Arca's Time Attack Build Thread (13b-REW Swap)
12-11-2013, 03:56 PM
#51
Awesome thread, thanks for posting. I got a real kick out of reading this as for awhile your build parallels what I did to my first car as I got deeper and deeper into time attack/road course driving - I was right at the point of gutting interior and prepping for a cage install when I wrote it off on a high speed wet corner 
Will be following this with great interest, GL!
Will be following this with great interest, GL!
Arca, good to see you putting in the time to bring your project to the forum. As we say in NZ, Chur bro!
RE additional WHP, check out this thread, and go to the bottom of the page and click on RIWWPs link to the Eric Meyer 233rwhp thread. The transmission and diff treatment may assist with a few extra ponies.
RE additional WHP, check out this thread, and go to the bottom of the page and click on RIWWPs link to the Eric Meyer 233rwhp thread. The transmission and diff treatment may assist with a few extra ponies.
I can't even remember what snow looks like in real life LOL.
12-11-2013, 04:36 PM
#52
So a couple of mods that I forgot to mention that I like a lot are the RX8Performance motor mounts and the Ingalls Torque Dampener. I got the motor mounts first and it made the car feel a lot more solid, shifting got better because the shifter wasn't leaning over or flopping around when cornering, and I don't have to worry about them breaking apart like OEM ones and getting all terrible. Solid product.
Also after that I added the Ingalls Torque Dampener, this made everything even more rigid since it adds a third anchor point for the motor. I'm sure a lot of people would complain about the NVH that the combo of these mounts and the dampener produce but I like a car that feels solid as a rock. Next step is when I have the diff out, I'll do polyurethane mounts on that as well so the entire power plant frame is attached MUCH more solid than before.
Motor Mounts (not my picture):
Torque Dampener (not my picture):
Now for a small update, after researching a lot I've decided to say screw it and do an electric water pump setup so that my engine bay looks way more awesome when I have the hood popped at car shows... yeah...
Shameless plug for my for sale thread that has Mazmart WP and T-Stat:
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-parts-s...mostat-249977/
I found a used RX8Performance adapter plate for a good price and will be using a Meziere 55GPM rated (their biggest remote pump) electric water pump that will just be on a switch. Now you might be asking how will I tell if there is a sudden failure, well I'm going to have a T on the output hose of the pump and will fit a fuel pressure gauge there. Since the coolant will be trying to force its way back through the engine I'm hoping that the pressure will be a little bit higher than the rest of the system during operation so that if it stops, the fuel pressure gauge will fall to below the cap pressure and a warning will go off. Another idea is to monitor the amount of current that the pump is pulling, but if it seizes it can still be pulling power down even if it's stuck.
Adapter plate (not my picture):
Pump (not my picture):
Also after that I added the Ingalls Torque Dampener, this made everything even more rigid since it adds a third anchor point for the motor. I'm sure a lot of people would complain about the NVH that the combo of these mounts and the dampener produce but I like a car that feels solid as a rock. Next step is when I have the diff out, I'll do polyurethane mounts on that as well so the entire power plant frame is attached MUCH more solid than before.
Motor Mounts (not my picture):
Torque Dampener (not my picture):
Now for a small update, after researching a lot I've decided to say screw it and do an electric water pump setup so that my engine bay looks way more awesome when I have the hood popped at car shows... yeah...
Shameless plug for my for sale thread that has Mazmart WP and T-Stat:
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-parts-s...mostat-249977/
I found a used RX8Performance adapter plate for a good price and will be using a Meziere 55GPM rated (their biggest remote pump) electric water pump that will just be on a switch. Now you might be asking how will I tell if there is a sudden failure, well I'm going to have a T on the output hose of the pump and will fit a fuel pressure gauge there. Since the coolant will be trying to force its way back through the engine I'm hoping that the pressure will be a little bit higher than the rest of the system during operation so that if it stops, the fuel pressure gauge will fall to below the cap pressure and a warning will go off. Another idea is to monitor the amount of current that the pump is pulling, but if it seizes it can still be pulling power down even if it's stuck.
