Rip #24

[BryanL]

Sad to see my first race car go out this way. Driving home it felt like I lost a piece of me. Didn't realize the connection I had to the car and how sad I would be to see it go. Especially after the changes I made to the car on Friday (thanks Mitch and Mike) made the car the best ever! She definitely went out on top taking the fast lap in R1. I was very excited about the car and being able to trash talk the 55 into oblivion. So guess I'll make family plans for Labor Day instead of Road Atlanta.

But of course the main thing is it appears both drivers are going to be okay. I'm calling my chiropractor and going to see his deep tissue massage specialist. Still the main thing that is sore is my tailbone. I feel lucky to feel as good as I do after the impact but I was lucky enough to keep going so it wasn't as hard of a hit as is possible.

Safety-don't skimp on the safety in these cars or any car that is on track and driven hard. The equipment did it's job but after my excursions at Hallett I was already thinking about upgrading my seat. I'll send off my HANS, cut up my new belts, and replace my helmet since I believe it hit the rollbar padding based on my sore forehead. My annual this year discussed the mounting of my extinguisher. Well sitting on grid watching the barn burn I checked my fire system handle as it's near the window net. When I came to a stop I shut off the kill switch and watched for smoke as I had some steam coming out. Good thing there wasn't any smoke because my fire bottle was dislodged from it's mount and wouldn't have done anything. Check your system and see if it would hold up in a impact from any direction. I also never liked my battery hold down but it stayed in place-another item that has had a lenghty thread with never really coming up with a great solution.

Car-got it in the garage. Wife took the kids to my parents so I had time to get it on stands, inspect, rip the hood up but unable to get the radiator out. Some accessories are broke, lots of bent metal, windshield busted getting the hood up, oil/power steering coolers are trash along with the lines, hoses, power steering pulley, idler pulley, intake etc. Don't see any cracks on the engine, trans, driveline. I can tell everything shifted as the corner of the shifter housing hit the hole in the floorpan and tore an inch tear in the floorpan. I just want to get the parts off the front of the motor so I can see if it will still run and if the engine is okay. Get the hood totally off so it can be totally covered up since it sits next to where my wife parks.

I'll borrow a page from Pranav's playbook and see if anyone is interested in a teardown party at some point in the future? I figure I'll take some time off to reassess any future racing plans.

Thanks again to all the people who lent a hand getting it able to load and the support that everyone gave me.

[mitchntx]

First ... glad you and Ben are OK. Looked ugly.

It was fun to come watch and get grease under my fingernails again.

Sorry about Bertha. Maybe you should consider ballroom dancing.

Many of your clients here are wanting to know if their fees will now increase.

[AI#97]

Sorry to hear this Bryan. Hope you are ok.

Time to look forward. If you find an LT1 car or V6 car, we have an LS1 k-member for sale in the classifieds. Also, don't forget to grab that panhard bar and brace when you trash the old tub.

Don't harp on the past too much. You had good memories in the car and now you have the opportunity to build an even better one!

[jdlingle]

That sucks Bryan. Glad you are ok, though. That's the main thing.

[kbrewmr2]

looked bad from the sidelines and even worse with all the EV that started heading that way. Good to hear both of y'all were fine in the end.

[GlennCMC70]

Glad your OK.
Bryan - the emotions you feel are normal. I also questioned my desire to be there after I had my wreck.
The car is a tool needed to enjoy a hobby. If the tool gets broke, you replace it. At the very least, build the new tub and move the usable parts over during the rest of the year.
Heal your body, build a new car and get back on the horse.

[AI#97]

After watching Jim's Race 2 video, did it suddenly get slick from rain on the back side of the course? Looked like a lot of cars started getting loose all of a sudden?

[GlennCMC70]

It was never wet in any of our races.

[AllZWay]

I sure hate to hear about wrecked race cars....but it can sometimes be a part of the game. It does make your heart sink a little after a torn up car, but the desire will probably return.... especially after running such good times in R1.

Good Luck getting it fixed/replace.

