TweakIt Racing 93 LS1 FD Track car build
Post from around Aug:
Around November 08, I was just getting back to Afghanistan from my two weeks of Mid Tour leave and on a track/car high. I was browsing the forum and saw an ebay link to a gutted and caged LS1 FD project. Just by looking at it, I knew the owner had to be building it with a Rob and Big Al. My car and Rob's car have alot of the same main components, minus the engine of course. I picked it up for a really good deal knowing I could part it out and make a pretty good profit, but decided to keep it instead. I really liked the cage in the car and with the car having most of the main components, I decided to finish the project and see how I like it. Since I wasn't going to be home for a while, and I originally wanted the car to be complete by the time I made it back to the states, I sent it to TweakIt Racing(Dan Chadwick/Brian Johns) who are very good friends of mine. I changed my plans after that and we have been taking our time. With my track schedule and Dan's AutoX schedule, the car took a backseat this summer/fall. The car came with a ton of brand new stuff Here is a run down of some of the stuff that came with it(all of it is brand new) Here is the original listing from previous owner: hinson super cars v8 conversion pacakge subframe transmission brace torque arm drive shift ls1 v8 fully rebulit 0 miles(built for track use) t56 transmission stop tech st 40 big brake kit atl fuel cell(22gal... can you say enduro here I come :D) magnum racing seat tein flex coilovers tein edfc unit for flex coilovers sparco quick release steering system seibon carbon hood front bumper tilton pedal assembly remote cable ajuster front and rear sway bar (racing beat) full race cage painted car new but does have some scatches hinson radiator (premium) hinson headers ls1 harness w/switch panel That isn't a full list, but that was a good start. I have since picked up a few more things. Here are the larger items: -Seibon Carbon Fiber Hatch w/ RE-A Carbon Fiber wing(currently getting my money's worth on the silver car) -Accusump.. track essential for piece of mind IMO -Tripoint Front Sway Bar with Widefoot Sway Bar Mounts and bronze bushings -Maval converted full Manual Rack(really helps you feel what the car is doing) -ATL surge tank and pump for fuel cell -18x10 CCW Classics(currently on the silver car as well). I am prob. going to run these in the beginning, but I have since picked up another set of CCW Classics that are 17x10 and 17x12 which will allow me to run a 335 in the rear to help handle the extra torque the LS1 brings as well as keep the cost of tires down a little being they are 17's. That also means I will be adding Pettit Rear fender flares eventually. Haven't decided on the front flares though https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/...90815-1340.jpg They gutted everything in the car... almost too much. They gutted the rear hatch, doors, and CF hood to where they are just the exterior shell and of course everything on the inside. I'm fine with most of that as the cage is very stout, but the hatch would not support the glass I'm fairly certain(already have the new hatch though so problem solved). They also did things like cut the front bumper/radiator support(which I purchased and will have welded back on) basically leaving my fiberglass bumper as the only thing between the outside world and my engine bay... and the rear bumper reinforcement rebar(which will be going back on the car). I expect the car will weigh around 2400lbs... so prob. more like 2500-2600lbs :D Here are some pictures of it. There really isn't too much left to do to it. We have to figure out some wiring, route the fuel lines, put the battery in, exhaust from headers back, and a couple of other minor things. A few of the previous owners pictures from the listing: https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/...1FD/7ffd_1.jpg https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/...1FD/3bb0_1.jpg https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/...1FD/3c65_1.jpg https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/...1FD/7ffd_1.jpg https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/...chmentaspx.jpg https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/...1FD/3a52_1.jpg And after I got it home: https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/...D/IMG_0604.jpg https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/...D/IMG_0605.jpg https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/...D/IMG_0606.jpg |
https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/...D/IMG_0608.jpg
https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/...D/IMG_0610.jpg https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/...D/IMG_0611.jpg https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/...D/IMG_0612.jpg https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/...D/IMG_0613.jpg Ugly headlights that came with the car... but they will save me around 20lbs on each corner: https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/...D/IMG_0614.jpg https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/...D/c3a6_1-1.jpg https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/...D/IMG_0619.jpg https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/...D/IMG_0617.jpg https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/...D/IMG_0624.jpg |
https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/...D/IMG_0625.jpg
https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/...D/IMG_0626.jpg https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/...D/IMG_0627.jpg https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/...D/IMG_0628.jpg https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/...D/IMG_0629.jpg https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/...LS1FD/rc10.jpg https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/...LS1FD/rc16.jpg[/quote] I'll post some updates as time permits. In the meantime, I'm enjoying the track as I've done 35 track days so far this summer/fall in my rotary FD :runaway:. Brent |
