Retro Racing R build

[metros]

I like that, just wish it were aluminum.

[Lumpyguy]

what is your lower splitter made of? I see the factory five splitter and then another one below it. wrapped aluminum?

[RetroRacing]

Yes, 3/16" and about 3" protruding with 4" of support behind, just in case we need to mow the lawn.

[RetroRacing]

We also flat bottomed the ffr splitter with ply and Carbon fiber.

[Hindsight]

Why does the FFR splitter have that upward bend in it anyway? Does anyone know?

[RetroRacing]

You can make it thin and still have some edge rigidity with the up/down turn. One issue is the vortex created on the back side of the front downturn creating drag and disturbing the flow under the car. It will also not wear well at all, and is a bit thin for mounting in my opinion. It looks to me like more of a poser piece than a serious aero piece, just my opinion though.

[RetroRacing]

IMG_1156.JPGIMG_1157.JPGIMG_1158.JPGOnly a few more vinyl pieces to install and we are done with the body!!!!! Here is a preview of the rear of the car.

[STiPWRD]

Any tips for applying the wrap or any problem spots? Were the side sails the most difficult pieces to wrap? I've also been considering doing the vinyl wrap myself but I don't have any experience with it. It just seems very cost effective. Any suggestion on how much of it I should buy? I was thinking maybe a 70ft roll.

By the way I'm really enjoying your build.

[RetroRacing]

We had no experience when we started either, so it's been a fun process. I will put together some points and post for you, but let me tell you this, we have painted 6-7 cars ourselves to both a "race car" standard and street car (better than factory) standard and NO paint job is cheaper, easier or less hassle than vinyl! Points to follow

[RetroRacing]

Vinyl point of fun and interest:
1. NEVER buy cheap vinyl, it does not work! Use only 3M or Avery
2. Watch at least 3 hours of YouTube video showing different installations, not rookies, but actual professionals. It will make your install a s#$t ton easier.
3. The most difficult part of the 818 to vinyl is the rear piece and fenders. The trunk lid and humps are the most straight forward, so start there.
4. It is way easier to install the vinyl when the body pieces are on the car, you have to pull the vinyl allot so the more solid the mount the better.
5. This is never a one man job! The more directions that you can pull the vinyl the better.
6. Vinyl stretches allot, especially when heated. Be very careful with mettalics, the color will change if you over stretch it.
7. Prep the car with a really good degreaser, like a final wipe before paint.
8. Never use water under the vinyl to move it around, it’s not that kind of vinyl.
9. Have lots of craft knives, or razor blades handy, and buy the best application tools (felt cover any rubber edged smoothing tools)
10. You will need about 100’ of vinyl for the whole car, there is allot of waist inherent in the design.
11. Don’t be afraid to lift and reposition, it’s meant to do that.
12. The smoother you can get the vinyl prior to heat, the better the finish
13. We use a hairdryer, but you can use a heat gun, just be careful with the heat while you are pulling, it happens really fast!

[STiPWRD]

Outstanding! Thanks for the advice. I was considering a metallic also, so I'll have to reconsider that.

[Sgt.Gator]

OMG the wing! You'll be doing wheelies at 100 mph!

[Scargo]

Sgt. Gator, you just have wing envy! Looking great guys!

[FFRSpec72]

IMG_1156.JPGIMG_1157.JPGIMG_1158.JPGOnly a few more vinyl pieces to install and we are done with the body!!!!! Here is a preview of the rear of the car.

You are going to have to put one of those Home Depot/Lowes flags on the back with the wing and diffuser sticking out ! The PRO3 cars will see that as a target. Looking good guys !

[Bob_n_Cincy]

OMG the wing! You'll be doing wheelies at 100 mph!

I don't know if you were serious Gator. But I agree. The front end is pretty light. The downforce and drag of the wing will both act together to raise the nose.
Bob

[FFRSpec72]

I don't know if you were serious Gator. But I agree. The front end is pretty light. The downforce and drag of the wing will both act together to raise the nose.
Bob

@ 1799 my car is only 2% heaver in front, I expect the splitter and win to counter balance as I can adjust the wing.

[Hindsight]

Out-standing!

Get that thing on the track and post up some videos of all the cars you pass with it. Can't wait. A good crop of R's are nearing completion.

[RetroRacing]

With the tunnel under tray, large diffuser, extended splitter and canards, we are hoping to only run 5 degrees on the wing (as we are mounted so far back from the rear wheels). We got some wiring done (the flashing unit is awesome!), radio installed and some other minor details done this weekend. We hope to have the whole car together for pics this weekend before we strip it to go to the dyno to get the engine wired on the 14th.