[rleng1]

Bryan/Ben,
Glad you both are ok. BL, make sure your head is ok. Two good race cars got tore up, but you got your car dialed in and was setting fast lap times. Like making birdie on the last hole after shooting 100.
Just get back before Liebbe, and I'll be back soon. Stay with the LS1. I still need my engine dept.

[Al Fernandez]

Man I am sorry to see that teal car get damaged. Bryan's not so much. ;) Just kidding Bryan! You have a tub already dont you? I'll bet you're back on track in less time than Covini's record.

[BryanL]

Thanks guys. It was good to have Mitch at the track helping me like old times but apparently you haven't seen me dance. Still sitting on a donut cushion but I'll be fine. Yes, I hope to hop in the saddle and am looking for Enduro openings at TWS since Randy had to leave the country. More thoughts of the future than what happened. Funny afterwards still having a desire to work on the car and find out if the motor is okay. I'll stick with the LS1 since I know it and have tons of spare parts. I don't think you are getting rid of me that easy. Al will be filling out a body contact form whenever he graces us with his presence.

[BryanL]

If anyone is interested in coming to a teardown/swap party in Plano let me know. I'm thinking of trying to do something Sunday March 30 or Sunday April 6. Bonedaddy's and Chuy's are across the street for lunch, too. I'll have a cherry picker on hand. Goal is to be able to get the car torn down to a shell so it can be carried out and dropped on a flatbed. I'll plan to have a roller sitting next to it so parts can be swapped or put in the car for storage. I would like to keep all the suspension parts so it wouldn't be a roller. Anyone have any experince picking up a shell to set on a trailer? I have never torn a car down like this so any suggestion on procedures are welcome. How hard would it be to drop the motor/trans out the bottom and keep them together? Also, let me know what kind of prep I should have prior so things go quicker. My thought is swapping the motor would go quickly with a few people helping. Since I live in a neighborhood with an HOA and alley it would help to try and get a car in and the wrecked car out in one weekend which seems possible?
Does anyone have a 110 plasma cutter I could borrow? Even a 220 might work since the dryer outlet is just inside from the garage. Planning to find out if the motor is okay this weekend.

[Dulaney]

I'll likely be available, unless that's the week my engine returns from the shop. Call me when the time comes. Swapping the engine is totally doable in a day, so long as you do all the detail stuff later (exhaust, hydraulics).
Dropping engine/tranny out the bottom is my preferred way to do it. Here's how I do it:
Put back tires onto an upside-down wheel and tire to raise the back end, and allow it to safely rotate.
Drain oil and tranny fluid
Remove driveshaft, exhaust, etc.
Disconnect wiring harness that goes into firewall on passenger side.
Disconnect Power Steering cooler lines, oil cooler, etc.
remove steering shaft bolt, and loosen assembly.
Remove clutch hydraulics
Unbolt 4 bolts holding each upper control arm to the body.
Unbolt transmission brace
use cherry picker to lower the front end onto a furniture dolly. Use a car dolly under the transmission.
Undo 6 K-member bolts, and slowly raise the body back up. Find anything you forgot, and undo it. Raise the front end super high, and drag the engine assembly out the side.

[Dulaney]

Only shell I had to move was a Miata. I put the shell on 3 car dollies, and it rolled around quite easy. Rolled it onto the flatbed trailer of the guy that bought it, then used a jack and some 2x4's to remove my dollies.

[ShadowBolt]

If anyone is interested in coming to a teardown/swap party in Plano let me know. I'm thinking of trying to do something Sunday March 30 or Sunday April 6. Bonedaddy's and Chuy's are across the street for lunch, too. I'll have a cherry picker on hand. Goal is to be able to get the car torn down to a shell so it can be carried out and dropped on a flatbed. I'll plan to have a roller sitting next to it so parts can be swapped or put in the car for storage. I would like to keep all the suspension parts so it wouldn't be a roller. Anyone have any experince picking up a shell to set on a trailer? I have never torn a car down like this so any suggestion on procedures are welcome. How hard would it be to drop the motor/trans out the bottom and keep them together? Also, let me know what kind of prep I should have prior so things go quicker. My thought is swapping the motor would go quickly with a few people helping. Since I live in a neighborhood with an HOA and alley it would help to try and get a car in and the wrecked car out in one weekend which seems possible?
Does anyone have a 110 plasma cutter I could borrow? Even a 220 might work since the dryer outlet is just inside from the garage. Planning to find out if the motor is okay this weekend.

