[trackday_prep] 405 Mi16 Track Car

[JeffR 51]

Time for a small update where the car is at currently.

After 4 months at Chasers getting a full chassis rewire, data logging digital dash & power distribution module fitted, I could finally start on readying the new panels for fit & paint.



Lightweight boot & bonnet needed a few adjustments to get the fit better as well as some strengthening bars inside the bootlid to support the rear wing. I used stranded fibreglass to bond the bars to the inner ribs & skin for the main fixings and the two outboard supports.



As the wing came from a Mondeo I needed to change the angle of the mounts to suit the 405 boot profile and make extra brackets for the outer ones. Luckily the wing had captive nuts already fitted for that purpose.





Also used the stranded fibreglass again for the bonnet clips and opening support bar.

Next is the front splitter and undertray. All the mounting brackets are done, just need to find the right material to make it from.


C/F would be nice but not likely due to cost. Yet to determine if the splitter with bottom out getting it on & off the trailer too.

That just leaves the 30mm rear arb which will require some adjustment to the rear beam mounts.

New bottom end is away getting diesel crank, Robson rods, forged pistons fitted then bored, balanced, O ringed, new welsh plugs & setting all the bearing clearances. That'll be a changeover job for (our) winter.

[speaksgeek 5]

How is the power steering pump wired from the PDM? I only wonder because it likely draws more than the PDM is rated for on a single output?

[JeffR 51]

Power steering is the only thing which doesn't run through the PDM because of its high current draw.

[speaksgeek 5]

Power steering is the only thing which doesn't run through the PDM because of its high current draw.

Cool, is it switched with a relay of the PDM still, or just runs constantly off the alternator trigger or similar?

[JeffR 51]

Runs constantly off the alternator trigger AFAIK.

[JeffR 51]

Finally settled on a material for the splitter/undertray. Called Uniboard, a combination of lightweight HDPE & Polypropylene in a 3 layer construction 12mm thick. When cut to shape it weighs 7 kgs plus 2kgs for the bracket.

I had these fixings made to bolt it to the bracket under the radiator support and the subframe. I had them made 11.75mm long to give a 0.010" crush before bottoming against the brackets.











All that's left to do is to calibrate the fuel level gauge into the new dash then it's off to Phillip Island on the 11th Dec.

[Kane 34]

Looks superb Jeff, top work!

[blandy 29]

Love the work fantastic project

[wicked 103 3 Cars]

Nice work! Next is a rear diffuser?

[JeffR 51]

Nice work! Next is a rear diffuser?

More an undertray from the rear beam to rear bar something like Prism7guy has made for his 306 to smooth out the airflow underneath.

[JeffR 51]

Took the car to Phillip Island yesterday for what was its only outing for the year.
The morning sessions I used to make sure everything worked OK as there was no testing prior this time. The afternoon was warm & sunny, and I was satisfied all was good to give it the beans.

I managed to find another 3 seconds since last year putting it down to spending considerable time lightening it and fitting the splitter/under tray and rear wing.
Came away a happy bloke!

Short YouTube vid to follow.

[speaksgeek 5]

Good times.

I'm surprised to see you in Over 2000cc class, without looking back through the thread, did you change the stroke?

If you were under 2L that time would have put you 4th, with an achievable podium in sight.

 

Took the car to Phillip Island yesterday for what was its only outing for the year.
The morning sessions I used to make sure everything worked OK as there was no testing prior this time. The afternoon was warm & sunny, and I was satisfied all was good to give it the beans.

I managed to find another 3 seconds since last year putting it down to spending considerable time lightening it and fitting the splitter/under tray and rear wing.
Came away a happy bloke!

[JeffR 51]

They seem to be grouping cars by time these days. I entered with a 1:56.7 (my last best time) and 1927cc but still finished up in over 2 litre!

Edited December 12, 2016 by JeffR

[JeffR 51]

https://youtu.be/cf9LUorCHKM

[camgti 56]

Lovely Jeff. Goes like stink! Looks really stable, like your style

[JeffR 51]

Thanks Cam.
In the other afternoon sessions I was passing heaps of cars without realising the bloody camera wasn't recording.
The only footage I got was this one with no other cars in sight!
Phillip Island being a high speed circuit meant that the downforce the aero gave was significant and I'm sure more time could be found.
Looking forward to the next visit.

[JeffR 51]

I decided rather than doing random events I would do a Super Sprint season with one of the established clubs this year.
The Marque Sports Car Association have a 9 round season using Sandown, Winton, Phillip Island and one hill climb event, this year it's Rob Roy. They do a number of categories from 'Come & Try', Regularity and Super Sprints.

Rd 1 was Sandown early Feb where I managed a second place in the 1500-2000cc Class. My day was shortened by a dry sump fitting coming loose but luckily it leaked all over the pit garage floor rather than the track! I wasn't able to fix it on the day as the undertray prevented me getting a spanner in there. All fittings are now lockwired.

I missed Rd 2 at Winton which dropped me to 7th.

Rd3 was Phillip Island last weekend. Managed a first in class but puzzled why my lap times were down.

Spot the problem-



Another day brought to an early end. There was a good note to end the day on at least. I had the car weighed at the track and it came in at 1028kgs and provisionally back up to second in class.

[petert 588]

I've suffered the same problem. Ended up gluing them in.

[wicked 103 3 Cars]

Lean on 1 cylinder... ....

[JeffR 51]

Lean on 1 cylinder... ....

Yes, I hope it hasn't done any damage.

 

EFI Hardware are only 10 mins away so getting a replacement was easy. They've now modified their bodies in response to them parting company usually from a backfire, and fit a drilled and tapped M4 s/steel grub screw holding in the plugs.

I'm favoring Peter's idea of using Locktite to secure them though.

[camgti 56]

Hard luck fhere Jeff. Hope all will be ok in the motor. Anyway of checking it?

 

Car looks so good, presentation and execution are fantastic. Its a similar fashion Pat and I are trying for. I have the theory that a clean and tidy 'work' environment just makes it easier and less mentally draining to do what you gotta do!

 

Keep it up!

[JeffR 51]

I'll do a compression check to determine if some/any damage occurred.

[calvinhorse 870]

I wonder if this is your Spoiler

 

https://m.facebook.com/groups/385276971515192?view=permalink&id=1381908771852002

 

Sorry it's a Facebook link.. can't upload photos at the minute

[JeffR 51]

Can't see what you can see Calvin! Keep trying!!!

Mine was the Paul Radisich one from the 1996 Mondeo he raced in the BTCC & is stamped as such.

 

In other news, I'll do the compression test over the weekend. So far, plugs look good so hopefully all is well and I can defend my 2nd spot in Rnd 4 at Sandown on the 29th.

[JeffR 51]

Compression pressures are good (WOT)-

Cyl 1-250 psi
Cyl 2-245
Cyl 3-245
Cyl 4-245

so fair to say no damage done.