a random build log

Ok. To start out i had to do something for one of my classes. I decided to keep working out it and post the work long on here as a way to get suggestions, document it for review later, and that this is one to the few scion sites that seem not to draw instant criticism from other users and down grading remarks every time you post something. So here was what i had to type for class.



Introduction:
My escape outlet from school and work is my car, particularly autocross racing that i participate in once or twice a month, when i do have them time. My goal for this is to improve my driving skills and to build a car that can consistently compete with cars that most would consider out of its class. The necessary steps to successfully complete this project are.

1.Review the on car video of the last auto cross runs and examine my car itself to find a set of problems that need to be resolved in order to improve the lap times.

2. determine a set of achievable goals

3. develop plan for the achievement of the goals.

4. Have test periods and record data for each individual component and a re evaluations periods to update data and goals.

5. Race

6. Revaluation of current set up and start process over again.

Challenges:

The two biggest challenges are places that i am allowed to push the car so i can actual improve my driving skill and Finances. To find a place that I am allowed simulate auto crosses, do it legally, and do it safely are something that is hard to find at times. The second is finances. I am currently a college student. I do have currently two part time jobs. Even with these jobs a majority of my funds do go towards rent, utilities, insurance and grocery products. I will have to set aside a certain amount so i can buy the necessary parts, tools and data acquisition equipment.

Additionally there are such problems a other drivers modifying their vehicles to preform better than they did last season. Unforeseen complications that might arise. Then the balance to keep the car street legal,efficient and comfortable enough to be daily driven.

NEEDS:

The car needs a clear and set plan in order to achieve the goals. Every type of race vehicle is purpose built and this one shall be too. Some simple and clearly identifiable needs are in the list below this a explanation on why they are needed. This list will be updated and reevaluated periodically every three months.

1. Finances: I discussed this problem earlier.

2. Acceleration and response: The tight and more technical courses that i am wanting to improve on have very few places to unleash a massive amount of horsepower that most people try to put into the cars they drive. The acceleration needs to improve so i can gain a edge and have enough response in the car so i can break away when the small intervals do arise for me to.
3. Handling: The courses emphasize on this. It must be improved in order to improve lap time.
4. Braking: If I am improving the other category this must also be improved it to maintain street-ability and it also fall back in to categories of response and handling. It also allows me to break later for turns and thus improving the time.

5. GRIP: To improve the other categories without having a set or tires that can effectively transfer it all to the ground and keep you from sliding every where would be a waste. Tires that can keep the car planted on the track will be needed to improve the time.

STRATEGY:

The project will need me taping into contacts i have made though my networking i have made over the last few years in obtain information and equipment that i would not have the finances for regularly.

To work with the Oklahoma City Sheriffs Department in order to gain access to their training and test track that that have in Midwest city.

To research and develop a parts list using internet resources, the University of Oklahoma and various people that i do know. This parts list will have to be top notch and cost effective to achieve my goals and make it attainable with in my time frame.

To install and test each part on the car one individually in order to adapt to the changes that the part made to the car and adjust my driving style accordingly.

Restart and update the process annually.





Current set up
WR intake
full exhaust (no name)
headers (no name)
Tein s springs.
Cross drilled and Slotted rotors
DG Spec rear sway bar.



1. Brakes.

I have already received parts for the brakes. The parts list include SS brake lines from brake pro. I choose these because of the more precise braking that they will add to they system. Next i got a set of semi metallic brake pads(front pads) and ceramic (rear pads) for the car from auto zone. I choose to get these from autozone for the reason that they come with a life time warranty and they are not expensive to buy again if i had to. I would rather use the warranty and eat the pads faster than to keep buying set after set of a better quality pad. My car is a dd and i do not see a set of high price pads to be necessary for the light track use the car does sees compared to the daily use it has. Lastly was a all new synthetic brake fluid to flush out the system.

brake parts install
I finished installing the new brakes today, the lines and flushed the system. First reaction to the new brakes were a much more controlled braking and they tend to grip very well compared to the old brakes. Sadly their is still some air in the system and a bit of a squishy pedal feel that i will correct in the morning. Overall the pads desperately need to be replaced and this was a improvement overall to the system.

Thank you sir. I have considered a set of hawk pads and have been looking around for what i believe will be the best for my car i bought those pad because the car desperately needed new pads and that is all i could afford at the time. i have also looked into getting several weight reduction parts for my car as well as taking off a few things in order to get the tc on a diet.

The next stage was stiffing up everything to improve the handling. I have started with the back and after looking into several parts i decided that a ingalls 4pt brace would be the best to stiffen it up. I personally think the back end on the tc needed this. It has always felt a little sloppy. I installed the bar and have tested it out. It has stiffened up the back end noticeably but I need to get the car back in the air in order to preload the sway bar again. I have already ran at the autocross course with the rear seats out and the back end(spare, jack, sub, all mats and panels) taken out. I want to see what the car can do with the new brakes(since i got all of the play out of them) and the rear brace on the car. After the auto cross i will go back and reevaluate what all that need to be done for the start of the next season and begin saving for a coil over system, as part of that i need to calculate the spring rates i need. Since this is a dd car it is a bit more difficult because i dont want to shake myself or my car apart on public roads. Since the roads in Oklahoma are horrible.

The bar was a definite improvement and was money well spent in my mind. At the track the car ran great but I did have a bit of issue with some over steer(I believe this is mostly the sway bar setting). The brace stiffens up the rear chassis and prevents a lot of body roll and tripod motion that most of out cars face being front wheel drive and having what i consider a weak back end. I went this route of adding the brace because i do not want a cage at the current time nor to i want to seam weld the entire chassis to stiffen it up. The C pillars will be a next area for me to brace as well as a harness bar for the track to keep my butt glued to the seats during turns. I have looked a several setups and was showed how to set up the NRG bar to use both 4pt and the stock seat belts. I like this so i don't have to go though the trouble of using the harness in daily driving. Navy life I lived in texarkana for most of my life and have ventured into La on many occasions. That state and Oklahoma are the worst roads i have seen to date. I can understand why some people like trucks that sit high off the ground. It is because they need it.