Haggard-hawk

Had a bit of a rough weekend last time. This was the best I could muster:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9W_62m-asEk

Got to ride in Joel's car. It's insane how planted and drama free his car is whereas driving mine is like wrestling a grizzly bear. Gonna tackle lowering the rear roll center with a UMI panhard relocation over the winter along with GW upper arms, decided to keep the watts for the Camaro because adjusting it seems like a pain in the ass. I also picked up a vacuum regulator to cut the assist to the brake booster in hopes that it'll give me a more consistent assist and pedal feel. I kept locking up at the autox on the back straight and I'm theorizing that high RPM/high vac makes lockup way easier.

Vac reg is a Koganei NVR200-02 which is the same one Miata guys use in the Sakebomb variable booster thingy. Had to import it from Japan lol.

Attachment 40085

I also uploaded a vid from the last track night of me chasing some vettes around.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUdWYomMl64

My car is planted because of a few key things. Its a very good chassis, I'm a decent driver, and its on Excellent tires! I can't stress enough how important they are. When is the last time you saw a car with 660's or A052's lock a tire up? They grip so much better than the 615's you run. Get some good tires and watch those lock up problems go away.

You racing the hawk this year?

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Originally Posted by rentedmule

You racing the hawk this year?

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Yeah, I just started prepping it for a pocono track night on 7/7. GW upper A arms, softer rear springs, Kevko RR pan, and square 315s. I'll throw up some pics when I get a chance.

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I've enjoyed the in car videos, hope to see more.
Nolan

Some pics of where the car is at currently.

I pulled the windage tray and crank scraper out of the Kevko oil pan, cut all of the mounts out as well. Also had to make clearance for the power steering rack (see giant-ass dent). I got it on the car with a Melling 10554 pump and don't see any leaks while running on jackstands. I'll know for sure if it's sealed during the test drive.
I think I need to get a longer dipstick though as I have 7.5 quarts in the car and it's not showing at all. Kevko say it's a 6 quart pan (7 quart system), but maybe this Wix filter and oil cooler hold more than I thought?

Attachment 40286

Pic of the shock spacers I made. They're 1/2" tall, same as BMR SA002.

Attachment 40287

Had to trim the front bolt on these GW arms as it was touching the LS-era spindle. Might have something to do with my shock spacers.

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I swapped out the UMI rear springs for my Camaro's old BMRs. Should take the rate down from 200lb/in to 145-160lb/in to make the car less skatey in the back. I think the UMI set was designed with running a lowered rear roll center in mind, something I don't have yet. I'll put the watts link on later in the season but really don't have time to fiddle with it now.
Stock wheel studs are too short for the wheel spacers I need to clear the bumpstops (grinding the rear bolt area isn't enough). I'm swapping out the wheel studs for longer Moser 2.5" ones. Currently waiting on a reamer from Amazon as the interference fit is 2x smaller than it should be.

Attachment 40289

Were the shock spacers to raise ride height on the front? I've been considering the BMR ones (not for stance, but so I can get into my driveway without scraping the air dam).

Why did you remove the scraper and windage tray from the pan?

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Originally Posted by rentedmule

Were the shock spacers to raise ride height on the front? I've been considering the BMR ones (not for stance, but so I can get into my driveway without scraping the air dam).

Why did you remove the scraper and windage tray from the pan?

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Yeah, the spacers were to raise the front a little. The front UMI springs are fairly slammed and had my tires rubbing the inner well at times. I bent the inner fender lip up and screwed the well up higher, but still added the spacers for added assurance.

And I removed the Kevko tray so I could retain the stock one. The crank scraper was interfering with the stock tray so it had to come out as well. Seems like aftermarket trays are hit or miss (see all of the 242T windage threads), so I tried to keep 'ol reliable in there. I did the same modifications to my Camaro's 244T pan and it has never given me issues.

Fresh alignment and I'm good to go for Pocono.

-2.25 camber
0 toe
+6 caster

Was able to double my caster with these GW arms and the turn in feels super sharp now.

TNIA is running a buy 2 get 1 free deal this weekend so I'm going to schedule a couple more events. Also trying to do Shenandoah @ Summit Point on 9/9.

Attachment 40290

Car doesn't feel like it's trying to cut my head off anymore with these new rear springs. Back end feels way more compliant over bumps and planted under braking.
Still breaking in the tires, but they feel great so far. They don't screech like the Federals and seem a little more forgiving at the limit.
I can definitely be more aggressive with how I time my inputs, but I was over a second faster than last year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-sKNUoHnJc&ab_channel=JunkRacecars

LOL at the good ole fuel gauge around 50 seconds in around the turn. Do you have a fuel cell or the stock tank? Might need some baffling in there to ensure the fuel pump doesn't end up sucking nothing around turns.

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Originally Posted by Z28pr0jekt

LOL at the good ole fuel gauge around 50 seconds in around the turn. Do you have a fuel cell or the stock tank? Might need some baffling in there to ensure the fuel pump doesn't end up sucking nothing around turns.