Update from 11/03/09
The car is coming along and I'm hoping to have it completed by the end of the year, although I'm not in a rush as my goal is Mid January as my first event will be the NASA event at CMP in Feb. most likely. The harness that came with the car was reconfigured by the previous owner and after trying to identify it(many wires had been replaced as well as certain things were not in their correct location) I've decided to pick up one from Rod Tech(hopefully). I've emailed them a couple of times and have not received a response. The brake system is now done pending pressurizing the system and checking for leaks. Here are a few pictures of the system and the lines Dan and Brian fabricated: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD010.jpg http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD004.jpg http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD011.jpg http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD012.jpg http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD005.jpg The 99+ larger brake duct/shields are a perfect fit for the stoptech's http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD013.jpg Fuel system is getting there. The pump, in tank surge tank, and fuel cell are complete, hardlines going from the fuel cell to engine bay are made, and now need to connect the fuel cell to the lines and the lines to the fuel rails. The lines are ran on the inside passengerside of the car after thinking about it long and hard(that's what she said). We came to the conclusion that it would be safer running covered lines inside opposed to under the car due to the possibility or crushing/ puncturing the lines due to several different scenerio's. Here are all the fittings left to connect the dots :) http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD006.jpg http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD007.jpg Battery relocation is coming very soon as well. I purchased a Optima Red Top and a box to put it in, but I realized when it showed up that the box is waaaay too big to fit where the bins use to be. Oh well, we'll make one. http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD009.jpg |
Yesterday, we changed the the Valley cover to a vented one as well as added an LS6 intake. That's one of the advantages of sharing a shop with Jerry, the owner of VetteSport and a Club Racer/AutoXer... good advice on engine stuff and parts available immediately. "yeah, let's do the valley cover and intake" "there is one on the engine right over there you can have for $XX". In order to make it work on my engine, we had to cut off the area you see in the picture:
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD001.jpg Everything went smoothly and installed the new valley cover and intake. Old and new one for comparison: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD002.jpg I had been very nervous about the weight distribution of the car. I was afraid it was going to be front heavy since everything in the rear had been removed. We finally put it on the scales a few weeks ago with all the main components on the car. It weighed 2254lbs dry with almost perfect weight distribution. It was a great relief! To give you an idea of how aggressive the car has been gutted, here is a picture of the door: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD003.jpg A little better pictureof the cage in the rear: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD008.jpg I think I have the exhaust sorted as well. I have the hinson y pipe and had been trying to figure out the last part of the exhaust and had planned to just put a turn down shortly after the y pipe. Well, I sold one of my other FD's as a roller and was pulling the engine, tranny, exhaust, etc... out of it last week. When I pulled the exhaust off, Dan noticed that it had a more aggressive bend than a normal FD catback. Looks like it is going to fit nicely around the fuel cell and everything else. That's it for now. Brent |
Update from this weekend:
Well, the last few weeks have been up and down... and all around. I ended up purchasing the Improved Racing oil pan baffle to also help with the oil issue these cars on the road course. The engine had to come back out to put it in. That was no big deal as nothing was attached to it yet. The transmission was already out to make remote bleeders for it. The first hiccup occurred when I purchased the wrong baffle from Improved Racing. I am very glad I purchased the baffle(otherwise I prob. wouldn't of pulled the engine and oil pan to notice I didn't have a windage tray). Mostly because it allowed me to see the bottom end of the engine. I've now seen the top and bottom of the engine and it looks like it's going to be a good engine. I also verified that is was balanced and the components used. I also discovered when the oil pan was off that the previous owner had not put a windage tray on when he was putting the engine back together after getting it back in short block form. I only assume that he was going to go back and put one in. I have now been through everything in the car with the exception of the rearend(which will be opened up to change the 4.1 to 3.9). Here is how the car sat on Friday morning: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD024.jpg Engine and Tranny out: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD027.jpg http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD021.jpg New Baffle test fit... it fit much better than the other one(the wrong one I