2007 Plans? What will you be working on in the offseason?

[Ludachris]

With the 2006 season winding down, I figured I'd post a thread where we can all share our plans and projects for the 2007 season....

I'll start off:

I'm planning on stripping down the car a little bit more and really trying to build it up to be a Time Trials competitor. I'm hoping I can get some stiffer springs for the Ground Control setup, some camber plates, a roll bar, a fiberglass hood, some Toyo RA-1 tires, some fender flares, brake ducting, and I'll likely be swapping out my turbo setup with a smaller, more efficient turbo that will be better for road course (and some autocross) use. Of course, all that requires some money - haven't quite figured out where it's going to come from yet with the baby on the way.

Since the money is a little tight I'll be working on the stuff that is cheap or free first - ripping out more unneeded parts. I plan to keep the car streetable in case I need to drive to the track, since I don't know how we'd be able to buy a truck to tow it next year. With that in mind, I plan on keeping the heater, but I'll be tearing out the A/C pieces under the dash. I'll tear out most of the interior panels, speakers, dash pieces, etc. I'm going to do my best to make it look as nice as I can while stripping out as much as possible. I'll probably work on cutting out pieces of the dash and instrument panel and fabbing up some custom replacement pieces. I'll leave some of the carpet in though.

While I have the dash torn apart I'll probably finally get around to replacing the clutch pedal assembly. I'll also look into tearing out wiring that is no longer being used - there's plenty of it under the hood and in the cabin. Any tips on doing that? I have wiring and electrical.

Lots of work to do this winter. I'm really looking forward to doing it. It's nice to have a more specific goal this time. After driving the car at a bunch of events this year I realized where it came up short and all the things I need to do to make it competitive in the type of racing I enjoy most.

What are your plans this offseason?

 

[Zero Bar]

Good luck with the wiring, I hate it and avoid it as much as possible. Sounds like you have some good ideas for the car Chris!!

My biggest thing is figure out wether or not to get a new car. I love my Laser and in a lot of ways I don't want to get rid of it, but I'm really liking what the new cars have to offer.

If I do keep my car then the gloves come off. JIC coilovers are 1st on the list, as well as some wider tires. The bumper supports will come out and so will the glass and the dashboard. The hood will be replaced with something lighter as well. The brakes are all stock off of a 2g so cryo treated power slots, Hawk pads are in order. It will be a true EP car unlike the FSP car without an interior I have right now!

Only time will tell....

 

[Slow old poop]

Assuming we survive the next NASA event at Road America and don't do anything terminal to the car, I have a bunch of winter projects in mind. I have to be very careful with my mods, because I am within a few points of the top of TTB class. Anything I plan might get revised when the new rules for 2007 come out. I don't want to go into TTA.

1. Upgrade brakes. I am running StopTechs up front and stock rears. We are mulling over two options: First, a thicker StopTech rotor. This requires installing a spacer in the caliper, something that Supercar Engineering has proposed. Second, a rear brake upgrade. As you know, our rear brakes just go along for the ride, and do no real work. I would be interested in hearing any ideas on how to upgrade the brakes.

2. Bigger turbo. I am running about 300+ hp right now with my 20G and 2.3 stroker, and the turbo is the limiter. The national champ in TTB is an M3 who barely beat a S2000 at the Nationals. I'm guessing that I am 150 hp away from competing with these guys. I sure would like to see 450 hp at the wheels.

So I am thinking about a turbo upgrade from AMS that would put me into the 400+ range. We'll assess the situation after Road America, a real horsepower track. If we can tune up the current motor at 20 psi boost to run with the Big Boys, then maybe I'll forgoe a new turbo. If I am down on power, then maybe it's time. Fortunately, it doesn't add any more points, because I am already assessed points for the 20G.

3. Fuel cell. I still have a problem with long lefts causing fuel pickup problems, and it seems like the solution -- surge tank and fuel pump--costs almosts as much as a small fuel cell would cost.

4. Rebuild the cage. I have a Kirk cage, which was never designed for passengers. My tuner has threatened a rebellion if I don't do something about it, because when he rides along to tune the Apexi, he bangs his helmet on the cage. So I'll take it to a fabricator and see what we can do about moving the passenger-side bars.

