Chapter 5
03 /27/04 - 2:00PM
Home stretch...

Not much to do today. Had to head back to Raleigh by myself because Eric couldn't get off work. I wanted to knock out some of the odds and ends stuff. I received two packages: one from Morgan which contained the rest of the parts, and another from PartsHeaven which contained those same parts (I had ordered them not knowing that Morgan had sent the parts out). So alas, with PartsHeaven's awesome "policy" about 25% restocking fee, I'm going to just keep the parts and try to sell them on eBay. So, if you or anyone you know needs the distributor cap and wires to a 968, let me know.

With that said, to add insult to injury, PartsHeaven didn't even send me the right part. They sent me the upper radiator hose for a 944, when I specifically ordered one for a 968. I'm a very easy-going guy, and I realize mistakes happen. However, when I called them and informed them of this mistake, they immediately asked if they could call me back. I said "sure," and that was the last time I talked to them today. I called back, but the ofice was apparently closed.

Regardless, once I get that upper radiator hose from them (or whoever), and the entry fuel line from the hard line to the engine from Rennbay.com, she'll be about ready to start up.

I installed the 968 DME I received from Morgan today. What a PITA. The size of the large wire coming from the engine through the firewall and into the DME is different then that of the 944 -- slightly larger. That proved to create a slight bit of difficulty when trying to plug that puppy in. I had to losen the DME from the mount (remove two of the three screws), so I could plug 'er in. Then I pushed it back into place and put those screws back in. Well, one of them at least. The other I did not do because I could not get to the back of it (there is a small nut that goes on the back). No matter though, it is secure as there is one screw on each side. I don't think it's going anywhere. If I feel like trying later on to get that puppy in there, I will.

Today I also installed the fuel rail, wires, and distributor cap. I hooked those puppies up and the darn engine looks sexy. So hot! As it looks closer and closer to the way it should look, it becomes even more sexy. Can't wait to put that fuel rail cover on -- I'm going to get it powder coated in "mirror black" finish. I'm doing this color because I have a weird desire to, in the future, send both my cam tower cover and air intake to JetHot to have coated. Not only is that junk extremely functional, but it looks dead sexy.

I also hooked up the rest of the vaccum lines. Well, all execpt for this one -- I couldn't find where the darn thing went, and on the 968 vaccum line schematics, it doesn't even show it. Anyone know? Going to post it up on Rennlist, I'm sure someone there knows.

Anyway, that's about it for today. The vaccum lines, wires, cap, and DME got knocked out. Hopefully Chapter 6 will be starting the engine! Need to remember to hook the O2 sensor into the new bung on the custom y-pipe, and also gotta remember to bolt in the steering shaft (slightly important). Other then that, it's so very close I can taste it!

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