The Phoenix - The GP Roadster Project

Discussion in 'Car Builds, Projects, Idea's Experiments' started by BlimeyCabrio, Jun 24, 2014.

  1. Zapski

    Zapski Well-Known Member

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  2. Savvy

    Savvy Well-Known Member
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    Of course it is... you missed the gist of my comment... given that Eric is a super-svelte Swede.
     
  3. Grizld700

    Grizld700 Well-Known Member

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    What gave me away? All my LIKES I can give now :D

    It only took me 2.5 days... At work.

    Also, FB request sent. I want access to mini GPness updates too :cornut:
     
  4. TheModFather

    TheModFather Well-Known Member

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    LOL! Paul, you now have fans and haters... Welcome to my world!
     
  5. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Both names are good, hard choice. But I think i would stay with locutus. The convertible that was has been assimilated for the rest of us resistance is futile!
     
  6. Rainman768

    Rainman768 Active Member

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    That's an interesting statement. What's to hate?
     
  7. TheModFather

    TheModFather Well-Known Member

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    Well the hater in question is banned now... Some people just can't take it Hoss...
     
  8. cct1

    cct1 Well-Known Member
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    People who have oil caps, in general, absolutely loath Paul...

    I'd cut and paste that grimey thread here, but I'm lazy.
     
  9. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    Fiddled with data logging for a couple of hours today.

    Since folks will ask, here's what I have:
    Zeitronix ZT-2 Wideband system
    plus sensors for EGT, boost, oil pressure, oil temp (not connected yet), and connections for RPM and throttle position
    Zt2+O2-175x156.gif

    ZR-2 multi-gauge
    ZR-2.AFr.Outer.Anim.gif

    Black Box Data Logger
    BlackBox_Awarded_94x150.gif

    I also have the LCD Display, but I don't know if I'm going to really use it. It's not as flexible as I expected, so I can't really display all the data on it I had hoped. I may end up disconnecting the oil pressure and temp sensors from the ZT-2 and installing dedicated gauges for those.

    The ZT-2 comes with software and a serial interface cable to allow data logging with a Windows PC. Modern PCs with no serial interface will need a 3rd party USB/serial adapter cable. The Black Box Logger enables you to capture data logs directly to microSD card, without a computer connected, then load and analyze the logs on the PC when you're back home. Dead simple to log, one button to press to start and stop, and a status LED to let you know it's working.

    I thought I captured logs when I was driving yesterday, but there was nothing on the SD card. Finally managed to download the recommended formatting utility and format the card properly. Tested logging in the garage and had files! But was getting no RPM signal. Hunted around under the dash and determined that the RPM signal wire had come unplugged from the tap at the OBD port. Found that wire and plugged it back in.

    Fought with drivers for my USB-to-Serial interface cable for about an hour, finally got that fixed, so I could run the Zeitronix software and do live logging on the laptop. Very cool.

    Went for a drive and logged a few pulls to redline, to send to Jan to verify my tune and tweak if necessary. Came back home, loaded them up and looked at them. Very very cool.

    47A69362-9772-4DE8-9206-6243C0DA83FC_zpsumwp5jns.jpg

    The graphs show: Air/Fuel ratio, RPM, boost, exhaust gas temp, pedal position (91 is wide open), voltage from the oil pressure sensor, and voltage from the (not yet connected) oil temperature sensor. When capturing live on the PC, the oil pressure or temp can be scaled to show actual values. Basically this shows a pull from about 3200 to 7700 RPM (redline with my current setup), you can tell when I started and ended the pull by the throttle pedal position curve.

    Sent this to Jan, and he confirmed that the current tune is right on the money. So we'll stick with this, until the TVS is on.

    Also pulled the stereo face back off, and checked wiring of my bluetooth interface, which wasn't working. Unplugging and plugging it back in fixed it. All good.

    My mod to secure the side flaps on the tonneau seems to be effective, they stayed put for an hour of driving today.

    Looking at what it's going to take to install my RMW splitter tonight. Might need to fab up some more brackets, as the original brackets have never materialized. No big deal.
     