ordered... haha): http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...LS1FD002-1.jpg With windage tray :D: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...LS1FD001-1.jpg Bottom End: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD028.jpg Engine back in: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD038.jpg Fuel system is finished minus mounting the fuel filter in the bracket. Dan did a great job on it and I'm very pleased with how clean everything is. I also really like the black fittings opposed to the red/blue ones that everyone seems to use. http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...LS1FD005-1.jpg http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...LS1FD006-1.jpg Vent: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...LS1FD007-1.jpg Dan securing one of his brackets he made: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...LS1FD008-1.jpg |
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...LS1FD009-1.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...LS1FD010-1.jpg Coming into the front compartment(they will be covered): http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...LS1FD013-1.jpg Here is the unfinished cover: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD020.jpg Brackets that Dan made: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD017.jpg http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD014.jpg Through the firewall: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD015.jpg And into the engine bay: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD043.jpg |
The engine harness showed up this week. Even though it took a couple of weeks to get here, it was money well spent I think. It is essentially the same thing as the painless, at less than half the price. Everything is nice and labeled and went in without any trouble. The only thing I'm not a huge fan of is the split wire loom.
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...LS1FD003-1.jpg http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...LS1FD004-1.jpg Installed in the car: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD039.jpg Used the factory Mazda grommet to fit it through the firewall: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD044.jpg And into the driver compartment: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD046.jpg We have alot of excess slack. Brakes: I posted pretty much everything before, but here is a little better picture of the inside. The red line you see is the line for the brake proportioning: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD018.jpg Time for the tranny to go back in: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD049.jpg It had bolts that were the wrong size head with crush washers on them previously, so we upgraded to the correct size with the flare head and serrated back. http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD048.jpg Engine, tranny, and driveshaft back in... now we are caught back up :D http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD055.jpg In all seriousness, the car is getting closer and closer. At this point, it is a million minor things we have to do. Like wiring... to include the EFDC's: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD040.jpg I'll be at Road Atlanta next weekend, but that will be my last track weekend for a while. Hopefully it'll be finished before the start of next season. Brent |
Very Nicely Done...
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Sick stuff! Keep up the good work!
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I'm green w/ envy, VERY VERY NICE, can't wait to see and hear this thing :icon_tup:
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I didn't notice the bumpsteer correction spacers on the tie rod ends? They are washers that drop the end links down about 1/2".
Car looks like fun! |
Looking good, go order Justin's bump steer kit! Otherwise looking good.
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Originally Posted by enzo250
(Post 9649735)
Very Nicely Done...
Originally Posted by mazda6guy
(Post 9649930)
Sick stuff! Keep up the good work!
Originally Posted by Fritz Flynn
(Post 9650173)
I'm green w/ envy, VERY VERY NICE, can't wait to see and hear this thing :icon_tup:
Originally Posted by rotoober
(Post 9650530)
I didn't notice the bumpsteer correction spacers on the tie rod ends? They are washers that drop the end links down about 1/2".
Car looks like fun!
Originally Posted by wickedrx7
(Post 9650634)
Looking good, go order Justin's bump steer kit! Otherwise looking good.
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I just printed this and put it in my wallet just in case you have a lapse in memory :lol:
Originally Posted by memphisraines82
(Post 9651290)
Thanks! That means alot coming from you guys! Dan really does some top notch work! I'm a nuts and bolts kind of guy. I'm just there to keep him from making too much progress :D
Thanks! Shit man... you know you will be driving this thing around VIR next year. I may even spring for some good tires. Of course, with torque and the way you are on tires... I may not have any left... haha. you'll also notice their is no front sway bar on the car, or sway bar mounts, and it's missing lug nuts, etc, etc.... the car isn't finished yet. :) That's good looking out though. see above :) |
No need... just bring your tire contingency form and put that in your wallet(hoping Hoosier has a contingency program again next year)... I think I'm going to run a restrictor plate to get the power down enough to run TTS, plus it'll be much easier on the car all around :)
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I can't wait to finally hear this thing roar to life! We made some pretty good progress last weekend. We need to have a few more weekends like that and we will be in good shape.
