Plans and projects for the 10-11 offseason? (Related to Road Racing/AutoX/Rally)

[snowborder714]

It's about that time again! Time to start thinking of plans for the offseason. What are your goals and plans for next season? What type of events are you planning on prepping for - road racing, TT, autoX, rallyX? What projects will you be working on in the cooler weather?

I know I have A LOT on my list, which I'll post up later. It seems this group has grown a lot since last year (in experience and in numbers), so I'm sure some of you have some great ideas in your head!

 

[Scott McIntyre]

I've got a big list of stuff planned for the off-season, mostly maintenance / preventative maintenance stuff, doubling as performance upgrades. I'm preparing for another season of road racing (time trials) and autox. Might even dabble in drag racing next year.

Here's my detailed list for those interested: Maritime DSM :: View topic - 2011 Pre-Season Prep

 

[snowborder714]

Looks like a great list of stuff, Scott! I'm still in the process of making my list, but I have a few things on your list.

1. Good to know about the transmission temps. What temps were you actually seeing, and what is your goal with the cooler for temps?

2. I'd recommend iZoom Graphics for magnetic numbers. I purchased a set from them (single color autocross set) and think they're good quality. I've only had the opportunity to use them once (HPDE event), but I had no issues with them moving around, corners rolling back, flying off at 130+ mph, etc. I have mine in white, 10" high, and the Nurburgring font and think they look great. They also meet both NASA and SCCA standards/rules. I looked into the 12" numbers, but they didn't sit as nicely on the door and got into the non-flat section towards the bottom.

 

[Ludachris]

Pretty much the same as last year... wiring harness relocation (need to finish what I started), reroute lower cooling hose to radiator, new custom O2 housing from Punishment Racing, install new Whiteline swaybars, trying to get a shop to build us some tubular front control arms, install rear tubular control arms and heim joint end links, install aluminum drive shaft, install new motor mounts (this weekend), build ducting to the radiator and from the radiator through the hood, reroute all my turbo oil/water lines, install new oil catch can and modify valve cover for -AN lines, possibly install new Wilwood brake pedals/master cylinders (fab work), aluminum fuel surge tank, install Jay Racing pro series external fuel pump, install FIC blue max injectors, change to E85, speed density...

Just a few things to do... I'll have a lot to write about in my build journal.

 

[cookmeup272]

Seeing as how I finally got a good car to build off of, this winter and next season should be very exciting. Ive only made one run at the "local" track and the 1/4 mile converted time should be in the upper 12's. Ill be going with a whole new suspension setup (either KSport or Megan Coilovers) as well as a new fuel system (setup for E85, hopefully we get it over here soon) and a built motor. Its going to be kind of hard working only part time and going to college full time but ill do my best. Im hoping to get into the 10's next season. Holset HX-40 pro, most likely in the BEP bolton housing but may look into a T3 setup. I am also going to make it a priority to attend events in the Northeast. At least all of the major ones (DSM Shootout, MOD, Import vs Domestic etc...)

 

[Ludachris]

Seeing as how I finally got a good car to build off of, this winter and next season should be very exciting. Ive only made one run at the "local" track and the 1/4 mile converted time should be in the upper 12's. Ill be going with a whole new suspension setup (either KSport or Megan Coilovers) as well as a new fuel system (setup for E85, hopefully we get it over here soon) and a built motor. Its going to be kind of hard working only part time and going to college full time but ill do my best. Im hoping to get into the 10's next season. Holset HX-40 pro, most likely in the BEP bolton housing but may look into a T3 setup. I am also going to make it a priority to attend events in the Northeast. At least all of the major ones (DSM Shootout, MOD, Import vs Domestic etc...)

