My Track Day Build @ MotoIQ.com

[McRib 1s Back]

MotoIQ.com
Project Fiesta ST


About the only thing not detailed at MotoIQ.com is the plans for more power. All of the big stuff is done now. I really want to drive the car a bit before doing anything else! It has literally been out for over a year. On the power front, I only want a little bit more -- slippery slope, I know! The Mountune "rally map" seems really good. 100 octane, disables the acoustic ping sensor, and tuned for FMIC, full exhaust (turbo-back, no cat), and intake.

My car spent a ton of time in the shop, but is back and runs well, too. The biggest thing was figuring out that the fuel pump is serially in-line with some emissions equipment. I have it directly wired now, and it's fine. I was also concerned that the change from this type of return system (from dead-head) would be a problem.

The FRPP ABS module simply isn't working for me. I don't think I'm going to spend any more time with it, and I have it if someone else wants to give it a go!

The center-mounted restraint module contains the y-axis sensor along with the airbags (OEMs put it there since it's the safest part of the car and centrally located for accurate y-axis readings). Simply disconnecting the two connectors did the trick. ABS works, and TVC is permanently off. Over at FiestaST.net I mentioned that pulling the ABS fuse isn't the best idea. In the wiring diagram, I can see that one high-speed communications bus would be disabled, too (with stuff like wheel speed information).

 

[FocusMike]

Awesome build, subscribed for more updates.

 

[McRib 1s Back]

Awesome build, subscribed for more updates.

Thank you. I don't regret the time or money spent on this, but it's always a LOT more of each than you think. I suppose any project worth doing is like that.

 

[AlrightyThen]

Very awesome build!

 

[McRib 1s Back]

My car is back in the shop for a little work and a photo shoot. MotoIQ will be posting the next installment soon!

This time around, I'm finally installing the lightweight flywheel and six-puck clutch from Spec. It took me a long time to get the seals and bearings necessary to install the Quaife diff, but it's finally going in too! It makes sense to do these tasks as the same time, of course.

A different Mountune intake airbox is going in, too.

I'm excited about my suspension upgrade! While my existing ST coilovers are very good, the new KW ClubSport coilovers will surely be better for dedicated track use!

 

[MKVIIST]

Looking forward to pictures from the photoshoot.

 

[RAAMaudio]

Very much looking forward to how things work all around on this great project of yours

One thought I have on disabling the TVC is with the Quaffe if you lift a tire the unit will unlock and I like to use all the curbing possible so I get some air time. That is why I did not look into taking the TVC offline but also I burned up most of an expensive set of pads in two track days using it.....

I guess I will wait and see how it works out for you or....I could wire in a switch that disables it or enables it, as needed for testing.

I am still on the stock clutch and flywheel but have a Spec flywheel and whatever disk they sold back then, stock unit holding up amazingly well but I might just install this setup or look into the 6 puck if OK on the street since I will have the car apart soon for the 3rd turbo change.....

Did you post the weight of the car yet? I am very curious about it, my last weight was 2575 but many changes since then.

 

[GoMax]

I'm excited about my suspension upgrade! While my existing ST coilovers are very good, the new KW ClubSport coilovers will surely be better for dedicated track use!

Tell me more about the KW Clubsport coilovers!
I was not aware they were available..... what is the part number????

-- Max

 

[KKaWing]

Tell me more about the KW Clubsport coilovers!
I was not aware they were available..... what is the part number????

-- Max

I believe they're custom orders... or at least special orders where only when someone places an order will they make a set.

http://blog.kwsuspensions.co.uk/?p=5764

Man... LSDs... both the drug and the diff easily kills of bank accounts. My mechanic qouted $800 to install one, and even the cheapest version is $699.95 by mfactory. Mix that with the currency conversion it's $975 CAD + tax, shipping, & import fees.... so ~$1700? X_X

 

[McRib 1s Back]

Very much looking forward to how things work all around on this great project of yours

One thought I have on disabling the TVC is with the Quaffe if you lift a tire the unit will unlock and I like to use all the curbing possible so I get some air time. That is why I did not look into taking the TVC offline but also I burned up most of an expensive set of pads in two track days using it.....