Brian |
It was a much better weekend than a few weeks ago. I have the extension picture to send you. Enduro's here we come Brian!
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Wow! I am so glad to see that this project was not lost forever. The car looks Awesome and looks like its coming fairly quickly. I would love to see this thing finished and find out how it performs.
Good Luck! RoB |
Subscribed!
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hey man hows it goin? Project looks SWEET!! Ill have to get up to vir next year and see that thing first hand. Good Luck!!!
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You may want to consider ditching the hinson torque arm. Myself and lots of guys over on the v8 forum get rid of it, hard mount the tranny to the chassis, then get a diff cradle from Justin. This seems to eliminate the wheel hop largely assoiated with running the torque arm. This will keep your diff from getting shredded by all the torque you are going to be making as well.
Looking great though. That was a great buy with all those goods that came with the roller. Mind if I ask how much you paid for the original purchase? |
Originally Posted by rob20rx7
(Post 9662690)
Wow! I am so glad to see that this project was not lost forever. The car looks Awesome and looks like its coming fairly quickly. I would love to see this thing finished and find out how it performs.
Good Luck! RoB
Originally Posted by catch-22
(Post 9662707)
hey man hows it goin? Project looks SWEET!! Ill have to get up to vir next year and see that thing first hand. Good Luck!!!
Originally Posted by Cgotto6
(Post 9663566)
You may want to consider ditching the hinson torque arm. Myself and lots of guys over on the v8 forum get rid of it, hard mount the tranny to the chassis, then get a diff cradle from Justin. This seems to eliminate the wheel hop largely assoiated with running the torque arm. This will keep your diff from getting shredded by all the torque you are going to be making as well.
Looking great though. That was a great buy with all those goods that came with the roller. Mind if I ask how much you paid for the original purchase? |
Yeah, I'm aware of Justin's product and I'm on the V8forum as well. Thanks for the pointer. How long have you had your V8 FD? How long did you run the Hinson Torque Arm?
Still havent had a chance to drive it with out the rotary yet as its still undergoing surgery so to say. Ive just heard about the torque arm being a problem from forums and a couple local LS FD guys have verified they had real bad wheel hop with hinson's set up, but it was cured with the diff cradle. You might have said already, but what rear brakes are you going to run? 99's or racingbrake? Stock? |
Cool man. I can read too :D
It has stock rears. |
Originally Posted by memphisraines82
(Post 9664263)
Yeah, I'm aware of Justin's product and I'm on the V8forum as well. Thanks for the pointer. How long have you had your V8 FD? How long did you run the Hinson Torque Arm? So far the torque arm has held up fine for road racing but i am also basically stock LS1. |
Wickedrx7, thanks for the first hand experience feedback! That is the stuff I like to hear about. I love to gather as much data as I can, but as we all know, on the internet so much of it is "I heard from so and so who heard from so and so who read it at XXXX." Getting it from the source is great!
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I have the Hinson torque arm in my LS1/FD. I had wheel hop problems but they were due to worn-out diff bushings, not the torque arm.
I have heard of problems with the Hinson trans mount (at fwd end of torque arm) tearing up the tunnel sheet metal, but that's a mount reinforcement problem, not the TA. There were also reports of bad welds on some Hinson TAs but mine seem to be doing fine. |
Originally Posted by habu2
(Post 9666280)
I have the Hinson torque arm in my LS1/FD. I had wheel hop problems but they were due to worn-out diff bushings, not the torque arm.
I have heard of problems with the Hinson trans mount (at fwd end of torque arm) tearing up the tunnel sheet metal, but that's a mount reinforcement problem, not the TA. There were also reports of bad welds on some Hinson TAs but mine seem to be doing fine. |
Awesome build. Hope to see this beast at VIR this year!
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great work!! keep it coming....
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Very very nice car. You are required to post in car vids of this thing on the track :D
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Originally Posted by Section8
(Post 9709315)
Awesome build. Hope to see this beast at VIR this year!
