Slow and steady… but will it win the race?

On Wednesday we were sure the car would be running by Thursday night. As Thursday wore on, we knew it wouldn’t happen A few small but vital pieces of the puzzle were missing, without which the engine could not be fired. But not to worry, still huge amounts to do!

A small and determined band (Paul, Tim and Rich O’Donovan) worked late in to the night finishing wiring and the long task of fitting the engine ancillaries - dry sump pan and pump, oil tank and associated lines, oil cooler and remote filter, coolant header tank (front), intercooler, turbo, and so on and so forth.

Oil cooler and remote filter

To accomodate the dry sump pulley system, we needed extra clearance between engine and turbo, so the location of the oil cooler and remote filter needed to be reworked. This was no easy task, given that we have side exit exhaust silencer and side exit wastegate. Everything is a compromise  - we are happy with this one thus far.

Custom dry sump oil tank

The custom oil tank is a piece of art. We are reluctant to offer an ‘off the shelf’ tank with our retail dry sump kit as every application is so different. The exacting spec of this tank is proof of that.

Mmmmmmmmm Perfect Pizza!

That night when the pizza delivery driver said how often he cames to us late at night, I seriously thought about getting some Perfect Pizza decals on the car. Coriander Chilli Chicken pizza FTW!!

Fettling the dry sump oil pump

Assembled and ready to fit

Whilst we had already completed one dry sump installation on Duncan’s Club Challenge car, the set-up on the race car is slightly different and hell, we are still learning! So, slowly and methodically, Tim and Paul assembled the pump, fitted the pump the sump pan and fitted the whole kit and caboodle to the car…

Dry sump pump and pan fitted to the car

Close up of the pump and pulleys

View of the drive pulley from the front

At which point I cleared off home leaving Tim fitting oil lines between oil tank and pump, Tim and Rich finishing and tidying the wiring in the engine bay and cabin. Paul was not home till 1:30am, so lots obviously got done!