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June VIR Grand Course????

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Old 06-19-2006, 10:49 AM
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The event was very good! The car was spectacular, only added oil and gas for the entire weekend. First time at the track with the RX8 and it exceeded my expectations! The brakes were second to none. The JIC suspension made the car very predictable, consistent and you could really throw it around. I got to meet a few of you both on and off the track.

I really don't know what speed I reached on the front stretch; I am a little busy but it consistently hit the limiter in 4th, whatever that is. Car was extreemly quick through the tight section that conects South and North. Hope everyone got to see the flames on the upshifts.

In summation the 8 was as fun if not the most fun car that I have driven on the track. It just need a little more grunt down the straights. Time to install the 5.12!
Old 06-19-2006, 11:42 AM
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Originally Posted by hogcar
The event was very good! The car was spectacular, only added oil and gas for the entire weekend. First time at the track with the RX8 and it exceeded my expectations! The brakes were second to none. The JIC suspension made the car very predictable, consistent and you could really throw it around. I got to meet a few of you both on and off the track.

I really don't know what speed I reached on the front stretch; I am a little busy !
LOL! I can relate.

...but it consistently hit the limiter in 4th, whatever that is. Car was extreemly quick through the tight section that conects South and North. Hope everyone got to see the flames on the upshifts.

In summation the 8 was as fun if not the most fun car that I have driven on the track. It just need a little more grunt down the straights. Time to install the 5.12!
The redline (8500/beep) in 4th is ~120mph with 225/45 tires. IIRC the rev limiter hits at 9000 (?) which would be ~127mph.
Old 06-19-2006, 12:06 PM
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I should have said fuel cut in 4th.
Old 06-19-2006, 12:11 PM
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Max revs according to my AIM data was 9400. I think it was exiting 1 in second gear.
Old 06-19-2006, 12:59 PM
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Ya that was me paul! I'll try to pull the data off later today unless somebody else overwrote it. For an hour or so there that scanner must of pulled codes off half a dozen car's. Everything from 8's to subbies to infinity's.
Old 06-19-2006, 01:17 PM
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Originally Posted by hogcar
Max revs according to my AIM data was 9400. I think it was exiting 1 in second gear.
I think fuel cut is 9300, so you might have caught a slight over-rev on a downshift - not like it's going to bother that motor :-)

You're probably around 127mph ish, depending on tire size.

I was in 3rd for 1 & 2, just trying to carry more momentum so I didn't need the 2nd. I'm sure I could squeeze a few seconds out a lap with a couple more downshifts to 2nd at that configuration, but I just don't. If I trailered the car there...I'd do it in a heartbeat.
Old 06-19-2006, 01:36 PM
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Just got home...

Great weekend, thanks to all who made it safe and fun. I learned alot about the car - I know I want better shocks and springs - not sure which ones... and will probably go to full on track pads next time.

Hogcar, you're son (C group) and that 8 are fast! Must be those JICs... At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it. I couldn't keep up with him or the two Mazdaspeed kitted 8's from Boar Racing (VR and Titanium). Means I still have much to learn and therefore have to do this again

Those two boys were also fast (although kinda of funny that they both spun in the same session at the same exact point - only bruised egos) and very helpful with hints on how to get around that track faster. Good luck to the Whitener team at Mid-Ohio next week!

The guy in the Nordic green is not on this forum but should be stopping by in the future.

Hank, good to see you again.

Didn't meet all of the 8 owners but waved to all.

For me, I don't have lap times yet as I have to look at my video - I was told I was around 3'39" on Sat and Sunday was faster.

End of main straight I saw 119 - 121 on Sat and 122 - 124 on Sun before my brakes started acting up. No CELs, 3 quarts of oil and lots of gas. No speeding tickets on the 7 hour drive home. On to the next event.

