When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Thanks. Into the XMSN tunnel was what I was thinking to do as well, hence the question.
When I took out rear seat bumps, we welded in 1/8" plates to replace them. I agree that it makes sense to either sandwich or weld plates to distribute the loads.
I imagine Hyperfest of all events this year should have a decent TT class. Mid-Atlantic car count has been meh lately. But I'm finally to the point of being tired of being held up in HPDE, so even if I'm the only one out there (in 6) I'm hoping for cleaner track time haha.
NASA NE does something I see the Mid-A doesn't, The NE region has a live posting of those signed up for the event. It seems the Mid-A posts the lists a week before, but it would be nice to be able to see how many people are in each group. I'm assuming DE2 is going to be swamped, I'll probably just line up at the rear.
Yes, I do wish they showed a live updated entry list. Could mean the difference between someone wanting to do TT vs ST or 5 vs 6 depending on car count.
Finally got a couple things done and squared away for VIR in a couple days.
Oil cooler installed and proper ducting to that and the radiator finally complete. Time to be out in the garage has been scarce lately with a lot of extra stuff I'm involved with at work, so this took way too long to get done. I tried mounting the oil cooler up as high as I could to keep it away from rocks (as seen by how beat up my radiator already is after only two events with it). The top is ducted as well, so it should direct air where it needs to go.
I was also able to pick up a set of used scales and weigh the car with the cage. It's pretty much right where it needs to be I think. This was with me in the car, 72% fuel according to my Autometer gauge, and the passenger seat installed. I think moving forward I am going to remove the passenger seat for good and put the CoolShirt cooler and eventual fire suppression on the passenger floorboard like most people do as opposed to keeping the seat and adding both those things to the trunk. That will hopefully keep everything relatively even and then I can fine tune the ride height a bit. With a little less fuel I should be in a good spot for TT6 weight wise. Dyno will be scheduled for September most likely, and I'm prepared to be heartbroken with just how pitiful it'll show my 142k+ mile stock motor is haha. Eventually I think 125 whp at 2300 lbs is about where I'll be for TT6 competition. Still on the fence about final goals for the car regarding classing and powerplant moving forward, so I'm holding off dumping too much money into this powertrain until I figure all that out. But for now it should make for some good fun in TT instead of dealing with all the people who don't belong in HPDE-3.
And finally, I bit the bullet and ordered a new truck as my current workhorse is slowly on its way out. A more capable truck with newer technology should be exactly what I need for a more comfortable tow which will in turn lead to exploring some tracks outside the region. If the car can stay reliable at TT6 level (note I said reliable, not competitive haha) then I may just go on an East Coast track tour with the car as is over the next couple years.
But for now it should make for some good fun in TT instead of dealing with all the people who don't belong in HPDE-3.
If the car can stay reliable at TT6 level (note I said reliable, not competitive haha) then I may just go on an East Coast track tour with the car as is over the next couple years.
I hear so many bad things about DE3, but its hopefully my next step. Probably not this year because hyperfest may be my only even.
Make sure you make Watkins Glen and my personal favorite, Lime Rock, a priority on your tour.
I hear so many bad things about DE3, but its hopefully my next step. Probably not this year because hyperfest may be my only even.
It's a necessary thing to get up the ladder to the real classes, but man is it a cluster. In the Mid-Atlantic HPDE-3 is the "advanced" group as they reserve 4 for instructors only. You can go straight to TT or Comp School out of 3. For being so "advanced" there sure are a bunch of people that don't listen (can't even stay on the blend line on the out lap, which is DE-1 level ****) and drive like they are out on a Sunday cruise. And yes, I know that everyone is out there for different reasons and that a $100k Porsche is not the same as my **** box Miata, but the amount of petty bitching that goes in during class instead of focusing on driver development is ridiculous. Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox about it as I'm not some super great driver by any means myself, but at least I have the awareness to know when someone is right behind me up my *** for an entire lap haha. The lack of wanting to point by a Miata because "my car is faster on the straight" is real. For real though, not my concern anymore as I got my check ride to move into TT, so no more classroom and hopefully more clean laps. Instead of the 40-50 cars in each HPDE class at VIR, TT has about 15-20 on average.
Originally Posted by Z33Taxi
Make sure you make Watkins Glen and my personal favorite, Lime Rock, a priority on your tour.
