I think that wonderful common sense you keep telling everyone to have Mike would also lead you to the next conclusion that vent windows are fine ON CARS THAT CAMES WITH ONE FROM THE FACTORY.

You are simply amazing Mike.


:lol

Back on topic re: this Mini.....all I can say is WOW!!!

He's racing in Mod Jon. The doors that came on his car don't appear to be a part of the scenario any longer. In fact, if his composite doors are anything like mine or yours, they very likely have never been fitted with any sort of windows from the factory. Or, did the composite manufacturer include windows with your doors? If not, it SHOULD be safe to assume you could include "vent" windows since they are specifically listed as being legal in the rule book. ;)

Common sense. Mod race car. Simple, non-performance related item that is specifically listed as being legal. Does not affect egress. You adamantly say it is illegal due to your own interpretation despite them being used within our series for several years without complaint one. Who's amazing? ;)

Such a cool build!!!

Now, put a turbo M42 under its hood, convert it to rear wheel drive and remove that damn lexan vent window that is completely illegal!! :) :)

Seriously - amazing detail. Congrats!!

Do the rules allow for converting from FWD to RWD?

:flamethro

BTW eat ur heart out my z3 has factory side vent windows! I am going to convert them to lexan too!

GREAT build here with the Mini also, been a lurker on the thread for quite some time!

Common sense. Mod race car. Simple, non-performance related item that is specifically listed as being legal.

It's not specifically listed as legal Mike. I am not going to argue with you anymore on this wonderful build thread.

The single safety rule that you are breaking is on page page 19. Rule 7B that states - both front door windows must be completely down.

Like I said, I am not opposed to what you are trying to do. I am simply asking that one follows the procedure for accomplishing same. Everyone keeps talking about "common sense" - I am sure everyone agrees that this is a good base of inteligence to use. However, what represents common sense to you, may not represent same to me, nor Mike Akard, nor Dave, nor anybody else. Heck, we all can't agree on the color of the sky, let alone the intracacies of race car rules interpretations, therefore we all must be governed by rules.

Again, I am not opposed to what you are trying to accomplish - just PLEASE give me some words that will accomplish what you desire and not invoke unintended consequences. Help, rather than just doing it and expecting the volunteer rules committee to craft the language for you. I just want to try to balance safety with "common sense". Maybe we should require an "Egress Test". Maybe something like, from a seated and buckled position, driver must be able to activate fire system, and exit the vehicle within 10 seconds via the drivers door and15 seconds via the passenger door. Thoughts?

Passenger door? In Mod class cars? Too many bars..and now right side nets too!

Do the rules allow for converting from FWD to RWD?

....
no, but I think SM might.

All right side nets have a quick release and there are probably less bars over there than on the driver side. I sure wouldn't want a car I couldn't get out of via the passenger door, especially if the car was rolled over onto the drivers side door.

When I took the Nurburgring School, they had a special rig that could turn you over in all different directions. To pass that stage of the school, the instructors would flip you over, or on your side, or anyway they wanted to, yell to you that you were on fire, and you needed to exit in under 10 seconds. That was a neat contraption.

There's not much room on the passenger side of some of the Mod cars I've seen, but to have to search for the emergency release on the silly mid-car net, dodge the big wings on the seat, crawl over the Petty bar in 10 seconds (that also includes getting out of the latest, greatest assortment of required straps and safety contraptions)....I'd like to see just how many folks can actually make that happen (especially with some of the spaghetti cages designed around driver position only). Stock class...no problem, but we're allowed to totally transform the interior of the car in Mod to no longer have a passenger seat area...so depending on design it might be very difficult to accomplish at all, much less in 10 seconds from ready race position. ;)

Crap Greg, it's looking sooooo good! I'm more excited to hear it in person than see it.


And when all these people give you crap about your windows, just protest them on their quarter glass windows that they made wrap inside the car for better aero... having trouble finding that one in the rulebook...;)

And if you need to, SCCA GT allows full lexan windows, both sides with vents if desired. No FI allowed though. But an S52 RWD swap would be allowed, and almost easy.

Phil has spoken

I'm not planning on protesting anyone!! The MINI looks amazing! I am so hopeful that it is as fun to drive as it looks like it might be!!

If not, turn it into an SM beast, put an S54 in it, or a turbo M42, convert to rear wheel driver and try to catch that short wheelbase monster as you put the power down out of every turn!! Oh yeah, WHEELIE BARS might be a good addition if you do that!

That's the thing, I don't think anyone is going to protest anything. We're all trying to build sexy cars that make people ooh and aah. Greg has accomplished it, Holder took ooh and aah and turned it into an orgasm. Mid season rules change, and include that crap. Plus, where the hell else can the poor guy mount a mirror?? The car is the size of steroided out gerbil.

Crap Greg, it's looking sooooo good! I'm more excited to hear it in person than see it.


And when all these people give you crap about your windows, just protest them on their quarter glass windows that they made wrap inside the car for better aero... having trouble finding that one in the rulebook...;)

And if you need to, SCCA GT allows full lexan windows, both sides with vents if desired. No FI allowed though. But an S52 RWD swap would be allowed, and almost easy.

Good catch Phil! Likely will not find many others jumping on that bandwagon though....too many of the rules interpretive gurus might like those non-compliant parts or perhaps even have them on their own cars! ;)

I guess your example is a different kind of common sense than vent windows despite the fact that once again "The rule book does not say you can, so you can not". The side windows can be removed or replaced with alternative materials, but no where does it specifically say they can wrap around to the inside of the car to improve aero. But, like the vent windows, I have seen these non-compliant window modifications on several Mod class race cars. :confused

I wish the same sort of common sense could prevail on both issues! ;)

my .02 cents on the discussion....

Part of the reason I'm not a Bmwcca club racer is because I found the atmosphere to be too competitive. People almost having fistfights over rules, protests.....lots of wallet racing as well. But then you guys run 13/13 vintage rules. But I watch your races and there super agressive. I'd rather just go ahead and race Nasa or Scca if you ask me. The other part is I just don't have the wallet to race BMWcca and be competitive. Vintage racing is alot more relaxed and enjoyable and people not fighting over rules.....too much....hehe

but to each his own!

Everyone races where they have fun and thats all that matters.

Anyways,

1- Personally I don't see how "Sleds" quarter window is in any way a safety issue for him to get out of the car or for workers to pull him out as he already has a cage bar there weather the "window" is there or not. The egress or ingress of the driver either conscious or unconscious does not change single bit. Takes just as long with or without it.

2- On the second issue of a possible aero advantage....I just don't see this tiny quarter window with a vent in it on what pretty much is ....lets be honest......a flyin' brick of a car. (much like my '02) is going to make a single mph of difference.

If anything might help keep the driver cooler and more alert and less affected by heat etc....with a older driver might prevent him from passing out in extreme heat conditions and avoiding a major event. Cool suits only help so much. Just watch any closed cockpit race series....I remember the corvettes at lemans or something where drivers were almost passing out while driving.....vents and coolsuits....


Call me CRAZY......but I see this ......a more of concern and reason for debate..... to me that is a pretty small opening to get the driver out or for him to exit and more pertanant to the "SPIRIT of that window rule". But I'm not here to stir some poop or anything just pointing something out....I mean with the door close there is only a small opening to pull the driver out....That said.......I still wouldn't protest it....but thats me.

