Rockets Wagon

[mudski]

Today's the big day!

[Hodge]

Waiting to hear about the results.

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[Rocket55]

Ok, picked up the wagon from Bailey Diesel Group at Unanderra this afternoon. Big shout out and thanks to Matt and his guys for fitting me in and getting it going. Matt showed me through their common rail injector shop and seriously it looked like a Formula 1 factory, seriously clean and well laid out, these guys know what they're doing. I digress.

After a few calls back and forth to UFI the wagon got started. We ran into a bit of trouble with the cruise control throttle cable and presently this was unable to be attached to the UFI pump and will require some further thought and clever brackets.

I get down to BDG this after noon and the wagon is sitting on the dyno, but unfortunately we were unable to get any meaningful results as the clutch in my wagon is just not up to it, not even close. They did 1 initial run and it managed 192 rwhp at 2,500 rpm at 20 psi before the clutch let go. AFR's were a constant 19, didn't see any torque numbers. So it looks as though it's down on hp, but it's also 6 psi down and this was never adjusted, there was no point. So I need to get the new clutch in, up the boost and see where it ends up, but I suspect it will be low, hope I'm wrong.

How does it drive? It drives great! Makes effortless power, little puff of black then runs clean as a whistle. For those locals that know Mt Ousley I was able to comfortably run up there in 5th at 80km/hr, slow down to closer to 70 ish then just cruise back up to 80 odd still in 5th with the slightest movement of the pedal, gave it a little squeeze more and it was heading for 90 and then slipped the clutch. I then drove the rest of the hills in 4th on a light throttle to give the clutch an easier time. 100 odd km/hr on the freeway saw 6-8 psi and 250 deg EGT's. Biggest EGT's I saw mucking around in 5th up the mountain was 450.

Boost comes in with bugger all throttle so you get a nice smooth delivery. Up one of the little hills around home I give it a little run in 2nd, not much, changed to 3rd and lent on it a bit (not full throttle) it build boost and then started wheel spinning in a straight line (it was raining) that make me giggle a little. Close to a 3T wagon running near new 33" BFG A/T's on standard 3.9 gearing. This thing definitely has potential. Also noticed gear box roll over noise has dramatically reduced, go figure. It also has heaps more torque at idle, I can easily just let the clutch out in first without touching the throttle and it just walks away. Looking forward to getting it tuned up and going.

[nissannewby]

Peak power is normally at or beyond 3200rpm. So you still had quite a bit to go. 190 at 2500 would see you getting close the a 250hp peak.

[Rocket55]

Update from the weekend. Bit of a relief to have it running again, so decided to tackle a few other jobs that need sorting out. Started out by installing a couple of 8 B&S power supplies to the 12 pin plug for the caravan fridge and the Anderson plug for charging van batteries. These were run through relays and triggered by an ignition source so they are only active when the ignition is on.

Then I installed my Redarc Tow Pro trailer brake controller. I put it in the blank on the right hand side on the gauge light dimmer. Came up pretty good I think.



Also installed the Brakesafe battery monitor, apparently you need on of these... Dearest bloody volt meter I've ever bought....



So then on the Sunday I set about righting a pretty embarrassing wrong from the other week. Started off by removing the bonnet and placing it to the side, out of bloody sight!!



Placed the "other" bonnet on and marked out the position of the intercoooler. Removed it and placed it on a couple of stands.



Then set about cutting a new hole straight through the middle of it, this time in a more appropriate location and size.



Turned it over and removed some of the bracing next to the hole to allow the cooler to seal up neatly on the bonnet.



Put the template on the bonnet and set the back of the scoop 12mm from the back of the bonnet after receiving advice from Bob at Fairline, he's a super bloke. This means that only a couple of the bolt holes land in awkward locations. Drilled out all the holes, opened up those in the bracing with a step drill and then painted all the fresh edges. I'll sit the bonnet back on during the week or next weekend, haven't decided yet. It kinda looks pretty cool with a black bonnet, I'll get some pics after.

[nissannewby]

Better put the black bonnet photos here first

[Rocket55]

Haha, I'll see what it looks like. Will paint it white and then might wrap it in ricer carbon fibre

[mudski]

Hey Rod. Can you get some good close'ish shots of the snorkel. Where you've cut into the guard. I'm in two minds wether to do the same as you or to go the other way. Where I don't cut the guard...

Cheers.

[Rocket55]

Just cut the guard, what could possibly go wrong ....

I'll get some pics tomorrow Mark. If I get home in time I'll try and get some pics in the day light, always better than a flash.

[mudski]

No rush mate. Whenever your walking past with a camera in ya hand.
Its not the cutting im concerned about.
Its the look of the large hole. I dont know if i like that or not.