| Author |
Message |
Andrew McKellar
TryHard
NSW
Soarer Sports Sedan (well, nearly); '84 MA61 Supra.
Posts: 193
Reg: 06-2008
|
Noice!
Can I have a drive on your private race track when my car is done too? |
Joshua Rao
Goo Roo
WA
JZZ30 vvti GT-L
Posts: 1334
Reg: 09-2006
|
And me. Keep up the good work Phil. Very interesting to read. Thanks |
Phil Gibson
Goo Roo
WA
'91 UZZ31 track bunky, '94 blk/blk UZZ31
Posts: 1364
Reg: 07-2005
|
you guys are in luck - theres an extension of my private track right outside your places...
Anyway yeah so the coilovers are in, but ive still got a list of things to do as long as my arm
On top of that, when i started up the black Soarer to go to work this morning the dash flickered - Oh noes, the dreaded BLINKIDASH!
The bunky has it too (worse), plus ive got a spare dash lying around, so might as well fix them all at once... three blinkidash fixes coming up  |
Phil Gibson
Goo Roo
WA
'91 UZZ31 track bunky, '94 blk/blk UZZ31
Posts: 1375
Reg: 07-2005
|
current state of car-
I did eventually get the climate control system out in one piece, and only broke two small bits of plastic - win!
•••• i came close to getting the sledgehammer out though.... |
Ben Lipman
Goo Roo
NSW
Soarer TT manual
Posts: 1266
Reg: 04-2006
|
Phil Gibson wrote on Monday, February 09, 2009 - 11:14 pm:•••• i came close to getting the sledgehammer out though....
You are a better man than me. I lost it after a while and used a six foot shovel for the final finessing. That thing is huge.
Phil Gibson wrote on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - 10:09 pm:you guys are in luck - theres an extension of my private track right outside your places...
I have an issue with this...if your track has been extended to outside my place, why on earth would you let a copper live a couple of doors down and allow him to extend the police station to include the road right outside his place. |
Phil Gibson
Goo Roo
WA
'91 UZZ31 track bunky, '94 blk/blk UZZ31
Posts: 1376
Reg: 07-2005
|
Heh it was only thanks to the advice from you and Lew that i tried to get it out intact in the first place 
Protip - dont look at the service manual
It conveniently forgets to tell you the location of two hidden bolts... |
Ben Lipman
Goo Roo
NSW
Soarer TT manual
Posts: 1270
Reg: 04-2006
|
Ahhhhhh. That's why it wouldn't come out. I double checked and everything. |
Andrew McKellar
TryHard
NSW
Soarer Sports Sedan (well, nearly); '84 MA61 Supra.
Posts: 205
Reg: 06-2008
|
I think I see your problem in that photo Phil. There's something wrong with your tilt steering column.
Are you going to pull the rest of the heater components out? It'll make the climate control removal seem like a walk in the park... |
Phil Gibson
Goo Roo
WA
'91 UZZ31 track bunky, '94 blk/blk UZZ31
Posts: 1379
Reg: 07-2005
|
Oh the steering column was another story, i was going to remove that (apparently comes off in one piece) and looked at the manual toi see how to do it
Well i got most of the way there, and then theres a step where it just says
REMOVE BOLT.
WHICH BOLT?! THERES 5000 OF THEM!!! 
So anyway that was as far as i got with that.
Thinking about it, it may be the column uni joint bolt right down at the firewall, but im not sure i will bother anyway as although theres a fair few kilos of weight in the thing (its the fully electric one) im not sure i can strip it and still have a useable steering column.
Would be nice to have the manual-adjust one methinks
Which heater bits are you talking about? Its all contained in the CC unit which i removed? |
Andrew McKellar
TryHard
NSW
Soarer Sports Sedan (well, nearly); '84 MA61 Supra.
Posts: 206
Reg: 06-2008
|
Phil Gibson wrote on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 01:51 am:Thinking about it, it may be the column uni joint bolt right down at the firewall, but im not sure i will bother anyway as although theres a fair few kilos of weight in the thing (its the fully electric one) im not sure i can strip it and still have a useable steering column.
Yep, I think it is referring to this one:
Once you take that bolt out the shaft/column pulls out easily.
You're right about stripping the rest of the bits away though - they are pretty much permanently attached to the shaft. I found it easier just to replace the whole thing, although that means not using the original steering column mounting points too...
By heater bits I was referring to every component of the heating/cooling system. I removed it all, including hoses, heat exchangers, the lot. All with the engine still in the car... |
Phil Gibson
Goo Roo
WA
'91 UZZ31 track bunky, '94 blk/blk UZZ31
Posts: 1381
Reg: 07-2005
|
All the heater bits are in this monstrosity
all i had to do was reconnect the heater in and outlet hoses together at the back of the engine, all the a/c stuff is already gone |
Chris Round
Tinkerer
WA
Soarer TT JZZ30
Posts: 26
Reg: 06-2008
|
Far out how much does that weigh!!!
