Lightyear's SE Replica Track/Road MX-5

[lightyear]

How do u stencil the LIGHTYEAR letters onto the tyres?

I stick some packing tape over some printed paper with the letters printed on it. Cut out the letters, spray adhesive on the back side. Stuck it on the tyre, cover the overspray area. And spray with white paint. I have to search for better paint. As after driving around today the paint is already flaking off. I used house paint last time, and it lasted much longer.

I did some work on the trailer today. It has a replacement ram, but even so the new one had a minor issue. It has something in the piston guoging the rubber O ring. So leaked profusely after a little use. It took me an hour to get my new (red car in the background) car off the trailer.
Seems to be fixed now with a new O ring. Also cut the corner off the trailer guard holder. So now I can open the car door further when loading the car.
Pic will explain further.


screenshot tool

[bruce]

Ta, re stenciling. Will.try it.

[hks_kansei]

This is one of the few times that plastidip sh*t might actually be useful.
Since it stays rubbery it should resist flaking off, but then….. not sure it will stick to rubber that well?


Alternatively, if the house paint worked even better! since it's dirt cheap

[lightyear]

The tyre writing is going a weird colour already. Must be the oils in the rubber.


how to take a screen shot

[lightyear]

Forgot to update this.

The car ran faultlessly all day at winton, as is normal for an MX5. All I did was check tyre pressures.
I installed a front swaybar, as it had way too much oversteer with the skinny Oem one. The best I could get was a 1:41.0 on the long track due to the track being a bit warm. All the regular guys were 1-1.5 seconds off there P.B. For some reason the Alfa club decided to run the short track in the morning. Would have been smart to do the long track first, as there are always more cars on the track in the first half of the day. Bigger track, less congestion... Best short track time was 1:09.0.
Don't you hate getting a X:XX.0?
Next track was Phillip Island for the Vic Super Sprints round. Was thinking I would be happy if I get under a 1:55. And hoping to do a 1:53.

[lightyear]

The handling is much better now with the new front swaybar. Everyone always wants more grip and speed, but I am happy enough considering what it is, and has.
So 2 months ago, first time out it did a 1:58 before the clutch failed. Since then it recieved 15x9" wheels, 225 Nitto R specs, front swaybar and side skirts. After a frustrating day with traffic/mistakes, I ended up getting a 1:52.2 in the last session. Never been so happy to go so slow. All day the optimum lap on the racechrono was in the mid 1:52's, and I was lucky to even get 1:53's. Thanks to the guys at PIARC for a quick tidy up so we got the last run in. ( tyre blew out on an EVO just after the bridge on the straight, was a massive bang and explosion) Brown undies moment for that driver.
I really was pushing it to try get it to dip into the 1:52's. Just needs the turbo now. I bought an SE factory manifold..

Borrowed a pic


screen shots

[lightyear]

So I bought this lot. I started installing it on Wednesday last week, then realised Sandown was on the Saturday. Thought it was at the end of the month. So took it off, and re-installed the headers, etc.


photo uploading


adult image hosting

[lightyear]

Did a fun skid pad day on Saturday. It is a different skill to driving on a track. I am sh*t at it, but at least I made lots of noise and kept it sideways.

The best was at the end of the day, just before they packed up completely, I set up some witches hats in a large circle. Was cool seeing how many laps I could do without looping it. Turns out it's not that easy. Best was 2.5 laps I think. It kind of gets too much sideways eventually.


image hosting over 2mb

[lightyear]

Car felt good at Sandown during the practice run, did 5 laps, and the clutch failed again. Will change to a proper clutch and flywheel. Wish I had of done that from the start. But it was going so well, did winton, Phillip Island and the skid pan day with 2 drivers. Why dont these things break at the end of the day. I wasn't trying too hard as it was just a practice session, and I haven't been to Sandown in a while, or with this car. So just getting used to it. Did a 1:29.4 on my second lap. Then slowed a bit as it was practice. Would have done a low 1:28 easy enough.





I looked over the data from the weekend at Sandown. The speeds are way down from the red MX5 I had previously. Back straight is about 10km/h slower. Obviously there is more to getting hp than just doing the A/F ratios. Not going to tune it till the turbo is on.

On another note I finally got the hoist working. and noticed there was a bung missing in the cat. Might be a bit quiter now.

free image uploading

[lightyear]

Down pipe is made. And I managed to get the Oem turbo exhaust elbow. So now I can bolt the complete exhaust side up. Just need to buy some new studs and nuts.


free uploader

[davekmoore]

Tidy your garage floor.

[lightyear]

You noticed. Spent 3 days cleaning the garage.

Installed the turbo, manifold and elbow. The clutch is coming tomorrow, will put it in, reinstall the box and bolt up the downpipe. Then that's the exhaust side finished. Just worked out the intercooler and pipe work. Need to buy a few alloy bends.


posted image

[lightyear]

I replaced the rear main seal as it was weaping slightly. Went to put on the flywheel, but there is no centre bearing...
So off to Hitek to sort that tomorrow. Pressure plate face has a few small dings in it. Not good considering it's new. Intercooler has still not arrived. But I have come up with a great idea to run the IC pipes. I dropped the radiator by 35mm, and tilted it back. Allowing the IC pipes to run over the top. Pic below.
Also had a go at installing the turbo oil and water lines. They line up with flat sections on the side of the block. So need to drill and tap two holes in the block, and one in the sump. The water return is sorted too.



free image host

I can see why people buy a kit. It's a lot of stuffing around thinking of what to do/buy and the best way to do it.
So far the budget is going well. Except the extra money on a new clutch. Could have done without that.
Will be keeping a track of the total cost for the turbo conversion.
Plan is $1000 with tuning.

[Okibi]

Trackdog do the same with their intercoolers, I have a similar design in mind for my car.

[speed]

Trackdog do the same with their intercoolers, I have a similar design in mind for my car.

What do they do about the air con condenser?

Thought I'd share my ugly creation...