Bryan,

I have a 110/220 Plasma cutter and of course you are welcome to borrow it. I don't know about helping you get back on track though after some of the laps you turned at Cresson.


JJ

[y5e06]

Bryan,

I don't know about helping you get back on track though after some of the laps you turned at Cresson.

JJ

there was no mention that his new car would have to be put back together straight... ah, saboteur

[ShadowBolt]

there was no mention that his new car would have to be put back together straight... ah, saboteur

Now that is a great idea. Make it turn like a mofo to the right but push like a dump truck on left turns and it will be like the 55 was the whole time we ran the pm3l.

JJ

[GlennCMC70]

I have a 4 wheel dolly made to set a 4th gen shell onto and allow it to roll around. Works very nice.

[Rob Liebbe]

I have a 4 wheel dolly made to set a 4th gen shell onto and allow it to roll around. Works very nice.

is that just a brag or is it an offer? :D

[GlennCMC70]

Both?

[Wade]

I cut L1ebbe's car in multiple pieces with a plasma torch and a sawzall. Did the same with the original 17 car. Both "magically" disappeared from the curb in less that 24 hours.

[kbrewmr2]

that's enough weight in scrap metal to be worth a trip to take it yourself

[Storm Trooper]

If anyone is interested in coming to a teardown/swap party in Plano let me know. I'm thinking of trying to do something Sunday March 30 or Sunday April 6. Bonedaddy's and Chuy's are across the street for lunch, too. I'll have a cherry picker on hand. Goal is to be able to get the car torn down to a shell so it can be carried out and dropped on a flatbed. I'll plan to have a roller sitting next to it so parts can be swapped or put in the car for storage. I would like to keep all the suspension parts so it wouldn't be a roller. Anyone have any experince picking up a shell to set on a trailer? I have never torn a car down like this so any suggestion on procedures are welcome. How hard would it be to drop the motor/trans out the bottom and keep them together? Also, let me know what kind of prep I should have prior so things go quicker. My thought is swapping the motor would go quickly with a few people helping. Since I live in a neighborhood with an HOA and alley it would help to try and get a car in and the wrecked car out in one weekend which seems possible?
Does anyone have a 110 plasma cutter I could borrow? Even a 220 might work since the dryer outlet is just inside from the garage. Planning to find out if the motor is okay this weekend.

Let me know on your final date. I will do my best

[BryanL]

Next weekend looks good. Sounds like there are some guys in town for another event over the weekend who might be looking for something to do. I can do either day since soccer game is over at 9:00 but figure it would mainly be on Sunday. Just let me know so I can have plenty of cookies on hand.

Good news is after using a sawzall I have the radiator out an cut into several pieces. The motor still runs, has good oil pressure and didn't make any abnormal sounds. Alternator bracket is broken along with power steering pulley but won't reuse the coolers either. Will jack up the rearend to see if I can run it through the gears but the master cylinder has moved some on the firewall and the clutch doesn't go all the way in but it still goes into all the gears. Drivers side door is off and will be cut to hang on the wall. Belts/Hans will be shipped to AJ at PST for inspection.

I'll provide an update next week. Would like to get some of the small things like the wiring, brake and other fluids out so the teardown would go better with a few hands around. Cherry picker and jacks should be able to get the car onto a flatbed without any suspension.

[BryanL]

double

[BryanL]

So three knuckledraggers are heading up from Houston this weekend-THANKS GUYS! Will start the swapping Sat. morning around 9:30 or 10. Plan to go all day and then probably some on Sunday. Get in touch with me privately if you think you might come and I'll give you the address and make sure I have enough cookies, snacks, beer, etc.
Jerry-your welcome to come over as well and take a sledgehammer to the 24 since you never had the chance to hit it.
Jim-thanks for tips on dropping it out the bottom-we are going that route for sure.

Anyone ever tried to cutoff or save a hardtop on a 4th gen?

