Lemon's X47 track ST

[lemonjs]

I've begun the next stage in the weight loss. I decided that I'm going to remove the AC and fit a small race heater for de-misting to supplement the heated front screen (which I'm shocked you don't get on the US cars).

I've ordered this AC delete pulley from SiCo Developments, and will soon pick up this heater. I'll run some ducting to the two outer vents and point them to the front windows.

I removed the stock fan assembly today in preparation for all the other stuff. In order to remove this properly, it looks like you'd need to move the cross beam out, so I ended up settling for the destructive method. I then cut out all of the framing that was no longer needed.

Once the AC delete pulley arrives I will remove the radiator, and weld in some plates to block up the holes. At some point this year I will pull the loom and de-pin everything that's no longer needed.

 

[lemonjs]

The AC is fully removed now, and I added a small carbon fibre panel to put switches in. It's not pretty, but good enough for a track car. I still haven't decided what race heater to go for. I've narrowed it down to either a 3.5kw (here) or 5kw (here) unit. Its only job will be to make it bearable in the winter, and to de-mist the door windows.

 

[lemonjs]

Spent some more time removing excess wiring and tidying up the mess I've made over the last few years. My goal is 999kg, which I think will be doable once the rear windows have been replaced with plastic, and potentially a lightweight race battery.

I removed quite a lot this time, fortunately everything that's still in the car works:



Here's what it looked like before:



And after:



And the final weight is 1040kg:

 

[lemonjs]

Plastic windows are in at the rear now too. I really did try and remove the old windows gently, but in the end had to resort to destruction.







Glued in:





And done:



I started with the side windows and make an absolute mess. I'll need to try and find a way of removing the excess adhesive. The rear turned out pretty good once I'd got some practice. I weighed the remains and it came to around 20kg, so I should be around 1020kg total now.

Also, ordered some new driveshafts fgrom Ford which I'll install this week:

 

[lemonjs]

Had a great day out at Castle Combe yesterday. Heard some weird noises after the third session, only to release one of the front tyres was shot. I'm also pretty sure I could hear one of the CV joints clicking, which is crazy given the driveshafts were brand new.

Has anyone heard of brand new driveshafts failing so fast?

 

[lemonjs]

Picked up some Nankang AR1s to replace the front Avon ZZRs, they're pretty square so I hope they have enough clearance. Since swapping back to the road wheels I can no longer hear any weird noises from the front, so I'm praying that it was just the ruined tyres making all the noise.

Next week I'll be going to Snetterton, and will returning to Goodwood in June. I also just booked a trip to the Nurburgring in August and have spoken with Misha about driving the car - crazy excited for that!

I treated the car to a clay bar and polish, the first time I've done this in six years. Forgot it was even orange!

 

[M-Sport fan]

The AR1s are basically THE widest tread width 215/40-17s on the market, at least among the >50 tread wear, any tread at all, DOT donuts.

 

[lemonjs]

The AR1s are basically THE widest tread width 215/40-17s on the market, at least among the >50 tread wear, any tread at all, DOT donuts.

I was hoping to try and fit 235 in the front, but I’m not hopeful!

 

[hawyee]

I also just booked a trip to the Nurburgring in August and have spoken with Misha about driving the car - crazy excited for that!

What dates in August? We should try to get a bean meetup going

 

[lemonjs]

What dates in August? We should try to get a bean meetup going

Travelling on the 22nd, so will be at the Ring all day 23rd and 24th. If you’re there on those days let’s definitely get the beans together!

 

[hawyee]

Travelling on the 22nd, so will be at the Ring all day 23rd and 24th. If you’re there on those days let’s definitely get the beans together!

Not sure the work schedule yet but I'll put it in the calendar!

 

[lemonjs]

Had a fantastic day at Snetterton yesterday. This is a pretty long, technical track with two huge straights.

The car performed incredibly, I can really feel weight loss. Also, going out on brand new Nankang AR1s was a treat!