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So it's been a while but I'm finally back in a position to focus on getting back into car stuff again. Long story short, got medically discharged from the army and forced to complete a career change. Now that all of that is settled, it's time to get back into the seat. I'm leaning to just keeping the the car as a track day/CAM-C autox car for the next couple of years. Then, once I get a truck, I can get more aggressive. That's the good news, the bad news is my confidence in the status of the car isn't. Some issues came up right before I got out with the car that I never got sorted. So, let's get started.
The biggest issue that came up with the car prior to the discharge was it eating valve cover gaskets. Three to be precise in just 12 months and all at track days. All leaks were occurring around the driver side (specifically around the back side towards the firewall). The first thought was they were worn out, but after changing them out it started leaking again at the next track day. Changed it again and installed a bigger catch can in the event it was due to insufficient catch can setup (original setup was jlt passenger can). The next event, it did it again. This time I ordered new valve covers which also required an update to the oil dipstick tube. I have had one track day since and it held up, but I was also not going anywhere close to my normal pace so I'm not sure if it's actually fixed. Has anyone else dealt with something like this?
Next issue is with still having issues with pulling timing at high rpm (> 7200 rpm). I've installed the CJ pulse ring, had it custom tuned, done all the warranty fixes, and even had the original motor replaced after it blew up. Still no dice as two tuners have said it seems to pull timing up top. The last one said it seemed like it wasn't getting enough fuel but the only things done are exhaust and CAI. At this stage, I've just been short shifting to avoid over heating anyway, but it makes me concerned seeing as I've lost one motor once before. Anyone got any ideas what might be causing this?
Last real issue is cooling and temps. This issue I'm addressing this month when I put in a new sandwich plate to relocate my temp and pressure sensors to get better readings. Currently, the temp gauge only moves when in traffic in the middle of summer. Otherwise it won't move (even on track it'll stay at 140 or jump around). Once I get a better baseline of what my temps look like, i'll figure out what i'll do next. My plan is eventually new radiator, water pump, fan, and expansion tank. The oil cooler is a setrab 172 but I'll reevaluate the cooler once I know what my temps actually are.
The biggest issue that came up with the car prior to the discharge was it eating valve cover gaskets. Three to be precise in just 12 months and all at track days. All leaks were occurring around the driver side (specifically around the back side towards the firewall). The first thought was they were worn out, but after changing them out it started leaking again at the next track day. Changed it again and installed a bigger catch can in the event it was due to insufficient catch can setup (original setup was jlt passenger can). The next event, it did it again. This time I ordered new valve covers which also required an update to the oil dipstick tube. I have had one track day since and it held up, but I was also not going anywhere close to my normal pace so I'm not sure if it's actually fixed. Has anyone else dealt with something like this?
Next issue is with still having issues with pulling timing at high rpm (> 7200 rpm). I've installed the CJ pulse ring, had it custom tuned, done all the warranty fixes, and even had the original motor replaced after it blew up. Still no dice as two tuners have said it seems to pull timing up top. The last one said it seemed like it wasn't getting enough fuel but the only things done are exhaust and CAI. At this stage, I've just been short shifting to avoid over heating anyway, but it makes me concerned seeing as I've lost one motor once before. Anyone got any ideas what might be causing this?
Last real issue is cooling and temps. This issue I'm addressing this month when I put in a new sandwich plate to relocate my temp and pressure sensors to get better readings. Currently, the temp gauge only moves when in traffic in the middle of summer. Otherwise it won't move (even on track it'll stay at 140 or jump around). Once I get a better baseline of what my temps look like, i'll figure out what i'll do next. My plan is eventually new radiator, water pump, fan, and expansion tank. The oil cooler is a setrab 172 but I'll reevaluate the cooler once I know what my temps actually are.
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