These luxury cars sure can lose a bit of weight in track mode!!! |
Joe Russell
TryHard
Marlborough
4.0 V8 GT-L
Posts: 210
Reg: 10-2008
|
My god. So thats what takes up the dash. |
Andrew McKellar
TryHard
NSW
Soarer Sports Sedan (well, nearly); '84 MA61 Supra.
Posts: 214
Reg: 06-2008
|
That was clever to move it into the boot to help with weight distribution Phil!  |
Phil Gibson
Goo Roo
WA
'91 UZZ31 track bunky, '94 blk/blk UZZ31
Posts: 1383
Reg: 07-2005
|
yes its going to be new fuel cooler |
Phil Gibson
Goo Roo
WA
'91 UZZ31 track bunky, '94 blk/blk UZZ31
Posts: 1389
Reg: 07-2005
|
Another essential item went in today - video camera mount
Its basically the head off a broken tripod bolted through the parcel shelf with a bit of foam to dampen vibration/shocks
Works really well although not CAMS approved (5mm thick ally box, wtf....) but seeing as i dont actually *own* a camera yet im not too concerned
Test footage was good although standard cameras like these dont really have a wide enough angle lens for the best view
 |
Ben Lipman
Goo Roo
NSW
Soarer TT manual
Posts: 1339
Reg: 04-2006
|
I have been considering how to get in car footage from my track car as well.
There are technical papers written by CAMS scrutineers that deal with the issues. I have them hard copy- I'll see if they have a web address on them.
Obviously any mount design is proportional to the weight of the camera. I had a small digital camera mounted to the rear view mirror by wide sections of bike inner tube for a while and it never looked like moving. The CAMS guys do, however, generally hate cameras supported by the tripod mount only.
From memory the 5mm refers to the size 'lip' required to stop lateral/longitudinal movement, not the thickness of material. |
Phil Gibson
Goo Roo
WA
'91 UZZ31 track bunky, '94 blk/blk UZZ31
Posts: 1392
Reg: 07-2005
|
I did come a cross a CAMS bulletin a while back addressing in-car cameras but didnt pay a whole lot of attention to it at the time... might have to have another look for it on their website |
Phil Gibson
Goo Roo
WA
'91 UZZ31 track bunky, '94 blk/blk UZZ31
Posts: 1393
Reg: 07-2005
|
quick update- First proper track day this week and another at Wanneroo the week after so got some decent tyres for the rear - Kumho KU36 in 275/40/17
Unsuccesfully tried to diagnose a clunk in the left front suspension that appeared when the coilovers were put in... starting to think it may be the coilovers themselves and they mightve had a fair bit more use than i thought when i bought them... hmmm
Had more luck with the flatspot in the engine that appeared at the last skidpan session - in a rare flash of logic i started with the easiest fix first - couple of bottles of injector cleaner - and that seems to have done the trick, she is running well now |
Ben Lipman
Goo Roo
NSW
Soarer TT manual
Posts: 1368
Reg: 04-2006
|
Are your sway bar links still tight? Mine worked loose and caused a clunk.
Are the coils in the coilovers seated correctly? (not sure what your spring seats look like)
Otherwise, after you have checked it three times, just get the missus or a mate to look at it. They always find it first go. |
Phil Gibson
Goo Roo
WA
'91 UZZ31 track bunky, '94 blk/blk UZZ31
Posts: 1394
Reg: 07-2005
|
haha yeah thats usually how it works
They will be the same as yours. I pulled the suspect one out on the weekend because the bottom bush was distorted but sorting that didnt fix things and everything else seems tight... might try swapping parts over next |
Ben Lipman
Goo Roo
NSW
Soarer TT manual
Posts: 1370
Reg: 04-2006
|
I forgot you ended up with HSDs.
The Kei office ones I pulled out had massive wear around the bush and made a clunk. Dead obvious once they were out of the car, but not too easy to see on the car.
