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I also decided to go with a smaller radiator designed for a 1965 Ford Mustang with a 289 V-8. I am embracing the fact that the car only needs to run a couple of hot laps at most. This is obvious with the aluminum exhaust and the lack of a charging system. While the C&R radiator in the car previously is a superior core, it is designed for a true road racing 900hp car. Time Attack is literally a drag race with turns; at least in my mind it is. A single pass core that can keep the engine cool for a hot lap or two is all this car will ever need. Aside from that, the smaller water capacity means less weight at the nose of the car. The entire aluminum tubular structure that holds the radiator, intercooler, oil cooler, and front bumper can be removed with four stainless steel hose clamps. There is a series of sheet aluminum ducts that will duct air from the front bumper to the intercooler and to the radiator and out of the hood, but not all of it is complete just yet.
Gary modified one of his Design Craft S2000 swirl pot/header tank combos to fit the GT-R. Not visible from this side are inlets for constant bleeds where bubbles can develop in the VQ engine.
Tim from Apex Speed Technology was responsible for the electrical harnesses throughout the car. He did some initial measurements originally, but as changes were made, he would pop in to make adjustments. During the last week that Team America was thrashing, Tim was thrashing at the Apex Speed offices getting the harnesses done. Having worked with Apex Speed when I was at Cosworth regularly, I knew Tim would get the job done. He didn't, but he was going to come with us to Sydney to finish it up there.
Here is part of the chassis harness layout. There are also drawings and Excel sheets that go along with the layout. There's also an engine harness, a front harness, and a rear harness. Motorsport grade wiring is pretty complex so I left it to Apex Speed who has a lot of experience working with Autosport connectors, Raychem heat shrink, heat shrink boots, kapton tape, teflon jacketed wiring, epoxy, etc. Apex Speed is or was also Pectel USA so their familiarity with Pectel ECUs was a big plus.
Here's Alex from Apex Speed Technology working on the harness circa 4:00AM the night before the car had to roll into the container. Tim was working inside the car. Pretty last minute? Yes the whole damn car was, but I'm glad we had the crew that we did even though we didn't get the car 100% finished.
Here's Gary passing out at his desk the night before also. I passed out several times at the shop too, but it's a good thing I was the only one even remotely thinking about taking pictures haha. Except for one or two 30 minute power naps, Gary and I were up for almost 53 hours straight the last two nights. Needless to say we were zombies by the time that the car was rolled into its shipping container.
