Biggsy's Track Build

[shogun32]

Plugs are dirt cheap. Twice or thrice a year doesn't strike me as cost prohibitive. Tires are the big money suck.

There's gotta be a reasonable way to inject "cold" coolant into the back cylinders instead of torturing them with the hottest.

Or a tune that runs them slightly richer? Hell we did that on our bikes thru carb tuning.

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[Biggsy]

It seems like every week I find something to be proactive about, which keeps that piggy bank empty LOL but, God willing, I won't have to replace an engine any time soon either!

This spring I started a maintenance log along side my track log, and it's been helpful in reminding me what I did and when, and anything I noticed, especially the oil changes, and damage under the car. Also tracking the prices of different fluids, filters, consumables etc...

I started doing that as well or at least tried to. But even at 29 my memory is terrible so I just swap diff and trans at the beginning of every season. It’s unnecessary but at least I know I’m starting on fresh fluid and it’s easier to track. Plus fresh diff fluid allows me to get away for now without a cooler.

 

[Biggsy]

for those interested...this is the plan...this is the way *Din Djarin voice*

 

[Biggsy]

TLDR: I always wanted to be a race car driver. But to be a race car driver, you need a race car so I am building a race car.

Happy New Year beautiful people! Hope everyone had a safe and amazing holiday season.

I wasa going to wait until everything was done to update this but that'll be too much. As you know if you read previous posts, I had low compression in #8 April of last year. The simple and quick fix is to get a Gen 3 short block and I would be back on the road. I decided since I am paying for the labor, I decided to not have a track season last year and use the time and funds to upgrade the car entirely. After I get the car back on the road, I dont want to have to do anything else for the rest of the year outside of basic maintenance between events. By the way, the car still drives and I technically could drive it on track but I dont want it to get worse from pushing it. Once or twice a month I take it around my apartment complex to scratch the itch.

So I am pretty set in the direction I want the car to go. I am building the car for SCCA Max 3 class and NASA TT3. I am going to try and brake down everything that I have done or plan to do hopefully by end of April.

ENGINE
This is the finalized list of the engine rebuild. The rows in yellow are parts that I already have so you can imagine I have a decent parts pile. I would like to do L&M intake cams but I cannot due to Max 3 rules so I am going with a ported GT350 IM and Soler TB to maximize the air intake performance.

Oh, I also removed the AC compressor and condenser because...racecar ya know. That's 20 pounds between those two that I didn't have to work extra hard for in the gym. BMR makes a simple piece to block off the ports left open from removing the AC lines. Looking back, I could've just bought a piece of aluminum, drill a hole and call it a day but at least it was free shipping lol.

SUSPENSION
I was struggling with finding mounting points for the reservoirs for the MCS coilovers. I finally found a solution I was happy with. For the rears, I bought these MCS specific mounts from Build Journal. It makes for a clean install.

Up front, I designed a bracket that uses the radiator tie bar mounting points. Because I have a cutout for the track spec vents, the reservoirs do not contact the hood when closed.

Will add AJ Hartman rear sway bar end links for ease of corner balancing.

Will add the Mach1 hub/knuckle upgrade with GT4 studs at some point this year.

EXTERIOR
Finally ended up finding a blank rear trunk lid for a great price. blank trunk lid means big wing lol. I have decided to go with AJ Hartman's Fulcrum 14 wing. Thanks to @WItoTX , I was able to get some measurements and I will be setting the wing back a few inches which will yield more DF with less drag.

The front aero to match the splitter will be a custom splitter blade form 9Lives. I dont feel like cutting my own so I will let them do the work. I was going to take my car to AJ for him to make a kit for the 15-17 cars but I can't imagine dropping $2k+ on a splitter that with one off, I will be out that money. The splitter will be used with Speeditalia splitter quick release system by @Flyhalf to make getting on the trailer and unmounting much easier.
To reduce the parachute effect of the rear bumper, I plan to cutoff the rear bumper valance similar to what Vorshlag has done. I will use this time to change my rear tow hook set up and hopefully add a diffuser most likely from Venus unless I win 3k on a parlay and then I'll go with Zebulon CF diffuser.

Will be adding MMR fender vents soon.

COOLING
Buying a takeoff from a GT500 or Mach 1 and will run a switch to turn it on/off in the cabin.
960 Oil cooler form Capaldi on the way with Improved Racing parts that will be pair with radiator and oil cooler closeout courtesy of @5.2 liters of democracy
Plan to reuse OEM trans cooler since it comes with the mounts already.

INTERIOR
Added a passenger seat and harness. Went with the slider seat mount option from PCI. Very very solid. Now the girlfriend can ride with me on track and she can never say we dont spend quality time together.

Removed the arm rest top because my elbow kept hitting it. I like the look.
Still trying to figure out what I want to do with the space left from the radio screen. I picked up a SYNC 3 radio bezel to have more room for switches and buttons. I would like to add at least 2 switches each for the diff and trans oil pumps.
Down the road, most likely at the end of the year, I would like to add a Lifeline fire suppression system.

DRIVETRAIN
I currently have a 3.55 Torsen diff in storage that should help with gearing and avoiding shifts in some places on track. I will going with an aluminum one piece DS and Power flex diff bushings once I get to it. I probably wont do it until the end of the year.



I may be missing other items but that's all I can think about for now.

As you can see, the cost is adding up. I dont see how people go through multiple engines in a year or two. I have considered to start getting pedicures routinely because if I lose the new one for whatever reason, my feet need to be ready for Only Fans.

Thanks for coming to my World Wide Web table talk. Hopefully you can see the vision.

 

[2morrow]

Awesome… Just awesome

 

[Ewheels]

Can't wait to see the car when it's all done! And hear your impression of big-boy aero on track.

 

[WItoTX]

TLDR: I always wanted to be a race car driver. But to be a race car driver, you need a race car so I am building a race car.

Happy New Year beautiful people! Hope everyone had a safe and amazing holiday season.

I wasa going to wait until everything was done to update this but that'll be too much. As you know if you read previous posts, I had low compression in #8 April of last year. The simple and quick fix is to get a Gen 3 short block and I would be back on the road. I decided since I am paying for the labor, I decided to not have a track season last year and use the time and funds to upgrade the car entirely. After I get the car back on the road, I dont want to have to do anything else for the rest of the year outside of basic maintenance between events. By the way, the car still drives and I technically could drive it on track but I dont want it to get worse from pushing it. Once or twice a month I take it around my apartment complex to scratch the itch.

So I am pretty set in the direction I want the car to go. I am building the car for SCCA Max 3 class and NASA TT3. I am going to try and brake down everything that I have done or plan to do hopefully by end of April.

ENGINE
This is the finalized list of the engine rebuild. The rows in yellow are parts that I already have so you can imagine I have a decent parts pile. I would like to do L&M intake cams but I cannot due to Max 3 rules so I am going with a ported GT350 IM and Soler TB to maximize the air intake performance.

Oh, I also removed the AC compressor and condenser because...racecar ya know. That's 20 pounds between those two that I didn't have to work extra hard for in the gym. BMR makes a simple piece to block off the ports left open from removing the AC lines. Looking back, I could've just bought a piece of aluminum, drill a hole and call it a day but at least it was free shipping lol.

SUSPENSION
I was struggling with finding mounting points for the reservoirs for the MCS coilovers. I finally found a solution I was happy with. For the rears, I bought these MCS specific mounts from Build Journal. It makes for a clean install.

Up front, I designed a bracket that uses the radiator tie bar mounting points. Because I have a cutout for the track spec vents, the reservoirs do not contact the hood when closed.

Will add AJ Hartman rear sway bar end links for ease of corner balancing.

Will add the Mach1 hub/knuckle upgrade with GT4 studs at some point this year.

EXTERIOR
Finally ended up finding a blank rear trunk lid for a great price. blank trunk lid means big wing lol. I have decided to go with AJ Hartman's Fulcrum 14 wing. Thanks to @WItoTX , I was able to get some measurements and I will be setting the wing back a few inches which will yield more DF with less drag.

The front aero to match the splitter will be a custom splitter blade form 9Lives. I dont feel like cutting my own so I will let them do the work. I was going to take my car to AJ for him to make a kit for the 15-17 cars but I can't imagine dropping $2k+ on a splitter that with one off, I will be out that money. The splitter will be used with Speeditalia splitter quick release system by @Flyhalf to make getting on the trailer and unmounting much easier.
To reduce the parachute effect of the rear bumper, I plan to cutoff the rear bumper valance similar to what Vorshlag has done. I will use this time to change my rear tow hook set up and hopefully add a diffuser most likely from Venus unless I win 3k on a parlay and then I'll go with Zebulon CF diffuser.

