Prophet7000

Not sure if this should be in the race section or not but. . . .I'm planning on attending a HPDE weekend at VIR in early April, since I'd like to feel like my driving skills match my car's performance. My current mods are in my sig (notice that its the original engine and I'd like for it to survive the trip). In addition, I'm planning/already have but haven't installed yet:

- Fighter's Intake (just got it, looks nice)
- Koyo radiator
- RE-speed oil filler neck (to reduce oil loss due to sloshing)
- In-tank fuel cell (to avoid lean condition)
- Maybe midpipe (wastegate already ported, not for power I'm just worried about a clogged cat driving to and from VIR since I have no airpump)
- custom IC ducting
- new water temp gauge
- Vented hood?

That's all I can remember now, although something may have slipped my mind. What else do you guys recommend to do this safely?

P7k

azn akira

to be on the safe side for hpde driving i'd say radiator, dual oil coolers, downpipe, water temp guage and oil temp gauge. with those you should be good to go all day

Prophet7000

Yeah I'm only rocking the single oil cooler since my car is a touring model. Think a single oil cooler with improved ducting would be sufficient or should I seriously be considering a dual cooler setup?

gracer7-rx7

iTrader: (16)

Read this thread:
https://www.rx7club.com/search.php?searchid=4596867

Lots of input from the senior members on this forum there.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

I think he means this thread:

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/fd-road-racers-only-your-upgrades-your-rationale-136678/

Prophet7000

Good info on there. Which dual oil cooler kit is the most complete (eg brackets included, less fabrication required)? I'm only aware of the rx7store, rotor sports racing, and gotham racing ones. I could go the "second stock oil cooler to set up dual" direction, but I think I'd rather avoid something so involved while I'm trying to get the car prepped. Hate to frantically be tossing the car together right be for I head up to VA.

gracer7-rx7

iTrader: (16)

^ Yep.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

If you want to get one of the pre-assembled kits, I would suggest the Gotham kit:

http://www.gothamracing.com/catalog/...oducts_id=1176

However, the stock R1 dual setup does very well at the track. I'll be testing an upgraded single cooler setup this year. It's not a big deal to add another cooler, but I'm curious to see the performance of just an upgraded single unit.

gracer7-rx7

iTrader: (16)

The less changes you make before an event the better. Focus on reliability issues.

Understand that those are guys who are running top tier HPDE and Time Trials. If you are running HPDE Level 1 or 2, you should be OK w/o high $ dual oil coolers and other mods. Plus unless you are monitoring your temps, you really don't know if you NEED dual oil coolers.

My comments on your mods are as follows:

- Fighter's Intake (just got it, looks nice)
Do some testing to see if your boost levels are controllable. If you have issues in 4th and 5th gear at WOT skip it for now. Some people experience boost creep and spike when they open up the intake or exhaust especially when you are all out in higher gears.

- Koyo radiator
Do it now and check your coolant hoses to make sure they are in good shape. Don't forget to get some high density foam (like upholstery foam) to seal the sides. You'll need to bleed all the air out of the system and that typically takes a few days.

- RE-speed oil filler neck (to reduce oil loss due to sloshing)
Probably not necessary unless you are a baller. You will eventually want to use that in conjunction with an oil catch can.

- In-tank fuel cell (to avoid lean condition)
If you are referring to Hyperion's surge cover, its a good idea but not necessary if you can keep fuel levels about 1/3 tank. Install it sooner rather than later to make sure there are no issues once it is installed.


- Maybe midpipe (wastegate already ported, not for power I'm just worried about a clogged cat driving to and from VIR since I have no airpump)
Midpipes are pretty loud but cheap. If you can control boost, go for it. I wound up welding a metal cat into my mid pipe for track duty so I could better control boost and get rid of that nasty stink.

- custom IC ducting
why?

- new water temp gauge
Good idea. Make sure there are no leaks.

- Vented hood?
Don't bother until you have determined what your temps are. Plenty of people run with the stock hood.

Specter328

iTrader: (2)

A good set of race compound brake pads as well.

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

Bare minimum:
- water temp gauge
- more aggressive pads
- full brake bleed

Second most important:
- radiator
- extra oil cooler

The other stuff is just extra variables that may need sorted out, and you don't want to be refinining things at an HPDE. Just driving. The oil filler neck is a nice toy but without r compounds you're probably not going to push lots of oil. Leave out the fuel cell since there is nothing stopping you from running over 1/3 tank, and it's a major mod. Definitely no reason to spend for a vented hood now.

wrankin

If you are just starting out in HPDEs, then you need to focus on the reliability issues of your car. Even in stock trim, the FD is a very capable car on the track. The limiting factor (for probably a long time) will be the driver, not the car.

