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A tale of some seats and rails - a filler update on some things for future me on the back end when my car's back in my garage (April 15th's current "should be earlier than that" target completion date after the salt and sand clears)
Tripped over this last night on SH - gave me a little optimism on making my haloed long shot super aramid Bride Xero RS seat work
Tight fit... but there's a chance - bought it with an optimistic 85% confidence / this bumps it up to 95% with a proven case study:
and look at that - with door cards! I'd love a set of CF bubbletechs, but I do love my red
Originally Posted by Speedhunters / photo credit Toby Thyer
Starting referential on an absolute no - Torinos on an updated factory seat rail circa 2005
Don't be concerned when you get the instructions from Bride and note that they are backwards to the ones welded up you have ordered from both Evasive Motorsports and RHDJapan - confirmed with Bride, and the seatbelt mount makes sense
Referential mount that appears to fit - but not my out of interior comfort zone set up
Hey Brian - I am going to preface my response with a quote that has been playing in my mind since I took delivery of my JRZ RS-Pro 3 triple adjustable coilovers:
Originally Posted by Colin Chapman
"Make the suspension adjustable and they will adjust it wrong...
I am going to start with the standard 11.6 / 8.9 Eibachs that the kit came with
I am going to add front splitter brackets to stiffen it up a bit more, brace it at the bumper to fenders, add front tire spats to smooth out the air around the tires, and also going to be switching to a stickier narrower in the front wider in the rear tire set
It seems like a lot, but using the old known racecar adage (albeit something I have been ignoring for decades ), do it incrementally, take measurements, adjust move to the next - will take stock of the standard springs then bump up to 14/12, 14/14, or something else
For front end downforce, I know the calculation (1/2p * A * Cl * V^2) but haven't calculated out my own numbers and don't have anything from Kawato-san / TCP Magic on where I might be. All I know for sure is that I can't drive through a tunnel upside down : )
...yet!
For starters, on such matters my brain is barely a fraction of Adrian Newey's, my kit isn't exactly Andrew Brilliant WTAC or Under Suzuki beauty and efficacy, and isn't Kawato-san's full TT system, but more of my own hodge podge non-record breaking personal preference
I have my own scientific approach methodologies using my butt wind tunnel on track though, tracking changes incrementally between sessions
I also took measurements on the AoA per setting on my Voltex Type 2 1700mm / 275mm stands wing with gurney, so I at least know what's happening in the back
I have had ambitions of using wool streamers and my GoPro mounted in various locations to see how the airs flowing, but I think my best tool may now be feel and using my AiM GPS tracking over incremental segments of the track seeing where my trouble areas are and adjusting over a few solid test and tune days (sidenote: for a solid reference on how privateers can do F1 grade aero work - look here <3 )
All of this is on the back burner while the mechanical pieces are still outstanding and will need a lot of effort beforehand
Thanks for the great question my friend! Wishing you a solid track season - stay safe and have fun out there
Last edited by ZumSpeedRX-7; 02-18-22 at 12:58 PM.
Mike Mauro used to keep me hyped on automotive photography and I used to take my 5D DSLR out for some real photography all the time. I lost my phtbkt and flkr accounts and hung up the hobby unfortunately. That's why most of my "photoblog" here is now just old school journaling - just more confusing without pictures
Here a few more from that "The Devil's in the Details" photoshoot
Nothing planned for suspension travel. I saw your post on this as an option for tire temps through the MXG. I have the AiM expander for external buttons to the HVAC panel (off the dash for ease) - pretty compact and straight forward
Now actually making it happen...
Last edited by ZumSpeedRX-7; 02-18-22 at 05:22 PM.
I love how those canards wrap around and sit on the front of the bumper. Looks amazing and it is smart as it would act as an additional front splitter.
That Fenice 105 article on that Lancia Delta is fricking amazing!!! OMG
Thanks Henry and Erebus (what's your first name BTW, if you don't mind me asking? I'm old school, and you're adding some great stuff to the community)
I love how Kawato-san designed the front. It is intense, and I admit it looks like too much but not quite enough on my set up (I think that makes sense, right?)
Masato's creation on SH is insane - I am pretty sure my RX-7 wants to be that Delta Integrale when it grows up
Last edited by ZumSpeedRX-7; 02-18-22 at 09:00 PM.
I'd love to run the same bumper and diffuser, but I don't think the dimension fit the aero criteria for TT3.
If you want to trudge through the math together, let me know. I would love to at least get an estimate for my setup before having to do some guess and check work. Seems like only Verus publishes their front diffuser downforce number.
I've got a pretty robust brake bias calculator in the tech section as well if you need it.
Absolutely Brian - PM me your contact information and we'll crack the code
For sourcing, I had worked with Brent Villareal to coordinate with Kawato-san back in 2014, but Jonny Grunwald of TCP Magic USA is most likely the best go to these days (he has been great on a few other things I have looked into - all while balancing out two SEMA beauties)
Absolutely Brian - PM me your contact information and we'll crack the code
What Club do you run with? When does your season start?
