Project GTR (zed replacement)

[pablo]

[Monster]

I couldn't make yesterday so hope you had a good day pabs - update your thread!

But I will be at snett on thurs with RMA. I'm looking forward to this not only because as I said I want to try the new 'box out on circuit, but also because Michelin will be there. They'll have some techy types available to talk rubber. So i'm hoping to be able to nab one of them and get some feedback on how I'm using the tyres and any suggested improvements in terms of geo, pressures or whatever. I know snett probably the best so I should be able to get some heat into them and get some good feedback.

Alternatively of course they'll be too busy with the fancy machinery at an RMA day to worry about a Datsun on some MPSCs, or they'll say, "to get more out of these tyres, drive faster"

[pablo]

So how did your day go?

I was originally looking at booking a RMA day at Donny on the 18th but it was a bit close to our next planned event, 3rd August, but I have just noticed that they have another day in October at Donny. Wonder how they would take to an old sierra coming out to play

[jap.slapper]

So how did your day go?

I was originally looking at booking a RMA day at Donny on the 18th but it was a bit close to our next planned event, 3rd August, but I have just noticed that they have another day in October at Donny. Wonder how they would take to an old sierra coming out to play

I can't remember if I've asked you this before mate but do you know how heavy your car is currently?

[pablo]

Don't know for sure yet but guess it to be around 1200kgs. Still got all steel panels and glass windows

[jap.slapper]

Don't know for sure yet but guess it to be around 1200kgs. Still got all steel panels and glass windows

That's a good weight mate considering it has a full cage fitted and still has stock glass.

By way of a comparison, despite my zed being a short wheel base model with only a half cage fitted and currently having the engine and box removed, it's still a lardy old lump to push about. I think when the cage is finished and even with stock glass removed I'd be lucky to get it down to 1200kg

[Monster]

Bit of a late update as been very busy but Snett was a good day with a mix of weather and lots to report.

Firstly the important bit, the GTR ran faultlessly and didn't use a drop of oil again so I'm very happy with that.
Weather wise the track was never really 100% dry, with a weird fine drizzle being present all morning, although to say it wasn't dry running would be an exaggeration. Got lots of good track time although frustratingly only got a 2.10 best lap, although on a couple of my best runs the data didn't log which I can only put down to how thick the cloud cover was.

Had new front pads in the car and the difference on the brakes was huge so I was frustrated not to have beaten previous times.

The new gearbox was great, I'm very pleased with it and glad I went for it ( I was doubting spending all the money after the sprint). It feels far more positive and robust that the stock box and although due to the weather I don't think I got 100% on it I don't think the different ratios made enough difference to be able to run a higher/lower gear in the corners where the GTR can be caught off boost in 3rd or lighting the tyres and sideways in second.

Mid afternoon the heavens opened so I stayed out to play with the new 4wd controller - I've never moved the dials from standard - and I'm glad I did. A couple of "clicks" on both lateral and longitudinal G dials (moving them to about 2 o'clock from 12 std made the world of difference, the car hooked up sooooo much quicker and powered out of even the tightest corners. I was so impressed that I'm going to try it in the dry as I think it will really help stop the car stepping out when it comes on boost in corners. REally impressed with this unit and it's response times.

I also played around with winding on more and more front drive, and as suspected too much wound on for lateral G's resulted in understeer so there is a fine line to the right set approach.

Then it got really wet - monsoon wet. I could see it at the end of the Bentley straight and the bomb hole and corum were literally inches of standing water, making me a passenger for a lot of it on the cups. I've never experienced aqua planing like it. It wasn't really fun but I stayed out anyway, and then experienced it again.. and again.. and again... and sideways on the Bentley straight with no input having any effect at all. I did a few laps though as it was good to learn the car in those conditions,, plus of course I like that sort of thing although I'll admit I wasn't loving it when I really was a passenger!!! I don't think it helped that the GTR simply had so much grip with the 4wd wound up that it accelerated like normal, unfortunately it couldn't stop or steer anywhere like normal - especially when afloat. I was mildly irritated later though when I thought I should have come in and softened the suspension right off as that would also have been informative. Doh!

I started getting some serious vibration, like a warped disc, earlier in the day which surprised me as due to the conditions the brakes had had much harder/hotter use previously so why warp now?. So I rang AP and they agreed they shouldn't have warped so suggested I take them off and send them back for them to look at. They said it may be that the floating bobbin system is sticky for some reason. Fair play, they even gave me their UPS account so I don't have to pay which is also good stuff.

I whipped them off today and noticed that one of the adjustable top arms was loose which is very annoying, not only could that have caused the vibration??? but I need to A, find a way of ensuring it doesn't come undone again and B, get the alignment done again.

Bit annoying as no more track until brakes are back.

Think that's the lot.....

[Stuart]

Proper update, proper car, proper driver

There you go buddy; this year's compliment. One of the more in-depth and enjoyable build threads on here (that's two)

[Monster]

Proper update, proper car, proper driver

There you go buddy; this year's compliment. One of the more in-depth and enjoyable build threads on here (that's two)

Very kind of you sir Shame you weren't about, it's a while since we caught up

[jap.slapper]

A good informative write up and as always top stuff chief.....now enough with the 'War and Peace' novel, get some vids' up