dreesemonkey
Active member
- Joined
- May 11, 2012
- Messages
- 43
Very impressive, I like what you're doing. Paging Mr. Leno
Pinch Me, it it real?
- Thread starter motormitch
- Start date
OP
motormitch
Well-known member
I wish. I actually had a short phone call with Mr. Leno because I have two very rare Toronados and was told at a car show he was looking for one. I sent a short email to his agent (I think that's what google said) saying that I had two of these, heard he was looking for one and my Mother always taught me to share my toys. The guy must have forwarded my email to him because the next day I got a call from him thanking me for my offer to part with one of them, but that it was just a rumor and he wasn't looking. Super nice gentleman and I wish he would be one of my first customers. One of my favorite phone calls, ever.
Craptain
Well-known member
Krash Kadillak
Well-known member
I was thinking that maybe a Flux Capacitor would look good in there.......
........................................................................................
Just spent almost 5 hours this evening going through this entire thread.
Great stories, awesome shop, impressive equipment, terrific vehicles!
Have one question concerning the shop:
- Now that you'be been in it for a little over a year, how is the layout working for you, and is there anything you should have done differently?
OP
motormitch
Well-known member
I was thinking that maybe a Flux Capacitor would look good in there.......
........................................................................................
Just spent almost 5 hours this evening going through this entire thread.
Great stories, awesome shop, impressive equipment, terrific vehicles!
Have one question concerning the shop:
- Now that you'be been in it for a little over a year, how is the layout working for you, and is there anything you should have done differently?
Funny you should ask about the flux capacitor. One of the things people can sign up for on our crowd funding site igg.me/at/zombie222 is to become an advisory designer and help solve problems. This is the one they are currently facing, "where to put the flux capacitor?" Here are the locations we examined and then found the only one that works.
We tried the inside of the car under the console, but it's just too big and would have to be exposed leading to a dangerous situation for accidental damage and shock.
Next we thought, "hey, let's place it with the motors under the hood to reduce current loss". Didn't fit there either.
So finally it became clear that it would need to be located with the batteries. Home sweet home!
In answer to your other question, I will build a small garage inside the large garage off to one back corner with air evacuation to manage dust while doing body work and I would have more of the 30AMP plugs with receptacles that match welders and plasma torches which while rated as 30AMP tools have a 50AMP plug end. Don't know why, but it is a fact.
Basically I pretty much nailed it the first time because I can always fix those things later. The layout is great. I would love to take full credit, but I used the **** out of this forum to learn from everyone else before pouring a drop of concrete.
Krash Kadillak
Well-known member
You must be using a 2nd-generation Flux Capacitor........
Just looked at the photo. Spark plug wires? Really?
Just looked at the photo. Spark plug wires? Really?
Fredriz
Well-known member
OP
motormitch
Well-known member
Switch topics quickly. Finally got back to working on the 65' Riviera. Here are some pictures of the orange peel I got in the clear coat on the trunk deck and then how it looked after wetting and buffing. Never get to hung up trying to get a perfect flow, just make sure that we get enough to cut and buff. I always cut and buff anyway so I would rather deal with orange peel than runs...
Before....
after....
Before....
after....
Craptain
Well-known member
Calling Mitch, Calling Mitch.
4 months now and no updates.
Your subscribers are waiting.
4 months now and no updates.
Your subscribers are waiting.
Calling Mitch, Calling Mitch.
4 months now and no updates.
Your subscribers are waiting.
I second this, I could sure use another 'Mitch's adventures through life story' as well.
AndrewnTX
Well-known member
An amazing shop build, hope to see some updates, great job!!
OP
motormitch
Well-known member
I just updated another thread so I thought I would share here as well. I bought my own racing battery pack so I would be able to stop borrowing other packs for testing. It is a 1.2 MW pack, made up of 960 prismatic pouch lithium polymer cells. It can feed my motors over 4000 Amps at 400 volts. Here are a few pics.
OP
motormitch
Well-known member
We also made some big changes in the engine bay and wiring in prep for a German TV show segment being shot at the Blood Shed and the Little River Drag track. (little story will be coming on that one)
OP
motormitch
Well-known member
We also made some big changes in the engine bay and wiring in prep for a German TV show segment being shot at the Blood Shed and the Little River Drag track. (little story will be coming on that one)
I forgot to mention that we posted a 0-60 time at the track of ..... wait for it...... you ain't gonna believe it......
