F1point4's Asphalt FR-S 6MT

[King Tut]

Man I didn't get an FA20Club Tune decal.

[F1point4]

Originally Posted by King Tut

Man I didn't get an FA20Club Tune decal.

It's more odd that I am currently tuned by Perrin. I got this decal when I purchased Toni's NA tune. We'll see what the future holds haha

[F1point4]

Borla Header Replacement!!

Although I installed the P&L Motorsports EL Header, I wanted to write a few words about the Borla Warranty Process. Overall it was quite painless. My instinct to go with Borla with as my initial header served me well, they are a company who stands behind their product.

I called the number on the website and was told to send an email to them with
> A description of the issue and pictures
> My address and phone number
> The invoice for the header.

I was told one would be sent my way. The following may not be true for your warranty experience, but I was told that I can keep my original manifold and I wouldn't have to ship it back. So far so good.


The replacement did take awhile to come, these are still on backorder so they were still making them. In my particular situation, this didn't bother me. I guess it would be prudent to be patient if you need to warranty yours.


The replacement itself clearly was a newer revision. The welds were much better, and care was taken to clean up the slag from the welding process. Things seem to be re-enforced better as well. One flange was perfectly flat, the other had a hairs width of gap. I think a gasket could take care of that. The merge collector looked largely the same to me.


I took these with an iPhone 4S. No editing done. I think they came out quite well. Enjoy



20130911-BorlaUELHeader_Replacement-001 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130911-BorlaUELHeader_Replacement-002 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130911-BorlaUELHeader_Replacement-003 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130911-BorlaUELHeader_Replacement-004 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130911-BorlaUELHeader_Replacement-005 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130911-BorlaUELHeader_Replacement-006 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130911-BorlaUELHeader_Replacement-007 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130911-BorlaUELHeader_Replacement-008 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130911-BorlaUELHeader_Replacement-009 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130911-BorlaUELHeader_Replacement-010 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130911-BorlaUELHeader_Replacement-011 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130911-BorlaUELHeader_Replacement-012 by VictorN07, on Flickr

[F1point4]

#RaceCar

With limited time, I wanted to get these on before the track event next weekend. Just took a few photos of the parts installed. I'm pretty certain I'm calling it quits for Lola Mods the rest of the year. Suspension will be my major target when I start back up next year.

Installed the Cusco Rear Differential Brace. Lola's entire powertrain/drivetrain is about as solid as I can make it. Shifts, Launches are smoother and more responsive. This brace didn't add any more NVH to my car. Note I already have gearbox bushings, and engine mounts. Thanks @Chris@Phastek for getting me the part. Appreciate my friend Alan for helping me install it.

I also got the Driveway Labs Diffuser Installed. It looks nice. Will find out if it makes a noticeable difference on the track next weekend. Thanks @Wonderbar for getting me one of your first units. The powdercoat finish is nice.


Cusco Differential Brace


20130921-CuscoDifferentialBrace-015 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130921-CuscoDifferentialBrace-004-2 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130921-CuscoDifferentialBrace-004 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130921-CuscoDifferentialBrace-002 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130921-CuscoDifferentialBrace-020 by VictorN07, on Flickr






Driveway Labs Rear Diffuser

20130921-DrivewayLabsDiffuser-004-Edit by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130921-DrivewayLabsDiffuser-012-Edit by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130921-DrivewayLabsDiffuser-015-Edit by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130921-DrivewayLabsDiffuser-018-Edit by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130921-DrivewayLabsDiffuser-023 by VictorN07, on Flickr

[F1point4]

Someone local asked me how the brace felt so I thought about it more than I did in my last post

the most noticeable thing is that the car puts power down immediately; Right now its surprising and I need to get used to that. The second most noticeable thing is shifting feels much better

[F1point4]

Another Picture


20130922-Thirsty-001 by VictorN07, on Flickr

[ATL BRZ]

My diffuser gets here tomorrow! Can't wait! It looks so proper!

[Dezoris]

Appears as though I have some catching up to do with you now!

[PERRIN_Chris]

Wow, diffuser looks good!

[charged86]

Did you re dyno yet

[F1point4]

Another Track Weekend!

Went back to the Track with The Driver's Edge. Once again it is very well organized and they strive to make the event as safe as possible. I highly recommend it to anyone of any skill level to get track time!

We headed out to Texas World Speedway (TWS) to run it in the CCW direction. It did rain during the weekend which made it very interesting. The organizers said to use this opportunity to learn how to drive properly in the rain. Oh yeah, they were right. I learned a whole ton. I got to drive eight 30 minute sessions over two days.

TWS is a converted NASCAR Track faster track with less turns. It is very easy to learn. Part of the track is driving on the long NASCAR straight (Front straight). In addition they taught us what the limits in the car was like by doing slaloms. I will admit I'm a whole ton better at doing road racing than dancing around cones.

The rain made things really interesting. I did go off once (described in the picture and video below) but was fine. Others didn't fare so well. Two BRZs with stock tyres spun out doing turn 6 and had to get towed out. One of them was an instructor. Goes to show that shit happens to anyone. Several other cars had to get towed out due to mud. Thank goodness no one flipped.

