The Ridge Motorsports Complex

Having never been to the Ridge I was a little slow in the first session. Ran some 2:12 laps and just tried to learn the track.

By the afternoon I was running 1:58.2s (best) and really consistent 2:00s.

The 8a-11 section of the track is all right turns and it's fast. Once I learned the line I was running the whole section at WOT in 4-5th gear. Looking at some logs from the CMS Lap Timer I was doing 103+ mph coming into the brake zone for 11. Problem is Subarus have fuel starvation issues in long right turns on slicks. Once you're under 1/2 tank you gotta back off. So I decided if anyone want to pass me it was going to be in 8a-11 where I couldn't go WOT.. 

So fueling is on my to do list. It's a PITA to stay over 1/2 tank all the time! Not sure if I'll do an external surge tank or improve the internal surge tank yet...
The other thing I'd like to mention is the CMS Lap Timer. I met Pete who writes the code for CMS and he convinced me to give CMS a try over Harry's Lap Timer. So I did and at first I wasn't too impressed because of some issues with an older software release. This last even at the Ridge with v1.2 software worked great and I couldn't be happier with the ease of use. Just open the app and drive. That's it!

Lap timers

Couple of videos from friday with the CMS laptimer. I usually run Harry's lap timer with a dualGPS. I'm trying out the CMS with a BadElf GPS right now. Pete just released a new version right after this track day. I will try it out in a couple of weeks. I was having issues with laps not recording. Seems like a GPS issue. Not realy sure though. Need to chat with Pete about it... Hopefully it's resolved with this new version!

Swapped out the original 500# 8x2.5" Ohlins springs for some 7" Eibachs with the same rate. Allows the perches to move up 1" for tire clearance. 

Figured I'd give these a shot

285/30/18 BFG R1, 265/35/18 595 RS-R, 275,35,18 R888

The 595s and BFGs run wide!!

2" more rubber on the R1s!!! 

Couple of pics

Lowered the front .5" too get an even 6" from door sill to ground front and rear.

ORP 6-20

Ran 1:56.50 which is my best lap ever! No vid of that run though :( 

ORP 5-25-2012

1:59.9 and a couple of 2:00 flats

Finally got the car off the jack stands and out for a test drive. 

Grills..

Got the debris screens in. Just some expanded aluminum that I coated with plastidip.

Added some venting into the fender well from the oil cooler. I wanted to vent it out the side of the bumper cover but this will work for now and saves me a ton of work on outlet ducting. 

From the other side

Grill in the passenger side ducts

Mocal Thermostatic Sandwich Plate.

I blueprinted it to minimize losses. Aeroquip Starlite hose and lightweight crimp fittings.

Sheet metal back from the powder coaters

I will eventually mount a transmission cooler on the passenger side but until then this 3" hose feeds cool air to the airbox

Need to open up the fender liner to allow air out. Not sure if I'll duct this yet or not.. 

 Bumper cover back on

Had both sets of the PF01s powder coated flat black.

Some conti 275/35/18s let over from last season

275/35/18 R888s for the street

Oil cooler and brake ducting

Almost done with the ducting.

Hopefully this will help with cooling.. 

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Setrab 612 Cooler on the drivers side

From the d-side outlet vent

The passenger side will feed the airbox and brake duct. Eventually I might put a transmission cooler in here

Duct and oil cooler

Splitter for brakes on the bottom and oil cooler on the top

Bumper off; ducting stays on the car rather than the bumper

I'll have a aluminum on Thursday to make the real parts from...

More pics of Stg2

A few pics of the DEI Titanium heat wrap and stainless clamps.

Power Upgrades

Picked up an Access Port and a catless downpipe for the STI. The gains from these two mods are pretty impressive. 

Invidia Catless Downpipe

Took this opportunity to install the groupN dogbone I've had sitting around

RFR Oct 23 11'

Right away a couple of 911 GT3 RS' blow past

Teaser from the RFR event.

The white Miata has a blower, Ohlins and Doug's a good driver.

I'll edit some footage this week. This was from my phone, I have Gopro too. 

Old video from Thunder Hill

Sorry about the data being oriented improperly. I had my iPhone in the portrait instead of landscape mode.. 

GpN and Kart boy

Finally got the GroupN transmission mount. Had a few free minutes Sunday so I installed that and a set of Kartboy shifter bushings. The rear bushing is a bit of a PITA to install. No pics, not much to see anyway...

GroupN Mounts and ARP studs

Got the GroupN engine mounts installed. Waiting on shifter bushings and the trans mount to finish up. They look just like the stock ones but they are quite a bit stiffer.

Also installed some ARP studs and some long open ended nuts. Last time a Thunder a lug bit the dust so I figured might as well fix it properly.

The ball nose helps to get the lug nuts started:

Brake cooling

Made a set of brake ducts.

Backing plates

I have a new inlet design in the works that will incorporate an oil cooler.