, in our excited state, we forgot to take the “before” pictures. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/789/4...efc0bfdb_c.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/819/2...1e85b0a0_c.jpg Next week we hope to modify the dash to fit over the steering column and get some parts plated. We will also look for something to bolt to the car. Exciting!!!!!!! https://farm1.staticflickr.com/822/2...3d12d597_b.jpg |
Like most car nuts we are easily distracted by shiny things that come in the mail. This week was particularly distracting in that regard:
Clutch bulkhead brace from 034 Motorsports: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/900/4...7d8ed118_c.jpg Solid Delrin engine mounts from 034 Motorsports: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/805/4...360b2d2c_c.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/898/3...8466dc21_c.jpg Transmission mounts from 034 Motorsports: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/896/4...97959d28_c.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/927/2...bf24aefe_c.jpg[/url] Short shift kit from 034 Motorsport (of course): https://farm1.staticflickr.com/883/2...364f9881_c.jpg We also gave the car its own "woom" to gestate in. Do you think it will be ready in nine months? https://farm1.staticflickr.com/905/3...6d271904_c.jpg Next up. Hacking up the dash to make it fit. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/822/2...3d12d597_b.jpg |
It’s time to make the Group B rally dash actually fit in the car. This is a reproduction panel modelled on an original by a member of the US Quattro community and is beautifully crafted. Unfortutunately they have to be “relieved” to fit round the steering column as the lower return is supplied straight. You can’t just cut it as it would then be too flimsy. An added complication is that we intend to still use the ignition key so we have to make room for the barrel housing too. You can see the interference here:
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/789/4...9a727f7d_c.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/805/4...8a0d2574_c.jpg That bottom flange needs to follow the curvature of the panel. To do so it needs to be cut, formed and then a bridge piece added to maintain its rigidity. Then we will need to remove some material to clear the lock. We will have to do all this with the gauge panel in place or it will easily distort. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/939/4...41a46a0e_c.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/908/2...701fcbde_c.jpg These fasteners will be replaced with rivets once we are confident everything fits. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/967/4...dd9e0676_c.jpg Then we needed to clear the ignition key housing: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/829/4...4bbabb16_c.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/823/2...77f5d710_c.jpg The dash panel is suspended from the dash bar welded between the cage A pillar bars but will need some bracing beneath to stop it swinging back and forth. We fabricated these brackets and used the holes from the old cage to help mount them. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/903/2...c86c3606_c.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/950/3...6b0aa6b1_c.jpg Done! https://farm1.staticflickr.com/943/2...4d493569_c.jpg Now to mount some more gauges, fuses and a computer! https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2684/3...bb136236_b.jpg (These are just a small selection of the pictures we have taken. You can see all of them at https://flic.kr/s/aHskqskKvZ) |
Gauging progress on the Quattro Rally Build.
The dash on the Group B Quattros is somewhat iconic especially the big orange oil light in the middle. For this reason we have been very keen to progress work in this area. Our large tachometer came without any mounting hardware. It looks like it was designed to mount into a rubber grommet like the Porsche 911 gauges. That was never going to work with the 2mm thick aluminium dash we are working with so we had to get creative. First we tried a large hose clamp but of course it rattled around. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/830/4...43379bd1_c.jpg Then we butchered some garage door seal for its rubber and tried that under the hose clamp. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/829/4...2078d1a2_c.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/957/4...274e005e_c.jpg This worked as the clamp squeezed itself up against the back of the dash but didn’t really look the part. We found a roll of thicker black seal in the back of the shop and sliced that up instead. Success! https://farm1.staticflickr.com/829/3...1d9053d4_c.jpg Then our missing VDO gauges came in from egauges.com so we mounted them up. The threaded sleeve on these makes installation so much easier than the yoke and thumb nuts of old. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/826/2...72586179_c.jpg Our tachometer came without mounting studs but no yoke so we made one. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/958/4...abeea14d_c.jpg Then we just had to put it into the car. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/909/4...d90b6865_c.jpg All it needs now is warning lights and switches, mostly. We were also very excited to receive a box of metric flange nuts and bolts we found on eBay. These will be very useful. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/976/4...04b598a1_c.jpg Yes, we know, we’re nuts! https://farm1.staticflickr.com/822/2...3d12d597_b.jpg |
We took our first foray into replating components recently. Many steel components on 80s German cars have a gold finish which was at the time probably cadmium plating. These days, due to EPA regulations, zinc dichromate plating seems to be a better option. You can do it in-house quite easily but the dichromate part is really toxic so we prefer to have it done as far away from our shop as practicable. We have also resisted the temptation to lick the newly finished parts.
