(race) car won't start

pdudley42 · 05-25-2009, 10:56 PM

Thanks ar15reeder (and everybody else).
Figured it out today. Car's running strong (just one more vacuum leak to fix). Ever wonder why there are no monuments for committees??? It turns out that two ring terminals of wires we attached to the starter hot wire were in fact supposed to be grounds to the bottom of the intake manifold. We tested those leads over a week ago and I determined that they were indeed supposed to be positive. However, at the time there was no battery in the car and it IS possible that master jump-pack hooked up the cables backwards at that time, sending us hurtling in the wrong direction.
I plugged in the new computer yesterday and it was of course just the same. After that I was convinced that it had to be something REALLY stupid. At least I was right about something.
Now that our race car's running, we can focus on the rest of the stuff we need. I'm glad I found your forum, cause I need more advice. Our Supra has the electronic shocks and they're SHOT. Our car must remain cheap as per the specs of the Lemons race, so can anybody recommend some good non-adjustable shocks (can we jsut swap in non-electronic ones). Same goes for brake pads, except that they count as safety equipment, so they don't count toward our $500 limit. I like Hawk pads, are these available (Blues or Blacks) and are they a good choice for the Supra? Also do these motors tend to overheat when pushed hard, aka will a stock radiator suffice (Connecticut in August)?
I spent all weekend ripping on my Miata at a track in upstate New York, but today when the car started was the most gratifying moment in a long time.
Thanks, Paul

05-25-2009, 10:56 PM	#7
pdudley42 Stock Join Date: May 2009 Location: Waitsfield, Vt Posts: 8	Thanks ar15reeder (and everybody else). Figured it out today. Car's running strong (just one more vacuum leak to fix). Ever wonder why there are no monuments for committees??? It turns out that two ring terminals of wires we attached to the starter hot wire were in fact supposed to be grounds to the bottom of the intake manifold. We tested those leads over a week ago and I determined that they were indeed supposed to be positive. However, at the time there was no battery in the car and it IS possible that master jump-pack hooked up the cables backwards at that time, sending us hurtling in the wrong direction. I plugged in the new computer yesterday and it was of course just the same. After that I was convinced that it had to be something REALLY stupid. At least I was right about something. Now that our race car's running, we can focus on the rest of the stuff we need. I'm glad I found your forum, cause I need more advice. Our Supra has the electronic shocks and they're SHOT. Our car must remain cheap as per the specs of the Lemons race, so can anybody recommend some good non-adjustable shocks (can we jsut swap in non-electronic ones). Same goes for brake pads, except that they count as safety equipment, so they don't count toward our $500 limit. I like Hawk pads, are these available (Blues or Blacks) and are they a good choice for the Supra? Also do these motors tend to overheat when pushed hard, aka will a stock radiator suffice (Connecticut in August)? I spent all weekend ripping on my Miata at a track in upstate New York, but today when the car started was the most gratifying moment in a long time. Thanks, Paul