Quote:
Originally Posted by CSG Mike
We hold the majority of the local NA lap time records for the FR-S/BRZ. You're welcome to compare our times to the NASA TTD records for the respective tracks. We fit well into TTD with plenty of points to spare.
Is the car FAST? No. Is it quick for what it is? Most definitely.
Here's an example. I'm sure you're familiar with Emilio Cervantes. Our BRZ is faster than the FR-S he was developing with Matt Andrews. He's definitely a faster driver than I am far more established, and certainly not SECONDS slower than me. The only conclusion we can reach is that our car has better parts. Both cars were set up fairly well.
We're within a second of Crawford's turbo BRZ time at Buttonwillow... and they had Bill Caswell driving. I'm certainly not faster than a guy that podiumed at a WRC event.
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Racing is a funny thing, we had similar discussions in other threads about it. Too many variables to even compare drivers, vs parts vs. weather, setup etc. The fact is in your situation, you are comfortable and confident in your setup you know the home tracks you run on better than most and is also a huge advantage when you start tuning your suspension.
I had a similar situation in karting last year, got to run a series with Sebastien Bourdais. I was able to run faster, in practice, qualifying and race pace. We were in spec karts, one of the reasons was he had not run that track in 4 years, and I had been running it 4x a month. My clear advantage was comfort, confidence and experience that was all it took. Put him in a few more races and there is no way I could have matched him after he gained confidence.
I plan on taking you up on your offer to come race out there, not to even compete but to learn, because I know that I cannot match you experience level you have on Willow Springs or your seat time. No point pretending.
But let's say we both did an autox out there chances are I would probably have a 1 second advantage than you on per run, nothing to do with your driving ability at all, it's what you are used to.
So to make a round about, the parts that "make" the difference namely on this car that warrant the extra expense are for those like yourself, in a very specific repeatable discipline where you can now remove the driver from the variables. Will Robispec LCA arms make you faster? I can bet they would.
Would it make the other 99.9% of FR-S/BRZ owners faster, 99.9% chance of not likely.
I have heard Cervantes name dropped by spec miata guys, have no followed him though or know too much about him. Its probably a regional thing too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hancha Group
 Truth. Everything you read on the internet is FACT. lol |
My 500HP Turbo FR-S will never blow up. I welded the intake manifold.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SubieNate
The composites stuff in this thread is mostly academic. I've yet to see a carbon hood at a reasonable price that weighs less than the stock one so why bother? Aluminum is a darn fine material for panels.
On the steel frame/carbon panels thing-there are a number of super car level cars that have a steel backbone with carbon panels to shave weight while reducing the overall cost of the car. Many Porsches and M cars use carbon panels with a steel or aluminum frame underneath. There are some examples of high performance cars (even open wheeled racers) that are basically steel spaceframes with a carbon skin. The Edge aerobatic aircraft is also constructed in this method.
I understand what you're getting at, but you're assuming that the intrinsic motivation is 100% for the performance gain. Some of us like things that are well thought out and engineered. Some of us are willing to pay a premium for that, even if the performance gain is small. I'd personally like to shave a good amount of weight off the front of the car if possible, and every little bit counts. Lighter hollow swaybar, aluminum arms, light brakes, light wheels, light battery (or relocation), lightweight bumper beam (JDM spec maybe? I don't really trust the "drift bars" on the street), lighter aluminum radiator, who knows how far we could take it. Cost effective? Probably not. Fun? You bet.
Nathan
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I get what you are saying believe me, I am the asshole that spent $230 on a catch can. And there are things I believe in even in this thread like Hancha's potential Front ARB endlinks. Why? Because the oem style links will rust, and become un-removable.
But will I pay $200 for a pair of end links when when Strano bar was only $190? NO WAY.
That's what I am talking about with this car. And my point with Mike.
It's not to be negative or to just stir the pot. It's just to say, we all want parts but in some cases, actually most all, the people on this website, don't need Formula 1 designed underbody aero trays and difusers, or dry carbon motor mounts and subframe braces. Or NASA inspired gold foil heat rejection shields on every surface of the transmission tunnel.
What we need is tested (CSG Mike, Robispec etc), affordable pieces that legitimately improve on the OEM design that don't cost 4x more than the OEM piece. I don't care if they are designed with woven pig feces, superman's hair, or steel mined from mars. If they work, tested by people who use the car, developed for the car you have my money if it will make a tangible difference for most applications.