Heaven or Hell: A Decade Long Time Attack Build
06-18-14, 03:33 AM
#27
Very nice...S15 is not only fun to play with, but sexy as well (imo).
I distinctly remember going to pick up my 13 after its first dyno tuning session. At the time it was pretty much a stock SR with bolt ons, FMIC, and PFC...I think it made like 220whp. It had been raining earlier that night and the streets were still damp. I got on it leaving the shop and the rear stepped out so graciously and predictable. I was used to my FD in which I had to be so attentive to or else Id wind up facing the wrong way on the other side of the street (its happened...). I was totally amazed by how stable and friendly the 13 was when sideways. I could control it with one had. From that moment on I was hooked. The FD I always felt like I had to be razor sharp and 10 steps ahead of the car or else Id get bit. Hopefully, now that Ive replaced most of the rear bushings with spherical bearings it will be more friendly.
Im sure you have seen Under Suzuki and the Scorch S15. Incredible car. I am also very impressed with the MCA Suspension S13. After dabbling in time attack with my 13 I felt like the chassis rigidity and suspension geometry pose a severe disadvantage for that type of racing (not to mention the 13's brick inspired aerodynamics), so when I saw what MCA can do with it I was blown away.
I think I will hang on to the 13 for a very long time just to mess around at drift events. I have no desire to drift my FD, and with the FD nearing a drivable form I don't care to circuit race with the 13. Each has its own purpose. Different horses for different courses.
BTW - I happen to have a brand new in box Ogura (ORC) 409D single plate clutch/flywheel assembly for S15 for sale if you're interested in an exceptionally high quality clutch setup. The thing is almost too beautiful to install and performs just as good as it looks. PM me for details if interested.
Shot of the 13 we used for an ad. This was on the infamous Irwindale bank at D1 US Vs Japan in 2005 when I earned my D1 license. They threw a curve ball that year and announced the day before the event that the course will be run reverse from the typical setup. Silly, but it was one of the most challenging and rewarding things Ive done in my life so far.
06-18-14, 11:02 PM
#30
Around this time I also ordered the typical Shine Auto FEED knockoff wide body kit. Originally I had always dreamed of going RE Amemiya GT-AD widebody with all the fancy carbon add-on pieces. I love that kit, prob still my fav ever. I was saving up for it but decided against it as my plans for the car took a more serious route for the track. Driving the car hard, as it was meant to be, will no doubt result in cosmetic damage to the aero. I just don't have the resources to laugh off destroying a $1200 bumper in an off track excursion. Ive since seen some knockoffs of the GT-AD but from what I could tell they are poor quality, terrible fitment Chinese crap. I was actually very pleased with the Shine product, plus Ken is a cool dude and hooked me up.
Ended up with the full wide body, carbon sides, canards, front under tray, rear "pro" diffuser (RE-A knock) with side "vortex generators" and center splitters. I also picked up one of their FEED knockoff wings because I still was planning on using it as a street car at the time and wanted a street wing to swap out with my A'PEX GT wing. Since then things have just got progressively more hardcore towards a dedicated time attack machine so I will likely end up selling the Shine wing.
Test fitting the front fenders and bumper.
Ended up with the full wide body, carbon sides, canards, front under tray, rear "pro" diffuser (RE-A knock) with side "vortex generators" and center splitters. I also picked up one of their FEED knockoff wings because I still was planning on using it as a street car at the time and wanted a street wing to swap out with my A'PEX GT wing. Since then things have just got progressively more hardcore towards a dedicated time attack machine so I will likely end up selling the Shine wing.
Test fitting the front fenders and bumper.
06-26-14, 04:16 AM
#35
I acquired a mildly ported used engine with decent compression that I will run until it destroys itself. So I started the process of swapping everything over from the blown engine (right) to the "new" one.
and my garage was a total disaster at this time...
Yet another distraction...I picked up a '74 Datsun 260Z (S30). I had just got popped for a pretty bad smog ticket (**** CA) in my S13, which I was daily driving at the time. So the plan was to throw a RB25 in the Z, make 400whp and laugh in the cops face when I got pulled over.