Oh yes, those are both very much on the list. I was waiting on two real things to happen before we started venturing out of region. 1) get into TT, and 2) get a new truck as my current one is beginning to show its age and I don't want to take it more than a few hours away. Both have now been achieved, so next year I'll be planning ventures both North and South. My wife has family in CT, so Lime Rock will probably be first.
Originally Posted by Efini~FC3S
Big daddy V8 or Diesel?
Big daddy V8! That was my selling point to going with Ford. I'm a gas truck guy, I personally have no need for a diesel.
If I were going to drop coin on a new 3/4 ton, I’d have picked the Ford with the big gas V8 as well. How long do you have to wait?
I ordered in mid-July, still unknown ETA so far. Super Duty production was either limited or completely shut down due to commodity restraints on and off this past month, so they just began scheduling again. The first round of scheduling appeared to be the higher trim level packages. I'm hoping mine (XLT trim) will get selected for scheduling this upcoming round. Optimistically, I'm hoping to have it by Black Friday and be pleasantly surprised if it comes sooner. Realistically if I get it before the end of the year I'll still be happy enough given the crazy supply issues.
I kept it pretty simple: F-250, crew cab, long bed, 7.3 gas engine, 4.30 gears, XLT Premium package (heated cloth seats, running boards, keypad entry, etc), gooseneck/fifth wheel prep, tailgate step, remote start, wheel well liners and mud flaps, skid plates, and slightly larger A/T tires. No fancy trailering stuff or 360 degree cameras or any of that jazz. Even as a "base model" it is still going to be FAR more luxurious than my current 2004 Chevrolet 2500HD and should make towing so much more comfortable. I'm very excited, I've always had older trucks that are past their prime.
Also from this past weekend: first time in the 21s at VIR and I was able to do it consistently. My goal is still 2:20.xx on the R888Rs, but now with getting my check ride done into TT I'm going to give RRs a try. I know Hoosiers are king, but with Toyo's HPDE contingency program this set will be almost free. It'll be a while before I can even think about affording Hoosiers, so RRs it is for now.
Current TT6 pace is equivalent to NASA (Toyo RR) Spec Miata, so 2:17-2:19. I know the car has a 2:20 in it as is as I was showing predictive times in that range but just couldn't nail it down. Also, it was very hot this weekend and my R888Rs have over 40 heat cycles on them now with me still getting faster on them. So I think I can at least get close to not getting stomped every time out haha. I really just want the open track without the hassle of HPDE.
My buddy also passed his check ride to TT with his LS3 swapped E92 BMW on 295 Michelin slicks. He wants me to build for TT3...would be 239 avgHP at 2300 lbs. K24A2 swap maybe?
Current TT6 pace is equivalent to NASA (Toyo RR) Spec Miata, so 2:17-2:19. I know the car has a 2:20 in it as is as I was showing predictive times in that range but just couldn't nail it down. Also, it was very hot this weekend and my R888Rs have over 40 heat cycles on them now with me still getting faster on them. So I think I can at least get close to not getting stomped every time out haha. I really just want the open track without the hassle of HPDE.
My buddy also passed his check ride to TT with his LS3 swapped E92 BMW on 295 Michelin slicks. He wants me to build for TT3...would be 239 avgHP at 2300 lbs. K24A2 swap maybe?
I know I won't be anywhere near the 2:20 in October me being on street tires, it being hyperfest and most importantly me being slow, but its nice to have the TT6/SM baseline
My priority isn't a kswap, but with that being said I will be start amassing parts for the swap. Is TT/ST6 a decent field in the MA region? Its almost non existent in the NE,maybe 1-3 cars
I know I won't be anywhere near the 2:20 in October me being on street tires, it being hyperfest and most importantly me being slow, but its nice to have the TT6/SM baseline
My priority isn't a kswap, but with that being said I will be start amassing parts for the swap. Is TT/ST6 a decent field in the MA region? Its almost non existent in the NE,maybe 1-3 cars
TT6 in virtually non-existent in Mid-Atlantic currently. Southeast, however, has a very large TT6 group.
The fastest of my trio of laps into the 21s. Happy to finally be able to lay down some new found speed along with consistency to keep it going for three laps.