Month to madness
Discussion
I'm pretty well dialed in and the next track day is at the same circuit. Hopefully a bit warmer so the tyres work but plans for the car and simple.
Reduce weight, reduce the rotating mass and get the engine breathing a bit better.
So strip out, polycarbonate windows, drilled and/or grooved discs and lighter weight wheels. I have a Punto GT rear beam I can use to convert to rear discs as well and hopefully fit the rear anti-roll bar. Beef up the front and maybe get some lower harder springs. Nothing too extreme as I'll still need to drive there and back.
I'm selling my RX8 to get the bits I haven't got already.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-QTxgh-YCs
Reduce weight, reduce the rotating mass and get the engine breathing a bit better.
So strip out, polycarbonate windows, drilled and/or grooved discs and lighter weight wheels. I have a Punto GT rear beam I can use to convert to rear discs as well and hopefully fit the rear anti-roll bar. Beef up the front and maybe get some lower harder springs. Nothing too extreme as I'll still need to drive there and back.
I'm selling my RX8 to get the bits I haven't got already.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-QTxgh-YCs
It's the 1.8 16V based roughly on the 128 block but with Alfa influenced bottom end and Lancia head. Filter, exhaust and balanced injectors would be a phase one kind of deal so I can put it to one side in a weekend and concentrate on weight reduction and handling.
Like the 2.0 16V Lancia engine found in the Fiat Coupe the 1.8 has a split inlet manifold. Ideal for throttle body or bike carb' convesion.
As it's the same engine as the Punto HGT I'm looking at cam' options from that car and the Barchetta.
The Bravo was rated at 115hp instead of the Punto HGT's 130hp because of the air conditioning pump and proper power steering. If I can bin the air con' pump I could use the pulley space for a small supercharger if the throttle body or bike carb' idea fall flat.
I have the parts to do a rear disc conversion and add a rear anti-roll bar, the front discs would be upgraded at the same time.
But first and foremost I need to bin the Bangle Grinder wheels and reduce the rotating mass.
Like the 2.0 16V Lancia engine found in the Fiat Coupe the 1.8 has a split inlet manifold. Ideal for throttle body or bike carb' convesion.
As it's the same engine as the Punto HGT I'm looking at cam' options from that car and the Barchetta.
The Bravo was rated at 115hp instead of the Punto HGT's 130hp because of the air conditioning pump and proper power steering. If I can bin the air con' pump I could use the pulley space for a small supercharger if the throttle body or bike carb' idea fall flat.
I have the parts to do a rear disc conversion and add a rear anti-roll bar, the front discs would be upgraded at the same time.
But first and foremost I need to bin the Bangle Grinder wheels and reduce the rotating mass.
If you're wondering (probably not) to make the bumpers look as old as the rest of the car I used different colour primers before applying the top coat.
Red plastic primer in the middle, matte black on the outer edges and grey primer on the corners. It doesn't show well in the photo's but it looks like the top coat has faded different shades of red. So instead of new painted bumpers on an old ca she looks roughly the same all over.
Red plastic primer in the middle, matte black on the outer edges and grey primer on the corners. It doesn't show well in the photo's but it looks like the top coat has faded different shades of red. So instead of new painted bumpers on an old ca she looks roughly the same all over.
Weekly update.
The new windscreen was fitted Tuesday...
....and a Seagull crapped all over the car before I had finished putting the trim and wipers back.
Everyone's a critic.
Optima Stainless Steel made me a base plate so I can start folding my mani's.
Failed to collect a rack from work...
...but managed a load of parts for my GSXR250-SP project.
I'm only off work today this week so I doubt I'll have much or anything to report next week. Meh.
The new windscreen was fitted Tuesday...
....and a Seagull crapped all over the car before I had finished putting the trim and wipers back.
Everyone's a critic.
Optima Stainless Steel made me a base plate so I can start folding my mani's.
Failed to collect a rack from work...
...but managed a load of parts for my GSXR250-SP project.
I'm only off work today this week so I doubt I'll have much or anything to report next week. Meh.