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/alcon/gallery/ALCON_325JP.jpg


For comparison here is a DTM car.....with a similar A-Pillar design and FULL WINDOWS! So .... it seams like the FIA is not concerned with it too much.... so in the end....who cares!!!!! just go RACING !!!!

http://www.nacionalnaklasa.com/images/stories/vesti/zmaj/06rossi_dtm1.jpg
...and yes that is Valentino rossi in a DTM car!
here a link to a bigger version
http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Images/Nov06/09_Valentino_Rossi_Mercedes_DTM/1091024Rossi0.jpg (http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:jsJJxN-Y-ZbgCM:http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Images/Nov06/09_Valentino_Rossi_Mercedes_DTM/1091024Rossi0.jpg)

Call me CRAZY......but I see this ......a more of concern and reason for debate..... to me that is a pretty small opening to get the driver out or for him to exit and more pertanant to the "SPIRIT of that window rule". But I'm not here to stir some poop or anything just pointing something out....I mean with the door close there is only a small opening to pull the driver out....That said.......I still wouldn't protest it....but thats me.

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/alcon/gallery/ALCON_325JP.jpg
Have you seen the driver of that car? He is about 78lbs soaking wet with a lamb on his back.

Have you seen the driver of that car? He is about 78lbs soaking wet with a lamb on his back.

http://www.kevininscoe.com/pub/lol.jpg

^^ I spent 5 minutes trying to decide to laugh or puke.

LOL

edit due to nausea....

....lets be honest......a flyin' brick of a car. (much like my '02) is going to make a single mph of difference.



I was going to mention this fact myself... :help

Call me CRAZY......but I see this ......a more of concern and reason for debate..... to me that is a pretty small opening to get the driver out or for him to exit and more pertanant to the "SPIRIT of that window rule". But I'm not here to stir some poop or anything just pointing something out....I mean with the door close there is only a small opening to pull the driver out....That said.......I still wouldn't protest it....but thats me.

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/alcon/gallery/ALCON_325JP.jpg

If that is an FIA cage with tags then it's legal.

I have no idea where you're getting the "Spirit of the window rule" from.

What rule violation would you be able to protest under anyways?
------------------

Back on topic - I love the car!!!!! (I particularly like the paint scheme...hmmm...)

My $0.02...double up on the front dive planes and curve them up more like Arjun's. (The guy who weighs like 78 lbs with a lamb on his back BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!) Currently it looks like your front dive plane will only act like a vortex generator, and the vortex it creates could actually interfere with your air extractor channel in back of the front wheel...or it could help.. dunno, aero can be tricky...

That Mini needs more front DF than rear - and 80% of your aero improvements come from the front of the car (unlike trucks, where 80% of improvements come from the back of the vehicle). You will need one heck of a diffuser to help drive that wing too, but raking the chassis forward and dialing in the suspension around that would be a great start...

Your attention to detail is awesome! - I love the way you designed the front fender air extractors and especially the way the front of the rocker panels curve under the car to help to help with underbody aero - very trick - nice attention to detail! - not only will that help evacuate air from the fender wells and the engine bay, which will help reduce front end lift, but the direction of the airflow will help prevent engine bay escape air from continuing under the car *and* set up a turbulent buffer zone to prevent side airflow from leaking in underneath! Friggin' amazing! Have you done any CFD or wind tunnel testing, or any road/wool tuft testing?

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a98/maxmini2002/Picture066.jpg



Are you running a quaife diff?

+2 for color choice!!



The car looks great, really - I can't wait to see it on/at the track.

Eric, thanks... :cool


Paint scheme, .. yep it's roots come from the same as yours. Always been a favorite, and I've also always admired yours for that reason.

My aero knowledge comes from something deep within me that I have been in touch with since I was a little kid. Aero and aqua dynamics have always been something that have been somewhat inherent I think. NO, in no way do I claim to know more then anyone here, but I just tend to have a 'feel' for it. With that said... why the H... did I start with a brick of a car? :stickoutt
Anyway, most of my aero/aqua dynamics has gone into sailboats where it all is the only thing that makes these boats go forward. Learned a lot there and I'm sure I'll learn a lot here.

Dive planes are something that I will play with. I really hate my whole front end, but there is just so little that can be done with a Mini within the rules. I have already made (back when I did the lower ones) a second set of uppers, but I just never put them on yet. Just not sure it will really help this brick.
The rear wing is more designed to clean up drag rather then create downforce, but no less, it will do so anyway. Depending on how the rear diffuser works, the wing may end up gone anyway. It's all a test as no one has really done this to a Mini.

Here is a build pic of those wheel wells.

http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/mini_wheel_well1.jpg

Told you it was sick Eric!

1

Told you it was sick Eric!

No doubt!

(See what I have in mind for your car with aero?)

Eric, thanks... :cool


Paint scheme, .. yep it's roots come from the same as yours. Always been a favorite, and I've also always admired yours for that reason.


Dive planes are something that I will play with. I really hate my whole front end, but there is just so little that can be done with a Mini within the rules. I have already made (back when I did the lower ones) a second set of uppers, but I just never put them on yet. Just not sure it will really help this brick.
The rear wing is more designed to clean up drag rather then create downforce, but no less, it will do so anyway. Depending on how the rear diffuser works, the wing may end up gone anyway. It's all a test as no one has really done this to a Mini.

Here is a build pic of those wheel wells.

http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/mini_wheel_well1.jpg

Hey thanks for the props - I agree - ever since I was a kid I loved those swoopy blue and orange Gulf cars - I didn't even know what they were, I just thought they were just COOL - (Gt40's and 917's)

It never fails that someone says they are porsche colors. Actually, the Gulf Oil Corp. had just bought a small oil company called Wilshire Oil. When John Wyer signed with Gulf, they decided that the light blue and orange of Wilshire was better suited to standing out on a race car than the much darker dark blue and orange (like the McLaren F1GTR Gulf colors).

I tracked down the correct paint codes for the original GT-40s sold to Gulf Oil by JW Automotive. Phil Sansossio did the paint job.

I also spent a couple months going back and forth with Chevron-Texaco (who owns the rights to the GULF brand and logo in the US) and they gave me permission to use the logos on the car. Hey it's not sponsorship, but it's as official as a GULF E30 M3 can get!

OK I have a couple more thoughts to share - to clean up the airflow in the rear, you could add a bump to the c-pillar like the newest minis - that will delay flow separation around the sides and help drive the wing. Better yet, if you can use lexan to extend the c-pillar all the way back to the wing support, giving it a tapered shape, and add a second wing below the first one and bring that up to the roofline at the rear, you now have much more of a teardrop shape and the wing is going to have much cleaner airflow...but I don;t think it would look anywhere near as nice as it does now.

I have to admit I'm kinda jealous.

If you add a super thin black pinstripe above the orange outline, it will really make the orange pop out from the white.

To reduce front hood lift you could put a row of dimples/bumps/lip a few mm high on the leading edge of the hood to disrupt the fast moving air there, but leave them off in front of the hood vent so the uninterrupted airflowwhich creates low pressure will help suck the air through the vent. It depends on what is more important though - reducing front end lift or reducing overall drag.

