Dorito Fun

[DocWalt]

I bought an '09 RX-8 R3 back in the beginning of July. It had lots of weird issues... and apparently a blown engine. Spun bearings, so I can't even make funny apex seal jokes.

It had a pretty long list of mods, so not a total waste.

While I was replacing the engine with a friend, I did Hotchkis swaybars and fixed a LOT of other nonsense. Replaced the stupid spherical bearing Megan Racing lower control arms in the rear.

https://i.postimg.cc/bJxKJ8t6/image.png

https://i.postimg.cc/qRT5WY52/image.png

https://i.postimg.cc/yxrn6rvQ/image.png

Typical rotary, visiting gas stations often :lol:

https://i.postimg.cc/8kyZbjNR/image.png

About a week after purchase the damn door handle broke. The fix involved trapping myself inside the car among other stupid things.

https://i.postimg.cc/SsSG6pP1/image.png

Oil pan full of copper

https://i.postimg.cc/6Q50RXgj/image.png

Pulling the engine a week and a half later

https://i.postimg.cc/c4RMbCNk/image.png

https://i.postimg.cc/FHhg5vrr/image.png

https://i.postimg.cc/vTRfPF2d/image.png

Hotchkis swaybar:

https://i.postimg.cc/htCmk7Zs/image.png

Wrapped the stock header:

https://i.postimg.cc/k4StRYJY/image.png

More swaybar goodness:

https://i.postimg.cc/hPc7h0HM/image.png

Reman Mazda engine arrived!

https://i.postimg.cc/Dz9ShQrr/image.png

https://i.postimg.cc/L87Xkk0c/image.png

[DocWalt]

Quickly turned it into this:

https://i.postimg.cc/3NKJrtdv/image.png

Then this happened the next day:

https://i.postimg.cc/8kHzXg0B/image.png

https://i.postimg.cc/QxdxRnLL/image.png

I got the injectors cleaned and flow tested, when they arrived I quickly did this...

https://i.postimg.cc/D0yn3mMQ/image.png


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZScG2DmjFg


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOcdxvfIBLE

I've been breaking it in since!

https://i.postimg.cc/xC6BH56H/image.png

Did new brakes the other day :)

https://i.postimg.cc/KjfSRpXj/image.png

Tweaked the tune to better match the ignition coil dwell times to what the upgraded coils on my car want and it's *so* much smoother, more responsive, and feels more powerful too. Huge difference in performance from such a simple thing.

[stealthee]

You're just a glutton for punishment Kenny. My buddy and I went to lunch the other day to hang out. We were talking about rotary swapping a Starion/Conquest to really piss people off, but also talked about all the pitfalls of the rotary, then another friend called while we were still on the subject and we told him what I was thinking and his response was "As much as I want a rotary, I don't really want a rotary." :lol:

[anyonebutme]

Needs header, cat delete on stock tune for those flames....

[OhioSpyderman]

Beauty!!!

You'be probably had more cars in the last 5 years than I've had in my life....

Must be nice ;)

Bob.

[j2k4]

Beauty!!!

You'be probably had more cars in the last 5 years than I've had in my life....

Must be nice ;)

Bob.

This is absolutely disgusting.

Well done, Kenny. :biggrin:

The guy I bought my Stealth from replaced it with an RX8 - he was an unrepentant Auto-X racer driving on the street; we got to and from dinner in record time.

He'd bought the car one week and put four-point harnesses in the next - fucking needed them, too, the way he drove.

If I ever drove like that, they would have taken my license away til I was a fucking old man...like now.

