A majority of events are canceled well into the summer, including track days, because of the corona virus pandemic. I understand why, and it’s to slow the infection rate of the virus.

The corona virus doesn’t show symptoms up to two weeks after being infected. The person might not even have symptoms but still pass it on to other people. The virus spreads though infected droplets of the person. A droplet can travel as far as 7 feet. If a person coughs or even speaks directly to you, then you have chance of getting the virus yourself.

Another way is though indirect contact. The infected droplet can land on an inanimate object and survive for hours or days. A person can touch that object, then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth afterwards. That person can get infected.

The last way is when the virus gets arosolized. Meaning the virus can become airborne. That happens in large groups of people in close quarters talking or shouting. The droplets are bigger when a person shouts. The bigger droplets tend to evaporate in the air, and makes the droplet lighter. That means the virus suspended in the air longer. Or in the hospital setting when a patient is on nebulizer treatment or on a bipap machine. The the forceful air evaporates the droplets and makes it airborne.

The general public can reduce the chances of infection and slow the spread. A face mask wont protect a person from inflating the virus but instead contains droplets when a person talks or coughs. This help reduce the infection because a person can be asymptotic and the mask will help contain the infected droplets. Always wash or get a new mask when the mask feels wet. Good hand hygiene and avoid touching the face is another good practice to do. You can get the virus from an intimate object and not know about it. The skin is a proactive barrier from the virus but once you touch your eyes, mouth or nose the virus can enter though the mucus membrane and infect you. Make sure to wash hands before touch your face and wipe down areas to kill the virus.

What about if the virus is airborne? The virus isn’t airborne by nature, people make it airborne. Only happens in large gatherings in inclosed spaces. That’s why a lot of events, stores and shops are closed. In the hospital setting, the medical professionals are wearing the proper PPE and patients placed in negative pressure rooms to prevent spread aerosolizing the virus and containing other rooms or workers. You can go out and exercise, like in a park, and not get infected because very few people are close to each other and it is an open space.

If you do get infected, their isn’t a cure or vaccine. You hear about deaths on the news. Kinda scary. If a person immune system is weaker, the virus can overwhelm the body. Virus are not bacteria, so antibiotics wont work to kill the virus. Antibiotics might be given because the virus can cause a 2nd infection, which is a bacterial infection. The only way currently to defeat the virus is you body’s own immune system. In a healthy immune system the body will recognize the virus and starts to produce antibodies. The antibodies will then attack the virus and kill it. Thus, the person will recover and systems will go away. Just takes time, and could be days or weeks before a person feels better. If a person symptoms become worse, then its best to be evaluated at the hospital for additional support. Be it extra oxygen or fluids or additional labs.

I think, if the person is generally healthy with no medical issues, the greater chance of recovering without hospital admission. I work in the ER, and yeah, I’m worried. I might get infected and pass it on to other people. I learn from what I read, hear and see from other medical professionals. I do my best to keep good hygiene and wear a mask. Practice social distancing. This isn’t our first pandemic and history has shown that. With modern medicine, I’m sure we’ll be able to ride this one out.

Since January, the AE86 has been up and running. I have have been driving the car on the streets and at the track. For the most part, not much issues, and it’s drivable. With this corona virus pandemic going on, I have a lot more free time to do some finishing touches and address some issues from last track day.

One of the things I did was change my eBay killswitch. There are some things you can cheap out on, but this killswtich wasn’t working properly. The car would still turn on even with killswitch hooked directly to the battery. I bought the QuickCar master disconnect, and feel more heavy duty then the eBay one. Best of all it, actually works!

Next I did was install electronic oil pressure sensor. I wanted to hook up all my sensors to the ECU. I did this for two things: one I wanted a cleaner look, and second is to set up parameters for limp mode if something bad did happen before I cause major damage.

I bought my sensor from Amazon. I later found out the pinout wiring that was on the picture was different then the one that was actually written on the sensor. The red wire goes to the 5v connection, the black wire is the sensor ground, and green wire is the analog volt channel. The custom engine harness I had made came with the connections.  I just had to make sure I wired it correctly. Then I configured the sensor via ECU. I told used one the spare analog volt channels and told the ecu 0v is 0psi, and 5v is 150psi. Works perfectly. If anyone is interested in my sensor here it is: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NIK98O8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Next on the list was install my AiM MXn dash. First track day in the 86 I didn’t have any vitals hooked up except my AFR. I wanted to make sure I was ready for the Driven and Blessed event and had to put a dash. My stock dash was incompatible with my custom wring and Link ECU. I thought ahead of time and had custom harness made with the ECU for a CAN BUS connection.

I chose the AiM MXm because its a dash and data logger all in one. Other AiM dashes was too expensive, and didn’t have data logging capabilities. The owner would have to pay extra to get data logging features. All the AIM dashes can hook up to OBD2 or, in my case, ecu via CAN BUS. The wiring was pretty easy. I had one chassis ground wire, one 12v power wire, and the CAN negative and CAN positive wire. The CAN pos and neg wires I connected to the engine harness I had made. Next is set up the AiM dash to read the Link ECU. Once that is all done, you can change pages on the dash to see the info you want, and custom make the screen and warnings to your preference. Nice and seamless.

AiM products comes with extra auxiliary outputs for expansions, or a smarty cam. I could have gone with other dash but this one cost less then $1000 which serves as a dash and data logger, all in one. There are cheaper options but I didn’t like the style or look of those.

With the corona virus pandemic going on, the world is definitely a different place. There is social distancing, events/venues canceled. Bars closed with restaurants open only for take out, or delivery. People are either working from home, or have no jobs. The only places where people allowed to come to work are essential businesses only. Hopefully this virus will pass, and life will return back to normal. Stay safe y’all.

Last month, I had my 2nd track day testing the 86 hopefully worked out the kinks. The previous test and tune track time showed I had blow by issue and sprayed oil all over my engine. I added a oil catch can prior to this event and putting it to the test.

Well turns out, my oil catch overfilled after a couple laps and sprayed oil all over my engine bay. Not sure what is causing it, but my motor runs and sounds healthy. I only get this issue at the track. I’m thinking the constant high rpms and higher speeds in the corners is causing this issue. I have to look deeper, but I hope its nothing too serious.

One a good note, she does handle very well and feels good. The 4.77 gear ratio for the rear end is well suited in the back rhythm section. Feels like a short gear transmission. No more whine!! One post test mod that worked.

Stay tuned.