Yeah I think about this because I can obviously take advantage of all this in stock class...

What do you have planned for events in 2008? Are you doing any SCDA events?

Eric

.... to clean up the airflow in the rear, you could add a bump to the c-pillar like the newest minis ....

Eric

Greg,

You can borrow my molds anytime.

Alain L.

That's the thing, I don't think anyone is going to protest anything.

But is that the issue? Wouldn't a "safety" rule issue like this be addressed by the Tech steward, rather than a "performance" rule issue that a fellow competitor would be concerned about?

For the record, I think it is asinine that the Mini's windows would not be legal.

Greg,

You can borrow my molds anytime.

Alain L.
Thanks Alan.
Again I've had a lot of thought on this one also. Have been considering these along the top and sides. I need to buy a few and check'm out....


http://www.buyairtab.com/images/airtab/AT_Black.gif

Eric, yea, I'll be doing the early SCDA events to test out the car. Will do LRP on 4-10 and maybe the NHIS a few days later. Been conversing with Ian about all of this. See ya there?

Car looks stunning! Cool with this type of trackcar! :-)

Eric, yea, I'll be doing the early SCDA events to test out the car. Will do LRP on 4-10 and maybe the NHIS a few days later. Been conversing with Ian about all of this. See ya there?

4.10 - I'll be pcked to go to VIR 4.27 (or is it 5.27?) I'll be at NHIS with Ian's group

I have a whole row of AirTabs that I put under the front of the Tundra to help streamline underbody airflow there. It seemed to help with front end wandering when passing trucks but gas mileage - I'm a total leadfoot so that doesn;t matter.

There's another brand the comes in 2"X12" strips, the VG's are more appropriately sized for our cars, AirTabs are for trucks, which due to their much larger size and lower relative speed have a different boundary layer and reynolds number(s).

www.prfprod.com

Thanks Eric, I'll absolutely look into those.

Thanks Eric, I'll absolutely look into those.


If we can coordinate a time (test day at NHIIS some time this spring maybe?) We could try some wool tuft testing - need to be able to take two cars and a passenger ion one to take photos...will tell *lots*

Setup an onboard camera, will tell you a lot.

Also, I'll hopefully have some CFD results from my 3d modelling this weekend.

I could put the VG's in the model as well and see how they do.

simply insane build!

Greg, your car is looking amazing...

Seems like not that long ago it was still this..

http://neartheedge.net/johnny/wil/DSC00046.jpg

Sorry, pics unvailable right now

A few pics of my roll center and bump steer correctors. It's what Ive been working on the last two days. Man, I'm loving this fab stuff. Thinking about giving u the wood for metal. ;)
Note, all pics are showing parts upside down.
assembled spindle with parts for the second one


Lower control arm spacer ..




Bumpsteer correction. I drilled and tapped the spindle. Thread that bolt through and lock the end with a nut and lock washer.

Nice. Don't forget to put the bearing safety spacer/washer on. It prevents the tie rod from falling off if the rod end should fail.

What kind of lathe is being used, at home?

I'm looking at the PM1127 by precision matthews, under $2k and has great reviews.

First - I have NO engineering experience at all, so take this as if I am a newbie, since I am.

What is the purpose of having the tie rod spacer in three pieces? Seems like it would just be easier to have 3 different heights of spacer. Is it as strong to have it in 3 pieces?

Beautiful work!

Nice. Don't forget to put the bearing safety spacer/washer on. It prevents the tie rod from falling off if the rod end should fail.

What kind of lathe is being used, at home?

I'm looking at the PM1127 by precision matthews, under $2k and has great reviews.
What is that Steve?

I'm using my buddies old monster lathe. It's a biggy, that's all I know. I also know he is starting to get annoyed... :(

Jon, it's for adjustment right now. I have to get the car set up and dial all of this in. They are just spacers and really serve no strength value. I think you will find that it's a common set up.
By the way, I have NO engineering experience at all either. ;)

I have NO engineering experience at all either. ;)

But you did sleep at a Holiday Inn Last night, right?:D

Great stuff you are doing.

Awesome! Still trying to make VIR in April? Looking forward to seeing this car hit the track!

Awesome! Still trying to make VIR in April? Looking forward to seeing this car hit the track!
Not thinking so Bryan. My test and tune is the 14th and I was going to do another on the 18th. I just don't want to travel 10 or so hours and find the car ain't working right. I also may have license isues. :(

That's too bad. Hopefully we'll see the car at O'fest at Watkins later this year.

http://www.precisionmatthews.com/PM1127Lathe.html Its on sale right now too.

Nice. Don't forget to put the bearing safety spacer/washer on. It prevents the tie rod from falling off if the rod end should fail.
.
Nice lathe Steve. Looks like it could have handle any job I've done for this car. Great price.
Though, what I wanted to know was what is the above.

Yea, its the best "hobby" style lathe I have found so far...still a chinese mfg, but its got great support right here in PA.

The retaining safety washer is in place in case the rod end fails, it catches the body of the rod end, so you don't completely lose the component.

http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productselection.asp?Product=3068

http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/Images/L/3068.JPG

Thanks Steve, will do.

Made my alignment jigs today (and yesterday). Just bolt on an go. Took some head scratching, but I think I have it perfect.
Also, this level on sale now at Sears for like $35. Get it if you don't have something to do your camber or anything else that needs degrees of measurement. Thing is great! I will make a jig for it to do camber and maybe caster.


http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/align4.jpg


http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/align1.jpg

http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/align2.jpg

http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/align3.jpg

nice.....going to use your idea as inspiration for something like that on my car.....

I likes!!!

Better than the ghetto brackets I "hang" off the E30 to do the same, another winter project :)

I also use a similar level for camber, except mines ~4' long which is a bit cumbersome, but it works.

First day on the track today !!!
Finally after two LONNG years the car made it to the track. Was a mixed day, but I would say that it was 99% successful.
Sooo friggin tired! Here is the short of it

Showed up at NHIS with the SCCA race school. Car is ITE in SCCA. Now know, this is the very first time that I have really "driven" this car. After a good year of being told that "it won't work" by quite a few, I was ecstatic that in fact they were all wrong. This car is a little rocket and handles like a Kart. I have to say that I am pretty proud of how well it all went.
Bad news? Well even with two side by side magnaflows it's WAY too loud. I was black flagged at 107 db! I will need to redesign the exhaust for sure. My ears are still ringing, ... but they always do.
I ended up blowing a belt at the end of the day. I'm happy that this is all that went wrong. Man, not even a leak! ;)

OK, off to sleep. I hope my friend got some vid or pictures. If so I will post.

First day on the track today !!!
Finally after two LONNG years the car made it to the track. Was a mixed day, but I would say that it was 99% successful.
Sooo friggin tired! Here is the short of it

Showed up at NHIS with the SCCA race school. Car is ITE in SCCA. Now know, this is the very first time that I have really "driven" this car. After a good year of being told that "it won't work" by quite a few, I was ecstatic that in fact they were all wrong. This car is a little rocket and handles like a Kart. I have to say that I am pretty proud of how well it all went.
Bad news? Well even with two side by side magnaflows it's WAY too loud. I was black flagged at 107 db! I will need to redesign the exhaust for sure. My ears are still ringing, ... but they always do.
I ended up blowing a belt at the end of the day. I'm happy that this is all that went wrong. Man, not even a leak! ;)

OK, off to sleep. I hope my friend got some vid or pictures. If so I will post.

