VX SS Commodore - My diary.

[Ginger Beer]

I recall the episode of John Cadogan v Andrew StPier-White. Re: ASPW claiming Toyotas intercooler and bonnet venting was not done the right way. Science won.

The only reason Subaru went top mount was for WRC where rally cars tended to kill front mount intercoolers, Toyota followed suit, as well as other manufacturers, for rally it kinda made sense, the designers just followed suit because people thought it looked cool

There is typically gaskets that seal the bonnet and intercooler, and ducting after the intercooler to let the air out behind the engine, but it still isn't optimal

This is why most circuit cars that originally came wirh a top mount switch to front mount and either use a "non vented" bonnet of a NA car, blank the scoop off, or go carbon fibre, some with vents in the right position to actually use the low pressure zone at the front of the bonnet just behind where the radiator sits

I had one of these on my R33 circuit/drag car that was actually designed and tested when it was developed, it evacuated the underbonnet air just behind the radiator, increasing the efficiency of the cooling stack of a engine oil cooler, a large intercooler, the condenser and the radiator, even on long sessions at the circuit my temps were always on point

If your not monitoring cooling temps, under bonnet pressure testing looking for high pressure vs low pressure zones, doing wind tunnel testing and/or wool tuft testing your doing it wrong

In saying this, if your running a carburettor, a reverse cowl or bonnet scoops like the Monaro or XB-XC GT's, with some underbonnet ducting, is the best way to go

A old mate made up some fibreglass underboonet ducting for his XB GT that went from the vent to the filter body on the carburettor sealing off from the engine bay, the intake temps were greatly improved, he seen it on one of the race cars at Bathurst years ago and made his own

I've seen similar on old carbie Holden race cars (VK's) with reverse cowls

Like this, but this is for the XB interior windscreen vents, think of it like is attached to bonnet, the bonnet vents/scoops, and then a hole in the wide bit that seals to the carbie when the bonnet is closed>

BUT, for EFI, you need to really look a bit deeper if your looking at lowering underbonnet temps, and cutting in random holes with scoops or vents is definitely NOT the way to go

 

[Chuckmeister]

Awesome feedback guys....I really appreciate everything I can read. I've got a new oil cooler going on. I'll see how that goes first.
If I cant get rid of, or regulate heat, and oil temps are still crazy then I have to do something drastic. I can feather those vents into the bonnet so you could barely see them if needed but if it needs airflow then thats what I'll have to do. Bonnet scoops are not an option with this car. Or I'll need to vent the air somewhere that is less obvious. This heat has caused a bearing issue that I cant afford to happen again. Like I mentioned I'll check the new oil cooler...go from there...
Having said that my engine came back today today from the machine shop looking lovely and shmick, started to be put together. Hopefully by next week its sitting in the bay with the trans bolted and the measurements can be made on the tailshaft. Happy to see things moving forward.
Also got my new cam specs...if I'm reading things right...on a Friday night after all...its a pretty nasty cam. Looking forward to the final result.. If I'm reading the chart right...which I might not be until I check with the builder (ton of stuff on the chart for a non mechanic)...the cam is 239.8 / 249.8 /113 custom grind. I believe my builder got a phone call from Crow asking how the cam went, as they have had a couple of good results only to be told its not done yet lol. You get that !!

 

[Ginger Beer]

A nice big oil cooler up front will 100% fix oil temp issues

Are you still running your undertray?