5. Pull the dash. Gotta check the points first, but we'd like to remove the dash and all the heavy stuff in there. That would leave room for a better cage, too.

6. Weld the cracked ear. We spotted a small crack in the weld that AMS did a few weeks ago to repair the motor after I broke off the tranny mount ear. If we get through Road America without breaking it any further, we'll disassemble everything and weld it up again.

7. Prep a backup shortblock. We don't expect the weld to last forever, so I need to find a 6 bolt short block and get it machined for a stroker motor. That way, if the weld breaks fatally, we can move all the go-fast parts from the AMS motor to the backup block.

8. Install DSMLink. I have a brand new DSMLink just sitting there because my 90 Eclipse GSX doesn't have a PROM in its ECU. I know there is a solution out there somewhere. Just gotta figure it out.

9. Find a sponsor. If I can convince somebody to cough up $10,000, I can do all the mods I've described.

My goal is to be the NASA national champ in TTB in 2007.

Hey! No smirking! I can dream, can't I? There's no point in doing all this racing stuff if you don't want to win. Based on what I've seen in TTB so far, this goal is within reach--Unless somebody else comes along with a killer DSM in TTB and takes it away from me.

Rich

 

[drivemusicnow]

Well, I've just about to start a thread of my own in this forum about the same kinds of things... This car has been a very long project, and I'll detail everything I have done/will do over this winter. in the other thread.

 

[twocanewayne]

I know what you mean Chris I got a baby boy coming in December and trying to get a house. But I need a f/p and injectors, Ill try to swing that. Im needing to do a turbo swap also, mine is kinda beat. So I should have a busy and different winter. I also want to lower the car, the more I sit and think the more I want to do to my Talon so I need to stop...

 

[eclipse2via]

1. return the car to stock for biannual smog due in Dec. I swear on everything this is absolutely the last time I'm going to do this. I'll probably need a new TB to pass so I'll get rid of my worst boost leak as well.

2. Install new LSD rear end, it is in my car port now.

3. get rid of my ABS unit.

4. Get a cage finally.

5. If I land a financial windfall then I'm going to get AEM EMS and dyno tuned.

 

[Ludachris]

Assuming we survive the next NASA event at Road America and don't do anything terminal to the car, I have a bunch of winter projects in mind. I have to be very careful with my mods, because I am within a few points of the top of TTB class. Anything I plan might get revised when the new rules for 2007 come out. I don't want to go into TTA.

1. Upgrade brakes. I am running StopTechs up front and stock rears. We are mulling over two options: First, a thicker StopTech rotor. This requires installing a spacer in the caliper, something that Supercar Engineering has proposed. Second, a rear brake upgrade. As you know, our rear brakes just go along for the ride, and do no real work. I would be interested in hearing any ideas on how to upgrade the brakes.

2. Bigger turbo. I am running about 300+ hp right now with my 20G and 2.3 stroker, and the turbo is the limiter. The national champ in TTB is an M3 who barely beat a S2000 at the Nationals. I'm guessing that I am 150 hp away from competing with these guys. I sure would like to see 450 hp at the wheels.

So I am thinking about a turbo upgrade from AMS that would put me into the 400+ range. We'll assess the situation after Road America, a real horsepower track. If we can tune up the current motor at 20 psi boost to run with the Big Boys, then maybe I'll forgoe a new turbo. If I am down on power, then maybe it's time. Fortunately, it doesn't add any more points, because I am already assessed points for the 20G.

3. Fuel cell. I still have a problem with long lefts causing fuel pickup problems, and it seems like the solution -- surge tank and fuel pump--costs almosts as much as a small fuel cell would cost.

4. Rebuild the cage. I have a Kirk cage, which was never designed for passengers. My tuner has threatened a rebellion if I don't do something about it, because when he rides along to tune the Apexi, he bangs his helmet on the cage. So I'll take it to a fabricator and see what we can do about moving the passenger-side bars.

5. Pull the dash. Gotta check the points first, but we'd like to remove the dash and all the heavy stuff in there. That would leave room for a better cage, too.