Glad to hear it went well! I knew that car would be a land-rocket!!;)

Greg, nice to hear (baaah :confused ) that it went well. I've been waiting for this report!

ps... I helped Jason out with parking duties at my house for the week prior to loading his MINI on the trailer (helped with that too...) for his extended garage vist in CT.

Yes, photo, videos, etc would be kewl.

Nice, congrats! Definitely sounds like a successful first outing.

Definitely can't wait to see vids.

As for the exhaust, what are your ideas to get it quiet? 107 is pretty loud...maybe do some resonance tuning? You can get quite a bit of a decibel drop if you crunch a couple numbers and modify volume/chambers.

Well even with two side by side magnaflows it's WAY too loud. I was black flagged at 107 db! I will need to redesign the exhaust for sure. My ears are still ringing, ... but they always do.


Bring it out to Laguna Seca :D Most days sound limit is 92dB :help This weekends race we get 101dB in our group. I was out there a couple of weeks ago and blew 95.9 with a UUC cat-back, including resonators, sans CATs.

Nice to see that smile on your face :buttrock

Jay

Crappy pic. Hope to have some vid also.

http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/IMG_0401-1.jpg

First day on the track today !!!
Finally after two LONNG years the car made it to the track. Was a mixed day, but I would say that it was 99% successful.
Sooo friggin tired! Here is the short of it

Showed up at NHIS with the SCCA race school. Car is ITE in SCCA. Now know, this is the very first time that I have really "driven" this car. After a good year of being told that "it won't work" by quite a few, I was ecstatic that in fact they were all wrong. This car is a little rocket and handles like a Kart. I have to say that I am pretty proud of how well it all went.
Bad news? Well even with two side by side magnaflows it's WAY too loud. I was black flagged at 107 db! I will need to redesign the exhaust for sure. My ears are still ringing, ... but they always do.
I ended up blowing a belt at the end of the day. I'm happy that this is all that went wrong. Man, not even a leak! ;)

OK, off to sleep. I hope my friend got some vid or pictures. If so I will post.
Greg,
I expected nothing but smiles! I Know you have got a Rocket and are going to surprise quite a few people in the near future.
Awsome my friend!
Steve:buttrock

First day on the track today !!!
Finally after two LONNG years the car made it to the track. Was a mixed day, but I would say that it was 99% successful.
Sooo friggin tired! Here is the short of it

Showed up at NHIS with the SCCA race school. Car is ITE in SCCA. Now know, this is the very first time that I have really "driven" this car. After a good year of being told that "it won't work" by quite a few, I was ecstatic that in fact they were all wrong. This car is a little rocket and handles like a Kart. I have to say that I am pretty proud of how well it all went.
Bad news? Well even with two side by side magnaflows it's WAY too loud. I was black flagged at 107 db! I will need to redesign the exhaust for sure. My ears are still ringing, ... but they always do.
I ended up blowing a belt at the end of the day. I'm happy that this is all that went wrong. Man, not even a leak! ;)
Greg,

OK, off to sleep. I hope my friend got some vid or pictures. If so I will post.
Greg,
Check out "Burns Stainless" racing muffflers, I'm considering trying one myself since I suspect I'm still a little too loud.
Raced in the "Charity Challege race at NPR yesterday.
Had a blast, started last in the field of 24 cars(missed qualifying).
Slowly worked my way through traffic and past the leading 911 on the last turn of the last lap leading onto the main straight. Passed him on the inside andgot him by 0.1 sec at the finish.
Wish I had a video, Arghhh!
Regards,
Steve

ps: Like your choice of number:redspot

The Burns mufflers don't do much muffling from what I have seen, but are super light. They are like these http://coastfab.com/ultralights.html

You'll also have to rebuild/repack them often if you want it to be consistent. if you are at 107...you'll need more muffler power than these to get it under the limit.

This is the new 2008 modular design:

http://coastfab.com/mufflerenlarge.jpg

If I just reconfigure a few small things I will be able to adapt the Supertrap disc kit. This way I can do whatever it takes for each track.

Any input is welcome

Congrats on the win Steve (dm53). I'm doing all I can to get racing but so many consequences are against me this year! BMW won't recognize my previous track time as it's more then 24 months old. No way I was able to make the Mid Ohio school. Then SCCA decides to cancel their LRP school this year only so I was left with just the NHIS school this weekend. My car could not continue on the second day, so I'm screwed there. I would have been able to just do the LRP school to finish it up, but not this year.. ;(
I'm trying like crazy to get to the NASA school on Tuesday at Pocono, but no one is replying to my emails. ARRRGGGGG!!!!!

The Burns mufflers don't do much muffling from what I have seen, but are super light. They are like these http://coastfab.com/ultralights.html

You'll also have to rebuild/repack them often if you want it to be consistent. if you are at 107...you'll need more muffler power than these to get it under the limit.

This is the new 2008 modular design:

http://coastfab.com/mufflerenlarge.jpg
they are more then "like" the burns ones, BTW. They are the same.

Also, you really don't have to re-pack them all that often.

These are the mufflers we have used many times on many cars over the last 5 years. Makes it even easier that Coast is about 5 minutes from our shop.

Thanks
Brad

Yep. I posted the picture of the newer version, so i would not confuse with the former design.

Have you tried the newer design yet?

what you posted is what we have been using.

thanks
Brad

the burns mufflers work magic, I love them. They are light and quite on s54's and s50's

Oh, did they only just now title it the "2008" design?

I have not seen pics of this new design until I just looked it up and it looks awesome. But i'm curious how long the packing lasts.

I got my 3" Magnaflow in this weekend, should do a decent job in softening the 2.8T :)

Made my own 'muffled' tips last night. Heading back to NHIS this morning to give them a try. Haaa... we'll see.

Man, I like how you roll! Good luck.

they are more then "like" the burns ones, BTW. They are the same.

Also, you really don't have to re-pack them all that often.

These are the mufflers we have used many times on many cars over the last 5 years. Makes it even easier that Coast is about 5 minutes from our shop.

Thanks
Brad
Hello Brad,
Are these mufflers identical to the Burns, who makes them? I'm trying to get my Mini quieter also. You mention that they are available 5 minutes from you, is that the dealer or manufacturer.
More info on this would be helpfull.
Regards,
Steve Diniz

Coast Fab is the manufacturer of the muffler.

Note to self, .... leave the silencers to the pros. Mine may have lasted 1/2 lap. Haaa. Thank god the sound patrol was not there.

On another note to self, and warning to others that will be at NHIS, don't go wide out of turn 12. :(

http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/wheelsbad1.jpg

Damn, are the 3pc's soft, or was it just a bad curb or something there?

Atleast they are able to be partially replaced...although when all said and done, how much does it cost for you to get the rim replaced and reassembled?

ouch!

It was a very bad hit. Broke a Hiem on one of the rear control arms. I have it on vid.
I can reassemble myself. Used to do it a lot as crew. Looking into replacement cost now. We'll see. I have two sets of wheel on order that were supposed to be here April 1, but no show.