""""" 2.8 SECONDS """""""
iron_worker
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2011
- Messages
- 102
Holy bejeezuz! That's getting into super bike territory. Pretty amazing for a RWD car. A bit quicker than then new Z06 ... which is damn fast.
IW
IW
OP
motormitch
Well-known member
Working on a rear gear change that should yield under 2.5, but I'll claim it when I run it and get the track ticket to prove it. We are going from a 3.0 to a 2.47 which is the tallest Ford 9" ring and pinion I could find. When I ask around at the race track about something taller than 3.0, people look at me like I have 3 heads because that are all trying to go lower like 4.10 or such. I have to explain that with 1800 lb.ft. of torque and running stock size tires (tall wise) and no transmission, I need gearing like a salt flat-er.
Dugan
Well-known member
I have 2.75 gears in the shop for a 9". Good for blown engines.
Are you running a Nodular iron case? Be careful of the pinion support in the cases if not. They have broken with 200hp... hahah
OP
motormitch
Well-known member
I am running a Strange HD Pro aluminum center section.
Hey,
Ok after getting to the end of this wonderful thread I have to comment and ohh help some with some laughs and others with well probably screams:}
First : I was going to say the shop is awesome but in reality your Wife Is Thank her for allowing you to do build the shop at least once a week ..In between annoying her to no end LOL If you do annoy her check her hands for tiles and the like before and after and sleep in a vault for a week or so to be sure your safe.
Second: Your shop is awesome and many other adjectives.
Third: Your car collection see above :}
Fourth: Your luck at finding or finagling deals on cars/tools etc see above:}
Fifth: I wish you luck with this new endeavor n the Zombie.
Now a tip please never post one of these in your shop:
You will never get health insurance and all other insurance you have will be canceled if they come do an inspection.
Note a 0 is not a loosing number any other number might mean you loose some part of your anatomy you cherish:}
See Here:
Note it's location :} By The Flags LOL
As for your spider issue well some things to consider:
Maybe they will just want:
All in good fun :} Really the thread is awesome along with your prose and stories. Here is a thought, perhaps have some Blood Shed Stickers made up and for a contribution to the Zombie you get one or Tshirt type thing???
Cypher
PS I have one more picture for your dance of pain / spiders I will post in a moment :}
Ok after getting to the end of this wonderful thread I have to comment and ohh help some with some laughs and others with well probably screams:}
First : I was going to say the shop is awesome but in reality your Wife Is Thank her for allowing you to do build the shop at least once a week ..In between annoying her to no end LOL If you do annoy her check her hands for tiles and the like before and after and sleep in a vault for a week or so to be sure your safe.
Second: Your shop is awesome and many other adjectives.
Third: Your car collection see above :}
Fourth: Your luck at finding or finagling deals on cars/tools etc see above:}
Fifth: I wish you luck with this new endeavor n the Zombie.
Now a tip please never post one of these in your shop:
You will never get health insurance and all other insurance you have will be canceled if they come do an inspection.
Note a 0 is not a loosing number any other number might mean you loose some part of your anatomy you cherish:}
See Here:
As for your spider issue well some things to consider:
Maybe they will just want:
All in good fun :} Really the thread is awesome along with your prose and stories. Here is a thought, perhaps have some Blood Shed Stickers made up and for a contribution to the Zombie you get one or Tshirt type thing???
Cypher
PS I have one more picture for your dance of pain / spiders I will post in a moment :}
Last edited:
I was stationed in Austin for 7 years 86 to 92 at Bergstrom very nice folks but the land was to flat and HOT!!! Korea was at the time the only other place I had seen 100 degrees and 100 percent humidity and it was not raining lol. Seriously you worry about spiders ?? The friggin fire ants are worse lol course I am from Maine originally so I had never heard or seen those little bastards till I got to Basic in S.A. Once I found out what they were and how they hurt when they bite etc yeah umm it was ON!! I took great joy in wrapping a rock in a gas or mek soaked rag and dropping it in the nest following it with a match !
If I make it down that way to visit friends still there I will have to try to hook up with you if you have time to check the place out. Tell me is Joe Whites still around or Austin Speed Shop, Buds Harley Davidson ? I used to cruise 6th street when you could lol go racing up at Billy Meyers up in Ennis.
Cypher
If I make it down that way to visit friends still there I will have to try to hook up with you if you have time to check the place out. Tell me is Joe Whites still around or Austin Speed Shop, Buds Harley Davidson ? I used to cruise 6th street when you could lol go racing up at Billy Meyers up in Ennis.