[DocWalt]

Rotaries are fun :)

Mine shoots fire, haha. Catless for now :)

[DocWalt]

Ok, since my last post I got the tuned pretty well dialed in. Should be ~190whp now on 93 octane.

https://i.postimg.cc/zGQX3KX1/image.png

Got the midpipe with HFC done up with my buddy Jeff! He has quite a collection of Mazdas, haha.

https://i.postimg.cc/659QPB1F/image.png

Got the car inspected and an alignment was attempted... Unfortunately 6 of 8 adjusters were stuck so that turned into an adventure with the sawzall and new bushings and new arms where needed. Unfortunately I got the front control arms out fine but they exploded trying to press out the camber bushings... so Jeff volunteered up his spare control arms. I did Mazdaspeed offset bushings in the front upper control arms for more camber while it was apart.

https://i.postimg.cc/ZRtbxmd7/image.png

https://i.postimg.cc/MKPzrVBj/image.png

Alignment specs now are pretty nice!

https://i.postimg.cc/ydvmSLJN/image.png

Pretty low when the bushings are properly clocked (loosen them and torque everything at ride height)

https://i.postimg.cc/zfW5BQcn/image.png

https://i.postimg.cc/pTJHQFxr/image.png

[j2k4]

Looks like you've ODed, Kenny...:huh:

[DocWalt]

Did an SCCA Track Night in America! It rained a bunch, I only did two sessions, the truck broke, I spun the RX8 through the grass violently and avoided any sort of damage! Unfortunately the GoPro cut off literally 2 seconds before crossing the line on my fastest lap (1:54.7, nothing impressive if it was dry) and it missed my spin too.

Here's my first session:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysPl1rCwvO4

Here's my second session:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zf3pt149H1E

https://i.postimg.cc/dt4kRBJ9/image.png

[DocWalt]

https://i.postimg.cc/ncw5bPxq/image.png

New wheels are on, used takeoff tires from my Miata.

Coilovers ordered...

[j2k4]

Uh-oh - watch out now...

[B-Man]

I've always like the looks of those cars. Still not sold on doritos. A turbo K-Swap could be a lot of fun.

[j2k4]

I think Doc needs more drivers...

[DocWalt]

Doritos are the best

[DocWalt]

I ran the RX-8 for the first time today. Pulled off second in PAX and won STX! It's kind of a hot mess suspension wise, lowering springs on blown stock shocks, but if you drive it like an H Street Civic it's kinda ok? It does sweepers really well but transitions like crap.

My fastest clean run:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU5XhY2jbvk

My fastest dirty run (a few tenths faster but mostly got luckier with the car doing what I wanted:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4izsWk7jLh0

[anyonebutme]

Looks like in it's current config it needs more aggressive inputs. Bit faster on the wheel and more binary on the throttle? Toss and catch.

[DocWalt]

Looks like in it's current config it needs more aggressive inputs. Bit faster on the wheel and more binary on the throttle? Toss and catch.

Yep, figured that out by the end of the day. Was not pleasant to drive like that haha.

[DocWalt]

RX8 Performance motor mounts! My girlfriend bought these and helped install them. Essentially no NVH increase and way less flop from the engine. Even with new OEM mounts the engine was pretty floppy and that's all gone now! I still need to do diff mount bushings but that's quite a messy install so maybe down the road.

https://i.postimg.cc/qvcxSCGZ/image.png

Also, picked up some sweet JDM goodness thanks to Mazda Motorsports offloading wheels from their stillborn TCR project. These are 18x10 so they'll just be my nice street wheels.

https://i.postimg.cc/XYv9HDpX/image.png

https://i.postimg.cc/5N4zyk5p/image.png

https://i.postimg.cc/BnyPhSrw/image.png

https://i.postimg.cc/gjYxwnhr/image.png

[j2k4]

Need pics of the girlfriend, preferably with a wrench in her hand.

Do it now, Ken. ;)

[DocWalt]

LOL Nahhhh

[j2k4]

We are disappoint...

[DocWalt]

https://i.postimg.cc/ZnkpTdT6/image.png

Shipped today :)

[j2k4]

You obviously have too much money.

[DocWalt]

I wish!