Via...
https://www.facebook.com/Franks-Charity-Track-Day-...
...the cover...
...and weekend write up with a certain yellow Bravo tucked in the corner being chucked round a corner.
I have no idea what the caption says as the magazine isn't out until Thursday. The car will certainly look different at the June event.
Trying to fit into Dave Walker's schedule at Emerald to see how many of the 115hp have escaped and get a base line before I start playing with tools. Sadly there are no openings before the start of June and that doesn't give me much time. I could try somewhere else but long term I will need a new ECU if I'm going to replace the air con' pump with a supercharger or/and split the inlet and fit bodies/bike carb's.
https://www.facebook.com/Franks-Charity-Track-Day-...
...the cover...
...and weekend write up with a certain yellow Bravo tucked in the corner being chucked round a corner.
I have no idea what the caption says as the magazine isn't out until Thursday. The car will certainly look different at the June event.
Trying to fit into Dave Walker's schedule at Emerald to see how many of the 115hp have escaped and get a base line before I start playing with tools. Sadly there are no openings before the start of June and that doesn't give me much time. I could try somewhere else but long term I will need a new ECU if I'm going to replace the air con' pump with a supercharger or/and split the inlet and fit bodies/bike carb's.
My mani is now folded.
Yes I cheated. It is a four branch manifold from a Fiat Coupe' that I cut the Coupe' base plate off and welded it to the Bravo base plate I got from Optima Stainless Steel the other week.
Three reasons...
1/ It was in my shed taking up space.
2/ I don't have a pipe bender. I was supposed to have bought myself one this month but bought other bits instead.
3/ It works out cheap in case PPC bring back the £999 Challenge.
£20 plate, £30-ish manifold and a bit of time.
It might fit. Haven't measured it yet.
Wow! Six bolts and a bit of faffing about...
...and I have a new car.
It feels like the front tyres are duct-taped to the floor compared to before.
I was concerned about the number of joins in the brake pipes and I bought GSXR bits instead of a pipe bender as planned this month so my exhaust...
...looks like a horror film but sounds like Friday night on Southend Prom' circa 1998
...and I have a new car.
It feels like the front tyres are duct-taped to the floor compared to before.
I was concerned about the number of joins in the brake pipes and I bought GSXR bits instead of a pipe bender as planned this month so my exhaust...
...looks like a horror film but sounds like Friday night on Southend Prom' circa 1998
Bits I'm keeping are shiny. Bits for eBay mucky.
Charging my supers in time for June is a tad optimistic so...
Should I concentrate on stage one (exhaust, suspension, wheels and brakes) and leave the supercharger for September or push it?
I need to get the exhaust done so I can see how much room I have around the air conditioning pump. Also just a small detail...
What way round does the charger need to spin?
...could be good to know.
With these in mind I may have to put the alternator where the AC pump is and the charger round the back. So much plumbing would be involved I could have the first supercharged car with a load of lag.
Charging my supers in time for June is a tad optimistic so...
Should I concentrate on stage one (exhaust, suspension, wheels and brakes) and leave the supercharger for September or push it?
I need to get the exhaust done so I can see how much room I have around the air conditioning pump. Also just a small detail...
What way round does the charger need to spin?
...could be good to know.
With these in mind I may have to put the alternator where the AC pump is and the charger round the back. So much plumbing would be involved I could have the first supercharged car with a load of lag.
The smaller pulley means it can be mounted further forward. potentially in gap between the standard down pipe and radiator. Without the AC rad' that can move forward about three quarters of an inch. Enough room in the bumper for an intercooler (or outercooler if I have to chop it open) but the Mercedes pulley would give more boost than the otherwise standard engine can handle. Bigger pulley to reduce the boost to 5-8psi instead of 15psi (@14,000rpm, or 6,000 rpm engine speed) would reduce the amount of slack in the belt so it have to be mounted closer (I did think of the AC pump pulley for this as it's the right track for the existing belt).
