Nars GSL-SE the 'White Comet'

[RedR1]

Originally Posted by scarsofcarma

I pretty much spend all my free time in the garage so I will be making steady progress. If I were to predict when I'd feel it was track ready probably springtime... I'm pretty particular about what I consider 'track ready'. Especially when it comes to brakes.

I had a scary experience with brake fade in my bridgeported FB on the downhill in the mountains. Also in my FC I boiled my brake fluid charging into turn 10 at Thunderhill on my first track day. Not something I want to repeat lol.

I've heard that the OEM FB brakes weren't up to the task of extended track days in heat. How were you going to tackle that in the long run? I saw in a previous post that you said pads and rotors. Did you ever think about the TII subframe swap to get the thicker and larger rotors/caliper? It's a somewhat economical (i'm a heap A$$ ) swap, and people that have done it said they'd never look back. i haven't done it personally, just looking for input from people that have done it, or are considering it.

One of these days, I will drive thunderhill. I've always heard a lot about that track from here in FL. Many enduro's run there. Maybe you can coach me if we ever meet up there

[scarsofcarma]

Originally Posted by RedR1

I've heard that the OEM FB brakes weren't up to the task of extended track days in heat. How were you going to tackle that in the long run? I saw in a previous post that you said pads and rotors. Did you ever think about the TII subframe swap to get the thicker and larger rotors/caliper? It's a somewhat economical (i'm a heap A$$ ) swap, and people that have done it said they'd never look back. i haven't done it personally, just looking for input from people that have done it, or are considering it.

One of these days, I will drive thunderhill. I've always heard a lot about that track from here in FL. Many enduro's run there. Maybe you can coach me if we ever meet up there

Yeah I don't doubt that FB brakes won't handle track days. It blew my mind when I learned (from this forum) that I could swap an FC subframe over. That's a good option because I looove FC brakes. The rack-and-pinion would be nice too.

Thing is I already got a full bushing kit, Illumina shocks and RB springs for the FB setup so I will use that for the time being. When I get ready to weld in a cage, that will probably be the time to pull the motor and do a more thorough suspension upgrade because I will want to tie the cage into reinforcements to the chassis under the hood.

I say this because the unibody frame-rails that run by the bottom of the front strut towers are usually pretty weak. When I flipped the RX3, the cage in that car didn't reinforce those areas and they cracked. I intend to design a much better cage for the FB.

I also have another Mazda in mind to borrow parts from. I think it might be neat to swap over the suspension off a Miata unto an FB. I'm sure a lot of custom fabrication would be required, but I think it would be worth it because I was very impressed after driving a Miata a bit recently. It would be nice to have some of the balance and grip inherent in that delightful little car.

Also, the Miata and its suspension are pretty compact so it should be easier to fit it in an FB.

As far as Thunderhill goes, I would be happy to give you some tips or even accompany you along on a track day to help you dial in your tire pressures and the like. None of my bum friends ever work up the nerve to actually go to the track so it'd be nice to get out there more often

I'm closer to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and Sears Point now though. I have some ride-along experience on Laguna Seca because I was training to be a NASA instructor there. I would like to broaden my track experience as much as possible which also puts Willow Springs on my list of tracks I plan to use.

[RedR1]

Originally Posted by scarsofcarma

Yeah I don't doubt that FB brakes won't handle track days. It blew my mind when I learned (from this forum) that I could swap an FC subframe over. That's a good option because I looove FC brakes. The rack-and-pinion would be nice too.

Thing is I already got a full bushing kit, Illumina shocks and RB springs for the FB setup so I will use that for the time being. When I get ready to weld in a cage, that will probably be the time to pull the motor and do a more thorough suspension upgrade because I will want to tie the cage into reinforcements to the chassis under the hood.

Indeed. I also have the TII subframe planned for my FB as well, but that won't be until next year if all goes well. I have the same issue, where I have a new tokiko shocks and springs for mine so i want to beat up on the car a little prior to changing it. Though, the TII swap makes for more wheel options too. choices!

I think, per capita, this forum has the most completely custom FB's than any other forum i've found, and all of them have write ups! One guy has a meticulous build thread in the 1st gen section called, "it seemed easy at first" . . . gives me so many ideas and inspiration. his suspension makes my pants tight. . . all rewelded and refabbed. almost nothing OEM in there (just don't tell him I love his car, i'll never hear the end of it LOL).

edit: found the thread

http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...ad.php?t=15585

I plan on having a shop in that is also a supporting/contributing vendor on here do the subframe swap for me, as that's well beyond my skill level. The shop is in southern CA and it's owner, Glenn (Mazpower on this forum) is a guru and great peoples.

Originally Posted by Carma

I say this because the unibody frame-rails that run by the bottom of the front strut towers are usually pretty weak. When I flipped the RX3, the cage in that car didn't reinforce those areas and they cracked. I intend to design a much better cage for the FB.

that had to be SUPER scary. Glad it all came out ok and you're here!

Originally Posted by Carma

I also have another Mazda in mind to borrow parts from. I think it might be neat to swap over the suspension off a Miata unto an FB. I'm sure a lot of custom fabrication would be required, but I think it would be worth it because I was very impressed after driving a Miata a bit recently. It would be nice to have some of the balance and grip inherent in that delightful little car.

Also, the Miata and its suspension are pretty compact so it should be easier to fit it in an FB.

Actually, my best friend's significant other installed a Miata subframe into an FB for one of their FB race cars. he said it was a very good and cost effective swap, mainly bc the Miata donors are a dime a dozen, has all sorts of cheap parts for it that are pretty well, and race teams are always getting rid of/upgrading parts which makes hand-me-downs cheap for primo parts

So if you choose that route and run into questions, i'd be more than happy to tap their shoulder for you/get you in touch with him

Originally Posted by Scar

As far as Thunderhill goes, I would be happy to give you some tips or even accompany you along on a track day to help you dial in your tire pressures and the like. None of my bum friends ever work up the nerve to actually go to the track so it'd be nice to get out there more often

I'm closer to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and Sears Point now though. I have some ride-along experience on Laguna Seca because I was training to be a NASA instructor there. I would like to broaden my track experience as much as possible which also puts Willow Springs on my list of tracks I plan to use.

I live in FL. . . but one of these days I will make it out there and greatly appreciate the offer!! I'm different. I have the nerve to go, it's just the non-running rotary part that plagues all rotaries at one point or another in their lifetime

Laguna Seca is pretty much my west coast Mecca. Everyone that has driven it, says the corkscrew can't be described. TV, video games, youtube videos. . . all of them do it zero justice Out here, I love some Sebring Intnational action