Ewheels Road Course Build

[ChaunceyM]

I'll get to find out on Saturday how despirately I'll need upgraded cooling for mine. Hitting up NJMP for the first track day in this pig and it's going to be in the 90s. I'm already assuming I'll get at best 10 minutes per session, and that's with me going only at 75% because I'm new to the car.
Going to be a lot of extra attention to watch oil and CHTs while in a new ride, but better that than an incident.

My guess is I'll be hitting up Mishi for a radiator this winter, and maybe trying to get them to do the work. They're only an hour from here so it's reasonable to be there and back while the kids are at school.

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[Ewheels]

I'll get to find out on Saturday how despirately I'll need upgraded cooling for mine. Hitting up NJMP for the first track day in this pig and it's going to be in the 90s. I'm already assuming I'll get at best 10 minutes per session, and that's with me going only at 75% because I'm new to the car.
Going to be a lot of extra attention to watch oil and CHTs while in a new ride, but better that than an incident.

My guess is I'll be hitting up Mishi for a radiator this winter, and maybe trying to get them to do the work. They're only an hour from here so it's reasonable to be there and back while the kids are at school.

Good luck and have fun!

I did a track day in 91° ambient with stock PP cooling and I was only able to get a single hot lap in before CHT hit my limit (going 10/10ths)

 

[ChaunceyM]

Good luck and have fun!

I did a track day in 91° ambient with stock PP cooling and I was only able to get a single hot lap in before CHT hit my limit (going 10/10ths)

I'm hoping I can get more than that, but I'm going from a turbo-4 to V8, and FWD to RWD, so I'm more focused on getting used to the new dynamics. I can also try to hit it for 2 or so laps, cool down in the pits for 10 minutes, then try to grab another lap or 2 before the 20 minutes is up.
But hey, no matter how it goes, as long as the car and I head home in 1 piece it's going to be a super f'n exiciting day. Feels so great to be getting back out there.

I will say, with weather like this, the old hatchback and it's cargo capacity came in real handy. Plenty of room for my 10' pop-up canopy. I'll have to buddy up with someone that's got shade.

 

[shogun32]

I can also try to hit it for 2 or so laps, cool down in the pits for 10 minutes, then try to grab another lap or 2 before the 20 minutes is up.

nah don't stop/park. Unless your organizers prohibit it, do the 2 hard laps, then circulate at 65% speed and short-shift being sure to point-by like a boss, then you can turn the red mist back up.

 

[Ewheels]

Got an email from Mishimoto today saying they are impacted by supply chain issues and don't expect to have this kit in stock for 8-10 weeks....so late September at the earliest

 

[Biggsy]

I was just about to say good luck with the kit and look forward to seeing the results ….

Looks like the universe is trying to tell you something ….get the 948 lol. Depending on urgency, call around and see who has it in stock?

 

[Ewheels]

I was just about to say good luck with the kit and look forward to seeing the results ….

Looks like the universe is trying to tell you something ….get the 948 lol. Depending on urgency, call around and see who has it in stock?

Yeah I'll make some calls. See if I get lucky

 

[GTP]

Eric, build my kit. More cooling than the Mishi, low horizontal mount, just 3 basic aluminum brackets to install. I've been running cool ever since, and I still haven't closed any air leaks or installed a hood vent.

Just had a successful test of my DIY diff cooler, too.

 

[Ewheels]

After 7 consecutive weekends of family vacations, concerts, and small trips, it's time to get back to car projects.

I sold the Leroy tire trailer, removed the hitch from the car (36 lbs lost), got a new set of track tires (so excited to be rid of the RR's), and did some more cutting.

Before:

After:

The Steeda cutting tool worked great. Now just need an alignment and onto the last couple projects: debugging my Xineering unit and installing the oil cooler.

 

[Biggsy]

Which tires did you go with?

 

[Ewheels]

Which tires did you go with?

BFGoodrich Rival S 1.5
They should be a good balance of grip and longevity. Decent price too

 

[Biggsy]

BFGoodrich Rival S 1.5
They should be a good balance of grip and longevity. Decent price too

Nice. I was looking at those when I go to 18s.

 

[Ewheels]

Nice. I was looking at those when I go to 18s.

I have a couple friends who used Rival S 1.5's and they all only have great things to say about them. Seem fast and last a good while.

Yeah I was looking at prices of tires comparing 18 v 19 and some of the options are a good $100 cheaper per tire in the 18's. I was about to buy a new set of Apex 18x11's but found these Rival's in 19" for a good price.

 

[Ewheels]

Hadn't made a post on this yet but the oil cooler and oil temp gauge install is complete.

I got the Mishimoto kit over building a DIY Setrab system because it came as a complete kit and came with instructions but in hindsight, it was still fairly DIY.
- I had to drill new mounting holes in the provided plate because the kit has you mount the cooler basically on top of the crash bar. This provides zero protection to the cooler and at least with my aftermarket grille, it wouldn't fit. I moved the cooler rearward about an inch and it just barely clears the grille. Might not be an issue with the factory grille but the zero protection still remains.
- The kit came with no vibration isolators to mount the cooler. I had to go buy rubber washers from Home Depot Racing.
- Surprisingly, the instructions in the kit are wrong when it came to mounting the oil lines to the sandwich plate. The instructions tell you to mount the oil line entering the cooler to the top port and leave the cooler from the bottom port. This would trap air in the cooler and lower cooling capacity.
- The exposed braids on the lines just mean they will chew through anything they rub against. Took some time wrapping certain sections of lines so they wouldn't eat through my radiator or other components/framework.
- The sandwich plate NPT port is not in the best position. I understand there's not much Mishimoto could do here but once the temp sender is in, the wire coming out is basically touching the alternator. It all seems to work but I'd wished there was a little more clearance here.

No data on temps yet. I know this kit is known for not being super effective at lower temps but I think it should keep them low enough for my driving. I can always add ducting later if temps are still high.
Good news - the Autometer digital temp gauge works great. It's nice knowing the actual oil temp rather than "oh it's green, it's ok"

 

[TeeLew]

If you want to prevent chafing, it's generally good to cover the lines with electrical heat shrink tubing. You'll have to pull the lines to do it, but it really helps. Epoxy these where you can and tie to them to keep the lines from moving. https://www.newark.com/thomas-betts/tc-105/cable-tie-mtg-base-aluminum-25/dp/12C2341 There are rivet on options as well.

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