Vyndictive

iTrader: (28)

You'll get your chance.... Does the weekend of the 21st work for you?

Whoa, accessports are pretty neat to be able to do all that (I lol'd at "knock retard".
217 on a track vs. 220+ in a parking lot (not autoX, the Giant Eagle parking lot)
I just don't feel comfortable with how hot its been running.
Is engine load % of the throttle that you're on? what does that really measure?

RK

iTrader: (1)

Ok. I'll try this a little differently.

On a track my car has incredibly good airflow. The slowest I go on the entire track is turn 13 where I have to shift down to second, redline at the end, and upshift back into the second longest straight. The entire rest of the time the car is making consistent speed and getting excellent airflow. The only thing those graphs show you is how dramatic a difference 80 degress and dry (Saturday max 223 temp) is from 75 degrees and humid (Sunday max 217 temp). 6 degrees is a lot.

Once I park the car, even on grass, the temperature spikes amazingly high. Even after a cool down lap (~3 minutes in 5th gear) the temps will go from 190 to >220 in less then 2 minutes. By then I have to pop the hood and hope that the fans start back up to get at least some circulation around the bay. In the afternoon when my sessions were only an hour apart the temps were still above 160 when I started the car back up.

When you're on asphalt/concrete the heat radiates off the ground. When our cars are moving slowly or are stopped the entire cooling system loses its effectiveness.

Autocrossing highlights this effect. When you autocross your car is usually at operating temps at launch. You typically hit redline and hold it multiple times on the course and you are not making enough speed to get enough airflow to truly cool the system. Sometimes the thermostat won't even kick on until you're done with your run. This is why it's imperative that when you get back to grid you turn the engine off, turn the key back to the on position to allow the fans to still activate, and then open up your hood. The only thing worse than autocrossing for your engine is running on a dyno or doing like some youtubers do and sitting still revving your engine until flames pop out.

Even in a Giant Eagle parking lot on a hot day your car is not going to be shedding the heat it carried with it. If you went on a longer drive but was going pretty slow (ie 35 in a 35) your car isn't getting the airflow it needs to stay ridiculously cool. Mine was around 205-210 just cruising around Saturday afternoon. I parked it at a BP, filled up, and then got back in and it was up to 215 and that was parked in the shade.

And changing out the thermostat isn't going to help you when you're stopped because your radiator can't do much at all if the cars not moving. I just don't want you to think you're going to make these changes and suddenly see your gauge never go into the 220s. It still will. The car is meant to run that hot for short periods of time. That's why the OEM gauge doesn't move until it gets into a real danger zone of >230.

RK

iTrader: (1)

No idea. Maybe Jon or Brian knows. But I don't think it's a calculation. The AP only stores and reports data from the ECU in it's logs.

EDIT: Nice! I was turning sub 1:25 laps on street tires in the final session. I didn't have anyone with a stopwatch but just going by peak speed at 649.02 and then at 733.54 gives me 84.52. At least I have some record of how fast I was going so I can compare it when I get back.

Vyndictive

iTrader: (28)

Damn you and your logical explanations. . .

I do see your point, its not that I disagree or am arguing that its "probably" okay. I've come pretty close to that 230 mark a few times. I'm keeping a log in the car now, but not driving it unless I can't ride the motorcycle.

To your point about the thermostat and not helping at low speeds... perhaps an upgraded fan with manual switch is in order?

I guess my goal is to reduce my peak temps to under 220, regardless of the conditions. It'll be a combination of fixes to get to this point, but that is still really what I am looking for.

Running with the heat on does help though.

I agree that maybe my fear is a little paranoid about this, but like I said, compound this with the warranty and my recent decision to keep the car for many years. I looked hard at some trade-in-part out options in the spring to get a more dedicated fun car. I can't justify it.

Anyway, I am not trying to disagree that it's all probably well within normal operating limits. But I am not comfortable with it. I realize that if I didn't have the gauge, I wouldn't even be aware of a problem. Am I being slightly stupid about this, yeah, probably.
But my car does run hotter than other 8s under the same conditions. Why, I don't know yet. But I'm going to address the heat issue because its not worth letting go given my lack of warranty and my intention to keep the car for a number of years.

Now gimme your suspension.

