793 replies to this topic

[SteveA]

No offence to either, but if he's going to get driver training from anyone someone who does it for a living and knows what they are doing is who he should be going to.. Malcom, who jimmy went to seems quite highly rated..

 

 

Agree with this.

 

It's one thing being a fast driver and quite another think being able to analyse someone elses style and realise how to make them faster.

 

VBox analysis is an invaluable tool, if you haven't got one be sure to hire one for the events.

Edited by SteveA, 08 November 2013 - 09:33 AM.

[chris_uk]

Id just like to add.. You need more people in the pits. Having just 1 pit member is going to be tough.. Mike and myself went to zandvoort and even after i built the car, worked on it for 2 years, know how the driver works, know how the time attack works i still struggled.. Your pit crew are one of if not the most important part of your season.. You just cant operate season with as few as 2. I was lucky at zandvoort, we had a couple locals lend their help and expertise and it took the pressure off.. Without them it would of been so much harder.

[turbotoaster]

Well unless I suddenly manage to get alot more friends then I only have one friend who would help me over the weekend.

 

And looking at the interesting comments from other forums I cant imagine ill be able to get people ive never met before to be prepared to give up there weekend to help someone they dont know.

 

And to be fair im not the type of guy to ask or make assumptions that anyone would help, if last year anyone asked me to join there team I would jump at it because I love playing with cars and the motorsport scene, if people offer then the more the merrier but until that time ill just make do with what I have.

 

I ve already found a kit for datalogging, it has an LCD screen with predictive lap timer and all the maps for the circuits in the uk which im hoping will help me see where im gaining or loosing on previous laps

 

On a positive note, my girlfriend just rang to let me know all my parts arrived today at home, so ive now got a lightened flywheel, atb diff, poly windows, ep steering arm kit with bump steer, a magnetic sump plug, kevlar doors and the second element of my rear wing with end fences.

 

If the weather plays nice its going to be a busy weekend!

 

In regards of driver training im hoping chris will be able to help me with that as he will know the car and its setup better than anyone so teach me to get the best out of it.

[G-Bob]

has the 2014 calendar been announced yet with the track listing?

 

I wonder if Anglesey and knockhill are back in?

[SteveA]

If TA goes to Croft this year I'm happy to lend a hand as it's on my door step. I'm quite handy with a spanner (albeit on VX220's) and I have quite a bit of experience with data logging and analysis.

[speedster]

 

 

 

 

 

Well im glad to be famous on here.

 

I do a fair bit of reading on here to gleam any bits of hints, tips and also I enjoy reading peoples project threads, ive known about this thread for a couple of days and havent said anything to see what comments im getting.

 

In regards of the actual setup of the vehicle, ive been searching for as much advise as I can, having chris randall set the car up(toe, caster, camber etc) and also coming up with my own solutions for wishbone angles to allow me to run lower to help with aero and COG.

 

Running a very large splitter, canards and end fences, this with my skirts I hope will be enough to balance my wing at a decent AofA, the good thing is though that even if theres not alot of downforce produced by the front I can just wind the wing back(i shouldnt need to as im following the theory of my aerodynamics book closely.

 

Im sure your loving the idea of turbocharging a rover k series, but im bringing on someone who knows turbod k series fairly well(he did work on the 217mph car) and is  very confident he can get a 350bhp engine to hold together as long as we can keep the water temps sensible.

 

As Nev says, least im trying and doing things my own way, I would rather try, fail and learn from it then sit behind a keyboard and wonder.

 

If I followed what everyone on that thread said I would have still have stock elise bodywork, have spent £15000 on a supercharged honda engine(which I cant afford) and wonder why im coming last.

 

Im building mine with the aspirations of winning my class and my ideas reflect my budget, as they say, you can tame a fast car, you cant make a slow car fast.

 

 

Rather that maaasive rear wing and diffuser would it not be better to alter the cars undertray? I'm interested in your k turbo charging, I have a landrover freelander project and want to add more horses. I'm thinking itbs as i prefer na but 350 is a nice number. Do you have any more info on the turbo conversion? Good luck on the track, i think anybody behind you will be scared shirtless

 

Ive already made a new undertray, it is the full width of the vehicle all the way from tyre to tyre and have end plates to stop air getting underneath, ive just cut a small section at each end for when the car is jacked up to clear the upright.

 

Im using a turbo technics low compression engine with a vvc head(solid cams) made a manifold which puts the turbo over the top of the engine and a downpipe which goes over the gearbox, running a chargecooler.

 

 

 

I would of thought you could modify the undertray on a Lotus Elise in a way that minimizes the requirement for a protruding diffuser, and makes a smaller wing possible. Plus you can get it nice and close to the ground. Also loosing vehicle weight is a better option than pushing out more horsepower (smaller add-ons). 

[GeorgeBC]

We ran all year with just me in the pits. It's not ideal but easy enough. My advice would be to enjoy it and remember why you are doing it. There's fcuk all point turning up each round and not having fun. Mike should know all about that as he had a face on him all year with pressure from people who have invested in the car. We had nothing to prove or loose so we got on the beer each night and tried to enjoy each round. Get your car up and running and do some test days before you worry about anything else. Please enjoy the year and keep your positive attitude.

[turbotoaster]

I will definetly try and enjoy myself, since I have no sponsors or anybody invested in the car apart from myself I can just drive it for my pleasure rather than being worried about letting sponsors down.....I would only ever do that if I was a paid driver and it was my job to win, since that will never be the case whether im first or last, as long as I have fun then the weekend will be worth it.

 

Ive updated the ocuk thread with some extra bits, I need to get the car outside and look at the airflow around the sides of the clam to see how much I need to trim the end plates, but for the moment I have left them full size to see how they react(its like going fishing)

[Mike (Cliffie)]

Mike should know all about that as he had a face on him all year with pressure from people who have invested in the car. 

True enough.

[Nev]

Good luck TurboToaster, I hope you enjoy it, and don't let the negative knobheads get your down - they only criticize due to their own failings (read inability) usually in my experience

Edited by Nev, 15 November 2013 - 11:35 PM.

[turbotoaster]

Thanks for the positive replys guys, there will be updates for those who are interested in the build and have relevant questions, for example we are starting on the downpipe, exhaust system and relocating the throttle body tomorrow now the manifold is done.

[ciderbooze]

Another possible for croft. Absolutely no experience of an Elise but I know how to hold a spanner and can hammer stuff.

[jonnyboy]

Good luck to you I remember seeing the thread a while back. As an elise k owner myself I will light candles and pray for your engine on the eve of each meeting. Rear diffuser looks big enough to be effective something people forget when putting shiny bits on they do actually need to be pretty big to do anything Did you think about doing else trophy rather than ta? Bit more controlled and cheaper plus a bit more competitive? That or trackday trophy would be my choice for a seasons racing.

[turbotoaster]

It will be interesting on 2 counts in regards of the K series engine.

 

I know the pistons will be able to take the heat as they have been subjected to 10psi of boost at 16afr and have held together, the 2 points im unsure of will the the lifting the head and rod strength.

 

Both currently are untested as I plan to run around 15psi of boost pressure and im not sure if that will lift the head or not, im hoping not as ive been recommended not to fit studs and nuts but to stay with the stretch bolts, now I know a 1.4 k series has been running 22psi so I dont think the head will lift, so that would make move onto a head gasket issue, I can replace that with a copper head gasket if the gasket is actually failing.

 

The second is is rod strength, I know the rods have been tested to 235bhp on a supercharged engine, so will crank loss probably a 250bhp engine, im wanting another 70bhp on top of that, this is where I will go into the unknown, the good thing is that if worst case scenerio the engine does fail I have options for each part.

 

Crack liner.....have stronger liners made(done this before on another engine) pistons and rods I can get easily enough, head gasket I can sort.

 

Overall its a more cost effective solution that paying £15000 to have a 300bhp audi/honda engine fitted.