[Harley818]

Looking awesome. Nice finish detailing.
Love to come check it out.
sent you a PM.

[RetroRacing]

pm'd back, hope to see you this weekend.

[Sgt.Gator]

Will you be bringing it to the ICSCC race at Mission July 8-9-10? If so I'll come up to crew. My STI blew it's motor at Spokane so I'm back to building a new one but I'll come to crew if you're still on track for the Thill25 in December.

[RetroRacing]

We won't test at mission, the penalty is to great if something goes wrong. First outing will be end of july, ridge or PIR. I will keep you updated, and yes, we are still going to the 25, put all other racing on hold for testing this beast.

[Sgt.Gator]

We won't test at mission, the penalty is to great if something goes wrong. First outing will be end of july, ridge or PIR. I will keep you updated, and yes, we are still going to the 25, put all other racing on hold for testing this beast.

Your always invited to come to ORP for a club track day. 8 hours of open track, just drive on and off when you want. I may be able to get you a garage there to work in too. The Club Days are on this calendar: http://oregonraceway.com/scheduling-calendar-2/

[RetroRacing]

That sound promising...Here are some pics we took after the first alignment. we have 2.27 rear camber, 3 front camber and 4.5 castor. Need to strip the car for the dyno next week after we get a final scale session done.
IMG_1179 [37581].JPGIMG_1180 [37582].JPGIMG_1181.JPG

[Mitch Wright]

Car looks great guys.

[07FIREBLADE]

I was looking through your thread and didn't see any photos of the electric power steering setup. Did you make one for the 818 that you would like to share with the class?

[RetroRacing]

Not yet, but probably soon. It's pretty easy with off the shelf parts, but I do have pics of the one in the Saker if you are interested.

[07FIREBLADE]

Yes please, its on my to do list. What off the shelf parts are you looking to use?

[Frank818]

Oh my that looks FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!
Same blue as I have, using wrap. The finish looks... droooooooooooool. And the rear, the cut between black and blue, thank you for the idea!!!

[RetroRacing]

Like this, or you can source each item (using a unit from a Saturn)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Adapting-Ele...RXYuj6&vxp=mtr
DSC00131.jpgDSC00132.jpg

[07FIREBLADE]

Ok. I was looking at sourcing the Saturn unit and using the controller off of that one eBay seller. I was just wonder if you pioneered further and got anything done yet.

[RetroRacing]

Not yet, we want to maker sure that we don't need a quickener first.

[07FIREBLADE]

Got ya. A quickened might be nice but having a electric assist while not on the track or pits.

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Take a look at Mitch driving this lap in our car. I don't think you are going to need a steering quickener.
Bob

[07FIREBLADE]

What ratio rack are you guys using?

[RetroRacing]

It's Alive!!!!
After some issues with our wiring, and a bad transfer pump in the fuel cell, it started right up and spent a few hours on the dyno checking things out and thrashing the engine. Ended up with a very conservative 275 at the wheels at only 16lbs of boost (stock is 17lbs on this motor). We will retune once we have some 100 in the tank, and have all of the soon to be found handling bugs out of the car. I will update you all once we have the car aligned and the body work back on, with some sound and video.

Looks like we will have her ready for Portland on the 20th.

[Mitch Wright]

Fantastic, looking forward to a track report.

[Sgt.Gator]

It's Alive!!!!
After some issues with our wiring, and a bad transfer pump in the fuel cell, it started right up and spent a few hours on the dyno checking things out and thrashing the engine. Ended up with a very conservative 275 at the wheels at only 16lbs of boost (stock is 17lbs on this motor). We will retune once we have some 100 in the tank, and have all of the soon to be found handling bugs out of the car. I will update you all once we have the car aligned and the body work back on, with some sound and video.

Looks like we will have her ready for Portland on the 20th.

I'll be there! My STI may not be running by then but I'll come up anyway. Will you be doing the Test & Tune on Friday?

[Hindsight]

Wow very cool! Congrats on getting it running and ready. I'll be in Bend visiting family in August and would love to see your first track session but looks like I will miss it by a week unfortunately. I hope it goes well. Make sure you take some video!

[FFRSpec72]

I'll be there! My STI may not be running by then but I'll come up anyway. Will you be doing the Test & Tune on Friday?

I will do test/tune on Friday and if the car makes it I will run group 4 in ITE