I guess I will wait and see how it works out for you or....I could wire in a switch that disables it or enables it, as needed for testing.

I am still on the stock clutch and flywheel but have a Spec flywheel and whatever disk they sold back then, stock unit holding up amazingly well but I might just install this setup or look into the 6 puck if OK on the street since I will have the car apart soon for the 3rd turbo change.....

Did you post the weight of the car yet? I am very curious about it, my last weight was 2575 but many changes since then.

Hey there! It's good to see you and your car project, too!

The stock clutch seems really good, and I had no signs of slipping. I am looking forward to the lighter flywheel.

I'm making changes to minimize wheel lift, but that's a good point. I also do not think you want to cycle the TVC with the method I've described. It's not intended to be switched, and I can see bad things happening with that arrangement. Consider that the module is shared with SRS.

The car is going to be weighed again. I want to say it was 2337 before the cage (and further reduction!), but that's from memory.

I want to hear more about your new turbo, and will wander over to your thread now!

 

[McRib 1s Back]

I believe they're custom orders... or at least special orders where only when someone places an order will they make a set.

http://blog.kwsuspensions.co.uk/?p=5764

Man... LSDs... both the drug and the diff easily kills of bank accounts. My mechanic qouted $800 to install one, and even the cheapest version is $699.95 by mfactory. Mix that with the currency conversion it's $975 CAD + tax, shipping, & import fees.... so ~$1700? X_X

Right!

These are the inspiration, but the production ClubSport units are a little different. Like the earlier KW setup I had, these may not be an official product quite yet. I'll share more as I learn it.

 

[RAAMaudio]

Thanks, my car is one of the most fun ones I have built if not the most fun and overall practical as well as fast and easy to drive

I will be watching for reports on TVC off/Quaffe results, very much so as would love to run without it but I might have to make some changes to the suspension and/or limit hitting the curbs as much but I love going over them and getting a bit of air.

Thanks for the heads up about switching TVC on and off, will not do that directly but how about a bit of a fail safe setup where I have to disconnect the battery before switching it off and before turning it back on?


I suppose I might be safer to keep the air bags working on the track since I have no roll bar...I am planning to get a set of Schroth Pro Quick fit harnesses and I will be wearing my race suit and underwear, shoes, very good low weight helmet and deciding on which neck support to get.


At some point I might look into higher end coilovers but the "race" spec BC's are doing a great job so far though with my 15x9, +35 wheels the spring rate might need to go up another notch so I would have to call them and look into what rate will still work on the valving they have and get swift springs. OR, see what the ClubSports will be priced at.

I do not update my build thread much, I keep telling myself to go back and do it right but end up mostly adding a bit of info here and there and updating the first post to the most current mod list.

Have a great day and weekend
Rick

PS, I really wanted to build a roll bar for the car but just could not come up with one that would do the job and be safe to leave in the car all the time since the doggies are back there and it would be hard to get them in and out of the car as well. I went back over various orgs rules again and started looking into a fairly easy to remove bar I could stick in just for the track but our house sold sooner than expected and now my tools are in storage and we are on the road in the RVing life we bought the car for.

 

[McRib 1s Back]

Thanks, my car is one of the most fun ones I have built if not the most fun and overall practical as well as fast and easy to drive

<snip>

Thanks for the heads up about switching TVC on and off, will not do that directly but how about a bit of a fail safe setup where I have to disconnect the battery before switching it off and before turning it back on?


<snip>

PS, I really wanted to build a roll bar for the car but just could not come up with one that would do the job and be safe to leave in the car all the time since the doggies are back there and it would be hard to get them in and out of the car as well. I went back over various orgs rules again and started looking into a fairly easy to remove bar I could stick in just for the track but our house sold sooner than expected and now my tools are in storage and we are on the road in the RVing life we bought the car for.

