Racecar, Phase 1

For the first phase of this project, I concentrated on getting the basics done in time for the Sears Point event (Jan 21st, 1998).  After ordering a ton of parts from Galin at Werks II in Southern California, Ken Shahoian went to work.  Three amazing weeks later, it was ready to roll.

  • Suspension

    • Charlie bars, front & rear, 30mm rear torsion bars, 22mm frt torsion bars, Bilstein struts in front, Bilstein shocks in rear, plastic bushings

      • Broke the stock sway bar mount at one of my first autocrosses so we replaced it with the Automotion U bracket version and had no problems since.

  • Transmission

    • New 915 style transmission, completely regeared 2nd through 5th gear (shorter, top speed in 5th is now about 120mph @ 5900rpm, Quaife installed, factory short shift kit installed.

      • Broke the short shifter at Buttonwillow going into turn 7 right where the shifter shaft joins the swivel mechanism.  Spun the car as a result.   Had to use epoxy to fix that one.

  • Brakes

    • New rotors installed, Pagid Orange pads, Castrol SRF fluid.

      • 7/1/98- warped my front rotors at Thunderhill...  had to replace them with slotted rotors.  This was the first "major" work I've done myself at the track.

  • Wheels/Tires

    • 8x15" Fuch wheels in front w/ 225x50x15 BFG R1's, 9x16" Fuch wheels in rear w/ 245x45x16 BFG R1's.

      • I burn about 1 set of front tires every 2 events and 1 set of rears every 3 events.  I also drive the "test" days on Friday if possible so that adds significantly to wear.

  • Seats

    • Recaro Sport seats, M&R 5point harnesses installed.

  • Safety Equipment

    • Temporary AutoPower roll bar (full cage being made), fire ext.

After completing all of this work, I drove the GGR Time Trial at Sears Point (6 laps total & no times because of rain).

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Number 309 at Tech Inspection at Sears Point Raceway
Screaming around Turn 4 w/ the NASA club.  I'd just passed all
those Datsun 510's, GTI's and Volvo station wagons :)

Front Suspension Views
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The brake pads, brake lines, disks, custom struts, turbo tie rods were all
replaced. A Charlie Bar was installed as well as shock tower braces.

Before we could even begin on the rear suspension, the unibody had to be welded where it had torn the swing arm mounting bolts clean off the body.. Yikes - see the picture below!  From what I found out, this is not that uncommon in these cars. Pete Weber at Quiet Horsepower in Newark CA, did the work on both sides.

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Rear Suspension
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Brake pads, lines, disks replaced.  New Bilstein shocks installed.

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Charlie Bars installed.  Note the quality of the hardware.  Very nice!   Bars shown here at full soft position.  For Autocrossing, I've found that full stiff has been the best.  The car is super reponsive and goes exactly where you point it.  For the big track, I use the next hole shown above, with the bar set to the middle point.  It gives the car a neutral feeling with a tiny bit of understeer.   This keeps you out of the weeds and on the safer side of things.