Dedicated Lemons/Chumpcar Thread
02-27-13, 10:15 PM
#178
ChumpCar**Apex of Failure
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Oregon
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Whoops sorry, I don't check this thread much. I was there 
. I blew sound though and lost 30 minutes to welding on an exhaust downturn and fixing a broken battery terminal. Still we had a decent finish.
. I blew sound though and lost 30 minutes to welding on an exhaust downturn and fixing a broken battery terminal. Still we had a decent finish.
04-04-13, 10:48 AM
#181
Should be back from being caged soon:
The FIRST LeMons FD
Running our high compression half bridgeport 13B-REW plucked from the RX2 carcass. Also have a shitty ebay T04B that came on a craigslist motor we bought that we rill run with it this time. Maybe we will pick up some low end torque or maybe it will just be a restriction.
Pretty sure the turbo will be fail so we are installing shut off valves on the oil feed and drain. When the turbo blows up, we shut off the valves, unhook the intercooler, and still make 200hp on the ground NA.
The FIRST LeMons FD
Running our high compression half bridgeport 13B-REW plucked from the RX2 carcass. Also have a shitty ebay T04B that came on a craigslist motor we bought that we rill run with it this time. Maybe we will pick up some low end torque or maybe it will just be a restriction.
Pretty sure the turbo will be fail so we are installing shut off valves on the oil feed and drain. When the turbo blows up, we shut off the valves, unhook the intercooler, and still make 200hp on the ground NA.
04-04-13, 09:52 PM
#182
Sears Pointless 2013
The FU-Haul RX-7 (1991 vert) had a decent debut at Sears Pointless a couple of weekends ago. We spent Friday getting everything organized & setup, passing tech, etc. We got zero laps at BS tech (woo hoo) in class A. Opted not to practice, which would have cost $325 for three hours of testing time, plus wear'n'tear on the car. One of our guys, a former pro driver, had an issue getting his suit approved at gear tech. Apparently, what's good enough for the FIA and the World Challenge isn't good enough at Lemons. For the race, our strategy was to run the tank dry or come in at 2 hours. We were able to run the tank down to nearly 1/8, without any hiccups or evidence of fuel starvation. (I guess the vert tank is superior in design, for racing purposes?). Coolant temps were a concern (at least on my list). The last two labeled points on our gauge were 210 and 250 and the needle was definitely approaching halfway between them. The gauge isn't linear but conceivably we were at 230ish. The clutch was slipping slightly but perceptibly at high rpm, but it was manageable so we continued to the end of the day. I think we were better than 20th (?) at the halfway point. Later that evening, we found the clutch is getting oiled a bit (not sure if it was tranny or engine oil). Brake cleaner and "soak it with Coke" were among the "remedies" applied to the problem. To help keep the temps down, we installed a Mishimoto 142*F racing T-stat, which I bought from Banzai-Racing a while back. The left front wheel was apparently getting wobbly and the vibration was loosening the lug nuts. Not sure if it was the bearing or something else. A regular torquing regimen kept the wheel on the car.
On Sunday, we had some interesting jostling action on track. Stu was hit, both cars involved were black flagged. No serious penalty issued. "Go away and get back on the track." I was hit at least a couple of times during my stint and ended up tagging a Rabbit who brake-checked me *after* passing an incident. Odd. They black flagged him first, then waited forever to pull me in (I was almost thinking I had gotten away with it, but he must have told the judges his version). To add insult to injury, I was black flagged (again) on my outlap, for allegedly speeding in the paddock. Yes, I agree with the rule, but plead innocent to the charge. :P. Amazingly, they allowed me to continue racing, with no painful punishment inflicted on the team. Our penalty was to buy lunch for the judges. Well, it just meant that we had to continue hauling *** to make up for the lost time!. I think it was a bit warmer on Sunday (or less windy, at least), but the coolant temps were much better. Conservatively, I'd guestimate the racing T-stat was worth -10*F, which is better than I expected. The transmission was getting pretty difficult to shift -- very hard to get into 3rd gear. Had to make the shifts slow and deliberate. And the clutch was starting to feel like a bar of soap when you most needed it.
In any case, the car stayed together the entire race and never let us down. Cooling was adequate and we were able to drive 1.5 to 2.0 hour stints on 12-15 gallons of fuel. We finished 21st overall and 19th in class. Not bad for FU-Haul's first race! All credit goes to Chris for putting together a reliable car.
