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.
Taxi has had a long and eventful life. Ever changing to suit the needs of the fleet. Always with the purpose of giving rides, hence the name of "Taxi".
Originally devised as ride along/coaching car for Supermiata. The intent was to replicate the P:W ratio and performance envelope of a SPM S2 car, but with a passenger.
At the time, the Quaife was out of it and it was again set up as a ride along/coaching car for Supermiata. The intent was to replicate the P:W ratio of a SPM S2 car, but with a passenger. It had a VVT 2.0l, Megasquirt, Stoptech brakes, etc. We decided to configure it for Street class within RoadsterCup's rules, which is a fairly limited prep class, only allowing a handful of modification "points".
Off would come the brakes, ECU, VVT head, GV lip, AK spoiler, etc. These things all make the car marginally faster, but bump Taxi up a class or two.
On would go a simpler BP4W cylinder head, a adjustable fuel pressure regulator, adjustable timing wheel, and a crystal modded OEM ECU. All of which are "points free" in the RC rules.
We were able to spend those saved points on the best point per horsepower mod available: big cams.
With a lull in the schedule (other than SEMA and the 2017 Maxxis Supermiata Cup Finale happening on the same week leading into SLB) we decided to enter Super Lap Battle. SLB is Global Time Attack's signature year-end event at Buttonwillow CW13.
Global Time Attack rules: 2017 Rules
We decided to enter Taxi in Street class again. Much like RoadsterCup, GTA's "street" rules are pretty lax.
180+ treadwear tires, glovebox, carpet, and all OEM glass, are the only major limitations that prevent us from entering a racecar.
Carbon panels, 5" splitters, canards, power adders, etc are all fair game.
We are bringing a dull #2 pencil to a gun fight.
Prep will be "minimal", mostly stuff laying around or borrowed, including:
-Supermiata S1 front end: 4" splitter + vertical airdam, borrowed from Bullet.
-Singular Motorsports Aero Wing: APR GT250 wing specifically developed around the GTA Street class aero limits, borrowed as well.
-Swap out the crystal modded 5A ecu for a megasquirt.
-Skunk2 intake manifold, creating an opportunity to test on a much more capable engine package.
-Fujitsubo exhaust: major weight reduction from Racing Beat.
-245/40/15 BFG Rival S v1.5: leftovers from SCCA STR Autocross testing. Plan B tires include 225/45 SUR4G and the old 205 RE71R from RoadsterCup.
-Back on will go a traditional Supermiata Big Grip Kit: Xida Races, Racing Beat front bar, SPM rear bar, ELBJs etc.
Hopefully we can get it to the dyno before the event.
Super Lap Battle is next Thursday and Friday, November 9-10th.
Taxi was having some oiling issues, overflowing catch cans. We tried several routing configurations, recirculated through pcv, not through pcv, vented to atmosphere through pcv, not through pcv. Eventually we added a catch can to our catch can and just ran it one lap at a time. It would fill the primary can in about half a lap. The second can would then theoretically give us a whole lap.
Shame the motor died. Taxi had a 1:55 in it, enough for a podium in Street RWD for sure. I did a 1:55.5 in Deviate with 15whp less, pre "S" Rivals and no aero..
Correct, we would not have had a ventilation issue if we had proper cylinder sealing internally.
We've been using these Moroso Air Oil Separators since way back on Crusher, now live in inventory:
They work very well. We catch about 4oz of e85 vapor per day on track with the can set up VTA. For a dual duty or street car, we'd plumb it inline after the PCV and back to the intake to burn the vapor.