Must have missed the thread title - this discussion is geared towards the road race/autocross/rally crowd. The drag racers have their own dedicated forum. Honest mistake

 

[cookmeup272]

DOH! I did miss that. But to try and adapt that to the thread, I am going to try and get into the NYS SCCA events. I definitely, without a doubt am going to try and do a couple autocross events. Our local group, overboostn.com and Proteus Autosports) are trying to bring some events local to us, like rally and autocross. Im going to try and get my car setup for not only drag, but some autocross as well.

 

[Sirnixalot]

Our last autocross meet of the year is this sunday. The next one isn't until the end of feb.

1) finish my bastard 94 RX7 calipers & 05 Nissan Altima rotors front brake conversion (4 pistons & 294mm x 24mm rotors). Brackets are done (3/8 steel plate) Need arp studs, 13mm spacers, brake pads and 2 new banjo bolts. I am on a little bit of a budget so i am probably going with EBC yellow stuff pads but i will try to scrape up for carbotech ax6's

2) radiator and oil cooler ducting

3) get the main hoop and rear bars from a Cusco roll cage copied and have a harness bar added to it

4) install my FIC 750cc injectors and tune the car (on my newly installed evo 8 ecu woot!)

 

[lilbro717]

getting the car ready for the 2011 Redline Time Attack Season. TCEs front and rear BBK, Mullerized Coilovers, Caged, CF hood and hatch, and going to piece together adj endlinks. Going to be alot more also, need to get write up soon

 

[snowborder714]

Here's the adjustable sway bar end links my brother and I built, if anyone of you haven't seen them before.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/han...e-front-sway-bar-end-links.html#post152221948

 

[lilbro717]

Here's the adjustable sway bar end links my brother and I built, if anyone of you haven't seen them before.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/han...e-front-sway-bar-end-links.html#post152221948

Thanks, that will save me a lot of time, more time to get more things done

 

[Scott McIntyre]

Good to know about the transmission temps. What temps were you actually seeing, and what is your goal with the cooler for temps?

On the road course I'd see +220°F trans temps after only a 1/2 dozen hot laps. I never pushed it beyond that. On the hwy, I'd see +210°F with some spirited driving.

I surveyed a few reputable shops, and here's what they had to say about trans temps on the road course:

• Shep suggested 150°F was the optimal temp, with 200°F being maximum I'd want to see.
• TRE suggested keeping temps below 215°F
• Jack suggested keeping temps below 190°F

So the general consensus seems to be keep temps under ~200°F... The cooler the better.

I plan to have my cooler setup controlled by a thermostat that will turn on the pump & fan at 185°F, and shut off at 170°F.

What inspired the whole manual trans cooler idea was the fact that I stripped 3rd gear of my low mileage Shep Stage 4 transmission this summer on the road course. Considering that my car is lucky to make 300 - 350 HP, the failure most likely was the result of metal fatigue due to heat experienced on the road course. Hopefully a cooler will prevent a recurrence.

 

[housegsx]

My Winter is going to consist of tearing apart my car. Hopefully stripping it down to the chassis. Then I will make a pile of parts that need restored, a pile that need replaced, and a pile that need upgraded. Then I will be able to make a complete shopping list of what I need to put the Eclipse back together.

I will be completely broke until about June so teardown and inventory will be my Winter project. Along with building a blast cabinet big enough to fit the subframes in.

Once Spring comes along with warm weather and me with more money I will order all those parts I need. At the same time I will blast everything to be restored and recoat everything. And I am throwing around the idea of buiding a rotisserie for the chassis.(not likely, I'll probably just get it as high off the ground as possible)

So my goal by next Winter is to have the car restored, have all my performance parts that I have laying around installed, and see where I can go from there. Unfortunately there won't be a lot of driving involved for the next year(s) or so.