You're thinking the right way about disconnecting the battery before toggling SRS. I bet it would be okay even without ignition power, but it's best to be safe. I'm really glad this topic came up!

I know the BC setup is very economical and frankly, very good. As you know, getting the last little bit out of a car costs a lot more money. Something about diminishing returns comes to mind.

Yeah, I don't trust bolt-in cages. I say do it right, or not at all. I've seen a few failed cage designs, and it's all about safety for me. I spent more time and money on mine than I planned and do not regret it at all.

You seem to be living the dream! Let me know when you come out this way.

 

[RAAMaudio]

I have done quite a few car audio installs thus have known for many years about the battery disconnect and letting it sit a bit to discharge the capacitor(s).

I will do more research on the topic but I just might be safer on track with the gear I will be using and the airbags off, your input on this has me really thinking about it all, much appreciated!!!

The owner of BC told me they make nearly all the Asian coilovers for all the brands but saved the best for their BC units and he helped me directly with a custom setup for my very fast, much faster than most would imagine, Forester XT.

The last set if coilovers I had custom built, 3-way Ohlins for a very nuts E36 M6 race car build, $8,500 and then the cost of tubular suspension arms, high end monoballs everywhere, custom sway bars!!!! That project was done to be the fastest E36 on a race track ever but I decided to retire and just could not really afford it and also figured out it would just be more than I wanted to drive, 2300lbs, massive aero work, 600WHP NA but built for boost if wanted up to 1,100 WHP....

That was when I still had a job that pays three times more than I now make retired from my own business and I was still broke most of the time as had multiple race and street projects under construction and some never even drove. It seems I ended up liking building more than driving and my FiST is a bit that way, 7k miles in close to 2 years, most of that in the last 6 months, only been on track 2 days one weekend well over a year ago but soon will get some fun laps in, finally!ool

It would be nice to have the butt load of money I spent on cars the last ten years especially but I had great fun and a very beautiful and wonderful young lady, just turned 52 today, that always supported what I did, loves CF and CNC parts, does not want me to paint the CF hood I am putting on the car soon....not many like her to say the least!

Back in 2005 or early 2006 I arranged for a car to go to a well known cage shop to get a prototype bolt in roll bar made and I got the first production
unit and when starting to install it I found so many serious safety issue, like the legs bolted to the sheet metal only, no gussets, supports to wheel wells and one side would cut the fuel tank hose easily if move very far in a crash......I sold it to a guy building a roll bar with explicit in writing and signed it was not to be driven on the street or track.

There is a way to build a proper bolt in roll bar but it takes a lot more effort and also requires welded in gussets. I was going to do that to our very highly modded and fast C6 convertible but it would of required hacking up the car so much it was not worth it so parted the car to stock as much as I could and sold it. I got $30k more for the car and parts for going 70 hours of work than selling as it was build, not bad money and no taxes

Things are going very well for us, again would be nice to have a bigger cushion saved up but so far so good. 3+ years since I worked and I worked ALOT, to get where I am but the last 13 years in my own business I loved so it was far more fun than a job....before that, 20 years in the USN which mostly sucked, working for GE, railroad, big and small companies, not so great.

I like to point out some of this as hopefully help others to see the options they have in life if willing to go do something for themselves.

I was abandoned as a young child, got into trouble, may of tried a few drugs, high school drop out but went back and got a 1.8 GPA diploma, married badly twice, lost everything twice, finally had enough and did my own thing and life has been incredible since, not perfect as there is no such thing but pretty damn fine

In our RV life we are meeting many really sweet "old people" having a great time but not many thinking people but at least a few and also met most likely one of the most intelligent and entertaining laddies we will ever met. She used to race in the big African rallies, collect old motorcycles, used to be very wealthy, now lives without money in a house she built way up a river and far from anybody in Morocco, we are going to go visit her as soon as we can.

