Because this gal is being massaged from stem to stern often times we find ourselves tending to small and yet significant pieces of the puzzle that will ultimately become a part of the big picture. Such is the case now as we prepare to integrate the primary custom traction control harnesses at her arse. At this time we will be integrating the custom traction control system at one of the many points within her engine bay; specifically her PCM and injector controller module and in doing so we will be creating an OEM appearing integration using Deutsch multi-seal connectors and even more importantly we will create the means for the custom traction system to be removed for the system; this for any reason. One would simply unplug the custom traction control harnesses and then in turn simply plug the soon to be integrated multi-seal Deutsch connectors together at the point that we integrate them the gal's engine management system will immediately become as OEM again.

Here we are isolating the OEM injector wiring; we locate what we believe to be the correct wires and then each is tested prior to proceeding after which we the wires and install multi seal Deutsch connectors which would allow us then to simply plug the custom traction control harnesses in thus creating an integrated system or if need be or desired the plugging of these connectors together will immediately return this portion of the engine management system too an OEM system state; it would be as if never touched. Because we are integrating the custom traction control system we will be taking the output signals from the PCM and running them through the brain of the traction control system and then the brain of the traction control system will in turn feed the input into the injector controller module. Once we completed the integration we then encased the wiring harnesses in the OEM sheathing so the harnesses appear as if they have never been touched. [ View Pictures ]
Now another component required for the custom traction control system is a module that takes the OEM RPM signal which in simple terms is scattered and produces a crisp and well defined full range RPM signal..
Here we have sheathed the harness and then installed a multi-seal Deutsch connector on the RPM module; this is one of the modules required to successfully integrate the custom traction control system. This module creates a clean, strong, consistent full range RPM signal which is required for a stable and tunable traction control system. [ View Pictures ]
This gal is soon to have her wicked looking black Whipple supercharger set in place as such we will be integrating a Mafia; the Mafia is a MAF signal calibrator that allows the increase of air flow through the MAF that will result in an increased voltage signal to the injectors to be to be scaled. The Mafia as sold arrives with a shiny hard plastic coating over the wires that in our opinion does not appear as if OEM as such we disassemble the Mafia and remove this shiny hard plastic coating and then install an OEM appearing mesh sheathing. Then once completed we will mount the Mafia on our custom mounting bracket that mounts neatly and discretely under the throttle body effectively out of site and then lastly we use polished stainless steel ARP hardware to mount the custom mounting bracket and the throttle body; the hardware that we use is the exactly same hardware as used to secure the Whipple supercharger thus creating a symmetrical and uniform appearance throughout.
Here we tending to the tedious process of disassembling the Mafia and then re-sheathing it with the OEM style mesh material. [ View Pictures ]
Here is the polished stainless steel ARP hardware as well as the custom Mafia mounting bracket. [ View Pictures ]
Here the Mafia and the custom mounting bracket have become one and are now ready to be integrated into this gal as a component of the Whipple supercharger system soon to be integrated. [ View Pictures ]
Now we are going to be integrating the primary custom traction control harnesses through the interior of the gal and because we will also be needing to run a custom wiring harness for the custom vacuum/boost gauge as created by Michael aka FreeFlyer as well as an iPod interface wiring harness we will tend to all of these new secondary systems at the same time.
Here we are integrating the custom traction control unit as well as one of our proprietary modules that allow our custom traction control system to be integrated within these gals in such a manner that they will appear as if OEM and also retain ease of serviceability. When we mount the custom traction control unit we use neoprene standoffs so as to eliminate any transient vibration that could be harmful to the long term operation of the system. [ View Pictures ]
Here are integrating the custom traction control harnesses that will reside within the boot area of this gal. In order for us to do this we need to remove the SJB (Smart Junction Box aka the electronic control center) for the gal so that we have the needed access to create two small passages that will then have OEM rubber grommets placed within prior to the numerous custom harnesses being passed through to insure that the area is both sealed and that no wire chafing occurs. [ View Pictures ]
Here we have removed the rear bulkhead aka interior engine bay access panel which as OEM is sealed with a black messy tar like material. We remove the OEM black messy tar like material and in its place will be placed a wonderful molded and useable urethane seal as created by Jay aka The GT Saver. [ View Pictures ]
Here we are methodically routing the numerous custom traction control and custom vacuum/boost gauge harnesses into the gal's engine bay. Great care and much attention to detail is afforded this process so that once all of the new custom secondary harnesses have been integrated they appear as if OEM. Once in place we will terminate the harnesses with Deutsch connectors at the PCM and Injector controller module and then at the soon to be integrated black Whipple supercharger we will terminate this custom harnesses for the MAP sensor with a Weather-Pak connector; the MAP sensor will be integrated into the system to insure that the new custom vacuum/boost gauge indicates the correct data to the gal's operator. The MAP sensor will be installed on a custom billet CNC machined aluminum bracket that has been powder coated to match the black Whipple supercharger. [ View Pictures ]
Here we are associating the iPod interface harness to the OEM Macintosh stereo head unit. We very carefully remove the head unit so as to insure that no secondary cosmetic damage is caused during the process and then we have to reach in with a long razor blade to cut free the RCA connectors after which we associate the RCA connectors with the new iPod interface harness so as to allow this system to be brought on line. [ View Pictures ]
Here we are integrating the very cool custom vacuum/boost gauge as created by Michael aka FreeFlyer. This custom vacuum/boost gauge is able to measure/display boost levels up to 30PSI whereas the OEM vacuum/boost gauge can only measure/display boost up to 15PSI which would be only moderately interesting and not very valuable information because the new black Whipple supercharger will regularly create boost levels of 20PSI and at times it will spike even higher. [ View Pictures ]
Here we have completely reassembled the SJB (Smart Junction Box) area back to OEM with all of the new custom secondary harnesses neatly integrated as if OEM. All that remains within this area is for us to associate the power and ground leads required so as to bring the new systems on line. [ View Pictures ]
We are finally ready to seal up the engine access panel and then methodically reassemble her interior during which we will tend to some more of the personal touch items as associated with this project.
Here we have secured the numerous custom wiring harnesses after routing them as if OEM and are now able to close this area with the OEM aluminum panel and the useable urethane gasket as created by Jay aka The GT Saver. [ View Pictures ]
Here we are installing the wonderful safety harness bars as created by Wally. So as to insure that no secondary cosmetic damage is caused a nice piece of precut plastic film was furnished with them that is placed on the bulkhead surface prior to securing the bars into position. [ View Pictures ]
Here are the safety harness anchor points as created by Wally. Once in place by design they can be rotated out of the way thus allowing the use of the OEM seat belt system without having to remove them. [ View Pictures ]
Here we have installed the fire bottle as furnished by SafeCraft. With this newer bracket design it allows for a modest amount of passenger seat travel while the fire bottle remains in place whereas the original design did not allow any passenger seat movement. [ View Pictures ]
Here her interior has been fully reassembled and several of the personal touch items integrated including Andrew's aka ExotiCare's very nice custom shifter boot. Now we await the final machining of the custom shifter ball and associated fatty sleeve at which point her interior will be completed. [ View Pictures ]

[ Previous Section | Next Section ]