[DocWalt]

Oh, forgot I did this mod! I upgraded to lower temperature thermostats in the oil coolers. Stock oil temperature at the coolers is 220-240F when they open which is absurdly high for oil temperatures on the street/autocross/even track use so I installed these lower temperature thermostats that are 165-175F. Much safer oil temperatures!

https://i.postimg.cc/0Q60k3XF/image.png

I also finally have a working airbag light. I had the light on in the cluster because this indicator didn't work properly. Ridiculous to have the airbag light on because of this mostly pointless indicator, but whatever. Laws are laws.

https://i.postimg.cc/W3RhZHbQ/image.png

[DocWalt]

Shaftworks USA dampers. Never had shocks with my name on them before :)

https://i.postimg.cc/FHWNCmDz/image.png

Raceseng Circuit Sphere knob thanks to Black Friday sale! I have one on my ND and it just feels nicer in the hand and looks cool on that car but on my RX-8 it shifts a LOT nicer too. Huge benefit that I wasn't really expecting.

https://i.postimg.cc/XvCmK0PT/image.png

[j2k4]

Are your balls still busted, Ken? :lo5l:

[DocWalt]

I got the new coilovers on this afternoon/evening and it rides better than the stock Bilsteins/Tein lowering springs (considering it was likely riding on bumpstops this is no surprise) while still being stiff and responsive while hooning it a little. Looking forward to actually getting to use them, though it seems like that will be in the spring.

Ignore the crusty rear suspension, haha. The only rust on the car is the rear control arms/subframe. I've been replacing arms here and there. Everything has come apart ok (except for the alignment eccentrics front & rear)

https://i.postimg.cc/NjQpRkLT/image.png

https://i.postimg.cc/dtj9QZn0/image.png

https://i.postimg.cc/MHxjgtCm/image.png



Balls are very much not busted, Kevin :p

[j2k4]

Did you buy this car from a pig, Doc?

Glad your balls are intact. ;)

[DocWalt]

Finally got the Rays wheels on! 18x10 ET40 with 265/35R18 Continental DWS06 tires.

https://i.postimg.cc/KcKqQPN0/image.png

https://i.postimg.cc/9XvxkDgC/image.png

https://i.postimg.cc/50X37JwX/image.png

https://i.postimg.cc/4xGWJrT0/image.png

[j2k4]

I don't care if it IS a Dorito, I like it.

Don't know if I could ever get used to driving one, though.

The idea of having to make V8 torque at 5-6K is where my comfort-level gets cranky; running where that thing needs to run is alien to me.

My buddy once threw me the keys to his TC for a 2-300 mile hop.

He took 'em back for the trip home, he was so disgusted.

I only ever tached it up when I raced, and never got used to seeing 7-8K on the street., cuz it made waaaaaay too much noise...:biggrin:

[DocWalt]

Haha, it's not nearly as gutless as it feels, but the torque curve is super flat so it's pretty much not-dramatic at all. Turbo rotaries are way more peaky, but they still like revs!

[j2k4]

It really is another thing altogether, isn't it?

Gotta keep 'em singing...

[DocWalt]

New xforce catback arrived today. Threw it on after work! Pretty happy with it, only one sorta silly fitment issue, the stock orientation of the camber bolts is now "backwards" and I won't be able to get a socket & torque wrench on so the bolts will get flipped during my next alignment.

Seems way quieter in the cabin but a nice volume increase outside without too much terrible noise. Love it!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEFMmysBWj8

https://i.postimg.cc/X7m5kLnR/PXL-20210106-223338884.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/sXjGg0Jh/PXL-20210106-223352503.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/xdSbWdJg/PXL-20210106-223406980.jpg

New exhaust weight (with about half a pound of bubble wrap and cardboard):

https://i.postimg.cc/hPfxm6R8/PXL-20210106-170854495.jpg

Stock exhaust:

https://i.postimg.cc/x1mzxmCc/PXL-20210106-232737684.jpg

The weird fitment issue I mentioned.

https://i.postimg.cc/HL47HCbm/PXL-20210106-223245497.jpg

[j2k4]

Pretty, for an exhaust system...

