Out with the old...in with the new...Britain's Racecar Development, Subaru Engine, Lotus Suspension! Time to go racing! Options

[Britain Smith]

Yea, that would work as well. I like this solution because I can slip the insulation cover right off the top if I need to. We shall see how it works, I have my hopes up.

-Britain

[Chris Pincetich]

The development never stops! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
While the solution to more HP was indeed far from KISS, my intuition says that if you can avoid full thrashing of that engine (14 lb boost spike, Uh oh!) it will last a while and things will get (relatively more) simple.
Have you had a chance to see/feel/drive the newest Goodyear AX slicks?
I don't envy your situation with the big swings in temps and rough surfaces at home vs. the big SCCA venues!

[Britain Smith]

The 14psi boost was not spike, that was sustained and just about normal for that engine. In fact, that is not even in the peak efficiency range for that turbo...the tuner wants to push around 18psi but I don't want to destroy the transmission and/or clutch. That said, I need to dial in around 7psi in cold or wet conditions and about 14psi in warm, sticky tire conditions.

I have not tried the newest Goodyear Slick. It is actually a DOT tire and not a slick.

-Britain

[J P Stein]

I don't envy your situation with the big swings in temps and rough surfaces at home vs. the big SCCA venues!

The good news is that most folks in the country have a similar problem.
Some guys are lucky with big open concrete venues but, I think, the majority are not. So we hammer away on our POS venues & hope for the best.

We went to Wendover last spring. Nowhere will prepare you for the grip that place generated. It ground tires to dust. The car done good.....when we got it running on all 6. I sucked as usual. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) My goal was not to finish DFL in class....OK, but I still sucked. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[BMXerror]

There's something to be said for racing in less perfect conditions. Here in So Cal some of our drivers have the problem of not enough rain practice throughout the year. Then they go to Nationals, get dumped on, and then get spanked. I doubt you guys have that problem. Plus the bumps really refine your car control.
Love the video, by the way. You know it's scary fast when it looks fast on YouTube! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/yikes.gif) Keep up the good work.
Mark D.

[Randal]

Directly from Facebook:

Britain Smith
Great day at the SCCA Autocross at PIR. Took TTOD with the Where2Race sponsored Porsche 914. Finally got the boost under control, the brake bias in check, and had some fun driving the car in anger. Can't wait to mount new tires and take the car to Packwood in two weeks.

Isn't it cool to see another 914 race car project start to get sorted out and find success.

Keep up the great work Britain, we've all enjoyed watching your project and are enjoying seeing you compete, with success, at events.

Pretty soon everyone is going to want one of those WheretoRace T-shirt, i.e. the official sponsor of the sh##-bo# 914.

Do you have yellow t's?

[Britain Smith]

Yes, thanks Randal. Great day at the AX, car stayed together well and is getting closer to what I considered sorted out. I actually cleared my head from thinking about the car and focused on driving...even JP noticed.

Here is a video of my fastest run. I am really going to have to look into getting a better camera.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-Et-cJPgPM


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-Et-cJPgPM


-Britain

[J P Stein]

Indeed, on your 4th run when you came into my view I said to my self....ah, now he's workin' it.......then you looped it.....oops. Some fresh tiars well with help that but keep that trans alive.

[Britain Smith]

Ok guys, it is late and I am going to bed...but before I do, here is a little to share.

Spent the day at COBB Tuning Surgeline finalizing the tune on my car. First off, what a great atmosphere down there and a very knowledgeable group of guys. Many thanks to head tuner Timothy Bailey and Brandon Lumpkins for their work, I know they enjoyed the ride around the parking lot.

We got the cold start enrichment ironed out so that the car is a bit easier to start on the E85 in cold to mild weather. We also tuned the new Turbosmart E-boost boost controller set-up maps at various boost set-points. This will allow me to dial in the boost level depending on weather, track conditions, course layout, and tire life. This set-up is trick and very easy to adjust.

Here are both the low boost and high boost dyno graphs.

Low Boost, 8psi:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net-364-1304666492.1.jpg)

High Boost, 14psi:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net-364-1304666492.2.jpg)

Now, the motor will easily take 18psi without issue. However, the clutch package is rated at about 400hp and the transmission/CV's are already close to the theoretical limit so I decided that I wanted to stick to this power level and avoid the exponential decay of transmission. Besides, the car is only 1800lbs and just about uncontrollable at the high boost levels.

Just as a side note, I have driven this car in competition for over 5 years and after driving it tonight thru the parking lot I got out and had a good adrenalin rush, complete with shaking hands, for a good 5mins.

Overall, the car is running great and the driving experience is beyond my expectations...it is going to be a fun year.

-Britain

[Britain Smith]

If you were wondering, the 2-speed transmission works perfect for this application. There is not a hint of turbo lag anywhere in the powerband. Low gear is around 60mph and high gear is a measured 83mph at 7400rpm...the motor spins to 8200rpm and should be around 95mph. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

-Britain

[DBCooper]

Wow, you were right, it's a rocket! And you're now officially having more fun than I am.

