Congrats to Brian who drove extremely well this weekend at Northfield. If it weren't for a couple of cones hit, he would have been near the top of Pax.

Well, I've hit the fork in the road. We all knew it was coming. I have become competitive enough in both AX and Road Course that I have to choose which to do. To make the car faster on the track, I have to do things which will make it illegal in STX. The choice is made to road race.

I'm gonna need help with tearing the car apart (Everybody here's favorite sport) and setting up for the courses. I need ideas on what to do. First up: safety - full roll cage and fire systems. I already have a Hans and suit.

I'm starting a list of what to do. I am limited by the attached point system. I am at the limits of the points for "D" class. So I can't take any more points.

 

Not surprised at the decision at all Doc. Let me know when I can come over and get dusty.

 

I'm going through this list. Looks like I can go with a lightweight flywheel and clutch upgrade with no points. Short shifter worth it??

 

Might as well do that when the tranny gets dropped.
Order the clutch kit through BHR and they can throw in their HD Release Bearing.
Some kits come with a pilot bearing and seal... difficult to tell if you really need to bother with this bearing until the tranny is dropped.

The "experience" is not as big as the hype is around here.
You can try mine out for awhile if you like and get a feel for it.

 

Its nice... but won't do anything significant at the track I feel. Technically, you're able to shift gears faster if you want to squeeze those hundredths of s second out of your shifts I suppose.

But that is 200+ dollars that I would spend elsewhere.

Are you going to do anything to lighten the car? I didn't really understand the points system on the sheet all too well, so I don't know how close you are or how much room you have to work with.

I'm good at finding "non essential" parts.

 

So Steve...I think I am going to have to disagree with ya here on the SS. While it does technically make your throw shorter...I agree with Brian in that the mechanical feel of one would help on a track. While it was super annoying for a daily driver...I can see the purpose of it on the track. Now...is that feel worth the $200+...Im going to agree and go with no. I think because you have so much experience in the car the way it is that you would find it annoying. I could be totally wrong though.

 

First of all, I've never made a race car. So I'm looking for as much guidance as I can. I'm sure there will be tons of opinions out there. So I'm going to be listening carefully.

Here are my current mods and Plans. Feel free to chime in. When I'm done the car has to weigh at least 3045 with me in it. If it's lower, we'll add weights. Don't forget, as we take things out, we'll be adding weight with the roll cage.

http://domomotorsports.com/Domo Mods.xlsx

Anybody want to sponsor me??

 

Doc- If you're going with an Exedy stage 1 clutch kit, I recommend the 10803AHD over the 10803A.
The 10803A is a pretty much an OEM clutch with a little more pressure plate clamping force (1,455lbs vs 1,395lbs).
The 10803AHD is actually the "Mazdaspeed" version with higher pressure clamping springs.
No specs on how much more, but few of the locals have been in my car (which has the 10803AHD kit) and can tell you there is noticeably more clamping force.

 

At this stage Jon, I'm not sure on brands and details, or even parts. I have just made this decision and need to do a lot of research. Can you pm me Charles contact? I need to have a conversation with those guys.

 

Doc,

I'm sure a lot of the input we can provide would just be speculation and opinion. I think we the people who've gained access to over the summer, they would definitely be your best bet in terms of advice on set-ups.

But, I think most of us would be more than happy to help you in converting your car into a race car in terms of the labor. I know i hope to one day be in a position to do what you're doing to a car.

In terms of saving weight, tearing apart the donor showed quite a bit of nonsense weight added in a lot of different areas. Stereo and climate controls (including A/C compressor on the engine) would be good places to start I feel. I assume its beneficial to be in a position to add weights to the car because then you can decide where you want to place the weight in the car.

Lastly, are we still on for a meet at Boneyard this friday?

 

I can be there. Empire you in? Who all is going????

 

I would like to finally meet all of you since i've only met two of you...and would love nothing more than to strip an RX-8 down to racing trim! let me know the details since i've never ventured to your boneyard

 

Im down for Fri as long as we meet after 7

 

I would like to come join you guys at the boneyard this Friday. Showoff my new wheels too

 

Josh- sorry I missed your call... it was a busy night at work and I didn't notice your called until 22:30.


Everyone- Back to having clutch disengagement issues and now know why.
After talking with Charles R Hill he pointed me towards the reasoning.
Mazda used ethanol during the installation of the slave cylinder boot.
At hot ambient temps (~85F) the ethanol becomes vaporized and expands.
As pressure in the boot increases, the piston is pushed back into the cylinder body.
The result is a gap between the piston and the pushrod and presents excessive free play and difficulty disengaging the clutch.

Ethanol is no longer used in the manufacturing process, but can affect '04-'06 RX8s produced before May 1, 2006.
Mazda's part number for a new cylinder is F151-41-92XB
I plan on buying one soon because I don't want to ****-up another transmission because of this.

 

Jon,
If there is some way to mod the slave from the donor, you can have that to fiddle with. maybe Ray knows of someway to do that without buying a newer part...?

-----------
So, for Friday:

1. Vyndictive
2. Doc
3: Jtaylor
4: Devilboi
5: Gopher
6:

 

Ray mentioned having the same problem with his cylinder, just not as bad as mine.
He also said that he plans on buying one, just was too lazy to... so I guess he hasn't thought about it.
But you do bring up a good question... why not just disassemble it and clean it up so there are no traces of ethanol?
I'm up for being the guinea pig and will try it if you don't mind me taking the donor's slave cylinder.

 

Nope, Don't mind at all. I'll bring it Friday if you're going.

 

Yeah... I should be there Friday... thanks

 

Jon or Brian, who has my parts??

 

 

OK, lol. Bring 'em tomorrow, please.

 

Keep an eye out for a stock exhaust. I'm going to need one for red. I gave mine away last year.

 

Will do Doc

 

Why do you need a stock exhaust? Something about the points system or something? Or noise?