Machiavelli

I second's Jon's thoughts re Tire Rack. I've gotten a few sets from them now, and have been very pleased. If you get dedicated wheels also (highly recommended if you're going to be swapping tires on and off for summer/winter) they'll mount and balance them for free and ship them to your door, so all you need to do is pop them on. If you go with just the tires, their website has recommended installers to do the mounting if you don't have someone in mind to do that.

My RX generally sits in the garage for winter, but I had Blizzaks on my M3 and they were fabulous for snow/ice. They absolutely sucked for dry, but it sounds like the current generation is better. I need to get a set of winter tires for my wife's 370, and I haven't made up my mind to go with the Blizzaks but probably will at the end of the day.

If you don't want to do Tire Rack, I've had good luck with the Conrad's in downtown Cleveland and in Strongsville, but I've never taken my RX there. The brick and mortar outlets tend not to have great prices on tires that are outside the mass market mainstream imho. Plus I'm always afraid some teenager employee will start it cold, move it 25 feet into a bay and turn it off.

Buckeye_rx8

What track were you running these times at? Just curious.

DeViLbOi

iTrader: (1)

Fri and Sat Ryan was at Nelson's Ledges with the Bimmer group I believe. In fact...it had to be just because of what he learned at Oak Tree.

Jon316G

iTrader: (1)

Engine load is simply how much demand is placed on the engine.
I believe load is calculated using MAF and RPM values.

Vyndictive

iTrader: (28)

That sounds like a guess. . .

RK

iTrader: (1)

John's got it. Nelsons with the Bimmer folks. The 90min enduro race cars were turning 1:16s at the start of their race and I think track records are sub teens (edit. Woops. Guess the track record is 59 seconds set by some formula car in 2001 (120mph average speed!) but the teens are where the big boys play).

Jon316G

iTrader: (1)

I did say, "I believe"
Not really a guess, more like a saying, "From my understanding (which is limited) is that load is calculated using MAF and RPM values. But there are probably other values or more complex calculations that my inexperience isn't aware of".

Trademark

Bike night at quaker tonight off transportation blvd... im going with some friends... dont need a bike to attend, im bringing my RX8. Anyone else feel like going?

Vyndictive

iTrader: (28)

No, that's a haul. . . and I have a bike. Which I will probably never take to a bike night - for the same reason you don't take the 8 to a drag strip: Its embarrassing.


This place is pretty quiet.
TJ - What midpipe did you decide upon? AP dual Res? Should be arriving soon.
My water pump and thermostat came. . . woo. . . Been focusing on getting the doors fixed on the bronco, so haven't touched the mazda in about a week cause its been pretty nice outside. It's probably flooded now.

Winter is going to be hard though, I felt like taking it tonight just for the hell of it. Its a cool night out, should be no problem. But then I remembered how the bike gets 50mpg and i'm buying a suspension next week.


Doc, what's going on up north? Do you take "golden rule" insurance? I need to find out if you're in my network because i'd really like to come by and check out the upgrades you've made to your office.


Brian, did your 100% clear corners come in yet? I want to see them when they do.

ok. . . that's enough trying to put off work that needs to be done.

Jon316G

iTrader: (1)

So when do you plan on installing the water pump and thermostat Steve?

rotareriot

iTrader: (1)

yeah i got the AP dual res, and it was supposed to come today but stupid fedex keeps postponing the day whenever i check the tracking order. i think its coming tomorow which is great cuz its the one day im working this week and no one will be there to sign for it. ill let you guys no how it sounds, maybe we could meet up before i go to school...? just throwin it out there.

DeViLbOi

iTrader: (1)

Pick a time and place TJ

Vyndictive

iTrader: (28)

Jon - Pay attention! hehe.

I'm out of town this weekend and next... so that is the first weekend I have free. I know it would be tough for you to come down during the week. So the next viable date is the weekend of the 21st.

Although Ryan and I are scheduled to do the coil-over swap next wednesday night here in Canton.


Wait. . . wait: TJ, you're going to let us know how it sounds? So you're installing it yourself then? Nice!

Funny about fedex. I just ordered a netbook off sellout.woot that John found for me, and they shipped fedex and it arrived with a broken screen. Turds. I did read on their site that strong storms over Memphis have delayed a lot of their shipments.

tiresmoker

iTrader: (1)

Steve,

No new clear corners yet. A couple other things popped up like a new engine for one of the Focuses as well as a nice set of Stage 2 Ford Racing cams for a Focus. I spent the money on those since I really am going to need to have at least 1 of my 2 Focuses running again by winter so I can park the 8. Corners will be in the near future though.