Unfortunately the weather helped to cause metal to metal contact
A STi hatch lost traction and slid across the track. The GTI following it ran into it simply because its hard not to look at a car doing what it isn't supposed to be doing. You go where you look. The STi was able to drive home but the GTI was done. Thank goodness everyone was okay and was walking around. A Porsche 911 RUF lost a wheel. Seeing it on the flatbed was depressing.

I got to see the plethora of bad flags. Red flag for the accident. Black flag for me going off. I also got to drive the NASCAR oval to get around the accident to go back into the pit.

Due to weather and the fact it was my 2nd time ever tracking any car, I drove with all the aids on. Yeah it did save me a few times.

Overall it was a great learning experience. I was able to pick it up real quick and just talked and gave the play by play to my instructor. I think she liked that she didn't have to work so hard with me to get me going. Her primary feedback for me after the weekend was to learn how to heel/toe. I guess I am doing something right for a new person.

I'm hooked. Need more track time for my #Racecar



Highlight photos

The weekend started off real nice

20130928-TDE-TWS-CW-001 by VictorN07, on Flickr

#86 Again

20130928-TDE-TWS-CW-002 by VictorN07, on Flickr

It has rained by now on the first day. Here I am with a Ferrari about to do Slaloms

20130928-TDE-TWS-CW-003 by VictorN07, on Flickr

Day 2. Rained all night. I did make friends with the Mustang crew. They were real welcoming. We got real thirsty in the morning

20130929-TDE-TWS-CW-001 by VictorN07, on Flickr

I did go off track once. I got really aggressive on day 2 since I was going very well. I pushed the car harder than ever on the front straight, and I didn't brake hard enough to make turn one. I could have heroed the corner and possibly have spun out, and possibly have the car behind me hit me. Instead I just decided to get out of the way, go straight off, and go two feet in. I was able to drive out under my own power. The diffuser held on very well! @Wonderbar did a good job with it. I didn't check out the car then, but I drove for two more sessions and drove home. The car feels fine. Just ended up with a dirty car and bruised confidence.

20130929-TDE-TWS-CW-002 by VictorN07, on Flickr


Video

I was kinda ****ing around with getting video. I recorded off my iPhone 5S, using the stock camera app as well as Harry's lap timer. Here are some of the ones I posted so far. Yes that is me talking if you can hear it. I have more on my Youtube Page.

Feedback is welcome! I'm trying to get better

First time using Harry's Lap timer - Lap 1
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUpf1VBXHhY"]The Driver's Edge - Texas World Speedway - Session 7 - Lap 1 - YouTube[/ame]


Lap 2 using the app
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIsBla0ax_g"]The Driver's Edge - Texas World Speedway - Session 7 - Lap 2 - YouTube[/ame]


App is not perfect. It merged the rest of my session together
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qwqGBaXS2w"]The Driver's Edge - Texas World Speedway - Session 7 - Lap 3 and beyond - YouTube[/ame]


I did pass the Ferrari
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OU5iDQcMUCA"]Feels good to pass a ... on the front straight - YouTube[/ame]


This is how I went off the track. I'm glad I'm not the only one to go off there.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8wNK8y7JhU&feature=c4-overview&list=UUakTn1oLrVVjPz8bCB6IwWA"]First time off track ever - YouTube[/ame]


After the Collision I got to drive on the oval. Not a fun place to be going slow.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pNUfDmO_rs"]Texas World Speedway - The Oval - YouTube[/ame]





Car Feedback

Of course I wanted to see how Lola performed with her latest mods. Notable changes
+ Michelin Pilot Super Sport Tyres
+ DBA 4650S Slotted Rotors and Hawk HP+ Front Brake Pads
+ Perrin Engine Mounts
+ P&L Catted EL Coated Header and Coated Overpipe
+ Cusco Rear Differential Brace
+ Driveway labs Diffuser


I'm glad I chose the Michelin PSS over Hankook RS3s simply due to the weather. They don't grip as well as my Dunlop Z1SS, but handled great. With a moist track I was able to break the rear loose, but TCS brought me back in. Instructor was happy I was able to tell her when I was breaking loose. These tyres do feel better when its wet on the street. I may just continue to buy these. I'm not a street wheel/track wheel kind of guy.

The Rotors and Pads did wonderful. The only difference from last time was that I ran OEM pads and rotors. The HP+ Pads squeal and are dusty as heck, but damn do they work. As far as fade goes, they simply did not. Kept going and going. On the OEM stuff I was seeing fade on my 7th and 8th session, as well as seeing reduced braking power driving around after the event. Right now I can feel a little bit of air in my fluid, but my car stops strong. After driving both a technical and faster track, i'm (In my limited track experience) thoroughly convinced we do not need a Brig Brake Kit. Fluid, Front Pads, Master Cylinder brace, Stainless Lines, then Front rotors would be my recommendation in that order. And this comes from a 250rwhp supercharged car.

