Rxmfn7

iTrader: (4)

Perhaps someone else can jump in if they have a more definite answer, but I don't see any reason why they couldn't be lightened as well. Youd just have to not machine as far out towards the edge as you normally would.


RacingBeat offers a lightened/balanced rotor set "off the shelf" (For a price of ~$2700 IIRC). Scalloping is a fairly specific service, and I don't believe anyone offers those to purchase, it would be send in yours and get machined.

FDWarrior

iTrader: (6)

There is a place, us at Defined Autoworks. In the past scalloped rotors were not widely used due to cost and wait times. The cnc program is complicated to produce them. Also many people don't see a huge benefit by using them, so they just assume they are not worth it. Like any thing, the right part has to be used the right way. Scalloped rotors are a way to increase overlap in an engine. All of the n/a power numbers we produce are using scalloped rotors. The scallops are part of the n/a equation we have figured out, not the whole pie.


On a turbo engine they are not as critical. The difference in power on our test engine can be found by bumping the boost up a bit. For example we made 535 on 17psi, but could have made the same power at 20psi without scallops. This is NOT a rule of thumb by any means with turbo engines, and just an example. This is just the results we found in our testing. With any engine there are many variables that will make different engines respond differently. Basically the scalloped rotors aided our half bridge port 13b-t, they were not the defining aspect of the engine.

Rxmfn7

iTrader: (4)

^Thats a very good point (Matt , correct?). Ive received a lot of PMs regarding my car/engine, as Im sure you guys do as well. Alot of people asking me specifics about the engine and power figures, etc. With some of the advancements and notoriety that N/A 3 and 4 rotors have gotten lately (mostly due to work of yours/Logan) there are alot of people that dont really quite understand the intricacies of what all is needed to be making good power. I feel like there are so many who just think a run of the mill 20B ran N/A will make 350whp. In actuality, no its going to make more like 250whp if youre lucky. As Im sure you can testify to, its a careful balance of the whole package, exhaust length, intake length, runner size and velocity, portwork, tuning, etc etc etc. N/A tuning is about the entire package working in harmony, and any one part being off can have huge negative impacts.

If it were as simple as doing a basic rebuild and throwing new rotors in it, Id have done it myself. Im a very hands on person, and up until this point have never let anyone work on any vehicle of mine. But there comes a time where I guess you need to be a bit humble and realize when someone else has "figured it out".

diabolical1

iTrader: (3)

your car is gorgeous and it seems to be coming together with a purpose. as someone sort of obsessed with the GT3 RS (and Cup cars) i know exactly the kind of minimalist, no nonsens character you seek from your car. i also believe that Logan is definitely one of the limited number of people that can get you there.

i see good things coming and i await the day you pick it up.

Grant M

So Gordon your saying that NA HP is different to turbo HP? That is just preposterous HP is HP like I said in the PM, most fun I had was in a 130hp NA rx4, better than the PP turbo fd

Rxmfn7

iTrader: (4)

Thanks for the compliment . The car is really a passion of mine,as Im sure it is for alot of us here. Its "worth" to me is much more than the sum of its nuts and bolts, I almost have an emotional attachment to her. I definitely agree with the "no frills" approach, and to get the most enjoyment and fun out of the car as possible. As Im sure had been noticed by those of us that have been around cars long enough, the more you make it a track car, the worse street car it becomes.. and to a point vice-versa. When you mention the porsche RS cars they give some of the best compromise that you can get from the factory, and I really like that. My car will still be hard on the street, and not something Id really want to make a long trip in.. but at the same time I have zero interest in building a car for track only, that Id have to trailer around and not be able to enjoy on the street. As much as I want to exploit it on the track, going on car cruises and to shows and hanging out with friends and other enthusiasts is half the fun of sports car ownership, and I want to be able to do that as well.

Rxmfn7

iTrader: (4)

Not a whole lot to report picture-wise. Logan tells me there's some progress on the intake and throttles, so possibly see some cool pictures of that coming together pretty soon. On my end, Im about to order my seats, and I have some ideas for my wheels that Ill be sharing soon. Decided I want a bit more meat in the rear. Got my new tires in today (tirerack loves me), so for now just sharing those pics until there is something more substantial to show.

Dog approved:

ptrhahn

iTrader: (9)

^^^

What tires are they? Look huge for 275's.

Rxmfn7

iTrader: (4)

Dunlop Star specs. They are what I had before, but they are discontinuing the Z1 (I think the next gen star spec is due out soon) so tirerack is having closeout pricing on their remaining stock so I picked these up while I still could. Im not really sure how they run compared to other tires. I did some quick comparisons on section width on tireracks site before I purchased them originally, and it seemed they ran about the same size as the RS-3s I was comparing them with. Perhaps I just have small girly hands

Rxmfn7

iTrader: (4)

More insignificant pics haha, but it hold me over until theres something more substantial to show. These were made by "JasonS" here on the forum. Couldn't be happier to how they turned out, really great quality

Rxmfn7

iTrader: (4)

^Gordon,
Not really sure what german weave is to be perfectly honest. They were his top grade berber, I believe he calls them "luxury touring" mats.