Now I have no interior, every noise in the car is so much louder. I picked up a loose nut in the rear coilover straight away. Both helpful and annoying. |
Phil Gibson
Goo Roo
WA
'91 UZZ31 track bunky, '94 blk/blk UZZ31
Posts: 1395
Reg: 07-2005
|
Trackday was a partial success - There was a combination of skidpan runs...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYtx_UuRJ7s
and short test track runs (unfortunately didnt get to use the full track)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzFr3qEEPLY
The track was fairly tight and all 2nd gear, although it doesnt look it she was getting up to around 110km/h on the short straight before the left-hander but didnt really have the grunt out of the slower corners
Towards the end of the day though she started to run a bit warm and spitting coolant out. I made it halfway home and had to shut it down and get a tow - im hoping its a blockage somewhere and not the water pump... need to sort it before next thursdays track day! |
James Johnson
Goo Roo
Victoria
92 TT Manual
Posts: 1129
Reg: 07-2005
|
what did you think of the tyres? up to the task? |
Phil Gibson
Goo Roo
WA
'91 UZZ31 track bunky, '94 blk/blk UZZ31
Posts: 1398
Reg: 07-2005
|
Happy with the tyres, definately a lot more grip there than before. I ended up setting the rear coilovers a bit stiffer to compensate.
Like the RE01-Rs on the front the Kumhos are very soft and grippy for a street tyre so it will be interesting to see how they hold up and what kind of life i'll get out of them |
Phil Gibson
Goo Roo
WA
'91 UZZ31 track bunky, '94 blk/blk UZZ31
Posts: 1403
Reg: 07-2005
|
Wanneroo was mint
Car didnt miss a beat - brakes were good, tyres were good, in the end a got a 60.66 on the short track, which is a pretty decent time and better than i expected. Overall came 23rd out of over 50 cars which put me ahead of many more powerful cars like Skylines and Commodores
Got a few "WTF's" in pit lane from it being a V8 and auto, hahaha
Vids to follow, might have to accelerate plans for a manual conversion now! |
Dave Cazes
TryHard
sa
tt
Posts: 375
Reg: 08-2007
|
I found some nice heater boxes for race cars or jeeps, so you people can do away with he stock ones when racing.
About $200AUD, 3 fan levels, hooks up to your coolant hoses like normal, and is about the size of 2 head units (CD players)
Only reason Id want on is for a demister in my track car |
Phil Gibson
Goo Roo
WA
'91 UZZ31 track bunky, '94 blk/blk UZZ31
Posts: 1404
Reg: 07-2005
|
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mrgi_btI85g |
Andrew McKellar
TryHard
NSW
Soarer Sports Sedan (well, nearly); '84 MA61 Supra.
Posts: 233
Reg: 06-2008
|
I know the talk about in-car video was a month or so ago, but have you seen this camera?
http://www.oregonscientific.com.au/shop/product.asp?cid=8&scid=135&pid=978
One of the Sports Sedans guys had it mounted at Eastern Creek, and the footage was quite good. |
Phil Gibson
Goo Roo
WA
'91 UZZ31 track bunky, '94 blk/blk UZZ31
Posts: 1412
Reg: 07-2005
|
pretty compact!
More footage of me chasing an R34 Skyline
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMRYql4Bn9I |
Damian Ware
DieHard
Victoria
UZZ32
Posts: 875
Reg: 10-2005
|
Awesome, but you seriously need to improve the headlights. |
Phil Gibson
Goo Roo
WA
'91 UZZ31 track bunky, '94 blk/blk UZZ31
Posts: 1413
Reg: 07-2005
|
heh... the camera makes it look darker than it really was, the track is reasonably well lit up so i didnt have any problems with visibility
Thats not to say that the stock Soarer headlights couldnt do with some improving though... |
Phil Gibson
Goo Roo
WA
'91 UZZ31 track bunky, '94 blk/blk UZZ31
Posts: 1440
Reg: 07-2005
|
Wanneroo again, consistantly under 1 minute laps now, best of 59.1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0XqAzBm6DY
Still a little bit more in it with the current power and auto, but will be getting the suspension properly set up before the next outing
Tyre wear on the front is fine so i think i can raise it a bit and sacrifice some camber
Rear needs more camber though, not sure if its maxed out or not |
Ben Lipman
Goo Roo
NSW
Soarer TT manual
Posts: 1453
Reg: 04-2006
|
Shouldn't be... I'm sure I managed 4 degree neg camber when I was messing around |
Phil Gibson
Goo Roo
WA
'91 UZZ31 track bunky, '94 blk/blk UZZ31
Posts: 1441
Reg: 07-2005
|
ah good
Bad news though, pulled out the suspect coilover again and its been leaking.... so if i cant get it fixed looks like im up for a pair of new ones (sounds familiar eh Ben?  |
Ben Lipman
Goo Roo
NSW
Soarer TT manual
Posts: 1455
Reg: 04-2006
|
Yes it does.
