dfink takes over for "kurt b" - Page 7

dfink · 03-13-2009, 06:13 PM

Well it has been a while since I updated this thread so here goes. The car is now in race form and ready to rock. First auto-cross is 03-22-09 at Des Moines. Haven't ever been there before but at least I will get to give the car a try before running in front of everyone I know.
Anyhow in race trim it came in with 3/4 tank of fuel and the muffler still on at 2165. Not quite as low as I was hoping for I am now glad I did the doors. As far as the doors go I see my last post I was trying to make plastic ones. Couldn't find glue to work so wound up making fiberglass doors from scratch. About 10 or 11 lbs each and didn't come out too bad as you will see in the pictures.
I finally gave the car a short run with the slicks and yes it will turn them over quite easily. I hope the have a bit stick once the weather warms up.
Got the car tuned to the point I am at least willing to run it. Might take just a bit more fine tuning but is set pretty good right now. Starts and idles when cold and runs great all the way to red line which right now is set at 7000. Will eventually take that to 7500 but for right now 7000 is good enough. Gets there rather quickly too. I hope to have the graphics ready for the car by next weekend. The car is named "Donner Maus" - "Thunder Mouse" I hope the design comes out OK. Basically a tear down the side of the car with the background revealing a blue lightning bolt on a black background. Then the numbers placed on top of the that. The same theme is then carried to the hood and the roof.
So some pictures of the car as I hope to run it next. A true pile of C.R.A.P.

dfink · 03-14-2009, 08:38 PM

Well car is no longer a virgin. Managed to beg some track time at Motorsports Park Hasting this afternoon. Car ran great, sounded actually better than my old car with a bypass and didn't have too bad of times for a 50* day on old used tires. On the runs I logged the data logger had me just under 1:45 some one there said they hand timed me at around 1:43
This car is a blast to drive. It is extremely neutral with perhaps just a touch of understeer if you push a bit too hard in the corners. For the most part however the car just gently drifts out the harder you push it. I had no wheel rub issues and the car seemed to stay very flat. The tire wear on the slicks appeared to be pretty even. There was some debate about my camber setting being so low. The rear is set to zero degrees and the front is around 1*. The braking is just stupendous. So much so that generally was slowed way before the corner and was needing to reacelerate into the turn. It will take some time to build confidence to do in a little deeper than I am used to. Because of todays track setup I did not push the car as hard as I might however I did get a pretty good feel for it. It will take some seat time to even come close to getting the potential that I think the car will utimately have.
Backing off a bit and the car is still fast I guess I didn't check the data logger for g-forces something to look at tomorrow but I am really glad for the seat support and the 6 point harness.
It is really fun to see something I have put so much time into actually work well.
Whooooo Hooooooo.............

Jack Olsen · 03-14-2009, 10:12 PM

Wait. Are you driving the car on a track without any side impact protection?

dfink · 03-15-2009, 11:11 AM

Side impact will go in before I go to any DE events or such. This was just a day the track happened to be open. I was pretty much out there by myself and therefor didn't push the car. It was not a true track day but was enough to get a feel for the car. I haven't done the side bars yet as trying to figure out just exactly what to do. I am pretty sure I will just do the "X" design and call it good. I wanted to figure out the doors and how that would change things. In the end either set of doors should work with the standard "X". I will need to get them done in the next month or so though.
For right now the stock doors are back on as I am having a brain freeze trying to figure out how to do transport windows.

dfink · 03-23-2009, 11:32 AM

First autocross at Des Moines Iowa. Car didn't perform verywell and neither did I. The slicks on the front did not grab at all. I think slick were too old, too hard, too cold. May change back to hoosier A6s for the next event then go to the slicks for events at Lincoln Air Park. Those should be more open and have a chance to warm the tire a bit.
Anyhow here ya go.....

dfink · 04-07-2009, 09:23 PM

Might have found the problem with the front not sticking. Besides my lousy driving. I had a considerable amount of front toe in the car (1/8" plus). Not good for short radius turns. Have reset now to 1/8" tow out and will see how that works. I also found that the drivers side front had appearantly moved as the camber plate was in the middle of adjustment for caster instead of back as far as possible. I also loosened the front sway bar some in an attempt to move some weight around up front and perhaps plant it a bit better.

I am running against an 04 mitsubishi evo (full race preped) that I am using as a gauge for performance. First autocross 2 seconds behing on a 35 second course. 2nd event I am about .7 seconds behind on a 45 second course. 3rd event coming up soon hope to be ahead. All on short asphault layouts so a good way to gauge where I am heading. The car will perform much better when I get on an open cement course at Lincoln.

Also I am getting an upgrade to the electromotive unit. That should be back by this weekend so I now will have to relearn the tuning software as they have come out with a new issue.

88-diamondblue · 04-07-2009, 09:54 PM

With all the projects you have to be having waaayyyy too much fun. Have been following the progress with all your projects. How do you ever get any real work done.

