* I write this update as therapy...Whether anybody reads it, it’s not really that important. Writing the update is part of the build for me...I figure you can read it and take something from it, or skip to the pictures, either way I’m good.
It’s days like these that ask the question “How long did it take you to build the Monster?”
The answer is always the same.....” That depends on whether you’re asking about the first, or the second, or the third time I had to do something in order to call it “ done”. There are things that I considered a triumph, and many things that were just a jug fck.
Back in the day when I was building the car, and could dedicate entire days back to back for months, it seemed like every other day was a triumph, because the days in between were jug phcks. The benefit of all of the trial and errors was the obvious practice I got from having to do stuff over and over again.
Also back then,...I had an outstanding TIG/plasma cutter combo machine, but because I didn’t want to dedicate the time required to become proficient, I never used the thing, and every time I tried...............Jug phck. So,..When I moved to this house, ( Thinking I was done with the car) I sold that thing, along with the tubing bender I used to build the dash and door bars.
But I always wanted to become better at using a TIG,...as Anal as I am sometimes, you’d think It would be a “ must have” skill.
( Offset that with the fact that I’m really good with a MIG,...and it becomes a Honey Badger moment.....I just don’t care bout no Tiggin’ when I can be Miggin’’.)
But that was the pre- give a phck Mike....Now, Im thinking I need to try to get better at TIG as opposed to having to grind down all of the MIG welds I’m getting ready to make. For Christmas, and because I had a 2jz sitting on the floor that was gonna need a new hotside, and cold side,....I ask for, and get an el-cheap TIG.
So,.........
When I have nothing to do BUT work on the Monster,..., AND..I’ve got a hot side and a cold side to build,......what better opportunity will I have to use it to try and get decent with the skill?
2.5” off of the turbo,..upsized to 3” going into the refrigerator.
Coming out of the ‘fridge, going into into the bay....
And finally.....out of the fridge,....into the big assed throttle body.
Everything was Tigged....about 10 butt joints altogether..
* the last 90* is just fitted and not welded..trying to decide if I make it a V band joint, or a permanent weld.
They aren’t pretty,...but they aren’t so thick I feel like I need to grind them down...Today was a triumph.