Aka "Chadwick" for winning the SSM class at the SCCA National Solo2 Championship in Lincoln. He edged out Andy McKee and Erik Strelnieks in a weather-affected second day of front-running RX-7s.

Dave

 

Congratulations Chadwick!

Going to change anything for next season? Or stick with what works?

 

What was the exact weather situation? I've heard SS and FM were badly affected too. Either way, great job keeping SSM in the rotary family, even with the extra weight this year!

 

Wow. Very cool. Congrats Dan!

 

Congrats

 

It looks like rain swept in on the second runs and Dan got a good clean one in on dry pavement. Not all of the others got that. He made up a second on the previous days' leaders and nailed that run. Last year's winner and runner-up Erik Strelnieks and Andy McKee did not appear to get any dry runs on day two, shredding their chances.

 

Congrats to Dan and "tinkerbell" As for the weather situation... that's racing. The running order is a gamble... most of the time it works for the people running later in the day... it didn't that day

 

Yes, congrats Dan! You did what you had to do and got a clean run when it was already starting to sprinkle. Given the forecast I was expecting just a quick light rain, but unfortunately it turned into steady rain enough to wet the whole course. At least an RX-7 won! :-)

-Andy M.

 

Thanks to everyone for the congratulations.

We have a bit more to do to be fully prepped (if that is really possible), had to run with 3/4's of a tank of gas to keep from fuel starving so we will fix that issue and drop 70lbs of unneeded weight. Will also be adding drop spindles for roll center correction and Series 28 Koni's for better damping with the higher spring rates that will be going on the car.

We had a series of issues right before Nationals that keep us from getting the full potential out of the motor so we only had 350 rwhp., 300 rwt. We should be able to squeeze out another 30-40 rwhp by upping the boost and more aggressive timing/split. I didn't want to push the tuning on the dyno without the water injection running and a less than perfect ignition system (we lost the Jacobs unit the week before and had to switch to an HKS driving stock coils).

Thanks Andy, I couldn't ask to run against better competitors than you and Erik. I thought for sure this was your year, especially after watching your car on the first day. Sorry it had to come down to the weather. I knew when the drops started to hit my windshield that I better make it quick and clean... fortunately I did.

Thanks,
Dan

 

Very nice man!!!


.

 

Congrats!

Drop spindles huh, who's doing the design and fabrication or are you getting these?

I will be eventually making my own machined from billet drop spindles, but that will be awhile.

 

Are you going to add a swirl pot of some sort? That is the route I am looking at.


I am very curious about the drop spindles.

Sounds like you had quite the laundry list of issues to fight against. I probably would have hit things with a hammer.

Again, congrats. It sounds like you came down to crunch time and you got things done.

 

FD FTW Nothing better than seeing any sort of racing results showing that these cars are still not only competing but winning at the national level. CONGRATS!!!!

Regarding the fuel loss sounds like you're going with a small cell and reservoir?

 

Really have not decided yet, I don't want to cut the car for a fuel cell nor do I want to be filling it up from the inside. I also don't like external swirl pots and all the extra plumping they require. Right now I'm leaning towards an in tank surge tank and secondary in tank pump that picks up on the right side of the tank. I have also considered modifying the stock tank by reducing its size internally.

Most likely going with the SP-Tec ones pictured above.

I normally resist using a hammer while working on cars for just that reason .

Thanks!


Dan

 

congrats man, nice meeting you on sunday, loved the car
I'll just leave these two things here


http://www.1320video.com/gallery/album192?page=1

 

Chadwick, Are you running Hyperion's fuel slosh cover?

 

Interesting, I'm plan on making an in-tank swirl tank this winter similar to the pictures posted, but with a in tank low pressure/high volume pump to feed the swirl tank. I could make another one while I'm at it if your interested.

 

In- tank is definitely the direction I am leaning towards I am attempting to keep a very stock like interior, so it only seems fitting to hide a swirl pot inside the already massive fuel tank. Are you thinking about using an external fuel pump or mounting a second on inside the tank?

I have been talking with a member on here (Tweak Games) about isolating a section of the factory fuel tank off. Basically creating a partition (roughly 3 gallons or so) and it could be used as a back-up reservoir for water injection, or just left empty, Heck, in your case, you could just cut the ends off and run 14 gallons total. Or less. I am not quite sure of your intentions yet.


Correct me if I am wrong, but these will allow you to lower the center of gravity of the vehicle without actually changing the position of your a-arms? This would mean you are not compromising against the stock geometry of the suspension travel? I seem to remember that Howard Coleman had measured a 3 degree negative camber difference through the ideal range on the fd's suspension travel. If those drop spindles allow you to drop your cg without sacrificing the negative camber effect... It sounds like a no brainer/perfect mod.

No matter how many times I try to convince myself... the "shot peen" finish does not belong on the engine...

 

Correct, non of the suspension geometry is affected. Though custom coilovers with reduced overall travel are needed or larger bump stops put in place to prevent the tires from touching the frame/fender liners.

 

Dan, you deserve this after all the bad luck you have had over the years at nationals. A lot of time has been put into the car and it is nice to see it finally pay off. Now we got to work on the list for next year plus take some time to put together your new toy too.

Andy, it was nice to finally meet you and I look forward to running against you, Theresa, Erik, Beth and Dan next year. Maybe we can take the top 6 spots. I wonder if Dan will want me to be the first driver or if he is planning on keeping his lucky spot?

Brian Johns

 

Yes, worked good until we got the setup dialed in, now not so much.

Thanks, but I want to keep the fuel level sensor intacted so we will have to come up with a different setup.

Inside the tank, I don't want any external plumbing or pumps.

Cutting the tank in half has been bounced around. That way we keep the fill neck and stock plumbing, but won't have to worry about fuel slosh or the extra weight of the other half of the tank.


You're right on the money!


LOL

Depends on the weather forcast for that weekend


Dan

 

Thanks for stopping by and hanging out with us for a bit, was a pleasure to meet you.

Dan

 

Yeah, I was thinking about that as well yesterday. I'm in the same boat, would like to keep the fuel level sensor.

I may just remove the original "surge" tank and make a taller box section in that area with the LP/HV pump bolted to the box or trap doors in place similar to the one pictured below. CrispyRX7's oil pan fyi.

Trap doors are out of a BMW E30 M3 baffled sump. They are called "non-return flaps" and run about $28 a pop. OEM Part # 11 13 1 309 428

Anyways, GL with your winter projects.

Adam

 

I'm guessing the rules will not permit a dry break system?

 

Congrats by the way!