~/xavifortes

hardware & mechanics

Engineering is engineering,
regardless of the domain.

The same diagnostic mindset that traces a k8s pod failure traces an intermittent engine misfire. The same documentation discipline that writes runbooks writes service manuals.

🔧

Automotive

Lexus IS250 — 4GR-FSE Engine & CAN Bus

  • ▸ Complete top-end service: valve clearance adjustment on the 4GR-FSE, torque sequence, re-seating camshaft caps with proper bearing crush.
  • ▸ Diagnosed intermittent misfire via OBD-II live data + oscilloscope on injector waveforms. Root cause: carbon buildup on direct injection valves — descarbonized intake ports without full teardown using walnut blasting technique.
  • ▸ CAN bus reverse engineering: tapped the OBD port, logged raw CAN frames, mapped proprietary Toyota PIDs for oil temp, tranny temp, and throttle position not exposed by standard OBD-II Mode 01.
  • ▸ Programmed a custom CAN sniffer on an ESP32 + MCP2515 module to log to SD card and broadcast parsed values over BLE to a custom iOS app.
  • ▸ Full brake system refresh: braided stainless lines, Brembo calipers, Pagid RS pads, bedding procedure.
4GR-FSECAN busESP32OBD-IIDirect Injection
🏍

Motorcycle

Suzuki GSX650F — Structural & Mechanical

  • ▸ Full engine out service: valve shim replacement, chain and sprocket, coolant system flush, stator and regulator/rectifier swap after charging fault.
  • ▸ Frame and subframe: repaired cracked subframe weld, powder-coated bare frame sections, replaced corroded fasteners with A4 stainless throughout.
  • ▸ Suspension: fork oil replacement, spring preload spacers for weight-adjusted sag, rear shock nitrogen recharge.
  • ▸ Electrical: full loom audit, crimped connector replacement, added dual USB-C charge ports to switched ignition circuit with blade fuse protection.
GSX650FSuspensionElectricalFrame repair
🚐

Van

Nissan NV200 — Workshop Van Build

  • ▸ Converted rear cargo area to a mobile workshop: 18mm ply floor, wall panels, aluminium extrusion shelving rated for 80kg per shelf.
  • ▸ Electrical: 200Ah LiFePO4 battery bank, 40A DC-DC charger from alternator, 200W roof solar via MPPT controller, 2000W pure sine inverter. Full BMS monitoring over BLE.
  • ▸ Diagnostic bench: oscilloscope, bench power supply, CAN analyser, soldering station — all running off the battery bank.
LiFePO4DC-DCSolar MPPTNV200
🎬

A/V Production

High-Fidelity Recording & Video Setup

  • ▸ Audio: DJI Mic 2 wireless lavalier system for field recording. Rode NTG3 shotgun for controlled environments. Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 4i4. Monitoring: Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro (80Ω).
  • ▸ Video: DJI Osmo Pocket 3 for run-and-gun. Full 4K60 workflow into Final Cut Pro on macOS. LUT library for consistent colour grading across OVH datacenter tours and homelab documentation videos.
  • ▸ Streaming setup: OBS with NDI source from secondary machine for overlays. RTMP to multiple targets simultaneously via restream.
DJI Mic 2Rode NTG3Final Cut ProOBSFocusrite