MoodDude

From the map, it looks like the HPDE have two paddock areas. Also, from this map we are to tech in the Pre-Grid area.
Here is the link:
http://www.nasa-southeast.com/i/even...paddock800.jpg

I was planning on getting my car teched on Friday.

Tested my car out yesturday - think she is running better than ever. Today, I start to pack since I have to go to PA again this week - ugh.

L8APEX

well, I got some of my planned work done, not all, it has been very frustrating, but more on that in a sec.

The car is now running, like a scalded dog, or as our very own TA put it, a raped ape. Cleaning the filter on the REVi has made a noticeable difference. I have only had mine in for about 20K miles, and it was DIRTY. There were small sticks, feathers, dirt, bugs, more feathers, and a bunch of other **** stuck on the outside of it. The inside was still very clean, so that means it is working. But I went through the whole process of cleaning it, and it revs much better, faster and smoother now. It also idles a little more smoothly. SO if you have not checked yours in a while, you might want to. It is a royal Pain in the ***, but worth it.

Now on to the pain in the *** part. To get the filter out, you have to take the trim ring off the back, I had to loosen the rubber bellows hose at the throttle body, and get it out of the way. After a lot of I managed to get it loose, and removed from the car. Cleaning it was time consuming, but not hard work. When I went to put it back in was when the real fun started.

Note to self:
When working with very small hand tools, DO NOT USE THEM OVER THE ENGINE BAY. If they fall in, they can be hard to locate, much less extricate.

The little allen wrench I was using to tighten the hose clamps, slimmed out of my slightly oily hands, after handling the filter element. It fell down, right next to the coolant overflow. I could not see it, and could not get more than a little finger into any space around that. SO I took out the battery, the battery try, loosened the coolant overflow, and the ECU. As I was about to start taking the whole car apart to find this damn tool, I stuck my head all the way in the engine bay. I SAW IT. Now the getting to it began. No pliers, or needle nose here, they don't bend around corners. The fingers would have to get to it. I managed to get my fingers on it, but then could not get my hand free. Finally did, tore a bunch of skin off three sides of one hand. You would think that would be the end of the trouble.

The damn bolts holding the blue trim ring on the back of the REVi box, do not fit good. The trim ring is the real culprit. It does not line up well. After forcing it, i managed to get it on, and secured. The rest was easy, and I only dropped one more bolt, that managed to fall straight to the ground, where retrieval was easy.

But the car now runs great, the brakes will have to be done tomorrow. Time for dinner. That is all.

TrackAddict

Sounds like a fun filled day L8!

I just sat around today drinking a few beers, eating, and watching some racing on TV. I got my hands dirty yesterday. I changed the oil and replaced a rubber spacer on the LF caliper as it was distintegrated. I also had a bult on my RR brake caliper that I had mistakenly greased so I could not torque it properly. I took it apart and cleaned it up. I looked under the car thoroughly to inspect the suspension. No leaky shocks, no bent arms, all bolts are tight and all looks ready for track.

I also got the EZ Up from TA2. Hopefully the GRM care package arrives this week.

L8APEX

woohoo,

I just got my event info email from Julie. Well, it might have been a couple hours ago, but I just got it. That means it is official, and we are on the home straight now.

So are we going to try and do tech inspection on Friday? The would require a trip to the hotel, to drop off all of our gear, get all the crap out of the cars, get numbers put on, and all that. And they stop tech at 8. Good number.

OD, you asked what time we would be in Macon, I think us ATL folks, are going to try and meet up at Hudson Bridge on I75 South around 2. THat will put us down in the Macon area around 3-3:30. You tell us where, and we will meet you there around 3:30. I think Lego and MoodDude will be meeting us there at the same time too.

I am getting excited now, may not get a lot of sleep this week, the wife is gonna make me lay in the spare room, so that she can sleep.

Phlash

4 days til liftoff!!!!!!!

Fri
May 19
Isolated T-Storms 87°/61° 30% 87°F
Sat
May 20
Mostly Sunny 90°/63° 20% 90°F
Sun
May 21
Sunny 89°/67° 10% 89°F

Phlash

okay you REVi folks......what are you cleaning your filters with? Just a K&N kit?

