Prepping For Calder -- Progress Report
 

On the 13th of April I will be participating in my first club sprint event since the engine and transmission were rebuilt almost eighteen months ago. I'll be racing at Calder Park Raceway on the outskirts of Melbourne.

Today I visited Mike, John Gregory's son-in-law. He's currently implementing some upgrades for me.

<img SRC="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7/brake_upgrade_progress_report_07.jpg" height=450 width=600>

It'll be easier if I just list the upgrades (with some photos).

1. <b>Slotted 3.2 rotors</b>

<img SRC="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7/brake_upgrade_progress_report_03.jpg" height=450 width=600>

2. <b>EBC racing pads</b>

<img SRC="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7/brake_upgrade_progress_report_01.jpg" height=450 width=600>

3. <b>Brake ducting system</b>

<img SRC="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7/brake_upgrade_progress_report_04.jpg" height=450 width=600>

<img SRC="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7/brake_upgrade_progress_report_06.jpg" height=450 width=600>

4. <b>Braided steel brake lines</b>

<img SRC="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7/brake_upgrade_progress_report_08.jpg" height=450 width=600>

5. <b>Polyurethane engine mounts x 4</b>

<img SRC="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7/brake_upgrade_progress_report_02.jpg" height=450 width=600>

6. <b>WEVO shifter</b>

<img SRC="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7/brake_upgrade_progress_report_09.jpg" height=450 width=600>

7. <b>New (adjustable) front shock absorbers</b>

These upgrades, combined with <b>Dunlop D-01</b> R-compound tyres (205/55 15 at the front, 225 50 15 at the rear), and an engine tune-up, should ensure that the car is more pliable and user-friendly on the racetrack. The car should be significantly quicker, too.

After Mike installed the WEVO shifter, I jumped in the car and ran it through the gears. Wow! The throws are dramatically shorter, and it slots into each gear with absolute precision. The WEVO shifter feels much more positive -- and trustworthy -- compared with the factory's vague and sloppy shifter. And this is just after running it through the gears while the car was on a hoist!

I now have an OEM radiator-style cooler, along with a non-OEM protective screen! This upgrade was performed a few weeks ago; this is the first time I've taken a photo of the cooler.

<img SRC="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7/brake_upgrade_progress_report_05.jpg" height=450 width=600>

I'll have another report next Wednesday after my first shakedown with the new brakes, the WEVO, the engine mounts, and the R-compound tyres. I'll be at Calder again. The last time I was there (last month), I was able to lap the circuit in <b>1m 15s</b> with street tyres, and without brakes!

Stay tuned!


Matt Holcomb
MFIWDP
<b>PRVC</b>
<b>BOHICA</b>
1974 911 Carrera 2.7 RoW<a href="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7" TARGET="_blank"></a>
1974 Ford Falcon GT coupe
<a href="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7" TARGET="_blank">Dedicated Homepage</a>
<a href="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7/rebuild" TARGET="_blank">Engine Rebuild Homepage</a>
<a href="http://www.cheaterswayside.com/911/gallery.asp?sort=0&userid=127" TARGET="_blank">Porsche Owners Gallery Profile</a>
<a href="http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/pmpre/pm.cgi?action=display&login=Matt_Holcomb" TARGET="_blank">Pelican Gallery Profile</a>

Lookin' good, Matt!

The braking alone should shave the best part of a second off your times, plus the bonus of the R-Compound rubber.

I predict mid-low 1:11s... ;)

Adam,

If I'm not able to lap Calder in <b>70-71</b> seconds on the 13th, then it'll be clear: my balls aren't brassy enough!

<img SRC="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7/blakestudphot2.jpg" height=447 width=650>


Matt Holcomb
MFIWDP
<b>PRVC</b>
<b>BOHICA</b>
1974 911 Carrera 2.7 RoW<a href="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7" TARGET="_blank"></a>
1974 Ford Falcon GT coupe
<a href="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7" TARGET="_blank">Dedicated Homepage</a>
<a href="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7/rebuild" TARGET="_blank">Engine Rebuild Homepage</a>
<a href="http://www.cheaterswayside.com/911/gallery.asp?sort=0&userid=127" TARGET="_blank">Porsche Owners Gallery Profile</a>
<a href="http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/pmpre/pm.cgi?action=display&login=Matt_Holcomb" TARGET="_blank">Pelican Gallery Profile</a>

Cool! I like the brake ducts - are they a home-grown Aussie product?

Please take your video camera again!

ROFLMAO!!!

Great upgrades Matt! Best of luck at Calder too :D

Cam,

As far as I know, they're custom-made in Oz. I can find out for you if you like.


Merv,

Feel free to come out to Calder on the 13th. I might see you this Sunday if I haven't got too much writing to do.


Matt Holcomb
MFIWDP
<b>PRVC</b>
<b>BOHICA</b>
1974 911 Carrera 2.7 RoW<a href="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7" TARGET="_blank"></a>
1974 Ford Falcon GT coupe
<a href="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7" TARGET="_blank">Dedicated Homepage</a>
<a href="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7/rebuild" TARGET="_blank">Engine Rebuild Homepage</a>
<a href="http://www.cheaterswayside.com/911/gallery.asp?sort=0&userid=127" TARGET="_blank">Porsche Owners Gallery Profile</a>
<a href="http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/pmpre/pm.cgi?action=display&login=Matt_Holcomb" TARGET="_blank">Pelican Gallery Profile</a>

Matt

looks good. Good luck at Calder and keep us posted.