Will be adding MMR fender vents soon.

COOLING
Buying a takeoff from a GT500 or Mach 1 and will run a switch to turn it on/off in the cabin.
960 Oil cooler form Capaldi on the way with Improved Racing parts that will be pair with radiator and oil cooler closeout courtesy of @5.2 liters of democracy
Plan to reuse OEM trans cooler since it comes with the mounts already.

INTERIOR
Added a passenger seat and harness. Went with the slider seat mount option from PCI. Very very solid. Now the girlfriend can ride with me on track and she can never say we dont spend quality time together.

Removed the arm rest top because my elbow kept hitting it. I like the look.
Still trying to figure out what I want to do with the space left from the radio screen. I picked up a SYNC 3 radio bezel to have more room for switches and buttons. I would like to add at least 2 switches each for the diff and trans oil pumps.
Down the road, most likely at the end of the year, I would like to add a Lifeline fire suppression system.

DRIVETRAIN
I currently have a 3.55 Torsen diff in storage that should help with gearing and avoiding shifts in some places on track. I will going with an aluminum one piece DS and Power flex diff bushings once I get to it. I probably wont do it until the end of the year.



I may be missing other items but that's all I can think about for now.

As you can see, the cost is adding up. I dont see how people go through multiple engines in a year or two. I have considered to start getting pedicures routinely because if I lose the new one for whatever reason, my feet need to be ready for Only Fans.

Thanks for coming to my World Wide Web table talk. Hopefully you can see the vision.

I haven't read all the follow up replies yet, so ignore if already asked, but have you, or are you going to pull the airbags right away too? I know there is quite a bit of weight on the passenger side just in airbags.

Looking forward to watching it all come together!

 

[Biggsy]

Awesome… Just awesome

thanks Todd!

Can't wait to see the car when it's all done! And hear your impression of big-boy aero on track.

Yea it’s going to be completely different next time out but I’m looking forward to getting there

I haven't read all the follow up replies yet, so ignore if already asked, but have you, or are you going to pull the airbags right away too? I know there is quite a bit of weight on the passenger side just in airbags.

Looking forward to watching it all come together!

I don’t see that happening until 2026 earliest if I ever do. I would expect if I end up at that point then I would also be putting in a full cage. Plus that would take me out of Max class. So we will see what 2025 has to offer

 

[2morrow]

Just curious, what kind of output are you targeting out of the new mill?

 

[Biggsy]

Just curious, what kind of output are you targeting out of the new mill?

New mill?

 

[ArrestmeRed]

I think he meant for the new motor. Any plans on E85 also? The power and cooling capabilities have been worth it for me.

 

[Biggsy]

Ahh okay. Not exactly sure. e85 will help with power but its mainly for preventing detonation from happening again. I dont expect the power output to be that much different than what it is now.

I wish I would've put the car on the dyne before this to get a baseline but never got the chance to.

 

[Biggsy]

Been doing a lot of things and spending money on everything but the engine.
Installed a rear Watson tow bar. It saves a few pounds, about 7 to be exact. Most people install it where the tow hook comes out behind the license plate. I copied honeybadger’s idea and flipped it upside down. Straight forward install. Did some arts and crafts and cut the lower valence section from the bumper. Because I will still drive this in the street or at least people know I am reversing, I bought a weatherproof led light and designed a mount(so it’s sits flush against the bumper). Came out great.

oh and you may notice a different trunk lid. Update on that soon

 

[Biggsy]

Since I’m here …dremel is the way. I got too confident with the angle grinder.

Vents should be back from powder coating next week.

 

[Ewheels]

Been doing a lot of things and spending money on everything but the engine.
Installed a rear Watson tow bar. It saves a few pounds, about 7 to be exact. Most people install it where the tow hook comes out behind the license plate. I copied honeybadger’s idea and flipped it upside down. Straight forward install. Did some arts and crafts and cut the lower valence section from the bumper. Because I will still drive this in the street or at least people know I am reversing, I bought a weatherproof led light and designed a mount(so it’s sits flush against the bumper). Came out great.

oh and you may notice a different trunk lid. Update on that soon

I love how these cars look with the rear valence cut off. Looks more open, less draggy, more race car. And to think people pay money for different looking ones.

Since I’m here …dremel is the way. I got too confident with the angle grinder.

Vents should be back from powder coating next week.

Dremel certainly takes longer but yes, way more control.

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