That's right they have to be funded somehow.

It looks like you will have a blast and many wins this summer. If you are coming up to Sioux Falls for AX let me know, be great to see the car.

dfink · 04-08-2009, 04:09 AM

Sleep and food is highly over rated. Many times start 4-5 in morning work untill 8:30 go to work/work untill 5:30, go back to work on cars untill 9:00 go home eat/sleep and start all over.
Right now fighting something off so have not been getting up until 6:00...

Of all three cars I like the wide body the most but I am denying it cause that would make for some big trouble.
What would be great would be gut the interior of the 79, install coiil overs, put in a full cage tied to existing support plates then move my hot rod 3.4 from the 84 to the 79. Find some 9" X 11" rims for the 79. Remove head lights, drop spindles, install the new glass bumpers I have sitting in my shop. (By the way those would really look good on your car. I can bring them up to you next autocross CTR front and rear)
Yep should take more than a hour to complete all that and maybe $20.00 then I woke up.....................

dfink · 04-28-2009, 07:38 PM

Well the tires just plain won't stick when cold. Went to Salina where it was dry, cement and a tad warmer 60s and took FTD. Lincoln the next week cold 45 and car was right back pushing.
In an attempt to help things out I lowered the front a bit. Still appears to not be hitting the tires. In a test drive the car drove down the road like crap but turned like crazy. Supposed to be cold and rain again this weekend so hopes are not high for a good test.
Here is a pic from this weekend of the transformed car. Slight difference from the Kurt's original

JonT · 04-28-2009, 07:57 PM

You are an animal Dave! You bringing that beast to Hastings for the GPR DE at the end of May? I'd love to see your track monster in action there--we'd have fun mixing it up on the track!

dfink · 07-27-2009, 09:47 AM

Haven't updated this in a while but things are slowly progressing. Was still haveing handleing issues so I decided it was time to make another big change. I have ditched the goodyear slicks and have gone to 225-50-16 A6s in front and 275-45-16 A6s in the rear. The tires are hugh I should never see 3rd gear again. In order to run that size of a tire up front I needed more negative camber. I should have done this anyhow and may try the slicks with this setup at some point.
I took out the trusty fender saw and cut about 1/2 away from the center hole of the shock tower towards the inside of the car. I then notched the bolt holes about 1/2" each. This combination allowed me to go from a little over .5* to around 2.5* neg in the front. I also placed the koni shocks at the #2 position. I had them full on at #3 but I hope #2 helps the car transision better.
Track day and autocross coming up this weekend will see how the changes work then.

JonT · 07-27-2009, 08:01 PM

Glad to hear you are progressing forward. Missed you at our DE this weekend! Good luck at your autox.

dfink · 09-23-2009, 04:16 PM

The madness continues.....
Just ordered the flares. These should really ugly up the car. Now just have to find the 16"X11 wheels to fit under

924Buff · 09-23-2009, 04:57 PM

David,

What rim width were you using with the 275 45 16's? Who did you order the flares from? Casper is seriously thinking about some flares for the rear to go along with the wide front fenders. I almost bought some aluminum trailing arms off ebay last night, but I needed a little more information before I take the plunge.

Can you make it to the "Omaha Crew" meeting a week from Saturday?

Tom

dfink · 09-23-2009, 05:01 PM

The 275X45X16 tires were mounted on stock fuchs 8" wheels. That is the min listed rim width. Not optimal but functioned..... sort of.......

The flares are from beterbodiesmotorsport.com

I hope to make the next meeting.......

dfink · 09-24-2009, 10:19 AM

Oooh Oooh just bought some wheels. I think they are really just what I was looking for. BBS 16" X 9" and 11" hopefully in good shape and should have the correct offset.

Can't wait.......

If these work out will be having a fuchs 16" X 7" & 8" for sale soon.

dfink · 11-08-2009, 06:01 PM

Well it may be the death of the C.R.A.P. legend. Was pulling the gas tank today in preparation for a new 5 gal fuel cell and for some reason decided to stare at the front suspension. I was pondering how low should I go. Anyhow just happed to notice small spot next to the drivers side front suspension mount point. The very front where the torsion bar tube connects. Trouble extends at least half way across the front uniframe. Anyhow pictures say it all but how what do I do.........

88-diamondblue · 11-08-2009, 07:00 PM

Dave,

Holey $hit!!! Is that what you did with those Goodyear slicks

Is there any rust that weakened the area or is it from those high corner G-forces. Looks like you are going to be up for checking out your welding skills. Not much help, but WOW

dfink · 11-10-2009, 01:48 PM

CRAP car will live to see another day. I have replacement panels on the way. From what I have read should not be too bad of a job.

dfink · 12-01-2009, 06:50 AM

Well the rust has been repaired so the story goes on..