[DocWalt]

It's not the exhaust system I wanted but covid has that delayed indefinitely sooooo.... This will do! A bit too quiet and heavy, but meh. Fine for the intended use.

[j2k4]

I noticed you used a moving blanket to work on it.

They're the bomb.

I've got scads of them.

[DocWalt]

Yep, they're amazing and cheap! I've got a few too

[anyonebutme]

Yea......I like having a lift better

[j2k4]

I missed a nice opportunity about ten years ago, never came close again.

[stealthee]

Yea......I like having a lift better
I'd be good if I just had my own garage.

[anyonebutme]

I'd be good if I just had my own garage.

Scope creep.........when you have one.....you'll lust for a larger one..........and eventually end up still wanting a lift, ect.

[stealthee]

Oh, I know it. I've been hanging out at my buddy's shop a lot this past week. I've spent plenty of other time there, but was there 4 days in a row this week, and just having access to the lifts, and heated floors, and open spaces makes me really want to find a piece of property to build a nice garage.... and a house.

[DocWalt]

I definitely want a lift, but working out of my parents' garage, so... It is what it is!

Took some pics :)

https://i.postimg.cc/3JfQvbns/PXL-20210105-182024846-edit.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/kXgdDdFN/PXL-20210110-213723351.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/0j81Yggs/PXL-20210110-213834625.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/JnCLhDPt/PXL-20210110-213912538.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/Jn3WHr2x/PXL-20210110-214000225-2.jpg

[anyonebutme]

https://www.racecarsdirect.com/Advert/Details/77102/2008-riley-mazda-rx-8-gt-grand-am-race-car?Published_by_Mike_Walters=&fbclid=IwAR1y58-6fHUYu4B7LTMFwTebOP2LA7gRtXUSEx_I8PedtHs508au_XGqW _0

[DocWalt]

Just a whee bit out of my budget... by about a single zero.

[stealthee]

Move the decimal back two spots and I'd get it.

[SeanGrey]

The car looks really awesome!!!

[DocWalt]

I did my first time trials event this weekend, it was a two day event but I only did Saturday. Whoever had the best lap of the weekend in my class (SCCA Tuner 4) could win and with a little better conditions on Sunday it was up for grabs. I ended up winning by 1.6 seconds or so while setting a new track record! Here's my fastest lap, unfortunately no audio as GoPro's mic adapter needs to be reconnected every time you power cycle the camera and I forgot.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBEiZnov9TQ

[FeaRpb]

Hadnt seen this thread here, but have been seeing your posts on SM. Looks like you are having a blast with that thing.

[DocWalt]

Ran a 2:11.2 this weekend at VIR. Unofficially though as SCCA was using the back straight S/F line and I caught the Camaro at the end of this video as he sputtered out of fuel on what was on pace to be a 2:10.9 officially... Ugh.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoMMEMF5g9E

Had a bit of an off in South Bend too! Whoops... No real damage, some scrapes on the S2 factory metal undertray thing and it tore the exhaust wrapping off of my catback.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orM6Y5bT6KE

Working audio this time too ;)

[anyonebutme]

That gear change got ya, lol. Basically a clutch drop gave ya a bit of a shove.

[DocWalt]

That gear change got ya, lol. Basically a clutch drop gave ya a bit of a shove.

Got 6th instead of 4th and it just didn't rotate for shit and distracted trying to get 4th gear and just drove off track lol

[DocWalt]

https://i.postimg.cc/sg8HDLJM/A9000162-2.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/kXgTNC1V/A9001213-1.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/Sxjt44c0/A9001227-1.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/g0ZSwKMN/A9003226.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/pVZ0nrZb/A9003676-2.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/76SWRN0f/A9003780.jpg

[DocWalt]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXsytqDpMKw

Not my fastest run but the GoPro burped and locked up.