Adapter plate (not my picture):
Pump (not my picture):
12-11-2013, 09:00 PM
#53
Excellent build and documentation Aaron, a great pick with the Rotary engine and Rx8 for your first car and track monster 
, keep us all updated with all your progress as we are eager to see. I like that plexy sunroof man. I'll ship out that EWP plate tomorrow. An idea for a warning light if the water pump fails I am going to use is hook up a flashing light to come on at a certain temperature via my Haltech, also possible is a light to come on when the pump turns on with it's 12v power.. I got a davies and craig ewp80 which is their smallest EWP and when I had the Renesis engine my temps never got higher than like 205 - 210 on a hot FL day 
and I had it on with the 2nd key ignition constantly with no controller, no TSTAT and stock RX8 radiator, I will hook it up on my FD setup to turn on and off at my set temps via Haltech just like the fans and act as a TSTAT.. But you can expect much cooler temperatures with an EWP. You can watch my vid on my sig link on my night test drive and the temp never went higher than 195 red lining at 9000 RPM's running rich.. Keep in mind all this is on my STARXQUEST, not RX8 or RX7.. I also had the modded twice as big stock injectors and BHR coils I sold like a year ago. Good call on that Synchro Saver they are supposed to make the AISIN 6 speed trannie worthy of high HP, I got myself one too but am yet to feel the metal to metal clicks since my car has been out of commission for a year now I've been gathering aftermarket parts for the FD engine I drove to Hawkinsville GA in a minivan to pick up lol and getting the car ready, we can all agree the down time with no ride while they are under construction sucks but then pays off with the joy of a finished project..
, keep us all updated with all your progress as we are eager to see. I like that plexy sunroof man. I'll ship out that EWP plate tomorrow. An idea for a warning light if the water pump fails I am going to use is hook up a flashing light to come on at a certain temperature via my Haltech, also possible is a light to come on when the pump turns on with it's 12v power.. I got a davies and craig ewp80 which is their smallest EWP and when I had the Renesis engine my temps never got higher than like 205 - 210 on a hot FL day and I had it on with the 2nd key ignition constantly with no controller, no TSTAT and stock RX8 radiator, I will hook it up on my FD setup to turn on and off at my set temps via Haltech just like the fans and act as a TSTAT.. But you can expect much cooler temperatures with an EWP. You can watch my vid on my sig link on my night test drive and the temp never went higher than 195 red lining at 9000 RPM's running rich.. Keep in mind all this is on my STARXQUEST, not RX8 or RX7.. I also had the modded twice as big stock injectors and BHR coils I sold like a year ago. Good call on that Synchro Saver they are supposed to make the AISIN 6 speed trannie worthy of high HP, I got myself one too but am yet to feel the metal to metal clicks since my car has been out of commission for a year now I've been gathering aftermarket parts for the FD engine I drove to Hawkinsville GA in a minivan to pick up lol and getting the car ready, we can all agree the down time with no ride while they are under construction sucks but then pays off with the joy of a finished project..
Last edited by VICEdOUT; 12-12-2013 at 09:54 AM.
12-23-2013, 01:28 PM
#54
Good work mate, I really like this. I need to get some stiffer engine mounts, i'm really struggling getting into 3 gear under hard braking. i thought one mounts had clasped at one point.
have you considered getting an aftermarket LSD? completely transforms the car.
have you considered getting an aftermarket LSD? completely transforms the car.
12-23-2013, 01:46 PM
#55
I decided against getting an aftermarket LSD, I've heard that it adds rear stability during turn in while decelerating (1.5 or 2 way), but I'm going to have so much rear downforce now that it would probably just create a massive understeering issue. Under acceleration I've never had any gripes about the stock LSD. It's a lot of money to go to an aftermarket clutch type, and you have to take points for that in classing. Stock LSD is 0 points against me and I can't afford to put in an aftermarket LSD anyways.
What was your experience with yours? Have you driven with it on track at all? What were the most notable differences?
Last edited by Arca_ex; 12-23-2013 at 01:53 PM.
12-30-2013, 12:35 AM
#56
Alright so I'm back from a nearly 4,000 mile round trip to Ohio and have had some time to work on the car... this is what I helped my friend pick up. A '95 NSX (yes it is a complete car, just in pieces, it will be a caged wheel to wheel car very soon.)
I got the electric water pump plate that I bought from a fellow 8Club member (VICEdOUT) and there was even something extra in the box! If he ever has anything up for sale, buy with confidence, shipping was quick and everything was exactly as described. Also I've never gotten bonus parts before LOL! It was a set of stock fuel rails that have been modified to use an external regulator and -06 AN fittings. Might be able to put it to good use, we'll see later on down the road.
The first thing I did when I was back was install the Brooks Motorsport Composites wing since it was taking up so much damn space in the house.
Taped off the cuts, the paint still chipped but whatever, it's a race car.
Made both sides symmetrical with some strings and stuffs.
Drill holes, cut in between, then used a file to fine tune it so it fit the upright perfectly.
First upright dropped through the slot.
Just bolted into place for now. I'm going to reinforce that trunk area with some aluminum diamond plate I have sitting around so it will be much stronger. I am also going to secure the upright to that vertical metal panel you see in the picture, and possibly a forward tie that goes to the cage.