Cypher
Dugan
Well-known member
OP
motormitch
Well-known member
Too Many Spider pictures!!!!! Stop!
OP
motormitch
Well-known member
Here is a link to a phone video of the Zombie 222 passing the 1/8 marker on the 0-60 in 2.82 seconds. Not a great video, but of course I think it is cool because I'm driving
hazexban
Active member
We also made some big changes in the engine bay and wiring in prep for a German TV show segment being shot at the Blood Shed and the Little River Drag track. (little story will be coming on that one)
That looks incredibly bad ***. Looking forward to the story!shortykorte
Well-known member
Just started reading your build. On page two. Guess I missed out. I went by your place a couple of times July 4th weekend 2013. Had a family reunion out there. I was stationed at Bergstrom 83-85 and my brother moved there 3 yrs ago. Guess I should have read GJ a lot sooner. Look forward to finishing the read.
OP
motormitch
Well-known member
You are welcome to stop by anytime you find yourself in town.
shortykorte
Well-known member
I guess the sign by the back door reads. "Have a nice trip. See you next fall."
shortykorte
Well-known member
shortykorte
Well-known member
My friend Jack bought himself an early Christmas gift in the form of a new remote control helicopter with HD video and GPS support. It is a pretty bad *** I must admit. However, true to the Gipsy curse on the Blood Shed, he decided his first test flight should be inside the shed itself. I mean it has 4 props with auto stabilization and GPS position holding support. Why not fly around indoors where all my cars are located?
Here is the video of the first flight inside the shed. Please pay close attention to the look on Jack's face as he realizes that metal buildings full of metal stuff give Mr. GPS a hard time and my best car is directly ahead. Guess the only choice is to ditch. The ending may not look bad, but he had to replace several props.
BTW, the first time I knew he had flown this in the shop was when I saw this video so I was not part of the madness. Later that day, Jack decided to see how high it could go and to hell with FAA regulations. Here is a link to the height test flight. I'm pretty sure I saw a Jet Blue go by
Since you're not far from Hippy Hollow. An aerial of some UT coeds would be nice
OP
motormitch
Well-known member
We also made some big changes in the engine bay and wiring in prep for a German TV show segment being shot at the Blood Shed and the Little River Drag track. (little story will be coming on that one)
As promised, a story about my first trip to the Little River Dragstrip to test the Zombie 222. Quick background. Up until this point, the number of times I have driven on a drag strip can be counted on one hand and only on the San Antonio Raceway, which is a totally professional drag strip, well lit, great parking and vehicular staging area, big shop etc... (BTW, as of writing this, the San Antonio track just declared bankruptcy and has shut down :-( )
I heard about a local track call Little River so we decided race it. We installed a bunch of new stuff, loaded up the Zombie 222 and headed to the Little River track on a Friday night. The track is pretty far out in the country and easy to miss. We did. After finding the ridiculously small turn in with no sign, we drove down a little driveway through a field and as we got closer to the track, I started hearing the music from the movie deliverance in my head. I felt the beginnings of a mild case of anxiety start up. There is a long driveway that runs alongside of the track where the racers park their trucks and cars. After you complete a run, you drive back down through the narrow parking area to get back to the starting line, much like running a gantlet. Mockery or cheers depends on your run.
The track is not very well lit after the starting line and all in all, it just seemed a little scary. After unloading the Zombie 222, the tech inspector came to look the car over and was blown away with the whole electric drive thing. He was a friendly sort of young man and very impressed with the car. I asked about the run-off distance after the 1.4 mile mark since it was not lit enough to even see and was immediately told that I could NOT run the ¼, but only the 1/8 due another death (yes I said another) on the track so they were letting things cool down a bit. Next he pulls out his phone and starts showing me pictures of the 2014 GT500 and DRIVER that were both torn in half when they left the track and hit a massive tree. (Almost exactly at the 1.8 marker) I mean these were graphic pictures. I then notice that there are large trees lining the guardrail down the track. What?!? My mild anxiety started moving toward a baby panic attack.
Did I mention that there was a camera crew there from Germany just to film me for a German TV show about cars, kind of like Top Gear? There were also a bunch of my friends that had all come to watch me race the Zombie. I am 54 and old school. You don’t wimp out in front of your friends so now I am just chanting to myself, “you can do it, you’ve had a great life, your wife is still pretty enough to find a new man, etc...” Not really helping. Then the camera crew mounts a GoPro on the dash of the car so they can get a video of me driving. Great, now I can’t even scream for my mommy and no possibility crying. It is poker face time to hide the growing panic attack.