Maybe I should just sell the DSMs and buy an Evo. ...nah

 

[turbosax2]

-Modify/shave a valve cover for use with catch cans
-Install catch cans
-Install DG suspension
-Install SPC upper control arms
-Figure out bump stops
-DC front/rear strut bars
-Prothane suspension bushings
-Add fuses to custom power distribution block and mount it
-Custom vent mount panel for 3 gauges
-VEI gauges (wbo2, boost, oil temp, oil pressure, coolant temp, m/t temp) and coolant pressure warning light
-Install sensor to log oil pressure in ECMLink
-Install LC-1
-Then I can switch to speed density (already have sensors installed)
-Setrab 625 oil cooler with Evo 9 oil filter housing and a custom duct
-Wrap turbo oil feed line
-Quick release bumper fasteners
-I'm sure I'll powderocat/media blast a few pieces along the way too
-Maybe RM sway bars if I can afford them

I hope to get to do some AutoX next season.

 

[Boostjunki84]

Well, getting the car together, tuned, and ready for testing by March is my short term goal. The long term goal is TBA and I will start a build blog/thread once I get completely underway. I should have the block back from the machine shop this week and will order everything I need to get the engine back together. I'm looking foward to this year.

getting the car ready for the 2011 Redline Time Attack Season. TCEs front and rear BBK, Mullerized Coilovers, Caged, CF hood and hatch, and going to piece together adj endlinks. Going to be alot more also, need to get write up soon

Nice to hear another DSM is going to be participating in the RTA series. What class will you be running?

-Modify/shave a valve cover for use with catch cans
-Install catch cans
-Install DG suspension
-Install SPC upper control arms
-Figure out bump stops
-DC front/rear strut bars
-Prothane suspension bushings
-Add fuses to custom power distribution block and mount it
-Custom vent mount panel for 3 gauges
-VEI gauges (wbo2, boost, oil temp, oil pressure, coolant temp, m/t temp) and coolant pressure warning light
-Install sensor to log oil pressure in ECMLink
-Install LC-1
-Then I can switch to speed density (already have sensors installed)
-Setrab 625 oil cooler with Evo 9 oil filter housing and a custom duct
-Wrap turbo oil feed line
-Quick release bumper fasteners
-I'm sure I'll powderocat/media blast a few pieces along the way too
-Maybe RM sway bars if I can afford them

I hope to get to do some AutoX next season.

Which fasteners are you going with?

 

[lilbro717]

Nice to hear another DSM is going to be participating in the RTA series. What class will you be running?

Im going to running street class.

 

[turbosax2]

Which fasteners are you going with?

I haven't decided yet, but probably something like this for the sides:
Pegasus - Adjustable Toggle Latch with Strike Plate

 

[Ludachris]

-Modify/shave a valve cover for use with catch cans
-Install catch cans
-Install DG suspension
-Install SPC upper control arms
-Figure out bump stops
-DC front/rear strut bars
-Prothane suspension bushings
-Add fuses to custom power distribution block and mount it
-Custom vent mount panel for 3 gauges
-VEI gauges (wbo2, boost, oil temp, oil pressure, coolant temp, m/t temp) and coolant pressure warning light
-Install sensor to log oil pressure in ECMLink
-Install LC-1
-Then I can switch to speed density (already have sensors installed)
-Setrab 625 oil cooler with Evo 9 oil filter housing and a custom duct
-Wrap turbo oil feed line
-Quick release bumper fasteners
-I'm sure I'll powderocat/media blast a few pieces along the way too
-Maybe RM sway bars if I can afford them

I hope to get to do some AutoX next season.

Are the SPC control arms discontinued? Can't find them anywhere.

 

[turbosax2]

Yes.

 

[snowborder714]

Although I have heard (from talking with SPC) that they randomly get a set in every once in a while still. Haven't spoken with them in a few months, but the last time I did, they had 4 sets in. That would be the only place you'd probably have a chance of getting a set if there is still any new ones floating around.

