So, I haven't been making much in the way of updates on this thread, as I've been posting post-event writeups after each race. Since the 2008 PPIHC is right around the corner, I though I'd bump this back to the top. Hell, maybe I'll generate some interest and see you up on the hill!

Car updates:

On the last hairpin at the last event, something funny happened to the driveline. I missed the shift into second (getting bumped around in the car), bogged it, then clutch kicked it to get moving again. I didn't hear any weird noise at the time, but as soon as we headed back to the pits, I noticed a noise. I get a whine when accellerating or decellerating, but as soon as the clutch goes in, the sound goes away. I'm not sure what the noise is, but I'll be bringing it down to our transmission shop on Thursday afternoon. Wish me luck, I hope it isn't expensive!

I spent the last few evenings fabbing up a box to go around the air filter so as to seal it off from the heat of the engine bay (pics to come later), and plan to do the same with the intake pipe, and the upper intercooler pipe. I can't say that any one of these things will make a huge difference, but with all the extra strees & heat caused by 10,000+ elevation, but it won't hurt.

I also ordered up a RV water pump that cycles from 20-35psi which I will be using in our intercooler misting setup. The AMS IC has been great so far, and I figure giving it a little bit of a helping hand might keep us from losing additional power due to the extra strain the altitude puts on the stock turbo...

Which brings me to our next announcement. I've just ordered up a FP White turbo. After talking with Robert @ FP, it really sounds like this turbo might be the ticket for overcoming the effects of altitude without resorting to anti-lag. The bonus is that this turbo should make an excellent choice when we're running a 34mm restrictor at Rally Colorado. So, while not the 35R on a stroker motor and anti-lag I was hoping to run back when I started this thread, I think the FP White should give us a nice little bump in power while still providing great pull out of the tight corners.

Thanks for reading,

Dave

 

With the afternoon off work today I set to figure out what was wrong with the drivetrain. With the telephone help of Ace Transmissions in Colorado Springs, and a lift at Salta Motorsports here in Denver (hey, diesel is expensive...so I decided to stay in town), we determined that the noise was coming from the rear diff, though it was a bit hard at first, as I was only running a mid-pipe. Try listening for a drivetrain noise with a screwdriver handle in one ear, and an 80mm exhaust pointed at the other.

After another quick call to Ace, I think we've got the problem nailed down to the bearings. We saw quite a bit of fine metal in the diff fluid, but no large chunks as we pulled off the rear access cover. Teeth on the pinion looked perfect, but the diff was howling. I'm going to try and order up a new bearing kit for it and hopefully I'll be back in business by the middle of next week.

Dave

 

Sounds like the perfect time to get your diff serviced by TRE (i.e. rear diff upgrade).

Thanks for the updates, and good luck with the FP White.

l8r)

 

Nope, we're already running a Cusco RS rear diff that's setup as a 2-way, so even a stock diff upgraded wouldn't get us what we're after. The diff itself is still in great shape, just the bearings are shot.

I have heard very good things about the TRE upgrade though.

Dave

 

mate Please no "Mooning" us this time
Lets hope you and Lisa make it to the top
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygruOWTzioc
watch at 2minites 35 seconds left hand side ........
Leon

 

I thought it might've been someone I know...but that video's from ~5 years ago before they put all that pavement down. I was there one of the year's SCCA ran up there, but was at Devils Playground not down in the W's (and kept my pants on the whole day).

Dave

 

I've been making some good progress on the car over the past few nights. I have installed a sheet of 3/16" HDPE from the back of the floor pan that extends rearwards to the rear swaybar/suspension linkage.

I got into work this morning and had pictures of the new front assembly from David over at DHP Composites and I can't wipe the grin off my face. His parts are truely a work of art!!

I should have these installed on the car over the weekend along with the rear spoiler that DHP has built. Should look really mean!

Dave

 

Great looking build Dave! I have never done any off raod racing but that looks like a god time.
It was nice talking to you on the phone. Let me know when you get your box from USPS.

 

make sure to post pictures of the install!!!

 

Awesome build! Great to see the entire process. If you need anything, let me know!

 

David (DHP) my wife and I made these for the SVSU FSAE car a few years ago they never ended up using them but thought you guys would like to see a little slow speed down force. The whole package weighted about 20lbs.

 

AWESOME NEWS David!

That car is going to be a monster, we sure are glad to have you on our team!

Eric

 

Eric, how about you give him on of your 2.3RR engines for them to try?? if Lars car is anyhting to go by it should work a treat for them!

Chris,

 

hahaha if only it was that easy LOL

Eric

 

We're focusing on the chassis/suspension side of things for this year, but maybe I'll find some $$ for one of those AMS RR motors and a 35R for next year.

Progress update: No new pictures, but loads of progress over the weekend. The DHP Composites wing is on the car and it looks MEAN! The splitter and canard assembly really finishes off the look, but isn't quite ready for final install. Graphics & logos have been put down on the car, and I hope everyone likes the look.

In other news, we've worked out a deal with someone working for Autoweek, and we will be carrying a roof mounted camera with us for the entire event! In addition, we will have a few other cameras going in the car as well, so hopefully we'll have a good selection of footage to put together a nice video.

The car is on the dyno now getting tuned for the new FP White. I'm not expecting big numbers, but rather am hoping for something that will allow us to rev the engine a bit further, making the shift into 5th less of a strain, while retaining stock-like spool to help us pull out of the hairpins.

Thats all for now, thanks for following along!

Dave