Explode64

check out page 12 of the latest performance car mag. There is a 1/3 page on my car.
The Mazda pro 7 club and nzpc are showcasing the new rx8 class. last month they did a similar article introducing the class


Posted from Rx8club.com App for Android

Explode64

Explode64

The battery has now been moved to the boot,
Also getting ready for the custom air box intake to be made along with fibre glass head light covers

Slidin8

Why do you need a custom airbox?

Explode64

standard airbox just making a new scoop that will feed the oem airbox from in front of the front bar


Posted from Rx8club.com App for Android

OnCam

sounds good! ram air!!!!!

Explode64

A few more updates.
The rear windows are back in


Some new dash clamps I machined up after work


And the head lights will be replaced with some fibreglass covers. I spend the weekend making the external part. next week ill start on the brackets

Arca_ex

iTrader: (10)

Those rear windows are exactly what I want to do on mine. They turned out awesome. Any tips on doing those?

Explode64

Rather than giving tips ill let you know how I did it.
The way we made the rear windows was:

• we made a template off the original windows in card board
• cut the window shape out of 3mm polycarb with a jig saw
• I drew up the NACA duct inlet shape on solid works. The drivers side has one 3” outlet duct and the passengers side has 2x 2.5” outlet ducts facing opposite direction (If you would like these I can send you a dxf or PDF of them)
• I used the template for the 3” duct to cut out the shape with a jig saw then filed it to shape.
• On the passengers side I had the holes water jet cut because it is nicer looking.
• I then made a template of window hole using the original window shaped template. I cut this out about 10mm smaller than the window hole.
• I then covered the inside of the windows in matt black vinyl, and then used my template to cut out the centre part with a box cutter.
• The NACA ducts are held to the windows using M4 clear polycarb machine screws and nuts
• Closed cell foam was used around the windows that were 5mm thick to seal the weather out.
• The windows are the attached to the car using black nylon machine screws.

The holes to screw the windows to the doors where drilled by a friend on mine when the car was at his work shop. If I had my time again I would have had him drill them in different positions closer to the outside edge.

Arca_ex

iTrader: (10)

Very helpful, thanks a ton!

I think I'm going to go with one 3" inlet on either side, point one at myself and one at the drivers side of the trans tunnel.

STKYRICE

iTrader: (2)

Subscribed..Keep up the good work

BigFil109

Hi
I'm about to start trimming the wiring in a track RX8, do you have a list of whats safe to remove. I plan on removing the ABS and airbag system, the audio wires are the easy bit.
this will be on the standard ECU and we want to keep the power steering.

What can I not take out?

Thanks
Phil

Explode64

I have started a forum post in the racing section asking about what sensors can be removed with out affecting the traction/ stability control. I have left my ABS sensors in the car as our rules require us to maintain the ABS.
As for the other wiring the way I did it was in 2 parts the cabin & rear doors then the dash/ front doors.
After removing all the interior I marked everything I wanted to remove. i.e. speakers, sat nav gear, seatbelt and air bag wires….
Most of this I could unplug in the lower right front foot well (RHD car) the rest went to the plugs or fuse box in the passenger’s foot well.
I then removed all the looming tape and followed each wire back to the front left plugs or fuse box and cut them down there. (do this one wire at a time) To stop shorting I covered the cut ends in heat shrink.
After I had removed all the cabin wires I removed the dash.
I then removed all the loom tape off the wires. I followed all the stereo, AC etc wires that I did not want, from their plugs back to the front passengers foot well then cut them off at the plugs or fues box.
I then repeated this with the wire harness that comes out of the front doors.
Most of the short wires I have now removed.
I still need to remove the keyless entry box. This has a lot of wires but I thought it had something to do with the immobiliser. But I think im way off on that one.
All I have left in the front of my car is the wires to the instruments, steering wheel controls (i.e indicators but that has all been removed so just have plugs hidden away) and the buttons down the drivers side of the dash.
I am hoping that I have done the correct thing. The car still drives ok at slow speed. I will find out in a couple of weeks when we have it at the track the first time.
Check out https://www.facebook.com/jamesjacksonmotorsport/ for photos

Explode64

We have got the car ready for some testing.
We plan to hear to puke next sat if it is fine.

thunderberk

Looks aggressive good luck !

Explode64

been to puke to give the car a shake down

Explode64

If there are any Kiwis out there that are thinking about getting into motor racing running a RX8 in the PRO7 series may be of interest to you.

We worked out that to get a car on track would be around $5K + the cost of the car (about 5-9K)

On my facebook page www.facebook.com/jamesjacksonmotorsport I have put a list of what parts are needed to get the car on track in pro7 trim.
The prices I have posed are what I paid so by not means the most expensive or cheapest.
I have also added a few cool bits not in that list tho

Stephen T

If I lived closer to a track I'd be tempted so it's only a Lotto dream as I like living up here other than that. I've enjoyed your build though. Keep us informed. Cheers.

Slidin8

Does the pro7 come to ruapuna raceway? Id love to watch.

Should probably get the 8 fixed, im sure id give u a run for your money in street trim LOL

Explode64

At the AGM the south island Pro7 guys said they have been looking into the rx8 class but there has been no word if they will take it up.

The 2nd round of the NZ pro7 championship will be at Ruapuna 12 - 13 April. This will have the S1 and S6 cars from both islands (those who decide to contest the NZ title in pro7 and Pro7+) but I don't know of any rx8's planning the trip down as there wont be a nz title up for grabs.

Explode64

After the first race meeting struggling with understeer I have changed my upper a arm bushes to the offset type to give me somemore camber, All that wend in this weekend.

My current shock and spring package would be awesome on theroad as the car rides very well but not the best on the track as it’s a bitsoft. So im looking for a more track orientated set up. only issue is that the pro 7 class will possibly have a control shock next year.

A.Rod

Must have been a blast to be in your first race with the car anyway?

Saw a bit of footage of the taupo meet the other day mentioning handling issues with the car, is that something the other 8 in the class had/has problems with too? thinking of the red one from the site (haven't done my research enough to know if it's still running though)

Just wondering if the understeer is something 8's are prone too when stripped out?

Explode64

The red rx had the same issue when it was first built. Over last season he managed to develop his car to a point he is happy with it. as a result it is lower, a lot stiffer sprung and has more camber than my car. I'm at puke this weekend so haven't had much of a chance to work on the set up except the offset bushes. over xmas I'm looking to get new socks and springs


Posted from Rx8club.com App for Android

Explode64

It’s been a while since I last did an update. Last tine out at Puke I left with a large dent in the left hand side. Since then I haven’t had much time to work on the car. Over Xmas we did some panel beating and the car now look ship shape again.
I am finally sorting out the suspension. Barry at Manon Racing Products Manon Racing Products - New Zealand is helping me arrange a set of ortune Auto Coiloves. I have yet to order them as Fortune Auto are working on revalving them to suit track only driving. With any luck the order will be placed next week.
While I wait for that my new underdriven pulley arrived today. This should help with the water pump and reduce alternator drag. I may have to take it into work and machine off the AC pump drive belt part for extra lightness

Explode64

Team Jackson. Poor Mum there are 3 of us racing. Dad (s6), My brother (s1) and Me


Dad and I learn to panel beat