First step in the process is to degrease the components and then to remove all the rust by blasting. As we mentioned earlier, we recently recommissioned our home-made sand blaster so used that to blast a bunch of accumulated parts. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/968/4...58789358_c.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/912/4...27b0c483_c.jpg We boxed them up and ran them over to Plating Specialists Inc. in Madison Heights. A safe 15 miles from our shop. Two weeks and $240 later WOW: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/878/4...2a03173a_c.jpg We couldn’t help but bolt a few components to the car: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/973/4...2e1937d3_c.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/965/4...ab8fca0c_c.jpg We think we might be addicted to zinc dichromate plating now. |
SHORT SHIFTER
We mentioned earlier that we had purchased a short shift kit from 034 Motorsports. Well, with our freshly plated shifter components back at the shop we wasted no time in assembling it and bolting it in. This is the stock shifter: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/865/4...d2fdee67_c.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/948/2...8573e297_c.jpg And the freshly plated components and short shift kit jigsaw puzzle: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/878/4...b0f676d8_c.jpg We soon had it together: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/890/4...cbb56d4d_c.jpg And bolted in the car: https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1736/...a7a36a0a_c.jpg Of course the transmission is not in so the shift rod is just hanging in space for now. GAS PEDAL During or shifter assembling we stumbled upon the gas pedal. We knew it couldn’t evade us forever. The pivot bushings seemed fine so we quickly slapped it in the car and made VROOM - VROOM noises. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1746/...39782104_c.jpg We are not sure if we are going to employ the original method of connecting the accelerator cable though. Seems a bit weird. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1739/...b2120659_c.jpg After all that hard work we felt we deserved a sit down and a nice cup of tea: https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1759/...9cedccd4_c.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/822/2...3d12d597_b.jpg |
It’s been a while since we got to work on the rally Quattro project so also a while since any updates. We have been distracted by other projects such as getting our 85 Quattro ready for the Concours D’elegance of America towards the end of July. Happily the car won an award so it was worth the effort.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/936/4...d63edde9_c.jpg As you may recall the car came with some suspension parts, the origin of which we could not determine. Namely: delrin control arm bushings, coil-over conversion kit and spherical bearing top mounts. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8848/...d0a8c09d_c.jpg https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8180/...cfe000ce_c.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1863/...3f2a19cc_c.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1861/...324a2792_c.jpg We have had an interesting time trying to get all this kit to work. Firstly the delrin bushings are wider than the sleeve that goes through them. This sleeve needs to end up slightly proud of the bushings so that it get clamped in the mounting slots and does not move. Then the bushings can rotate on the sleeve. Fortunately the sleeves appear to be the correct length. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1861/...b9190510_c.jpg It’s a good thing the bushings are also too thick as we need to remove some material to make them shorter than the sleeves. However, the sleeves are too tight in the bushings so we will also need to relieve them a little so they will actually rotate. The top mounts don’t work either. Early on we had some spacers made to locate the upper spring perch and get some articulation in the mount but we won’t know how much articulation we need until we can mock-up a front and rear strut and control arm, but it’s definitely going to require more than we have now. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8360/...8a5ce913_c.jpg Unfortunately, due to the amount of hardware we are introducing to allow articulation we are also using up all of the threaded portion of the strut shaft and, although we can get a nut on we can’t access the hole in the top which will allow us to stop the shaft turning so we can torque it down. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1746/...d6148412_c.jpg To make things more interesting we have not yet found any off the shelf tubing of the correct dimensions to use as spacers so it will all have to be made. The tops of the struts are also unfinished. We are concerned that these may corrode, especially the threaded sleeves. We are hoping our plating shop can zinc dichromate just the top portion as paint would be too thick. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1861/...ed8f0914_c.jpg And we thought not having to stick to OE parts would make this project fun! On a brighter note we did have some small victories with the dash. We found and mounted a VW Beetle headlight switch: https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1844/...a733c475_c.jpg And the period correct heated rear window switch: https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1861/...af62217a_c.jpg Next update should include how we solve all the suspension issues, hopefully. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/822/2...3d12d597_b.jpg |
Like the suave, sophisticated gentleman in this video says “The car has legs now”
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1892/...eb81442a_c.jpg How did we get to this point? Well, as we discussed in our last post the delrin bushings are wider than the sleeve that goes through them. This sleeve needs to end up slightly proud of the bushings so that it gets clamped in the mounting slots on the subframe and does not move. Then the bushings can rotate on the sleeves. Fortunately the sleeves appear to be the correct length but they were also too tight in the bushings so we relieved them a little: https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1852/...214bf808_c.jpg The bushings are also too thick so we removed some material to make them shorter than the sleeves and also added a chamfer so they would fit in the subframe slots: https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1878/...5179134e_c.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1736/...15e227de_c.jpg Then we had to scour the globe to find ball joints: https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1827/...a0d9b203_c.jpg Our top mounts that came with the car are held in place by four set screws so we had to get the drill out again: https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1861/...324a2792_c.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1869/...fe112477_c.jpg We were worried that our bearing, spacer and nut combination wouldn’t have enough articulation so we assembled a front strut and put it through its entire range to see if it would be enough. It was, thankfully: https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1862/...942e5a93_c.jpg To celebrate this small milestone we threw on a wheel off our 85. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1863/...a577ac91_c.jpg Maybe next update we’ll have figured the actual wheels and tires we will use. Maybe you can help by suggesting a wheel from the BRAID range. https://braidusa.com/collections/wheels https://farm1.staticflickr.com/822/2...3d12d597_b.jpg |
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:00 AM. |
© 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands