BRZ/FRS Endurance Racing Platform - WRL AER - Can it work?
 

My team and I are considering building an FT86 for World Racing League and AER events in 2018. I've raced an NC MX-5 for couple years with NASA and it was dirt cheap to run, and very reliable.

I owned a BRZ as a second vehicle and loved it, always wanted to race one.

We're considering MX5, Porsche Spec Boxster, BRZ among couple other cars. Looking for something 13:1 power to weight in race trim, and seems doable for all these cars.

My question is, can these cars last naturally aspirated on track for long duration. I've read about some cooling woes, etc. which is worrisome. We'd obviously do aftermarket radiator, hoses, oil cooler - but what other mods would be needed.

Also, anyone running these in race trim, what is your weight with cage etc? Also, wheel horsepower.

These races are 8-12 hours NON-STOP, I'm looking for real world opinions, not doing 3 "hot laps" in a DE if that makes sense. :thumbsup:

Budget for an oil cooler and to replace coil packs on a regular basis and I don't see why not. The radiator keeps the coolant rock solid on track in NA form so the oil is the concern.

Edit: yeah this is from a DE experience but the coil pack may spike the consumable cost higher than expected at ~$80 each, I've replaced three but not a regular track day guy anymore, I think some of them are replacing 1-2 a year which may work out to 1-2 per event for you.

And you get a CEL when it fails and it may pull some power, you can continue to run it and power seems to return after a brief slowdown (1-2s) but that means your CEL may not tell you of other more serious problems along with maybe you get a little bump from someone on corner exit when the car doesn't keep moving at the speed that's expected, could be enough to ruin a day, hypothetically speaking.

Coolant isn't an issue NA. All you need is a large oil cooler.

I've prepped quite a few race trim cars.

200whp with a 2600lb w/ driver car is very doable. You may need to ballast to get to that weight depending on the driver(s). Depending on elevation, output will be affected, and you may be able to drop weight for higher elevation events.

Are the coil packs an issue like stated above, I haven't seen that anywhere

Only on older cars. 14+ don't have the issue.

Hey random hero, do I know you? I have been with NASA RM for many years. I raced TTD for the first time this year. You may recognize my car:

https://6yj7lq.dm2301.livefilestore....887.JPG?psid=1

I haven't done any enduros, but based on what I know about the platform don't think there should be any major problems other than what the other guys here have said. You'll probably want bigger brakes. I had good ducts on mine with DTC-60s for a couple years and felt I was near their limit in 20 minute sessions.
Have you spoken with Mark at SCR Performance? They ran a BRZ in WRL. They'd be a great resource for you.

I would suggest you replicate the CS-V3 86 Cup car.

https://www.racingbytmg.com/en/motor...specification/

They run Nurburgring 24 Hour races every year. Stock diff but they have a differential oil cooler, so easiest is to get Greddy or Cusco rear diff cover and plumb your own diff cooler.

Yeah, Mark is awesome - love that guy! I'll reach out to him, Mikey's car did a lot of WRL stuff, good call.

I haven't raced RM since 2015, I ran PTD/TTD in a grey/orange Maxxis MX5. I now run an M3 in GTS3. Too high strung, and stiff for WRL.

I have a 72-row mounted right to the cooler stack and use a diverter valve to adjust capacity.

When I'm driving at sustained high RPM indefinitely, I've found the engine can keep up with the cooler no problem. It quickly over-cools as soon as I go back to cruising. Just a data point for you guys. The rest of the engine is bone stock.

A friend and I just built an FRS (mine) and BRZ(his) for this exact purpose. Were supposed to have run the WRL event at VIR a few weeks back but got snowed out. Focusing on AER next season, maybe a few WRL events if there's nothing else going on.

How's your progress? It'd be great to meet at AER Road Atlanta. My car has been TTD'd for a few years, then sat for the last 2. This will be an ongoing development process for sure. On the endurance side i've done radiator, oil cooler, hood vents, brake ducts. I'm still on stock brake calipers with XP10 and throw away rotors. Run 300v.

Plan on doing Essex Sprint Kit, some suspension pieces for better set up and durability, maybe get into a little aero after a while - but keep it stock power and work towards reliability. Might open the motor up after this first season and tweak some parts for longevity as well. We do this on a tight budget.

Hey guys, I'm considering the same thing. Any data you've collected on fuel mileage with stock motor? That's my biggest concern... that the car can be competitive with Miatas and E36's on a lap but will have to stop way more often with the small tank. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Digging up an old thread but looking to do some WRL stuff- what's wrong with the gas tank size? Google tells me it's bigger than Miata MX-5.

I saw a BRZ and FR-S this weekend at COTA doing the WRL endurance race. Had to leave before I could find the team and ask questions about their setups.

Fuel consumption rate is also higher than a MX-5. Pit stops can make or break a team in enduro racing.