On Sunday, we had some interesting jostling action on track. Stu was hit, both cars involved were black flagged. No serious penalty issued. "Go away and get back on the track." I was hit at least a couple of times during my stint and ended up tagging a Rabbit who brake-checked me *after* passing an incident. Odd. They black flagged him first, then waited forever to pull me in (I was almost thinking I had gotten away with it, but he must have told the judges his version). To add insult to injury, I was black flagged (again) on my outlap, for allegedly speeding in the paddock. Yes, I agree with the rule, but plead innocent to the charge. :P. Amazingly, they allowed me to continue racing, with no painful punishment inflicted on the team. Our penalty was to buy lunch for the judges. Well, it just meant that we had to continue hauling *** to make up for the lost time!
. I think it was a bit warmer on Sunday (or less windy, at least), but the coolant temps were much better. Conservatively, I'd guestimate the racing T-stat was worth -10*F, which is better than I expected. The transmission was getting pretty difficult to shift -- very hard to get into 3rd gear. Had to make the shifts slow and deliberate. And the clutch was starting to feel like a bar of soap when you most needed it.In any case, the car stayed together the entire race and never let us down. Cooling was adequate and we were able to drive 1.5 to 2.0 hour stints on 12-15 gallons of fuel. We finished 21st overall and 19th in class. Not bad for FU-Haul's first race! All credit goes to Chris for putting together a reliable car.
04-05-13, 11:35 AM
#183
We have two seats available, also. In a first-gen RX7. $700 for a seat in a car with 4 drivers.
This is our team site: https://sites.google.com/site/leftoverpartsracing/
This is our team site: https://sites.google.com/site/leftoverpartsracing/
04-06-13, 08:04 PM
#184
My #1 goal is to finish my house (at least get the final inspection approved.)
If all goes well in the next few weeks, I may try for the Chumpcar May 4-5 in Ensenada.
The Buttonwillow race (24 hours) is too much work for me to prep for.
The Fontana race we'll definitely do, probably with two cars.
I'd ike to run the Laguna Seca race, too.
If all goes well in the next few weeks, I may try for the Chumpcar May 4-5 in Ensenada.
The Buttonwillow race (24 hours) is too much work for me to prep for.
The Fontana race we'll definitely do, probably with two cars.
I'd ike to run the Laguna Seca race, too.
04-08-13, 12:36 PM
#185
RE: Sears Pointless. Welcome to the madness. Hope you had fun. 21st out of 170 something is fan-fricken-tastic for a team's first race. Well done. 0 laps in A is typical for us too (NA S5 vert). The arms race is such that I can't see a stockish NA contending for the overall win against the E30/E28/E-etc/Eyesore/MetroGnome/ModelTGT crowd. The Mazdarachis have made it into the top 10 but it seems like they drove like d*ckheads all weekend to get there. The HitnRun V8 swapped RX7's have been up there too. 230 would make me nervous. I get nervous when mine gets to 200. Then again, we chernobyled ours in the first hour of our first race. We kill transmissions in ours. I've got a side yard full of gearboxes with dead 3rd gears. The latest transmission went 2.8 races before it died. After trying various oils, used GM synchromesh oil in this one. Don't know if it's the oil or it was a magic trans but before that we killed one a race. They are fairly easy to find used and I can't recall paying more than $100 for one. I believe the rebuild kit is over $300 The big gap between 2nd and 3rd gear is what I think kills them. At this point you should probably make a choice, do a turbo trans swap or do the miata trans conversion. We kinda got stuck because all our spares and spare engine are set up as NA. To convert 2 engines plus trans, driveshaft and starter (x2 for spares) is some bux. To do the miata swap seems like less money but I haven't done it yet. I think that is next on the list now that Pointless is over.
I left the RX7 at home for this race and brought the Sunbeam Imp and the Jag XJ12. I knew the Jag had a shot at winning C if it ran all weekend (which it never has) but I had very low expectations for the Imp. There is no way that thing should have run 1 day much less 2. I think the total mileage it had seen in the last 30 years was 100 yards up the street before I drove it up on the trailer. Have all 3 entered at Buttonwillow but will probably bring just the Jag and the RX7. Dragstrip is just too stinking long for the Imp. I'm really, really bummed I can't do the Ensenada race. It just isn't right that racing a car with a giant sombrero through the streets of Ensenada on Cinco de Mayo isn't going to happen but I'll be out of town. I guess next year. We're planning on running the fleet at Fontana (unless of course Mr Condren decides to pull the plug without warning again). I think the Imp is going to Washington for the Ridge then to Thunderhill with the Jag. The RX7 gearing makes Chuckwalla very easy to drive. There's 2 2nd gear corners then everything else is 3rd gear. We'll bring the RX7 and something else there.