Rxmfn7

iTrader: (4)

Some more interesting pictures to share today Logan and Matt were kind enough to take some time out of their day today and let me pop in. I was very happy to see the car coming together, and it seems like alot should be happening in a very short time. At one point Logan did pull me into his office and make me hold his shaft.. which I thought was a bit odd, although I did kind of like it.... Anywhoo ,.. on to pictures!:

Fuel cell just about complete. When its done the factory hatch carpet can be installed and it will appear all OEM






I never did see my trans as I had it shipped directly to Defined, but here it is with the custom bellhousing adapter and ready to go in:

Rxmfn7

iTrader: (4)

The other thing I was really pleased with is how the engine was placed. By using the shorter T5 trans, it allowed the engine to be dropped down 3" and moved back a full 6". As you can see, this places the entire engine behind the steering rack. Also a sneak peak of the start of header assembly, and you can see the radiator and oil coolers getting mounted up.

t-von

iTrader: (8)

Confused about the t5. Since your na why spend the money on adapting another 5speed t5 when you could have relocated the shifter on the fd tranny as I did? Relocation of the shifter isnt nearly as hard as some people think.

Rxmfn7

iTrader: (4)

Couple reasons. One, I was concerned about the factory FD trans dealing with ~9k shifts in a road race scenario. Second is serviceability of the trans, as well as if I wanted to change out gear ratios T5 gearsets, even aftermarket ones from Gforce are far less expensive than an OS Gisken or the like for the FD. Im not really sure if all of this was "necessary", but having a strong trans capable of flat shifts and easy replacement parts is never a bad thing. Honestly all in all it wasnt that expensive, relatively speaking. The twin disc clutch we are using is probably 1/3 of the price of a new exedy twin for an FD.

Acroy

iTrader: (3)

Careful man - it's going to be so pretty when you're done you'll be scared to drive it!

I enjoyed your description of the joy of the S2k in the original post. They are very capable, very fun little cars. And that 2.0 screamer - what an engine.

Looking forward to the continuation of the thread.

GtoRx7.

iTrader: (12)

Hahahaha I thought we agreed to never speak of that? lol, too funny

K!NCH

iTrader: (2)

Ah so that was your car! I saw the pictures on Dynamics facebook page. Looks so good!

Rxmfn7

iTrader: (4)

^ Thanks! Not a ton to report picture-wise as of yet. Logan tells me theres been some good progress on the exhaust, and the engine will be going together next week. Im taking another trip out to defined sometime soon, so I will take some more pictures and post them here then. In the meantime, I have some wheel pictures to share. My specs before were 18x9.5 +22 AMEs all the way around with 255/30r18. I decided I wanted a bit more tire in the back, as noted in the post above, but really like my wheels and ame doesnt offer the TM02 in a wider wheel with FD friendly offsets. What to do.. well I decided to send my rears out and be widened! Had weldcraft wheels add 1" to the width, and I got them back today. They did an amazing job. I was nervous and hesitant to have this done, not only because the thought of having my expensive wheels cut in half, but because I do plan to race with them and safety/strength is a concern of mine. But, after some research there are alot of serious race cars running wheels modified by them, so that comforted me a bit. The guy at the tire place that I had them balanced at even commented on how nice of a job they did. So, heres a few pictures of them and with the new 275 rears mounted.

ChrisRX8PR

Very nice!

I've been thinking of widening my rears for a while. Could you give me an idea of what this cost?

Thanks.

Chris

Rxmfn7

iTrader: (4)

^PM sent

Touched up the wheels today from the welding. Kept it in the family and used a Mazda color haha. Couldnt really get it much closer, you cant even tell.





The line you see on the inside of the wheel in this last picture is actually light reflecting from a curve on the inside of the wheel, not the paint line.

Rxmfn7

iTrader: (4)

Alright, so long time no update. I'm heading out to Defined this weekend to drop some parts off, so Ill get some more status updates at that point. In the meantime, Logan had shared these pictures of my header/exhaust which is almost completed:

Rxmfn7

iTrader: (4)

Also my seats came in today! Took a while, haha but they are really nice. Very happy with the purchase. Ill hopefully be able to fit them this weekend, and fingers crossed no issues. They are Status Ring seats, in FRP. I had them wrapped in black leather with subtle red stitching. Just a heads up for anyone considering ordering, these seats are snug. Im not that large of a guy, about 5'9", ~175lbs and a 32-33" waist, and I am snug. Any larger than me and you would be very uncomfortable. They do make a "GT" version of this seat which is slightly larger, although it does not have Fia cert, and am not sure if that would cause more fitment issues into an FD. Anyway, a few pics:

mannykiller

iTrader: (93)

those are nice $eat$!!! awesome!

Rxmfn7

iTrader: (4)

^ Aaron, Gordon.. thanks! They really are nice seats. Hopefully they work out and fit well, as Ive never seen another FD running them. If so Ill be sure to spread the word and then we can have another option for quality buckets that fit in our cars. If you go on their website you can pretty much customize the seats in any way you want. Colors, fabrics, threads, as well as either FRP, carbon or carbon/kevlar backing. Having a fully customizable high quality US made seat option for the FD would be great. Ill be using Status side mount brackets with bride sliders, so wish me luck!