Originally Posted by ivegonemad
(Post 9712875)
great work!! keep it coming....
Originally Posted by mdpalmer
(Post 9712876)
Very very nice car. You are required to post in car vids of this thing on the track :D
Thanks for all the kind words guys. I will def. have some video's up once I hit the track. Update to follow... |
Progress:
Dan used a stock FD throttle cable on the car and its a nice fit. I don't have any pictures of it. The exhaust is now hung. It clears the fuel cell. We have to have a pipe welded onto the ypipe and flange welded onto it to connect it to the catback portion and it'll be finished: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD062.jpg http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD063.jpg http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD064.jpg Today started off with Brian making a really nice bracket for the fan relays: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD060.jpg http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD059.jpg We were playing around with the accusump mounting location. We had basically decided on the passenger side area, but hadn't locked down the location. After looking a little more, I found a couple of parallel 10mm studs that looked like they would work perfect for the mounting brackets for the t bolt clamps for the accusump. It worked out: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD073.jpg I have looked at a few different custom dashes that others have made for their track cars and they looked REALLY nice! One thing I noticed about most is that they are made out of sheet metal/aluminum. When you see their track pictures, they have their dashes taped up due to the glare from the sun. Dan decided to make the dash out of 3/8th inch ABS plastic. It's a wrinkle type finish. He made a mock up of the dash using cardboard. Once he finished the mock up, he traced out the top piece: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD068.jpg Then cut it with the jigsaw: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD069.jpg After a few more trims, some filing, and sanding it was a perfect fit: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD071.jpg http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD072.jpg |
A piece of angled metal will be bonded to the bottom of the piece posted above to be able to secure the other piece of the dash. The other side will be screwed/bolted to the metal so it can be removed with ease. This is our blank easel :D
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD078.jpg http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD079.jpg Now if I could only afford that expensive Racepak. I don't see me dropping the change though, so you'll most likely just see my normal gauges. The only other thing is I picked up a Optima Red Top. I ended up going with it for a few reasons. The first is I have the worst luck with batteries. If something happens to this one in the next three years, I take it back to the parts store and get a replacement on the spot opposed to having to weight. It's also readily available almost anywhere that sells batteries. So the convenience factor is huge! I'm sure some of you are wondering why I went with such a heavy battery instead of getting a braille or something lighter. Well, I've decided that I'm going to run the car in TTS next year which is a 8.7:1 power to weight ratio. I was originally thinking of running TTU which is a 5.5:1 ratio. That would mean that if the car was 2600lbs with me in it and half a tank, I would need 470rwhp. While I haven't seen what kind of power the engine makes yet, I'm quite certain that it won't be close to that. I also don't want to try to push the engine as far as I can. I'd rather do a very conservative and reliable 300hp or so and not have to worry about weight anymore and have the car *knock on wood* last for a long time without issue. http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD081.jpg I had picked up a battery box from summit but it was ridiculously huge and wouldn't fit where the bins use to be with the bulkhead where it is. So we are just going to make a tie down for the battery. 2ft of 3/8th all thread, 6 fender washers, and 6 nuts with nylon inserts: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD082.jpg I'm going to pick up an all view mirror, it's comes highly recommended by some club racers I know. http://www.allviewmirror.com/ I also sat the bumper and hood on today: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD067.jpg I'm really not sure how the exterior will end up. The pettit flares still need to go on. If the car is track ready by the 23rd, I'll prob. just run my 18x10's that day. The GTC replica bumper I think sat in the heat somewhere prior to me buying the car because it fits like crap. I have a couple of different bumpers in storage and I'm taking one to the shop tomorrow to see how it fits. May end up with a different bumper. The Corvette guy that is another shop partner with Dan has been prepping his C6Z for a while now. He has a race at Sebring in a few days and is planning on leaving on Tuesday. It's going to be down to the last minute and he has been putting in the hours over at the shop. While we were there yesterday, the guy that puts wraps on bodies came I did almost a full one on his car. It is modeled after the C6R Vette like this one: http://www.auto-power-girl.com/photo...2-2010-16.jpeg http://images.dailyradar.com/media/u...9/10/03/1_.jpg Here is his car, it has come a long way since he bought it and looks amazing with the new wrap: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...2/LS1FD085.jpg Can you tell who his brake sponsor is :D http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...2/LS1FD087.jpg Soooo after I saw that his car was modeled after the YELLOW C6R, I was joking around about how funny it would be to get my car replicated with the C6R graphics as well. I wouldn't do that, but I would love to see the Vette guys reaction to it. I do have my jake decals though that will go on the the rear bumper at least. That's it for today. More to come tomorrow. Brent |
Where did you get that ABS plastic from? That seems like a great alternative to aluminum.