Note to self, .... leave the silencers to the pros. Mine may have lasted 1/2 lap. Haaa. Thank god the sound patrol was not there.

On another note to self, and warning to others that will be at NHIS, don't go wide out of turn 12. :(

http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/wheelsbad1.jpg
Sounds like there is a problem with the pavement at that turn...Must have felt awfull & expensive. I went off once (at another track) and hit a ditch, went airborn like a lawn-dart and landed on the front bumber. No wheel damage but radiator, motor mount and a few other things got damaged.
The Mini however is one strong car!:mad
Steve

Sounds like there is a problem with the pavement at that turn...

I wasn't there to see it firsthand, and haven't heard any more details... but the outside of that turn can be nasty. Get a little wide, and there's a small mound of pavement a few inches high - not a curb designed to use, and not a curb that's evil enough to scream "stay away" - it's somewhere inbetween. Get a little wider, or continue to be wide past the track out, and there's a bit of grass / dirt that usually becomes a hole before you run into a new stretch of pavement coming in from a different angle (the pit-in for the oval, I believe).

I've definitely seen cars get airborne when pushing wide through that turn. And since it's the last turn before the long front straight, the temptation is there to go for that little extra bit of speed.

what you posted is what we have been using.

thanks
Brad

the burns mufflers work magic, I love them. They are light and quite on s54's and s50's

Sorry to hijack this thread, but what do you think of running one of these on an s14 w/o anything else other than crossover pipe? I was thinking I would run whatever the longest length section would fit (either 12" or 17"). Have either of you run these with basically just straight pipes?

Sorry to hijack this thread, but what do you think of running one of these on an s14 w/o anything else other than crossover pipe? I was thinking I would run whatever the longest length section would fit (either 12" or 17"). Have either of you run these with basically just straight pipes?Yes, that is how we run them on most cars. They work great. ZERO hp loss is nice. The bigger, the more sound muffling they actually do.

Coast can also custom build them to fit your needs.

thanks
brad

Yes, that is how we run them on most cars. They work great. ZERO hp loss is nice. The bigger, the more sound muffling they actually do.

Coast can also custom build them to fit your needs.

thanks
brad
Think they are quieter then a magnaflow ?
http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/mpe-14416_w.jpg

depends on the MF. That is a really hard one to answer.

Sounds like there is a problem with the pavement at that turn...Must have felt awfull & expensive. I went off once (at another track) and hit a ditch, went airborn like a lawn-dart and landed on the front bumber. No wheel damage but radiator, motor mount and a few other things got damaged.
The Mini however is one strong car!:mad
Steve

I told you Greg it was all fun from now on!:)

Last time I did that, we cracked the oil pan. Fortunately it barely leaked. How's the splitter?

Greg - call Trackmasters for the Watkins Glen - open track - May 1-2-3.
Special "MINI" rate (with nemini.org)

Greg - call Trackmasters for the Watkins Glen - open track - May 1-2-3.
Special "MINI" rate (with nemini.org)
Only if you guys throw me a B-day party... :D cause that's my B-day.. :pimpflash

Peter, does sound like fun. I'll check into that.

:) We're on for Sat. night at the Seneca Lodge! :happybday

Only if you guys throw me a B-day party... :D cause that's my B-day.. :pimpflash

Peter, does sound like fun. I'll check into that.
Happy Birthday Dude!:D
Have a good time.
Steve D.

Haaaa, ... thanks guys.
Peter, it looks to be all full.

It was a very bad hit. Broke a Hiem on one of the rear control arms. I have it on vid.
I can reassemble myself. Used to do it a lot as crew. Looking into replacement cost now. We'll see. I have two sets of wheel on order that were supposed to be here April 1, but no show.

ouch!:eek: looks as if it was a hard hit. i hear you on the "two sets of wheels that were supposed to be here....

keep getting back on the horse.

to what do you attribute the broken heim? were they aurora ends?

Greg - call Trackmasters for the Watkins Glen - open track - May 1-2-3.
Special "MINI" rate (with nemini.org)
They notified me today that there is no room. Oh well. I may be going a few days earlier with SCDA.

ouch!:eek: looks as if it was a hard hit. i hear you on the "two sets of wheels that were supposed to be here....

keep getting back on the horse.

to what do you attribute the broken heim? were they aurora ends?

New wheels and the two new inner rims will be here next week. Got to decide on what tires I will go with.
Hiem broke due to the upper control arm bottoming out on the chassis, right on the outer hiem jam nut. The control arm stopped but the trailing arm continued up bending and finally snapping the hiem 'clean' off at the jam nut.
All a learning process.

Damn, sorry to hear. Is that one of the alum jobs?

Damn, sorry to hear. Is that one of the alum jobs?

Yea Steve, one of the aluminum hiems. At first I was thinking that maybe the aluminum was not a great idea, but know that I understand why it happened I think they are fine to use. Probably better it broke actually or else I may have had worse damage. I'm sticking with the aluminum.

Wish I could find my cable so I could download this video. The "off" was really nothing at all. I think the track is in such poor condition that this area should either be coned or fixed.

Gotcha. If you are creating it as your fail point thats fine, just make sure its ultimate strength is within the range seen under normal conditions (plus FoS).

Hiem broke due to the upper control arm bottoming out on the chassis, right on the outer hiem jam nut.

Have you considered some sort of bump stop on the damper? I'd rather have a semi-progressive stop rather than an instant infinite spring rate from both the standpoint of preserving expensive custom suspension pieces and making the car drivable when things go bad. We saw this weekend at VIR what sort of problems a suspension member hitting the chassis can cause...i.e. car into the wall.

Bryan, Thinking about doing some work to actually lower the control arms at the trailing arm. Will be looking at that today. That would help a bunch.
Also maybe a progressive bump stop on the shock itself. Maybe that's what you were thinking.

Also maybe a progressive bump stop on the shock itself. Maybe that's what you were thinking.

Exactly what I was thinking...a progressive stop is always better, more controllable, and less likely to break things than an instant stop (i.e. physical tire/suspension interference with the chassis).

Just don't engage the bump stop prematurely, it can add quite a bit of force. We did some testing on the spring rate rig, and its fairly significant.

THE VIDEO.... haaaa... sucks :(

Here is an in-car from that mishap. It was the first time I had put the camera in the car and I only had a short time to get it in. As you can see it was in a very bad location.

Here are the excuses... haaaa.
This was lap two and three. I was truly going easy, about 70% and maybe stated picking it up to about 85% in that last lap. Cool day, cool track, cool tires and I was too impatient. Anyway, results of that run sucked, and so does that friggin track! :shifty


http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2518367230993746975&hl=en

Hey, it's still fun to see the vids after watching your amazing build. Hope to see it in person this year. Sucks about the wheels though....

Steve E.

Have you considered some sort of bump stop on the damper? I'd rather have a semi-progressive stop rather than an instant infinite spring rate from both the standpoint of preserving expensive custom suspension pieces and making the car drivable when things go bad. We saw this weekend at VIR what sort of problems a suspension member hitting the chassis can cause...i.e. car into the wall.

Saw that where???:devillook:(

that's awesome to hear your car on a track after watching the build....it looks like most of those curbs at that track look pretty killer....

ouch!