My Club's, COMSCC, dyno day to set classing keeping everyone honest is at the end of April
Crossing my fingers for that turnaround on my build
This year I'll be finishing NASA HPDE and then I plan on running TT3 with my buddy in his R33. I'd also like to use the license to do One Lap of America at some point.
Season started in January and goes through December.
I'm just looking to start as early as possible to spec out my build, so I can use HPDE session as TT testing and hit the ground running next year.
Wow super cool seats Zum! Another excellent choice in parts sir, you have very fine jdm tastes imo. May I ask how long they took for production / shipping? I'm still waiting on my RMS 2700G pair to arrive; it's been just over 1 year to date. After seeing your Bride's, I'm thinking I should've splurged on the 2600A's. I'm definitely starting to get a little impatient as they're unfortunately holding up my own RX project. Can't wait to see yours complete! You def get stuff done!
And your splitter / front bumper set-up looks great! I actually reached out to RHD about ordering Under Suzukis' version 1.5 splitter but from what I gathered in our communications, he's currently not producing any, possibly due to WTAC complications. Not sure, but I completely agree that his stuff is amazing. Would've been a real treat to have it on my car. Literally a work of art imo.
That paintjob came out killer - keep up the great work
Brian - found your brake bias calculator; thanks for pulling it together! I haven't had a chance to dig through it in excel yet, but looks like great stuff and a solid tool for us all
NASA has always looked like a great Club to run with. The closest they come to me is Lime Rock, but I have been just a bit too loud lately for the LRP locals (need to reach out to Dr. Ianetti; hoping his I-Noise Reduction Device might keep me under the radar...).
LRP's definitely a track worth waiting for a loud day though, can't wait to be back out on there - it's like New England's Tsukuba
Looks like next steps are HPDE3 / HPDE4 then TT license? Best of luck An R33 makes a solid base (I know I am in the minority on this, but the R33 GTR is my favorite R) - should be a lot of fun
One Lap of America - that's a bucket list event! What are you planning to do it in? Loved the way Leh Keen did it - made it look like a party in some serious hardware
Our very own David Henning and Chris Regan (historians, keep me honest here) did One Lap I believe in a relatively stock FD back in 2005 (link here's broken, but the Club can pull together to get you across the country!)
Seeing an FD do it soon would be awesome to see - pull together a thread when the time comes, and I'll pitch in however I can
I had ambitions of trying my hand at Targa Newfolundland in my FD - that's about as far as I'd try to push it. It still may happen...
January to December for a track season?! Lucky lucky! We lose about 6-months up here in the northeast
Paul - thanks!
My bumper and front diffuser's going to need some solidifying, but it's a good start. CSG might be able to get you some Under Suzuki artwork?
I had run the numbers on a few seat options for weight loss but primarily fit, and could have gone one of a few ways before I pulled the trigger on the Xero
I do admit I still have my work cut out for me on getting it squeezed in the FD though... fingers crossed
RMS looks good - I think Mike / FD3RS just went that route on his FD too
Shipping through Evasive took 3.5 months, not sure about production time (anyone familiar with Bride know if it's somewhere in the serial number?) FWIW my Bride pieces through RHD were practically here overnight
Last edited by ZumSpeedRX-7; 02-21-22 at 08:19 PM.
Unfortunately I'm unfamiliar with CSG, please forward info if you can
I think your seats should fit fine and a little trimming never hurt anyone either. Amazing ship time from rhd too, wow I'm impressed! Regarding the RMS, is FD3RS a member? It'd really be nice to see a set installed (with detail) and I'll try to find his car build.
And good luck with the NRD. It's piqued my interest as well. Lmk if you're able to acquire one. Eagerly awaiting your next installment.
I have the motivation to make the seat work - we'll see what reality thinks about that...
Mike's handle is ninesixtwo - his beautiful build is here
Originally Posted by Mike via text
The seat clears the door nicely but getting the position just right is going to take some fiddling.
The RMS is odd, it's so very close to being a motorport only part. It fits me and the chassis quite well but the shape of the bucket really does promote a really attentive driving position. There is also ample room for a helmet and HANS.
Thanks for the info Mike!
This seat looks like a surgical piece - really sharp!
I'd wait for it if it wasn't holding up track time, but it sounds like you will have a pretty solid seat no matter which way you go
I am actually not sure about the NRD system just yet - I'll definitely let you know if I hear back. Looked like it could have been a white paper more than an article on a readily available item?
My home track, Palmer Motorsports Park, in MA is built on top of Whiskey Hill overlooking a valley. The locals are really not loving the track sound reverberations all weekend and the track is (understandably) holding us to stricter limits.
Trying to do my part
Last edited by ZumSpeedRX-7; 02-22-22 at 06:31 PM.
Reason: NRD note
Oh yes of course car shop glow, duh my bad. I emailed them a couple times regarding a quote for the Under Suzuki v1 splitter with custom mounts and dimension(s) specifically for my chassis (which was noted to be an available service at addition fee in the description) but they never got back to me. From my communications with RHD, I'm lead to believe there's a 'new' v1.5 in R&D (or some stage of production) but is currently unavailable for whatever reason.
Thanks for sharing Mike's build. Looks like another very sharp FD coming together nicely. Really doing number on that interior too. I believe I've seen this car featured in 'super street' or some other publication before. Being in the industry definitely has it's perks, ha.
