One Demon Possessed 91 S4 - Page 308

streetfame · #**4606** (**permalink**) 06-28-2012, 10:04 PM

Another testing day shakes more bugs loose.

On today's agenda, I took the DEMON on an extended run through mild traffic, side streets and major highways. All in all, a straight 2 hour run with road conditions ranging from very bumpy to flat and flowing.

She performed well throughout the entire run with temps within operating range. But I think I will do a fan and engine thermostat upgrade just to better combat the current speed of the heat build up during traffic and heat soak during stop overs. Keep in mind that all these test runs are being carried out are in 30+ degrees.

Considering that there are no hood vents, I'm actually quite surprised that the temps are as good as they are. I'm not running a huge rad and the fan is, well, undersized. But having said that, for now, it's passable. But like I said, an upgrade is in order.

At any rate, when I was on the return portion of the run, I encountered quite a bumpy section and as a result, the diffuser's left side said "I'm done"

Right after that, the exhaust tip said, "Me too. I'm outta here"!!

Now, I'm not exactly sure when they all became dislodged. But I did happen to be looking in my rear view when I saw the exhaust tip bounce and barrel down the highway!!

Having seen that, I pulled over onto the soft shoulder of the highway and constantly kept looking back at speeding cars so my a** wouldn't get dusted. And anyone who has spent any amount of time on a highway's soft shoulder, knows full well that this is a place you REALLY don't want to be, or for long. So I acted quick and reached for the only thing I had to prevent the diffuser from becoming the next causality - the speaker wire in the trunk!!

A few tight knots and I was off again. Albeit, a little slower as I didn't want the air to rip the right side off!!

Not long after, I arrived back and I'm happy to report that that the diffuser made it through that whole ordeal without any damage to speak of. Going forward, I'm now looking into directing the above pan air a little better and will leave the exhaust port area blank to better vent the excess heat/air from the engine bay.

michael

sh0rtlife · #**4607** (**permalink**) 06-28-2012, 10:59 PM

dayum bro....glad you lifted her a bit?

i went thru hell to get that difuser including down town compton..shes just trying to come home to me LOL

im thinking you need stronger mounting points and better hardware mroe than anything

**randyleepublic** · #**4608** (**permalink**) 06-28-2012, 11:20 PM

Finally the Demon gets to shake it up! She's all, "Garage queen?" "I don't think so!!"

junglejustice · #**4609** (**permalink**) 06-29-2012, 10:02 AM

Quick question Michael; when is the last time you had this thing on a scale?

More specifically - corner scales...? With the changes to the ride-height, your corners have changed since then; either way, I would be curious to see what it looks like today!

streetfame · #**4610** (**permalink**) 06-29-2012, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sh0rtlife

dayum bro....glad you lifted her a bit?

i went thru hell to get that difuser including down town compton..shes just trying to come home to me LOL

im thinking you need stronger mounting points and better hardware mroe than anything

streetfame · #**4611** (**permalink**) 06-29-2012, 07:22 PM

Keep the DEMON down? Not a chance. She's back in action and stronger than ever.

I beefed up the diffuser's hardware and added 4 new mounting points.

I also raised the rear 3/4 inch to match the front's height and to level the car and give her a bit more suspension travel.

I then tightened a couple of the caliper's banjo bolts that had a small leak.

Completed a 1 hour test run and rear is more compliant, while the diffuser is rock solid. But an alignment is needed bad as I experienced a bit of skipping on uneven pavement. Taking care of that tomorrow.

michael

sh0rtlife · #**4612** (**permalink**) 06-29-2012, 08:36 PM

if a cant drive it like ya stole it..what fun is there?

streetfame · #**4613** (**permalink**) 06-30-2012, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sh0rtlife

if a cant drive it like ya stole it..what fun is there?

streetfame · #**4614** (**permalink**) 06-30-2012, 06:33 PM

Brought the DEMON to one of my Bros (Johnny) for an alignment today. While the feel is a bit better now, it's not perfect and therefore, more correction within the suspension is needed.

I'll be speaking with a couple Alfa techs next week to see what they have to say.

Oh, and that last shot? That's my Bro Johnny doing his best impression of me getting out of my car and walking backwards. Y'know...when 5.0 gets nervous.

michael

**randyleepublic** · #**4615** (**permalink**) 07-08-2012, 06:22 PM

Let us all have a moment of silent respect for the original designer, Sergio Pininfarina, who died just five days ago.

sh0rtlife · #**4616** (**permalink**) 07-08-2012, 06:41 PM

i think even pini woulda been proud

**randyleepublic** · #**4617** (**permalink**) 07-08-2012, 06:57 PM

I agree. You know, I was just looking at and thinking about the new GT 500 Shelby. It has gobs of horsepower, a very nice 6 speed, is comfortable, handles well, and is priced right. But, no matter how much I try to tell myself that I should sell all my other cars and go buy one, one problem remains: it's butt ugly. The original Mustang had charm. The Shelby, none. Looking at the Demon got me thinking about this. Streetfame has taken Sergio's original charming design, added a ton of horsepower, handling and features, and still kept all the charm. What a contrast!

monoman · #**4618** (**permalink**) 07-08-2012, 10:54 PM

I really admire your persistence. The effort, planning, and commitment to quality have been exemplary. Well done. Really well done.

But styling wise. It's just too street slammed to have any styling credibility at all. It has resulted in a car with wonderful styling accents, perhaps as Pininfarina might have do if they were doing an updated project, but slamming it has turned it into just another low rider. Pininfarina would absolutely not approve because you have over done the styling elements: wheels too big, car too low and gap between tyre and body non existent.

Lots of street cred. But no class.

I'm sure it's exactly what you wanted and you wouldn't change a thing.

Italiano · #**4619** (**permalink**) 07-09-2012, 06:47 AM

Greetings,

Love the project !

**randyleepublic** · #**4620** (**permalink**) 07-09-2012, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monoman

I really admire your persistence. The effort, planning, and commitment to quality have been exemplary. Well done. Really well done.

But styling wise. It's just too street slammed to have any styling credibility at all. It has resulted in a car with wonderful styling accents, perhaps as Pininfarina might have do if they were doing an updated project, but slamming it has turned it into just another low rider. Pininfarina would absolutely not approve because you have over done the styling elements: wheels too big, car too low and gap between tyre and body non existent.

Lots of street cred. But no class.

I'm sure it's exactly what you wanted and you wouldn't change a thing.