Another Mustang, LS3 power

*Track Updates*

Track Night went great. The car performed amazing other than some braking issues. The new rear sway bar made a MASSIVE difference in the car and got rid of the push without any oversteer. I set the tire pressure at 34/34 hot and left it there. I went 4 off on my first lap coming into turn 8. I got on the brakes and the front just locked up. I did my best ABS impression but just couldn't get it slowed down enough to not go off track. After that I took it very easy on the brakes the rest of the day. I guess it could have just been cold tires but I don't feel like I was braking that aggressively considering it was the out lap. I'm running HP+ pads and I never got them hot or felt them fade so that tells you how easy I was on the brakes, lol. I might also try some more rear bias.

My goal was to get under 2 min. I was running very consistent 2:00's so during the second session a took a cool down lap on lap 5 and then turned it up on lap 6 and ran a 1:58.8 with a tiny bit of traffic. After that I started running into fuel starvation issues and called it a day. I skipped my last session because I had met my goal and the car was still in one piece.

I think I need to look into a surge tank setup for the fuel. Under 3/4 tank it starts becoming a problem on long sweepers like turn 3.

Here's my lap.

Glad to see you getting out there. I miss that track, haven't been all year unfortunately. Keep chipping away at the time, I think I've had a PB of 1:58.49 in the old FRS. Definitely could be braking harder, but I can see going off early in your sessions would create hesitation to do so. I think once you get everything dialed in, you'll have a monster on your hands for sure.

In reply to captainawesome :

 I got some tips from Bill Pemberton on how to approach turn one.  He is a former lap record holder in mulitple classes so I'll put that advise to use next time out.  I think I could knock off several seconds with just minor tweaks.  There is still one more event in October if you wanted to come out this year.

In reply to Patientzero :

Turn one is definitely crucial. You kinda have to trust the line you are on when cresting the hill. I still struggle a bit there.

Even if I get my new FRS going before the next event, the car won't be ready. Still need a set of tires and brake pads that can handle the abuse. Luckily Heartland is way easier on brakes than Hallett, but still. I've also sunk so much cash in my K swap it would be fiscally irresponsible to spend money on a track day. I've just accepted the fact that waiting until early next season is the best move. Maybe an autocross but that's about it for this year.

If you don't mind, how is the TKX?  Likes?  Dislikes?  Actual performance reporting on that trans is tough to come by . . .

Results from the last couple autocrosses with Kansas City Region.  I'm really happy with how the car is handling with the sway bar change.

Here is a video from yesterday.  I ran with the 4 States Corvette Club in Neosho, MO.  We're waiting for the final results but I believe I got in the top 3 for raw time which I'm extremely happy with.  I think I'm starting to figure out how I need to drive this car.  Get slowed down early, turn, and get back on the gas.  I think I try to hard to carry speed and it just doesn't work on this car.

In reply to Patientzero :

I couldn't make it to Neosho either day unfortunately. The Vette club are a bit too relaxed for my taste and courses are usually a bit too choppy. With that said, when you want to put some seat time in they do just fine.

In reply to captainawesome :

It was definitely one of the more poorly run events I've been too.  It seems like they have good intentions but I think it was just one guy trying to do everything.  Tons of problems with the timing equipment and software.

In reply to Patientzero :

I should have sent a PM to warn you. They usually end up starting late, and timing light issues are a given. Even if they run the same course two days in a row. I usually only run with them if I can't make other events and I'm needing a day out. Hope it wasn't too terrible. SCCA is run way better as you would expect, better courses, better drivers typically, and run considerably better.

Results are in.  3rd in RAW, 2nd in PAX.  

I've been remodeling my house so I haven't touched the car in months. I figured I should get a head start this year so I can actually make some events before July like has happened the last couple years.

My main goal this year is to win CAM-T in Kansas City Region. I had enough points to win the last two years but didn't attend enough events. Secondly, I want to run my first Time Trial event. Most likely at Heartland Park in May. Third, I want to make it to either LS Fest or SCCA Nationals in September.

