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.

Hi Guys

That particular brake duct setup is a custom job by Mike. I've also seen him do a version which uses a windscreen washer motor and bottle mounted in the trunk to spray water on the rotors.

Matt that car is going to be awesome – oh, and congrats on the pending engagement. The strategy of the big spend now is probably a good thing – its amazing how priorities shift when someone else is involved with these sorts of decisions. We’ve just had our second child and did the big spend on my car based on similar reasoning.

Regards,

One more thing Matt. Word on the street is there will be a former Lemans 993 GT2 making an appearance on Sunday. Saw/heard it during the week. All I can say is HOLY CRAP, move over when you see it coming.

Excellent Matt

Depending on the purple pig's health check this week, Im having a run too- look forward to seeing your lightweight fly past. Mind you, you are in M1? Theres some serious money been spent up there....

Victor, you coming out for another whooping, or are you still having difficulty sitting down afer last time?

stuart

Stuart, you must have put something in my drink. I do not recall the whooping, but come to think of it, I HAVE been struggling to sit down since our last meeting.

I got my form in, and I am told they still had a couple of spots. Don't forget to get your extinguisher inspected and your blue triangle stuck on. I don't want to hear any excuses from you.

I am aiming for better than 74 seconds flat as I did this with knackered suspension and shot rubber last time. Car is going in for lowering on Thursday.

And remember, the only results that count are official ones - not those generated by a Tandy egg timer and your fertile sense of imagination.

There can be only one......The egg timer dont lie.

Youre lowering it? That makes you M1 i reckon.

And those sexytyres.....2 secs right there

stuart

My car is higher than Standard for some reason. Needs to come down. The kids at the local Quickiemart are beginning to lose respect. I'll probably have to saw off that 4" exhast tip though......hmmmm how much cred will this cost? Need to factor it in - maybe offset it with some Momo seatbelt pads and a shift knob - or neon wheel wells......

And as for my "sexytires", we all know there is no such thing as an intermediade hybrid road compound "R" rated tyre. They are a pure road tyre, like yours (only sexier).

You got the Citroen modiication? It only higher than standard when you are not it it, funnily.

Carbon fibre ash trays, kevlar CD stackers and night glow valve caps are explicitely banned this year. Time to bring some honesty back to this sport.

Have you no shame? I am off to Stuckeys....

Really? Are you really off to Stuckeys? I don't beleive this. How small are you going to feel when I am still lapping faster than you?

Right.

I am going to stay on my Kmart Super EnDuros, and you sir, will eat those words.


Oh yes, you shall.

stuart

I am praying for rain. Your "too-hard" suspension setup is going to really upset your Kmart rubber.

And I am reporting you for your illegal front spoiler modification as per the 2003 rule book. I seriously think this puts you up two classes.

I think we are getting a bit excited here - let's make sure there are a couple of cars between us. I would hate for some of your hideous color scheme to end up on my unmarked Baltic Blau Metallik Lakierung.

Jerry Jerry Jerry...

I know a certain Melbourne-based Pelican member will be issuing a butt-whuppin' with the help of these bad boys... ;)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/R-rubber1.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/R-rubber2.jpg

Matt, upgrades look great. I've been pondering doing a brake upgrade, your setup looks pretty well balanced, thanks for more inspiration I guess.....

BTW, your fiance is cute, congratulations.

As you can see, I went to Stuckey's this morning to get my new shoes. They're <b>Dunlop Formula-R DO1s.</b>

Tomorrow I'll be at Calder to scrub the coloured chalk marks off the tyres! I hope it's not going to be too wet.

Sunday. I gotta say, I'm psyched. The car is unbelievable -- it's not the same car as the one I took to Calder a few weeks ago. Mike and Lisa Jacobson both think it's now capable of lapping Calder in the high <b>1m10s</b> -- with a good driver. I guess we'll know after Sunday.


Amir,

The brakes are incredible. Like with any pre-'78 911, you have to push hard on the pedal.


Stuart,

I'm actually in 'B' class. :p


Victor,

What's this about blue triangles?


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,

Good luck out there today, looks like you got good weather. 1:10's, that's getting quick alright! You need a blue triangle to indicate battery location this year. Also, you need to have your extinguisher inspected as you must have the little metal tag indicating it has been done in the last 12 months. Scrutineering is a lot tougher now that CAMS are running it.

Those are some great lookin shoes Matt,
run her hrd.. and have a fun .. be sure to hook us up here with some of that bad ass in car Vid.. ok!! ;)

Eric

Congrats on all fronts Matt! The car AND the Fiance look great. I have a break cooling kit but have still struggled with brake issues on track. The majority of the problem is the tires simply outperform the 1970's brake technology. Becare and do a brake check on the long staights and fast corners.

The quality of these posts really shows the intelligence of the board...lots of car and driving advice...no future wife advice!

Good luck

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Matt Holcomb
[B]

Stuart,

I'm actually in 'B' class. :p



Matt Holcomb
MFIWDP
<b>PRVC</b>

Matt,

I am confused. With brakes "not of the same design as that fitted on original equipment to the registered model" And a power to weight ratio of about 5.80, you are (according to the 2003 rulebook) in M1 with the big boys toys.

What does PRVC stand for again?

Eric,

Gracias! I hope to have an in-car camera for Sunday.


Noah,

If I was the type of person who talks to their car, I'd tell her (yes, it's a she!) what you said!

These '74-'75 MFI Carreras are a great thing. New tyre technology has made them better than they ever were.

My mechanic recommended those polyurethane engine mounts. A local guy makes them up. They're $400 AUS ($250 US) for a set.


Jeff,

The brake upgrade has made a huge difference, but, at the moment, I'm having trouble with consistency. However, I've only used the new discs and pads (once) on a track that is known to be merciless with brakes, so I'm going to reserve my judgment until the end of the season.

You're absolutely spot on about modern tyre technology.


Vic,

Now, we all know that everyone takes a bit of creative licence with the rules without actually breaking them. If my mechanic felt that it would be a devious move on our part to put the car in 'B' class, he wouldn't have let me. I trust him.

As we don't know how much power the engine is actually developing, we have to use the factory's kW figure for the '74-'75 Carrera, which means my car's power-to-weight ratio is <b>6.98</b>.

My best lap today at Calder was a <b>1:13.472</b> with 60 litres of fuel onboard.


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>

Ha Ha...go get em Matt...
At the next event here I am going to tell em my baby has the 2.7...then watch their faces when she gets going!!! What a blast you are going to have...pics, video, full story!! We need our fix.