Rotary Extreme RX8 Street Time Attack Project Car.

[rotaryextreme]

Hi everyone.

This will be my thread that will show a little bit of my life and my project RX8 Street Time Attack car. The car must have full interior and must be registered. The car is basically stock and this thread will show the build of my car as things are added.

I am going to try out with the rookie races first and see how I compare in real life vs. me thinking I'm a bad ass.....lol j/k

So anyways, here is a photo of a FD T04R turbo kit I built for a guy in the UK. This turbo is good for 700HP.

More photos to follow about my RX8 project car.

The folowwing videos will be uploaded as I go to events in this first post.

Buttonwillow videos.
Video 1. Me chasing down and passing a Z.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Pyq7iH7OSY

Video 2. Me and an MR2 (N/A) 20valve 4AGE chasing down that same Z.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icIBb_KUJMM

Video 3. A view of me after I passed a vette that spun out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz8X7tNpKUE

Video 4. Its a video of me driving across the SF Bay Area bridges here in California.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUJov_hP6FU

New Video 5-2-09 Going to my moms house I saw this crazy lady trying to hijack a bus....lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUcZn9ijU4U

New video 5-27-09 Going for a drive on Calaveras and I came up on a Yamaha R1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWc7VtX_5jQ

NEW NEW 2 Part video!!!!! 5-29-09 !!!!! Here is a 2 part video of me on calaveras togue solo style. You can see the full length of the road in these 2 parts.

1st half. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPgML6EEmJE
2nd half. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AF0QaPFu9hU

[rotaryextreme]

OK,

So as far as suspension goes, Tein-H tech with Progress Anti-sway bars. I have actually downsized to some 17x7.5 Volk TE-37's.

I went with the Tein-H so that I can get around town, over speed-bump, driveways, to obtain a firmer ride and still lower the center of gravity on the car.

I went with the Progress anti-sway bars because they are some of the thickest bars around. They have three holes on each side so that you can adjust the firmness. I have it in the middle on the front and the last one on the back. This was the best bang for the buck because I got less body roll and it gave more predictability on the cars behavior.

I picked up a set of 17x7.5 to reduce un-sprung weight and to allow me to run a thicker sidewall for more cornering predictability. I now have 235/45/17 on the car and the car is extremely neutral in the corners. I constantly had the back end stepping out and causing the DSC to kick in.

What I have noticed with the new set-up of these three upgrades is less body roll, better predictability and DSC kick in on when I really need it to. On a track day at Thunder Hill I was able to get the cars back out just enough to tell that the DSC was not limiting cornering speed at high speed (above 70mph). At braking (from around 90mph) the car was straight and true. That back was solid at did not want to step out as much at corner entry.

I am running Falken 912's if anyone was wondering. These tires take an amazing amount of abuse and suit my driving style on the track with the cars current power. The factory brakes are more than enough for a stock powered car. But I can tell that they will need to be upgraded to support constant braking from 100mph and above.

I have a K&N intake; I did not notice any gains.

The exhaust is the Rotary Extreme dual cat back. This exhaust does not gain or lose power from idle to 6k, but on the track when your 6k and up this exhaust makes a difference. Both sides are 2" diameter but give you overall 4" diameter. With the small piping the exhaust velocity stays high but since there are two pipes there is enough volume to allow the exhaust to exit with ease. Yes it is a bit loud, but it’s a good loud like a Harley.

I have an R-Magic replica carbon fiber hood, which is heaver then a stock hood, but it allows the heat and air pressure to escape from the engine bay.

Next week’s install will be an install of my new Hymee Enhanced RX-8 Short Shifter and my Hymee Pro-Tuner Software.

The whole reason for getting the short shifter was to allow me to install a higher shaft on the shifter. This will allow me to transition between the steering wheel and shifter faster. With the shorter throw and the longer handle I will be around stock throw again, but with better accuracy.

Next post will show these mods.

Ben

[I8U]

Might I suggest if you are gonna keep the stock braking system you upgrade the pads. Try Cobalt Friction Technologies XR-1/XR-5 combo, they are amazing. And almost every ST RX-8 in KONI Sports Car Challenge runs them with great success.
Now I understand that this is your first build of this kind? And that you are just getting into Time Attack? And I see where you wanted the car to still be streetable but you are gonna want a suspension that can be tuned, ie some type of coil overs with dampening control. If a coil over is not your cup of tea, then think about upgrading the shocks. The Tokico D-specs are a good affordable choice, in the same respect you would probably be better off with KONI yellows. A lot of track-aholics swear by them for the 8.

Look forward to see how this comes out.

