July 2016 Newsletter

Welcome to the ETCG June 2016 Newsletter! Instructions will follow.

If you’re reading the email version of this newsletter, it’s not the full version, there’s so much more! This email version has been trimmed down to just the main topics. Click on an image, or ‘read more’ link, and it will take you directly to the topic of choice on my website where the full newsletter is displayed. Technology is cool.

If you want to read the full newsletter, and you really friggin do! Click here.

Past newsletters and the ETCG Blog can be found here. (those are also excellent)

Thanks for reading!

‘Meet Up’ 2016 July 16

In just a couple of weeks I get to meet those of you that make the trip to my shop in person. I’m very excited about this. Throughout the year I’m wrapped up in shooting and editing the videos I bring to you. The ‘Meet Up’ is the one day a year I open the shop up to all those that helped build it. As a result, it’s always one of the best days of my year.

I have some great give aways for you this year. I’ve had contributions from BendPak, Capri Tools, Grip Tools, J&B Tool Sales, Longevity Welding, and many more. I also plan to give away my old engine hoist and stand as I’m not using them anymore. I’d rather they go to a good home and get used.

Did I mention I’m giving away a lift?! Check it out.

I’ve also got positive confirmation that Eric O. from SouthMainAutoRepair will be attending. ScannerDanner also talked about coming. My dad is coming. There may be a few other ‘surprise’ guests as well.

The ‘Meet Up’ isn’t just about ETCG, it’s about the fans first and foremost, but it’s also about getting like minded people together to have a good time. Hence the name, ‘Meet Up’.

The ‘Meet Up’ 2016 is from 12pm-5pm EST July 16, 2016. If you plan on attending, please RSVP at this link.

For those of you making the trip, safe travels. For those of you not able to make the trip, no worries. I’ll be doing this again next year and we plan on making a video for you to enjoy of the days events. This way you get the fun of attending without all the sweat.

#DarkMatterPikachu on the Dyno

Last month I got to fire up the #FairmontProject engine for the first time on the dyno at UNOH. We’ve built a monster, 574.8hp @5500 622lbft @4500. The noise it makes sends chills down my spine. In fact, I’ve changed my ETCG and ETCG1 outros to the sound of the engine on the dyno making that 575hp run. However, this power output presents some unexpected problems.

First, I’m not too proud to say, I’m a little afraid of it. It’s real easy to say you have 575hp, but not many people get to experience that kind of power in a street car. It’s a lot to handle. Originally, I had only set out to get about 350hp which is great for the street. 575hp is a whole different animal. That’s like supercar territory when it comes to power output. Don’t worry, I’m not even going to compare the Fairmont’s handling to a supercar, just the power output.

The other issue with that much power, I won’t be able to run the T-5 transmission Paul Cangialosi rebuilt for me. At least, not in this car. The T-5 is good up to about 400hp on a good day. The torque my engine puts out is way beyond that.

This means that I’ve had to go out, yet again, and purchase new, expensive parts. I ended up getting a TKO 600 from Modern Driveline. Paul Cangialosi highly recommended them. He was right, they’ve been really great in getting me the transmission, with updated carbon fiber syncros, bell housing, crossmember, clutch, and clutch hydraulics for the new set up. It should arrive later this week. I’ll post pictures on my social networks when it shows up.

Special thanks to Nate Mailhot, Kevin Frische, and UNOH for helping me with the dyno.

#DarkMatterPikachu??

Many of you have asked about the name and where it came from. Sometime in the not too distant future I plan to sit down with cameraman Brian make an ETCG1 video about this. Since you’re awesome and educated enough to read this newsletter, I’ll bring you in the know now.

It came time to paint the engine while it was at Kalvinator Engines last month. As you may know, you need to mask everything off before you paint. After masking off the front of the engine with yellow masking tape, cameraman Brian said, “It looks just like Pikachu”. Yes, the Pikachu from Pokemon. I looked over and decided he was right.

I grabbed a black marker and drew Brian’s vision of Pikachu on the front of the engine. Oddly, it was a perfect fit.

That is where the Pikachu part came from.

The Dark Matter part comes from the color. I was originally going to paint the block Ford blue. Upon the urgings of cameraman Brian and Justin Frische, they convinced me that black would be a better color. The phrases that tipped the scales were, “Race car engines are black”, and “If you paint it blue, it’ll look like it belongs in a tractor”. I admit I gave into peer pressure, but I was happy for it.

So I painted it black but left the core plugs brass. I couldn’t be happier. She’s a work of art both mechanically and ascetically.

Take the 2 parts and put them together and you get, #DarkMatterPikachu.

Origin story revealed.

The Fairmont Project

I made a ton of progress on the Fairmont last month. Figuratively! I really added about a ton of weight to the car. Well, not a ton, perhaps half a ton would be more accurate. Good weight though, like the engine and transmission.

I’ve managed to test fit the engine and transmission as well as many parts of the turbo system. I was also able to install the fuel system and relocate the battery to the trunk. Many jobs have been crossed off the list but there’s still a ways to go.

I still need to do the wiring, HVAC, and also the gauges. This means I’ll be removing the interior next.

Given the amount of work I still have yet to do, I don’t think I’m going to be able to make my ‘Meet Up’ completion deadline I talked about in the last newsletter. I’m sad about this but not too sad.

I’ve come to realize that things are done when they’re done. The more you try and force a deadline, the more stress you create. I’d rather have a ‘fun’ build than stress about it. If that means people will need to wait till next year to see the car in action at the ‘Meet Up’, so be it.

I’m happy to know that everyone attending this years ‘Meet Up’ will be able to see and talk about my progress.

