Plavan's 818R Build Thread

[C.Plavan]

Hey Chad. Been out of the loop for a while and catching up on the threads. Insane you purchased a NP01, I have been eyeing those since you introduced that beast to me this past summer. I read one of the NP01's posted a best lap of 1:55 and the other a 1:51 at 25hrs of Thunderhill. Pretty impressive times running 185hp.

I'm curious what made the NP01 more appealing to you than the SLC?

Hey Brandon!

There are many reasons I chose the NP01 over the SLC-
1. Price
2. Cost to race/consumables/tires/parts
3. Resale- National Spec series creates a better demand/ easier to sell without losing as much money (SLC would cost over $100k in race trim, and you will not get half of that if you sell it- It's a kit car)
4. Spec racing series for the NP01
5. Real Sequential 6 speed racing transmission in the NP01
6. SLC is more of a unfinished kit like the 818
7. The NP01 is made by a real racecar manufacturer (not Replicas)
8. The look/design/form/function of the NP01- The SLC looks too kit car to me.

That's about it- Plus, Elan has been a joy to work with. They may even get me my car a month earlier than expected (completely built) now in February, instead of March. Mid March will be the first Spec race at Willow Springs in the Pacific NP01 Spec series. You should come on out.

[C.Plavan]

Test day is set for January 8th. Hopefully no rain.

[wleehendrick]

Test day is set for January 8th. Hopefully no rain.

Did someone say rain? El Nino has arrived

[Frank818]

8th, that's tomorrow!! 54F no rain!

[bbjones121]

Yes!! Finally the day has come...

[C.Plavan]

It's still raining today. I'm hoping to load her up after work. I'm only going for a half day tomorrow if the weather is good. I'm going to fill the car up and run it till its out of gas, weather permitting.

[Pearldrummer7]

It's still raining today. I'm hoping to load her up after work. I'm only going for a half day tomorrow if the weather is good. I'm going to fill the car up and run it till its out of gas, weather permitting.

You get half a day out of a tank of gas? I feel like I'm lucky if I don't need to fill between sessions. I think I have a smaller tank thank you, though.


Good luck tomorrow Chad! We're all anxiously waiting results

[wleehendrick]

It's still raining today. I'm hoping to load her up after work. I'm only going for a half day tomorrow if the weather is good. I'm going to fill the car up and run it till its out of gas, weather permitting.

Good luck! If you've had as much rain/flooding this week as we have down here, hope the track is in decent shape.

[C.Plavan]

You get half a day out of a tank of gas? I feel like I'm lucky if I don't need to fill between sessions. I think I have a smaller tank thank you, though.


Good luck tomorrow Chad! We're all anxiously waiting results

I just meant for a full session. I can get over an hour I'm guessing.

Hopefully that rainbow means something good!



Wleehendrick- I'm sure the track is fine, but I'm in no way going to go off the pavement. No record lap times tomorrow for sure, but that is not the real point. Fingerscrossed.

[Frank818]

Cold, possible fog at the moment, but looks like rain chances are at 0%.

We really want this to work!

[bbjones121]

Well we haven't heard anything yet... So I am taking that as good news.

[RetroRacing]

waiting..............waiting............please be good news!

[07FIREBLADE]

Seriously biting my nails right now as I'm waiting at the dmv waiting to here this car finally got sorted out, and ripped on everything at the track even though Chad wasn't pushing it.

[bbjones121]

This wait had got to be good news. Typically something happens right away.

[bbjones121]

Where is he going to race?

[Pearldrummer7]

I think he said buttonwillow.

I'm hoping no news means he's trying to sign up for the afternoon session, too!

[C.Plavan]

I'm still at the track. One problem now.......... Oil does not get hot enough!!!!!!! I had to tape off one front duct. I can't get it to 180 after 5 laps. Going out again here in a second. Fastest thing out here again.
Im hesitant to say this...... But after the first hour, I believe it's fixed!!!!!

[bbjones121]

Yes!!!!! That is awesome to hear!

[Hindsight]

Oh wow.... that's outstanding!!!!!

[wallace18]

Congrats. It was a long hard journey to get there. I admire your sticking to the fix.

[Mechie3]

Sweet.

[C.Plavan]

Yep- it's all fixed! I needed to block off both front oil cooler ducts- it was still not getting over 160.

Now I'm getting ready to pack up. Day started off really crappy I thought. There was a water leak under the side pod, so I took off the whole drivers side body work (10min). it was just a loose hose clamp on the alumninum coolant tube. Easy peasy fix.