[PeeGreen 914]

Holy crap Britain (IMG:style_emoticons/default/w00t.gif) . I know the national level competition is tough but I do believe you now have a car that is able to take 1st (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) . It's now just up to the driver (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

You can do it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)

[dlo914]

Yes, thanks Randal. Great day at the AX, car stayed together well and is getting closer to what I considered sorted out. I actually cleared my head from thinking about the car and focused on driving...even JP noticed.

Here is a video of my fastest run. I am really going to have to look into getting a better camera.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-Et-cJPgPM


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-Et-cJPgPM


-Britain

A base model Gopro 170 work wonders even thought it's only a 5mpx non-hd camera with a 170 degree wide lense. Retail they go for $100. I got mine used on craigslist for $80 and spent another $30 on their suction cup mount. Here's a vid of my DD at a local small track:

Driver Side Fender mounted on my 02' IS300 manual 5spd

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yHgz1GmqfU


Roof mounted on my friend's 02' S2000

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlpmtWv1qKo

[Randal]

Ok guys, it is late and I am going to bed...but before I do, here is a little to share.

Spent the day at COBB Tuning Surgeline finalizing the tune on my car. First off, what a great atmosphere down there and a very knowledgeable group of guys. Many thanks to head tuner Timothy Bailey and Brandon Lumpkins for their work, I know they enjoyed the ride around the parking lot.

We got the cold start enrichment ironed out so that the car is a bit easier to start on the E85 in cold to mild weather. We also tuned the new Turbosmart E-boost boost controller set-up maps at various boost set-points. This will allow me to dial in the boost level depending on weather, track conditions, course layout, and tire life. This set-up is trick and very easy to adjust.

Here are both the low boost and high boost dyno graphs.

Low Boost, 8psi:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net-364-1304666492.1.jpg)

High Boost, 14psi:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net-364-1304666492.2.jpg)

Now, the motor will easily take 18psi without issue. However, the clutch package is rated at about 400hp and the transmission/CV's are already close to the theoretical limit so I decided that I wanted to stick to this power level and avoid the exponential decay of transmission. Besides, the car is only 1800lbs and just about uncontrollable at the high boost levels.

Just as a side note, I have driven this car in competition for over 5 years and after driving it tonight thru the parking lot I got out and had a good adrenalin rush, complete with shaking hands, for a good 5mins.

Overall, the car is running great and the driving experience is beyond my expectations...it is going to be a fun year.

-Britain

OK, we get it, you now have to wear a g-suit coming out of corners.

Can you believe those torque figures? And it comes on so early and stays so late.

I'd say that engine is just about ideal.

[Britain Smith]

Thanks guys...like I mentioned in my post last night...the car gives you a shot of adrenalin that takes several minutes to wear off. I can't wait to drive the thing in anger!

dlo914, thanks for the info on the GoPro. I am looking to get a SmartyCam and while I know they are much more expensive, I would like to overlay the data from my AIM dash which will make the videos much more exciting to watch.

-Britain

[Chris Pincetich]

Awesome (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/drooley.gif)

[charliew]

Just my be prepared idea but why not get a 18 psi boost tune? You know you will get aquainted really well with the tune you have and you WILL be able to use more at some point. The higher boost will mean lower rpms overall I would think although it might get a little twitchy. I always thought a new fast motorcycle was fast and it made my knees shake but only for a while.

[Britain Smith]

The tune is good up to 18psi and there is no reason on the engine side not to go there. However, the last thing I want to do is burn up the clutch or blow the transmission on the dyno. Believe me, the car is a handful at 14psi and until I feel I need more power, that will be the limit. There is something to be said about going to an event and not have to wrench on the car or scramble to fix something.

-Britain

[J P Stein]

IMO Brit needs more rear tire to handle 14 PSI, much less 18 PSI.....having said that, I'm sure it will come.
The car is now nearly as quick as before the swap with Brit driving. It'll be quicker with new 10s but really needs new 12s. The 12s may well induce driveline breakage. Now is not the time for that. Now is the time for learning to deal with the beastie with 50 more hp/ftlbs and concentrating on the driving rather than worrying about the car. It appears to me that the driving style of the turbo vs the NA is different.

[grantsfo]

It appears to me that the driving style of the turbo vs the NA is different.

Yep espeically low displacement turbo motors like this one. You can see the cliff where power falls off from the dyno. Need to be on early and learn how to left foot brake like a mad man.

AWD cars are a little easier as they allow you to get on turbo early. 2wd is a little tougher but Brit will figure it out.

I liked the torque from my 2.3 DI turbo MS6. It pulled like a tractor from 2400 RPM. Of course I had 2000 more lbs of car to haul than Brit!

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.lugg.net-433-1306441768.1.jpg)