R33 Gtst Track Build

[Dale FZ1]

240/260Z flares.

There is a bit of judicious cutting/bending/folding, mainly to ensure adequate tyre to guard clearance.

The fronts actually took more work to get right so that nothing rubbed/bound with the steer tyres on full bump and full lock.

Otherwise it is straightforward, same as fitting to any rally car.

It's funny seeing the bodywork being attacked with tin snips and cutting disc and a hammer.

Edited July 2, 2014 by Dale FZ1

[Timeismoney]

Great build im guessing this cant be registerd in QLD?.

[Dale FZ1]

It is a track car, not a Targa car...

Queensland laws on ROPS have changed, but that doesn't affect cars that were mod plated before the cutoff date.

[racegtst]

Awesome work. Not enough of of us build GTS-T's for serious track work.

I also found cooling an initial problem, we decided that a cold air feed to the pod was less important than air to the radiator. The Koyorad was the best bang for buck cooling coin spent along with a radiator air guide. just make one out of aluminium instead of spend $100 or $200.

Subscribed to thread.

[DCIEVE]

Looks great! Reminds me of Robbie Nishida's d1 car with those flares.

[sweefu]

Good looking car mate, very tidy!

[Dale FZ1]

Preparations for the next event are done.

Brake pads replaced, using Winmax W7 front, W3 rear. The R33 is a nose heavy pig, will see how these things go for braking efficiency and impact on the rotors.

Couple of pictures showing ducting for intercooler/radiator, oil cooler, and power steering cooler.

Pictures don't show how the air exits.

[Dale FZ1]

Undertrays/splitters have been subject of a bit of recent discussion. This is my effort, using composite signboard. Not terribly heavy material, and has a fair bit of stiffness for self-support. It's a 2 piece job, rear section extends from the crossmember forward to roughly near the radius rod chassis mount. The front section is bonded to the glass bumper, and then held together with M6 fasteners. Pretty simple and it doesn't flop about once installed.

[Dale FZ1]

Couldn't do without door cards. Sheet aluminium with some stiffening reliefs rolled in, and a pull-handle made from nylon webbing. M5 retainers for this.

[gtr jet]

Awesome set up mate. Can't wait to hear some track results.

[BOZ22N]

Looks great mate

[racegtst]

Couldn't do without door cards. Sheet aluminium with some stiffening reliefs rolled in, and a pull-handle made from nylon webbing. M5 retainers for this.

Nice work, I am being checky here, but do you the measurements or template and details for making these door cards? If so are you willing to share? This is perfect for my car.

[Gts-t]

Looks really good dale, good to see another gtst being done. Nice to see some pics of the undertray too looks very good.

Just a question about qld laws on half cages. I have a cams approved bolt in rear half cage in my currently unregistered track 32. Sometimes I think or re registering it just so I can drive it to and from the track. It's not mod plated for the cage, do you know or can u summarise the current laws on cages or rops.

Thanks mick

[Dale FZ1]

Michael - results shortly.

Shaun - Door cards fabrication work by MR Sheetmetal. I'll PM you to put you in touch with them.

Mick - Sorry no I can't give any great discourse on ROPS legalities in Queensland. I can PM you details of a fabrication business that knows this stuff inside and out.

[Dale FZ1]

Ok, a few comments/experiences on how this thing is going.

MCA shocks are brilliant gear. There is a bit of experimenting with spring rates and the current ones helped with good initial turn-in but it had horrid mid and exit understeer especially on tight corners. Hardening up the rear shocks pretty much cleaned up that issue. Highly recommend these, and the support available is exceptional.

Winmax pads are worth the money. Very powerful improvement to stock R33 brakes and I can't see the need to shift away from standard spec calipers and rotors. They do not drop off in efficiency with heavy/hard/prolonged use. They do need to be run at higher temps to work most efficiently and predictably. Warm up lap really requires a focused effort on cranking some heat into the brakes, and then they are the best brakes I've experienced.

The cooling system setup works. ECU datalogs showed coolant temps running between 88-94 degrees. Ambient temps around 25 degrees. Oil cooler does its job, oil temps running at 110 degrees.

No complaints at this stage about the budget turbo/manifold setup. Does its job, makes enough stick and responds well and predictably in the rpm range it's being run. Probably safe to say this is severe duty application, going to be interesting to see how they survive. I'm quietly confident in them.

Driving talent is the weakest link in the chain when chasing consistent speed, but it's a ton of fun to drive. Datalogs don't lie about how often and how long it's actually getting 100% throttle.

One thing is for sure, these 2wd chassis are not a bad thing for the average punter - provided you don't have delusions of championship or outright potential.

[toppertee]

Hi Dale,

Great to see, what spring rates are you using.

Good to hear about the winmax. I never seem to run out of brakes at QR national, even using stock brakes, with the winmax 7 (I'm under stock power though)

[Adz2332]

hey mate what were the door cards worth?

[PranK]

Love that it was post #15 before we saw a full exterior shot. Hahaha

[Dale FZ1]

Nigel - for this event we used 14kg front, 5 kg rear. I'm interested to hear your experiences on how Winmax W7 front and rear worked out, and if you needed to do anything to get the best out of them. Application is a big factor, so I'm figuring choices would be different for a hillclimb setup compared to 20 minute sessions. Might get a thread started just for this topic.

Adam - PM sent. Suggest any queries direct to MR Sheetmetal. Quality work.

Christian - but it is just another 33 barge and they look much the same.

Edited September 1, 2014 by Dale FZ1

[Dale FZ1]

Heat impact on engine bay componentry raised its head, with convoluted conduit for the loom melting, so it was addressed before the last meeting. Exhaust lagging and ceramic coating the turbine and manifold obviously was not enough.

Underbonnet paint showed a bit of discolouration, so it got a square of adhesive composite mat, with silver foil top section.

The loom got a split/adhesive composite insulating material. Slips over the length of loom and then silver adhesive tape seals the join and keeps it on.

The product wasn't especially expensive, and appears to do its job. Pics aren't the best but show the general idea. The ACL heat shield material is brilliant stuff around the dump/wastegate section too.