Biggsy's Track Build

[Howitzer]

Car was amazing until the last two sessions Sunday. ... Kumhos were amazing through the entire session.

Glad you're enjoying the Kumhos...I finally got a chance this weekend to really see what I can do on them and thought they were great as well. Hopefully they'll last a bit too.

If I may ask, what happened the last 2 sessions?

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[Biggsy]

Glad you're enjoying the Kumhos...I finally got a chance this weekend to really see what I can do on them and thought they were great as well. Hopefully they'll last a bit too.

If I may ask, what happened the last 2 sessions?

They are really really great tires for the price I got them. Definitely have a few events on them. I was supposed to be out there with you guys at VIR this weekend but Road Atlanta trip ended my season early.

During the second to last session, I saw the CEL flash but car still felt great. No loss of power. Came into the paddock and scanned the computer and I got engine misfire and cam position sensor codes. I cleared it and drove the car and everything was fine. Right before my last session I try turning the car on and it did nothing. As though there was no power to the car. Several codes came up. Then it started up fine. Went out for two laps and that was the end of the session. After doing some digging I read that the misfire is common when revving high and/or hitting the limiter. Could also be a wire that is shorted.
My process to fix will be replace spark plugs(it’s overdue for that anyways), maybe change cam position sensor, replace pulse ring with MMR pulse ring(throwout bearing went out so I might as well).

 

[Howitzer]

They are really really great tires for the price I got them. Definitely have a few events on them. I was supposed to be out there with you guys at VIR this weekend but Road Atlanta trip ended my season early.

During the second to last session, I saw the CEL flash but car still felt great. No loss of power. Came into the paddock and scanned the computer and I got engine misfire and cam position sensor codes. I cleared it and drove the car and everything was fine. Right before my last session I try turning the car on and it did nothing. As though there was no power to the car. Several codes came up. Then it started up fine. Went out for two laps and that was the end of the session. After doing some digging I read that the misfire is common when revving high and/or hitting the limiter. Could also be a wire that is shorted.
My process to fix will be replace spark plugs(it’s overdue for that anyways), maybe change cam position sensor, replace pulse ring with MMR pulse ring(throwout bearing went out so I might as well).

That sucks that happened =(. Hopefully it's nothing too serious like you found. Hope to see you out there next year.

 

[Biggsy]

Happy New Year Everyone! I figured I should update the progress. This might be all over the place as I play catch up.

Last year was the most track time I was able to do within a season and this year I plan to do a lot more. I didn't do much over the summer. I finally was able to dial in the Xineering module with the proper settings so now that is one less thing to worry about. I have gone down the path of this becoming more track than street car which has always been the plan in the back of my head.

I didn't plan on going with a roll bar+seat+harness system just yet because I wanted to use those funds for track time. I ended up getting a local deal for a Chromoly Watson roll bar that I couldn't pass up. I plan to run TT with NASA either this year or next so I have been careful about adding weight to the car which is why I went with the Chromoly bar. Ended up getting PCI fixed mount, Sparco seat and harness. Man does the PCI mount really sit you low. The good news about the roll bar install was that I didn't knick any brake lines but the bad news is the drill bit walked on me so ended up having Revolution Automotive in Baltimore finish it.

I attended my first open track day at NJMP Lightning with Hooked On Driving. I see why people prefer open day to sessions. A lot of seat time and it allows the driver to use it as a true test day. For me, it was my first time with the seat and bar set up so I was adjusting to what was comfortable throughout the day. Also this was my first time towing my car to the track so now that I have the Tundra ready, I can expand my track venues. Fastest time of the day was 1:19. I was struggling with tire pressures and didn't really start feeling confident until the last hour of the day.

Been wanting to do Road Atlanta for a few years and was finally able to make it happen with MVP Track Time. Man oh man what a track. It was intimidating at first but after a few sessions I was able to get more comfortable and really push the car. Im a solid intermediate driver but there is always that fear of possibly pushing the car too much and then end up going off. I think this event is where I really started seeing what the car can do and got more comfortable with applying throttle earlier and harder. Road Atlanta is now on my calendar every year and maybe twice this year. The weekend was going great until the last session of the weekend. I got misfires in the second to last session and attributed that to low fuel. I went to get gas and everything was fine. I restarted my car to drive to grid for the last session and it was as though the car's power was cut. Ive never had that happen before. Then all sorts of codes were thrown and car wouldn't start. I was able to go out for one or two laps before checkered flag and the car ran fine. Will look more into into before spring.

I did the stupid thing when loading my car on the trailer, I burned my throwout bearing. After the 15 hour drive home, it was a nice surprise to find out I couldn't release the clutch from the engine. That ended my season as I was trying to make VIR later that month. Will fix that later this month.

Here is best lap of 1:43 from the weekend. I was in traffic most/all of the weekend. After looking at data, I know I can get into the 1:40s.

After every event, I fall in love with the car even more.

 

[Biggsy]

So on to the winter changes...