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I think they picked it up from a local place here in Nashville. You could search the internet and prob. come up with something.
As far as my last update post... sorry about some incoherent sentences. I had typed it all out and accidentally hit the back button when I was almost finished and lost it all. The second time I was wasn't really paying attention to what I was typing as I was watching a movie as well. Also, a couple of corrections... the abs plastic is 1/4 inch and Dan made the relay bracket. As for today. I'm not really sure what all was accomplished today. It was a busy day for me and I was only able to get to the shop for an hour or two. Dan and Brian made the battery tie down and it turned out really well, but then again... would you expect anything else? Here's a picture of the finished product: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD089.jpg I brought my Sparco Evo L with me today to sit in the car as it will be my driver's seat. I also brought a set of R1/2 oil coolers as I am using them on my car. The car came with some other ones, but I think these will be more than sufficient. Not to mention, they bolt right in place and line up with the bumper. I went ahead and bolted them in place to make sure I had all the hardware. I'm missing one bracket and I'll order that from Mazda on Monday. I also brought a JKL Racing SS1 Front Bumper with me that is prob. going to end up on the car. More info. here: http://shop.jklre.com/products/fd-ss1 It's going to fit no problem. I like the design of it, not crazy about the looks. As long as it's functional, I don't mind. Here is a picture with the oil coolers back on: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD088.jpg And the bumper sitting on: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD090.jpg http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD091.jpg The CF undersweep and canards: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD092.jpg If I end up using this bumper, I'll put my RE-Amemiya sleek lights in since I'll have to paint the bumper as well. Getting a little closer and a little closer. |
RE Amemiya bumper on a V8, seems so wrong
Respect though, great build |
Yeah, I'm a hibitual line crosser. Not my favorite look, but hopefully it is as functional as I hear it is. Plus, I'm trying to also avoid looking almost exactly like Damian. Especially since I'll also have Pettit Flares and most likely RE-Amemiya lights.
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Originally Posted by memphisraines82
(Post 9717678)
Yeah, I'm a hibitual line crosser. Not my favorite look, but hopefully it is as functional as I hear it is. Plus, I'm trying to also avoid looking almost exactly like Damian. Especially since I'll also have Pettit Flares and most likely RE-Amemiya lights.
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I've never been able to tell a difference in any of the bumpers I've ran on the track. Like I said above though, I've HEARD this has a noticable difference in downforce. That is from some other track drivers. No hard data though. But that's ok, I'm not claiming there is :) I have the bumper, and I'm never going to use it on a street car, so I figured I'd give it a go since the other one isn't going to fit. I like the design of the bumper. It has a nice big front/radiator opening, brake duct openings that are preformed where I can just slide my cooling hose onto the back side of the opening, as well as the canards and general side design redirect air to the tires. The only thing I'm not crazy about(besides the looks) are the oil cooler openings. They are a pretty good size, but I wouldn't mind a little larger. Luckily the LSX engines don't generally have an oil cooling issue. As far as the aerodynamics, we'll see if I can tell any difference. I like the looks of the GTC bumper, but as far as I know, there is not actual wind tunnel data on any of our front bumpers(except maybe the mazdaspeed b spec?). However, the same style bumper that Mazda made for the RX-8 only provides an additional 50lbs of downforce over the stock bumper. I don't anticipate having a front lift issue, but I think this might help regardless. Don't think it will hurt any. I've always felt FD's get "light" around 120mph on the track. After the GT style wing went on the silver car, I could feel a significant difference in stability at higher speeds. I actually ran VIR one Saturday wingless, drove to Fritz's on Saturday evening and picked up the wing and hatch, put it on Sunday morning, and drove with it all day Sunday. I had a friend in the car and as we were on the warm up lap going through the uphill esses at around 80-90mph, he says "wow, do you feel that?"... and he's a BMW guy. One other point in regards to RE-Amemiya: My wing is an RE-A, it's the one that has the video on youtube showing RE-A testing it and posting downforce results. I can't imagine that RE-A would make something that would be counterproductive to our cars, but then again I'm no engineer nor do I claim to be. I'm just a nuts and bolts kind of guy.