I left the RX7 at home for this race and brought the Sunbeam Imp and the Jag XJ12. I knew the Jag had a shot at winning C if it ran all weekend (which it never has) but I had very low expectations for the Imp. There is no way that thing should have run 1 day much less 2. I think the total mileage it had seen in the last 30 years was 100 yards up the street before I drove it up on the trailer. Have all 3 entered at Buttonwillow but will probably bring just the Jag and the RX7. Dragstrip is just too stinking long for the Imp. I'm really, really bummed I can't do the Ensenada race. It just isn't right that racing a car with a giant sombrero through the streets of Ensenada on Cinco de Mayo isn't going to happen but I'll be out of town. I guess next year. We're planning on running the fleet at Fontana (unless of course Mr Condren decides to pull the plug without warning again). I think the Imp is going to Washington for the Ridge then to Thunderhill with the Jag. The RX7 gearing makes Chuckwalla very easy to drive. There's 2 2nd gear corners then everything else is 3rd gear. We'll bring the RX7 and something else there.
04-25-13, 12:29 PM
#187
Sit and Spin
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Latrobe, Pa
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We just had our first race with our FC.
We finished 6th out of 120+ cars at Monticello Motor Club. We lost 2 laps due to a spin and 2 laps due to pitting right before they black flagged the entire race. The car was horribly pushy! I am working on that for the next race.
Our next race with the FC is Summit Point. Our next race overall is with our SA at High Plains Raceway (Going for the 4peat!)
Rob R.
BTW, thanks for all the help you guys! (especially Cheseroo and Team Sensory Assault)
We finished 6th out of 120+ cars at Monticello Motor Club. We lost 2 laps due to a spin and 2 laps due to pitting right before they black flagged the entire race. The car was horribly pushy! I am working on that for the next race.
Our next race with the FC is Summit Point. Our next race overall is with our SA at High Plains Raceway (Going for the 4peat!)
Rob R.
BTW, thanks for all the help you guys! (especially Cheseroo and Team Sensory Assault)
05-07-13, 06:24 PM
#190
The Model T GT is one of the fastest cars out here in the west. I hear that the FD easliy walked it on the straights. That's impressive. The Jag has similar straightline speed to the MTGT and it gets my full attention to dodge cars on the straight. That's good stuff Maynard.
@wvumtnbkr - A bigger rear sway bar on our FC made a world of difference. I also slotted the front strut mounts at the same time to get to 2 degrees camber. Tire wear went waaay down and the push went away. Only problem now is that some of my less *talented* teammates have managed to get spin BF's due to the car being much freer in the middle of the corner. By no means is the car spin happy but with the changes you have to pay more attention to what the car is telling you rather than plowing your way around. We're very happy with the balance of the car and the only thing's we'd change for the future are gearbox durability and some more steam under the hood. With all these Lemons cars I've got, the thought of selling something comes up. The Jag is just too much fun to light that V12 fuse and whoosh away. The Imp I haven't done any development with and I've got a few more nutty things I want to try. The FC looks like the likely candidate to go. But I can't see selling it ever because it's far and away the most reliable, it handles well and it's the easiest to drive. You beat on it all day long, drink beer at night, top the oil in the morning and beat on it all day long again. What a great little car.
@wvumtnbkr - A bigger rear sway bar on our FC made a world of difference. I also slotted the front strut mounts at the same time to get to 2 degrees camber. Tire wear went waaay down and the push went away. Only problem now is that some of my less *talented* teammates have managed to get spin BF's due to the car being much freer in the middle of the corner. By no means is the car spin happy but with the changes you have to pay more attention to what the car is telling you rather than plowing your way around. We're very happy with the balance of the car and the only thing's we'd change for the future are gearbox durability and some more steam under the hood. With all these Lemons cars I've got, the thought of selling something comes up. The Jag is just too much fun to light that V12 fuse and whoosh away. The Imp I haven't done any development with and I've got a few more nutty things I want to try. The FC looks like the likely candidate to go. But I can't see selling it ever because it's far and away the most reliable, it handles well and it's the easiest to drive. You beat on it all day long, drink beer at night, top the oil in the morning and beat on it all day long again. What a great little car.
05-08-13, 12:59 PM
#191
Now, if only we had a clue how to better set the stock-ish FD suspension and brakes up for road racing.