 

[Chuckmeister]

Hopefully an update on this car this week. Its been a long 11 months having things rebuilt, installed etc...a bit of a roller coaster ride you might say with getting frustrated with just about everything...time frames on the job being the biggest really.
Anyway, hopefully get my car this week finished.
So the car went in for its usual service. They cut apart the oil filter and saw some metal. Dropped the sump and saw some marks on the crank(bearing). Turns out that the car suffered from major heat issues. The decision was made to freshen up the engine.
So after this decision was made...I threw my arms in the air and said **** it...just do the whole thing..front to back...
The engine was stripped down...back up to the machinist's and everything was checked for damage and repaired.
Had a custom grind from Crow for the supercharger.
Had about every cooler known to man put on....oil, trans, water etc.
Supercharger was serviced and discovered the intercooler had a couple of issues. The lines were crimped the last time it was installed. They had to remake the lines. Also the intercooler was completely blocked with crap. Couldn't even see through it. So quite a few ultrasonic baths.
Had alot of small stuff done in the bay, tuff mounts, electrical etc
Next was the transmission. I had a 1000hp rated turbo-400...I think it was around 1100nm of torque direct from the US in a brand new crate. Anyway to cut a long story short, this blew up on the Hub getting tuned. This was rebuilt from the mechanics trans dood apparently from a builder in Mandurah that does drag cars etc. He couldn't say why it blew up other than maybe the bands were too tight.I dunno I'm getting a bit sinical atm lol At his cost though which was great. I bought the trans through him luckily. I have to say the interior install of the shifter looks amazing.
Further down the line....when it came time to shorten the tail shaft...turns out that it was completely broken and needed a new piece made....so custom tail shaft
New diff center (harrop) new gears reduced down to 3.4's from 3.9's. With that t-400, I probably could have gone lower. Its been so long that I have to get the car back to re-evaluate.
And finally, I had uprated axels (bigger) from HSV.
Hopefully some imagery coming soon.

 

[ephect]

That's a decent list and sorry to hear the list of troubles found along the way.

At least it's almost back to enjoy! Looking forward to some pics

 

[Fu Manchu]

I was only thinking about this the other day while reading @VF Sleeper thread. Just seemed a familiar story.

It seems both good and bad at the same time, that this car has done this. I really hope you can be out going for a cruise around soon enough.

 

[gtrboyy]

Know that cynical feeling all too well just feels like people are trying to hit you up for every single cent or you're the one who pays for other people's fcuk ups!!!!.

I'm getting bent over with house but same same with cars

 

[Fu Manchu]

Know that cynical feeling all too well just feels like people are trying to hit you up for every single cent or you're the one who pays for other people's fcuk ups!!!!.

I'm getting bent over with house but same same with cars

Fkn tradies have done my head in with our Reno.

I had to get the plumbers back for the bathrooms multiple times after inspecting their work. Sparkie too.

In some cases I gave up and did the work myself to get it right before moving on.

Cars are very much the same. Prefer to do everything I can myself due to a lack of trust in workmanship and honesty.

I guess there’s a point at which the skill required can be exceeded and the level of this car is certainly that for almost anyone. @Chuckmeister seems to have a trustful relationship here.

 

[Chuckmeister]

dropped the gears further to 3.08 to make it more drivable and less revvy. Even 3.4's were a little bit painful for daily driving (with the t-400). Do-able but I'd hate for a drive down the freeway on them.
Also had a plastic/rubber spacer(gasket) put on the supercharger to lower my air intake temp issues Removes the metal on metal conductivity of the engine. Dropped air intake temp by 20 degree's. created a follow on issue as it raised the supercharger by around 5mm and now the rear charger belt is rubbing on the firewall under power. Just going to take the charger off and gently (lol) hammer the firewall, enough for the clearance.

 

[Fu Manchu]

dropped the gears further to 3.08 to make it more drivable and less revvy. Even 3.4's were a little bit painful for daily driving (with the t-400). Do-able but I'd hate for a drive down the freeway on them.
Also had a plastic/rubber spacer(gasket) put on the supercharger to lower my air intake temp issues Removes the metal on metal conductivity of the engine. Dropped air intake temp by 20 degree's. created a follow on issue as it raised the supercharger by around 5mm and now the rear charger belt is rubbing on the firewall under power. Just going to take the charger off and gently (lol) hammer the firewall, enough for the clearance.

You could lower the cross member a smidge with some spacers.