OK, rambling a bit, had a few good brews....looking forward to heading back to to your area in a month or so. I need to get the turbo swap and tuning as well as a few other mods done and finish some remodeling projects on my daughters house here as well as see what tracks I can get on for our trip back towards NoCal and then to Carson City in the later spring.

It would be great to meet up and I would probably let you drive my car which nobody has done beside my wife and the manager of the Ford Race Shop at MMP.

 

[McRib 1s Back]

[MENTION=636]RAAMaudio[/MENTION] -- I've been swamped with work, and the car is still in the shop. We definitely need to get together when you're in the area!

 

[McRib 1s Back]

I'm late to the party, but for those who have not already read the latest installment over at MotoIQ, here it is:

Project Fiesta ST: Clutch, flywheel, and diff!

http://www.motoiq.com/MagazineArtic...with-mountune-USA-and-Competition-Clutch.aspx

 

[RAAMaudio]

While on the lift have you considered the steering rack bushings made in delrin or solid aluminum?

I have a set here to put on then I will have covered everything I can on the suspension and tuning.

(I might later do something radical like build a tubular subframe, longer control arms with raised inner pickup point, shortened mounts on the knuckles or lower ratio streering rack.....MCS 2way coilovers...... but I hope I can stop this addiction before that happens

I wanted to head north from AZ into Colorado on the way back to Carson City, take a few weeks, month or two..but likely going back through CA so I can get in a track event, or two, or three, I will post it up as things unfold, it would be great to hook up with you at the track!

 

[McRib 1s Back]

While on the lift have you considered the steering rack bushings made in delrin or solid aluminum?

I have a set here to put on then I will have covered everything I can on the suspension and tuning.

(I might later do something radical like build a tubular subframe, longer control arms with raised inner pickup point, shortened mounts on the knuckles or lower ratio streering rack.....MCS 2way coilovers...... but I hope I can stop this addiction before that happens

I wanted to head north from AZ into Colorado on the way back to Carson City, take a few weeks, month or two..but likely going back through CA so I can get in a track event, or two, or three, I will post it up as things unfold, it would be great to hook up with you at the track!

That sounds great, let me know!

So, I want to replace EVERYTHING with Delrin! Seriously, I'm already working on some, but not sure when this will happen. I especially want to do this for any squishy bits for the suspension.

 

[RAAMaudio]

I have done full monoball setups, not something for the street as they tend to get noisy fairly quickly, even teflon lined ones, full delrin would be close to the same but possibly even better on track

I ordered all the race spec urethane parts but received mostly the street version and had installed most of them before I realized it and decided to keep them. It is still far better than stock due to the freedom of movement as stock bushings tighten up the more they move. The full unbinding movement was likely a great help in pounding over the curbs which I love to do as the car stayed so composed.

I just shipped off the Spec flywheel and clutch today, decided not to install them due to time constraints, working space, easier for my wife to drive the car.....and the stock setup works quite well, I can work around the slower spin up on the engine but have had many light flywheels and one that was just a starter ring and 5.25" multidisc clutch on a very pure race car.

I just got in the Swift springs, 8 and 7kG, stepping up from the 6/5 "race" springs which are a bit to soft for my needs though ride so good on the street compared to the stock springs. I still need this car to fill many uses at is the only car we have, a dually truck that is usually hooked up to the toyhauler, looking at selling those and getting a motorhome and trailer for the FiST which I need for some street use.....

Not sure when I will have a shop again, really liking the RV lifestyle, house prices are pretty high where we want to settle down later....I have to limit what I can do to the car for now.

Let me know about that delrin stuff as you can though, please

Rick

 

[Mr.Franchise009]

Love the build it looks awesome. I am hoping to do something like this when my car is paid off and turn into a track car. The build is amazing quality what does this build cost if you don't mine giving a ballpark answer?