[esm@logic.net ~]$ _

A quick update on happenings with the Eclipse; where it's at, what needs to be done, and goals for the season.

It's been a while since I talked about the Eclipse, but that doesn't mean work hasn't been progressing. In a fit of madness, the entire rear subframe came off recently, and the differential bushings were replaced (as I mentioned in my last update). However, there's been a bit more at work: when the subframe came off, a few bushings didn't come off nicely. Specifically, the rear toe control arm bushings, with their nifty little seized eccentric washers, required a reciprocating saw to remove. So, new bushings are on their way.

And, as long as I was working on suspension stuff...

I ordered the last of the parts for my so-called ultimate off-the-shelf 2G suspension. The shocks, springs, coilover sleeve kits, bearings, helper springs, and front upper control arms are here, and the RRE upper bearing plates are on their way. A friend of mine has a nice little metalworking lathe, and is willing to cut the needed snapring grooves in the shocks. The big unknown right now is a bunch of replacement OEM hardware that I ordered from JNZ; they're always good about getting OEM stuff to me, but it takes a while, especially when you have some weird items in your order. ;-) Once the last bits are here and the grooves are cut, I can get the rear of the car back together.

One other little thing: I finally got the AN fitting welded onto the Sonata oil pan that Mitch sourced for me. Not fun; until I finally doused the welding area with laquer thinner, it kept flaring up and burning through whenever I'd apply the torch to it. Note to self: welding oil-saturated metal sucks.

So, the upcoming plan of attack is:

• Reassemble the suspension/reattach the subframe. Replace an enormous number of rotted rubber bushings with poly.
• Weld in the fuel cell frame, and mount the cell, pumps, filters, and fuel pressure regulator.
• Fabricate a couple of brackets for the Accusump, and mount it.
• Mock up (then hang) the fuel lines (sans engine bay for now).
• Weld up the downpipe and wastegate dump, now that all the needed tubing is here (thanks, ATP).
• Finish the last bits of assembly on the engine: paint/attach the Cyclone plenum and valve cover, fabricate a simple bracket for the back of the intake manifold (since the stocker won't work), install the timing belt, modify and mount a Delco alternator, and go over any remaining little stuff.
• Pull the engine off the stand, install the clutch/flywheel, mount the transmission, and finally put a motor back in the engine bay! It won't turn over yet, but it's a milestone.
• Do the engine bay plumbing: hang the oil and power steering coolers, hang the relocated oil filter, and run oil, power steering, and fuel lines.
• Electrical: run 1/0 cabling to the trunk for the battery and alternator, wire up the rear cutoff switch, run wire up the fuel pump relays and the pumps themselves, mount the battery box and distribution hardware, and test.
• Test fire the car with fire extinguisher at the ready. :-) I expect the initial DSMLink setup will take a good amount of time, as will working out any electrical gremlins.
• Start restoring the interior (while removing the rest of the sound deadener and any unnecessary interior "frills"), and wire/plumb new instrumentation.
• Optionally fabricate the rest of the exhaust. ;-)

The plan is to try and have it done by August in time for this year's DSM Shootout in Norwalk, Ohio, and have the car in good enough condition to be able to make the drive there under it's own power. I may not make any passes there; the goal is purely to arrive without the help of a tow truck.