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Thread: GTM roll cage modifications and race car build log

  1. #881
    Member kabacj's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by longislandwrx View Post
    let me know if you need a copilot for additional data analysis
    Haha. Yeah thanks for the offer to help. Data collection can often be much easier when one person drives and the other manages the data collection equipment.

    John
    XTF #2
    build start date June 19 2023

    GTM # 344
    Build Start December 2010
    First track day April 2013

  2. #882
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    John,
    I have a hard time thinking of your car in white, you will have to update your profile pic. I also want to see how you get the rubber off the side of the car. I spend several days fixing stuff before each track weekend, run hard all weekend, get back at midnight sunday night and don't touch the car for a couple weeks. I feel guilty, but I don't think my car has been truly clean for over a year.
    One question, what is your ride height and where do you measure? Have you changed this and if so what were the effects?
    Thanks,
    Gary

  3. #883
    Member kabacj's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by flickery8 View Post
    John,
    I have a hard time thinking of your car in white, you will have to update your profile pic. I also want to see how you get the rubber off the side of the car. I spend several days fixing stuff before each track weekend, run hard all weekend, get back at midnight sunday night and don't touch the car for a couple weeks. I feel guilty, but I don't think my car has been truly clean for over a year.
    One question, what is your ride height and where do you measure? Have you changed this and if so what were the effects?
    Thanks,
    Gary
    Hey Gary

    Yep I do need to update my profile pic. I'm waiting for some good track pics.

    Regarding keeping a brilliant white car clean. Ha yeah that's going to me much harder than hot rod satin black. I'm comfortable painting the car now, so I can just repaint it if necessary.

    On the ride height question.

    I run 3.75 front static ride height under the front axle line and 4.5 under the rear axle line.

    Since the GTM has a flat underbody it's possible to use the underside of the car to create downforce. The rake of the car also slightly transfers more weight to the front of the car.




    More downforce that is biased to the front of the car and more weight on the front tires are both good things on the track. For street use neither of these things matter. Depending on how you use the car, it might be more important to make sure that the car can clear obstacles and not high center on humps.

    I drive the same ride height on the street, but I am very limited by steep driveway entrances and can't drive over speed bumps at all. It does not bother me. My GTM is not a daily driver where that would matter.

    John
    Last edited by kabacj; 04-20-2016 at 05:08 AM.
    XTF #2
    build start date June 19 2023

    GTM # 344
    Build Start December 2010
    First track day April 2013

  4. #884
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    Thanks! My car used to be flat on the bottom but that came undone for a bit, I will post under my thread.
    Thanks for the info!
    Gary
    Last edited by flickery8; 05-01-2016 at 11:08 PM.

  5. #885
    Super Moderator vnmsss's Avatar
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    Glad you're still at it, John!!

    K
    #28 FFR Challenge Series
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    2011 Western Endurance Racing Championship
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    Drive it.....Like you stole it!

  6. #886
    Member kabacj's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by vnmsss View Post
    Glad you're still at it, John!!

    K
    Hey Karen!

    Yep. Still having fun too.

    See ya soon. November is right around the corner.
    XTF #2
    build start date June 19 2023

    GTM # 344
    Build Start December 2010
    First track day April 2013

  7. #887
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    John,
    Are you entering the UTCC this weekend? I would love to see how a well prepared GTM stacks up.
    Ken

  8. #888
    Member kabacj's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cattrax View Post
    John,
    Are you entering the UTCC this weekend? I would love to see how a well prepared GTM stacks up.
    Ken
    Hi Ken

    Yeah the plan was to run in the UTCC this year, but my life does not always go to plan.

    I was accepted into the challenge by Grass Roots Motorsports and had planned my trip down but I now have some obligations that trump my hobby.

    I will run the GTM in the UTCC, but sadly not this year. I want to see how it will run as well!

    I am frankly more worried how my driving will stand up to the field of top class drivers! The GTM is well up to the task.


    John
    XTF #2
    build start date June 19 2023

    GTM # 344
    Build Start December 2010
    First track day April 2013

  9. #889
    fasterer and furiouser longislandwrx's Avatar
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    John, how are things going?
    A well stocked beverage fridge is the key to any successful project.

  10. #890
    Member kabacj's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by longislandwrx View Post
    John, how are things going?
    Hey man.