Trying to put video on Google Video but with a one-way cable modem the upload is painfully slow.
Old 06-19-2006, 02:06 PM
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I think my car has freakishly low oil consumption. 2 drivers for most of the weekend (friend's car broke - red/white/blue 944 cup car) and I went through about 1 and 1/2 qts. It makes me want to start running premix like OD does.

Last edited by tomfree; 06-19-2006 at 02:17 PM.
Old 06-19-2006, 05:03 PM
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Willhave8
Thanks, he is getting much better. If you want any info on the setup (JIC) that we are running shoot me a PM.

tomfree
Our car also used around one and a half quarts during the weekend with two drivers. We use 1 ounce per gallon of premix. The premix does not affect the amount of oil that the engine injects. It is added insurance. We get a nice flame most of the time but sometimes it is a black puff similar to a diesel. That is from the premix. Use a quality two stroke oil made for outboards (water cooled) This will clog the cat in short order so adjust accordingly.
Old 06-19-2006, 05:54 PM
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Originally Posted by tomfree
I think my car has freakishly low oil consumption. 2 drivers for most of the weekend (friend's car broke - red/white/blue 944 cup car) and I went through about 1 and 1/2 qts. It makes me want to start running premix like OD does.
I might be even freakier... I checked before the last run on Sunday and I'd only gone through about 1/2 quart. Believe me, it ain't for lack of trying. Then again my car only had one driver.

Originally Posted by hogcar
Our car also used around one and a half quarts during the weekend with two drivers. We use 1 ounce per gallon of premix. The premix does not affect the amount of oil that the engine injects. It is added insurance. We get a nice flame most of the time but sometimes it is a black puff similar to a diesel. That is from the premix. Use a quality two stroke oil made for outboards (water cooled) This will clog the cat in short order so adjust accordingly.
Do you mix it externally, like in a 5-gallon container? Is that 1 ounce of two stroke oil per gallon of gas?
Old 06-19-2006, 06:39 PM
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Yes it is one ounce of oil per gallon of gas. I mix it both ways. You can fill it up most of the way, pour in the correct amount of oil and then finish the fill to "wash out " the fill lines. The best and most accurate way is external mixing. Do not be concerned with this except at the track and remember it will clog the cat after a while. I suspect that the premix has the added benifit of lowering the octane rating of some race spec fuels that some teams are mandated to run. My past experience shows that normaly aspirated engines respond somewhat better to lower octane.
Old 06-19-2006, 06:55 PM
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[. I suspect that the premix has the added benifit of lowering the octane rating of some race spec fuels that some teams are mandated to run. My past experience shows that normaly aspirated engines respond somewhat better to lower octane.[/QUOTE]

The boys from Boar Racing were also running 87 octane in their street 8s just as on OEM tune with the OEM ECU.

I ran 87 octane on the way home and got 23 mpg which is the same as I get from 93 octane. 400+ mile drive. I was using 93 on the track but will run 87 next time out in July at Pocono.
Old 06-20-2006, 09:37 AM
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FWIW- My 8 averaged 22 mpg on a 5-hour trip using 89 octane. Time to drop down to 87 perhaps??? 22 mpg is by far its best ever.

BTW- the NSX gets 30 mpg highway!! It's my "economy car"
Old 06-20-2006, 08:14 PM
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Hey DC, put some JIC's on the 8 and bring it next time! Must be tough to have an NSX for your economy car
Old 06-21-2006, 08:08 AM
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By the way, the best part of my weekend was the fact that my knees have no cuts or bruises on them thanks to my pads from Zeta Products - http://www.zetaproducts.net/

Great mod if you autocross or track your 8.

At all previous HPDE events my left knee would end up getting sanded down by the door speaker from bracing against it.

Last edited by willhave8; 06-21-2006 at 08:12 AM.
Old 06-21-2006, 08:16 AM
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Originally Posted by willhave8
By the way, the best part of my weekend was the fact that my knees have no cuts or bruises on them thanks to my pads from Zeta Products - http://www.zetaproducts.net/

Great mod if you autocross or track your 8.