My girlfriend Amy drove as well, she's planning on driving the RX-8 all year :)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9tiu3zYhI8

[DocWalt]

https://i.postimg.cc/5tnsrXSF/0-A8-A0764-ZF-4549-54984-1-001.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/JnFP1Sgr/0-A8-A0933-ZF-4549-54984-1-002.jpg

[anyonebutme]

My girlfriend Amy drove as well, she's planning on driving the RX-8 all year :)


Uh oh, creeping towards being "her car", lol

[j2k4]

https://i.postimg.cc/5tnsrXSF/0-A8-A0764-ZF-4549-54984-1-001.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/JnFP1Sgr/0-A8-A0933-ZF-4549-54984-1-002.jpg

Good form - should she tighten her belt a wee bit, just for the run?

She just about picked up a tire, there...:Bow:

[anyonebutme]

She just about picked up a tire, there...:Bow:

Not her first rodeo, lol.

[DocWalt]

Yeah she owned an NA Miata autocross car for a while and has been driving a Civic (gross)

[anyonebutme]

Says the guy who raced a GTI? Maybe she can run civics with alessadrini in grid life?

[DocWalt]

Says the guy who raced a GTI? Maybe she can run civics with alessadrini in grid life?

lmfao. Mostly just an H Street prepped Civic is the worst car I've ever autocrossed.

Amy did well in the RX-8 at NNJR's second event too, 7th in STX with a really competitive time in a HUGE field!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbAJ8mAoESo

[j2k4]

lmfao. Mostly just an H Street prepped Civic is the worst car I've ever autocrossed.

Amy did well in the RX-8 at NNJR's second event too, 7th in STX with a really competitive time in a HUGE field!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbAJ8mAoESo

Way to go, Amy!


I had a mind to build another drag car and put Missus J in the seat, but I can't get her to put out her cigarette.

I'll be damned if I'm gonna build an ATX car...

[DocWalt]

A good event! Great weather, lots of runs, and a simple but fun course. I took first in PAX with Amy not very far behind in 16th.

Here's my video:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX5P65s-qhA

Here's Amy's video:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANEjymVFwuo

[DocWalt]

Amy did a great job this weekend in the RX-8! Solidly midpack in a *stacked* field at NNJR and battled for the win at Philly!

Amy's fastest NNJR run:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiusxEeUnaQ

Amy's fastest Philly run:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f09EoN2_OP8

[j2k4]

You go, Amy...:bigthumb:

[DocWalt]

Went and got my car dyno'd... I've had weak/sluggish starts for a couple of weeks. Looks like one or more of my coils died. BHR D585, so I upgraded to the new BHR OEM direct fit coils and all good now. Just a waste of a dyno session, haha.

Ignition coil failure shows itself worst after the 6th ports open at ~6400 RPM (the dip seen on the dyno plot, that's normal) and essentially just totally kills the top end. The car is noticeably quicker everywhere with new coils but mostly up top.

https://i.postimg.cc/zBf4Kkj0/image.png

[anyonebutme]

Heh, I can literally say my lug nuts require more torque than your car makes, lol.

[j2k4]

Heh, I can literally say my lug nuts require more torque than your car makes, lol.

Heh...

[DocWalt]

:( jerks

[j2k4]

What can you do about it, Doc?

Certainly no one can say you aren't wringing it out as much as you can, but that's kind of your MO.


Maybe you need another Mustang...

[anyonebutme]

What can you do about it, Doc?

Certainly no one can say you aren't wringing it out as much as you can, but that's kind of your MO.


Maybe you need another Mustang...

No, the ultimate evil to an RX owner........LS swap. Lol.

[j2k4]

No, the ultimate evil to an RX owner........LS swap. Lol.