This brought my total to 3 cars...with more to come
and my garage was a total disaster at this time...
Yet another distraction...I picked up a '74 Datsun 260Z (S30). I had just got popped for a pretty bad smog ticket (**** CA) in my S13, which I was daily driving at the time. So the plan was to throw a RB25 in the Z, make 400whp and laugh in the cops face when I got pulled over.
This brought my total to 3 cars...with more to come
06-28-14, 02:30 AM
#36
More recent update:
Chips manual rack from (Steering - chipsmotorsports)
and Super Pro bushings from an old buddy and SR20 Godfather Wayne @ Phase 2 Motortrend Inc -
The rack was pretty much immaculate. Looks to be a very thorough and proper conversion service. I hope it performs as nicely as it looks! Thanks Chip!
Chips manual rack from (Steering - chipsmotorsports)
and Super Pro bushings from an old buddy and SR20 Godfather Wayne @ Phase 2 Motortrend Inc -
The rack was pretty much immaculate. Looks to be a very thorough and proper conversion service. I hope it performs as nicely as it looks! Thanks Chip!
06-28-14, 02:43 AM
#37
some more parts from Wayne @ Phase 2 Motortrend Inc -
Although Phase2 doesn't specialize in rotary, they can deal with a lot of manufactures and can get pretty much anything you need.
Although Phase2 doesn't specialize in rotary, they can deal with a lot of manufactures and can get pretty much anything you need.
07-02-14, 03:36 AM
#41
Picked up these parts from Tom (Circuit Theory) here on the forum.
Great seller, awesome guy.
Big *** Greddy I/C that I plan to V-Mount very soon.
I have a couple A'PEX I/C's around as back up options, but this Greddy piece will be my first choice.
Came with some piping for front mount installation and a Greddy Type R BOV (which is also quite big ***)
Also, a beautiful Exedy Compe-R twin plate. I couldn't resist replacing my OS Giken twin with this as it is a significantly lighter assembly. I also dig the fact that I can ditch the "movement alteration" setup since Exedy likes to maintain the stock pull type release mechanism.
Installed and ready to battle with an angry rotary.
Great seller, awesome guy.
Big *** Greddy I/C that I plan to V-Mount very soon.
I have a couple A'PEX I/C's around as back up options, but this Greddy piece will be my first choice.
Came with some piping for front mount installation and a Greddy Type R BOV (which is also quite big ***)
Also, a beautiful Exedy Compe-R twin plate. I couldn't resist replacing my OS Giken twin with this as it is a significantly lighter assembly. I also dig the fact that I can ditch the "movement alteration" setup since Exedy likes to maintain the stock pull type release mechanism.
Installed and ready to battle with an angry rotary.
Can't wait to see it going!
07-05-14, 03:49 AM
#44
Ty Sir, I share your sentiment!
The updates in this thread haven't quite caught up yet, but I should be bringing the car in to the fab shop next week to do the fuel lines, v-mount fab work, and turbo plumbing. If all goes well, we SHOULD be able to fire it up pretty soon =)))
The updates in this thread haven't quite caught up yet, but I should be bringing the car in to the fab shop next week to do the fuel lines, v-mount fab work, and turbo plumbing. If all goes well, we SHOULD be able to fire it up pretty soon =)))
07-05-14, 04:33 AM
#45
Quick update:
Bought a bunch of DEI gold reflective tape and "floor and tunnel shield" and got to work on some heat management. There is no carpet, and the FD trans tunnel metal can easily get hot enough to cause burns to your skin (not that I plan on driving the car in shorts...I just don't like the idea of exposed metal on the inside of the car reaching high temps). Not to mention the radiative effect of heating up the cabin and making me sweat my *** off.
I did the tunnel in (you guessed it) floor and tunnel shield, and the firewall in gold tape. Im aware that the DEI gold tape is not "real" F1 quality heat tape, but hopefully it stands up to the abuse and does its job. I can't justify spending $100/sqft on heat tape at this point. I do know that Aerospace Hardware & Fasteners has a very reasonably priced silver tape that is supposed to outperform the common gold products. I will probably pick some up down the road and do some testing.