Remember, I’m doing this by myself. A bit of a different animal than most of the TV shows out there on car building. They usually have group of guys working on the same project. Except Edd China. That guy is my idol. The work he does simply amazes me. I hope I get to meet him one day so I can tell him that in person.

Pull-A-Part Videos!

Love them or hate them, the Pull-a-Part or, #SalvageYardHacks videos aired last month. All 20 of them.

In fairness, if I were to do it again, I might space out the releases a bit more the next time I do something like this. Truth is, I was hoping to release these before I started to air the Fairmont videos. That unfortunately didn’t work out as planned.

Still, I think they are a great series of videos that I believe will help a lot of people. Not to mention they represent work I’ve done outside my shop in a salvage yard with minimal tools. Somewhat outside of my comfort zone which I really enjoyed.

F1 Race in Montreal

This was a busy month. Shell invited me and a few other YouTubers, EngineeringExplained, SubaruWRXFan, and Adeysworld to Montreal to watch the F1 race and learn more about how they use their products in F1.

Not to mention Shell put us up right off of turn 1 with our own enclosed, catered space. They also took us behind the veil to see the Ferrari garage. F1 fans everywhere want to punch me in the face over that. I don’t blame them. It was a great experience and I really enjoyed Montreal. I just need to learn French.

I’ll have a short video about my experience coming out in the not too distant future.

Thank you Shell!

My new GSR!

I waited 15 years for this particular car. I’ve known the owner since before she bought this car. I used to work with her brother at the Acura dealership.

Ever since day one whenever I would service the car I would say, “Ruth, whenever you decide to sell this car I want to be the first phone call you make.” My persistence paid off and last week she called to let me know she was ready to sell.

Some of you may recognize the car from previous videos I’ve done on ETCG.

Today, I vacuumed it out, wiped everything down, called my insurance agent to make it legal, and put plates on it. This is the 6th Integra I’ve owned, and my 2nd GSR. I had forgotten how much fun these cars are to drive.

The wheels are already turning about what I’d like to do with this car. When the time comes, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed as I plan to do the car in a ‘correct’ manner. Meaning no giant wings or fart cans. Well, maybe a little, but tasteful!

Judging by the response I can see that there is a lot of excitement surrounding this car. I’m excited too, but let’s keep in mind I want to finish the #FairmontProject before I start on the #GSRProject. One project at a time people.

Goodbye Jeep Grand Cherokee

On the same day I bought the Integra, I sold the Jeep. I realize some of you may be disappointed by this, but honestly, I never had any love for that vehicle.

It went to a good home. He’s a mechanic who knows them and can bring it back on the road, or off road if he chooses.

Me, I couldn’t be happier that it’s gone. I’m smiling just thinking about the bullets I just dodged like Keanu Reeves in The Matrix. I just couldn’t see any way to make that thing work once I found out about the engines condition.

I didn’t make any money on the deal, I didn’t lose any either. In Vegas, a push is a win.

Fixing it Forward

I’ve taken a break from shooting Fixing it Forward videos for a while. I have NOT forgotten about the project. Last month I talked about my partnership with the McEachern Ministry Car Care facility.

Earlier in the month, my friends at OTC hooked them up with some new equipment, including a new scan tool. Thanks OTC!

This is only the beginning. Once the Fairmont is complete, I plan to revisit Fixing it Forward to see how I can grow the program beyond the borders of EricTheCarGuy.

Helping people has always been at the core of what I do with ETCG. #FixingItForward is a direct descendant of that philosophy. I plan to continue with it well into the future.

There’s still a GoFundMe for Fixing it Forward. All proceeds go to the project.

The Shop Has Internet!

This month I took the plunge and had high speed internet installed at the shop. This opens a lot of doors. In fact, I did my first live show from there last week just a half hour after the installation.

I’m considering the possibilities of this new acquisition. It’s nice to have the option of doing live video streams from the shop. I’m looking forward to the other opportunities this luxury provides as well.

Premium Member News

Last month Premium Members got 5 exclusive videos! That’s more than I’ve ever posted in a 1 month period. “Frame Connector Re-Weld (Exclusive Video)”, “After the Pull-a-Part Shoot with Humble Mechanic (Exclusive Video)”, “How I Fixed the Differential Bushings in the Fairmont (Exclusive Video)”, “Fairmont Update 6.16.2016 (Exclusive Video)”, and “Check Out the Fairmont Stance! (Exclusive Video)” were the exclusive videos released last month.

I’ve been shooting a TON of these videos lately and plan to shoot many more in the future. Now is a great time to sign up to be a Premium Member at EricTheCarGuy.com if you like exclusive videos.

Premium Members get up to 4 exclusive videos per month (maybe more) in addition to early releases of all ETCG and ETCG1 videos. They also get $2.00 discounts on VManuals. Memberships are now $4.99 per month and $14.99 per year. To get more info and sign up, click here.

In Closing

My shop is full of tools, cars, and work and it just a few weeks, it will be full of ‘Meet Up’ attendees. I couldn’t be happier. I’m very much looking forward to meeting some of you for the first time, and some of you for the 5th time. The fans of ETCG really do make what I do special. I’m eternally grateful for that. Thank you all.

In the mean time I have a TON of editing to get done. I also have some cleaning up to do at the shop before everyone arrives. Sorry I won’t have the Fairmont ready for you, but you’ll get a chance to see the progress I’ve made first hand and we can talk about where things are going.

I’m going to close this one on a high note. Thank you for reading this months newsletter. Thank you for watching my videos on ETCG, ETCG1, and the exclusive videos on my website. Thank you for following me on social networks. Most of all, thanks for being you and supporting the work I do.

BTW, if it’s your birthday, happy birthday!

Thanks for reading. Latest videos below.

Be safe
Have fun
Stay Dirty

ETCG

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