All the wiring in the steering wheel is done. Pulled the cluster apart and blocked off the LED for the "air bag" idiot light. Wiring under the dash is as complete as it will get until the shift controller is installed. Wiring in the back seat is pretty much done, I need to run a blue wire from the sPOD to the LineLock terminal in the center console to complete all that [solenoid is not plumbed so not a high priority]. Under hood is kinda done but quite the patchwork, so I'm adding yet another barrier strip to clean that up, will mount between the PCM and coil. Once that is wired in, I can hook up the battery, configure the MSD box in the laptop, and should be able to start and run it off the MSD box.

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MSD is all wired up. Moved the truck on factory ignition so I could pull the firebird out, but MSD is pretty much ready to go. Just need to connect the main power for it and plug the laptop in.

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Picking up a torque convertor tomorrow, hopefully it will let me package everything up over spring break and see what I need to change to make it all fit properly.

 

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Cluster**** has began. Between FTI, JW, and Martin Saine, a solution shall be located.

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Finished up installing the MSD box tonight. Two-step RPM limiter seems to work well.

 

Picked up a converter for an A518 today. Was given to me for free by a local shop, already cut in half to make my life easier. Only problem is that it has the offset bolt hole (you can see where the counterweight was knocked off), so that pad will have to be cut off and relocated, or something. Preliminary thought is to have FTI weld 1/4" pads to the existing feet (and relocate that offset pad) to match the midplate, take a 9.5" front cover, and weld it into the A518 front cover.

The JW flexplate is 131 tooth, the A518 is 130 tooth. I'm not sure if that will cause any problems, but I dont think so.

All dimensions are with some margin of error.

A518 Front Cover ID:
11"

JW Assembly Height:
7-11/32" (no clearance)

Height to backside of ring gear:
1-14/32" stock, sitting on 1/4" plate
1-17/32" JW assembly w/ spacer

Height of A518 front cover, absolute:
3.115"

Height of A518 front cover, above ring gear:
1.675"

Height of A518 front cover, above internal center:
1.800"

Height of A518 internal center, absolute:
3.115 - 1.800 = 1.315"

JW Assembly converter mating height:
1.360"

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Making progress on the battery box. NHRA rule is two 3/8 bolts firmly attaching the body to the nearest structure, preferably frame rail is possible. I'm doing a 1/4" steel backing plate, the 1/8" steel bed, 1/8" of bedliner material (all sandwiched between two nylocks on each stud), then a 1/4" aluminum top plate and wing nuts.

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A month later and the battery hold-down bracket is finally completed. Racing and work got in the way a little.

Slowly working on getting my debt from Christmas paid down so that I can get the torque converter and SHIFT system budgeted.

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Did a quick experiment, then packed everything up into a box to be shipped to FTI in Florida. Also pulled the firebird out of the garage to give it some much needed attention.

DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME WITHOUT PROPER SAFETY SYSTEMS!



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