[ShadowBolt]

I think I will be working on the 55 this weekend but do you need someone to pick up my plasma cutter on their way up? You are welcome to it. If something changes I would really like to come help since I would get a chance to go see my favorite person (My grandson Kipton) but I don't see how I can make it. Maybe you will still need help the following weekend. I will be in your area.

JJ

[Dulaney]

Bryan, I'm available Saturday. Text me your address.

The hard top on my Firebird is just a bonded-on fiberglass lid. I can't imagine the Camaro is any different. I bet you could slip a hot putty knife thru the glue and separate it quite easily.

[GlennCMC70]

I would like to help, but Softball Sat and hopefully I'm putting my fresh motor in Sunday.

[BryanL]

Whew! Huge debt of gratitude and thanks goes out to the guys that came over and up to strip the #24. I owe Jim Dulaney, Sean Richardson, Gary Robertson, and Ben Northrup a big THANK YOU-well not so much Ben but he did buy us pizza for lunch. It was a fun day and I'm sure everyone left leaving a little blood and taking with them some bruises. I learned alot and now know the way to pull the engine is out the bottom. Jim was local so he showed up in his miata first and I led him to the garage as he said he knew what to do. Then Gary arrived in his Mini-what is it with these guys and there little imports. Amazingly Sean came up with his family and arrived early. Ben arrived about the time donuts did I think.
In the end #24 became Todd Covini's dream convertible el camino camaro race car. I took out some frustration with a small sledge and the car almost bit me back after the first swing. Jim has a love of cutting with the sawzall we obverved. Lots of good wrenching, complaining about where the other local guys or Ford guys were too. The drivetrain/suspension now has a new home along with a pile of parts inside and a sideyard that looks like a camaro junkyard.
Thanks again to my F-Body brethren who came over to accomplish what would have taken me a ton of time on my own. What an awesome group to spend a day helping out.

[Dulaney]

Still impressed that those guys drove up from Houston. That's pretty awesome!

You're just jealous of my Miata.

[AllZWay]

Very cool guys... and nice work.

[rleng1]

What another red 4th Gen? Will not be able to tell Lienert from Proctor. Oh wait, probably will be able to. Proctor runs up front.
Wish I was there.

[GlennCMC70]

Gotta paint it 'cause FU Red just doesn't roll off the tongue.

[BryanL]

What another red 4th Gen? Will not be able to tell Lienert from Proctor. Oh wait, probably will be able to. Proctor runs up front.
Wish I was there.

You wish you were up front-huh? Well we wish you were here--Hallett?? I didn't think we needed another black 4th gen though either and Proctor isn't running. I may copy Morgan and go with a mix of red and black. Or maybe white would suit me---long trip to Colo though to find Ole English's ride.
Glenn does have a pretty decent point that it just doesn't roll off the tongue the same.

[AllZWay]

You wish you were up front-huh? Well we wish you were here--Hallett?? I didn't think we needed another black 4th gen though either and Proctor isn't running. I may copy Morgan and go with a mix of red and black. Or maybe white would suit me---long trip to Colo though to find Ole English's ride.
Glenn does have a pretty decent point that it just doesn't roll off the tongue the same.

Morgan and I are both Red and black. I may not make it out this year, but I should next year.

[Pranav]

I didn't think we needed another black 4th gen though

I've got a few gallons of Camouflage Green plasti-dip waiting to go on the car once I finish everything on it. Then Glenn will be by himself in the black category and my car will become invisible.

[GlennCMC70]

I've got a few gallons of Camouflage Green plasti-dip waiting to go on the car once I finish everything on it. Then Glenn will be by himself in the black category and my car will become invisible.

Some how I feel I'll still be found at fault for hitting an invisible car........

[Rob Liebbe]

Some how I feel I'll still be found at fault for hitting an invisible car........
Pranav will only be invisible while driving off the track. He'll be most dangerous when he uncloaks while re-entering in front of you.

[y5e06]

#95 is red AND black, because I'm too lazy to make it either red OR black...

[Fbody383]

#95 is red AND black, because I'm too lazy to make it either red OR black...
Boolean... i see what you did there.