First shakedown of the season

[Ludachris]

Don't sell yourself short, Rich. I don't claim to be the best driver. I'm still learning a lot about racing and about how this car handles, especially with the new setup.

 

[Slow old poop]

Don't sell yourself short, Rich. I don't claim to be the best driver. I'm still learning a lot about racing and about how this car handles, especially with the new setup.

Still, it will be an honor to run against the FOUNDER.

It will be very interesting to run against your 430 hp with my 345 hp, and my crew will have a zillion questions on car prep for you. Maybe we can learn something from each other. I have an unfair advantage in that this is my home track, and I will be happy to show you the AWD line. You can follow me around until you get tired of sitting back there and blast on by. Maybe we'll have a convoy of DSMs blasting by the M3s.

This is a great site and the Road Course & Autocross forum is a great discussion group.
We owe it all to you.

 

[Ludachris]

Thanks for the kind words Rich. Hey, by the way, why isn't your Gallery full of photos of your car?

 

[eclipsegsx1736]

1g vs. 2g seems to make a big difference too. I have 650/550 (right at the limit of my Koni yellow's) and I still think they're a little soft. Can't make a direct comparison between the 2.

I agree about swaybars being even more important.

Interesting thing is that my 2g on 650/550 is softer on the road than my MR2 on stock springs (200(175?)/275? Something like that...).

Yeah, 2g tend to need higher rates especially in front due to their motion ratios. I'm running 800/450 with a stock front bar and RRE's adjustable 25mm rear bar which seems to work pretty well for me. When I went from 350 to 450 in the rear, I'd say it helped more than adding the RRE rear bar did. The stiffer spring in rear made the car rotate more in any condition while the rear bar helped some situations more than others. Also the addition of the swaybar along with these rates makes the inside rear lift off the ground in very tight corners, u turns, driveways etc. Kinda a weird feeling. Luckily it doesn't unload due to the rear LSD but I can feel some of the power being diverted to the lifted wheel.


The car looks great Chris. I'd like to hear more about that turbo too. Those tires don't look like they tuck, but tucking is overrated

 

[Slow old poop]

Thanks for the kind words Rich. Hey, by the way, why isn't your Gallery full of photos of your car?

I finally got a digital camera, and took a few pix over the weekend. Now I gotta figure out how to get from the camera to the PC. I'll post some soon. Wait'll you see my fat Stoptechs!

 

[mavisky]

I just got my new 6.0 mp camera in the mail today along with a 1gb memory card. Expect lots of photos of mine from now on too

 

[Ludachris]

The car looks great Chris. I'd like to hear more about that turbo too. Those tires don't look like they tuck, but tucking is overrated

They don't tuck but the fronts are close. I'm running -2.5* camber in the front and only -1* in the rear. If I run more negative camber in the rear it would come close too. It doesn't matter though with the stiff spring rates. It doesn't rub at all.

 

[eclipsegsx1736]

They don't tuck but the fronts are close. I'm running -2.5* camber in the front and only -1* in the rear. If I run more negative camber in the rear it would come close too. It doesn't matter though with the stiff spring rates. It doesn't rub at all.

Haha, nice. I run the exact same camber F/R and I don't rub either due to the spring rates. I have the same wheel/tire setup as you, 17x9 +35 with 255/40 (my offset is higher but I have a 2g).

How is the open dump on the road course? I've always had reciculated external o2 setups. I'll be going with the FP3052 soon and was wondering if the open dump gets annoying after a while for road racing.

 

[Ludachris]

It does sound different that's for sure. I don't mind it much.

 

[logic]

And if you can, could you comment a little more on the 3150?

For others like me who had no idea what this turbo was (and couldn't find anything useful about it on FP's website):

...our brand new FP3150 turbocharger (dual bb 50trim stage 3 turbine w/ T04E cover)...

So, there you have it, from the FP Race Manifold thread. Interesting setup; Chris, you wouldn't happen to have any DSMLink logs from the first session when you were running wastegate boost, would you?

 

[Ludachris]

For others like me who had no idea what this turbo was (and couldn't find anything useful about it on FP's website): So, there you have it, from the FP Race Manifold thread. Interesting setup; Chris, you wouldn't happen to have any DSMLink logs from the first session when you were running wastegate boost, would you?

No logs yet, sorry. Once I get my laptop fixed I'll have some.

 

[Evan K.]

I finally got a digital camera, and took a few pix over the weekend. Now I gotta figure out how to get from the camera to the PC. I'll post some soon. Wait'll you see my fat Stoptechs!

Pics or ban!

 

[ninjai_ruken]

Wish I could have been there running with you, I am losing my mind down here in Houston. I am not only dealing with sponsors for my ASA Driver (I think they took my leg today), but I am also working on a secret project for the 1g. Scared yet? Don't be, it will turn out great. By the way did I say I lost my mind yet?