Yea, it really is garbage track. Sucks being in the northeast. We have that track and Lime Rock.

And in a couple months...NJMP! I'm going there with the Ferrari club later this year, hopefully with my E46 :)

Yea, it really is garbage track. Sucks being in the northeast. We have that track and Lime Rock.
Hello Greg,
Your car sounds a lot like mine. Sounds strong though, I could tell you were taking it it easy before I read your message (watched the video first)... Surely you can pass that Miata :lol
Don't know if you saw my note I left you on the NAM USTCC forum about the FAAST racing schools that will grant you a SCCA or Nasa license.
There is even one scheduled for NPR on May 5th I believe.
Hope you get your car fixed soon, that really sucks to bend anything on that machine.
Regards,
Steve

Some Video taken by a friend.....
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5254787161313095837

You have my old number!!!!

Looks great!! Sounds Great!

One question, are you getting any tire rubber build up against the mesh that is in your fender vents? Do you think you need the mes for some reason?

You have my old number!!!!
Haaa, I know. But you can have it back when you turn 51. ;)

Looks great!! Sounds Great!

One question, are you getting any tire rubber build up against the mesh that is in your fender vents? Do you think you need the mes for some reason?
Front mesh is to help protect the car and the rear is to help protect the car behind me.
So far very little rubber found on the mesh. But I have only done a few 20 min runs so far

LOL - my new number is 73 - and NO, I didn't just turn 73!!

I'll ask again when you have more track time, but let us know if you decide to remove the mesh because of rubber build up. I am thinking about venting the fenders, but I don't think I would do the mesh after seeing the rubber that builds up in the fenderwells.

Jon, just don't think it's an issue, at least in my car. I have not found any acumulation at all on or near the mesh.

Son wants to buy a '88 325 ic. Any input on this? Could use some guidence.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=12888529#post12888529

Son wants to buy a '88 325 ic. Any input on this? Could use some guidence.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=12888529#post12888529

My guidance: Convertibles suck. :stickoutt

My guidance: Convertibles suck. :stickoutt

+1

And if he really wants a convertible, get him a Miata.

This is how much I know about BMWs. I ha no clue the "C" stood for convertable. YUK... Don't think we will be looking into this.
Thanks all.

Nice, Greg, nice - wish you were coming to Watkins this weekend!

So, what's the debrief after some test time? How's it handle? need to change anything? looks like very few laps in the dry, and then some wet track conditions....
Did I notice some loss of traction on accel on exit of corner? Sliding?

What do you think? - How does it feel?

Peter, ... I think it's an amazing car really. Handles really well.
All cars have issue with turn three, that uphill right, be it FWD or RWD, though FWD really suffer there.
The car accelerates quite quick so I need to learn to drive it. I can't get on he throttle like I used to for sure. That was the case in that turn three, right before the uphill, and also when I went off track. Also, the tires were still too cold. My first time on slicks so I need to learn there also.
I'm going to try a bit heavier font springs. Have four sets for the front, at 50 lb increments and I'm on the softest right now

Liking the new Hoosier R6s a lot. Actually stickier then the Yoki slicks I used I think. BUT,not happy with the large diameter. Just a bit too tall for the Mini. But overall, I think they might be faster.
Good track day at NHMS yesterday. Doug Grey sent me some pics. All my in car vids did not work due to operator error. (idiot!)

Good to meet Eric there. :)

http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/20033.jpg

Also scheduled to be runing with he Jaguar Club at LRP July 4-5. We will be the first on th new track which will be pretty fun I think. Non- muffled day! YEEEEA!
Working towards finally seeing some of you on the race track.

^ I just have to say that I was at the DE yesterday, and it was a blast...(first time) Your mini is seriously nasty! Sounds crazy too...What are you running for a tranny, from looking in your interior it looked like you had a sequential shifter, could be wrong...But otherwise awesome build and the metal for craziest car there has to go to either you, or the guy next to you in the garage with the RRT e36 on race gas!

Not a sequential shifter Jared. Just a shifter I built to make shifting much more precise and closer to the wheel. May be rigging up paddle shifter soon though.

This is a short video that kinda shows that shifters nice action.

http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/may22.wmv

time for me to ask around about you now Greg... :D
I'm assuming the RRT car was Croeatau? White E36, wide-ish body, stars. Did ya whip him??

Not a sequential shifter Jared. Just a shifter I built to make shifting much more precise and closer to the wheel. May be rigging up paddle shifter soon though.

This is a short video that kinda shows that shifters nice action.

http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/may22.wmv

link not working for me

going heavier on the front springs sounds like the right way to go, btw - nice to have different rates for changing out.

time for me to ask around about you now Greg... :D
I'm assuming the RRT car was Croeatau? White E36, wide-ish body, stars. Did ya whip him??
Yea, that was the guy Phil. I guess h said that he is now running all of Watts' old suspenson.
Guy filled his car with gas inthe garage and overflowed it everywhere. I was parked right next to him. Was a little scarry.
Then he was winchng the car on the trailer and the toe hook broke and the car rolled back off he trailer almost taking out my friend, who actually stoppd it before it slammed the garage.

Haaa,... no, didn't wip him. He ran in intructor group so I didn't get the chance to run with him. From what I hear we were close to the same times. I think I may have been a bit quicker. But I was just being a good boy anyway as I was being observed. :stickoutt

sent you a pm yesterday. not sure if you got it

Guy filled his car with gas inthe garage and overflowed it everywhere. I was parked right next to him. Was a little scarry.
Then he was winchng the car on the trailer and the toe hook broke and the car rolled back off he trailer almost taking out my friend, who actually stoppd it before it slammed the garage.


Yup - sounds like Dan!! :) :lol Oh, bonjour!


Ha h ah aha ha ha j/k Dan...

sent you a pm yesterday. not sure if you got it
Yes, replied but my box was full and I was too lazy to clean t and try again. :(
I'm supposed to be set (wheels still not arrived yet though:mad) , but if you need to move Mini sizes I'm sure yo could roud up a bunch over at NAM

HAHAHAHA! Welcome to CR... Your checking out well so far, hopefully we'll see you soon!

Yes, replied but my box was full and I was too lazy to clean t and try again. :(
I'm supposed to be set (wheels still not arrived yet though:mad) , but if you need to move Mini sizes I'm sure yo could roud up a bunch over at NAM

cool. no problem.

HAHAHAHA! Welcome to CR... Your checking out well so far, hopefully we'll see you soon!
Thanks Phil. Guess Fran got some good feedback and after this S Loui school I should be good to go as long as I do OK. Looks like the NHMS race may be my first. Going?

I can't wait to see this car in person next weekend. It's one of the nicest builds I've seen in awhile.