How could I have forgotten? ;)

[DocWalt]

Amy ran the RX-8 and had the same issues with the Nankang CR-1 behavior, except they seemed to move around even more on the RX-8 with its extra weight.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFjga5dDlVE

https://i.postimg.cc/8cHHpy4g/image.png

[DocWalt]

I'm not swapping the RX-8 with anything except maybe a 13B or 20B... :)

[j2k4]

I'm not swapping the RX-8 with anything except maybe a 13B or 20B... :)

We know. :)

[DocWalt]

More Nankang CR-1 testing, this time at Pocono! Amy's first real experience using third gear on course and we sorted out the feel of the Nankangs!

Amy's fastest run:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbvUfFQqjzs

My fastest run:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2I-exr5JCo

[j2k4]

What are you gonna do when she catches you, Doc?

[DocWalt]

:dontknow:

[anyonebutme]

Be braver, lol. Also, FWIW, the rx8's in rolex ran 20B's, so that should class them as an OEM approved swap, lol.

[j2k4]

If she passes you, you'd have to marry her to get the driving lessons free.

[DocWalt]

2021 Finger Lakes Champ Tour:

Meanwhile, Amy didn't get to do the Test N Tune and arrived on site Saturday not having had the chance to walk course yet, so we quickly did some course walks and got the RX-8 ready. She killed it and was quickly fighting for trophies once she was up to speed. Only half a second or so outside the trophies with no real chance to warm up and try car setup things.

Here's Amy's fastest Saturday run:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49h7Lcx8JaA

On Sunday Amy was much more quickly up to speed but had to clean up a cone after her first run but she recovered well and was only thousandths behind the podium on day two!

Here's Amy's fastest Sunday run:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNLNfr0sJHo

[j2k4]

You go, Amy! :Bow:

[DocWalt]

Amy & I drove the RX-8, tons of fun and we got to ride with each other which was fantastic. Great learning experience. Sorry about the audio, the microphone fell out of its mounting clip and was buzzing around inside the trunk. Amy finished 2nd in STX and in the top quarter of PAX too! I ended up first in PAX which was nice because we were on the slower Nankangs.

Amy's fastest run:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEELWr42idI

My fastest run:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKkOlIqAbBk

[j2k4]

Amy, see if this makes any sense - I don't want to offend, sincerely - but watching those two vids back-to-back, it occurs to me that while you drive the car, Doc wrangles it a bit more.

Get nasty and push that son-of-a-bitch...;)

[DocWalt]

Amy is working on the aggression and trusting the car :)

[j2k4]

Amy is working on the aggression and trusting the car :)

I'm telling you, Kenny, if she starts getting by you and likes it, you might be in trouble. :biggrin:

[DocWalt]

A really fun day of autocross on Sunday with Philly SCCA. We were at Ripken stadium in Aberdeen, MD for the first time in a long time for Philly. The site has some terrain features that make it difficult to make a super technical course, but we got a solid 45 second course with plenty of sweeping corners. Fun and simple and safe! Both cars were on the Nankang CR-1s again doing more testing/conserving tires for nationals... They seemed to work pretty well, grip is up to about what I'd expect from the Yokohama A052s finally after some minor car changes.

Amy ran the RX-8 with Eric Simmons and they took home first and second in STX.

Amy's second fastest run thanks to some GoPro issues:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRg1ove8j3I

Simmons' fastest run:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNSQeoE_rd8

[DocWalt]

Audio is wind noise because the GoPro external microphone adapter is stupid. Ran a 1:33.6 last night at NJMP Thunderbolt during TNiA. Running Nankang CR-1s instead of Yoko A052s, but no setup changes from autocross. Stock brake pads and all!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFpco5Yd43s

[DocWalt]

Amy drove the RX-8 all weekend and had a fantastic battle for the podium for the weekend in STX. She drove great and is really finding a bunch of time and learning every event. Super proud of her! Amy also had two different codrivers this weekend. Sam on Saturday and Nick on Sunday. Nick is a longtime rotary enthusiast and Sam I think has been converted, haha. Everyone gave great feedback on the RX-8 setup and I've got some minor changes incoming to help that! Big thanks to Shaftworks USA for the setup help so far!