The motor mounts and diff brace did their job. I have no complaints. Engine response was high and shifting was positive. My instructor loved the way the car drove when she took me around in my car to show me the track. She tracks a miata. I make it sound like it's a meh upgrade, but it is very transformative. If you can live with the added NVH it is one of the must do mods IMO.

The P&L Header and Overpipe worked. It sounded great going WOT down the front straight. Did the coating do anything? Hard to quantify. It did its job. And no more rubbing against the subframe. Thank goodness. That made me happier than anything

The Driveway Labs diffuser @Wonderbar made is something. I could say it makes the car amazing, but I can't quantify that. However, I can with confidence say that it did not make the car worse. The rear end still feels planted and is stable. The mounting system appears not so awesome, but it works. It stayed on very well after I went off the track as shown above. People have commented on its good looks, and have said "when you getting the GT Wing F1point4?" haha. I'm still collecting data to report if there is any MPG increase.

Temperatures of a few of my sessions. They were mostly the same across the 6 I did record. It was in no way as hot as it was in June. Overall the oil cooler did its job keeping the oil out of the danger zone (to me >260F). The coolant did get hot, but you can see the fan turn on and off around 210F. Will I upgrade my radiator and or fans? Probably not for now.


End of Day 1

20130928-TDE-TWS-Day1-Session4-002 by VictorN07, on Flickr

Beginning of Day 2

20130929-TDE-TWS-Day2-Session1-003 by VictorN07, on Flickr

End of Day 2

20130929-TDE-TWS-Day2-Session4-006 by VictorN07, on Flickr



Overall I think I did a good job selecting the mods for the car. It just drives wonderfully and inspires confidence in me to drive harder. Tonight I did drive a 300rwhp Vortech supercharged BRZed and damn is it hard not to just go get that 50hp on top of what I have. One day.

[ATL BRZ]

Originally Posted by F1point4

After driving both a technical and faster track, i'm (In my limited track experience) thoroughly convinced we do not need a Brig Brake Kit. Fluid, Front Pads, Master Cylinder brace, Stainless Lines, then Front rotors would be my recommendation in that order. And this comes from a 250rwhp supercharged car.

Amen brother

Originally Posted by F1point4

The Driveway Labs diffuser @Wonderbar made is something. I could say it makes the car amazing, but I can't quantify that. However, I can with confidence say that it did not make the car worse. The rear end still feels planted and is stable. The mounting system appears not so awesome, but it works. It stayed on very well after I went off the track as shown above. People have commented on its good looks, and have said "when you getting the GT Wing F1point4?" haha. I'm still collecting data to report if there is any MPG increase.

I've been 85-90mph with mine so far on the highway and I was hoping it wasn't just placebo. It did feel more stable out back and you can feel it through the wheel when you're in crosswinds or when braking from high speeds. It's less wiggly out back above 80 mph.

[Squishy]

Not bad at all, good focusing on the lines and entry points. The hardest part out the first time is awareness seeing all the flag stations and getting the habit of looking at the next corner rather than where you are corner wise. This gets better the more you run the track so I guess you were able to relax more this time out - helps you run faster. I ran it CW last time I went - turn 7 at speed still gives me that pucker factor but I had a really fast instructor that had me going so much faster I got punked on my braking zone timing due to the extra speed.

Did they focus on any threshold braking exercises yet? I think that is the hardest part with learning the car. Getting comfortable with how late you can get on the brakes and being smooth letting off and on to the gas is more important than the heel toe shifting. Lots of instructors do not even heel toe as they just shift directly into the gear they want and ease on the clutch instead. Preference really but it is fun as hell to get heel toe right.

[F1point4]

Originally Posted by Squishy

Not bad at all, good focusing on the lines and entry points. The hardest part out the first time is awareness seeing all the flag stations and getting the habit of looking at the next corner rather than where you are corner wise. This gets better the more you run the track so I guess you were able to relax more this time out - helps you run faster. I ran it CW last time I went - turn 7 at speed still gives me that pucker factor but I had a really fast instructor that had me going so much faster I got punked on my braking zone timing due to the extra speed.

Did they focus on any threshold braking exercises yet? I think that is the hardest part with learning the car. Getting comfortable with how late you can get on the brakes and being smooth letting off and on to the gas is more important than the heel toe shifting. Lots of instructors do not even heel toe as they just shift directly into the gear they want and ease on the clutch instead. Preference really but it is fun as hell to get heel toe right.

The classroom instructor did focus on getting on the brakes hard and being smooth. Finesse was the message for us. My in car instructor thought I was plenty smooth in brake to throttle transition hence her rec to learn how to heel toe. I can rev match downshift all day, but that is ultimately slower than heel toe and the braking has to be perfect all the time.

One thing I think they did great on was to teach us what braking really meant when they say to brake. After the slalom they got us to go about 60 and gave us a cue to stop the car as fast as possible. I think that got the idea in most people's minds that street braking is no where close to what is needed to drive fast on the track.