I was able to purchase the two fronts only from Ottomoto, after some asking. He charged me $800, half a full set. You may be able to get a replacement, or they may be able to service it.(replace damaged part)
Hey, do you want my old kei office ones? One of the dampers was OK, it just had oval mounting holes. Might make for a trick(y) setup that turns one way real nice. The other way, um, well there's a recession don't you know... |
Shaun Chiew
TryHard
VIC
Soarer TT
Posts: 332
Reg: 11-2007
|
Great work Phil, just discovered this thread .. In regards to the lack of wide-angle in the camera, I used something like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/30-5mm-Wide-Angle-Macro-Conversion-Lens-4-Video-Cameras_W0QQitemZ320373390757 QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Video_Cam_Accessories?hash=item4a97bdfda5&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A 3|65%3A15|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A100
And it worked quite well .. just a thought
Keep up the good work |
Phil Gibson
Goo Roo
WA
'91 UZZ31 track bunky, '94 blk/blk UZZ31
Posts: 1456
Reg: 07-2005
|
Cheers mate and thanks for the link, though i think i may have to look at something more like what Andrew posted as standard camcorders and mounts are not really CAMS-friendly as i found out recently.
Regardless, camera stuff has been put on the backburner for now as there have been other developments... should have some updates on the car shortly |
Phil Gibson
Goo Roo
WA
'91 UZZ31 track bunky, '94 blk/blk UZZ31
Posts: 1461
Reg: 07-2005
|
Ok after a month of the car gathering dust on the driveway things are moving again
The dead coilover was pulled out and after having no luck finding anyone local to rebuild them i contacted Grant from Otomoto
Turns out the cost to get a complete new damper (as opposed to seal kit and labour to rebuild/regas) was reasonable so a few phonecalls and $400 later and two brand new dampers are on their way from Japan, due to arrive this week.
I also grabbed these off Yahoo.jp
Project Mu semi-track pads for the UCF2x brakes. Supposedly about the best you can get before going to a full on race pad, and the'd want to be for the price - $500 delivered... still, cheaper than buying them locally - they want almost $700 a set!
Have since found out that GSL Rallysport can source backing plates to make up sets of the QFM A1RM street/track pads - albeit with a 5-6 week lead time. Still, for ~$180pr even if theyre not quite as good as the PMu pads i'll be trying them out for sure |
Phil Gibson
Goo Roo
WA
'91 UZZ31 track bunky, '94 blk/blk UZZ31
Posts: 1462
Reg: 07-2005
|
And finally, i bit the bullet...
TT factory manual halfcut. The manual conversion begins!
The engine and all other bits will be sold to recover costs somewhat. Unfortunately ive gotta move house sometime in the next month so the install probably wont be happening for a while yet.
Wonder if i can blow the auto box in the meantime... |
Phil Gibson
Goo Roo
WA
'91 UZZ31 track bunky, '94 blk/blk UZZ31
Posts: 1500
Reg: 07-2005
|
Ok so new coilovers and brake pads in, suspension reset and off to Wanneroo again
Set another pb with a 58.7 which im pretty happy with, not sure how much more is in it with the current spec but the handling was good and brakes were excellent, really pull the car up hard from 170km/h and no fade all night.
Hopefully next time out i'll be running the R154 and/or a bit less weight |
Phil Gibson
Goo Roo
WA
'91 UZZ31 track bunky, '94 blk/blk UZZ31
Posts: 1501
Reg: 07-2005
|
hmm camera no like low-light :-/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzKjT8hr9pI&fmt=18 |
James Harris
Goo Roo
QLD
GT Starlet
Posts: 2956
Reg: 07-2005
|
Hi Phil, nice work mate with it all.
Im keen to hear how the tyres are going for you mate, im lining up a set for my little GT Starlet as i reckon they will make it much more entertaining to drive (hopefully more traction) |
Phil Gibson
Goo Roo
WA
'91 UZZ31 track bunky, '94 blk/blk UZZ31
Posts: 1504
Reg: 07-2005
|
The Kumhos are ok for a sticky street tyre, i dont reckon theyre as good as the Potenzas but then they are a lot cheaper so you have to factor that in. They do seem to need a bit of heat in them before they start to grip.
Havnt really got enough kays up on them to judge what wear is going to be like, but assuming it is ok i would recommend them as a good street/track compromise without the expense and short life of a true R-comp |
Damien Smith
DieHard
NSW
Manual UZZ31
Posts: 784
Reg: 07-2005
|
I know I'm a bit late here but regarding the video camera mounts here are the cams regs.
http://www.camsmanual.com.au/techdocs.asp
I've used a GoPro (poor sound) and a bullet camera setup with external mic plugged into my handycam and that worked really well but it's too much dicking around. I'm getting a camera mount fitted to my cage that complies with cams to keep it simple.
Those Oregon Scientific units are a good compromise though. |
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