[rotaryextreme]

Thanks for the reply I8U. I do plan on upgrading the brakes. At least the front ones. Redline Time Attack has a street class, that's the one I'm after. Yes first build of this kind, but not new to the parts. I'll take your advice for the pads and use them on my new front set-up when I get it. For me, as of right now, the stock shocks are working good for me. I have a good balance on the car right now and I don't want to change too much until I get some wider tires. I'll probably go with KONI's after seeing tokicos breaking from being over tightend.

[rotaryextreme]

Button Willow, ROUND 1

OK. There were 3 of us there. Please chime in you other 2 guys. The other blue RX8 did really good, he had some track tires on. The black RX8 got like a 2.12 I think with those Dunlop Star speed/spec tires. The black car also had some nice volks. I hope you other two guys chime in and give your Info.

I started out with a 2.20 on some 235/45/17 Falken 912's. Tires squealing around every turn. I had toooooooo much tire preasure. Around 46psi hot. I took it down to 39psi and did a 2.16. I took it down to 37psi hot and My final time for the day was a 2.14. Not bad for the tires. I wonder how I'd do on those Dunlops Star spec........

I had the Rotary Extreme dual cat back, BHR coil kit (freaking flawless, never skipped a beat and never felt a loss of power), kn air filter, tein H-tech and progress anti-sway bars.

Alot of poeple were using those Dunlops and it looks like the tire is the shizznizle.

I talked to a guy with a civic Si (the new one) and he had my tires before. He said that when he switched from the Falkens to the Dunlops he gained 5 sec. Now I'm sure he's better from practice, but 5 seconds is alot. TIRES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My next investment will be some koni yellow shocks because my stock front shock are leaking now and those Dunlops. Hopefully I can get this done before the willow springs event, I'll be good to go!!!!


Ben

[rotaryextreme]

Hey everyone, some of you might not like it, but it feels great for me on the track. With the short shifter and the extension piece, the throw is the same as stock but feels better.

[rotaryextreme]

Here is my BHR coil kit installed, and yes the MSD wires do fit in the stock wire holder. They work flawlessly. More responsive in the mid-range and pulls smooth all the way to redline.

[bose]

I like this thread, you have mods I want and this will be a helpful way of deciding.

And yes those BHR coils are amazing aren't they? I LOVE mine!

[To_Slow]

Nice mods looking good...

[rotaryextreme]

thanks!!!!!

[rotaryextreme]

some pics of the car at home

[rotaryextreme]

fellow RX8club member (atom) video of round 1 at buttonwillow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25fWwQZxVw0 (atom's video)

[WE3RX7]

The first vid of you is great... you looked really good! Where the hell did the integra come from, or worse - where the hell did he go when he passed you and the Z??? Good luck at the next event... you'll catch him!

[rotaryextreme]

Yeah, I hope to catch alot of guys when I get some 265's at 4 corners and finish my s/c kit. I hope to be ready for the 2010 season.

[rotaryextreme]

new videos added to first post!!

[rotaryextreme]

OK everyone, Here is my Eaton TVS s/c I orderd. This is the same design on the new ZR1 corvette. I suspect I will not have the kit done until summer next year at the earliest.
1. I am in no rush.
2. I have more important projects.

Enjoy the photos, Yes, I will have to relocate some stuff in the engine bay....lol

[rotaryextreme]

More Eaton Pics

A little video with me turning the blades, your can hear my roomates talking about eggs in the background......lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hpS4ZGHAjs

[05rex8]

interesting...look forward to seeing the progress

[BuLL]

Very cool, what kind of numbers do you expect?

[rotaryextreme]

You can make more power, but everyone please remember I am only targeting 300 whp and will be looking on how to get more torque, like 220 to 240wtq. I want to make a decent kit that you can beat the shit out of on 15 minute canyon runs and for 20 minute practice seasons and time attack events. Drag racing only last seconds, hard to see the reliability and durability in a kit. I wanna see stuff go out after constant abuse so I can see where things need to be addressed.

I will be using this kit for my time attack project car so I should be able to prove to myself that its good to go before I offer the kit to the public.

There will be alot of stuff that will be relocated, but everything will be a bolt on affair.

Please just wait to see the finished project, It may not be flawsy like Hymees, (God I love his kit), and I am in no way trying to compete with anyone, I just have a little bit different ideas in my set-up. There are already some slammin cool azzizle kits out there.

But I just would like to make my own. You will never succed in anything, unless you try.

Ben
Rotary Extreme

[Nutsid]

Count me in for the updates as well. I definitely enjoy the car as it sits now, so when you add more power to it then it can only make it better. Also, I'm really curious as to how well this supercharger works out for you.

