this is an awesome/positive feed back ~ update that you are experiencing a drop in engine temps there Craig !!

I will hope for another 90 degree day, which, based on where you are, wont be tough. ;-)
and then you can see if the environmental conditions are playing with your cars temps.

I would lean towards what Grady is saying... makes sense to me... these engines have higher than liquid cooled engines exhaust gases temps... they really need forced air flowing over the exhaust manifold... more air than what swirls around them as you move down the road.

Take care,
Bob

I wanted to share a video that I made today. The first 30 seconds is basically how it sounds at idle when warm. The rest of the video shows some revving while driving down a country road.

The car has about 400 miles on it so I tried to keep the RPMs from exceeding 5k.

There are a couple of loose valves which I will address once I hit the 500 mile mark.

It was 82 degrees with 50% humidity. Car still ran VERY cool. Yesterday I also did the same drive (about 100 miles) and engine temps remained cool - about the 8 o'clock position.

You may notice that my oil pressure is pegged at 5 ... this is b/c I broke the sender when doing the heat backdate. Going to replaced the sender next week.

http://reactionplus.com/pcar/breakin_1.html

Sounds great!! Nice work there!

Sorry I missed you today Craig. I ended up adjusting valves and changing oil this morning. The car sounds great. Sounds like the power is smooth. I can see the smile from here...

No worries. I figured you would be doing some work on your car since you have a track event this weekend. Have a great time! Wish I could go.

Yep. Many many smiles!

Just wanted to share an update.

Right now I have roughly 4000 miles on the engine. That includes two trips from Charleston, SC to Richmond, VA.

The RMS started weeping a couple of weeks after the initial crank - enough to drip on the garage floor every other day after sitting. I had a hard time installing the seal with the engine on the stand - the yoke was a big obstacle.

After getting some Christmas money I decided to have a shop replace the seal, align, corner balance and lower the car. I am happy to report that the car is running great and I couldn't be happier with it. Right now I am out of stuff to do. Guess it is time to enjoy.

Here are a couple of pics of the car lowered. The torsion bars were not touched and no bump steer kit was added - I do have the turbo tie rods though.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1231881740.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1231881815.jpg

OH no you are not done. First H4s then get back with me and we can continue :-)

Glad you are enjoying it, that was quite a journey, I think the decision to have a shop do the seal was probably good for your sanity!

Really the next big step is when you are "used" to the power and bored. Then will come the FG bumpers and other lt wt bits...how about a custom geared tranny....I see a cash out Refi in your future :-)

Just curious how much you could lower it without touching the torsion bars?

Craig, Very nice looking, and nice riding car.

Craig I wish I could say that I'm experiencing the same weather you are , it is absolutely horrible and depressing in Chicago! Snow storm after another, with below zero temps is keeping my ride grounded. I have a really good friend who went to the university of SC and played for the Game Cocks, he always tells me how nice it is over there. Glad to see your ride in tip top shape. I would like to lower my car as well. Once it gets warmer I need to tackle my brakes. I have a caliper leaking...

I have the new measurements at home - will get them and post.

The ride height was previously untouched and the drop was significant. Everyone was surprised how much the rear spring plates moved the height.

That depends on how the adjustment is set relative to the current height on your car. You really need to look at your adjustment and see if you have room to go down, as all cars are different. At Craig's previous height, his adjustment was all the way up, so he had plenty of adjustment to go down. Now, after lowering the car, since his adjustment is at the bottom, if he wants to lower, he will need to adjust the bars.

(By adjustment, I mean the eccentric bolt that you turn on the spring plate, that alters the rear ride height.)

This is one of the cooolest threads I've gone through in a long time.
Congrats
T

Just wanted to share an update now that I have 5500 miles on the rebuild.

Happy to report that the engine is running well. Nice power, idles great, no misses/hesitation, etc. Engine is staying cool too! Even in 100 degree temps (at least that is what I guess it was on the highway at 5 pm on a 95 degree day) the engine temps remained around 210 - 215. When outside temps are 80 or below the engine runs around 180 (generally speaking).

A recent 1200 mile trip indicated 1/4 of 1 quart of oil use which is certainly good.

I do have two oil drips that occur when running - right chain cover and right chain box. Each will produce a couple of drops on the floor after a drive but then it stops once the engine cools. I plan on doing a winter drop to fix these two areas - the chain box won't be fun since I may have to remove the cams in order for the box to clear the case.

I wonder how many more miles I will need before I stop worrying about something going wrong? Hope it is soon.

You never stop worrying. It does lessen but you will always in the back of your mind "wonder if."
You have a good engine that will last many many years. You obviously have confidence in it by trips you have taken. They are great cars and the rebuild just brings them back to where they started.
Let me know when you get ready for the next drop. And while you are in there....:D

I would say if nothing has happened so far - not to worry. I would drive it like you stole it. Porsche made them to be driven. Enjoy.

Cheers.

Craig, Remember... " it's all voodoo!" That was great advice you gave me. I'm sure everything will continue to be just fine!

Ok. Last update on this rebuild unless something goes horribly wrong. I now stand at 12k miles since finishing the engine in September 08. I have decided to continue using Valvoline VR-1 racing 20/50 even though I bought some Brad Penn (accounts of higher temps has me wary of making the switch). Still using 1/4 of 1 quart per oil change. Again, very happy about this. Also happy to report that the car is running extremely well despite a couple of minor incidents this spring - cracked ignition rotor and failed 02 sensor relay.

Regarding that leak mentioned above. I JUST NOW realized that it wasn't the chain housing or chain cover seal. It was the oil pressure sender. Apparently it was dripping from the pressure sender block (inner side where it meets the engine block) and running down the chain housing. Phew! So I am now completely leak free. Honest.

Awesome dude, glad it working so well for you. I'll have to check it out the next time I'm in town.

Lol, yeah the oil pressure senders tend to be a leak source... In any motor, we had a drip there on the XTR when we first put it together.

The Valvoline is perfect for your motor and climate, and the 20/50 racing has great anti-foaming properties... Wouldn't worry about switching.

Leak
 

[/QUOTE]Regarding that leak mentioned above. I JUST NOW realized that it wasn't the chain housing or chain cover seal. It was the oil pressure sender. Apparently it was dripping from the pressure sender block (inner side where it meets the engine block) and running down the chain housing. Phew! So I am now completely leak free. Honest.[/QUOTE]

Congrats.

That oil leak is one that baffles many. We tend to look for the hard solutions i/o the easier ones. You're lucky you were patient! Best of luck!