With the new seat, I noticed that my elbow kept hitting the center console and would put my right shoulder in an awkward position. To fight the ergonomic challenges, I swapped out the standard handle MGW for a low profile one to reduce the throw. That way when I go into 4th, my elbow doesn't go far back behind my shoulder. The next thing I did to reduce elbow interference was to replace my CF steering wheel with the FP Sparco wheel. This should reduce the steering input needed for turning. I went with the MMR aluminum hub which is a solid piece of work and Krontec Quick Release. As we all know the challenge with this is relocating the steering wheel buttons and all the effort associated with that. I wanted to be able to access the buttons while being strapped in. Its documented in another thread that its 5 buttons but 4 wires (voltage divider network) so its not as simple as replacing it with a digital joystick. I ended up taking the switch apart and it is a PCB so if I were to have access to the schematic, I could replicate the switch but use a joy stick to be mounted on the center console. But again, that was a distant thought. I liked the idea of mounting to the side of the steering column. I cut the hole, then found black craft paper with adhesive backing from Michael's to match the steering column. Came out very clean. Wanted to retain the horn so I added a momentary switch for that. Now I can get in and out easier with the seat in.

Swapped out OEM PP rear toe links for Cortex offering.

I changed the front tow hook to the GT350 tow hook. The previous one looked like my car was sticking its tongue out so this looks much better to me.

 

[Biggsy]

Now as far as 2024 plans:
-Replace throwout bearing
-install MMR pulse ring
-Install 3.55 Torsen rear end I picked up last year
-18" wheels
-coilovers and aero
-passenger seat equipment
-Mach 1 knuckle upgrade

Hoping to start my Time Trials career this year with SCCA and NASA.
Pitt Race(x2), Watkins, VIR(x3), Road Atlanta(x2), NJMP Thunderbolt are all on the list this year for sure.

I hope to meet more of you at track events. Here is to a safe and fun 2024!

 

[shogun32]

did the stupid thing when loading my car on the trailer, I burned my throwout bearing

How? You mean from lots of slipping as you inch your way into position?

 

[Biggsy]

How? You mean from lots of slipping as you inch your way into position?

yup. lots of it. Will be using a winch going forward. That way i dont need help when loading

 

[Ryan P]

Great updates man. I can't wait to get down to Road Atlanta.

 

[WItoTX]

Ahh man, I actually still load my car with the engine since it really required no throttle input. I even have a winch installed. Guess I will stop that. Thanks for the lesson!

As for your steering wheel, seats, harnesses, and bar. All said and done, where are you at weight wise?

I ask because those things are on my 2024 list. I am going CMS just for the passenger protection. How did you arrive at the Sparco harnesses as opposed to a Schroth or Sabelt? Are you running a hans yet?

 

[Biggsy]

Great updates man. I can't wait to get down to Road Atlanta.

Its a great track man. Very fast.

Ahh man, I actually still load my car with the engine since it really required no throttle input. I even have a winch installed. Guess I will stop that. Thanks for the lesson!

As for your steering wheel, seats, harnesses, and bar. All said and done, where are you at weight wise?

I ask because those things are on my 2024 list. I am going CMS just for the passenger protection. How did you arrive at the Sparco harnesses as opposed to a Schroth or Sabelt? Are you running a hans yet?

Yea I always read that winches saved clutches and now i see why (TOB in my case). If you have a winch, Im sure it is recommended to use it. I am using a Uhaul trailer but will have a winch set up this year to assist with loading.

When I weighed my car in Nov 2022 at a NASA event, I was 4010 if Im not mistaken. That was full track weight with stock seats and no roll bar etc. Also that is with a heavy AGM Odyssey battery (50 pounds).

So I had my heart set on Sabelt seats(Taurus Max) and Sabelt enduro harness. I knew I wanted an enduro harness because of aluminum vs steel and because the pull straps have loops which make it easier to pull with gloves. I also knew that I wanted pull up style lap belts. Schroth enduro harness I believe is only pull down plus its $200 more than Sabelt enduro. I like that Sabelt gives you the option to run pull up and/or pull down without buying additional items. When I went to try out seats, the sparco circuit II fit me better than the Sabelt Taurus. So to cure my OCD, I decided on Spacro harness but my second choice was the Sabelt Enduro which is the best bang for buck harness. If Lifeline Copse came in pull up I wouldve considered that. Kohr and Tuner Motorsports both use Lifeline Copse in their GT4 cars

This is the Harness i have

Sparco FIA Prime H-8 Endurance 6-Point Racing Harness – OG Racing

I have the Stand 21 HANS device. It is lighter than the Hans III and the ergonomics are a bit better in my opinion

Stand 21 Club 3 Head and Neck Restraint – OG Racing

Hope that helps

 

[Biggsy]

@WItoTX Also PCI seat mount is the way to go when the time comes

 

[Biggsy]

i am indeed

 

[WItoTX]

@Biggsy This is helpful info, thanks!

I did the uhaul trailer one time. It jacked up the factory splitter, and I bought a new tilt trailer within a week so I didn't have to mess with it anymore.

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