My Sebring ride!, Update: Finished 44th out of 68. Fast lap of 2:43 Options

[ThePaintedMan]

So, no this is not 914 related, but some of you may know that I was attempting to have my car ready to run the Chumpcar 14 hours of Sebring in Sept. As is often the case with these things, the OTHER drivers who were supposed to pony up have not to date, and I just don't have the funds to finish the car appropriately on my own. We would be a joke, if not a hazard and I would rather get the car sorted correctly and have some fun on the street then rush into something. Maybe next year.

However, I saved enough money and set some aside to cover my own azz in just such an occasion. I started poking around on the forum and met a great team from Sebring - a father, son and brother in law looking for another driver. Though its not a 914, it is something I'm VERY familiar with.

'95 Mustang 5.0. Needless to say I'm very excited to be living one of my childhood dreams - driving a lap at Sebring. I'll let you all know how we do and post some more pics soon.

[ThePaintedMan]

Corner balance? What corner balance? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Lets just say its no 914. And it doesn't handle as well as my Mustang with Eibachs, KYB adjustables, Steeda balljoints, poly bushings, s-bars and bumpsteer kit. Its about 1.5 inches higher than I would like to see it, but Mustangs already have horrible geometry and any lowering past stock requires a compounding set of components to correct it. MacPherson struts are like that I guess. The biggest problem with the car was the body roll, but I was able to pick up on it pretty quick and just let it settle in the twisties. Like most heavy cars, its all about slow in, fast out. And by fast out, I mean I was hitting 130-135 on the backstretch. Blew by the same 911 that I rode in with a built 2.7, though it was obvious how much better he handled under braking and in the corners. The real plus to this car is the gearing - when the tranny was rebuilt he swapped out the OD 5th for a much higher and usable gear. With the stock 3.73 gears and 5th I was nearing 5,700 on the backstretch, almost on the rev limiter and just getting off of the cam. I was tempted to use 2nd but got far too much wheelspin and really slowed the engine down too much. But 3rd-5th was a blast.

Again, I'm a little nervous about the brakes, especially at Sebring. I was at 800 degrees once I came back to the pits, though the fluid did not boil. I didn't feel like I was even using all that I had. That combined with the longer backstretch and the gearing (pretty sure we'll top out), I think we're right on ragged edge of what the car is capable of.

[Randal]

Corner balance? What corner balance? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Lets just say its no 914. And it doesn't handle as well as my Mustang with Eibachs, KYB adjustables, Steeda balljoints, poly bushings, s-bars and bumpsteer kit. Its about 1.5 inches higher than I would like to see it, but Mustangs already have horrible geometry and any lowering past stock requires a compounding set of components to correct it. MacPherson struts are like that I guess. The biggest problem with the car was the body roll, but I was able to pick up on it pretty quick and just let it settle in the twisties. Like most heavy cars, its all about slow in, fast out. And by fast out, I mean I was hitting 130-135 on the backstretch. Blew by the same 911 that I rode in with a built 2.7, though it was obvious how much better he handled under braking and in the corners. The real plus to this car is the gearing - when the tranny was rebuilt he swapped out the OD 5th for a much higher and usable gear. With the stock 3.73 gears and 5th I was nearing 5,700 on the backstretch, almost on the rev limiter and just getting off of the cam. I was tempted to use 2nd but got far too much wheelspin and really slowed the engine down too much. But 3rd-5th was a blast.

Again, I'm a little nervous about the brakes, especially at Sebring. I was at 800 degrees once I came back to the pits, though the fluid did not boil. I didn't feel like I was even using all that I had. That combined with the longer backstretch and the gearing (pretty sure we'll top out), I think we're right on ragged edge of what the car is capable of.

Wow, sounds like you're going to be having a bunch of fun. Life in the fast lane!

What about big sway bars to control the roll or isn't that allowed?