[rotaryextreme]

I'm going to try and see which way I can mount this thing when I start on the kit. Either the pully in the front or the back. But I'll have to put my RX8 outta commision for a while to do this kit. I love driving this thing on the weekends....lol. Oh well.

[3DZukini]

Subscribed, can't wait to see this one... especially if it ends up bolt-on and daily-driver reliable :)

[Brent]

Car looks great Ben. You are making some good progress. I'm going to be doing the Redline Time Attack at Nashville in July... and I'll have some Rotary Extreme stickers on the car :D BTW, I'll be running the Dunlop Direzza Z1 Starspecs the first part of the season. I'm sure I'll post a review of them in the track section or tire/suspension/brake section.

[rotaryextreme]

Brent, sweet, cant wait to see the update. I really am undecided on going with the Falken azenis 615's or the Dunlop star specs. Decisions, Decisions.

[Brent]

The tires that I used at my last few track days were the Falken Azenis RT615's. I've been very pleased with them. They are some of the best "bang for the buck" tires out there I think. They get a little greasy during extended track use. Cheapest place I found the Dunlop's or Falken's has been www.onlinetires.com

[rotaryextreme]

Thanks for the link. I talked with someone today, Apparently I can get a great deal on those 615's. The star-specs are more for street, but now that I want a better tire for the track, I think i'll go 615's.

[Brent]

The 615's and Direzza Z1 Starspec are actually both street tires. Of the 2, the Z1 Starspecs are suppose to be the better tire. Both are good tires though.

[rotaryextreme]

ok, I was talking to Calvin Wan, We were talking about how the 615's have more meat on the outside edges (I believe this gives the 615's better lateral grip). But for side to side transitions, I heard their close. Also, its hard to look past a great discount.

whats up with the "i need to sell some cars", if i had the cash id sure take and fd off your hands....lol

[rotaryextreme]

oh man, read alot of reviews 615 vs star spec. Looks like the star specs are the ones to get.

[Brent]

It is really hard to pass on a good discount. Either one will be fine I'm sure. I've used my 615's on Little Talladega which is a smaller course as well as VIR which is a larger course and they did just fine. They get a little greasy once they've been on the track a while, but any street tire will do that. Will you be doing the next Redline TA? Look forward to seeing your progress!!! I'm hoping to make some driving progress this summer... if not, just have alot of fun trying :D

As far as the sig, I have waaaay too many cars right now. I've come across too many "too good of a deal to pass up" FD's on this deployment. I'll be home finally here in a few weeks and will be selling at least a couple of cars and a ton of parts most likely. Maintenance on one FD is enough upkeep for me, let alone 4 :rofl:

[rotaryextreme]

Damn 4 FD's..holy molly. I'm going to have to pass willow springs so that I can make it for Laguna Secca. I can't mix business funds with personal funds. Business class and common sense 101.....hahaha.

But I'm gonna get the 615's. I dont race in the rain or on wet roads anyways. Also the RX8 has more potential then my driving skill anyways.

Im sure going from 912's to 615's will be pretty noticable.

By the way, check out this video I took today while going to visit my mom. Some old lady is trying to hijack a bus....lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUcZn9ijU4U

[rotaryextreme]

New video added on me chasing down a 998cc Yamaha R1

[rotaryextreme]

2 videos added showing full length of road!!! 5-29-09

[rotaryextreme]

Well my transmission gave out with 32k miles. Busted rear main bearing retainer. The cast piece broke in half. I have put an ACT hdss clutch/preasure plate combo with the ACT 9.8lb chromoly flywheel and counter weight. I also have a heavy duty throwout bearing.

It engages very smooth. It is way smoother then the stock set-up. I had 3rd gear grind when I went from 2nd to 3rd at 2nd redline in acceleration, but after the clutch is fully broken in it went away. I do not notice a huge difference in normal driving, but I can tell that it is faster on heel toe downshifts and also in engine response when I step on the gas.

It is an improvement.

[Herblenny]

Ben,

I was watching your Youtube video and wondering... what camera are you using? I like!

[rotaryextreme]

It's the Hero Go Pro, the only single down fall is wind noise and thats why I usually put music...lol. But its water proof. Its really a kick ass little camera for the price.

Just make sure you get rechargable batteries so it will last more then 3 hours constant filming. With regular batteries it dies in like less then 30 minutes.

Ben

[Herblenny]

Thanks for that info Ben.. I guessed it was Hero Cam... but wanted to make sure. I've heard great things about them..