    Sadly not a lot to report on the GTM front. My racing plans have been derailed for every event for one reason or another.

    Work, family and the backlog of projects that have built up over the GTM build have kept me super busy.


    On the positive side one of my side projects was to build an aluminum railing for my dad that will stand up to salt water. Annodizing is the only way to coat the aluminum so it will last. Commercial anodizers were both expensive and inflexible. It's not worth my time to do all of the CAD work to provide them with drawings and spec sheets.

    FINE! I need to learn how to anodize.

    Immediately I run into an issue. Try to find a tank that is 5 feet long, and will stand up to both strong acid and 220 degrees. Oh and each gallon of chemical costs you money so a giant vat is not going to work either.

    Ok I know how to make tanks from the GTM project.

    I made 4 tanks from 316 stainless steel.


    Ok now I need to circulate the acid and cool it as I run high amperage current through it.

    No problem. I found a pump that can circulate acid without self destructing and built a cooling loop out of PVC and old garden hose.

    Then I tested the system and made it leak proof with water.



    Works great.

    After I anodize 45 posts every aluminum part on the GTM can get a custom annodized finish!
    XTF #2
    build start date June 19 2023

    GTM # 344
    Build Start December 2010
    First track day April 2013

  11. #891
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    John, as you may have noticed, I have always recommended anodizing for all aluminum panels on the GTM. That said, while it is cool that you have learned how to do a new process, there is no way that what you have done is economical. There are a number of anodizers here in San Diego, and I know I am spoiled for having the capabilities of the ship yards available to me, but there has to be a cheaper and easier way than what you have there. What are you going to do with the chemicals when you are done? All the hardware will be contaminated as well, what are your plans for that?
    www.myraceshop.com

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  12. #892
    Member kabacj's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by crash View Post
    John, as you may have noticed, I have always recommended anodizing for all aluminum panels on the GTM. That said, while it is cool that you have learned how to do a new process, there is no way that what you have done is economical. There are a number of anodizers here in San Diego, and I know I am spoiled for having the capabilities of the ship yards available to me, but there has to be a cheaper and easier way than what you have there. What are you going to do with the chemicals when you are done? All the hardware will be contaminated as well, what are your plans for that?

    Hey Crash.

    Yep agree with you on the outright cost for a batch of 45 5 foot parts. Sure I could get them done a little cheaper than the supplies I purchased however I value getting things done the way I want when I want.

    That type of service is very expensive.

    And I like to know that if I want to do a very small job I can get it done in the time it takes me to setup my anodizing line. Commercial guys don't care about that type of work. It's just not worth it. I don't blame them.

    Regarding the chemicals. We are talking about dyes and strong acids. None of the ingredients are toxic so I was just going to pour them down the sewer drain. That's what I do with all my waste oil.

    Ha just kidding. The acids are neutralized with baking Soda and any disolved aluminum in the acid is inert and will precipitate out when the PH goes down.

    Don't worry. Even though I'm a big fan of burning fossil fuels I'm also a boyscout. Our motto is leave no trace. I recycle everything and waste a little as possible. I don't believe in global warming, but there is no question that humans have the power to ruin our environment. Have we gone off topic?

    Rest assured I'm not going to be the guy polluting. I'm probably more concerned about that then the average guy looking to make money running a business.

    On that note! Looking forward to some custom colored annodized aluminum on the GTM. That will make it faster as you know.

    John



    John
    Last edited by kabacj; 10-13-2016 at 06:34 PM.
    XTF #2
    build start date June 19 2023

    GTM # 344
    Build Start December 2010
    First track day April 2013

  13. #893
    Seasoned Citizen NAZ's Avatar
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    I think you meant to say that the aluminum precipitates out of solution when the pH increases. Aluminum hydroxide has very low solubility at 4 to 9.5 pH.

  14. #894
    Member kabacj's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by NAZ View Post
    I think you meant to say that the aluminum precipitates out of solution when the pH increases. Aluminum hydroxide has very low solubility at 4 to 9.5 pH.
    Yes exactly right. Thanks for that

  15. #895
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    Quote Originally Posted by kabacj View Post
    Yes exactly right. Thanks for that
    LOL ....sorry ...had to chuckle.
    Last edited by Aceflo; 10-13-2016 at 11:01 PM. Reason: Quote

  16. #896
    Seasoned Citizen NAZ's Avatar
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    John, I'm very impressed with your build and the way you are going about it.