At all previous HPDE events my left knee would end up getting sanded down by the door speaker from bracing against it.
I strongly agree! I got them last year since I was getting nasty bruising on my left knee for the same reason. Also, since I'm not reaching over so far to brace myself, it feels a lot steadier.

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Old 06-21-2006, 09:50 AM
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If you use stock seatbelts, there are a couple of things to help keep you in place- (not sure if they'll help with your knees, but will keep your butt planted).

1. Cheap: CG Locks (about $80) which "lock" the belt in a tight position to keep you planted. Google it for more info.

2. Free: If you're not really tall, move seat all the way back and then hit the shoulder belt up near the roof to "lock it". Then, move your seat forward until it's really tight but you can still reach the pedals comfortably. This should lock in the belt for the duration of your run.
Old 06-21-2006, 10:08 AM
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Originally Posted by DCNSX
If you use stock seatbelts, there are a couple of things to help keep you in place- (not sure if they'll help with your knees, but will keep your butt planted).

1. Cheap: CG Locks (about $80) which "lock" the belt in a tight position to keep you planted. Google it for more info.

2. Free: If you're not really tall, move seat all the way back and then hit the shoulder belt up near the roof to "lock it". Then, move your seat forward until it's really tight but you can still reach the pedals comfortably. This should lock in the belt for the duration of your run.
Thanks for the suggestions.

My instructor told me Sunday morning that I have a decision to make on making my 8 a more dedicated track car or getting a track car. I took it as a compliment since he said I was ready for B group but strongly recommended that I put in better seats with a 5 or 6 point harness. I understand his input and it creates a real dilemna for me. I guess I have to investigate aftermarket seats for the 8 or getting a used Miata...
Old 06-21-2006, 10:45 AM
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If you decide to modify your RX8, I might be able to help. I am going to a full track set-up now after the encouraging outing this weekend. Full cage etc.

Time to go get the interior out!
Old 06-21-2006, 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by hogcar
If you decide to modify your RX8, I might be able to help. I am going to a full track set-up now after the encouraging outing this weekend. Full cage etc.

Time to go get the interior out!
I will learn from anyone and welcome the input. I am not going to gut my interior but am 'thinking' about and will research putting in new seats so that I can install a more secure harness system.

Ideally, I would like to install the harness with the stock seats but as far as I know, nobody has figured out a way to do that safely -- middle rotary hole is too small and the seats are too wide at the top...

Anybody given any thought to cutting holes in the OEM seat or otherwise modifying it so that a harness could be used???
Old 06-21-2006, 12:12 PM
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Hogcar it was nice meeting you this past weekend. It was fun watching, can't wait to get involved and actually be out there driving.
Old 06-21-2006, 04:20 PM
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pics are up from F & S Enterprises (high res photos available for purchase from them)

http://www.fandsenterprises.com/photogallery2004.htm
Old 06-21-2006, 06:24 PM
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Originally Posted by hogcar
If you decide to modify your RX8, I might be able to help. I am going to a full track set-up now after the encouraging outing this weekend. Full cage etc.

Time to go get the interior out!
Addict!

I'm with willhave8 - I'm considering racing seats for the 8, OR a used Miata for a track car. Or a used Miata for a daily driver and using the 8 as a track car...
Old 06-21-2006, 07:01 PM
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Originally Posted by ZoomZoomH
pics are up from F & S Enterprises (high res photos available for purchase from them)

http://www.fandsenterprises.com/photogallery2004.htm
I was confused at first - not all their pics are on-line. You can ask for a personal photo album to see all your pics, and then buy stuff.

Interesting - I didn't see a pic of the red Mini that hit the tire wall at the top of the climbing esses. But I DID see a pic of that little sh*tbird in the BMW that wouldn't get the hell out of my way even after I tailed his *** for 2 friggin laps... not that it bothered me of course...
Old 06-22-2006, 11:35 AM
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Paul- Was it a black 3-series BMW (non-M3) in Group C?


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