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It's the stock tank and I think the PO put a 255 in the stock bucket. Haven't noticed any loss of power coming out of turns, but I really should get a wideband to keep an eye on it. Was gonna start bringing gas cans to longer events. This lap was from the 3rd 20 min sesh.

Looks like kick in the ass fun to me. What's the top MPH in the long straight when you get into 5th? It's hard to tell on the dash speedo.
Thanks for sharing.
Nolan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JOATMON

Looks like kick in the ass fun to me. What's the top MPH in the long straight when you get into 5th? It's hard to tell on the dash speedo.
Thanks for sharing.
Nolan

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I top out at about 126-128 generally. Wish I had more passing power as some of these newer cars blow my doors off lol.
Here's another vid:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vohtje08sgo

Hey, That was cool, thanks for sharing. If you're ready to go faster you could run that '96 hotrod Z
Nolan

Great videos, as always. I ran an auto-x a few weeks ago with more than 3/4 of a tank of a gas and it almost stalled on a super hard left hand corner. That's the first time that's ever happened in 50+ events with this car - I think the new tires are working well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rentedmule

Great videos, as always. I ran an auto-x a few weeks ago with more than 3/4 of a tank of a gas and it almost stalled on a super hard left hand corner. That's the first time that's ever happened in 50+ events with this car - I think the new tires are working well.

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Hahaha, maybe we should both invest in some Holley Hydramats? Unless they're a gimmick.

People recommend the plastic LS tank, but I'm not sure how I'd go about converting it to a return system.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Catmaigne

Hahaha, maybe we should both invest in some Holley Hydramats? Unless they're a gimmick.

People recommend the plastic LS tank, but I'm not sure how I'd go about converting it to a return system.

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I remember seeing those Hydramats in a SEMA video years ago and that's the last I heard of them...until today. Haha. Not sure if you follow any Youtubers, but Kevin @ KSR Racing built a slick dual fuel cell setup for the Vice Grip Garage burnout car (a garbage rotted out Chevelle that is built to do drag and drives/burnout comps/etc). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI-UylnxDII (fast fwd to like 8 mins)

He goes into detail on the science behind that car's fuel setup with dual pumps, flex, separate surge tank, etc. Perhaps it would give you an idea or two.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Catmaigne

Hahaha, maybe we should both invest in some Holley Hydramats? Unless they're a gimmick.

People recommend the plastic LS tank, but I'm not sure how I'd go about converting it to a return system.

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just cut in a surge tank. i just watched tony angelo (hotrod garage) remove a hydramat setup and install a regular baffled sump

I saw a short video on the Holley hydramats when they were first introduced. I thought they seemed pretty like a great add-on to your fuel system.
Then I saw the price and thought it was ridiculous.
Smallest size ~3x8 $166.95 largest~14x30 $1055.95

Yah I can't find any info on anyone actually using the Hydramat in a racing setting and my biggest concern is that it won't be able to move enough lph with only a corner submerged. It's also ludicrously expensive, but I figured a long and narrow sock would be able to span the plastic bowl in the tank and potentially help on long sweepers.
I haven't had any issues yet as far as I can tell, but if it happens in the future I'll probably go the surge tank route. Just gonna bring a couple 5gal cans to the track in the meantime lol.

Did NJMP Lightning for the 2nd time yesterday. I think I was about 3s faster this time around. Still trying to work up my confidence there as turns 1 and 5 are terrifying.

Was really hoping for a sub 1:20 lap, but it never happened due to traffic in the first 2 sessions and oil-dry on the 3rd. I'll be back next month.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9HV_YVKeK0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAm0_JtH0Wc&t=42s

Also doing a HPDE at NJMP Thunderbolt tomorrow.

Hey, great in car camera action. Thanks for sharing. I had to look up HPDE. Maybe a pro instructor can help you. It looks like you're doing pretty damned good from my desk!
Nolan

First time at Thunderbolt and it's already my favorite so far. Definitely my kind of track because it makes me want to drive like an ape lol, especially through turns 2, 3, and 4.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYKdFe97O08

I had to cut my last session short because the car missed for a split second. I think it was from fuel starvation on the 3rd session since fueling, speak of the devil! Going to stop being a lazy ass and bring a gas can with me next time as a sump is not a project to embark on in the middle of race season.

Also, I need to find an easy way to get a harness in this car so I can put race seats back in (NJ doesn't allow race seats with stock belts apparently). I was sliding all over the place, even with the stock TA seat bladder thingies filled all the way up. Hawks has a really ugly and heavy looking harness bar, but it's more expensive than a cage which makes no sense to me. Might attempt to make something.

Went back to NJMP Lightning on Wednesday and knocked off another 3s. Current PB is 1:18.436.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQhoC0jkFtE

I think I finally got the brake balance right on this car. I swapped the front pads out for Powerstop Track Day pads and the rear end doesn't feel as squirrely at corner entry. I can actually trailbrake now! Definitely need tons more practice, but this is a start.

