Duncan's V37.......race car?

[Duncan]

Finally for now, a bit more work on the transmission temp gauge.

I was wondering how Raceworks do a gauge for $100 that autometer want $500 for. No idea about the accuracy of course, but they have cut a few corners that made things hard. 

First one I mentioned above, the sender is physically difficult to fit and doesn't work with their own adapters (the extra fittings I used to get the sender into a hose cost more than the whole gauge, lucky I had stuff in the shed)

Second, the temp sender wires are way too short. They are shown as 2.7m on the box and I know my routing was long from navigator headlight to driver's firewall back to centre console, but I had to lengthen them by about 2m total - 2 joins in each wire.

Also, same with the supplied power loom, they needed about an extra 1m to get the fuse box where I sourced power. Another join in each wire since one end wasn't supplied terminated.

I know they could argue that the wires might be long enough depending on situation, but when you consider parts and particularly labour, it would be a very expensive cheap gauge if you can't do the work yourself.

And, only a small issue....but it would have been nice if they remembered to tap a tread onto *both* spacers they supplied for the bracket....I haven't had to use the M4 tap often!

[Duncan]

Given it is temporary, I bought a  cheapy gauge mount (which has become enflattened) which I will screw into the existing phone mount

Also a first for me; given this is a temporary install I could not think of any reason not to use one of those "add a fuse" thingies to source the battery and IGN power. I had always figured they were pretty dodgy but having a good look at them I think they are a valid option for sourcing power from an existing source without cutting 

[MBS206]

Fuse taps are perfectly fine to use, especially when you're adding stuff for your own car, and so long as you're being smart about it. IE, don't throw a 30amp circuit, onto a circuit that is only a small circuit. It's best to add a small circuit, to one that is already quite large.

Oh, and make sure you're not going to blow the fuses that are further upstream too!

I dislike their use in other applications, such as alarms, telematics/tracking devices etc, as it's far too easy for someone to unplug them and render a system useless. Those sorts of devices I go for wiring in quite secretively.

[PranK]

16 hours ago, Duncan said:

Next up, the extinguisher is mounted but really only temporary because I ran into clearance problems (the bracket fit fine....until I put an extinguisher on it). It picks up the seat bolt mounts but has long bolts running through 20mm spacers for now

Doing it properly requires a bit of quick welding but I ran out of time, this will do for the practice day

 

My extinguisher mounted like this unscrewed a little (Maybe from the chair sliding forward) and dumped a bit of white on my mats. I'll need to get a more narrow one for future.

[MBS206]

I hear you were headed for a track day yesterday... Thread clearly needs updates

[Milkmun]

On 24/02/2025 at 2:03 PM, PranK said:

My extinguisher mounted like this unscrewed a little (Maybe from the chair sliding forward) and dumped a bit of white on my mats. I'll need to get a more narrow one for future.

No one wants white on the mat..

[Duncan]

Just quick update, I've had tech issues and so a backlog on life stuff....I will pull lap times from the video and data from the ECU logs to do a proper update.

But basically, in order of importance:

1. The car was excellent fun on the track, really felt a lot like the good old days. And nice to have AC while waiting

2. Coolant got really hot; again I need to pull and analyse the logs but the standard system is not up to tracking at 30o+ days, once the system was heat soaked after the first 2x15min sessions I could only do 3 laps before it got 110+ and I had to cool down. If I can't improve that it is a deal breaker

3 Oil temps were fine all day, noting it was short sessions due to 2. I think it will likely need work

4 Biggest surprise AT temps were fine, never went over 100, I would have been OK with 120 before I was too concerned. The auto sucks compared to a manual (of course) but it is faster to launch and I just need to downshift it manually before hitting the throttle, then it was OK. When I post the vids you'll hear it telling me off (beeping) for trying to downshift too early (it needs about 3500 before it will downshift, depending on gear a little but we are mostly talking 3/2 and 4/3)

5 A052s were not great which hurt the lap times, but I will be constrained in what I can get in good tyres that fit the wheel wells. These were small for a heavy car at 235/45/18. In theory I can fit 9.5 on front and 10.5 rear (so not square) but I still need 670mm+ high tyres in good brands.

6 Standard shocks/springs/roll bar are too soft for track work (of course), but that was always on the list.

And happily, no white on the mat, despite having a teenaged passenger, extinguisher mount was fine.

Also, it was nice to have Wakefield Park back in action  . Because the car was so quiet it is eligible for Green Day, which I thought was a band but is apparently a series of cheaper practice days they run with a lower sound limit, that is a smart idea.

 

[niZmO_Man]

On 08/03/2025 at 11:59 AM, Duncan said:

Green Day, which I thought was a band

Shall we... wake you up when September ends?