L8......sorry to hear bout the busted knuckles.....makes you want your own shop huh?.....

Saturday did the oil, the front pads swapped again (still had the rears on from TGPR), Alignment to TA's specs, rotated and balanced the street rubber, lubed up the the sways and end links, double checked the height stuff (still dead on btw L8) on the TEIN's, checked all the bolts, arms, boots, and fluids.....Thursday night I wash and load up gear and tires......Let the countdown begin.......!!!!!!!

L8APEX

yeah, i just used the K&N filter cleaning kit that I got at Autozone. It now has a sprak can of the filter oil. That cut a lot of time out. I have done it with the squeeze bottle, and that was a PITA, and it was easy to put too much oil on.

As for wanting my own shop, I am not sure if that was worse, or the look on my wifes face, when she finds two braek rotors on the counter, and a dirty air fliter in the sink.

Phlash, what are your measurements from the ground to the bottom of the wheel arch?

Phlash

I'll find out and let ya know......I measure from the center of the wheel to the inside of the arch, and as soon as this coffee kicks in I'll remember what that was..... or i'll run out and check again.

L8APEX

I just heard back from Bill over at Classic Motorsports, and this is what he said:

Travis,

They're going out today and should be to you in time. I'm also sending stickers and FREE TRIAL ISSUE cards if you guys would like to give them to your friends and others who've never seen the magazine.

I'll get the check for the balance of the tent to you within a week.

Regards,
Bill

So it sounds like the new stuff will be here this week, and I will bring it all with me. TA, is the EX-UP going to fit in the front seat for the drive down?

TrackAddict

I was planning on getting the car teched Friday when we get there without going to the hotel first. I can unload the car, get teched, reload and when I leave the track have everything done.

To clean the RB intake, buy the kit and a brush. I used a clean, old paint brush to gently remove any debris in the pleats. Then spray on the cleaner and let it soak in for 10 min or so. Hose off from the inside out. Let dry, spray on oil according to instructions. Let it sit another 20 min, then reinstall. Takes some time but is relatively easy. Removing the filter is a PITA though as L8 said. I was very slow and methodical to avoid dropping tools and bolts though. Auto Zone sells a telescoping magnet useful for picking up stuff dropped into your engine bay. I don't have one but it is on my list of stuff to get...

I don't think it'll be a prob fitting the EZ up in the front seat.

L8APEX

then i guess we should plan on going straight to the track on our way in, get teched and then decide what to do after that....hmmm, wonder what we could do...

very good, I am glad. If you will bring it down there, I will bring it back and store it with all of our other gear.

MoodDude

Question for you guys -
When they say no exposed wires:
Do they mean no copper showing through the insulation or wires must be in a harness?

L8APEX

I would bet that it depends a lot on where those wires are. Some of the racecars have wire bundles that are visible. You might need to send an email to someone at NASA, or get on the NASA forum and ask that question.

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

Ok guys-- trying to button my car up--developed a leak in my oil temp fitting--emergency order to Summit should be here weds--I WANT GAUGES THIS TIME WHILE I AM ON THE TRACK!
Other than that I am ready to go--fresh 5W/30 RP oil,coolant at 65/35, super blue brake fluid, pads on, my filter should still be clean from the last track event, new set of COLD plugs(still amazes me what a fresh set of plugs does for this car, pre lube all mixed and ready, suspension checked and cleared, wheels /tires all good. Track packing started , sways lubed.
My wife is going with us WITH realistic expectations. She has some friends in Savanah area that can help keep her company. I explained that track is not a social event and that even though we may get a llittle break in the pm session, the morning sessions etc will have us pretty busy. She wll be riding down before us as I told her the convoy does like to drive a little fast.
Ok after careful thought the best exit for us to meet would be the BASS RD Exit on I-75 S(those coming from Atlanta area) and I-75 N for the others. I believe the number of the exit is 172. The I 75 S guys need to take a right of the exit(that will be Bass RD) then about 100 yards down on the left there will be a service station complex(nice one). Lets meet up there. Has a large parking area etc and it is not congested there. Those that will be coming I 75N (you will hit I 75 N in macon from I 20 I presume) then it is only about 3-4 miles up I 75 N. YOU need to take a left from the exit onto Bass RD and you will go about 200 yds before you see the station on the left.
I will PM Nabil my cell phone number for the day.