Amy's Saturday run (fastest didn't get recorded):


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmBZHvmVlNs

Amy's Sunday run (again, her fastest run didn't get recorded):


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab1o_OGi9lY

Sam's Saturday run:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QunrSvwOYX0

Nick's Sunday run:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqCxUk4h84g

[DocWalt]

I whipped up an intake that stays STX/DSP legal. Fairly cheap and should really help get hot air out of the radiator. Unfortunately still dumps into the fairly enclosed series 2 engine bay, but it is what it is. The series 2 undertray really seems to limit airflow out of the engine bay.

https://i.postimg.cc/Df9WxhsQ/image.png

https://i.postimg.cc/432yVRs9/image.png

https://i.postimg.cc/JnBrXypf/image.png

[j2k4]

The series 2 undertray really seems to limit airflow out of the engine bay.

Firgure out how to turbocharge that, Doc.








You know what?

l'll bet Big Tyla could help...;)

[DocWalt]

Haha. Sure :p

[anyonebutme]

I guess a vented hood isn't legal, even if metal?

[DocWalt]

I guess a vented hood isn't legal, even if metal?

Correct :(

[DocWalt]

Back onto the Yokohamas on both cars, hurray! SUPER close results. 40th in PAX was only 1.2 seconds off of first, wild.

Amy's fastest, good for 4th in STX and 40th in PAX:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LUNes_EDuM

Simmons' fastest, good for 3rd in STX and 27th in PAX:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePx0BJ_rf6Y

[j2k4]

Well done!

I'd be really good at auto-cross if they had walls instead of cones...:rolleyes:

[DocWalt]

Walls seems a little violent lol

[j2k4]

Walls seems a little violent lol

Zackly - but they really make you steer decisively. ;)

[DocWalt]

My fiancée Amy was codriving with Eric Simmons to get ready for nats too! Simmons pulled off the win in STX with Amy not far behind in third. RX-8 is well sorted now too. We're looking forward to killing it at nats!

Amy's fastest run:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8isUMT0_KOw

Simmons' fastest run:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ibv2InCd64k

[j2k4]

Fiancee, huh? :biggrin:

[DocWalt]

mhmm :)

[j2k4]

Good deal, Ken - glad to hear it.

Give her your all.







Hell, give her mine, too - I ain't using it. ;)

[DocWalt]

Unfortunately Amy & Simmons had issues with cameras/tablet and only really got data from the Pro Finale. No videos to share, sorry! Amy & Simmons both had issues with the christmas tree lights, car setup, and mistakes. Simmons redlit away 2nd place, just not a great event.

Amy and Simmons had a better nats, but had to make car setup changes often too. So weird that the ProSolo setups that worked well were terrible for nats! Simmons finished just outside of the trophies after really struggling with the car setup while Amy finished up second in STXL! Amy worked hard and had a huge back and forth battle with the winner and it was a ton of fun to watch. Amy was leading on day 1 and every run would take the lead back on day 2, but just missed out at the end. She still got a huge trophy and had a ton of fun!

Amy's second fastest West side run (camera issues again):


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdz4j6CM4Ks

Amy's fastest East side run:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk7P9-yexoI

No video for Simmons (yet more camera issues...)

[DocWalt]

Saturday, NNJR SCCA had an autocross at MetLife stadium. I had a lot of fun but never *quite* got a run I was happy with. Still, third in PAX so I can't complain! I think I wrapped up the NNJR Driver of the Year too!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDY14bhTN7o

Philly SCCA had an event at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen. I designed and set up the course... and then took top PAX by over half a second. Only tiny mistakes keeping me from having a perfect run, but I'm pretty happy with the result! Need another good one next weekend to clinch the Philly SCCA DOTY honors again!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JzYGoMeY9w

Matt Meyer codrove and did well, coned away 2nd in PAX with this run!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKGSBVgW_os

Unfortunately in the meantime, I've got a transmission to replace. It's a little crunchy and 6th gear synchro completely died on the way to nats... and now I have a CEL for the rear O2 sensor heater circuit. UGH.