  17. #897
    Member kabacj's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by NAZ View Post
    John, I'm very impressed with your build and the way you are going about it.
    Thanks NAZ

    The great thing about this project is how far it's possible to develop it.

    I have learned so much about what goes into a race car and even every day road cars.

    I still have so much to learn. The adventure continues !

    John
    XTF #2
    build start date June 19 2023

    GTM # 344
    Build Start December 2010
    First track day April 2013

  18. #898
    Senior Member beeman's Avatar
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    John,
    Awesome thread, I'm up to page 10, fun following your journey. Women have their romance novels, we have stuff like this thread.
    One question, which rack are you running with the power steering? Are you 3 turns lock to lock or something quicker? How much caster are you currently running? Did you move the upper A-Arms up front?
    Great stuff!

    EDIT: Just finished reading through the entire thread. Congratulations on a beautiful (and competitive!) GTM!
    Last edited by beeman; 02-27-2017 at 11:05 PM.
    MK3.1 2004 Mach 1 donor. ABS, PS, TC.
    GTM #304 LPE 525hp LS3
    2000 C5 Lingenfelter LS1@489hp
    1999 Corvette FRC/Z06 track car

  19. #899
    Member kabacj's Avatar
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    thanks Beeman

    The journey has been great! The build is not done yet, just on pause until we get some better testing weather. Stay tuned!

    Glad to see the progress on your build as well!

    John
    XTF #2
    build start date June 19 2023

    GTM # 344
    Build Start December 2010
    First track day April 2013

  20. #900
    fasterer and furiouser longislandwrx's Avatar
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    Any news? I keep hoping to see the car around town. We are moving to Northport in 2 weeks so my build has been on hold as well.
    A well stocked beverage fridge is the key to any successful project.

  21. #901
    Member kabacj's Avatar
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    Great news on the move.

    Re the build I have had a few other priorities that have cut into my ability to go to the track

    The next few months should open up and I'll have some build updates and hopefully some track time.

    Such is life I guess. We can only burn the candle at both ends.

    John
    XTF #2
    build start date June 19 2023

    GTM # 344
    Build Start December 2010
    First track day April 2013

  22. #902
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    ttt. This thread is a wealth of car fabrication and track setup info. Thanks to all.
    Last edited by HardRocker; 10-31-2019 at 07:45 PM.

  23. #903
    Senior Member beeman's Avatar
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    Is this car still being developed and tracked? Hope all is going well!
    MK3.1 2004 Mach 1 donor. ABS, PS, TC.
    GTM #304 LPE 525hp LS3
    2000 C5 Lingenfelter LS1@489hp
    1999 Corvette FRC/Z06 track car

  24. #904
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    Bringing this up from sleep, did you ever produce any videos with good audio from those ITBs? Garage or street or track.
    Restored GTM #82 w help of friends. Now cruising, tracking, upgrading.

  25. #905
    Member kabacj's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by RR46 View Post
    Bringing this up from sleep, did you ever produce any videos with good audio from those ITBs? Garage or street or track.
    Hey RR46.



    Of course now I’m building this so I’m a little distracted

    http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showt...nner-build-log
    Last edited by kabacj; 06-23-2023 at 05:11 PM.
    XTF #2
    build start date June 19 2023

    GTM # 344
    Build Start December 2010
    First track day April 2013

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  27. #906
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    Just FYI...that link does not work for me.
    www.myraceshop.com

    GTM solution kits
    Corvette and Race parts

  28. Thanks kabacj thanked for this post
  29. #907
    Member kabacj's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by crash View Post
    Just FYI...that link does not work for me.
    Thanks Crash

    This link should work http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showt...nner-build-log

    I’m glad to see you guys are still getting after it. The GTM is such a great car.
    XTF #2
    build start date June 19 2023

    GTM # 344
    Build Start December 2010
    First track day April 2013

  30. #908
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    And the GTM only gets better with time and improvements.

    I think I will probably be racing the FFR PDG GTM until I am dead.
    www.myraceshop.com

    GTM solution kits
    Corvette and Race parts

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