  10. Zapski

    Zapski Well-Known Member

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    Making sure things are plugged in.

    Step one in any good diagnostic routine. ;)
     
  11. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    Yesterday was beautiful, so I took the car out and ran errands all afternoon, like it was a real car, or something. It was blissful.

    One downside of having the dual front parcel shelves and no real trunk... the car has ZERO secure, lockable storage now. Occasionally I might need to stash a radar detector, or firearm, or drug money, or something. So I fixed that.


    DBD488C3-8EEF-4F8F-BEAB-A1E573729198_zpsbj9xjwls.jpg 34F2C654-DFBE-4458-977F-99D033A3D797_zps4pqmhwmg.jpg

    Screwed down to the floor. I'll pull it back out and put the carpeted floor panel under it, split so I can access the battery when needed.

    Today, worked on installing my new-to-me RMW splitter. The brackets for mounting it never materialized, so I fabbed up a new set. Because it's always more fun to make something, than to just "get" something. :cool:

    The splitter uses two-part aluminum brackets, connected with aluminum bolts mounted in shear. So if you hit something hard enough, the bolts shear off and the splitter drops before breaking something important.

    0EAD181D-DE9B-4487-B34C-BC7A0A9DD880_zpsevkscrnk.jpg

    The brackets mount to the crush tube bolts on the subframe, and the lowest bumper mount studs. This provides a VERY solid connection to the car. Nothing is connected to the bumper cover. You can shove the splitter with your foot, and the entire car moves. It's insanely stiff and solid, like a real splitter should be.

    Done!

    6E7E8B96-3A0D-4D59-B2F9-89F3A47AB15B_zpssznnmmu3.jpg

    It's VERY low. And this is on my 16" wheels. It will be even lower on my 15" track wheels.

    BCBD874D-5186-49B1-847F-00515552DCB6_zpshbzohzro.jpg
    9882C5DE-5EB0-417C-8581-ACD0FE124A8C_zpsg8fzdpm0.jpg

    I can't wait to get it to the track next weekend. The aero on this car was already sooooo much better than my old car, with the GP underbody panels and the tonneau. Plus the vastly superior suspension, the car is gonna be a monster at the track, I predict. I just need to raise my game considerably, to be able to take advantage of it.
     
  12. TheModFather

    TheModFather Well-Known Member

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    Looking amazing as usual Paul! Glad to see it still on the ground.
     
  13. old81

    old81 Club Coordinator
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    Yes, have a blast at the track and keep it on the ground! :)

    :Thumbsup:

    Don
     
  14. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    #1314 BlimeyCabrio, Feb 20, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 26, 2018
    F3881703-73B4-4611-9AFC-8305B4355251_zpsiro30zoy (1).jpg Adjusted brackets, moved the splitter up about 3/8". Fabbed a filler panel to seal the gap in the bumper. Put some weather stripping on the top of the splitter to seal in the area in front of the wheels.



    63FB3942-D44F-405C-B29E-85B532887ED1_zpsy01qe4vy.jpg 136D25BA-5181-4784-B156-4FCF30750268_zpsanjoen1i.jpg 4A385DB8-0DD5-4DA6-AFC6-B09AF48682E7_zpsei7xw5tz.jpg 5BD4A9CE-C467-4EDC-B50C-6D4312907D8E_zpszyucwy4s.jpg

    I think I got my money's worth out of this wheel...
    0360A2AB-DD7E-4887-9AA6-7A904BC0D088_zpsdt9m8uda.jpg

    Changed oil, wired oil temp sensor. Used the plug adapter for now, I'll drill and tap the pan later. Pulled an oil sample to take to the lab.
    B65974F0-9DF3-4961-8402-9B7A7AD04D0C_zpsentlbdun.jpg

    Then took it out and drove the everlovin snot outta it.
    OMG, it's crazy how much difference the splitter makes above 70mph. The faster you go (over 70), the more planted the front end gets. I took some nice sweepers and esses at <speed redacted>, and had WAY more margin available. It will be beastly at VIR next week. The car is much, much better than the driver, right now.

