Retro Racing R build

[Wayne Presley]

Great job!!

[Sgt.Gator]

Thanks Mitch and Wayne. Someday we should all meet at NCM, COTA, or Road America for a 818 only race!

[Mitch Wright]

I know someone that could make that happen if we had enough interest.

[Wayne Presley]

I can borrow FFR's 818R and the 818R that I drove at VIR last weekend would come

[RetroRacing]

Would love to once we get her sorted!!

[Rob T]

I could make NCM in 2020....

[RetroRacing]

Sooooo......
Rear main again. different block, new seal, new crank, dash 10 lines from heads and dash 12 from block all tied together to a manifold that is vented to the DS tank. 7psi of boost.
Calling Elements today to see if they have any ideas, leak down scheduled for Saturday, then to the dyno for tune at 14psi and a leak test. I'm out of ideas at this point.

[Sgt.Gator]

Crazy. Can you attach pics of your lines where they attach to the valve covers and the block? Or are they already in this thread?
I should have spent some time in your trailer last weekend going over your engine.....

[RetroRacing]

We installed the dash 10 lines in the stock position on the heads, the dash 12 in place of the EGR valve. I'm wondering if the ds pump is falling behind the engine oil pump, but that would mean a pooched ds pump, and there is no play in the ds pump shaft.

[Sgt.Gator]

We installed the dash 10 lines in the stock position on the heads, the dash 12 in place of the EGR valve. I'm wondering if the ds pump is falling behind the engine oil pump, but that would mean a pooched ds pump, and there is no play in the ds pump shaft.

There's two vents on each valve cover. Do you have the rear vents connected to the block? What are the front vents doing?

[RetroRacing]

Version 5 engines only have the one vent on the rear of the valve cover (non avcs engine). They all come together (block, valve cover, valve cover) to a manifold that vents to the DS tank.
I'm now wondering if there is an issue with the DS pump being pooched to the point that if can't keep up with the feed pump at speed. I have an email into Elements.

[Sgt.Gator]

Version 5 engines only have the one vent on the rear of the valve cover (non avcs engine). They all come together (block, valve cover, valve cover) to a manifold that vents to the DS tank.
I'm now wondering if there is an issue with the DS pump being pooched to the point that if can't keep up with the feed pump at speed. I have an email into Elements.

I have two DS pumps I can bring to PIR!

[RetroRacing]

So, the issue turned out to be a torn seal in the front of the trans. Fixed, and on track last Friday. Chased other leaks all day, but got some good data only to lose the engine on Saturday on the second lap of the 1 hour race, leading in class and pulling away.....Not sure what happened yet, but not good. Engine builder called and we are hoping to get it sorted soon, but in the mean time, we our backup 2L should be ready this week for install and tune by next Thursday, when we are supposed to be leaving for Spokane.

car was fast, but needs sorting in the handling department, going to throw a little more wing into it to try to get some more bite

[Canadian818]

Sorry to hear about the engine, that’s some bad luck. And they say the rotary is unreliable, haha.

[RetroRacing]

Lost one of those on track this weekend as well, had to change it out at the track without an engine pick....I hurt.

[Mitch Wright]

Once you feel you have a good baseline try a front bar. Helped the rear mechanical grip and drivability.

[RetroRacing]

will do, thanks!

[RetroRacing]

So, the 2l is in the car and running, after mixing up some ignition wires.....
Dropped it at the dyno this morning for a quick breakin and a tune at 18psi, 7800rpm rev limit. Hope to see similar numbers to our 2.3l stroker at 14psi. That engine is being fixed now by the original builder, NorthWest Rallysport, who has been great at stepping up and fixing it. Off to the Ridge for two test days Friday and Saturday, assuming everything tunes properly....

[RetroRacing]

Ya, no, that didn't go well. there is an electrical gremlin somewhere, so spending the weekend chasing electrons instead of lap times. Kill. Me. Now.

[Sgt.Gator]

Dang! Hope you find it soon.

