my low budget dream car build

[ToySnakePMC]

Stickers and decals can be fun, to me anyway. I spy one from Gabe, I believe.
BTW, how is your fresh air system working out? No issues in the rain, correct?

Edit: Lol, I was wrong, but I had just recently seen the same R badge on a horn button in these parts...
Carry on...

[chrisbalich]

Originally Posted by ToySnakePMC

Stickers and decals can be fun, to me anyway. I spy one from Gabe, I believe.
BTW, how is your fresh air system working out? No issues in the rain, correct?

The ‘pirate Holstein’ is from Bryan of Achtungkraft.
The ‘low life’ is a vintage Eurotrash Apparel Co. sticker that’s likely 8 years old.
The ‘R Institute’ sticker is from Matt (Pelican user Fixer)

The fresh air system has been working fantastic. Significant airflow and no water intrusion...so far.

[chrisbalich]

ALL HANDS ON DECK!

As previously mentioned, I'm prepping for a big 911 road trip.

I'm going to be driving 666-725 miles each way...plus whatever I drive whilst away.
I am going to be in the car alone.
It's not at all unreasonable to estimate 1800 miles of solo driving coming up.

I have previously mounted a bluetooth speaker to the half-cage to provide lightweight stereo for road trips, but I have no way to mount that speaker in the 911. I've tried. I've also tried setting it various places and aside from on the dash, they all suck. I steadfastly refuse to wear headphones of any kind whilst driving. It's unsafe even in my pirate eyes.

I've concocted a way to install a stereo in the 911 that is reasonably light (<10lbs total) and totally hidden. It would be a permanent installation due to the nature of keeping it fully hidden yet functional.
I would not be able to use it for hands-free calling. It would however interface for navigation/GPS as well as play music.

My question is this:
Would any of the lightweight/minimalist folks out there consider a stereo in a lightweight car that will see long road trips?

I don't mind 2-4 hour trips without radio at all. I'm expecting to be in the car for 10-12 hours at a stretch coming up in a few short weeks. Similarly, I won't be able to just swing through a Best Buy and pick up something to 'get me through' the trip. I need to have it in place ahead of time, or go without.

What say you, Pelican?

[DerkPerk]

I’m a radio delete guy but man that’s a long time in the car without it. I really like my Bluetooth speaker for listening to pod casts while driving. I know you mentioned that but can’t you set it on the pass seat? Not like you’re blasting corners down the freeway.

Second option is to build a small self contained box with a deck and 2 speakers mounted to it. Add a quick connect plug to 12v and remove as you like.


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[chrisbalich]

Originally Posted by DerkPerk

I’m a radio delete guy but man that’s a long time in the car without it. I really like my Bluetooth speaker for listening to pod casts while driving. I know you mentioned that but can’t you set it on the pass seat? Not like you’re blasting corners down the freeway.

Second option is to build a small self contained box with a deck and 2 speakers mounted to it. Add a quick connect plug to 12v and remove as you like.


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With the Sparcos in the car, the speaker sits so far down in the seat that the sound barely makes it out. I have to crank it up almost all the way to be able to hear it worth a hoot. Then being cranked up savages the battery life.
I can survive the drive without music. But I feel like it'd be a bit more pleasant with it.
I generally have a co-pilot on these super long drives. Kelly won't be with me on this trip, so I'm trying to set myself up for success instead of the opposite. Plus it's the first real long haul in the 911. I've not yet gone further than 3 hours (each way) in it.

[Jonny042]

I have a lot of catching up to do on this thread, wow you've been busy!!

I have a 2-1/2 hour (one way) road trip this weekend, to go autocrossing at an abandoned runway. The Rot Rod is actually pretty civilized but for anything more than short highway blasts I use hearing protection, usually earlpugs. For the longer trips, solo, I wear noise cancelling headphones and listen to music.

(EDIT - check your local laws on that..... it's OK where I am.)

[chrisbalich]

Originally Posted by Jonny042

I have a lot of catching up to do on this thread, wow you've been busy!!

I have a 2-1/2 hour (one way) road trip this weekend, to go autocrossing at an abandoned runway. The Rot Rod is actually pretty civilized but for anything more than short highway blasts I use hearing protection, usually earlpugs. For the longer trips, solo, I wear noise cancelling headphones and listen to music.

(EDIT - check your local laws on that..... it's OK where I am.)