    I have the Aquamist system setup like I want, for now. Spraying just a little at high load, my IATs never went over 120F today, and recover almost instantly. But have only burned about half a gallon of meth in three hours of hammering on it, and it doesn't materially impact my AFR.

    Even RaceCars go shopping, sometimes.


    Back home. Beast mode complete.
    25818513-B92C-4AD9-9318-5FA5BF497A3D_zpsaozrbl5c.jpg

    Gotta do one more test fit of the 15's tomorrow, and get the track trailer packed.
     
  15. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    Any issue with the tonneu cover filling with air at speed?
     
  16. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    Nah, I always make sure it's full of air before I drive.
    :cornut:
     
  17. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    Crazy good topless car T-shirt weather today, 70 degrees.

    I spend about 6 hours fiddling with my suspension and alignment. I got the alignment PERFECT... then realized that my ride height was uneven, right side was about half an inch higher than the left, even though my coils were set to the same height on both sides. Argh.

    So I got the ride height evened out, then had to do the alignment all over again. Because everything changes when you tilt the entire car half an inch to the right.

    And with the fancy Greene Performance camber/caster plates, I have to drop the strut and plate to adjust camber. But it's totally worth it, because the added caster is incredible.

    So... many iterations of tweaking camber front and rear, drop the car off the lift, shake and roll, measure, put it back on the lift, repeat. Probably 10 iterations. But finally got camber and toe right where I wanted, front and rear. And I took REALLY GOOD notes, so now I have a pretty good cookbook for "X adjustment yields Y change in camber or toe". I'm getting really good at toe adjustments, and rear camber.

    Needed to drive, so decided to head down to visit my mom at the homestead, about half an hour away. Was having a nice visit, then looked outside and it was getting PRETTY DARK. Uh... why is that? Pulled up Dark Sky... and "rain starting in 30 minutes". WTF? it wasn't supposed to rain today... I'm in a car with no roof. And i left my car cover at home... Ugh. Looked at the radar... the rain is coming from the direction of home... meaning I'm going to be driving into the rain to get home... Double Ugh.

    So I told my mom "Sorry, but I gotta go NOW..." and bolted.

    D968B32C-BB67-4258-8CFD-660B31F0DAA3_zps3mxyevfq.jpg

    Just some sprinkles and a light shower for the last few miles before I got home. The sky opened up just as I was backing into the driveway... LUCKY.

    3529AED7-BB1F-4789-9051-7A6757AFC85F_zpsfgkfhvji.jpg

    But now I know the wipers work. And as long as I'm moving and the windows are up, not much rain actually comes into the passenger compartment.

    I'll keep the cover in the car, from now on...

    Then decided to test-fit my track wheels and tires one more time, since I've adjusted so much stuff and added the splitter, just to make sure the car isn't too low for the track.

    60214A5D-BE04-4BEC-93B7-AF207CEA25F3_zps5dowdzqv.jpg

    Glad I tried it, because I needed a few more mm of spacing on the rear to clear the trailing arm strut mount. Otherwise all as I expected. FWIW, I'm running 12mm front and 8mm rear spacers with the 6ULs, DT front brakes and 2nd gen JCW rear brakes, and BC/Greene Performance coilovers.

    But the splitter is pretty darn low.

    41B2289E-01EF-4033-8B4F-6F16E2587573_zpszeuadslk.jpg

    About 50mm after the car settled; 2" of ground clearance. cct1 says he ran even a little lower than this at the track and had no issues with riding the curbing on the corners. So should be good. But it's definitely not a street-friendly setup. I drove about 5 miles just to make sure everything was happy, and didn't drag anywhere... but also avoided potholes and speed bumps and parking curbs.
     
  18. TheModFather

    TheModFather Well-Known Member

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    Here ya go Paulie... Made that pic just a tad meaner for ya! The rescale might have blurred it out a little, but it works.

    [​IMG]
     
  19. Firebro17

    Firebro17 Dazed, but not Confused
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    Love the wheels!
     
  20. Zapski

    Zapski Well-Known Member

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    Too low for a "Sleeping Policeman" eh? ;)
     

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