Mounting it at the back is more problematic than expected. The power steering pump is at the back not the alternator. That's in the middle. If I could have put the alternator up front and charger on the back it would have been a couple of longer wires and a bit more plumbing for the charger but nothing major.
Hmmmmm....
Mounting it at the back is more problematic than expected. The power steering pump is at the back not the alternator. That's in the middle. If I could have put the alternator up front and charger on the back it would have been a couple of longer wires and a bit more plumbing for the charger but nothing major.
Hmmmmm....
In other news. One of my tyes was spiked yesterday.
Absolute dead center. Statistically improbable that it was picked up somewhere other than the same little prick leaving it on my driveway.
And I hit a pothole as well...
...while braking to avoid someone pulling out of a drive without looking.
I'm supposed to have the car up on ramps so I can see if the charger will fit and how much I'll need to trim off the end to make it fit but instead...
...I've attacked the bent wheel with a hammer and stick. I'll get that balanced while the other tyre is being repaired.
Absolute dead center. Statistically improbable that it was picked up somewhere other than the same little prick leaving it on my driveway.
And I hit a pothole as well...
...while braking to avoid someone pulling out of a drive without looking.
I'm supposed to have the car up on ramps so I can see if the charger will fit and how much I'll need to trim off the end to make it fit but instead...
...I've attacked the bent wheel with a hammer and stick. I'll get that balanced while the other tyre is being repaired.
What a "funny" day.
It's my nephews thirteenth birthday so a morning of compulsory family based socialising.
This afternoon I found myself incapable of the simple task of checking and changing my spark plugs because the two allen bolts near the oil filler hole rounded off and I haven't got my drill back. Hmmmm...
I did some bike stuff (GSXR250R) to resolve my mood and this just fell into place.
I took the long belt and auxiliary pulley off my Bravo...
..and a shorter belt I had in my shed went straight on.
Be thankful this is a blog not a vlog as I did a happy dance up and down,my drive for at least a minute after that.
I also removed the AC pump and radiator. Compared to the charger...
...my concerns about space was well founded but...
...I have a very solid bracket to modify...
...holes either side of the coolant radiator more than big enough for induction pipes...
...and a gopping great space for a front mounted intercooler.
These Bravo's a made to be messed with.
It's my nephews thirteenth birthday so a morning of compulsory family based socialising.
This afternoon I found myself incapable of the simple task of checking and changing my spark plugs because the two allen bolts near the oil filler hole rounded off and I haven't got my drill back. Hmmmm...
I did some bike stuff (GSXR250R) to resolve my mood and this just fell into place.
I took the long belt and auxiliary pulley off my Bravo...
..and a shorter belt I had in my shed went straight on.
Be thankful this is a blog not a vlog as I did a happy dance up and down,my drive for at least a minute after that.
I also removed the AC pump and radiator. Compared to the charger...
...my concerns about space was well founded but...
...I have a very solid bracket to modify...
...holes either side of the coolant radiator more than big enough for induction pipes...
...and a gopping great space for a front mounted intercooler.
These Bravo's a made to be messed with.
I've just done forty or so miles with the new set up and have noticed a few things.
1/ My Bravo now idles at 1,050 rpm.
2/ The steering is lighter.
3/ There is almost no flat spot in the rev' range like before and the old girl feel nippier.
I need to work out some way of measuring the resistance of the supercharger compared to the AC pump to adjust the idle when I work out how to fit it.
But; I'm pretty pleased so far and once I address the rolling mass issue (heavy wheels) I imagine the flat spot between 2,500 and 3,500 rpm will be solved completely.
1/ My Bravo now idles at 1,050 rpm.
2/ The steering is lighter.
3/ There is almost no flat spot in the rev' range like before and the old girl feel nippier.
I need to work out some way of measuring the resistance of the supercharger compared to the AC pump to adjust the idle when I work out how to fit it.
But; I'm pretty pleased so far and once I address the rolling mass issue (heavy wheels) I imagine the flat spot between 2,500 and 3,500 rpm will be solved completely.
The next charity track day is less than a month away and I learned some valuable lessons from my session in March.
https://www.facebook.com/Franks-Charity-Track-Day-...
