Sad, tired and exhausted...

Chain of failures (related and not with the car), killed that slight motivation I had to work with it. I don't want to do anything with it now. Don't want to drive it... I just want to disappear in the darkness...

OK, enough of my depression (some say, it is just lack of Lithium in my ration), so short review what was done in past 10 days (with PICS!).
So first thing was gearbox and rear diff mounts. I was running original (audi green) mounts all way round, except driver side gearbox one. Reason for that is my driving style with harsh throttle lift off. This puts lot of strain on poor mount, and because audi has designed nice two stage response mount with comfort zone - this leads to premature wear and destruction of it. So last season mount by kwlw was quite teared. Because it was beta version, some things were made not so good. All other mounts were replaced with 034efi track density rubber mount. I can recommend those things. They are exactly the same dimensions as stock, but much much more stiff. You can feel it with fingers when trying to push dents. China mount bends easily, orginal one - resists, and you can barely deform 034efi one. That is good. Very good. So pics:
New version of mount has additional alloy disks to make pressure to rubber more even. Bolts were made longer, whole thing is working with larger area, this leads to additional stiffness and reliability As you've migh seen sandblasted rear struts, front ones were not blasted to preserve bearings (they are not so cheap). Instead I have spent few hours with steel brush, and angle grinder with rotating steel brush. Actually they looked event better than in photos. After this procedure that they were painted with POR15 just like rears. No pictures, because they look almost exactly the same like rears - hanging on the rope. Good thing, that after few shiny days - paint has cured completelly and now is hard as it should be. Bad thing, that I lost my motivation and health somewhere. Maybe these puppies are to blame?
Don't make mistake. I'm not guitar player. Actually I am tonedeaf. And have no idea what to do with guitar. But it's nice toys to just to play with. Something new, unusual. However even they don't make me smile. Don't know why (Lithium problem?).

Life goes on :)

Monday:

Spent half of the day, trying to put more silicone into intake system (samco 3b intake hose, smashed BOV was replaced). After hour of unsuccessful trying - only this single piece was fitted, and old intake was put back. FAIL.

Tuesday:

Did test assembly to the strut:There was some nasty dirt and rust in the strut housing, was cleaned with this very sophisticated device (it was very funny when it get stuck inside strut housing - :D)Found in progress, that many necessary parts are missing. Spent some time hassling around the stores and gathering parts. Meanwhile sandblasting guy cleaned some rust. What a nice natural metal look:
Wednesday:

It was planed to be painting day. Nature was prepared, after I came to garage - it started to rain (first time in three weeks). Temperature dropped from +20 to +14. All the paint needs to cure is temperature above +15. FAIL again. However I am used to, so painted struts with POR15 rust preventive paint, and wishbones with Brunox epoxy primer (that's why they look not so nice).Instead of 2 hours, paint will cure for few days, and finally will become hard only after few months. BTDT - it was exactly the same scenario last year (roll cage painting). Oh well. At least now I know, that it WILL cure :). No bearing job tomorrow, no coilovers at trackday and slalom in weekend. Just another big FAIL. I need somehow not to get used to it.

Dust...

Just noticed how much dust was on the car, when I rolled outside.
As it warm enough outside (that's not a problem for me getting cold and stuffed nose even in such condition BTW) - some painting practice was done:I hope I will manage to start work with the car from Monday. Season is opened! Woohoo! :).

Struts...

Spring came to the garage. At last temperature is above +5C and I can work. First thing I need is to prepare struts for making coilovers out of them. Old shocks must be removed. Rust and stupid wrench monkeys made job "easy" with few strokes of the hammer when tightening nut. Ordinary tools failed to deal with this. Some bigger caliber was needed. China made tool (red one) failed immediatelly. However russian steel, some propane torch magic and lots of not so nice language made it. I was not suprised to find, that both shocks were different. One is from Opel, another is "import part". No idea what it is.
Here is final result:

Months passing

Still nothing new. I doubt that someone is reading this, however - I'm still sick (latent respiratory problems), have found new joy of trying to play with guitar. Was in excursion to garage yesterday, just to charge battery, warm up engine, etc. Did tiny ride. Oh, how I like this car :). I'm pretty sure, that sooner or latter air will warm up and I will be able to breathe in the garage. Then we will see. Funds are ready for suspension purchase and pile of various items are waiting to be installed into the car. I hope I still be able to drive it.

Project is not dead, but activity is ;)

No updates for two months. Sorry. I have no strength to do something in garage. Also have few new toys (non automotive), so no time to spend i damp, cold and dark places like garage is. When it will become warmer - then project will be resumed (suspension, air intake, etc.). Now just I'm just lurking in e-bay and forums...

996 mono's (blacks)

As you may know, my red porsche calipers are not the best there is. Also, I'm not satisfied with wheel spacers which I needed to use to fit 16" wheels. Current setup is machined Alfa Romeo 166 V6 discs (310x28) and 996 porsche GT3 rear calipers. Yes rear, so technically they are porsche 996 monoblocks, however I cannot call them so, because true 996 monoblocks are 996 NA front calipers :). I have them also, however was reluctant to fit, because it requires master brake cylinder replacement. Red setup is fine, fade resistant, however it does require to have hard foot. And I don't have one :(. To improve my speeds at the track, I need to focus on driving, not on braking. So black brake upgrade is under way. Also redrilled volvo S60 disks (305x28 directionaly vented BTW) will be used. This should fit 16" wheel without spacers (or with tiny one, not 2.5cm, like it is now).First measured all the distances, cut some templates from cardboard. Everything fits ok:
Then ordered batch of carriers at local machine shop. Design has some minor flaws (due to dramatic increases in machining price, I was forced to change initial design a bit), however virtual testing on computer shows, that those design flaws should not affect service of the carrier. BTW, this is for racing use only, not for everyday street application (lowest FOS is around 4, for street you may need something around 10)Test mount on my rusty spare suspension leg. Fits like it should:Volvo disk fits ok, however after it is getting some surface rust, temperature expansion - it will scratch suspension leg. Notice line of rust on the brake disk. That's scratching on the bearing play. Leg will need some modification (shaving few mm) at one place, which looks some manufacturing option - place for thead when using larger brakes. Also lower ball joint is too close to the disc. Compromises, compromises... Hope I will solve them.

Will see how it will perform overall. First painting, then master cyl. replacement to 20v one, and after that I hope I will have real racing brakes ;).