New SR4 owner in the US

[rad260]

Hi folks. Just picked up an '04 SR4 for track day use. I live in the mid-Atlantic US -- VIR, Summit Point and NJMP are my main tracks.

I have several questions about getting the car sorted out, but first, I wanted to see if there are other forums or sites with maintenance/setup info on the SR4 that I should become familiar with.

Thanks!

[Atom Ant]

Hi, the Mechanics Guide is a good place to start it covers bits of the SR1 which for all intensive purposes are the same as the SR4, it also covers the SR3 and SR8 stuff so just ignore these bits. Get onto their web site and find technical downloads.
Just noticed the SR1 Cup Owners Manual as well, loads of data in there...
https://www.radicalsportscars.com/technical-downlo...
It's a good starting point. Enjoy, Ray.

Edited by Atom Ant on Wednesday 8th August 10:51

[Gc285]

If you give me your email, I will send pdf of the original sr4 manual. Sr1 manual is available at the bottom of the radical website page under downloads. Only difference would be what tyres you are using will effect the data on their setup sheet although they do give both low profile hankook and higher Dunlop setup. Darcy or Josh Smith know a fair bit about setup on the sr4.Josh lurks here occasionally.

[Josh Smith]

Is lurking a good or bad thing Andy?

PM me if you have anything you want to know

Cheers

Josh

[rad260]

Thanks folks. Brought it in to a local shop for an inspection to see what I need to do to get it track worthy.

What I found:

• Belts very old and all need replacing. Probably will switch to 2" shoulder belts for my HANS.
• Many of the suspension bushings were deteriorating and need to be replaced.
• Gas is really old and needs to be dumped. Oil should be changed too.
• Battery was zip-tied in.
• Couple of trim pieces were loose.
• Fire bottle was almost empty.
• Rollbar padding on the driver side was deteriorated (and the wrong stuff to begin with, LOL)

The shop called me back yesterday and they added a few other things

• Some of the wiring was hacked/modified and they want to redo the wiring without splicing connectors
• RR brake line was melted so it needs replaced and all fluid, of course
• Left pod coolant line is totally loose so they will remove the left pod and see what's going on
• Front brake ducts might be missing. We're not sure what should be there but the cooling hose is just hanging at both corners.
• At least one of the wheel bearings has play
• A few of the spherical joints have play -- hope it's just the bolt that needs replacing
• Rear muffler is pointing down to the diffuser -- the muffler support needs to be raised

My goal is to have them pop it on the dyno to make sure the engine is in decent shape, get the basics addressed, then set a baseline alignment and do a couple of shakedown sessions.

I've never had trackside support before (even when I raced a Spec Racer Ford in US SCCA) but I think I might have one of the mechanics come with me for the first day.

More to follow...

[Gc285]

I said lurking not stalking;)

re the engine- download the data from ecu if it is a life f88 and give it to someone that is clever with that sort of thing and they will be able to tell much of the condition and if been abused. such as over revs, low oil pressure under load, overheating etc etc