Also, I picked up a 4-point rollbar from S&W Racecars to put in over the winter. I need my Corbeau's back in the car as I'm sliding all over the place and NJ law won't allow race seats w/o a 5pt harness.

Great video. Cool bonus when the Golf lost it. Speedo glitch was strange, my Camaro used to pop a Speed sensor code every now and then but it fixed itself?
Nolan

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Originally Posted by JOATMON

Great video. Cool bonus when the Golf lost it. Speedo glitch was strange, my Camaro used to pop a Speed sensor code every now and then but it fixed itself?
Nolan

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The usb cable that was powering my HUD came loose and caused the speedo needle to bounce around. I should've secured it better before that session, my bad lol.

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I did 2 events at NJMP Thunderbolt in the past 2 weekends.

This first one was with NASA NE and although the instructor was great, they cut half of my sessions due a storm 10 miles away despite it being dry where we were. Also, the sessions were supposed to be 20min but were typically 15 or less. At $335 for entry and $60 for a membership, I think I can confidently say it's a bit of a ripoff. Traffic was also horrendous and the best I mustered was 3s slower than my old PB.

I signed up for a MoE HPDE on labor day to redeem myself and managed to chop 1.5s off of my old PB despite botching a couple sections. I will make a YT video soon with some cleaner driving from the session after, but here's the 1:36.75 lap. I do feel that it is capable of a 1:35 under the right circumstances.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QDO...wGUeMv/preview

I'm also trying out Harry's Lap Timer for the first time which is pretty rad, although the interface sucks lol.

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Hey, The video comes up but won't play? BTW, Thanks for keeping this forum alive with your posts. I'll attempt to post more updates on my truck project and some updates on my Camaro when it gets cooler. The weather has been so miserable, hot as hell and rain every day for months.
Nolan

Link working now? The drive player doesn't want to embed for some reason

Nope, still won't play.
Nolan

Here's a better vid anyway:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RwJho47DjM

Also, some pics from NASA:

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Thanks for sharing. Cool video, great track photos. 666 is devilish.
Why do the brakes make so much noise?
Nolan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JOATMON

Thanks for sharing. Cool video, great track photos. 666 is devilish.
Why do the brakes make so much noise?
Nolan

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They're Powerstop Track Day pads so I get all of the noise of race brakes without any of the stopping power lol. I will probably ditch them for ST43 pads next year which might be even louder.

About the brake pads, that's good to know. The most recent project I did on my Camaro was a Powerstop brake kit, got it with Z26 pads, drilled and slotted rotors and rebuilt red powder coated calipers. I put a set of Russell braid stainless brake hoses too. Glad I didn't get too aggressive with the pad material.
Nolan

So I had oil leak that was nastier than usual since my last trackday at Thunderbolt. I found this when I pulled the waterpump off lol. Thankfully I had several spare timing cover seals on hand.

Attachment 40326

Took the car to the Pocono TNIA of the season and I chopped another 3s off. This puts me at about 4s faster than this time last year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9Ch8dw3EfM

Car started leaking again from god knows where. The whole car is super grimey underneath so it's near impossible to figure out where exactly it's coming from. Could also potentially be a PCV issue, idk. Not sure how much I care with only 2 events left this season.

You was gittin up on that run. The Pocono track seems sweet, I even got a little nervous when you were up on the wall. LOL
I hate oil leaks and I hate them even more when I ignore them and then have to work on a greasy ass engine.
Back in the daze they had places that would steam clean your engine and chassis up on a lift for a reasonable price.
Can't find anybody that will do it nowadays.

Last NJMP event of the year and another 2s dropped. Also got to chase around some fast cars with new LT1s lol.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCJhFHY5ztU

I'm currently looking into some front coilovers and rear shocks for next year. Car feels kinda floppy on corner entry as these 20yo Bilsteins have probably had enough of my bullshit. They should be SLP valved and only have around 30k on them, but the stickers are faded and illegible so who knows.
Looking for a shock to bridge the gap between 200tw class tires and a 100tw Goodyear SC3R with only a spring swap and damper adjustment. If it's too pricey, I'll stick to Koni yellows and forget about stickier tires.

I've watched all your track videos and your driving skills appear to be improving. You were hanging with the higher HP cars with skill. I seem to sense a bit more aggressiveness in your entries and exits. Awesome job.

Time to ditch the SLP Bilsteins for something better. Ridetech HQ coilovers on the front with 800lb Eibach springs. 3rd gen Koni yellow SAs on the rear and I'm going to swap the 200lb UMI rear springs back in.

I need to shorten the front sway endlinks a little, but the coilovers went in alright. I might want to get shorter eyes for the shock tops to drop the car a hair and make them easier to install (had to compress them slightly to get them in, was a pain in the ass).

Really hoping to make the car more crisp on transitions as it feels pretty floppy at corner entry. I also wanted a setup that wouldn't be total dogshit when I ultimately step up to a 100tw tire.

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