 

Interestingly Re amemiya has gone the same route on their revised version of their rx7 race car in regards of the rear wing and diffuser, they came back this year and ran faster so it seemed to give them a bit more performance.

 

http://www.yokohama....shx?h=332&w=590

 

 

Mine diffuser is fully adjust able from 5 deg up to 14 deg so I will be able to get it setup pretty well

 

 

Never thought about elise trophy to be honest, didnt really interest me, I like Time Attack because of the variety of cars that enter, the completey free rules that allow me to inovate and the none wheel to wheel aspect(I wouldnt want to cause damage to someone elses car or vise versa)

 

Would people be interested in seeing updates on here, im happy to share the project with people who want to read about it? I dont mind constructive critism but abuse will mean I just wont bother

 

[CocoPops]

Absolutely, The forum has good history with time attack. Having had winning cars for the last 3yrs! Cliffie and JJJ are your men.

[Mangham54]

Abuse is rare on here, only those with a fragrant "fcuk you" attitude tend to suffer any abuse. But as I said in my first post to you directly... you carry your messages with dignity and that will always bode well on here... no matter how brave your plans / project.

[Mike (Cliffie)]

But you may get the odd p*ss take but it aint abuse.

 

 

[Thealastair34]

if you know your pushing the limits of the engine internals and they havent gone that far before then to me using it in a race situation does not make sense, they might survive on a road car that does not see constant abuse but when driving on track you really are pushing the engine as far as it will go.

 

how much are rods and pistons for the k series, are there any cheap enough low comp stuff out there as for me if they cost 1k then it would be cheaper than the rebuild when it grenades its self 

 

the head lifting can you not fit a arp stud and nut kit? 

[Bargi]

if you know your pushing the limits of the engine internals and they havent gone that far before then to me using it in a race situation does not make sense, they might survive on a road car that does not see constant abuse but when driving on track you really are pushing the engine as far as it will go.

 

how much are rods and pistons for the k series, are there any cheap enough low comp stuff out there as for me if they cost 1k then it would be cheaper than the rebuild when it grenades its self 

 

the head lifting can you not fit a arp stud and nut kit? 

 

TA isn't racing and at 4 x 20min sessions where you would rarely be on it at a "race pace" for the whole session. Some would argue they would give their car more abuse on a OPL TD.

 

Compared to racing TA seems like a safer way to compete with your pride and joy.

Go racing and you need a mindset your car is pretty much disposable

[turbotoaster]

if you know your pushing the limits of the engine internals and they havent gone that far before then to me using it in a race situation does not make sense, they might survive on a road car that does not see constant abuse but when driving on track you really are pushing the engine as far as it will go.

 

how much are rods and pistons for the k series, are there any cheap enough low comp stuff out there as for me if they cost 1k then it would be cheaper than the rebuild when it grenades its self 

 

the head lifting can you not fit a arp stud and nut kit? 

 

Well the pistons and rods are a low compression set, the rods are thicker than the factory versions, but as said we dont know what they will take, they may fail at 280bhp, they may be good for 500bhp, I have no idea and I dont have the metalogy experience to know.

 

since engines are so cheap it seems worth the risk to try it out(I could get a short block for £50-100)

 

I did think about the stud/nut kit, an engine builder said he had found a kit but had no experience with it and another builder said dont do it as you will have problems because the head will expand different than the studs and k series are like jelly at the best of times, but again he has no experience with them so it might be worth giving it a try.

 

Oh yes, we mocked up the downpipe and exhaust system, very simple, 3 90 bends a flexi and a backbox and we are done, welding it all up today, just need to get some stainless bar to hang the backbox off the wing uprights(always nice when you can get a component to do 2 jobs)

 

We have also made a plate so the throttle body fits the inlet manifold now, chargecooler will either be a barrel version or a proalloy one, depends on funds

 

Ill get some pics up when its all bolted on(oh yes im using blue vxr injectors so I have something vauxhall on the car)