My pair is coming along with both sets of extra pads and their 'wrap-over' (as I describe it) seats covers. Just in case, never know. But the plan for my interior is minimalistic. More or less just the seats and a dash with some gauges, etc. I ordered the 'Carbon Junkie' v2 3k twill dash and basically calling it a day.
And please lmk what you hear about the NRD. I've been interested for a long time and you're literally the only other person (outside of sanctioned motorsports) I've ever heard mention it.
I'd say there are other solid options on a front diffuser, but if you have your heart set on Under Suzuki I don't have the heart to lead you astray. I have a strong feeling by your maturity you know good things take time and are worth the wait : )
Not sure of Mike's full coverage but the quality on execution deserves it all. His is one of my all time top Club builds for sure. Even me I am finding myself trudging through the high standard of the bad *** stuff we do now that's just BAU (I saved up 6 years of parts that I considered top tier, peaked my head back out when I kickstarted myself back into gear to find on the Club "oh yea this is just what we all do now" great stuff!) The game has been upgraded for sure, but a build like his takes it to another level
You won't regret the wait on the seats - they sound like they will fit in perfectly
I was talking with Mike on his seat and how tricky it is to buy a seat sight unseen for the most part. I had hopped in and out of Club members cars at a few track days trying them out but no one had anything comparable to the Xero (haloed yes they're everywhere, but the size borders on masochistic). The HTE-R carbon looked like a solid option, fit well and the weight was right... Just got distracted long enough by the cool to go Japanese
My wife and I went shopping for a different kind of seat and stopped by a local motorsports store where I could try out a few seats in person while getting my helmet modified. This one, there was no thinking thin or trying it out other than sitting on the sides - bespoke to the nines; hands down the gnarliest seat I've ever seen
The one we came home with though was a way more important life changer
Time flies! My girls out of that one, into her own booster, and fits better in the Xero than I do
As for some more caloric content from me on this supposed build thread, I headed down to New Jersey a few weeks ago to drop off a few things, pick up a whole lot, and check in on progress
Thank you Ihor, Brian, and Paul for your hospitality as always
Dirty girl is dirty - I'll bring my wash bucket and suds with me next visit
Early start, this one looked like it was going to be a brisk walk
Hot side endtank reworked from Mr. Meeker's beautiful custom twin turbo setup for a single setup with vanjen. Paul had mentioned it was a hard time matching the finish, but I am not sure how keen I am on powdercoating it... The mismatch will drive me crazy - low priority I'll sort out on the backend
Big thanks to Mr. Ludwig with your updated iterations and help on the 24-pin bulk head plate to replace the 22-pin - not ideal but feels solid
My one and only key was askew and was a terrifying roll the dice move everytime I used it for fear of it finally snapping. Went with a full lock mechanism replacement, tumblers, driver side door handle, and a few keys as adults should do
Fuel hanger surge tank beauty hidden and wired up to a solid state
The same amount of scaffolding that saw the Empire State building raised has been installed over my rear strut towers and the team did a great job trimming up the rear bins to fit
My appreciation for what isn't seen here is tricky to express - taking out the triple gauge pod, center channel duals, and single cup gauge on the steering column to go all things with alarms to the dash is going to be a track day game changer. Now to get that dash mounted up
bubbletech heel plate rivnutted up - will be going out for finishing
So, I forgot something with all that hard work designing and then lining up the vinyl on the HVAC panel... the piece sits slightly askew and right aligning the vinyl threw me off ~15*
Paul had mentioned that it was off over the phone, and I had considered redoing it but it really wasn't that bad sitting in the driver seat, looking down, and more importantly with everything in reach
Not ideal, but I'm pretty psyched with where it's going (worst case scenario I redo it - the cost of the vinyl and my wife's time to lay the vinyl down is worth more than the actual carbon fiber piece...)
XR battery isolator mounted up to be wired
Considering I am sitting on a set of lexan windows to shave a few pounds (but primarily for the safety component), going from ~29 to 6.2 pounds on just swapping out a battery is killer! Now I just need to keep this thing alive...
This bin has seen some things...
The brains mounted up - Elite 2500, WBC1, CAN HUB, I/O 12 Expander, Thermocouple Amplifier 2
This one even I need to squint at to imagine the eventual cleanliness compared to how Carlos finished up his stripped interior
Custom Lifeline tank bracket made up
One of these dirty track rats is not like the others
And now we wait
Last edited by ZumSpeedRX-7; 02-26-22 at 02:36 PM.
My daughter had been playing with her train set and I stepped over her and thought "huh, that looks like a perfect Lime Rock Park you made on accident!"
There's Big Bend, The Esses, No Name Straight, West Bend, and the Downhill!
It's the little things in life!
Anyone planning on heading to LRP for the Northeast Grand Prix in July?
I have booked a trackside campsite for the weekend - I'll be the stinky one living out of my E92... FD if it's finished by then (fingers crossed)
PM me if you're going and we can meet up - literally takes 10 minutes to get from one side of the Bullring to the other
02-11-22, 09:00 PM