 

[cioc]

After October's mishap at Watkins Glen I need to redo my O2 housing/downpipe setup. Got a recirculating O2 from Punishment and a TIAL MVS wastegate that is watercooled so I need to run lines for that.
-Install Mishimoto dual fan shroud with fans.
-Fab new downpipe to mate up with O2
-Pulled rear subframe and installed Import Tuner bushings (1989-1994 1G DSM : Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce)
-Cleaned up and refinished subframe with POR-15.
-Had Shep machine and modify an EVO 8 rear differential to fit in my rear housing.
-Source EVO 8 rear axle cups to mate with rear diff/stock axles.
-Installed ARP Wheel studs
-Purchase Enkei RPF1 in 17X9 in a 35 offset. (Debating whether or not to get 10's)
-Fender flares to fit the above monsters if I run 275's.
The goal is to change up how the rear of the car handles. I'm hoping the rear bushings and differential will do the trick. I'm sick of having an understeering pig. It's light, it's setup...but it still pushes. I've learned to drive around it quite well but I want something different already. Been in this car since 94!!! Practically half my life.

 

[D's GS-T]

Buddy Club P1 Racing Rims/Direzza SS Tires
C.F Hood

Sparco Mugello Steering Wheel
Lancer Evo Recaro Seats
Shortened Stock Shiflter

VEI Boost/Innovate Wideband Dual Gauge
VEI Oil Temp/Water Temp Dual Gauge
VEI Oil pressure/Fuel Pressure Dual Gauge

Ground Control/Koni Coilover Set up
Prothane Bushings Set
Evo Brembo Brakes
SS Brake Lines
Prothane Bushings Set

Shep Stage 4 Transmission
Southbend TZ Series Clutch
Evo3 LSD Year Differential
Tre Max Lock Upgrade

Koyo Radiator
2 Spal Puller Fans
Setrab Oil Cooler Setup
JMF Oil Catch Can

DSM/Link
FIC 1350cc Injectors

Forced Performance Race Exhaust Manifold
Evo3 16G Turbo
E.T.S FMIC

and some other misc. maintenence things. some of these parts I hace already.

Lots of Shielding, venting, wrapping, coating, ducting, relocating, tucking and oh ya... more ducting as well haha . I'm essentialy building a new road race car, and I hope to get a descent amount of track time as well to test this car out, but since im heading to airforce basic training and whatnot ill have to see how things go. should be a great year either way.

 

[snowborder714]

I guess I never put in my plans. I have a lot on my list, but my guess is not much is going to get done. So here's my small list of things I think should get done by next season.

-Install transmission with Quaife LSD
-Modify/shave a valve cover for use with catch cans
-Install DG suspension
-Install SPC upper control arms
-Figure out bump stops
-DC front/rear strut bars
-New Prothane suspension bushings
-Custom vent mount panel for 3 gauges
-VEI gauges (wbo2, boost, oil temp, oil pressure, coolant temp, m/t temp) and coolant pressure warning light
-Setrab 625 oil cooler with Evo 9 oil filter housing and a custom duct
-Quick release bumper fasteners

 

[Tyeler18]

My plans for my 3g/1g

3g- dial in my coilovers completely
drop in my 3.8L non mivec with wavetrac LSD
Prothane bushings all around

1g- D2 coilovers
Get it up and running properly
Prothane bushings
Few odds and ends here and there suspension wise
Get it dialed in for Autox and start prepping for next year's snow rally

 

[cantgo2fast]

MY plans are currently underway with a few more parts to source

-Replace headgasket that I blew at last track day
-timing belt, head studs, frankenstein 274 cams, BS removal, H2O pump, evo springs/retainers
-FPmanifold
-COP
-CLEAN
-get as many SS oil and water lines as possible
-Sway bars
-get it back on the road and finally get a solid tune.

-Start E85 conversion and most likely get new Bosch 1000 injectors
-Upgrade radiator and oil cooling
-Try to fab some brake, intake, rad, oil cooler ducts

Hopefully Ill have all that done by the time school is over and can do some autocrossing track days and
Chris I would LOVE to do some NASA time attacks this summer
This of course is all depending on whether my transmission is gonna hold up with all that new power. :/