23 Nov Red Rocket
When we’re taking thousands of pictures per month, sometimes things get lost in the shuffle. So let’s remedy that.
We’ve been so tied up between different posts (HOTW, coverage of the LS1-swapped WRX, etc.) that we forgot that we’ve been snapping pictures of Michael’s S54-swapped E30 as we slowly build it from a base E30 shell into a goes-like-hell dedicated race car.
The first thing we set about doing was getting the battery and its cable routing in place. As with most every single track-only car in the country, this one will be equipped with a big red power switch within reach of both the driver (if he has to cut the power himself) and the safety crew (if they need to cut the power due to an accident). It’s a relatively simple design, and in order to get it all mounted up, we decided to connect it to a triangular piece of steel that we’d welded to the car’s roll cage.
From there, we needed to run the bright red battery cable (yet another staple of both race car and OEM construction, so you know which wire should probably not be cut while the car has power). Starting up front, by the motor, there’s going to be a single positive terminal for quick underhood jump starts. The cable will then be tucked up against the body as it runs the length of the car, where it will meet with the main power switch before heading back to the trunk. In the trunk, much like the trunk of the LS1-swapped WRX, we’ve got the battery within the proper motorsport-approved battery box, complete with grommeted inlets for both the positive and negative cables, as well as vents to make sure that any gas generated by the battery is properly sent out.
With the power sorted out, it’s time to finish running the lines and installing OEM parts on the motor itself. We had to expand just one hole in the firewall by a small amount to get a rather bulky part of the wiring harness through, but otherwise there’s been no need to modify the firewall as of yet, which is never a thing about which to complain. We’re in the process of getting all that sorted out now, so once we pull some more pictures out, we’ll make sure to put them up here for everybody to enjoy!
In something not related to the previous topic, that G55 AMG’s brakes have finished being painted in the booth, and are now being reinstalled on the Geländewagen. While we’re doing that, we’re also awaiting the return of its powdercoated wheels. Once everything’s back together, we’ll snap you a picture of the completely murder-and-chrome aesthetic. As Richard Hammond stated, “In fact, I think I just found the coolest car in the world!” We’d have to say, we might agree.
Have a great weekend if yours hasn’t started already, and we’ll see you back here on Monday!
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