Car died at VIR on monday. Time to start the LSx project
03-03-10, 03:55 PM
#1
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Car died at VIR on monday. Time to start the LSx project
Think it's a coolant seal failure. I got 3 sessions in before this happened monday afternoon. I got it fired up in the garage today, it runs for about 2 minutes before getting really rough then finally just stalling out with a loud backfire. Oil looks like pea soup.
Vid of the action
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNbEVVrgDwg
Oh well, it's lasted me 6 years and 5 years of hard track use, guess I can't complain too much. I'll be driving the wife's RX8 for the rest of the season so at least I have a car.
Vid of the action
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNbEVVrgDwg
Oh well, it's lasted me 6 years and 5 years of hard track use, guess I can't complain too much. I'll be driving the wife's RX8 for the rest of the season so at least I have a car.
03-03-10, 04:30 PM
#2
Track junkie
Sorry to see you go down Monday, I wondered what happened to you. Didn't have time to come over and say the other day.
Good luck with the rebuild or V8 swap.
-Patrick
Good luck with the rebuild or V8 swap.
-Patrick
03-03-10, 04:39 PM
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Camera is a Flip HD I got for xmas, first time using it in the car. I just mounted it up to my I/O Port roll bar mount. I think in the future i would put tape over the mic, but it did a decent job of dealing with the wind noise.
03-03-10, 04:47 PM
#5
Track junkie
I was there terrorizing people in the red Porsche. Apparently, someone in intermediate group complained that I shouldn't be out in their run group. I only ran one session tuesday before I corded my rear tires.
03-03-10, 04:53 PM
#7
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03-03-10, 05:20 PM
#8
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I love the rotary, but I just want to do the V8 I guess. I know it would be more economical to just drop in another reman but I've been thinking about doing the swap for awhile now when the engine died - I just didn't expect it to go this year.
03-04-10, 08:59 AM
#11
Sorry to hear about your motor Joe. Seems like a bad rash of FD failures at VIR lately -- that's where my coolant seal started failing last fall as well. I'm giving the rotary another shot and should have it finished in a few weeks. Good luck with however you decide to fix it. Hope to see you on-track this summer!
03-04-10, 09:28 AM
#12
Track junkie
First outing this year at VIR. I ended up cording my drivers side rear tire AGAIN this trip. Here's the best lap I got video of- 2:12. According to my Traqmate two laps later I hit a 2:11.866, but the camera batt died.
http://vimeo.com/9902811
Enjoy, feedback welcome.
http://vimeo.com/9902811
Enjoy, feedback welcome.
03-04-10, 10:21 AM
#14
Thanks man, I may be asking you questions if you don't mind since you're almost done with your V8 project- although i'm not going as far as you did on that beast
Camera is a Flip HD I got for xmas, first time using it in the car. I just mounted it up to my I/O Port roll bar mount. I think in the future i would put tape over the mic, but it did a decent job of dealing with the wind noise.
Camera is a Flip HD I got for xmas, first time using it in the car. I just mounted it up to my I/O Port roll bar mount. I think in the future i would put tape over the mic, but it did a decent job of dealing with the wind noise.
That's good to know about the camera. It's another cheaper HD solution which has great resolution. What format does it record in? What program are you editing your video with?
If it holds up, I'll have to come up with some new excuses on why I'm still getting beat by the Corvette guys. That's what we do at "Almost" Racing.
03-04-10, 11:04 AM
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First outing this year at VIR. I ended up cording my drivers side rear tire AGAIN this trip. Here's the best lap I got video of- 2:12. According to my Traqmate two laps later I hit a 2:11.866, but the camera batt died.
http://vimeo.com/9902811
Enjoy, feedback welcome.
http://vimeo.com/9902811
Enjoy, feedback welcome.
That late braking into t1
03-04-10, 11:08 AM
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Hey Joe,
Sorry to hear about the FD but if you decide to stay rotary I have nice engine for you
BTW watching that vid I can't tell what the hell happened. Look like you shifted from 3rd to 4th at 8k and then it died. If it's a coolant seal that's kinda strange.
Anywho best of luck w/ whatever route you take and look forward to seeing you in the 8.