[RetroRacing]

so, we pulled the 2l and re-installed our primary 2.3l. Dyno break-in went well, so we are taking to the track next weekend for a test. Once we have a few weekends on it, we will up the boost to 18psi, hoping to see 350 at the wheels, which will put our power to weight ratio right up there with the ALMS crowd. Just need to keep it running......

[Sgt.Gator]

Did you smash the electrical Gremlins?

[RetroRacing]

Yup, then it failed.
Back to the builder it goes.....
2.3l seams fine, broke it in on the dyno and have it up to 13psi, 299hp@5700rpm, 309ft/lbs at 4700, both measured at the wheels. Turbo wont push any more than 13psi, we need to change out the waste gate or install the pill, but are looking for input on the pill thing, because i'm at a loss as to how that works with the 3-port boost controller from our Haltech. THoughts?

[ssssly]

Even with a haltech I would imagine that the line restrictor is desirable, if not necessary, to increase the line pressure to where you want.

Unless you are running a hybrid manual/electric boost control system.

[RetroRacing]

screwed again. Blew the head gasket at 13psi, 6900rpm, with temps all below 180, oil pressure never under 65. Builder says it must be our set up. Taking it elsewhere for evaluation.

This one almost cost us the car. Oil/water got on the rear tire in a 100mph corner with a berm on both sides (turn 6 at Pacific), spun 180 but kept it on track with some intuitive driving. Stacked my pants, but no other damage.

again, we are done this year for the 25 in this car. Hoping to make the last ridge race for test prior to the 6 hour enduro at PIR. Going to have the new shop dyno test for 2 hours of simulated racing (fans and coolers everywhere) prior to getting it back.

[Mitch Wright]

Sorry to hear the bad news, that sucks. It sounds to me like a new engine builder and tuner may need consideration.

[Wayne Presley]

Could you send me the tune file and I'll see if anything jumps out.
[email protected]

[RetroRacing]

will do, thanks!
History:
Builder installed the engine with a plug left in the lower water line, resulting in the failure seen in the pictures. They then replaced the block and machined the damaged head, to the point that they had to install a thicker head gasket on one side to make up the difference.
Retro block 1.jpgRetro block 2.jpg

[RetroRacing]

and
IMG_2611.JPGRetro block 3.jpg

[Wayne Presley]

Uh, WTH was the builder thinking? I still want to see the tune

[Zach34]

Your determination is inspiring. I can only imagine the frustration level with almost crashing due to this engine. Starting over with new block/heads for the 2-hour dyno test?

[RetroRacing]

We need to see what we have, but maybe....
Wish I had the save on video, I think the aero helped

[Sgt.Gator]

Is the THill 25 a definite no go for this year?

[RetroRacing]

We are officially done with the Subi engines, seems no one can build one without messing it up somehow. Time to go with something we can do ourselves, so new engine package development will be starting up in two weeks time. Anyone want to guess (no Gator, not you....) what it might be? Still looking for 400hp, reliable, upy downy engine this time. The plan is to adapt mounts, not cut up anything.

We will get this thing working!

[Hobby Racer]

^^ Honda motor, Honda motor, Honda motor, Honda motor...

Just wishful thinking. I was seriously considering a KA24 setup and would like to see one completed.

[Brad Smith]

We are officially done with the Subi engines, seems no one can build one without messing it up somehow.

Any leftovers for sale?

[Frank818]

We are officially done with the Subi engines,

Sorry to hear it doesn't work with the Subie engine, I know you've put A LOT of time and efforts into it!! And I know how that feels.

so new engine package development will be starting up in two weeks time. Anyone want to guess (no Gator, not you....) what it might be?

VR6 Turbo? Please do not attempt that, unless you have another 2 years of free time and free money to spend.
I'm sure that's not the one, the VR6 requires cutting the FFR engine mounts to the bare metal tube.

We will get this thing working!

I see you are as determined as I am, "fail" is not a word in our dictionary. Keep it coming!

[Canadian818]

Obviously a 13b-rew!

[Wayne Presley]

Turbine?

[EODTech87]

Hartley V8???

http://www.h1v8.com/f/H1_MAXI_V8_design_specs.PDF