You have offset lower control arm bushings

 

​​​​​​​I missed the UCA part, my bad, ignore my rambling.

 

Depending on the 2018 ST5/6 rules I'll probably do to ELBJs and swap non-offsets back into the UCAs. Until then, or if they don't allow ELBJs, I'll just run a 5mm spacer.


Got sum new shoez, new gloves, and a new helmet. Currently eye-balling a Sparco RS-4 suit and a OMP HTE-R400 for a new seat. I'd REALLY to get the cage in the car and do the comp school in April, but it's looking like it'll be the next available comp school for me, which is in September.



So the title of this thread is somewhat accurate....unfortunately. Though, replace tire walls with CONCRETE walls. Ran out of talent and tire at Road Atlanta in the Z, smashed into a concrete barrier.


I'm still surprised I ran into a concrete barrier instead of an actual tire wall. I have a little written letter to send off to whomever at Road Atlanta to suggest moving some of the barriers back a tad and adding tire-walls. I'm thinking about filtering it through my local NASA Regional director to get their input and have them "submit" it. I actually got really really lucky with my wreck..... DALE DIED FROM LESS! I just don't understand why they're can't be more tire-walls. Keep in mind this was in T4 on the outside of the track just before the esses, so the barrier is not permanent like the front straight. Someone else wrecked in the same spot the next morning too, oddly enough. Alright, done with my rant on that.

 

You hit the wall doing over 150-160mph? That's what Dale Earnhardt's estimated speed at impact. That's haulin' *** in turn 4.

 

Style points for quoting the entire post.

 

Money, apathy, (in)effectiveness. Road Atlanta is old and poor compared to places like Circuit of the Americas or The Thermal Club.

 

forgot the /s tag, so sorry.

 

I could have sworn I edited down the quote before I posted it (because it annoys me when someone does the same thing), but I was pretty tired last week.

 

just a quick FYI his speed was 150mph-ish. his velocity to the wall was was only 35mph.

Cats for Snapping a picture of your crashed car in front of the car i crashed a few months before.

 

Hah, I think Matt and Rob were having weird issues with that civic that weekend.

 

Welp, got the offset bushings in. In hindsight, I should of just gone with the offset in the LCA. I was already committed to the UCA offsets and honestly I don't think I'll run this setup too long.....maybe just this season, ST5/6 rules pending?

New shocks come in tomorrow, so I'll start piecing them together tomorrow night. Along with snapping a few pictures of the current progress, because let's be honest...... you're just scrolling through my build and looking at the pictures.

 

I am loving this thread, entertaining and informative. Do you plan on replacing the Z?

 

Thanks!

I bought that Titan a few posts back "to replace" the Z.

 

Worked on some shiny bits last night!



I ended up cutting the new rear bump-stops instead of reusing the old. New thrust needle bearings too! This new setup should be pretty compliant, really looking forward to it!




And since I'm an idiot, I ran into a road-block. When I aligned these bushings I didn't do it with the sleeves So one arm is slightly off and the other is completely off.





Going out of town this weekend, so I'm dropping these UCAs off with a buddy of mine that is going to get the damn things lined up. Definitely should of gone the LCA offset bushing route, ah well live.learn.


First event of the year for me is Feb 11/12 at CMP, so I'm trying to give myself as much time as possible to make sure the car is sorted well before it. I'll be running on the set of Hoosiers I broke in at Road Atlanta back in June and did the Barber event with, so they have about 12-14 heat-cycles. I'll bring a set of stickers to potentially mount up if the weather plays nice. Between the new shocks, higher spring rate, more front camber, and moving weight around in the car I should be able to improve on my PB there which was a - 1:51.9xx and happens to be done with 24+ heat-cycle/corded set. Current TTE record is 1:49.8 done by an e30, so I could be able to reset that ............ maybe

 

Soo all those little maintenance items that you've probably heard about on various forums, but you haven't seen first hand so there's no way it could happen to you and all that talk is just paranoia? Well....... it actually happens:


Thankfully, a buddy of mine has some spares.


Also, I've given up on the UCA offsets. LCA offsets are enroute. I've used a super complicated bushing removal method that involves some dikes and a gear puller, nawhaimsayin'

 

hallelujah

 

Seriously though...... UCA off-sets, never again. These LCA off-sets are easier to deal with.



First time on the ground in a good while. Yes, the wheel is currently straight in the pic.


Eye-ball alignment is the best alignment!


Bunch of shiny bits



Getting it aligned tomorrow afternoon and double checking torque on several nuts/bolts. Then I plan to flush out the torsen, the denatured alcohol > ATF > new synthetic diff fluid method. I've never tried it so I'll report back here with results, hopefully with positive results.

New DTC50s going on the car, I'll bed them in sometime this week before CMP. I get a little anxious bedding pads with cold Hoosiers Unfortunately I didn't give myself enough time to install the prop valve, should have it installed before next event at RA. I'll also work on finishing the brake ducts before then.


New part for the truck! One of Dan's bookface posts reminded me to get this thing. I can't begin to describe how nice it will be to NOT have to drive the car home after an event



There's 5 signed up for CMP, so wish me luck!

 

Wut? Is this supposed to restore the Torsen back to new? Sounds like an old Spec Miata trick or something.

 

What's that flush supposed to accomplish? I see it as an easy way to flush all of the lubricant out of the bearings, which would make me really question doing this. Let's just hope the bearings get the proper lubrication before you take it for a spin.

 

I've heard it a few times, seems like an older SM rumor. I have no data to back any of that up, lol.

Most likely what will happen is this: *Wednesday night* "OH **** I forgot about the diff, I'll just put new fluid in it real quick since I already have it here."