We got a stock allignment at NTB, threw some Star Specs on, and a set of Hawk HP Plus pads.
Would have done much better but brakes were our big problem. We were having problems getting the brakes to release. We removed the fire damaged ABS pump and repaired the burned master cylinder with parts from another blown master.
We finally got the brakes working but they were very rear biased and rears would lock up all too easily.
We got a stock allignment at NTB, threw some Star Specs on, and a set of Hawk HP Plus pads.
Would have done much better but brakes were our big problem. We were having problems getting the brakes to release. We removed the fire damaged ABS pump and repaired the burned master cylinder with parts from another blown master.
We finally got the brakes working but they were very rear biased and rears would lock up all too easily.
05-08-13, 06:07 PM
#192
Yeah, I read about the brake problems elsewhere. Fire does funny stuff. I would guess there are two ways to go on that one. If you have access to someplace where you can run it long enough to get brake heat, replace stuff one at a time until you find it or the other option is to pitch it all except the calipers and start over. I'm sure the ABS electrics are long gone so if you don't have a clear understanding of what the inline devices are doing, run new lines and dump em. I think I'd rebuild the calipers to make sure the rubber is good in them and make sure the calipers slide properly. I'd run all new lines (yeah, I know, PITA) bypassing anything ABS. The stock master should have bias close enough for Lemons work but I'd certainly be tempted to look hard at one from Wilwood or somebody (they might even be cheaper than a stock one) and incorporate a proportioning valve when you re-do the lines. If you care about that sort of thing, hide the valve under a mini version of your still or something so the judges don't bust your nuts too hard. I take the replace it all approach because I hate to get to the track and bust *** trying to get the car to go around the track (so says the guy who goes to races with Spank who rarely shows up with a car that runs, much less is ready to race)
Without knowing what the brakes are gonna do, I would be hesitant to screw around with the handling. Perhaps cut a coil out and cowboy some front camber in. I made a big wind chime from the coil pieces I cut out zip tied together to show the judges that these are cut springs and not aftermarket.
Without knowing what the brakes are gonna do, I would be hesitant to screw around with the handling. Perhaps cut a coil out and cowboy some front camber in. I made a big wind chime from the coil pieces I cut out zip tied together to show the judges that these are cut springs and not aftermarket.
05-08-13, 08:28 PM
#193
Hit the junkyard near the track last Friday and got a brake line splitter from a Z31 and a soft brake line from an FC. This is ALL you need to remove the ABS pump. Kinda made me giggle thinking that others pay hundreds to accomplish the same thing.
We replaced the front calipers with known good FC fronts.
We are pretty sure our problems are with our hacked together from parts master cylinder but - new ones are pricey!
We replaced the front calipers with known good FC fronts.
We are pretty sure our problems are with our hacked together from parts master cylinder but - new ones are pricey!
10-23-13, 10:27 AM
#197
We are skipping Fontana this year. I put it out there but the team voted against it. They got tired of getting hit and John's lack of concern about it. It sounds like they are doing more about contact this year but those guys want to wait and see if he's serious about it. I did enter the Jag at Laguna Seca with guys from other teams. Running the RX7 and Jag at Sears Point the weekend before and depending on how the Jag is after that, we may bring the RX7 ti Laguna. Almost half the field at Laguna is either a BMW or Mazda.
I had a lot of fun last year racing against the pig's sister. If somebody drops out, let me know if you'd consider me for an A&D.
I had a lot of fun last year racing against the pig's sister. If somebody drops out, let me know if you'd consider me for an A&D.
10-29-13, 02:53 PM
#199
We are skipping Fontana this year. I put it out there but the team voted against it. They got tired of getting hit and John's lack of concern about it. It sounds like they are doing more about contact this year but those guys want to wait and see if he's serious about it. I did enter the Jag at Laguna Seca with guys from other teams. Running the RX7 and Jag at Sears Point the weekend before and depending on how the Jag is after that, we may bring the RX7 ti Laguna. Almost half the field at Laguna is either a BMW or Mazda.
I had a lot of fun last year racing against the pig's sister. If somebody drops out, let me know if you'd consider me for an A&D.
I had a lot of fun last year racing against the pig's sister. If somebody drops out, let me know if you'd consider me for an A&D.
We are full on drivers this year, since we are only bringing the one car to Fontana, otherwise I'd gladly offer you a seat. We made lots of changes (13b, Holley carb, fuel surge tank, etc..) so there is lots to debug, hope it all goes well...