page deux

7/23/2009 3:57:23 PM

Really?

In related news, I'm starting to cost out the FI options. This winter might well be supercharger season.

7/23/2009 4:14:43 PM

DO IT

7/23/2009 5:18:44 PM

so are you even out of the beginner group yet? I'd probly hold off on FI if you want to keep your track day learning on any kind of manageable curve. if you just wanna beat on it around the city, go for it.

7/23/2009 8:29:23 PM

^honestly I don't think it will have much of an effect good or bad. I've been cleared to run in intermediate with every club I've done track days with, although I have stuck to the beginners group because I learn a lot from having instructors ride along. It strikes me as really strange why most guys can't wait to get out on the track solo, it has to really slow your progress versus having someone there to observe and help in realtime.

But to the point, I have very good car control and have yet to spin or put more than a tire off the pavement, and I have driven much higher hp vehicles in the past, so it won't be a big system shock.

I'm actually looking forward to having a few more options on the track besides pure momentum lines. It'll also make for an easier time during point by's

the leading option right now is the vision function kit, which would run ~8500 for the sc kit and upgraded transmission, clutch, fuel system components it needs. 275hp to the wheels, almost double the current power of the car

7/23/2009 9:20:13 PM

The MP62 is awesome.

That is a hefty sum of $$$$$ though.

7/23/2009 10:01:24 PM

MP62s themselves aren't terrible...it's all the other peripheral stuff that you need to make a decent setup that starts getting really expensive.

7/24/2009 3:02:52 AM

I'm mixed on the "adding power for a novice" thing. If you have enough self control, it is probably OK.

As for intermediate level, a lot of clubs let you have an instructor if you desire at any level. In fact, I've recently started coaching more advanced drivers -which has been very enjoyable for me. Now my favorite is the absolute beginner and the advanced/instructor level "student".

7/24/2009 3:27:10 AM

^^

Aye

but......275 at the ground a 2k# is no joke.

7/24/2009 7:55:39 AM

oh, no doubt. My Miata made about 240 rwhp and probably weight 2200 lbs, so I can imagine that an MP62 supercharged Elise would be a ROCKET.

7/24/2009 11:25:20 AM

im surprised you had drive train problems with 240whp. doesn't sound too extreme at all.

7/24/2009 1:44:20 PM

I don't think he had drivetrain problems man. I recall seeing his car "broken down" over there on Western where it meets Jones Franklin that one time and that was the only big problem I recall hearing about. That wasn't too bad though, it was just sheared driveshaft bolts IIRC. Nothing major was actually damaged, it's just that the bolts themselves couldn't take it from what I recall. Hell, that's a pretty nice drivetrain "fuse" if you ask me.


When I finally start making some real money I'm probably going to drop a GM factory cammed LS3 crate motor in my miata with FM's new kit, lol. That is one hell of a swap son.

7/24/2009 2:09:58 PM

Quote :

"As for intermediate level, a lot of clubs let you have an instructor if you desire at any level. In fact, I've recently started coaching more advanced drivers -which has been very enjoyable for me. Now my favorite is the absolute beginner and the advanced/instructor level "student"."

Yeah, maybe you need to come up to the PNW and drop some knowledge. Most of the "advanced" instructors at club meets want you to schedule outside time (1:1 private instruction) and let the super n00bs have the instructor time at club days.

Fortunately I've never had a problem, after a session with an instructor, they realize I want them their to help me get better, and the rest of day/weekend I get a lot of amazing guidance. I would consider myself square in the middle of "intermediate" right now, as I have great car control, but I have a lot of room for improvement in track vision and exit speed/lines. And I actually prefer to run with the beginner groups still, as it seems like the intermediate guys up here have a very hard time looking in their rear views, as well as waiting for safe point-by's (which, at least at the tracks I frequent are all clearly cone marked)

7/24/2009 6:48:55 PM

^^ that was exactly it. snapped the driveshaft bolts, and I replaced them with grade 8 fasteners. that was the only problem I had other than the starter and alternator going out, as best as I remember (by the way, replacing a starter on a Miata is the mother of all motherfuckers).

The dude I sold it to ripped the rear end out and flailed drivetrain parts around, knocking a hole in the gas tank. It tore up all kinds of stuff. I don't know if I just dodged a bullet, or if he was abusing it.

7/24/2009 7:05:06 PM

Quote :

"The MP62 is awesome. That is a hefty sum of $$$$$ though. "

So the kit is $6400 delivered, plus another $100 for the walbro 255 fuel pump, $400 for clutch/flywheel, and throwing in 300 for tools and misc bits I'm sure I'll need.

Actually a little cheaper than I thought, $7,200 ish (price on the kit has dropped a bit since this spring). Still seems like there's some kinks being worked out in the ECU flash, so I'll look again in the fall.

7/24/2009 8:11:22 PM

I enjoy helping students, but I must say when people are paying for instruction, they tend to listen a whole lot more closely! I will generally stick with a student that either is asking for my help or I feel they need. It's a lot easier when I have one student as opposed to two or three in a day though. This is another area where the cost of a track event to a student can make a difference in instruction level. Generally the events that cost $450+ have instructors paired to a single student, and plenty of down time/track time for both the instructor and the student as opposed to a NASA South East event where I'm torn between maybe 2 students, and a check out ride, + we only have 3 20 min sessions per day each...

7/24/2009 8:13:31 PM

what?

8/7/2009 10:29:50 AM

Wish I had gotten a picture of this.

Wednesday I drove the Exige home with the following:

3 large pillows, 2 airbeds (1 queen, 1 twin), 2 comforters (both king size), and two sets of sheets. Plus my backpack from work.

The trunk was absolutely full and the entire passenger seat was full, it looked like I had a passenger wearing a bright green box over their head. I didn't even think about how much shit I had bought until I got out to the car, the shopping cart was literally overflowing.

It was actually a bit of a fun game, I've discovered there are all kinds of little places to wedge things in the trunk and passenger seat

8/7/2009 9:04:16 PM

you sir have a gorgeous car.

8/9/2009 6:45:38 PM

the lotus cars are cool vehicles but they are very very far from gorgeous. looks like you could tranformer them into something else

8/9/2009 7:14:46 PM

^out of your mind son. The exige is one of the most beautiful cars ever produced. I don't think the Elise is as good, too many little accent bits and pieces on it. But the whole car flows without being a big bubble or an angular mess.

8/9/2009 8:46:01 PM

Well I only see elises here in raleigh. They look like they are made by rubbermaid.

8/9/2009 8:52:04 PM

yeah there are a lot of little extra bit and pieces on the elise that to me detract from the overall design. I guess FRP lets you add those kinds of bells and whistles. With hand laid fiberglass, you kind of have to keep to flowing lines

8/10/2009 1:54:09 PM

Yeah, I must say that the exterior quality has never seemed particularly high on them.

8/10/2009 1:57:16 PM

but the price is

10/14/2009 3:59:01 PM

its a plastic toilet on wheels

just get a mini

10/14/2009 9:18:26 PM

or just cut off your balls

10/15/2009 7:52:17 AM