[j2k4]

Design the course, then win going away?



BRILLIANT!! :lo5l:

[j2k4]

Unfortunately in the meantime, I've got a transmission to replace. It's a little crunchy and 6th gear synchro completely died on the way to nats... and now I have a CEL for the rear O2 sensor heater circuit. UGH.


You should never have gotten rid of your 3S.

Or your Dubs.

[DocWalt]

You should never have gotten rid of your 3S.

Or your Dubs.

I... uh.... No. Haha

[DocWalt]

https://i.postimg.cc/MGDYYdR2/image.png

Got the water pump underdrive pulley installed easily, just bolted on like stock. I've done some logging too, good temps while cruising around (180F stable with AC on, as usual) and temps so far are better at autocross. They still recover super quickly too and I'm not seeing as wild high temps. I used to see 217F at the end of autocross runs, I've done one event and I'm only seeing 205F as a peak on course even with a lot more rev limiter action at 9800 RPM. No more autocross events planned this year for me, sadly. Might get to do a track day or autocross, unsure though!

Big thanks to Dennis at HGB Motorsports for the pulley and hand delivery at nats!



Great to be back to Warminster with Philly SCCA! A little different format, but still really fun. I ended up wrapping up Philly SCCA's Driver of the Year honors this weekend. Amy ended up third in STX for the year too, really good weekend for both of us.

My second fastest dirty run (weird data issues after having to stop for a downed cone on my first run that set the finish in the wrong spot in SoloStorm):


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3xGQiUZ-wM

My fastest clean run:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slCd0c-NbJA

Amy's fastest dirty run (I don't have a clue which run was her fast clean run due to both of us getting reruns due to poor course working):


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECJi0UiO4_o

[j2k4]

Congrats to you both. :)

This should result in trophy pictures, no?

[DocWalt]

Yeah, I already have the Philly DOY trophy above my PC from last year, not sure NNJR has one.

[DocWalt]

I made a spring rate change from 672/448 lbs/in to 800/600 lbs/in (front/rear) after the last Philly event. It was a huge improvement in ease of driving the car, so much easier to place the car now and it even rides better on the street. I need a little bit more front bar, it was pretty loose (especially on exit!) and my front bar is maxed with the rear disconnected. I'm upgrading from Hotchkis RX-8 front bar to Progress Tech, the bar rate change should mean I'll be towards the bottom of adjustment on the Progress Tech so I may add a little bit of rake to balance it

Yoks were really BALD but we did well. Fastest STX car and just about fastest <400hp car at NNJR. John V's car dominated PAX with Evan Schickel at the wheel. Clearly his changes have worked well too, haha.

https://i.postimg.cc/fTJKB42c/image.png

My fastest run:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJZ2Trp6vSo

Talha's fastest run:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsW1rTbM008

Interesting side by side comparison of us. I made a bit of time on the first two sweepers then Talha made it back in the big slalom. I was a little bit out of position for the sweeper after the big slalom putting me out of position for the final turnaround but it wasn't worth more than a couple of tenths.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgdRxMrlMME

[j2k4]

Damn, almost mirror images...

[DocWalt]

Upgraded to a stiffer front swaybar, Progress Tech's RX-8 swaybar.

https://i.postimg.cc/bYRfK9KM/image.png

Cleaned the air filter and added a filter sock to keep water out of it when it rains. If the car was parked and sat in a longer rain storm, enough water would drip on the air filter past the hood seal that it would mess with MAF readings and run poorly until it dried out enough. Annoying!

https://i.postimg.cc/MKrNSPts/image.png

[DocWalt]

My wife bought my old RX-8 back, so my time will be a bit divided between two cars :)

https://i.postimg.cc/xTSBkTdB/PXL-20240329-213628269.jpg

[j2k4]

Ken has two other women in his life, now...