PCA-CWR AUTOCROSS - Sat, Aug 17
Printed From: West Coast Fieros
Category: Events Section
Forum Name: Performance Driving
Forum Description: Autocross, Road and Drag Racing discussions
URL: http://www.westcoastfieros.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3293
Printed Date: 22 November 2024 at 8:39am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: PCA-CWR AUTOCROSS - Sat, Aug 17
Posted By: karnak
Subject: PCA-CWR AUTOCROSS - Sat, Aug 17
Date Posted: 13 August 2013 at 11:09pm
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Ok Guys.. another autocross is upon us. Git you cars washed up and register for this event. Some of us will be there to help you. This is a fantastic opportunity to bone up on your driving skills. Click http://www.karelo.com/register.php?BID=374&BT=10#Ev13479 - here to sign up. Loaner helmets are available. Keep in mind there are noise restrictions so some street tires may force you to keep under control out there. It will be a fun filled day.  |
Replies:
Posted By: karnak
Date Posted: 14 August 2013 at 10:53pm
ok. i am signed up.  expecting fair to great weather. let's see some Fieros out there!  |
Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 15 August 2013 at 4:36pm
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Okay, I'm all registered. Special note: I will not be driving the Mighty Duke at this autocross. I will be driving a highly modified Fiero which contains this...
For any club member who has a real keen eye, they might recognize that powerplant as the one in Blair's 1985 Fiero with the 3800sc that he sold a year and a half ago to Charles from Bellingham. You can see the rest of the car http://www.westcoastfieros.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2813&KW - Here . As most of us know, Blair does a fantastic job on the cars he builds up. Very very clean installations. Johnny made a video of the beast that he posted http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-RvehirWtU - Here . Charles and I are friends, and we've talked about co-driving this Fiero at an autocross event for some time. This Saturday will be the day! I love the Mighty Duke, but I suspect that powering out of the corners with this baby is going to be a LOT of fun!
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Posted By: karnak
Date Posted: 15 August 2013 at 5:24pm
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Oh.. that looks like it has a 6 pack of whoop-ass in it.
I am gonna be looking over my shoulder... 
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Posted By: beken
Date Posted: 15 August 2013 at 9:27pm
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It's how you control that power. A skilled driver in a slow car can beat a bad driver in an over powered car any day.
However, a skilled driver in an over powered car is another story....  -------------  Beken (aka Ken) - bekentech@westcoastfieros.com Original and still the owner of an 85SE 2M6 4spd |
Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 16 August 2013 at 12:08am
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It remains to be seen what category I'm in.
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beken wrote:Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 16 August 2013 at 12:15am
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If it's not raining on Saturday, I think I'll take my track tires/wheels to the autocross pad and put them on the 3800sc (as long as Charles gets there early enough).
Be afraid... be very afraid.
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Posted By: karnak
Date Posted: 16 August 2013 at 9:02am
ya.. geez Patrick, with your tires on that car, i am going to have to really focus.. no last minute "good run".  ..gulp.. Although Colby still has his car somewhat apart.. i am trying to convince him to come out to co-drive my car.. he may up our game even further... |
Posted By: Bassman
Date Posted: 16 August 2013 at 10:14am
Have fun all...can't make this one but have Sept 14th on the calendar...long day at work  ------------- Brian (Bassman) 86 GT Fastback 3.2L 2013 Mazda3 Sport GS SkyActive [IMG]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u243/Bassman68/BassmanSignature.png"> |
Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 16 August 2013 at 1:32pm
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I've been in contact with Charles and there might be an issue with locking lug nuts on his wheels. He's not sure if there are locking lug nuts installed and/or if there's a "key" in the car somewhere. I've sent a PM to Blair asking if he remembers what's on those wheels. I don't know if Blair will see my message in time. If anyone reading this has a way of contacting Blair directly, I'd appreciate it you could bring this thread to his attention. Thanks.
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Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 16 August 2013 at 7:15pm
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I still don't know the situation with the lug nuts. On a more positive note, it looks like the weather might be cooperating for tomorrow.
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Posted By: D_sensitized
Date Posted: 16 August 2013 at 8:12pm
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Have fun.
I'd like to go, but will be spending most of the weekend replacing my tranny it looks like. ------------- -Harrison 88GT 3800 SC1 F23 5-speed Chilliwack |
Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 16 August 2013 at 8:25pm
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... What happened?
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Posted By: karnak
Date Posted: 16 August 2013 at 8:56pm
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ooh..
not cool. I hope the swap goes smoothly for you. |
Posted By: D_sensitized
Date Posted: 16 August 2013 at 11:17pm
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Not sure what broke yet. there was some sudden clanging and rattling as i pulled away from a stop sign, so i pulled over and stopped. and then a small puddle of trans fluid appeared.