First things first, my 3 year old Yokohama's are DUN. At our last autox in October it felt like I was on ice. I was in between the Yok's and the RT660's but I decided to go back with the A052's because I know what to expect. I did, however, go down to a 30 instead of the 35 I had been running to see if I like it any better. If nothing else it should help my gearing a little bit since I have the 3.27's in it.

I also picked up a new set of Koni SA's for the rear because I suspect one of mine is blown and could also be causing some of my grip issues. The ones on my car are over 5 years old at this point. I may send them in to be revalved.

I also ordered some of Maximum Motorsports racing rear shock mounts. I've been meaning to make this upgrade for awhile and now is the perfect time. I think this is the last piece of the MM catalog not already bolted to my car. When I submitted the order I was told they are about 30 days out so I'm still waiting for these.

There were some other upgrades I wanted to do this year like the fuel system and adding on to the roll bar but I think I'm just going to roll with it as is and just drive it. I can start back on the upgrades next winter. The only other thing I think needs to be done this year is install the Accusump. I just can't decide on a spot to mount the tank.

I was hoping to get out there with you in TT this year but schedules just aren't going to align unfortunately. I'm excited to see how you like Midiv VS a Track Night or HPDE there.

In reply to captainawesome :

Are you not planning to make any TT events?

In reply to Patientzero :

I hope to make it but not looking good right now. Time and money. My oldest kiddo has a scoliosis surgery soon by the looks of it and we have a vacation to Peru scheduled in late May to try to make up for an anniversary trip we wanted to do in 2020. I'm contemplating either the RPM or Hastings dates if my wallet is back to normal again though. Maybe both? For now my plans are to just hit up my local SCCA autocross in Neosho for the season when possible and anything more is gravy.

In reply to captainawesome :

I may try to make it down to Neosho a couple times this year. 

In reply to Patientzero : Are you setting up that Accusump for pressure at start up or to maintain pressure during high Gs. I don't recall if you have a baffle in the oil pan

In reply to KentF :

It's main purpose is to keep oil pressure on the track, that's one thing LS's can be sensitive to.  I do have a trap door baffled oil pan too.  

I ordered some Maximum Motorsports rear shock mounts through RoadRace1. Nick was fantastic to deal with and had great communication. These are basically the last part of the MM catalog not already bolted to my car. They came in last week so I got them installed yesterday along with a fresh set of shocks.

Here is a short video I made to compare the new vs old shocks.

All the pieces.

I had to remove some of the seam sealer to get the mounts positioned correctly. Also had to use a die grinder to open the hole up to 1" diameter per MM.

After a coat of self etching primer and final install.

Yesterday absolutely did not start out as planned. When I left the house is was a rain/sleet mix and continued for most of my hour and 15 minute drive on 3 year old bald A052's

Right before the drivers meeting started it turned into this.

Luckily I ran heat 3 so by the time I started driving it had "warmed up" into the upper 30's. My tires are beyond shot and almost laughable. Just yanking the wheel back and forth at 15mph causes mild understeer. 2 of my 4 runs I understeered off the course. I can't put too much stock into my class because I was the only car running in CAM-T. CAM-C however had 14 cars including the former CAM-T national champion car.  I have the new stack of fresh A052's sitting at home but I was waiting for warmer weather to put them on so I don't run the risk of hurting them. I also ended up 15th RAW time and 15th PAX out of 100+ cars so I think it ended up ok for the first event of the season.

Looks like you guys got the crappier end of the weather stick than we did. Excited to see how things shake up with a fresh pair of Yokos. Any planned dates in Neosho yet?

In reply to captainawesome :

June 11th?  I think that's the MiDiv, probably try to make that.

In reply to Patientzero :

Sweet. I plan to try and make that one so hope to see you out there.

Official results from last weekend. 15th overall out of 100. Not really where I want to be but I can't complain too much considering I was on 3 year old tires and threw away 2 of my 4 runs. I'm really considering adding weight and moving up to CAM-C to see how it does. I would need to add roughly 250lbs and figure out where to put it.