Despite having pretty decent eye sight, I find that things sneak up on me if I can't hear. Headphones at the office, working out, or on the mower are perfect.
In the car, it feels like a terrible way to zone out and lose focus on the road.

And that doesn't even touch on not being able to hear sirens or car horns...

It really would be the perfect solution. I even have a really nice set of BT headphones that would more than get the job done. I'm just not comfortable wearing them in the car.

EDIT: Not legal in Ohio or Pennsylvania. (I'm heading to PA via OH.) So no good for this trip even if I were comfortable.

[dwelle]

no radio in my 911, frequent road trips. i reckon if i wanted to actually hear something i'd have to turn it up quite loud. the car noise + loud music = fatigue. i keep earbuds (the kind that seal up in your ear and keep a good bit of sound out) for the odd phone call or the rare occasion i want to listen to music. i kind of like being unplugged from it all, honestly. and i probably don't hear any worse with the buds in than if i had the stereo cranked to where i could actually hear it.

but, i'm also a musician and own a rock club, so i'm surrounded (or was anyway) by music everyday, all the time. my drives tend to be my peaceful time...

[Mixed76]

The point of these cars is enjoyment, and if a stereo increases enjoyment then for sure you should put one. Much easier for me to stay awake during long/ boring stretches if I have music.

The heaviest part of any stereo is the bass setup so if you skip or go easy on that part it should be pretty reasonably light. Or as someone said, make something easily removable, say in the rear seat area.

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[chrisbalich]

After reading what's been posted, speaking with my wife, and doing a little soul-searching, I've decided to just charge up and take with the BT speaker and run no-radio.

I then re-purposed the stereo monies into a new 60L duffel bag (been shopping for ~2 years), new H4 bulbs, and a rifle case. The duffel and bulbs are trip prep. The rifle case is an overdue upgrade.

Thanks everyone for their insight and experience.

[drewr]

Originally Posted by chrisbalich

After reading what's been posted, speaking with my wife, and doing a little soul-searching, I've decided to just charge up and take with the BT speaker and run no-radio.

I then re-purposed the stereo monies into a new 60L duffel bag (been shopping for ~2 years), new H4 bulbs, and a rifle case. The duffel and bulbs are trip prep. The rifle case is an overdue upgrade.

Thanks everyone for their insight and experience.

Speaking with the wife always clarifies things.

[obscene]

Originally Posted by chrisbalich

I will be travelling to Stroudsburg, PA

keep me posted. maybe me and/or the zuffen crew can drive up to say hi.

[chrisbalich]

Originally Posted by obscene

keep me posted. maybe me and/or the zuffen crew can drive up to say hi.

I've talked to Mike and Jamie and I have a friend in Philly I'd like to visit.
I'm playing it by ear right now, but there will be hangs at some point in the trip.

Ninja edit: I actually have an update, but not the time right now to post it. Tonight!

[Jonny042]

Originally Posted by chrisbalich

Despite having pretty decent eye sight, I find that things sneak up on me if I can't hear. Headphones at the office, working out, or on the mower are perfect.
In the car, it feels like a terrible way to zone out and lose focus on the road.

And that doesn't even touch on not being able to hear sirens or car horns...

It really would be the perfect solution. I even have a really nice set of BT headphones that would more than get the job done. I'm just not comfortable wearing them in the car.

EDIT: Not legal in Ohio or Pennsylvania. (I'm heading to PA via OH.) So no good for this trip even if I were comfortable.

I keep forgetting that where I live and drive, more often than not the population of moose and bears outnumber people by a good margin...... and the traffic is light. I'm sure that is a huge contrast to what you'll be dealing with.

You don't need a lecture, but these cars are LOUD! I have sensitive ears, and want them to stay that way....... please consider at least wearing earplugs for a good share of the time. If your ears are ringing after a few hours in the car, it's a good sign you should take protective measures.

Most of all, enjoy the trip!!!!

[chrisbalich]

Originally Posted by Jonny042

I keep forgetting that where I live and drive, more often than not the population of moose and bears outnumber people by a good margin...... and the traffic is light. I'm sure that is a huge contrast to what you'll be dealing with.

You don't need a lecture, but these cars are LOUD! I have sensitive ears, and want them to stay that way....... please consider at least wearing earplugs for a good share of the time. If your ears are ringing after a few hours in the car, it's a good sign you should take protective measures.

Most of all, enjoy the trip!!!!