Sorry to hear about the FD but if you decide to stay rotary I have nice engine for you
BTW watching that vid I can't tell what the hell happened. Look like you shifted from 3rd to 4th at 8k and then it died. If it's a coolant seal that's kinda strange.
Anywho best of luck w/ whatever route you take and look forward to seeing you in the 8.
03-04-10, 11:15 AM
#17
Nothing against a V8, i'd love to test drive one. But, and V8 conversion is a process. You could have a new rotary in there and theoretically be good for another five years in just a couple weeks for alot less money.
If this were the fall, I'd be with you, but with a full track season ahead? Pay a visit to Fritz, and join us at VIR in May.
If this were the fall, I'd be with you, but with a full track season ahead? Pay a visit to Fritz, and join us at VIR in May.
03-04-10, 11:26 AM
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Ask away, I'm happy to help any way I can.
That's good to know about the camera. It's another cheaper HD solution which has great resolution. What format does it record in? What program are you editing your video with?
I understand. That being said, I'm actually more scared of my LS1 than I am of the rotary when it comes to track use. It may just be fear of the unknown. I know alot of corvette track guys down here ranging from club racers to TTer's to DE drivers. They've blown alot of engines, mostly due to oil starve. I'm running the Improved Racing trap door oil pan baffle and an accusump, but I'm still paranoid. I'll find out soon enough though If it holds up, I'll have to come up with some new excuses on why I'm still getting beat by the Corvette guys. That's what we do at "Almost" Racing.
That's good to know about the camera. It's another cheaper HD solution which has great resolution. What format does it record in? What program are you editing your video with?
I understand. That being said, I'm actually more scared of my LS1 than I am of the rotary when it comes to track use. It may just be fear of the unknown. I know alot of corvette track guys down here ranging from club racers to TTer's to DE drivers. They've blown alot of engines, mostly due to oil starve. I'm running the Improved Racing trap door oil pan baffle and an accusump, but I'm still paranoid. I'll find out soon enough though
If it holds up, I'll have to come up with some new excuses on why I'm still getting beat by the Corvette guys. That's what we do at "Almost" Racing.If I do go V8 (more below in reply) I will try to do everything I can to prevent oil starving - i was reading about your baffle and accusump earlier. I can't see being as paranoid as I was about the rotary though.
Hey Joe,
Sorry to hear about the FD but if you decide to stay rotary I have nice engine for you
BTW watching that vid I can't tell what the hell happened. Look like you shifted from 3rd to 4th at 8k and then it died. If it's a coolant seal that's kinda strange.
Anywho best of luck w/ whatever route you take and look forward to seeing you in the 8.
Sorry to hear about the FD but if you decide to stay rotary I have nice engine for you
BTW watching that vid I can't tell what the hell happened. Look like you shifted from 3rd to 4th at 8k and then it died. If it's a coolant seal that's kinda strange.
Anywho best of luck w/ whatever route you take and look forward to seeing you in the 8.
RE: the 8k shift - the main reason I'm thinking it's a coolant seal is the way my oil looks. I need to take a picture of this bottle i drained from my catch can. I can get her started in the garage, but she runs for about 2 minutes before sputtering out with a loud back fire after 45 seconds of really rough idling.
Nothing against a V8, i'd love to test drive one. But, and V8 conversion is a process. You could have a new rotary in there and theoretically be good for another five years in just a couple weeks for alot less money.
If this were the fall, I'd be with you, but with a full track season ahead? Pay a visit to Fritz, and join us at VIR in May.
If this were the fall, I'd be with you, but with a full track season ahead? Pay a visit to Fritz, and join us at VIR in May.
03-04-10, 12:45 PM
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I would strongly advise on driving an LSX RX7 first before proceeding. Sitting in the driver's seat doesn't count. Of all the things that bothered me about the conversion the tranmission was the biggest. The RX7 shifter, throw mechanism, and feel is just awesome. Putting in a T56 tranny is like putting in a school bus shift kit. I was never sure I was going to get the right gear. No quick flick of the wrist. Must manhandle the shifter. Throw took forever. And yes, get an accusump, electric powersteering pump and upgraded radiator. My $.02. I speak from experience.