Work on reliability first. Personally I would only work on reliability issues, at least until you get a few track events under your belt. Save your money for event fees, tires and brake pads :-)

As for prep, dgeesaman's got the right list. I would add to that list that you need to look at all the fluids in your car. Have you ever changed your tranny and diff fluids? An oil change and plug check is also pretty much a requirement. I have my own list of things I go through before an event. I can try and find post a copy if anyone is intested.

Are you going with Tarheel Sportscar Club's event? In any case, you will have to have the car tech'ed before the event. The tech inspection is for getting the signoff on the car, it is not the time to find out the problems. Go over the car completely before it goes to tech. Like a few weeks before it goes in for the inspectioon. Get a second set of knowledgeable eyes to go through it with you. If you don't know someone, drop me a PM. Since you live right down the road from me, I can recommend a couple people who may be willing to help for a minimal amount.

Have fun,

-bill

Prophet7000

You don't think the Hawk HPS+ will be good enough? I can certainly change them up, but damn they've only got like 1.5k on them!

Prophet7000

I shouldn't have boost spike due to the fact that I'm full non-seq and I'd hope that the wastegate port will prevent boost creep. If not, I'll add some back pressure.

I'm planning on redoing the IC ducting since it now has two holes in it (crossover for intake and battery air duct) and it doesn't seem that too decently shaped to start with. Since I'm rocking the stock IC I'd like for it to at least be as efficient as possible.

Prophet7000

Tranny fluid is Redline MT-90 (2-3k old) though I'm thinking of swapping to Neo. I've already got Idemitsu gear oil ready to go into the diff. Oil will be changed (GTX 20-50). Plugs will be changed with new NGK plats.

I'd be interested.

Yep

Yeah, the only real cars guys I know around here are me and my roommate. We do all the work ourselves. I haven't met anyone else partly because I think I'd be hard pressed to find someone I trust to work on the FD who isn't me.

Oh. . .I will.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

If you have any prior track experience, the HPS is are not going to be good for the track. Your first time or two out, they'll be ok as you shouldn't be pushing the car all that hard at first.

Prophet7000

What would you suggest for a pad that's track worthy that would still work on my car for the street? I would get two sets of pads but I was under the impression that pads and rotors kind of "mated for life" (unless you get the rotors turned).

RE-Mamamia

iTrader: (6)

HP+ are good if it's your first time on track...I think if you relax, you'll have a fantastic time! Good luck!

Prophet7000

I'm not super worried about anything per se. My problem stems from the fact that I'm no pro driver. I'm basically a shadetree mechanic whose relatively recent obsession with the FD has started to create something that is seemingly outside of my ability to control to its limit. That's why I'm doing HPDE - to gain a sense of control over my car. The way it goes now, it feels like I'm reacting to it instead of vice versa. But to feel comfortable wailing on the car at VIR, I need to feel as close as I can to 100% confident that the car is mechanically ready. Worrying now and having the car squared away will allow me to relax when the time comes and learn as much as I can.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Here's an old discussion on brake pads:

https://www.rx7club.com/suspension-wheels-tires-brakes-20/n-tech-competition-compound-440657/

Prophet7000

Thanks Mr. Links!

Prophet7000

So this is the list I have worked out now.

To do for sure - water/oil temp gauges, koyo rad, g force pro force 1 helmet (can't forget that) plus maintenance items (oil, plugs, brake fluid)

If I've got extra time and money then - gotham dual oil cooler kit, midpipe, and a set of N-tech lapping pads up front

Anything else obvious I'm forgetting?

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

If you spend for all of that, you'll have many HPDE events before you'll be able to outdrive that setup.

Prophet7000

Sounds good to me. I don't intend this event to be my last. I'm just psyched to start learning how to actually drive my car.

Prophet7000

So after not feeling ready for the event in April, I pushed my HPDE to the NCR SCCA event at Rockingham that happened last Saturday. Out of my planned mods I completed the Koyo N-flo (R1443N), Defi BF oil/temp gauges, midpipe with Borla XR-1 welded in, and maintenance items. Didn't change out the HPS pads.

The car performed superbly. No fade in the brakes and a peak track temp of 197 F. The only hitch I had was rubbing of the right front tire with the fender well which stripped some wires. I "fixed" this during lunch by just re-wrapping the wires and zip tie-ing them out of the way. It looks like the upper rubber shock mount on that side is destroyed/crushed letting it sit a bit lower. So I'll have to take care of that. Thanks for all the input guys and helping me make my first track experience a good one!