Thanks Phil. Guess Fran got some good feedback and after this S Loui school I should be good to go as long as I do OK. Looks like the NHMS race may be my first. Going?
Good luck at the school Greg!
From the look of the other cars entered, you will shine like a star.
Hope to race at Barber same weekend with NASA, 1st GTS3 race.
Keep us posted.
Steve:cool

Yep. I'll be there. Can't say no to the only less than 6 hour tow:(

glad to see you back on the track. i understand the "waiting for wheels" concept. i'm not a hurry, as i'm currently waiting my appointment w/ the cage builder. what size R6's are you running?

glad to see you back on the track. i understand the "waiting for wheels" concept. i'm not a hurry, as i'm currently waiting my appointment w/ the cage builder. what size R6's are you running?
245-40-17.
Still no wheels and I'm 3 hours from St Louis with just a set of slicks, and it's supposed to rain. :mad

i hope that the rain stays away for you.....the R6's, however, are surprisingly good in the wet. i ran them as Sebring on a very wet track (ponding, but not raining). i was still able to get over 100 mph at five differrent points on the track. Bishops' Bend was pushing it a bit...i think that the 225/40 is a good size for my car, but i will be trying a set of Hankook F200's, 235/625/17, when i get my new wheels. they have a wider tread width, but about the same section width as the Hoosiers that i currently run. they are slightly taller than my tires, but not quite as tall as yours. i'll let you know how i like them when i finally get back on the track.

Greg - take a moment and pat yourself on the back. Your car is one of the finest racecar builds I've seen...ever. Everything is very well thought out and just shows so well...and more importantly, it's FAST. I had a great time dicing it up with you during our on track sessions.

Let's see some video!

Well, it looks like my first race is in about a week at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Car is doing well though I'm battling some A/F issues, ...running way to lean. ECU is of to the west coast for some more tuning, but tuner feels that it might be something else.
Such, ... the car was running way too hot and exposed some cooling weaknesses, so that is being addressed now also.
Hope we have a dry track as my spare wheels still have not arrived. Been over 6 months I think. Some other sponsor promises have fallen through.
Ohhh, ... am I whining? Haaa. Think I am.

Can 17" MINI wheels fit? There'll be a few schoolers with some aggressive tread that I can make them give you if it rains at NH. What are you running for fuel pressure btw?

Fuel pressure is never less then 51, averaging about 53.
Any thoughts are certainly welcome. :)

Oh yea, I regular Mini Wheels wont fit.
Seriously, ... I wil just hand groove my R6s if it is mall wet. I can groove whatever the track needs.

IDK what stock fuel pressure is supposed to be. Is yours adjustable? I ran too lean twice now. Spark plugs tell the tale! Any pics of them? White-ish? My issue came down to a funked up DME. Which was the end result of a chain reaction from NH last year. I was meeting you when it started! The negative battery terminal broke inside the battery. Jump started and ran the race like garbage. It fried the alternator, coils, and DME. Moral of the story... check grounds!

Yea, grounds were one of the things my tuner told me to look for.
I remember when you had those issues last year.
Big pis of plugs, .. sorry so bug, too lazy to shrink it now.
Flawed diagnoses as these were not removed during a hot lap. Removed after car was brouht home.


http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/100_3420.jpg

Those look weird. The 2nd one have a clean spot or is that the white I was talking about? Are they oil covered? That could cause an arc. IDK what the hell a MINI motor looks like:( Are they similar to BMW's with the plugs down the middle of the cams?
Also, were you data logging? What are you using for your AFR readings? Wideband?
I'm mostly asking questions so someone more knowledgable won't have to ask so many so they can figure it out!:devillook

I don't know much about FI motors but those plugs look like crap to me. Sorry I can't offer any diagnosis or reason.

I know, I know..... I'm no help.

Jay

They really do look like crap. I'm gonna see if I can get my FI tuner to look at these tomorrow.

Thanks guys, .. have at it.
Not oil covered. Fact is that I left these out on my porch and they got wet. The color is still right on, but I think the white might be due to wet. Also the far left plug is darker due to the wet.
Plugs are a rust color all the way through.

My datalogging is from the AiM Pista.
Wideband AiM/Bosch Lambda.
A/F was reading sometimes as high as 16, mostly 14 under power. Too high!
EGT was also to high, as was water temp, ... I'm guessing because the A/F was so lean.
Tuner asked for me to check for vac leaks, also possible header leaks, cracks etc.
He feels that the ECU is tuned right but something is wrong in the motor. Being I 100% rewired this car it could be other issues.

Phil.... single cam, four valve.
http://new.minimania.com/imagesbig/nme6001a.jpg

Wow, those are crazy high numbers! A lot of power I bet tho. Yeah, unless the tune is WAY off, I'd be looking into more fuel. An adjustable fuel pressure regulator may be in your future...
Is this a new symptom or something that's always been there since you first ran it? Other than that, while it's running, mist water around the intake and see if it surges. I think its water... Maybe leave it running out in the rain...:stickoutt

My datalogging is from the AiM Pista.
Wideband AiM/Bosch Lambda.
A/F was reading sometimes as high as 16, mostly 14 under power. Too high!
EGT was also to high, as was water temp, ... I'm guessing because the A/F was so lean.
Tuner asked for me to check for vac leaks, also possible header leaks, cracks etc.
He feels that the ECU is tuned right but something is wrong in the motor. Being I 100% rewired this car it could be other issues.

Phil.... single cam, four valve.
http://new.minimania.com/imagesbig/nme6001a.jpg

Greg,

How high were your EGT? Was your exhaust manifold red? (Not that you'd see it with the wrap...:)).

I'd check to make sure your I/C rubber boots are properly seated.

Alain L.

Hey Alain,
Did check and even change out the those boots.
Example, Lap 8 at Gateway. High 90s ambient temp.
EGT got as high as 1620 and as low as 1320.
A/F whwn car was under load down long straight was averaging 13.6
Water temp was 234 at the coolest point and by the end of the straight hit as high as 274.

Phil, I'll look into that stuff also.

That water temp sounds insane... 220 would be making me nervous in my car...
13.6 is what I was running under load for a few races. Too lean tho. You really need more fuel. You're going to start causing pinholes in your head.

my air fuel is pretty spot on at 12.6

12.5 is the magic healthy number, 13.5 is the dyno bragging tune or need to win this race and don't care about melted stuff number.
Part throttle numbers will tell you a lot too. Mine was 12.5 wide open but would get close to 14 at part throttle applications or lower RPMs. If you've got piggyback or standalone, you need a dyno tune.
I'm not spewing good news, I know.

12.5 is the magic healthy number, 13.5 is the dyno bragging tune or need to win this race and don't care about melted stuff number.
Part throttle numbers will tell you a lot too. Mine was 12.5 wide open but would get close to 14 at part throttle applications or lower RPMs. If you've got piggyback or standalone, you need a dyno tune.
I'm not spewing good news, I know.

Agreed, but you can see high lambdas at part throttle, no/low load, ie coasting, and be fine. If you see 14s while on part throttle, under high load (mid corner), that's bad.

As others have said, all indications are that you are running lean, way lean. I would get an FPR so you can raise your fuel across the board, then dyno tune the map to level your AFR out.

Greg - it sounds like you need to retune the motor. Your AFRs are way too lean based on what you are seeing. I bet some of your overheating issues lessen once you go with a safer tune.

270F water temps is pretty darned high. I get concerned when my water temps creep above 225F during races in hot weather.

Yea guys, I know I'm seriously lean. The ECU was sent back to the tuner a couple of days ago after we tried several test to problem solve.
We were shooting for about 12. At warm up the A/F starts as low as 10 and then climbs at idle right up to the 15-16s. Not sure way it does this.
So, back for a retune and and then see what the numbers are at NH.

