if you took out the ac you would be assessed a point for pulley delete.

 

Umm... that's not how I read it.

As I see it, the rule under ENGINE/DRIVETRAIN is referring to underdrive pulleys. It makes no mention of assessing points for removal of pulleys, OEM or not. The rule under NO-POINTS MODIFICATIONS allows for AC and condenser removal, but is not specific as to what constitutes "AC". I would argue that the AC pulley is part of the AC.

Regardless, you can always leave the pulley and run a different belt that bypasses the AC pulley.

 

Good call...I read it the way Mac was interpreting it also. Definitely some hp to be picked up from that, and a drop in weight....not so sure I'd go so far to do this step, though.

 

Put in a rollbar for safety. That will give you your weight back and add some chassis stiffness.

 

You could also fab a idler pully to replace the missing AC unit.

 

Yeah, a car built to the limit of the rules would have full safety equipment, including a cage, proper seats and restraints, all airbags removed, etc.. You could then gut the car and use the alternate weight formula (so that you could avoid taking points for the removal of OEM seats, interior parts, etc.). Rip out enough stuff and ballast it back up to the required minimum weight by placing the ballast exactly where you want it.

 

The AC runs on it's own belt and drive pulley separate from the main alternator and water pump drive system. The AC drive pulley is a separate part that bolts on in place with the main drive pulley on the e-shaft nose.

So you can remove the AC unit in whole including the drive pulley without needing any mods.

 

I'm not even thinking about it that much. I guess my only real goal is to be competitive. Im sure there are going to be some tough cars in TTD to beat but I'm not going to monkey too much with the car past what I've done to it (except for a cage, seat, and harness). Occasionally I do feel unsettled with what I'm doing with the car and at the speeds.

I've been to MSR up in Cresson. I'm actually going up there this weekend for a DE. I LOVE that new section of the track. Great elevation changes and love working the 180* corners. Great track. Even in the rain. Teaches driver control.

 

+1


we talked about and looked at this a couple of weeks ago, RD. I guess if they are not going ot asess any points and you want to retain the a/c you could always just take off the drive belt for the weekend.

 

How much performance difference are we talking about with the AC belt removal?

 

dunno on the 8. depends on the compressor. some can be a large drag and some can be almost not noticed. belt looks pretty easy to take off. try it out? Possibly an experiment for next weekend?

 

Personally I would rather try and get the last tenth out of my driving before I start ripping off belts on my car. But like you said, if it makes a big deal I might be more open to the work

 

with as easy as it is to take the belt off (and as hard - in comparison - to get the last tenth out of my driving abilities) i would be willing to give it a shot next weekend if i am running.

 

I guess, just be sure nothing else weird that might be related is happening

 

The compressor has a clutch on it. The compressor only turns when the clutch is engaged. There will some small loss with the belt on, but not much. The biggest gain would be in weight when you removed the system.

 

not sure what that might be? as said the a/c is the only accessory on that belt. Taking it off won't affect anything else at all whatsoever end of story bottom of the 9th you're out.

 

You guys are way too concerned over that damn ac. Unless you're prepping a full out race car I just don't see the continuous tangible benefit. Just as a point of contention ... The last time I was out on track on the 2nd day I ran with the A/C turned on! I kept forgetting I had it on because I was baking in the car while waiting on grid so I kept it on while I was waiting. When the grid marshall released us I totally forgot turn it off (4 times that day ... yes I'm a little absent minded occasionally). Here's the kicker ... I was almost as fast as I was without it on and passed the same cars that I normally did. In fact there wasn't enough of a difference until I pitted and realized I had cold air blowing in my face (lap times differed by 0.11 ac vs. no ac).

See when I feel that I'm slow around any part of the track or the track as a whole, I don't touch the car. I go find someone who is turning faster times and go look at their line (either by riding along or tailing them next session). Of course this is in relation to our cars (I'm not going to go try and take an AWD line). Most of the time I realize that there is somethings he does better than me and me something better than him. I try to incorporate that into my driving and poof typically after that I can keep up.

I just don't see the belt removal as being beneficial unless you're already at the edge of what the car can do (and honestly does anyone think they are?). I still see the rx8 as a momentum car. I'll do stuff that helps me keep speed rather finding ways to speed up faster. It's not like Nasa TT clocks you from a stop.

Anyway ... my $0.02.

 

^ +1

 

Its probably because the A/C shuts down when at WOT. So you really didn't have the A/C on.

 

Beat me to it.

And I don't see the harm in A/C discussion when the subject is prepping the cars for competitive events where every .01 of a second can be the difference between earning points and not.

Personally, I'll still be driving my RX-8 on the street so I'm not giving up A/C or having a roll cage installed, or do anything drastic.

 

I dunno ... having a roll cage is just a safety thing. Just like having a harness. I'm honestly to the point where I'm holding back because I don't have a cage.

As for the whole AC thing. Time a lap with the belt on and then time a lap with no belt. Lets see the difference.

 

If you drive your car on the street, you are interfering with the safety equipment in the car - airbags. I wouldn't ride in a car with a roll cage without a helmet, the idea of my head hitting one of those metal bars isn't very enticing.

 

Beat me to it. A street driven car should not have a roll cage. I think I have heard it may even be illegal?

 

Wow. 4 point cage. ... do you guys really like driving the car at its limits on the track without one? Haven't seen a car roll on track? Watch what happens to hood.

 

You do know they also wrap the bars in the areas where it could come in contact with you with foam. I'm mean it's not the best but its better than bare metal. And also a 4 point cage is BEHIND you but it will save your head from being smashed in the event of a roll over.