Seems to be leaking somewhere inside the bellhousing, so possibly input shaft seal, or that other stupid 40$ seal. I will find out tomorrow when I pull it all out. ------------- -Harrison 88GT 3800 SC1 F23 5-speed Chilliwack |
Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 17 August 2013 at 5:43am
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Geez Harrison, sorry to hear that.
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Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 17 August 2013 at 7:48am
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Track tires/wheels are loaded... I'm on my way!
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Posted By: D_sensitized
Date Posted: 17 August 2013 at 6:15pm
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Looks like a pressure plate bolt came loose ad got rattled around the
bell housing. Beat up the pressure plate a bit, which is still ok. But put a hole through the trans case at the differential. I'll crack it open later this week and see if the internals are still ok then probably get another trans and depending on its condition, swap the LSD or just the case. Doesn't look like much would have got into the trans, but we'll see. ------------- -Harrison 88GT 3800 SC1 F23 5-speed Chilliwack |
Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 17 August 2013 at 6:16pm
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Just got back. Too pooped to post right now. I will mention though, that for autocross, horsepower alone does not make for any advantage. |
Posted By: karnak
Date Posted: 17 August 2013 at 9:56pm
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what a long day.. just got back from a plumbing repair at my sister-in-law's place (straight from autocross).. "water is coming from the ceiling" oooh.. well.. all fixed. i have some pics i want to post and if i am lucky, a video.. all in all, it was a great day.. a record 13 runs. tons of seat time and a freakin fast layout. the rain held off and the sun was hidden for the most part. sad news about the trans, Harrison.. looking forward to seeing more Fieros next time (Sept) |
Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 17 August 2013 at 10:32pm
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I've been sitting here all evening thinking about my experience at the track today. I don't regret at all that I co-drove Charles' 3800sc Fiero (and I really appreciated the opportunity... Thanks Charles!), but man oh man... what a HUGE disappointment it was on the track. The car sounded fantastic, and it pulled well from the starting line, but... That 4-spd automatic transmission absolutely ruins the car for autocross. No matter what "gear" is selected with the shifter, the damn tranny decides on its own whether it wants to be in 1st or 2nd gear. That just sucks big time. I never knew what amount of acceleration to expect when I stepped on the throttle in the middle of the course. The tranny would decide when it wanted to kick back down into 1st gear. And when it kicked into 1st, the revs would jump and the supercharger would come to life... but totally at the wrong time! I had some spectacular spinouts when the rear tires would break free in the middle of a slalom/gate, because all of a sudden there was this burst of power in 1st gear when I only wanted a little more acceleration in 2nd. I just hated that. And even though my pretty decent track tires were on the car, it cornered very badly. I don't know if the alignment or camber or whatever is off, but the car was terribly unstable in the sweeps. Maybe the shocks and/or struts are shot as well. I don't know. It's funny... driving this 300 HP Fiero has made me appreciate my anemic 90 HP duke all the more. Next month I hope to be driving at autocross the 5-spd '88 Formula I've been working on with Gary and Colby. I hope and trust the experience will be a positive step up from The Mighty Duke... and not a big let down like this 3800sc Fiero unfortunately was. |
Posted By: karnak
Date Posted: 17 August 2013 at 11:33pm
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well.. time for some pictures.. here is the course map, the times and a couple of shots of Charles and Patrick enjoying the automatic transmission.
I know the Formula we are cobbling back into shape will be a fun car indeed. watching the 3800 SC launch away from the start was pretty amazing. the sound! mmmmm.. all good from the outside!
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Posted By: karnak
Date Posted: 17 August 2013 at 11:37pm
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..and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3Xf3a1ZZ9E&feature=youtu.be - here is a video of on of my good runs
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Posted By: Bassman
Date Posted: 18 August 2013 at 7:27am
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Nice OPEN course, good run Gary ------------- Brian (Bassman) 86 GT Fastback 3.2L 2013 Mazda3 Sport GS SkyActive [IMG]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u243/Bassman68/BassmanSignature.png"> |
Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 19 August 2013 at 11:40am
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Found a couple of images online. Here's Gary rocketing down the course...
And here's the 3800sc. Charles looks very relaxed. I look tense.
The front of that Fiero is slammed down a lot. Combined with the front brake conversion (the front hubs stick out more), we were having trouble with the top of the driver's side front wheel well opening rubbing the top of the 225/50/16 tire. The tire actually chewed off part of the plastic inner wheel well liner. I'll eventually upload a video or two shot from inside the car. I haven't even watched them yet... been kinda busy! [EDIT] Decided to level the playing field...
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I was hoping my tires (which I had on Charles' car) weren't going to be damaged. Thankfully, they all appeared to be okay afterwards.