I paste on a fake smile of confidence and get in the car. I take about 10 minutes to buckle myself in the racing harness so that I can at least have a couple more minutes here on earth. My lovely wife comes over and asks if I am sure that this is safe to do. I laugh and say dismissively, “of course sweetie. Not a problem. I got this cold”. TO which I finish in my head as, “yes, cold as a stiff you knucklehead”.
I pull up to the line and the reporter sticks his head in the window and asks, on camera, how I am feeling. Fake smile again followed by a macho laugh in the face of danger. “Ha! I’m pumped and ready to rip this track up” I reply. Again inside I am speaking truth to myself, “I wanna go home Daddy. Don’t make me race the crazy electric car down the track of death”, to which the voice of my father replies, “**** it up boy, grow a pair and walk like a man”. Love you too Pops.
I approach the line and do a burn out. OK so far. Then they motion me forward to the line and of course I over shoot and have to back up. I’m such a rookie. Then I watch the tree and suddenly feel the need to pee real badly. Yellow, yellow, GREEN! I am so nervous that I stomp the accelerator pedal to the floor so hard it almost bruised my foot. The car launched and when I say launched, I mean like NASA baby. Awesome! Wait, the car is pushing toward the rail. The rail where the guy died! I summon all my skills from years of hot rodding and drifting before it was actually called drifting and somehow keep it off the rail. I finished the 1/8 mile run at 7.78. Certainly not bad, but no more until we get the car straightened out. I got lucky once.
As I drive down the gantlet, I am getting thumbs up from most people and some were clapping. Yes, I did it! One word jumps to mind. STUD! Then my friend Jack comes up to the car and says, “Not bad, now let’s crank the voltage up and really move down the track”. This will have the same effect as increasing the size of a nitrous shot to a gas racer. I start to open my mouth to tell Jack that this is not a good idea because the car is pushing hard to the right, but just as I start to speak the camera crew comes up and I am asked how it felt. “Good, it felt good. Really good, it was good”, “STOP saying good you loser”, I think to myself. Then Jack jumps in to tell them that we are ready to really crank the voltage up. Two words jump to mind, “dead STUD”.
I realize that I have only been given a brief 10 minute reprieve from death so I just accept my fate and watch Jack crank the voltage from 155V to 165V. I go to the line and run again. Now the car is REALLY pushing hard, but since I know what to expect, I am more prepared and somehow keep it off the wall. Time was 7.48. Now Jack says he is going to crank it again and this time I tell him that I don’t think I can handle it because the car is fighting me so hard. Allen overhears us and says, I can just let some air out of one of the tires to compensate. Awesome! “Which tire”, I ask. “Let me think about it” he says and then starts motioning with his hands left and right and making burn out sounds. “Got it”, he says. To tell you the truth, I don’t even remember which one he let some air out of. All I am thinking is that I now have a 50/50 chance of it making worse, instead of better. Jack cranks the voltage to 180. I approach the line and this time I am really scared I am not going to the able to hold the car. Yellow, yellow, green. I hit it and immediately can feel the power slam me back hard. I swear I had a little tunnel vision for a second. Wait!! The car isn’t fighting me very much. It worked. The time was 7.03 with a 0-60 of 2.8 seconds.
The Zombie 222 had been proven to outperform almost any production Italian “super” car in the world! I am pumped! Jack comes over and says, let’s crank it even more, but a miracle happens and the track announces no more runs for the night. I paste on a fake sad face while doing a little happy dance in my head and leave the track a hero and ALIVE!!!!
Stay tuned…We are installing a new rear gear this week and going to try to push it faster. Little River here we come again. Dueling banjos fade….
Craptain
Well-known member
Not just a great story, but a great story teller. 
OP
motormitch
Well-known member
The surgery was a success. The new 2.47 ring and pinion are installed and the car feels faster, not just quicker. I was doing 60mph and punched it. I was at 90mph so quick my head was spinning. If anyone had ever told me that I would build a vintage muscle that was all electric, running a 2.47 gear and quicker than production super cars, I would thought they needed locked up. The plan is to return to Little River and see what we can do. Will the 0-60 improve with such a tall gear? Unknown waters here for me.
Dugan
Well-known member
What size rear tire are you running mitch.. You could even gain from a change there also.
OP
motormitch
Well-known member
315-35-17
Dugan
Well-known member
if you moved up to a 28" diameter you could use more of that available torque.
OP
motormitch
Well-known member
Agreed and I will look into it for the Texas Mile.....