Plavan's 818R Build Thread

[C.Plavan]

I'm jealous.... I'm just starting down the track of fixing overheating, ensuring I have adequate oiling, etc. Based on your long journey, I have a ways to go (both in time and money). I bet it was cool watching the car go down the track!

It was nice to see someone else enjoying it. Rob was all smiles and made some neat comfort improvements in the cockpit. He has been bitten by the Hoosier Crack- He is Hoosier tire only now.

Are you having coolant overheating? I fixed my issue once I bought the Airlift coolant tool (Creates Vacuum and fills the coolant system without air pockets). It did what the big yellow funnel could not do.

[C.Plavan]

Chad, do you have a NP01 build blog hosted somewhere?

I do not. I happily paid $8000 for Elan to build it. My Wife still likes me, it was her idea. She did not want me hiding in the garage building it. Elan is Panoz, Deltawing. They know how to build really great racecars. I got to build/add some of the stuff- the cost of them building it was worth not messing with composite body panels

Here is a cool new NP01 video they released.

https://www.facebook.com/DriveNASANP...0346288004298/

[Hindsight]

Are you having coolant overheating?

I am. I have an air lift as well, and also the self-bleeding setup where the radiator bleed hose and the aluminum coolant pipe on top of the engine both have a small hose that goes to the degas tank. But in my case, I believe my issue is due to having ZERO ducting for the radiator and no splitter either. I run my rad fans on high 100% of the time but it isn't enough, apparently. I plan to duct the radiator and then also add a new water pump (the kind with the cast impeller instead of the stamped one - supposed to work better).

[C.Plavan]

I am. I have an air lift as well, and also the self-bleeding setup where the radiator bleed hose and the aluminum coolant pipe on top of the engine both have a small hose that goes to the degas tank. But in my case, I believe my issue is due to having ZERO ducting for the radiator and no splitter either. I run my rad fans on high 100% of the time but it isn't enough, apparently. I plan to duct the radiator and then also add a new water pump (the kind with the cast impeller instead of the stamped one - supposed to work better).

I see. Yeah, I had to block off everything. I used aluminum and Bulb Seal. On the drivers side of the radiator, I used the foam you get at the Hardware store that is meant for your rain gutters (to keep leaves out) I packed that in there nice and tight.

[Scargo]

Has anyone gotten rid of the coolant crossover tube (water inlet pipe) and/or all emissions-warmer/heater take-offs from the water pump? You could go all the way back to the 1/2" outlets on the water pump, pull the tubes and plug the holes. I was tempted, but left them in. Seems eliminating them would improve flow in the engine.

[Hindsight]

Thanks Chad, that is the approach I will take as well. Lots of cardboard templates!

Glyn, I removed all the coolant pipes and tubes on mine. You need the one for the heater core and the degas tank return though - I left those.

[Rob T]

Hi: The is Rob. I bought Chad's 818R. As he said, I made few mods to make it fit me better. Seat, switches, etc. I was out yesterday and did four 5 lap sessions at Buttonwillow. Course 25CCW. I am learning still and working on heal/toe. It was 100F at the track. Water temp was 195, but I did not run the alternate fan. Two oil coolers up front are taped off and oil temp was 210. AWIC was 110. I hit a max of 126mph and 1.54G both left and right with the Hoosier A6's at 31psi. 120 mph+ is jiggly even with aero on my helmet. I am going to put a link to a video next. Car is running great. Only thing I've done is replace the CV's and axles with units from The Axle Shop. Fit perfectly. This car is far more than the driver right now, but I am learning quickly.

[Rob T]

Here is a link to my lap. Rob T

https://youtu.be/L814vpY4uwY

[Rob T]

Sorry: The Drive Shaft Shop. They were awesome to work with, too.

[C.Plavan]

Here is a link to my lap. Rob T

https://youtu.be/L814vpY4uwY

I'm glad you are enjoying it. Keep getting that seat time and practice what we talked about. You will get more comfortable each time. You took the ultimate leap for a first race car.

[Frank818]

Vents, vents, and more vents!

Chad, not sure you're still following your thread but if yes, I see you located the vents centered above the wheel. If you had to do it again, would you locate them at the same place or more backwards or more forward?

Hope you have fun with your awesome NP01!

[C.Plavan]

Chad, not sure you're still following your thread but if yes, I see you located the vents centered above the wheel. If you had to do it again, would you locate them at the same place or more backwards or more forward?

Hope you have fun with your awesome NP01!

I would not change them. I based the location off of the 991 GT3 RS. Rob says they work great- He went off in the dirt and the vents threw dirt straight out at speed.

[Frank818]

Tnx man, we got a proof is does let stuff out of the vents.

[Rob T]

Yes....I can vouch that I tested the vents. Also quite a bit out of the hood vent. The dirt at Buttonwillow is pretty powdery. The vents worked. It took me 60 minutes with a shop vac to get the dirt off the front tray and all the little nooks and crannies. No damage to the car whatsoever. My pride, well that's what learning is all about....