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I do agree that you can vouch for RE-A's "character" as being very respectable and they use the same bumpers on their own track cars, so it makes sense that they would be nothing but productive. I have never really seen any data as far as different front bumpers improving brake cooling, downforce, or car stability. I guess I always thought it was a style/fitment thing
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Which exact tilton pedal set up is that? Know the exact specs? Pedal ratio, mc sizes? Clutch mc size? Thanks in advance.
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Originally Posted by Cgotto6
(Post 9721255)
Which exact tilton pedal set up is that? Know the exact specs? Pedal ratio, mc sizes? Clutch mc size? Thanks in advance.
Dan |
I am not running Power Steering as I like the feedback I get from a manual rack while on the track. I also believe in keeping it as simple as possible. Well, since I'm not running Power Steering, this created a belt routing problem. I searched around and didn't see anything that was already in production to solve my problem. Luckily, I was in good hands as we have all seen by the TweakIt Racing Air Pump Idler pulley. They worked their magic again to come up with a solution. Where the Power Steering normally goes:
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD121.jpg The fix(prototype): http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD125.jpg http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD126.jpg http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD141.jpg The tensioner(the belt was a nice fit): http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD140.jpg As stated, this is the prototype. The actual bracket will be made of aluminum. I'm sure Dan and Brian can answer any questions. Oil Routing: My oil cooler adapter plate: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD110.jpg http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD107.jpg http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD105.jpg Installed with fittings: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD127.jpg I didn't get any pictures, but the line leaves the adapter plate and goes to the driver's side oil cooler. |
Setrab M22 -8AN adapters were used to convert the Mazda Oil Coolers for the 8AN fittings and lines.
DS with Setrab adapters and AN fittings: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD130.jpg The line leaves the Driver's side and goes into the passenger side. PS just like the DS: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD129.jpg This is the Moroso One Way Oil Check Valve with adapter fittings converting it from NPT to AN: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD135.jpg It's installed after the passenger side oil cooler so if/when the accusump triggers, the oil will go into the engine and not flow back into the oil coolers. Installed: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD144.jpg Here is the bulkhead T fitting with nice bracket that connects the line coming out of the passenger side oil cooler, the accusump line, and the return line going back to the plate/engine. http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD143.jpg Some more nice brackets and clamps for the lines: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD147.jpg I didn't get any pictures of the line going from the T to the accusump. My sweet supercars.com radiator :D http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD114.jpg That was part of the way through taking the Hinson decal off. It's a nice fit. After our initial test fit, I wasn't sure about it. After everything was buttoned up, it fits nice and tight: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD118.jpg Very close to the water pump pulley: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD132.jpg Using the stock overflow tank(thanks Fritz): http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD116.jpg Soooooo... fuel is plumbed, oil is plumbed, coolant is plumbed. Getting really close now. Have to do some wiring, bolt the seats down, fluids, etc, etc... |
I don't have any pictures from this past weekend as I wasn't around, but here are a few pictures over the previous couple of weeks that I snapped.
Idler Pulley finished product: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD160.jpg Dash coming together: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD168.jpg traqmate view from my angle: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/LS1FD166.jpg |
This is great! It took me the past 24 hours to read all two pages of this, but very nice! I had no idea you were going to these lengths. Did you have this car when I saw you at VIR back in October?
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Originally Posted by rgordon1979
(Post 9846696)
This is great! It took me the past 24 hours to read all two pages of this, but very nice! I had no idea you were going to these lengths. Did you have this car when I saw you at VIR back in October?
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Anything new? Your build is going great, love the dash! Im excited to see how she does out on the track :bigthumb:
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