At the end of the season the car was blowing off the rad hose on a cold engine; suspecting it to be the head gasket the heads were finally pulled the other day. Not good.
The block is suspected to be cracked in two places and the heads are warped. Serves me right for not pulling the heads day one. At least there is plenty of time before good weather is upon us to sort out what to do about this. Not sure how fixable the block is, should be able to machine the heads. Depending on cost this sounds like a good time to do some clean up in the engine, replace the pistons, valves, springs, etc, budget might not allow that though.
*sigh* no one said this was going to be cheap, but I was also not looking for a pit full of fire to "store" my money either.
Posted in Parts.
By admin
– December 17, 2008
Haven't posted these pictures yet, so here they are. Car is effectively complete minus some paint and some tweaks to things like the air intake.
Posted in Parts.
By admin
– October 13, 2008
Went to the MTO today with everything I needed to get my VIN. The first step in getting my car legal for the road. This isn't going to be as easy as I had hoped.
Everything I've done is based on this: http://www.canadianrodder.com/features/fyi/registering.htm
Today started off with a trip to the lawyer to get my Affidavit/Declaration done. This was pretty painless. Wrote everything up, I signed it, they stamped it. Done.
I then directly to the MTO (Square One location in Mississauga) to get my VIN. First issue. The person helping me has never done this but he knows it can be done, just not sure how. Other person in the office said she hasn't had anyone in 3 years ask her to register a "Kit Car" and she can't remember what the process is. Fan-freaking-tastic.
They call Kingston, where MTO main office is, they talk for a while and agree to fax over everything I've brought in so Kingston can look at it. I have a seat and wait for 30 minutes while they do this. They come back asking for a Declaration of Origin on my engine. Not something, according to the URL above, that I need. They don't know where I can get such a declaration, they simply want it. Considering I bought the '94 Camaro engine from a scrap yard that thought it was a '96, I don't think the scrap yard will be any help whatsoever. They seem to think the engine is new, even though I keep telling them it is used and from a scrap yard in Michigan.
I talked to them a little longer trying to explain that the engine is used, and I don't believe I need such a declaration. All I get is a "Kingston said" response. After talking to the more senior official at the local office it was agreed they would take copies of my paper work, and look into it and call me. It's currently 6pm and they haven't called me. 
That's where things sit now. I'm sure that if I had an MTO official that has dealt with kit cars before, I wouldn't have to go through this bureaucratic hell, but that's where I am. If anyone knows of someone at the MTO with more experience in such things I'd love a contact name and number.
Argh. This is going to take much longer than I imagined. *sigh*
Posted in General.
By admin
– September 26, 2008
Drove the car today for the very first time. OMFG this car is FAAASSSSTTT, warp speed fast! Final weight is 1650lbs, add a 300hp engine and so much torque that you can pull away from a stop in 4th gear and you've got a car that can bend space & time. One thing does need to be changed, the steering rack is just way too quick. The rack is out of
FrankenMini which was designed for autocross where a quick rack helps. However this rack in Brutus is too quick for the street, quite a "white knuckle" experience. Thankfully I can change the pinion in this rack and slow it down.
You'll notice rain on the camera lense during the video. Unfortunately that's not rain but water from the cooling system, car sprung a small leak.
With no further delay, here's the video:
Posted in General.
By admin
– September 13, 2008
