The update for the Mid-Ohio race has been posted.

http://www.grandamadventure.com/GA_Mid-Ohio.html

Main Link if you want to start at the beginning:

http://www.grandamadventure.com/GA_main.html

I hope you enjoy it!

Mark

 

Good write-up Mark.....did the fuel problem go away completely with the fuel pump swap? That's the exact thing mine was doing I put the new pump in the L side...and the other in the R side for good measure I have to wait till th 28th to see if it works.

I know you don't have the fuel pump modification for an option.....Damn rules!

 

Yes, the new fuel pump solved it completely. Good Luck with yours!

Mark

 

Great...now I'm not going to know if just the new pump solved the problem...

I guess if I leave the aux pump shut off and it doesn't do it...then It was the pump.....if not it needs the additional pump

 

Is this a differenct OEM pump or a aftermarket pump? As far as your overheating problem, are your hoses collapsing. That would explain why, under higher rpms, that the water temp rose.

 

Its a Mazda OEM pump.

That's a good thought, but Jon checked the hoses carefully and they were weren't collapsing. They were all practically brand new hoses.

We think at this point the motor will need to be dissasembled to determine the root cause. Actually we appeared to be down on power from the start, so it rebuild time...

Mark

 

Great, fun reading. Sorry I didn't stop by and see your slot cars at VIR... Good luck with the rest of the year and keep the reports coming. Thanks!

 

Great writeup, I was wondering why I didnt see the 128 car in the result section on the Grand Am website.

As for the down on power(assume ur comparing to the speedsource rx-8s), would it be because of the greddy engine management not extracting all the power outta the renesis? last I checked on this forum, the greddy system isnt the best. Any considerations to move to a more advanced engine management system?
________
AshleyY

 

No actually I wasn't comparing it to the speedsource RX-8's. We knew we would be slightly down on power to them, because we haven't implemented the newly allowed header yet (rule change after Lime Rock).

I don't think it is the engine managment, because it was plenty fast at VIR and Daytona. At Daytona we were able to draft and pass other cars - BMW's, Cobalts, some Acuras, and even a few of the Speedsource prepared RX-8's. The same was true at VIR. At Mid-Ohio, we couldn't draft and pass ANYBODY. Not one fricken' car.

I suspect when we tear the engine down, we'll discover the problem.

Mark

 

I bet it was because you used synthetic oil. (Heh, just kidding.)

I saw that graphic job at VIR. It was one of the most amazing bits of graphic work I've ever seen.

BTW, where'd you get a 3rd oil cooler? A couple of us (in stock trim) have wondered if heat might be causing some of the misfire CEL's we've been getting.

 

I'm afraid I couldn't tell you where the third oil cooler came from. It doesn't look like something specifically made for the RX-8, just a generic aftermarket part that Doc plumbed in. You can get that kind of thing at Pegasus Racing, etc.

 

Have you torn the engine down yet?

 

No not yet.

A couple of days ago I emailed the data logger information to Doc, and he pointed out that we were indeed running lean above 8000 rpm. Too bad he wasn't with us at the track.

I don't know if that changes things or not. I think Doc is coming up to take a look at it and they will decide what to do next week.

Mark

 

I love reading this. Thanks a lot Mark. The GA RX-8 Club will be at the Barber Motorsports Park Grand Am race. I'll be sure to stop by. You have a large following of devoted readers! Good Luck!

 

Mark,

Thanks for the stories, makes for great reading. I had forgetten how much elevation change there is in the upper paddock at Mid-Ohio. I was at a track event there yesterday and ended up parked up there. I can see why you had problems!

It was my first track event and I had a blast. I have a lot to learn, but studying your videos and countless simulation laps on rFactor gave me a good start. At least I knew the course layout and proper line.

Looking forward to the next update.

 

We always enjoy folks stopping by and look forward to seeing you there!

Mark

 

Any Updates on the engine?
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Extreme_Blond live

 

love reading this thanks, good luck on the next race

 

Good Luck and eee you this weekend.... I can't wait! We'll be there both Saturday and Sunday.

 

Guys,

I have posted an update to the GrandAmAdventure website regarding the Barber race weekend:

http://www.grandamadventure.com/GA_Barber.html

Its a little different in some regards from my previous work - that is all I can say....

Enjoy,

Mark

 

NOOOOOOOOO!!!! This is one of the few things I patiently wait for to read and now it's ruined! I seriously loved your 'diary' you would post after every race with all the gritty details that only car junkies could appreciate. Thanks a lot for all the fun stories Mark.
I seriously hope that you do find someone else to race for. Good luck Mark and thanks a bunch.

 

I couldn't have said it any better. I too have been following your diary of Grand Am events. I have enjoyed every minute of the read.

 

ditto the above. thanks mark for all your diaries. i myself learned a few things about rx8 bugaboos from danny's team's experiences that i'll keep an eye out for in the future.

 

 

^^^ Me too. I really enjoyed reading the diary. It was as close to being an actual driver you could be without suiting up. It had a very engaging writing style.

Thanks for your efforts and we hope to see more in the future.