With any luck I'm dropping the engine back into the hatchback this week coming up and will have her running by Friday night!!

If you guys need a hand on Wednesday let me know. I'll be glad to swing out and do wha tI can to help get the swapover done in a reasonable amount of time. I can bring my jackstands and tools so we can have both cars off the ground at the same time and bang those bitches out in like 2 hours

RK

iTrader: (1)

Definitely room for you to come down on Wednesday. Plan tho is to remove my coilovers on Saturday (we're under there anyway) and then just leave my car on stands during the week. I'll take the coilovers down to Canton on Wednesday, switch those in and take Steve's coilovers. Then I'll put those back into my car on Wednesday if I have enough time or later in the week.

Danc is coming up on Saturday so I should have my coils/plug wires.

So sway swap, coilover removal, exhaust swap, strut tower bar, coil/plug wire swap on Saturday in Fairlawn starting whenever I'm done with my real job. Hopefully around 1 but no later than 4. Also going to drain and replace my coolant and replace my upper rad hose with a new stock replacement. If Jon comes over he can swap out my gauge pod with his upper dash piece.

Coilover swap and a brake pad change on Wed in Canton whenever I can get down there. Probably around 6 since I'm coming from Cleveland.

Then I'll swap back Steve's coilovers in my car at a later date and she will officially be stock again.

Vyndictive

iTrader: (28)

Wow, I didn't know you were of the skill+tool capability to replace engines. I'm impressed... what are you doing with your engine hoist this winter???

If you brought down some tools and such, that would be great. We'll have air compressor access and room for 2 cars down in the low bay where I'm working. (Ryan, its a different plant than you've been to in the past.)
I don't really know how to do this, but I'm sure I can figure it most of it before you guys get here... . . .

Plant is at
706 Tuscawaras st East
Canton OH, 44707

tiresmoker

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, I've replaced a few engines in my day. The fun part is tearing them out and figureing out the tensile strength of the one bolts or wire you forgot to disconnect


I sold my hoist many moons ago when I needed some spare cash, but I do have a friend that would be willing to rent one to you for a minimal fee (so he can recoup some of the money he spent on it, thus justifying his purchase to his wife )

I'm actually gonna rent his off of him to plop the engines back in the Focuses.

I can bring down all my air tools as well, as considering your car has probably seen more winters that mine or Ryans some of the bolts may be stuck.

I'll pack up my travel tool box with all kinds of goodies and head out to your plant straight from work. I'll probably just shoot straight out Rt. 30 from work. That would probably be the quickest route..

I'm guessing I'll get there some time around 6:00 pm if that's cool

Vyndictive

iTrader: (28)

Sounds great...

Since you've pulled engines before... would an overhead bridge crane work the same as long as you remove the hood and such (which I know you do anyways)?

If I don't have to worry about the hoist, I won't, ya know? But I have a few months yet.

Down side is that the floor isn't super flat anymore. Lots of chunks taken out of the concrete, but it doesn't sound like we'll need to be under the car much. just next to it.

tiresmoker

iTrader: (1)

Yes, a bridge crane will work. Just as long as you are careful when you raise and lower the hook, as well as moving the hook/engine in and out. The nice thing about a hoist rather than a crane is that you can control the movement much better since the hoist is hand operated and immediately within your reach. As long as you are confident in your crane operating abilities, then there is no reason you can't use it.

All an engine hoist is, is a crane that is on casters that you operate with a hand pump. If you have an overhead crane I say you just disconnet the engine and drivetrain and pick the car up off the engine

As for the suspension, we can just do one side at a time, so that at any given moment there are two tires on the ground (if we can't find a spot with (4) optimal jack placement locations). We can figure it out once I see the floor.

rotareriot

iTrader: (1)

yes im going to attempt to do it myself lol, i should probably get the hang of it since im gonna be swapping my cat back in for e-checks and what not.

okay well seems like everyones pretty busy the next couple weeks and im moving out the 18th so idk, might be easier for me to just meet you guys up while your working on your cars or something, not that ill be much help.

ShinkaRex

hi fellas, long time no see. im about to renew my dd brake setup and was curious what you guys have been running and if you've had issues or found something better...hawk, ebc, etc.