????? Why do we need to wear a long sleeve shirt now--dang it is going to be 90 degrees!
Olddragger

L8APEX

OD, is that exit for Bass Road on 75 south after the split at I-16?

TrackAddict

Although not familiar with the Macon area, let us make sure our meeting point is one where no one has to back track. Let us all get on I-16 heading East and pick an exit on that.

L8APEX

I agree with that. Any pit stops for fuel, recomended for us ATL folks, should be made prior to that, because once on I-16, there is nothing there.

legokcen

There are two things on I-16 between Macon and Savannah:

Jack and Squat

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

Sorry about that--working and typing these entries at the same time caused me to quote the wrong interstate. I meant the I 16--I 75 junction as you stated. Not the I 20(as we dont have the I20 in Macon)
2nd time today I feel like an idiot.
Trouble is after we get on I 16 there is no other exit with anykind of service station etc.unless we can meet where we did last year--. Right after the 16/75 junction, there is Spring St exit,(not sure of the number but it is the 1st exit after the junction approx 1/2 to 3/4 mile after the junction---will get the number and post tonight) take a right off that exit, cross the river bridge and there is a Wendy's on the right. We can meet there (like last year) , but it is congested in that area especially on Friday. And they usually have limited parking. To get back on the interstate you have to take a left out of Wendy's and cross a 4 lane road. It's a pain. But if that is better for everyone ---then that is what we will do. There are service stations around and everyone will need to fill up before going any futher.
Olddragger

Phlash

This still good?

STF - HPDE4
TrackAddict -HPDE 3
L8APEX - HPDE 2
Phlash - HPDE 2
Legokcen - HPDE 2
Olddragger - HPDE 2
WhiteRex - HPDE 1
MoodDude - HPDE ?

whiterex

TA, did you have to take the rear seat out to take off the rear center trim(for DIY camera mount installation) I think that I can pop it off, the shop manual isn't very clear.

I read the DIY(s) on this installation, they didn't really have a step-by-step.

L8APEX

that center piece between the two rear seats should come out on its own, revelaing the pass through. No need to remove the seats for the camera mount. You might want them out for carrying the tires. Unless you are not 6'-0" tall. It will give you the extra couple of inches for the tires, and make the road trip a little better.

Whiterex, are we meeting you at the track?


Well, the Hawk Dustomatic 2000's are back on. The new rotors are not, the originals still look ok, the spares will make the trip, just in case. BUT, the Azenis are done. The drivers rear has been cut down pretty bad, a long gash across the full tire width, must be fairly recent, you gotta thank Atlanta construction workers and their debris on the road for that I am sure. And the passneger side rear has a screw, that will have to get patched up at GTE on Friday. Crap. Good thing I have the second set of tires. Just sucks, the Azenis have life left, and are sticky as hell tires. Oh well, better be safe than on my roof.

whiterex

Well, out of sheer frustration, I just took the seats out. Need to run up to Home Depot to get square tubing, nuts, bolts, and washers. I "think" that I have a plan on how to do this and for it to be easily concealed. We shall see.

I have to admit, I've been a slacker about looking at the nasa info. I plan on taking Friday off to prep and get to the track for tech and what not. I did make the reservation for myself, lego, and moodude. I'll check out the info and probly catch up with everyone at tech? What time is everyone planning on getting there(for tech)?

MoodDude

I will not be able to drive fast since I will be hauling a trailer. Since, unlike the 8, I can't fit track tires in the Z. Just mentioning this since if you guys want to drive fast, I total understand, and will just meet you at the hotel or track.

legokcen

MoodDude is in HPDE 1.