2nd Gen R56 Pepper White Street / STX Autocross Build Thread

Discussion in 'Car Builds, Projects, Idea's Experiments' started by emptyo, May 7, 2014.

  1. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    David.0 has posted pictures on one of his threads with his trials and tribulations with EBC reds.... Yet I don't have the same issues....

    I don't drive at 11/10, and my EBC reds are clamped by the JCW calipers which use a bigger pad than what David may have.... So maybe apples and oranges on the problem....

    Track pads.... Lots of options... Lots of claims by members....

    They will let you know... :D
     
  2. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Pass on the EBC REDS and go with Carbotech for the track. Much better pad for the money.

    I personally have had 3 sets of EBC reads fail (2 front and 1 rear set) If you going to track go with Carbotech. (link below)

    Carbotech Performance Brakes
     
  3. emptyo

    emptyo Member

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    Not track...autocross.
     
  4. emptyo

    emptyo Member

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    Car was BRILLIANT yesterday.

    300 Miles of twisty, mountain, San Diego roads with the West Coast Mini club. The car was flawless, and the suspension felt fantastic. I was worried it would be too harsh on the roads, but I don't feel much of a comfort difference from stock. Maybe I just like stiff cars.

    Current settings are H-Sport rear sway bar set to "middle" (3 stiffness options available), from Koni shocks FULL soft, and rear Konis set to 3/4 of a turn from stiff. (2 1/2 full rotations from soft to stiff. I sure wish they would index them.)

    Here's a shot from the run yesterday. Tough place I live in.

    [​IMG]

    3 autocrosses (PCA, BMWCCA, SCCA) in the next two weekends, so the real test begins soon.
     
  5. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    The Carbotechs are excellent for Autocross also.
     
  6. emptyo

    emptyo Member

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    Alright...pads and rotors ordered. I might paint the calipers while I'm at it. Just because.
     
  7. emptyo

    emptyo Member

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    Brakes installed, and refurbed.

    Got everything I needed from JC Whitney. Crazy great prices on the pads. They have a button named "make offer", so I just offered $75 for each set, and that reduced the price significantly. The downside, they didn't have the upgraded rear discs that had the hats and interiors powdercoated. While I was in there, I decided to paint the calipers the same orange as the orange dot in my logo:

    [​IMG]

    The devil is in the details.

    Here's the layout:

    [​IMG]

    The rear discs needed to be painted. So, I masked them with blue tape and sprayed them up. I used High Heat Engine enamel.

    [​IMG]

    Much better:
    [​IMG]

    In the meantime, it was time to clean and refurb the front calipers. This is where I started:

    [​IMG]

    Calipers pulled, bungee corded out of the way, cleaned, and flipped over. The painting begins:

    [​IMG]

    Rears ready for pad install:

    [​IMG]

    3 coats of orange, 3 coats of clear later, all buttoned up and installed. The orange looks pretty fluorescent in this picture, but it's not quite that neon in real life:

    [​IMG]

    Hiding behind the wheel:

    [​IMG]

    EBC Warning...

    [​IMG]

    ...which I promptly ignored and raced the next day at a local PCA event. ;) EBC brakes have a special coating which scores and beds the new discs. Because of that, they heat up VERY quickly. So, my new rotors are a bit blue now. But that just makes them faster. ;) I'll report back on the pads when they are properly bedded.

    [​IMG]
     
  8. cdillon23

    cdillon23 New Member

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    emptyo, this is a great build. I am enjoying seeing what you are doing. I look forward to more.
     
  9. emptyo

    emptyo Member

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    28 Runs in 2 Weekends.

    Wow. I'm autocrossed out. PCA last weekend for 12 runs. BMWCCA yesterday for 12 runs. SCCA today for 4 runs.

    6 events worth of SCCA runs in two weekends!

    I'm driving well, but I have an issue with the car. I have no power anymore...it 's been in limp mode since the last 3 runs of the PCA event. I get to 4000 RPM and the car runs out of pull. So, I have to shift to 3rd gear to get anything at all. I'll be taking it in this week to see what the deal is.
     
  10. emptyo

    emptyo Member

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    Data Acquisition

    I've decided to invest in some data acquisition software/hardware.

