Arca_ex

iTrader: (2)

So. I went back to a NASA event a couple weeks ago...

Got a new classing dyno since my old one was deemed invalid after dynogate.

Surprise surprise. I pulled within 0.5WHP of my original classing dyno from almost a year ago. Powertrain and ECU has been untouched the whole time, so it's pretty safe to assume that if they had used the "official classing dyno" instead of that **** heap mobile dyno, I would have been good to go instead of DQ'd.

Tune from UMS Tuning is still on point. Engine is running strong, I think it has around 114k miles now and most of the miles since ~104k have been on track.

Anyways this was a new track configuration (WHP West Backwards) so there were no track records set, so that's why I went back for just Sunday of the two day event. The first session out on track was pretty bad. Tons of traffic, couldn't get a clean lap and didn't have the greatest time trying to figure out the new config. Even then I still managed to set fastest time of the weekend by about half a second so far out of the 7 competitors in TTE. The next session I only managed to go a couple tenths faster, and that was quick enough to set the track record and win TTE, but I'm having suspension issues. The right rear shock must be starting to seize again, because on exits from right hand turns, the wheel must be off the ground because it just spins up like I have an open diff. Probably worth about another second on that track if I could put power down out of those turns.

hi_im_sean

iTrader: (3)

Are you still on v max?

Arca_ex

iTrader: (2)

Yup. Track pack version that has a bit stiffer spring rates and they're adjustable. This is the second set, had them replaced via warranty once already.

Mobius

iTrader: (2)

These are not the shocks you're looking for.

Arca_ex

iTrader: (2)

Really want Xida's but the Fortune Autos look nice as well... huge price difference though since I can get a deal on the FA's.

aidandj

iTrader: (5)

Idk of anyone running them. What shocks are they, in house? Or rebranded something else?

Arca_ex

iTrader: (2)

I know a decent amount of people running them. The larger hard parts are your standard made in Taiwan/Korea whatever stuff like all the $1000 price range run of the mill coilovers, but they are assembled, valved, and dyno'd with their own in house stuff here in the U.S. before they are sent out. Every set comes with a shock dyno of the actual product you receive.

But on the other hand, I know a ridiculous amount of time/effort/money/testing went into the Xida's and they're proven.

BMWidmer

I do not see how the Fortune Auto's would be a upgrade from the Vmaxx that FM put some development into with appropriate valving. I would save your money for the Feal's that GWR has valved appropriately or the Xida's.

Arca_ex

iTrader: (2)

Even the best valving in the world wouldn't matter if you can't keep the oil inside the shock or the shock seizes up... so that would be a significant upgrade right there on its own. Also I've already had GWR brand parts fall apart on me so no thanks, seems as though the Feal coilovers were developed by Feal and only tested by GWR anyways and draws experience primarily from motocross and drifting.

aidandj

iTrader: (5)

GWR (Sean and Ryan) worked with Feal to get the valving good. IMO there are 2 options in Miata Coils.

Bilstein (~600-800)
Xida/MCS(~2000-2500)

Anything in between is a waste and would be more useful elsewhere. Thats how I view it.

hornetball

iTrader: (4)

If you aggressively use the curbing on the tight twisties, you're going to get some wheelspin no matter how good your shocks are (at least that's my experience running Gen 2 Xidas). That's just the nature of the Torsen.

There's always the OSGiken diff. $$$.

Arca_ex

iTrader: (2)

Yeah the curbing induced wheelspin I know is done by me, I can deal with that. Most of the stuff I'm complaining about as far as wheelspin goes, is trying to get out of lower speed corners that are relatively smooth. Also the open diff sensation happens almost entirely on right handers which is why my first thought is blown damper. The car even after all the modifications like full cage and some further weight reduction efforts still has 50.1% crossweight and 50.0% F/R distribution with 3/4 of a tank so I wouldn't expect such a drastic change in attitude while turning right instead of left.


I want an OSGiken bad. But not ballin enough. I was considering trying the RX-7 clutch type but half the time I read that people think they're great, the other half the time people say it's utter garbage. Not sure what to do.

hornetball

iTrader: (4)

Hmmm . . . . I'd be thinking the opposite of a blown damper in that case, like a damper adjusted too stiff on rebound or too much rear bar. Do you have helper springs to get full extension?

Can't speak to the RX-7 clutch diff. It's tough to know who is giving worthwhile advice on internet forums.

aidandj

iTrader: (5)

my take is that a well set up rx7 is . but getting there and keeping it setup can be

Arca_ex

iTrader: (2)

Yeah a previous mode of failure was that one of them partially seized after all the oil decided to leak out. Rear sway is FM on the softest setting. Also yes they have helper springs.

Arca_ex

iTrader: (2)

Started uploading the backlog of videos I have. Here are the rest of the videos from the ProAutoSports event at West over the Halloween weekend.

I also went to the ProAutoSports Thanksgiving weekend at WHP Main track. They finally re-opened that track after 2 years of no road course events allowed. It's because it uses the drag strip as the main straight away. Video and separate post about that will be up soon.

Arca_ex

iTrader: (2)

So.

Had an awesome time running at Wild Horse Pass Main, this was the first time in about 2 or 3 years that they have allowed club racing to use this course. The main straight is half a mile long and is a drag strip. I was getting to about 115MPH at the end of the straight which is near the top of 4th gear.

This event had a solid turn out and was a 3 day event. Friday is HPDE groups and Race test and tune, Saturday was normal HPDE and racing, and Sunday was HPDE and Enduro races. I only signed up for Saturday because I'm low on tires/brakes and I don't know if I could survive a 100 minute enduro. I'm usually pretty wiped at the end of a 25 minute race.

Qualifying race had 7 cars in my class and I think 27 people take the green flag. The start was kind of a bad start but it worked out to be a huge advantage for me. Walked away and took the win.

Also in the qualy video, there is a tube frame Trans Am series Mustang with an 800HP NASCAR motor that absolutely blew my doors off on the straight. He could almost reach 200MPH there and when he passed me it must have been a speed differential of about 100MPH. Scared the **** out of me. Start at the 10 minute mark in the qualy video to see it.

Main race went well, 6 people in class and 29 people took the green flag. I had to battle it out with a couple cars in the first laps but ended up taking the win. So won some contingency from Winding Road Racing and also won two Hoosier tires. Woot.

Videos:

Arca_ex

iTrader: (2)

Some stuffs came in.

Arca_ex

iTrader: (2)

So a killer deal came up out of nowhere and now we have one of these. Can't wait to have somewhere nice to hang out at the track with A/C and heat and better sleeping arrangements. Two cars is going to be a squeeze but I think if the front car is a Miata it can do it. 42' Haulmark Edge Gooseneck.

This picture is of a trailer that is identical to the one we got but it was dark so couldn't snap photos. Now to find a truck to pull it...

hi_im_sean

iTrader: (3)

woohoo, now i have somewhere to hang out at track days! lol