Monday, December 28, 2015

Long time no update...

Well, its been a while since I have updated the blog.  All in all it was an ok season for autocross.  Did alright but could have been better.  usually in the top 5 at events for raw time and about the same for PAX.   I did discover at the last event of the season, on October 11th, that the Hoosiers are shot.  What I have mounted right now is a set of 275-35/R15 that were used before I got them.  If you can get them hot they aren't bad, but the 11th saw sustained winds of 19mph all day long and gusts of 40mph.  To say the least, the tires never got warm.  At the end of the day I had switched to the R1R tires and was packing up to leave when a friend showed up that wanted a ride.  We did a buck run with out the Hoosiers and, holy crap, what a difference. the car felt planted and could accelerate out of turns much better then with the Hoosiers.  To say the least... I'll be getting a new set of Hoosier A7 next year.

Current plans for the car is to have the shocks serviced and put on some stiffer springs, 800 front, 550 rear.  As of today the shocks are on their way back to me and should be back in the car soon with the new springs installed.  After its a matter of the drive train.  I have a 6 speed transmission to replace the 5 speed.  The catch is that it makes the gear ratios awful.

5 - Speed + 4.3 rear end and 7200 rpm rev limit:
1st gear tops out at  35.87 mph
2nd gear tops out at 59.57 mph
3rd gear tops out at 84.57 mph

6 speed + 4.3 rear end and 7200 rpm
1st gear tops out at 29.91 mph
2nd gear tops out at 49.57 mph
3rd gear tops out at 68.37 mph

I purchased a 3.636 ring and pinion to put in the differential which will take care of it.
6 speed + 3.636 rear end and 7200 rpm
1st gear tops out at 35.38 mph
2nd gear tops out at 58.62 mph
3rd gear tops out at 80.86 mph

Much better and very close to the original ratios. All in all I'm sure I'll have to learn to drive the car again with this many differences.

I also purchased a dead 1992 Miata.  This will eventually become the base for everything that's in the 99.  the car has about a softball sized hole in the block where a rod went through it.   in the end this one will end up about 200-300 lbs lighter then the 99.  this probably won't be in service until 2017.  Going to take my time and do it right as I build it.


Monday, May 4, 2015

The first Event of 2015!

Been a while since an update. This past weekend was the first event my club hosted this year.  Had a lot of fun over the weekend, much trash talk was had.  Saturday I spent the day helping out with the Evo School running timing. I have done 5 of them in the past and learned a lot.  As usual with these classes watching the drivers go through out the day, its awesome seeing how much everyone improves. 

Sunday was the event in Helena.  Such a blast to get out with a car that really keeps up with me.  between my last update and this one I have managed to get almost everything I wanted done on the car.  Hitch is installed, Seat is in and adjusted.  I also added a mount to hold my tablet for data logging.  Sadly I only managed to log my last 3 runs as I was still trying to figure out how to get it working correctly.  All in all, I am super happy with how SoloStorm works.  Totally worth the money now that I understand it.  next step is to get my gopro connected to it so I can have sync'd video with the logging.

The event went well, Managed to take 2nd for raw time and 6th for pax.  threw one supercharger belt on my last run of the morning and replaced it over lunch.  While replacing it I had some help and I think we may have spotted the main issue with why they keep getting shredded.  it appears the super charger is not sitting quite right. the back is lower then the front causing the belt to climb the pulley and shred itself.  current plan is to try and lift the back to align things better and see how it goes.

This is a video of the second run of the day.  Not my fastest but in the ball park.



Here is the results: Results for Helena 5-3-2015

Monday, February 9, 2015

First update of 2015!

Its been a while since I have posted anything. Weather hasn't been very good for getting anything done. 

This last weekend it was 60f so I got off my butt and finished putting in the replacement drivers seat that fits me better.  It is another Ultra Shield seat like the old one that I purchased from a fellow club member a few years ago now.

Other projects on the list include installing the Flyin'Miata tow hitch so I can pull my trailer to events. This hitch is nice and light weight adding only 8 lbs to the car.  I am also considering the Flyin'Miata butterfly brace to stiffen up the whole car.


For now, I just keep eyeballing the calendar wishing it was time to drive!