Tunnel:
I also wrapped the stock heat shields:
Tunnel with heat shields:
The stuff was kind of a pain to work with. It's thick and quite stiff so its not the easiest stuff to mold to complex contours. Plus you end up getting invisible fiberglass fragments all over you (I wore a XXL hoodie and I was still itchy for 24hrs) so don't forget some skin/respiratory protection. The only other drawback is, its heavy...but at least its down low.
I hope it works.
Firewall. Ive done a little more extension on the frame rail since. This was prior to doing he tunnel.
Bought a bunch of DEI gold reflective tape and "floor and tunnel shield" and got to work on some heat management. There is no carpet, and the FD trans tunnel metal can easily get hot enough to cause burns to your skin (not that I plan on driving the car in shorts...I just don't like the idea of exposed metal on the inside of the car reaching high temps). Not to mention the radiative effect of heating up the cabin and making me sweat my *** off.
I did the tunnel in (you guessed it) floor and tunnel shield, and the firewall in gold tape. Im aware that the DEI gold tape is not "real" F1 quality heat tape, but hopefully it stands up to the abuse and does its job. I can't justify spending $100/sqft on heat tape at this point. I do know that Aerospace Hardware & Fasteners has a very reasonably priced silver tape that is supposed to outperform the common gold products. I will probably pick some up down the road and do some testing.
Tunnel:
I also wrapped the stock heat shields:
Tunnel with heat shields:
The stuff was kind of a pain to work with. It's thick and quite stiff so its not the easiest stuff to mold to complex contours. Plus you end up getting invisible fiberglass fragments all over you (I wore a XXL hoodie and I was still itchy for 24hrs) so don't forget some skin/respiratory protection. The only other drawback is, its heavy...but at least its down low.
I hope it works.
Firewall. Ive done a little more extension on the frame rail since. This was prior to doing he tunnel.
07-06-14, 12:42 AM
#47
Thanks -- IIRC the internet ***** pricing of Ebay could not be beat and I got both materials there.
After I get the car on the track for some testing I will reassess the tunnel and if it is still too hot put some of this stuff on the interior side.
Thermo-Tec : Cool-It Mat
There is also some cheap insulation stuff from Home Depot that looks to be very similar that a lot of the grassroots motorsports/miata guys run.
I notice most of the top level FDs in Japan run something similar.
As seen here...the Midnight FD, one of the prime inspirations behind my build.
I had the privilege of getting up close and personal with the Midnight car at Toyko Auto Salon 2005 and it pretty much became my benchmark of what the perfect FD would be.
<3 <3 <3
After I get the car on the track for some testing I will reassess the tunnel and if it is still too hot put some of this stuff on the interior side.
Thermo-Tec : Cool-It Mat
There is also some cheap insulation stuff from Home Depot that looks to be very similar that a lot of the grassroots motorsports/miata guys run.
I notice most of the top level FDs in Japan run something similar.
As seen here...the Midnight FD, one of the prime inspirations behind my build.
I had the privilege of getting up close and personal with the Midnight car at Toyko Auto Salon 2005 and it pretty much became my benchmark of what the perfect FD would be.
<3 <3 <3
07-07-14, 12:34 AM
#50
If you do the bare tunnel, you will encounter areas that require you to make cuts in the material to get it to follow the curvature. You'll be left with wedges of unprotected area. I just cut similar sized wedges and filled the gaps. Also, I didn't like how the edges of the material is left exposed to dirt and moisture, so I lined all the edges with foil heating and air tape. This was done with the transmission removed. It is probably possible with the trans installed but it will def add to the PITA factor of the job.
You can find pricing for the mats on Ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DEI-010393-24-x-24-SELF-ADHESIVE-REFLECT-A-GOLD-HEAT-WRAP-BARRIER-/331251957834?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4d2027c04a&vxp=mtr
or DEI sells directly via their website.
Floor & Tunnel Shield II - Heat & Sound Insulation 050501 | Purchase DEI, CryO2, Ny-Trex, Boom Mat & SPA Turbo Products | Design Engineering, Inc. - Thermal Performance Products