Color me jealous. My desire to be as far from people as possible grows every day.
My ears are the opposite of sensitive. I have noteworthy hearing loss already. Likely from being front and center at hundreds of live music events...and farm equipment...and loud cars. My wife is a saint.

For the upcoming trip to PA, I have been planning to run some sort of ear protection...but haven't really pinned down what I'm going to do just yet. Worst comes to it, I'll grab a pair of foam plugs from my range bag and only push them halfway in.

[Mixed76]

Originally Posted by Jonny042

... these cars are LOUD!

Among the surprising things (to me) about these cars is how quiet they are with a stock exhaust. On a quiet road, not thrashing, I mostly hear the breeze in the trees and the thrum of the tires.

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[chrisbalich]

I realize I posted Friday morning promising an update and never got around to it. Got wrapped up in some unplanned adulting. But the time has come.

BelMetric order arrived earlier this week and looked like this.


Under the car I went to replace all the bolts and install the NordLocs.
I started on the passenger's side. The inner CV on that side appears to have been replaced at some point. The boot and flange the boot is bonded to appear to be OE, but the CV itself is narrower/thinner. So the 50mm bolts already installed had a lot of penetration. You can see here the 55mm bolt and NordLoc next to a 50mm bolt with no washer.



And here a 50mm screw with NordLoc and a 50mm screw with no washer.


I installed the remaining NordLocs with the same 50mm bolts and moved on the driver's side. Here the difference in CVs became much more apparent. See here where the 50mm screws don't have nearly the penetration past the flange.


The addition of 55mm screws and NordLocs resulted in this. (and a quick swipe with a paper towel)


All my reading suggested using 50mm screws and NordLocs on the outboard CVs.
So that's what I did. No pics because you can't see a darn thing in there.

I also ordered spark plugs that day on my way home. I want to have a fresh set for dyno tuning in a couple weeks.

I've been slowly chipping away at the calibration on the tune and it's coming along nicely. I'm going to actually pay for MegaLogViewer this week so I can dial in the calibration a bit more and have a nice, smooth drive to PA.

I also got new headlight bulbs for my H4s. The forum says these are the bees knees without switching to LEDs, HIDs, or adding auxiliary lights. Going to get those in along with new [ceramic] sockets and get the lights aimed to see if I can't see a little better at night.

Yesterday, I went for a MTB ride and then went to a 50th anniversary party. No work done on the car, but a good day.
Today, I worked on Dad's Volvo (wheel bearing and oil change), went to lunch, and I've gotta mow. Going to try to knock out the headlights today/tonight, but no promises. Yesterday was a long day. (0430-2330)

50th anniversary party picture

[rsrguy]

Nice Stance

[cmc140]

Thanks for taking the time to share your journey and progress. I'm a long time lurker and find myself frequently visiting your thread. The ethos (big word for me) of your project obviously strikes the right chord with the majority of car nuts.

PS - I'm local, may have met you once, and grew up in sburg (pcar currently at Dawes). Can't wait to run into you at some point and checkout your hard work. In a non-stalkerish way of course.

[chrisbalich]

Originally Posted by cmc140

Thanks for taking the time to share your journey and progress. I'm a long time lurker and find myself frequently visiting your thread. The ethos (big word for me) of your project obviously strikes the right chord with the majority of car nuts.

PS - I'm local, may have met you once, and grew up in sburg (pcar currently at Dawes). Can't wait to run into you at some point and checkout your hard work. In a non-stalkerish way of course.

Small world!
I've not been out and about too much these last three years. I have a hard time justifying car meets when my car doesn't drive. (rather put that time into the car)
I'm definitely getting out more this year and will continue to do so as the car gets better and better.

If you see the car, I'm not far from it. Absolutely don't hesitate to come say hey. I still shake hands these days, so if you don't, you'll have to remind me. (I do wash them frequently. I'm not an animal.)

We need to link up for a cruise when you get your car back. We'll get Corey (silver SC) and Kevin (low-ish black 964) to go too. It'd be cool to do PorscheBro things without having to cross the country!


THREAD/BUILD THINGS
I'm reading up on ATO fuse panel building while I furiously track 4 different USPS shipments all meandering their way towards me. I won't get to the fuses before September, but they're up there on the list.
I'm also waiting on a text from the North saying some custom 3D printed bits are ready to go. Hoping to have some cool updates in the coming 3 weeks before I leave.