Here it is just sitting in the slots, it's not bolted down or lined up yet in this picture. Also, NSX lurking in the background awaiting final delivery to my buddy's place.
Installed and bolted down. It is SUPER strong vertically but horizontally has a little too side to side flex. I have a solution to strengthen it horizontally, I'll post about it when I try it and if it works. I also took the stock spoiler off, I think it looks much better that way. Also I don't like the way this thing looks in pictures, it's much better in real life and will probably look much better once it's cleaned up and I use a real camera instead of my cell phone.
I got the electric water pump plate that I bought from a fellow 8Club member (VICEdOUT) and there was even something extra in the box! If he ever has anything up for sale, buy with confidence, shipping was quick and everything was exactly as described. Also I've never gotten bonus parts before LOL! It was a set of stock fuel rails that have been modified to use an external regulator and -06 AN fittings. Might be able to put it to good use, we'll see later on down the road.
The first thing I did when I was back was install the Brooks Motorsport Composites wing since it was taking up so much damn space in the house.
Taped off the cuts, the paint still chipped but whatever, it's a race car.
Made both sides symmetrical with some strings and stuffs.
Drill holes, cut in between, then used a file to fine tune it so it fit the upright perfectly.
First upright dropped through the slot.
Just bolted into place for now. I'm going to reinforce that trunk area with some aluminum diamond plate I have sitting around so it will be much stronger. I am also going to secure the upright to that vertical metal panel you see in the picture, and possibly a forward tie that goes to the cage.
Here it is just sitting in the slots, it's not bolted down or lined up yet in this picture. Also, NSX lurking in the background awaiting final delivery to my buddy's place.
Installed and bolted down. It is SUPER strong vertically but horizontally has a little too side to side flex. I have a solution to strengthen it horizontally, I'll post about it when I try it and if it works. I also took the stock spoiler off, I think it looks much better that way. Also I don't like the way this thing looks in pictures, it's much better in real life and will probably look much better once it's cleaned up and I use a real camera instead of my cell phone.
12-30-2013, 12:45 AM
#57
As for progress on the motor... I tore it down to a shortblock, got the huge flywheel nut off no problem, impact zapped it right off, but I spent ALL OF TODAY fighting with the ******* eccentric shaft bolt. I soaked it with penetrating oil for two hours, tried to impact it off, no dice, soaked for 1 more hour, used propane torch on it for 20 minutes, impact, no dice. Then used propane torch for 15 more minutes, locked the flywheel with an 8 foot piece of unistrut bolted to it (I'm tossing it anyways) and a breaker bar with a 4 foot tube on the end, no dice. Went to the store while the bolt was soaking in penetrating oil more, bought a MAP torch, heated it till it was glowing cherry red hot, sat on it with an impact for like 5 whole minutes, then heated it back up, used the cheater bar setup and I sheared the square 1/2" male socket adapter right off the head of the breaker bar, then I gave up and rolled that piece of **** in back in the garage. Massively frustrated by this. My buddy has a 1" drive impact wrench and a 300PSI nitrogen tank that I am going to borrow, and that ****** is coming off if it's the last thing I do.
Pictures because build thread...
Pictures because build thread...
01-02-2014, 02:20 PM
#58
On the water pump reliability issue:
Get a current meter (like from an old school car that uses a generator). Wire that meter in series with the water pump.
When the water pump is running, you will see X amps on the meter. If your readings get out of whack (high or low) it means that the pump has stopped pumping.
*edit*
http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.c...rod/prd360.htm
This is a solid gauge for doing this.
Get a current meter (like from an old school car that uses a generator). Wire that meter in series with the water pump.
When the water pump is running, you will see X amps on the meter. If your readings get out of whack (high or low) it means that the pump has stopped pumping.
*edit*
http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.c...rod/prd360.htm
This is a solid gauge for doing this.
Last edited by no-coast-punk; 01-02-2014 at 02:22 PM.
01-02-2014, 02:42 PM
#59
On the water pump reliability issue:
Get a current meter (like from an old school car that uses a generator). Wire that meter in series with the water pump.
When the water pump is running, you will see X amps on the meter. If your readings get out of whack (high or low) it means that the pump has stopped pumping.
*edit*
2-1/16" Amp Current
This is a solid gauge for doing this.
Get a current meter (like from an old school car that uses a generator). Wire that meter in series with the water pump.
When the water pump is running, you will see X amps on the meter. If your readings get out of whack (high or low) it means that the pump has stopped pumping.
*edit*
2-1/16" Amp Current
This is a solid gauge for doing this.
Yeah that's the exact solution that I arrived at as well. I'll be using a gauge that will read volts and amps and I might attach it to my steering wheel since I have to pay close attention to it.