I can find out for you if you like.

No thanks - no need to put yourself out (but thanks for the offer!). My fiance would have issues with it (something about a wedding?).

Mostly I just like to know that these things are available close by. Then if I ever need them :D

Mike,

Thanks! I'll have some in-car footage if I can rig up something secure.


Cam,

I'm getting all this out of the way now so that I don't have to buy flowers -- or chocolate -- whenever I want to buy something for the car. Engagement is imminent.


Matt Holcomb
MFIWDP
<b>PRVC</b>
<b>BOHICA</b>
1974 911 Carrera 2.7 RoW<a href="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7" TARGET="_blank"></a>
1974 Ford Falcon GT coupe
<a href="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7" TARGET="_blank">Dedicated Homepage</a>
<a href="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7/rebuild" TARGET="_blank">Engine Rebuild Homepage</a>
<a href="http://www.cheaterswayside.com/911/gallery.asp?sort=0&userid=127" TARGET="_blank">Porsche Owners Gallery Profile</a>
<a href="http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/pmpre/pm.cgi?action=display&login=Matt_Holcomb" TARGET="_blank">Pelican Gallery Profile</a>

Cam, don't push it too hard on the track. We don't wanna see the same fate as Jack and BB had.

Good luck.

I'm getting all this out of the way now so that I don't have to buy flowers -- or chocolate -- if I want to buy something for the car. Engagement is imminent.

Uh, not that I'm guilty of that or anything (especially as the BMW goes into the mechanic to get fixed in the next couple of days and those "vital" upgrades I am planning before July 5th)...

Congratulations, Matt. Engagement is perilous for race budgets, but good for the soul.

Matt, be gentle on the 5-4 downshift. That little pin for the reverse lock-out likes to break off if shifted clumsily. It's a delicate piece. The one weak point of that shifter.

Now go out and have a blast! And be safe. :cool:

Jack,

Here she is.

<img SRC="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7/cheeky_mosh.jpg" height=415 width=500>

My old man was right: You just know when it's the right person, and she's the one.

I'll never forget the look on her face when she came out of the bathroom one morning and told me that I fold my face washers the same way she does, and that she's never known anyone else who folds them like that. I had no idea we shared that quirk until she told me. It was very cool.


Tyson,

Thanks for the heads up! Are you a fan of the WEVO shifter? Is it markedly better than the factory short shift kit? I love the feel of the WEVO.


Matt Holcomb
MFIWDP
<b>PRVC</b>
<b>BOHICA</b>
1974 911 Carrera 2.7 RoW<a href="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7" TARGET="_blank"></a>
1974 Ford Falcon GT coupe
<a href="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7" TARGET="_blank">Dedicated Homepage</a>
<a href="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7/rebuild" TARGET="_blank">Engine Rebuild Homepage</a>
<a href="http://www.cheaterswayside.com/911/gallery.asp?sort=0&userid=127" TARGET="_blank">Porsche Owners Gallery Profile</a>
<a href="http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/pmpre/pm.cgi?action=display&login=Matt_Holcomb" TARGET="_blank">Pelican Gallery Profile</a>

Matt,

In the 70-71 second range, my bet is your braking setup will last somewhere between 2 and 3 laps. So don't push hard in the morning warm up session!

Have fun.

Nice that you now have some WHOA! to go with all that GO! :)

Very nice, Matt. Although that picture makes her look a little like she just put a duck's egg in her mouth. :)

Have fun at Calder. Tyson and I leave tomorrow afternoon for the 7 days of the Open Track Challenge.

Love reading about people with the racing bug... Jack, you are certified psycho. Man, am I jealous.

Victor,

Apparently the brake pads get better the hotter they get. The ducts -- and the Super Blue fluid -- should safeguard against fade. That's the theory, anyway.

Are you going to be racing on the 13th?


Paul,

I'm told that I'm going to be blown away when I pick it up on Monday! I'm pumped!


Jack and Tyson,

Good luck! I haven't analysed your OTC competitors yet, but I think you'll both be on the podium.


Matt Holcomb
MFIWDP
<b>PRVC</b>
<b>BOHICA</b>
1974 911 Carrera 2.7 RoW<a href="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7" TARGET="_blank"></a>
1974 Ford Falcon GT coupe
<a href="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7" TARGET="_blank">Dedicated Homepage</a>
<a href="http://www.holscope.com/74Carrera2.7/rebuild" TARGET="_blank">Engine Rebuild Homepage</a>
<a href="http://www.cheaterswayside.com/911/gallery.asp?sort=0&userid=127" TARGET="_blank">Porsche Owners Gallery Profile</a>
<a href="http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/pmpre/pm.cgi?action=display&login=Matt_Holcomb" TARGET="_blank">Pelican Gallery Profile</a>

Matt,

The hotter those pads get, the warpder your rotors will become. StuartJ has the same setup as you in a stock 3.2 and has the same problems around calder (as I do also). And we can only manage 74's. But then, we are only in "C" class.

I am guessing that if you are aiming at 70's it is because you are running a lighter car on "R" rubber with (presumably) more HP you will be in for a whole world of pain in the braking dept. at Calder. As you know, it's murder on brakes.

I sent my form in today so I hope I make it in.