Problem is that I am using the factory ECU and there are only a very few people in the US, maybe four, that have the Dimsport software to tune it. So, I have a great sponsor that has taken this on at his expense.
We are in the new born stages of this car so it will take a while to get these things squared away.

We are in the new born stages of this car so it will take a while to get these things squared away.



While you at it...look here http://www.cantonracingproducts.com/index.html and buy some aluminum catch/expansion tanks. :stickoutt

While you at it...look here http://www.cantonracingproducts.com/index.html and buy some aluminum catch/expansion tanks. :stickoutt
;)Haaa, ... just finishing up building one now from scratch. Nearly 1 gal capacity. Haaa, .. better not overflow no more!

Hey Alain,
Did check and even change out the those boots.
Example, Lap 8 at Gateway. High 90s ambient temp.
EGT got as high as 1620 and as low as 1320.
A/F whwn car was under load down long straight was averaging 13.6
Water temp was 234 at the coolest point and by the end of the straight hit as high as 274.

Phil, I'll look into that stuff also.

MY EGT alarm is at 850 C (1562 F) and we never reach it. We normally run around mid-190 water temp- alarm at 200. Start digging. Tick...tick...tick...

Lean = High Water Temps. Get the tune right and your water temps should start to come down.

;)Haaa, ... just finishing up building one now from scratch. Nearly 1 gal capacity. Haaa, .. better not overflow no more!
Good luck this weekend at NHIS Greg. Go Get' um!
Steve:redspot

Steve, thanks.

Been a crappy couple of days here as I found that the lean A/F was not the ECU tune, but rather a glitch in the system. Found the issue today as being a mis-wired T-MAP sensor. Working all day into the evening to square all this stuff away. Checked every engine management wire into every pin in the ECU, and it was only the to bad ones from the T-MAP that were a problem.
A/F seems better, but have not tried under load yet. BUT, for some reason the throttle response is very poor. My throttle was blip-blip before and now it's draggy.
I should be able to make NHMS, but not thinking I will be real quick unless I get this squared away.

well, car was pretty darn quick. Thanks to Emil at Vitesse Pro for the great tunning.
Car made pole at NHMS, but the damage had been done at St Louis. The mystery smoke proved to be a blown head gasket that finally took down the motor at the grid during the start of race one. Never made it out.
It's a fast car I guess, even with running coolant in one or more cylinders, it took pole. Not sure what I'll do from here as the budget is bust.

Couple of pictures someone posted on the web

http://gallery.mac.com/gavinmckeown/100008/IMG_1577/web.jpg

http://gallery.mac.com/gavinmckeown/100008/IMG_1571/web.jpg

Hi,

Glad to hear the car is fast :)

Sorry to hear about the problems :eek:

I'm half a world away so I can't help in practical terms. However, I want to see that mini get back on track ASAP :):):) Now you have a decent poll qualifying time, hopefully that may help you get some sponsorship :rolleyes;)

Cheers

Robbo

PS : How much fun did you have while driving it ??

......

PS : How much fun did you have while driving it ??

Thanks...
Car is hoot to drive. After we finally got the T-Map sensor working this car feels a ton more powerful. My time at NHMS was a ton faster this day.

Cool pic.

http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/NHMS-racemoring.jpg

You're biggest problem was pitting next to Phil....

seems Greg's electrical woes were contagious...:(

Now the car's on the track - time to start another thread - continued R & D, or something..... never done with that!

You're biggest problem was pitting next to Phil....


Ouch....SPONSER ABUSE......:deadhorse:

Hey Greg.....How did the LeMons event go ???? :) I will spend the WInter finding a clunker for next year to run....might need YOU as a driver though....hint..hint..:)
Being a huge fan of the original Blues Brothers...I am thinking Cop Car....Cop Motor...Cop Brakes...Cop Exhaust....and it was a bargain...( ELwood Blues)

and....get ready.....the Badass Bitch ( new name) Build is beginning...or maye call it B4...?...:)......the gutting of the car formerly known as Baby...has begun. Cage coming next month...wooo hoo !!...Bob

W o w ! ! ! !

Greg,

I've really enjoyed following your build, and I think the car has turned out beautifully.

Regards,

Adam

OK.... I've eliminated the offensive post and responses to it. Whaddya say we stay on topic. It's not worth the heartburn.

Jay

just checked up on your thread and the car turned out very nice. Thanks for posting all of the pictures!

http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/inskip2.jpg

http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/inskip1.jpg

http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/inskip3.jpg


http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/inskip4.jpg

http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/inskip2.jpg

http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/inskip1.jpg
Car looks so good, makes mine look really tired. Just realized after Eagles Canyon that I need to go over a lot of things to freshen her up.
Did you solve your engine problems?
It would be nice to see you at Roebling in December.
Regards,
Steve

Steve, car runs stronger then ever right now. About to install new sequential shifter.
Wont get it on the track again this season at all. Just no money at this time :(

I watched your vid on NAM. Car looked like a handfull! Mostly under braking... ?

Steve, car runs stronger then ever right now. About to install new sequential shifter.
Wont get it on the track again this season at all. Just no money at this time :(

I watched your vid on NAM. Car looked like a handfull! Mostly under braking... ?

Yes, our tire inventory was not the best with Hoosiers up front and Nittos in the rear along with the very uneven pavement in the braking zones did cause some scary wiggles. By the second half of the enduro, the car was getting very loose sliding all over.
Had the header fail at the flex-joint causing loss of power as well as even louder obnoxious sounds in the car.
Throttle reponse was lousy as well due to lack of back-pressure.
Hope to see you next season.
Cheers,
Steve

No money to get to the track and you're putting in a sequential? :confused

Can you raise that wing up into some air space in which it can actually function, or is it totally restricted? From those pics, it doesn't look like it gets any airflow at all.

Only a sequential "shifter" Steve. Car shifts with large solenoids, I just trigger shifting with either paddles or a stick. Was supplied free of charge by a sponsor, ... in lue of the cash I was hoping for. But no matter, it's a good sponsor who has helped quite a bit. M7 Tuning (http://www.m7tuning.com/home.html)
That wing actually gets a ton of air. If you saw it in person you would see that more clearly. It's designed to clean flow and reduce drag more then downforce.
I did propose a BMWCR rule change to permit cars like these to run the wing up to 3" higher then roof line and it seems they did adopt that rule change.

I did propose a BMWCR rule change to permit cars like these to run the wing up to 3" higher then roof line and it seems they did adopt that rule change.


Yes, we do listen to our racers! Sometimes. :)

Car is on display at Inskip (http://www.inskip.com/) Mini, Warwick, RI. If your in the area then please stop in and check it out. Let'm know you came to see the car. It will help the "cause". ;)

Thanks


http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/inskip_d.jpg


http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/inskip_b.jpg

http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/inslip_C.jpg

Friend just sent these, so I wanted to share with those that may want a copy.

These are from the NHIS race.


http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/IMG_3202r.jpg


http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/IMG_3228cropBa.jpg

http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/IMG_3231r.jpg


http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/IMG_3240r.jpg

http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/IMG_3237r_a.jpg

http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/IMG_3247r.jpg

and, ... while you guys were racing... :rolleyes
http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/nhis_pitlane.gif

LOL love thie pics from NHMS.

When is your next race? Making it to VIR?