6. Weld the cracked ear. We spotted a small crack in the weld that AMS did a few weeks ago to repair the motor after I broke off the tranny mount ear. If we get through Road America without breaking it any further, we'll disassemble everything and weld it up again.

7. Prep a backup shortblock. We don't expect the weld to last forever, so I need to find a 6 bolt short block and get it machined for a stroker motor. That way, if the weld breaks fatally, we can move all the go-fast parts from the AMS motor to the backup block.

8. Install DSMLink. I have a brand new DSMLink just sitting there because my 90 Eclipse GSX doesn't have a PROM in its ECU. I know there is a solution out there somewhere. Just gotta figure it out.

9. Find a sponsor. If I can convince somebody to cough up $10,000, I can do all the mods I've described.

My goal is to be the NASA national champ in TTB in 2007.

Hey! No smirking! I can dream, can't I? There's no point in doing all this racing stuff if you don't want to win. Based on what I've seen in TTB so far, this goal is within reach--Unless somebody else comes along with a killer DSM in TTB and takes it away from me.

Rich

Hey Rich, just had a local guy here get a 90 ECU modified for EPROM to go in a Mirage conversion. I think it was the first modified ECU and it seems to be working okay. Talk to the guys at DSMlink. They can probably help you with that.

 

[asian312]

Fortunalty there's really not an off season when your still learning =) Goals for 2007 is simply to get more seat time. With 2 possibly 3 events left this year, I plan to hit the road running and try to qualify for TT towards the closing of next year. Here in Texas I've only seen classes from TTA-TTC, but hopefully the growing interest in TT will show a growth here in the Lone Star State. Oh, and almost forgot, to make the inagural DSM track event!

As for the car I'm taking an approach much like Rich's since I'd like to compete one day in TT. Ran through the classifier and played with the 19 points alotted to stay in TTE (base class). I've pretty much exhausted my points, but in doing so it has the effect of increasing the longevity of the car by not letting crack open the engine. So on the wishlist for Santa:

1) New helmet. My M95 aint gonna cut it next year.

2) 4pt. roll cage. Who needs rear seats anyway?

3) Racing seat. Tired of sloshing about in my plush electronic leather stockers.

4) Thermal R&D catback

5) Maintainence and more maintainence. If it keeps running I'm having fun.

 

[underradar92]

Here is the list as it stands... For the moment.
Get through this weekend's track day.
Tires to go with my new wheels.
Install toe eliminators
Install Polk F/control arms.
Make new R/lower control arms.
A real alignment (street/road course compromise).
A 6 pt bar.
Real (JIC?) coilovers.
Splitter.
Front brake ducts.
Toss ABS box and install adjustable prop. valve.
Adj. FPR.
Dejon smic or equivalent, and pipes.
3s maf.

 

[logic]

Goal: put the car back together. (Wasn't that my goal in the spring? Bah, who keeps track of these things anyway?)

More seriously:

• Now that the engine is done (woohoo!), finish long block assembly and stuff it in the front end of the chassis somewhere.
• Finish up the fuel cell and pump mounting, and fuel line routing.
• A bunch of random fabrication/metalworking (port filter housing, build exhaust, modify the oil pan, mount the oil cooler, mount the accusump, etc).
• A bunch of random wiring (fuel pumps, new gauges, new sensors).
• Get the new wheels and tires, beat fenders and replace suspension components until they fit.
• Brakes. Once the new wheels are on, we'll see how big we can go up front. I'm tossing around the idea of yanking the hard lines completely and going with an in-cabin bias adjustment, but that might be one of those half-baked ideas I come up with from time to time.
• Think about a cage. Now would be the time to do it, but I don't want to change out the seats and go with harnesses yet due to cost constraints, and I really should do it all at once, or not at all. And frankly, I have enough to weld right now.

That's the big stuff, but therein lies details that make my brain hurt.

 

[drivemusicnow]

Here is the list as it stands... For the moment.
Get through this weekend's track day.
Tires to go with my new wheels.
Install toe eliminators
Install Polk F/control arms.
Make new R/control arms.
A real alignment (street/road course compromise).
A 6 pt bar.
Real (JIC?) coilovers.
Splitter.
Front brake ducts.
Toss ABS box and install adjustable prop. valve.
Adj. FPR.
Dejon smic or equivalent, and pipes.
3s maf.