 

[Phil1320]

Chris---looks great! I'll be following your progress for sure. My Talon will finally convert from drag to road race by the end of the year. How are the brakes from TCE working? I am very interested in that set-up as well as the TD wheels. Anyway, good luck with your racing the rest of the year.

Take care,

Phil Beers

 

[Ludachris]

Chris---looks great! I'll be following your progress for sure. My Talon will finally convert from drag to road race by the end of the year. How are the brakes from TCE working? I am very interested in that set-up as well as the TD wheels. Anyway, good luck with your racing the rest of the year.

Take care,

Phil Beers

Thanks Phil. The TCE breaks are great. I'm only using the BP-20 pads from TCE and they bite very well. I will be stepping up to the H-compound pads once I get the car set up a little better. More info on the pads here:
http://www.tceperformanceproducts.com/pads.html

The TD wheels are very nice. They are wide and they give plenty of room for the calipers. I'm pretty sure you could fit any size caliper in there and not have to use a spacer, which was the goal. I didn't want to have to push the wheel out further just to clear my calipers and these wheels just barely stick out because the offset is perfect for this car.

I'm still adding a few things (roll bar, etc) and am still working with some minor issues but the car is fast and it handles very well right now. It's just a matter of dialing it in.

 

[Ludachris]

Pics or ban!

Evan, how about some more pics of your 2G in your gallery?

 

[Evan K.]

That can be arranged

edit: threw a few up for you Chris. Pics are here http://www.dsmtuners.com/gallery/browseimages.php?do=member&imageuser=15335

 

[Phil1320]

Thanks Phil. The TCE breaks are great. I'm only using the BP-20 pads from TCE and they bite very well. I will be stepping up to the H-compound pads once I get the car set up a little better. More info on the pads here:
http://www.tceperformanceproducts.com/pads.html

The TD wheels are very nice. They are wide and they give plenty of room for the calipers. I'm pretty sure you could fit any size caliper in there and not have to use a spacer, which was the goal. I didn't want to have to push the wheel out further just to clear my calipers and these wheels just barely stick out because the offset is perfect for this car.

I'm still adding a few things (roll bar, etc) and am still working with some minor issues but the car is fast and it handles very well right now. It's just a matter of dialing it in.

Nice, ok thanks for the input, I'll read up on the pads available. Dialing the car in must take several events I'm sure, at least you're out there having fun and that's what it's all about. As far as spacers go, I see what you mean, but, I did find out from a guy that used to set the AWD cars up years back in SCCA that they actually spaced the front Wheels in order to get some rotation of the rear and/or bring the car to a more neutral state. However, this may be overkill if your current suspension is doing what you want it to. Anyway, again good luck and let us know of any developments!

Phil

 

[Phil1320]

That can be arranged

edit: threw a few up for you Chris. Pics are here http://www.dsmtuners.com/gallery/browseimages.php?do=member&imageuser=15335

Evan, I don't know you, but, I must say, those are awesome shots of you at Laguna! I'd love to drive that track....must be great at a minimum.


Phil

 

[underradar92]

I will be stepping up to the H-compound pads once I get the car set up a little better.

You will love H-compound's on the track, they are MURDER on your rotors when cold however.

Evan, seeing your car on the track (or any other nice 2g's) makes me want one. I'd feel much worse digging it out of a tire wall than my current ride, though.

Human nature to want that which we cannot have.

 

[Evan K.]

Thanks for the kind words guys. Laguna is nice but I prefer Thunderhill.

Rich it's your turn. Post up.

 

[Slow old poop]

Thanks for the kind words guys. Laguna is nice but I prefer Thunderhill. Rich it's your turn. Post up.

Geez, a request! I am flattered.

On brakes, all I can say is:

1. I like Carbotech Panther Plus pads, which I buy from Supercar Engineering.

2. Don't buy Stoptech brakes for an AWD DSM. The rotor isn't fat enough, so they crack and cost twice as much as they should to replace. My Stoptechs work now, but that's because Supercar Engineering put a 15mm spacer in the calipers so I could run a fatter rotor. Alas, the cost of doing that far exceeds the cost of buying a decent set of calipers and rotors from the gitgo.

Rich

 

[underradar92]

The TCE 1g kit also uses a 1.1 thick rotor. Todd hooked me up with a 1.25 rotor upgrade and I couldn't be happier.

I learned from Rich's experience.

I am going to try Panthers Plus's too, since I can now adjust bias.

Seems Evan already has Stoptech's. I think the 2g setup may use a thicker rotor. How is the 1g coming along Evan?

 

[gsx roadracer]

I have ran the Stoptech setup on my 2G AWD DSM for almost 3 years now and have absolutely no trouble with mine. It was one of the best upgrades I ever put on the car.

I run them with the Hawk Blue pads. They wear the rotors a little bit, but I have never had a hint of fade with them even at the end of 20 minute sessions. Alot of the use has been at Blackhawk Farms, which is one of the toughest tracks on brakes.

 

[underradar92]

GSXroadracer: Any chance of you being at the Road America/NASA event Aug. 4-5?