01-02-2014, 07:51 PM
#61
01-03-2014, 03:06 PM
#65
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Mod Edit:
Please don't hijack someone's build thread. I moved your post here: https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...oblems-250365/
-RIWWP
Please don't hijack someone's build thread. I moved your post here: https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...oblems-250365/
-RIWWP
Last edited by RIWWP; 01-03-2014 at 03:10 PM.
01-03-2014, 09:45 PM
#67
Well I came up with my own technique after the big impact wouldn't do it on its own... 1" Drive Impact Wrench that weighs 40lbs and produces 2,000 ft-lbs peak torque, and a monkey wrench with 3 foot cheater bar after heating the bolt with a MAP torch.
At the same time.
What a nightmare... onwards with the build.
Quick video of the impact not doing the trick, then pictures of what did work.
At the same time.
What a nightmare... onwards with the build.
Quick video of the impact not doing the trick, then pictures of what did work.
01-04-2014, 04:56 PM
#68
Yeah the engine mounts make shifting much easier if you have stock old or collapsed mounts now. The shifter doesn't move around at all anymore during cornering.
I decided against getting an aftermarket LSD, I've heard that it adds rear stability during turn in while decelerating (1.5 or 2 way), but I'm going to have so much rear downforce now that it would probably just create a massive understeering issue. Under acceleration I've never had any gripes about the stock LSD. It's a lot of money to go to an aftermarket clutch type, and you have to take points for that in classing. Stock LSD is 0 points against me and I can't afford to put in an aftermarket LSD anyways.
What was your experience with yours? Have you driven with it on track at all? What were the most notable differences?
I decided against getting an aftermarket LSD, I've heard that it adds rear stability during turn in while decelerating (1.5 or 2 way), but I'm going to have so much rear downforce now that it would probably just create a massive understeering issue. Under acceleration I've never had any gripes about the stock LSD. It's a lot of money to go to an aftermarket clutch type, and you have to take points for that in classing. Stock LSD is 0 points against me and I can't afford to put in an aftermarket LSD anyways.
What was your experience with yours? Have you driven with it on track at all? What were the most notable differences?
Will give you a proper review of it then it's installed after it's been used on the track.
01-05-2014, 04:53 AM
#70
That wing looks interesting, nice work bolting it to the boot floor. I've always wondered with a wing like the ARP or voltex versions using the existing oem spoiler holes how much flex you would have over time. I have seen wings push the whole boot lit down significantly.
Keep the updates coming.
Keep the updates coming.
01-05-2014, 09:05 PM
#74
I decided I will only do this if I need to go to E85 if I don't make enough power to be competitive in class. Trying to avoid this though because of them dolla dolla bills.
01-08-2014, 10:43 AM
#75
So the lack of updates has been because I've been really sick... hacking up my lungs and feels like my face is about to explode. Hopefully I feel better by this weekend because I'll be at the track. This is the event that I really wanted to have the RX-8 done for but that's definitely not happening. I will be driving my dad's Miata, we finally registered it as a team car for the appropriate class. Team Beer:30 in TT-E. He will be out of town though so it will be just me driving, I'll try to get some video, my dad picked up a new GoPro Hero3+ Black Edition that I've been dying to try out.
In other news, I found a used wired in AMB transponder and picked that up so I don't have to pay for rentals anymore.
Also I just received my award for the 2013 Time Attack Season, a sweet windbreaker that I can parade myself around in at the track lmao. I finished with the most points overall out of any class and in first place for TA-A which is the 15lbs/HP and up division. There were 11 competitors in my class and 43 competitors total across the three different classes. Looking forward to another good season.
Also my 1-piece Sparco Jade firesuit doesn't fit me very well (the torso is just a little too short... tall people problems) so I found this site that sells used NASCAR firesuits and bought a hilarious one. It's a 2-piece Sparco and fits much better. Crown Royal is the drink of choice at the track parties and I like purple. Plus now I can yell Talladega Nights one liners whenever I please.
In other news, I found a used wired in AMB transponder and picked that up so I don't have to pay for rentals anymore.
Also I just received my award for the 2013 Time Attack Season, a sweet windbreaker that I can parade myself around in at the track lmao. I finished with the most points overall out of any class and in first place for TA-A which is the 15lbs/HP and up division. There were 11 competitors in my class and 43 competitors total across the three different classes. Looking forward to another good season.
Also my 1-piece Sparco Jade firesuit doesn't fit me very well (the torso is just a little too short... tall people problems) so I found this site that sells used NASCAR firesuits and bought a hilarious one. It's a 2-piece Sparco and fits much better. Crown Royal is the drink of choice at the track parties and I like purple. Plus now I can yell Talladega Nights one liners whenever I please.