Track day/American Iron

[nooncha]

That sucks, but I do think Waterford is better price wise for track time. Autox you'll spend somewhere between 35 (if an SCCA member) and 60 (non member) for 3-5 minutes of track time, whereas a track day may cost 3x more (~180) you get at the very least 8x the track time. They usually run 2-3 20 minute sessions. Last time I went they allowed 4, but I was done after 3.

If you want to do some more autox's here is the detroit regions website with the schedule. Last 2 of the year are at Belle Isle. I'll attend those as well.

[marlin1893]

Thanks, what safety equipment is required for each. My cars a daily driver and don't want to tear it up just a few hot laps to see what see will do. It's putting out 320hp/334tq at the wheels mostly stock but 18x10.5 w/ 295-35s and 17x9.5 w 265-40 Bridgestone Pontenzas. Upgraded slotted brakes w/ ceramic pads, strut brace and adjustable panhard bar. Planning on subframe connectors next spring. My project car is a V8 Vega w/ small block, 4.10 posi, 5 speed upgraded to S10 4 wheel disc brakes and 15x8 minilites ZR205-55 BFGs. Hope to get it ready next summer for autox and cruising LOL

[nooncha]

Nothing other than a SNELL certified helmet. They do have loaners available at autox's but I'm not sure about the track days. If your car is a convertible, then a roll hoop is required for track days. T-Tops are fine as long as you leave them on I believe. Its been a very long while since my last track day.

Sounds like your car is more than capable and that project sounds fun! I'd recommend subframe connectors if you don't want wrinkles in your quarter panels. The G forces are very high in an autox and I got a few from the runs I made before putting the cage in. Double check your oil level and possibly add extra oil so you don't starve the engine at any point. Filling up tires to 50psi will prevent you from tearing your sidewalls up as well.

You'll always beat on the car in an autox, but it is really fun and something to try at least once.

[nooncha]

Installed the accusump today. Being able to use it as a preoiler before starting up the car makes a HUGE difference. It seems to start almost instantly whereas before I'd have to wait a couple seconds. Very happy with this and highly recommend one for protecting your motor. Video shows how quickly it starts up now.

[marlin1893]

Your Bird sounds good might be able to see you at Waterford later this summer I will keep watching for updates and video of your track days ) Wish I still had my 1st Gen to play with 376rwhp/399tq and only 3100 Lbs it was a blast.

[nooncha]

Finished the diffuser and took it for a test run. I did the string test and it does seem to work. It doesn't take full effect until about 80+mph. I can definitely feel a difference with this, unfortunately it makes the front end feel lighter while the rear is hunched down. I'll begin work on the front splitter this coming week and hopefully have it mounted by the weekend. I plan on doing the string test more extensively at Waterford Hills Raceway tomorrow. Here are some pictures of it before completion. I'll upload some pictures tomorrow after the track day.


The first two pictures are from when it wasn't finished yet with rivets still poking out.
CAM00940.jpgCAM00944.jpgCAM00948.jpgCAM00949.jpg

[nooncha]

Track day at Waterford Hills didn't go so smoothly. I had to retire after the first session due to a major fluid leak in the rear. A ruptured brake line was the cause, and it put an end to my day. Scary moment when it happened in the braking zone on the back straight. It slowed down, but not enough for the turn and so I went off.

Unfortunately I did not get to fully test the diffuser like I'd had hoped. I was planning on pulling it off after the first two sessions in order to determine its functionality and how much it was helping. I hope to get the car running again in time for the open track day at Gingerman Raceway June 5-6th. Ordering new ss lines, brake fluid and new Hawk front pads within the coming week.

Does anyone know any local places to get SS lines for our cars?

[Lucky SOB]

Inline tube

[nooncha]

CAM00969.jpg
CAM00977.jpg
CAM00978.jpg
CAM00980.jpg

[nooncha]

Side panels to help reduce drag and improve airflow. I will add canards over the sides to deflect airflow over the wheels. The gap in the middle will function as ducting for the radiator since the air dam is being removed. Its going to stay white for now until I can order some abs that is black. I only had white polyethylene sheets lying around to use.

10499850_10101276323294938_328039554_o.jpg10503683_10101276323220088_779142622_o.jpg10494277_10101276323314898_1545573924_o.jpg10506163_10101276323304918_1149006035_o.jpg10512104_10101276323334858_1496595505_o.jpg10503601_10101276323319888_1283615397_o.jpg

[meissen]

Interesting aero work - kind of reminds me of the IROC Trans Ams...

[nooncha]

Thanks! The splitter is taking a lot more time to finish than the diffuser did which I have to strengthen. Its elongated some of my support brackets due to the downforce its producing. I've also come to the realization that I need a lot more power, I don't like being overtaken so easily on the track lol. I don't think my 3.8 can produce much more without going FI. I want to avoid going with FI due to the increased complexity and its just more parts that can fail (this is going to be a strict track/race car eventually). And I like the immediate throttle response of an NA motor. It already has a ported/polished intake manifold and heads along with headers. I doubt I will be able to achieve a significant amount more with higher comp. pistons and a cam. so....I'll definitely be looking into doing an LS swap. Definitely plan on doing this sometime next year.

[nooncha]

Track day at Gingerman Raceway July 5th. Splitter and diffuser worked great! Car definitely felt stable, and I had no feeling of lift at higher speeds as I previously did without the splitter. My steering felt nice and heavy at all speeds and the car felt very planted! Before when it was just the diffuser, I could feel the front end get lighter the faster I went. The car no longer has that issue. I couldn't be happier with the aero balance of the car.

There were lots of Porsche's at the track, and I was happy I didn't pick the competition class to run in. My group was more equivalent to my cars performance and not my driving performance. I spent the majority of the time lapping about the same time as the V8 Mustangs out on the track. They could pass me on the straights due to the 100+ extra horses they have, but they had a very hard time pulling away from me. I would be able to catch them in the corners and braking zones, but they would walk away on the straights, so now I am seriously looking for a donor car to do an LS swap.

Here are a few of the pictures from my trip.

[nooncha]

A quick update. Haven't done a whole lot to the car last year, but do have plans for this year. I've updated the rear diffuser to shave weight and hopefully increase the efficiency. I am yet to test the new version, but I'll see how it does when I take it to the track. I've also removed the front impact bar and am running ducting straight to the radiator through the license plate cover. This was done specifically so that I can close up the gap in the front splitter to further reduce drag and increase the efficiency of the splitter. I'll update with pictures when my computer lets me upload them.

The front splitter is also being remade stronger and with lighter materials. Here is a video from today after getting the mounting completed. It holds up very well for being such a thin and flimsy material.

[DynoDave]

Nice. And what exactly is that "thin and flimsy material"?