Ahh... missed that one. I guess I better lose some weight so I can fall into the under 3000lb category.No worries. I said it didn't look legal, not that I knew it was illegal. I'd rather be corrected now than have Tom get nailed by some scrutineer.

 

We should know soon enough..John D is getting his car tech'd this week...so if he doesn't pass....we'll all adjust accordingly...

 

Absolutely!

It is pretty interesting going through all of these different club rules, its a lot to keep track of.

Interesting that there isn't a IT"E" class in the main SCCA rule book. No mention of it at a regional level either, it only popped up when I finally got to the local SCCA club chapter rules.

Tom does make a good point, this particular fabricator appears to be well versed in the requirments of the different clubs and classes.

So Tom, did you get a chance to check out (and/or sit in) one of the formula 5000's in the corner? That would be the thrill ride of a lifetime.

 

why did that diag bar get attached so far in on the driver side corner of the main hoop? it looks like might be a little farther than the rules 12", but its hard to tell from the pic.

mk

 

Just heard from John...his car basically passed tech...they really loved the cage and they didn't have any issues with it at all. His diag bar is closer to the drivers side than mine..so I'll measure mine just to be safe but I think it is around 8 inches or so...

They did tell him he had to plug every hole in the interior..but that was the biggest comment. I've asked him to get some pics and post in this thread..so we should have more details soon..

 

Frankly the tech inspectors often do not understand or enforce all the "rules" on cages. If it look reasonably strong with decent looking welds ....

 

Trying to get the car ready for our semi-annual track attack in Spokane April 19.......back at it pretty much all weekend. Got the oil cooler fitting and lines on the car. Put the new 928 Intl rad in there and connected most of it up. Was able to remount the fuse panel, and organize the brains/wires for the most part. Put the gauge cluster with switches and pod back in. Still need to bolt up the steering column and the steering wheel and put the seats back in. I also swapped in the S4 suspension and put the brakes on the back. Front ones are awaiting some bolts. Need new tie rod ends..seems the older style are longer. Last week I added a X pipe and dual 85 pipes back, and removed all the A/C and extra stuff not needed. John D and Ken O are sourcing some lexan for the side windows..and I still need to seal the sunroof opening. Of course change oil and filter, bleed brakes/clutch...and add coolant..and hope she fire up hahaha and only two weeks to go..

Some pics...:

 

Just as a quick side note, John Davis got his SCCA novice racing license last weekend in Portland..He kicked some serious A and still has an adrenaline rush from the head to head combat. His car passed tech with flying colors and drew lots of attention. On his way home he was able to weigh his car and it came in at 2800 and change. He is still running all the bumpers and lights etc...so he can shave some more if he wants to. I'll see if I can dig up some pics of his car..it looks really really nice..

 

and the next and the next

 

More updates. Didn't have any S4 rotors around the shop so going to have to order them. Need rear ones too since the S rear rotors are just a bit smaller diameter than the S4's. Also got in the front springs..hypercoils rated at 750 lbs..and just waiting for the cones/rear springs (500 lb'ers) next week. Car wouldn't fire up after all the tear down...multitude of probs...first off...three or more bad wires..(kind that pull right out of their ends when touched), bad fuel pump relay...and bad coil. After putting on a set of plug wires I had sitting around, providing power to the fuel pump and swapping out the coil, she fired right up and ran great. Also need to check the alternator to see why its not charging....hey Thurston..what are you doing later LOL...

 

Back at it again..this time John Davis, Ken and Betty Osage dropped by to help get my new springs on..Got em on..and she is slammed down to the ground..going to have to see how she rolls over the roads here...probably going to have to lift it a bit. Running 2.5" diameter hypercoils 750 front/500 rear with the stock bilsteins for now. Thanks to all who helped..I'll be back at it tomorrow to add the new stainless braided brake hoses..bleed the system and do a quick alignment to get me rolling..so I can go get a proper alignment. anyway..here's some more pics..:

 

Tom, looking good! Are you using the same 9" GT/CS wheels front and rear??? Good plan! I can tell you that these cars LOVE non-staggered wheel sizes! My race car (Mark Anderson's old sled) is AWESOME with 12" rubber front and rear PLUS you can switch them front to back to even out the wear a bit.

Good luck and keep up the good work! You will have it on the track very soon it appears! Remember it always takes WAY longer and cost WWWAAAYYY more than you expect when it comes to building track cars! Well, maybe I should say, SERIOUS track/race cars. You can just take an S or S4 and strip it out and just do the harness hooks on each side and a pair of racing seats and be done with it, but what is the fun in that???

James

 

Hey James,
Thanks, I'm having a blast working on the car..tedious at times..but when it all comes together it will be sweet...It also helps having other folks around (John Davis, Ken Osage, and Chuck Briggs) to help out and guide me with what I need to do..

Those are actually true CS rims...9's on the back and 8's...but the hoosiers are 245 all the way round..For now that is what I had laying around from my GT, but the plan is to get some bigger rims down the road..and likely same sizes front and back..to do just like you said....rotate front to back...and save on tire costs in the long run..

 

That is a good plan too! Think about the OB cars and how much better balanced they are vs. the S4's and GTS's...they are just much more nimble and that is due in part to less weight of course but also same wheels front and rear as well as a distinctly wider track at the front!

When you standardize the tire size across an S4 or GTS (or race car in my case) the feel is MUCH more neutral! YEA! You will love it!

James

 

More updates...met Thurston at the shop last night...he pulled out his handy multi-meter and got busy...first step...check charging system....13.8 at the jump post...and 13plus at the back..so I think I'm good to go there (all at idle)...... Pulled the fuse panel..and checked the ign switched fuel pump relay and "stuff". As he started to dig in the gray spaghetti he found some charred wires (related to A/C fan) and was able to sort out the non running fuel pump issue.

Lots of hacked and botched wiring (including the fan setup up front)..so he fixed that...(no more a/c fan..just running the one large diameter puller fan on the rad now).

Thanks for helping out Thurston..that would have been a nightmare for me to track down for sure.. Car is sounding better and better every time I fire it up....

Got some spare street rubber from Ken Osage..(platinum flats)..even with the 1.5" spacers on the back..she looks like an ole bugger with a 2" gap between fender and tire

Now..just need to get it in the air....torque down all the suspension and brake stuff...do a quick and dirty alignment...and raise the front up about an inch....she's totally slammed right now..couldn't even go over a small bump without hitting something , and then put in the seats so I can get it back home and play on the interior stuff some more...well that..and drive it some to get an alignment.