    After doing some research, here's what I landed on:

    Harry's Lap Timer (iOS Version)
    Dual XGPS 160 (10 mhz) GPS device
    Go Pro Hero 3 Silver +
    Simvalley ELM327 WIFI OBD2 Scanner.

    I'm still waiting on the OBD2 Scanner, but I've now done 2 events with Harry's Lap Timer. It's quite remarkable. It instantly integrated with the GPS unit and the Go Pro.

    Here's my setup:

    [​IMG]
     
  11. RallyMini370

    RallyMini370 Well-Known Member

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    Looking good! EBC brakes too!
     
  12. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Ugh I would never brag about EBC brakes. :mad2::mad2::mad2:
     
  13. emptyo

    emptyo Member

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    I've realized how long it's been since I've updated this thread. The truth is, I've been running a lot of events. Enough that my Star Specs are almost completely bald. I'm considering trying out a set of Hankooks next.

    In the last few months, I've been focusing on another car build I have, but in the meantime, installed this pretty piece of hardware:

    [​IMG]

    OS Giken LSD has really transformed the car, but also exposed some inadequacies in my suspension setup. Primarily, my lack of camber plates.

    We took my tire temps after a few runs yesterday, and my outside edge is 10 degrees hotter than the center. So, I desperately need more negative camber. I'll be ordering some Vordschlag camber plates, but there's currently a supply issue.

    I installed these custom adjusters today to adjust the koni yellows:

    [​IMG]

    They are REALLY hard to adjust, because it's hard to get a hand back there and get leverage. But, it's easier than pulling the shocks every time!

    [​IMG]

    I ran a BMW autocross this weekend. Had about 9 minis in class. I managed to squeeze a bit more camber out of the stock slots while in the pits, and the car felt great!

    [​IMG]

    I'll check in after I do the camber plates and get some tires.
     
  14. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Great update and Dunlop just released a new Star Spec that has even more grip.
     
  15. emptyo

    emptyo Member

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    Interesting Dave...didn't know that. I'll investigate. Thanks!
     
  16. emptyo

    emptyo Member

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    Hey Dave.O,

    I need to start thinking about air intake/exhaust pretty soon. Wondering if you had some recommendations? I obviously want to max out my car to the extent of the rules, and the computer mods are an interesting gray area:

    14.10 ENGINE AND DRIVETRAIN
    A. Oil pans and pickups may be modified or substituted. Addition or modification
    of windage trays or crankshaft scrapers is not allowed. Engine
    oil, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid coolers may be added or
    substituted (including oil to coolant heat exchangers) but may not serve
    any additional purpose.
    B. Original equipment traction control systems may be electrically disabled,
    but not removed or altered in any other way.
    C. The air intake system up to, but not including, the engine inlet may be
    modified or replaced. The engine inlet is the throttle body, carburetor,
    compressor inlet, or intake manifold, whichever comes first. The existing
    structure of the car may not be modified for the passage of ducting
    from the air cleaner to the engine inlet. Holes may be drilled for
    mounting. Emissions or engine management components in the air
    intake system, such as a PCV valve or mass airflow sensor, may not be
    removed, modified, or replaced, and must retain their original function
    along the flow path.
    D. Exhaust manifolds, headers, downpipes, and associated EGR tubes may
    be replaced with alternate units. Exhaust exit may be relocated provided
    it meets Section 3.3.3.B.15. Relocation of the oxygen sensor on the
    header is permitted. Exhaust heat shields which cover only, and attach
    solely to, these parts may also be replaced, removed, or modified. All
    other exhaust heat shields may be modified the minimum amount necessary
    to accommodate allowed alternate exhaust components. Mount-88 — 2015 SCCA® National Solo® Rules
    14. Street Touring®
    ing brackets/hardware which serve no other purpose are considered
    part of the exhaust components.
    E. Catalytic converters: Any catalytic converters are allowed, but must attach
    within 6†(152.4 mm) of the original unit. Multiple catalytic converters
    may be replaced by a single unit. The inlet of the single replacement
    converter may be located no further downstream than 6†(152.4
    mm) along the piping flow path from the original exit of the final OE
    converter. The extents of an OE converter are defined by the expansion
    chamber in which the catalyst is contained, regardless of placement
    within larger exhaust sections. Replacement converters must have a
    minimum catalyst density of 100 cells per inch and minimum substrate
    length of 3†(76.2 mm).
    F. The engine management system parameters and operation of internal
    combustion engines may be modified only via the methods listed below.
    These allowances also apply to forced induction cars, except that
    no changes to standard boost levels, intercoolers, or boost controls are
    permitted. Boost changes indirectly resulting from allowed modifications
    are permissible but directly altering or modifying the boost or
    turbo controls, either mechanically or electronically, is strictly prohibited.
    Traction control parameters may not be altered. Any OE OBD2 or
    newer communications port functionality must remain. The Check Engine
    Light (CEL) or Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may be disabled
    via software. Alternate software maps which violate these restrictions
    may not be present during competition, regardless of activation. Only
    OE sensors may be used for engine management.
    1. Reprogrammed ECU/PCM (via hardware and/or software) may be
    used in the standard housing.
    2. Supplementary (“Piggybackâ€) ECU may be used subject to the following
    restrictions:
    a. Connects between the standard ECU/PCM and its wiring harness
    only.
    b. Must be plug-compatible with the standard ECU/PCM (no splices).
    3. Electronic components may be installed in-line between an engine’s
    sensors and ECU/PCM. These components may alter the signal coming
    from the sensor in order to affect the ECU/PCM operation of engine
    management system. Example: Fuel controllers that modify the
    signal coming from an airflow sensor.
    4. Fuel pressure regulators may be replaced in lieu of electronic alterations
    to the fuel system. It is not permitted to electronically modify
    the fuel system AND replace a fuel pressure regulator.
    5. Ignition timing may be set at any point on factory adjustable distributor
    ignition systems.
    6. VTEC controllers and other devices may be used which alter the timing
    of factory standard electronic variable valve timing systems.
    G. Any mechanical shift linkage may be used.2015 SCCA® National Solo® Rules — 89
    14. Street Touring®
    H. Any accessory pulleys and belts of the same type (e.g., V-belt, serpentine)
    as standard may be used. This allowance applies to accessory
    pulleys only (e.g., alternator, water pump, power steering pump, and
    crankshaft drive pulleys). It does not allow replacement, modification,
    or substitution of pulleys, cogs, gears, or belts which are part of cam,
    layshaft, or ignition drive or timing systems, etc. Any crankshaft damper
    or pulley may be used. SFI-rated dampers are recommended. Supercharged
    cars may not change the effective diameter of any pulley which
    drives the supercharger.
    I. Upper engine shields made of plastic material, the purpose of which is
    to hide mechanical components in the engine compartment, may be removed
    if they have a solely aesthetic and/or acoustic function.
    J. Any engine or transmission mount is allowed provided it attaches only
    to the original mounting points, does not relocate the engine/transmission
    (other than incidental to changes in compliance material),
    and weighs no less than the OE mount. All components between the
    engine/transmission and the mounting structure are considered to be
    part of the mount assembly.
    K. Limited Slip Differentials
    STS, STF: No limited slip differentials are permitted except for factory
    standard viscous coupler type units.
    STX, STU, STR: Only standard (as defined in Section 12.4) limited slip
    differentials (LSD) are allowed on AWD vehicles. For AWD vehicles
    that did not come with any type of limited slip differential (including
    center differential or transfer case), a single aftermarket mechanical
    LSD may be added. 2WD vehicles may use any mechanical LSD unit.

    Open to ideas and suggestions. Thanks!
     
  17. Detroit Tuned

    Detroit Tuned Well-Known Member
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    I have them in stock. No supply issues here. :Thumbsup:

    Chad
    Detroit Tuned
     
  18. emptyo

    emptyo Member

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    Hey Chad...thanks for the heads up. I'm supposed to have a pretty smokin' deal heading my way, but I'm looking for a good shop to partner up with, so if you're interested, we should talk!
     
  19. emptyo

    emptyo Member

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    Back to the days when I actually had a developed car:

    [​IMG]

    We'll be there again soon.
     

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