9/22/10

OK, so I'm thinking electric car again. John is pushing for Roku-Hyaku, the Honduh N-600, but I'm just not sure there is enough room for the batteries. Oh sure, there is enough room for “enough” batteries, meaning I could probably do a 60 or 72 volt system that might make it to 55 miles per hour. But we all know that ain't the way I roll. I want 96 volts at the very least, preferrably 144v of course! Anyhoo, the whole point of all that was to say that I'm in favor of a Datsun 1200. I asked John his thoughts on George versus Super Karate-Monkey Death Car. He voted for Super Karate-Monkey Death Car noting how cool an electric rally car would be. I'd been thinking Super Karate-Monkey Death Car as well but had pretty much nixed the faux rally motif in my mind. I don't know, perhaps, we’ll see. I just think it would be so much easier to do in a 1200 than in the Honduh. First of all, the kit for a front engine/rear wheel drive car is a no-brainer. Bolt the electric motor up to the transmission with the adapter plate and go. With the Honduh I'd have to engineer all kinds of stuff for the drive system. Sure, I have a Volkswagen transaxle sitting there in the small storage bay, and they do make an adapter plate for that setup, but I'm not sure there is room for that in the back of the car either. No, I think if this project is to go forward, I'll electrify Super Karate-Monkey Death Car... or the Louisiana Purchase. Crap, I'd forgotten about the LP. Steve-John wants me to come get that car too. Hmm, the LP would be a good choice for electrification. And it would allow me to put the Chickenhawk's old Z-20 in Super Karate-Monkey Death Car as the faux rally car still. Hey wait, Herman could, in theory, be made an Electric Slowster! Oh man, I've got to get that shop in Boyd built so I can start on all these half baked/assed projects! Well, while I'm on the subject of dumb ideas, I think I want to revive the V8 in Barbecue Bob idea. The only reason I was considering a Chevy V8 before was the fact that I had that distributor. I'd really rather have a Ford 5.0 in there. I've been doing the preliminary shopping for a Mustang GT or LX with a 5.0 and four or five speed transmission. I'm not having much luck, which is good because I can't afford one nor do I have a place to put it. Anyhoo, my knee-jerk reaction thoughts are for the simplicity of a carburetor, but I ain't agin a fuelie. I guess a balled-up fuelie car is much more likely these days. I'm sure, once the time comes, I'll have John find me something on them interwebs. He is much better at that kind of thing than I. Speaking of John and them wwwnets, I just called Discount Tire to see what’s what with my order. I have been expecting an e-mail from them since Monday saying my wheels and tires have been shipped. Said e-mail has still not arrived. Well, apparently they were out of my 225/50-16 Kumho Ecsta AST tires. The phone monkey... no, he was very helpful and courteous, I shouldn't call him that, but still... the phone monkey said he didn't know why I hadn't been informed of the delay. He went on to say that the warehouse received a truck this morning and my order will ship today. Yeah, I'm going to hold my breath. Oh, on another note, Jeff, the guy who covers for me and babysits meetings from time to time, has a 1990(?) Miata with a later model engine, Flyin’ Miata suspension, and zorst for sale. I told him I'd love to buy it but a) I can't afford it right now ($2,500.00), and 2) I don't have a place for it. So, if you know anyone who wants a hot-rod Miata, let me know and I'll put y'all in touch. Pat has suggested we buy it, park it at Denver Ray Mut’s place at the Motorsport Ranch, and rent it out as a race car. He is going to check with Ray and see if the idea is viable. Crap, I may be part owner of a Miata Race car soon. Meh, there are worse things to be part owner of, and I have been part owner of worse things. OK, I just got the e-mail saying my order has been filled and is ready for pickup by UPS. Since it is 1535 h, I am going to assume they will pick it up this evening. Since the warehouse is in Grand Prairie, I'm going to assume I will see them on my door step tomorrow after work. Woo to the hoo. Well, I guess that is just about all I have to say today. I'll talk to y'all again tomorrow.