Coolant never got over 185, or AWIC over 88 degrees on the track. Fun day. Long time coming.

[Kurk818]

Congrats. You deserve this!

[Aero STI]

It's awesome this worked out for you! What was the ambient temperature while you were running? The AWIC being in check is great news as well. What happens when your old 818R is faster than your new NP01?

[129st]

Congrats. You really kept at it to get a running race car.

Can you give us an explanation of what you think was the root cause of the oil overheat issue?

[Hindsight]

Wow, after all this time. Big congrats. I too am curious to see if you think it was a bad water pump or the large oil pump that was causing the issue. I don't recall what else you changed recently other than those two things. Are you confident that things will still be good under higher ambient temps?

Maybe consider adding a thermostat for the oil cooling system?

[AZPete]

Congrats, Chad! Perseverance paid off. Now there are a lot of guys waiting to know the fix.

[C.Plavan]

Thanks Everyone. Since I took the "Shotgun Approach" It's hard to say what fixed it. New 10cm oil pump, new water pump, new pulley, new timing belt kit and bearings, not running with the bottom engine cover, open venting of the motor, VR1 20/50 race oil, ambient temps????? Who knows? When I raced at Willow Springs last year in the same ambeint temps, my oil still got to 250/260.... So something is working. All I know is that I got 3 long sessions, and was getting tired from driving it so much. The tow home with a working car is alot more fun. I really think I may have too many oil coolers now. Oil temp was too low.

I want to think it was the 10cm oil pump. I think the 11cm oil pump was bypassing so much oil because of its higher flow volume. The oil was bypassing all the time with the 11cm, just spinning in the block heating up. I also read the 11cm is for journal bearing turbos- I have a ball bearing- that maybe part of it with the oil restrictor for the ball bearing turbo you put on????)

I also do not think you should not have a closed vacuum block with the Element Dry Sump. The vacuum is working against the scavenge, I know Gator has his working though, but both ARE and Element told me to vent it like I have.

I ran without the flat bottom aluminum piece under the engine. That could of helped cool everything also. I did not notice any handling issues running without it. I may suggest the new owner throw it on and try it.

The new owner is picking the car up on the 30th. Sorry to the guys who just sent me PM's inquiring about buying it

It's a fast car. More fun when it is running right. Faster than my incoming NP01- Probably, but the NP01 is a different beast, enclosed, and a Spec car. I cant wait to get it.

[bbjones121]

Congratulations Chad. It will be sad to see you go. You have been an inspiration for us all. Best of luck with the NP01

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Great job Chad getting through all the challenging obstacles.
Bob

[Sgt.Gator]

Congratulations!!!

Besides the oil temp issue, did you also solve the power drop off? Were you able to keep up your lap times/speeds the entire session?
I'm going to miss working thru this with you when you're gone.

I'll be looking for you at the THill25 next year.

[Flamshackle]

Waaahoooo! Well done Chad :-)

What a great effort and impressive perseverance. Your build thread will serve others I am sure.

[mikeb75]

Congrats. Very happy to read your success. I hope you have a feeling of satisfaction after all your work & frustration, you've definitely earned it.

[Scargo]

Now, put the old water pump back in and see what happens...

[Mulry]

Congrats! That's great news.

[Frank818]

AWESOME!! We knew you'd fix it at some point!! It's sad you only got one real drive with it but at least you could feel how it likes! You certainly learned a lot of things with this car!

Not surprised it was running cold at 40F... I believe the car was running pretty much as it should. Would have been nice to see the difference with the engine belly pan though. Hopefully the new owner could comment on that one day.

Might want to revisit your signature too.

[Pearldrummer7]

Chad, this is great to hear. I'm really glad you got to be the fastest thing out there and go home with a working car at least once before you sold it.

Can't wait to see what the next owner brings to this fantastic car.

[bbjones121]

Any video?

[C.Plavan]

Congratulations!!!

Besides the oil temp issue, did you also solve the power drop off? Were you able to keep up your lap times/speeds the entire session?
I'm going to miss working thru this with you when you're gone.

I'll be looking for you at the THill25 next year.

I did not notice any power drop off like before. I could run the thing forever. With the outside temps in the low 50's, I could feel the extra power

[C.Plavan]

Any video?

I used my new gopro Hero4 Session- Great size, but the video/microphone is no where near as good as my Normal Hero3 Gopro. I'm sticking with the Gopro3 from now on.

I may load up some funny clips of street cars going off in the mud. I do not have time at the moment, I'm packing for a work trip.