1/ The rotating mass of my Bravo was terrible with the Bangle Grinder Coupe wheels. Slow acceleration, trough out of the slower bends and brake cooking.
2/ My passenger side front wheel would lift coming out of the long left hander on to the back straight.
3/ The engine has a nasty (factory) flat spot half way up the rev' range. Most modern cars do as it's to ensure the injectors are on the lowest fuel delivery possible at test speeds.
4/ The whole car leans over a fair bit with the road springs.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/frankhall/3350326800...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/frankhall/3324638959...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8hstMKlH-8
1/ Addressed and will be revealed soon.
2/ New rear anti-roll bar appears to have done the trick.
3/ Removing the AC pump and the cat' back exhaust have given the car a new lease of life but I have further plans to iron out the flat spot (with boost).
4/ Reducing the ride height would in theory reduce the centre of gravity, amount of suspension travel and therefore lean.
But...
How low shall I go?
With my limited budget my three options are...
1/ 30mm basically best for the road and will make a difference on track.
2/ 60mm best for the track but will be a pain in a faff on the road.
3/ 40-45mm middle ground.
My best lap time was 1.30:04 and I would like to crack 1.25 this time. I'll be taking the back seat and stuff out for the day and take a tent for my spare wheel, jack and stuff.
I would use my lowering guide for this...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8Y7te7boDk
...but am not as concerned with aesthetics this time.
Unless someone has a set of Coilovers going spare I can't afford much else.
https://www.facebook.com/Franks-Charity-Track-Day-...
1/ The rotating mass of my Bravo was terrible with the Bangle Grinder Coupe wheels. Slow acceleration, trough out of the slower bends and brake cooking.
2/ My passenger side front wheel would lift coming out of the long left hander on to the back straight.
3/ The engine has a nasty (factory) flat spot half way up the rev' range. Most modern cars do as it's to ensure the injectors are on the lowest fuel delivery possible at test speeds.
4/ The whole car leans over a fair bit with the road springs.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/frankhall/3350326800...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/frankhall/3324638959...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8hstMKlH-8
1/ Addressed and will be revealed soon.
2/ New rear anti-roll bar appears to have done the trick.
3/ Removing the AC pump and the cat' back exhaust have given the car a new lease of life but I have further plans to iron out the flat spot (with boost).
4/ Reducing the ride height would in theory reduce the centre of gravity, amount of suspension travel and therefore lean.
But...
How low shall I go?
With my limited budget my three options are...
1/ 30mm basically best for the road and will make a difference on track.
2/ 60mm best for the track but will be a pain in a faff on the road.
3/ 40-45mm middle ground.
My best lap time was 1.30:04 and I would like to crack 1.25 this time. I'll be taking the back seat and stuff out for the day and take a tent for my spare wheel, jack and stuff.
I would use my lowering guide for this...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8Y7te7boDk
...but am not as concerned with aesthetics this time.
Unless someone has a set of Coilovers going spare I can't afford much else.
Joy and pain (in the faff I'll bet).
The mounting holes for the supercharger are the same distance apart as the AC pump. However; the pulley on a the pump is 10mm further out so if I use the original mounting bracket the belt won't line up.
Four options.
1/ Take the pulley off the charger and put a 10mm spacer on the shaft.
2/ Take the bracket off and drill new holes 10mm further in.
3/ Get hold of a Mercedes bracket and modify it to fit the Fiat engine or bracket.
4/ Make a mounting bracket from scratch.
Joy...
...pain.
The mounting holes for the supercharger are the same distance apart as the AC pump. However; the pulley on a the pump is 10mm further out so if I use the original mounting bracket the belt won't line up.
Four options.
1/ Take the pulley off the charger and put a 10mm spacer on the shaft.
2/ Take the bracket off and drill new holes 10mm further in.
3/ Get hold of a Mercedes bracket and modify it to fit the Fiat engine or bracket.
4/ Make a mounting bracket from scratch.
Joy...
...pain.
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