I have a couple questions for you.

Are you talking about the washer welding toe eliminators, or the spherical bearing style, from DSS?
Isn't polk not in business anymore? what do the polk front control arms look like?
Are you just adding the adjustment (taboo style) to the rear control arms?

I'm going to be working on front fascia pretty soon as well. I'm going to try and cut across the stock bumper, and then use fiber glass to extend it about 3-4 inches further down. Then I'd like to use carbon fiber, however I will probably end up using fiberglass, to make the splitter. Attach some eyebolts and supports to the bumper support members, and be set. I wish we could somehow do a few of these together so that it is cheaper and easier for all of us.

 

[Eagle 5]

Similar to Underradar2

Just put newly made upper rear adjustable control arms on.
- Working on lower adjustable control arms
- Rear toe eliminators, like the DSS ones with spherical bearings, just make my own though
- Possibly work on making my own front lower control arms, though not sure yet
- 17x9 wheels and 255/40/17 tires
- Caster/ camber plates from RRE
- alignment, no idea what to get for one yet
- new turbo as mine is dead
- new fmic, starion one is fine but wont be good for extended periods of racing
- probably need to upgrade the radiator as well, not sure yet
- upgraded brake pads, maybe EBC yellows
- power steering cooler maybe

oh and write ups on anything made. Working on a write up for the rear upper adjustable control arms

 

[mavisky]

- Poly bushings throughout entire suspension
- new radiator
- do some minor repairs
- repair rear brake calipers
- power steering cooler
- try to arrange a set of GC's with a decent spring rate
- fabricate rear harness bar/strut tower bar
- front brake ducts possibly

- writeups for Tuners on all of the above

 

[Quasimondo]

Since this will be my first time out on the autox, I won't be going as hardcore as the rest of you guys. I figure I should learn to drive so I can understand where the car needs improvement, then start working on changing what's needed.

I want to put poly bushings at least on the control arms, but I don't have the tools or time to get that done this year so I'll stay focused on the more basic stuff. Springs, shocks, etc. The only major thing past that will be the rear-toe eliminators. Even with the 4WS removed, the back end still has a mind of its own and I can feel it moving when I take a tight turn at speed.

Beyond that, it's learn to drive and have some fun.

 

[drivemusicnow]

Could anyone who knows list out what you need to do the DSS style rear "active toe" elimination? DSS's website is still up, but I can't tell where I can get those type of parts (and I'm pretty sure that they made the steel inserts)

Anywho, Any information/write up would be helpful.

My current projects are:
Finish long block, and install new engine
Fabricating custom intake piping, exhaust, and timing belt covers
Installing the ES bushings
Reparing gas tank, custom swirl tank, and running fuel lines.
LOTS of wiring to do. as well as figuring out places to put all the sensors for the gauges.
Rebuilding all of my calipers
setup the oil cooler, trans cooler, PS cooler, new radiator, brake ducts, and set up ducting/forced air for all of it.

 

[Dorifto]

Since this will be my first time out on the autox, I won't be going as hardcore as the rest of you guys. I figure I should learn to drive so I can understand where the car needs improvement, then start working on changing what's needed.

I want to put poly bushings at least on the control arms, but I don't have the tools or time to get that done this year so I'll stay focused on the more basic stuff. Springs, shocks, etc. The only major thing past that will be the rear-toe eliminators. Even with the 4WS removed, the back end still has a mind of its own and I can feel it moving when I take a tight turn at speed.

Beyond that, it's learn to drive and have some fun.

I'm in the same boat there. Now that I finally have a car capable of autocross abuse, I plan on giving it my best shot. That, and a couple open-track days at Miller Motorsports Park. Then it's minor tweaks here and there, and tuning for solid performance.

 

[Ludachris]

Where's Collier? I'm waiting to see what his plans are for next year

 

[talonTSIDriver]

I need to find a new DSM track car. I already have many parts to put on it like:
All 4 brembo rotors
FP BIG T-28 Turbo
Megan Coil-Over Suspenion
plus many more small things

I have a 95 talon tsi awd that I am in the progress of building for drag racing only. Building the cylinder head up right now. Hopefully I can have that project done in a month to make more room in the garage for the next project.

I also am building a dodge omni GLH (2.2L Turbo) for just local auto-x stuff. Keeping it mostly stock so I can run it in the stock class.

And for my non-DSM side, I have a Honda Prelude, originally built by Real-Time that I have to go through, replaced the front brake calibers and a bunch more crap.

I am gonna be busy ALL winter.

 

[underradar92]

I have a couple questions for you.

Are you talking about the washer welding toe eliminators, or the spherical bearing style, from DSS?
Isn't polk not in business anymore? what do the polk front control arms look like?
Are you just adding the adjustment (taboo style) to the rear control arms?

I'm going to be working on front fascia pretty soon as well. I'm going to try and cut across the stock bumper, and then use fiber glass to extend it about 3-4 inches further down. Then I'd like to use carbon fiber, however I will probably end up using fiberglass, to make the splitter. Attach some eyebolts and supports to the bumper support members, and be set. I wish we could somehow do a few of these together so that it is cheaper and easier for all of us.

Full DSS style toe eliminators, made 'em at work, check your pm's
Polk arms? http://dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=238200 check post 31.
What Polk Performance is doing these days, I've no bloody idea.
I've already made upper rear arms, considering modifying the lowers or making different ones, for less flex & more adjustment.
As far as the splitter, It'll just be a plywood p.o.s. spaced an inch or two from the stock (beat up) plastic, if you saw the car, you'd see why I'm not doing nice, cosmetic work.

 

[Drift_SM]

Not to sure exactly what I want to do, I will be drivign her all winter, but here we go...

-in order

lower tie bar.
Left rear lower control arm
koni shocks & ground control.
All wheel alignment.

buschur 2.5 dp
dejon tool front mount kit
190, 550's, eprom & Dsmlink

and of course lots of goofing off in the snow!

 

[Eagle 5]

http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a43/existenz1982/Solid Edge Models/

There is an album of some of the solid edge models I have been working on. There is one of the rear toe eliminator, and a couple of what the rear lower control arm may look like. I made it as if I was using swedge tubing like I did for the upper arm but for the lower arm I may end up using 4130 and machining threaded inserts for the ends and welding them in. Whether its needed I'm not sure but I can get the 4130 in thicker wall thicknesses than the swedge tubing which is only .072 thick. Good enough for the upper arm but not sure if it would be for the lower. I know a member on here used them in his rally car for one rally with no problems but I guess it would just be me making it stronger "just in case" I have pictures of the upper arms so I can post them once I upload them onto the computer. All the models are to scale (except the sway bar, just made it so I could connect the arms to something. I'm working on a write up for the upper arms right now. I'll have one for the rear toe eliminators and lower arms once I finish them. The upper arms though weighed a decent amount less than the stock ones.

Oh, if anyone has something they want modeled up, let me know.

 

[Flash]

I plan to upgrade to some coilovers from Zeal (Works uses them and says they are like Ohlins)... Also have my stock suspension bushing pressed out and replaced with Prothane or something like that.
--Stuff that's just a thought in my mind--
Unofficially, I would like to do a m/t swap if I find a tranny I can have Shep rebuild. Again that is so I can take my car to a road course. I would also like to change my big brakes for something from either Stoptech or Brembo.

And that's all folks. As of now nothing is for sure. Everything I get is just a new suprise for me. I feel fortunate to have a nice job that gives me a pay check so I can buy nice parts. My main goal is to get my car to a point I feel that I can safely take it to the track, but also have the best parts on it. It's all about having fun.

***These plans are void if they don't build a track closer to my house***

 

[Greg Collier]

Where's Collier? I'm waiting to see what his plans are for next year

I'm way to busy just trying to finish up this year, then to even start thinking about 2007...

 

[Ludachris]

I figured as much. Finish strong Greg, finish strong!

 

[drivemusicnow]

crap so now I have to decide whether it is worth spending all the time and effort to install the ES bushings everywhere, or just go all out and do adjustable control arms with tie rod/spherical bearing ends.