Spuds' Vroom Machine

[Spuds]

Well, the second round of testing went better than the first.

Ran the car and checked for exhaust leaks with a smoke stick. No leaks when idling cold. No leaks when idling hot, even after poking the throttle. Still SOUNDS like a leak at certain rpms, but it's no longer dumping enough exhaust into the engine bay to cause problems. Fuel trims were fine. This all remains true after a drive so it's fixed enough I guess.

Also confirmed, new black RTV patches at the valve covers aren't oily, so that's working too. Need to get the area real clean before application I guess.

Car on ground, the WL rear endlinks stand straight up when set to the lowest setting + some wiggle room. Better than stock at least due to lowering. Haven't noticed any issues on my drive around but didn't really push it suspension wise. Cannot get a good feel for removing preload as suspected, but they are adjustable on the ground.

Bedded in brakes (Ferodo DS2500 pads and Centric blank rotors) with about 20 consecutive 60mph-20mph applications at ~50%. Actually did it 2 times because the first set I must have been a bit too easy on the brakes and didn't get a consistent deposit on the rotors. Hopefully I didn't overheat them the second as they were smelly when I got back.

The brake feel is very different to stock brakes. The pad grip to heat profile is different which will take some getting used to. It also feels a bit squishy, though I tested it and there's enough stopping power to hit the abs on street tires at least. I might bleed the brakes again and see if that makes the pedal a bit firmer. Might just be how the pads work.

Lol wall o text. Here's a bad picture of endlinks? I'll get a car picture today with the new wheels. Might want to at least wash it first...

[Spuds]

Gave up and ordered a JDL EL header. Leak got worse again and I've exhausted my options to fix it. Ptuning header might be fine for someone with a straight through exhaust, too much resistance downstream with everything else stock.

Autocross is here! First test and tune with new brakes. DS2500 pads are soooo good, but they are quite dusty. Bleeding didn't make the brakes any stiffer, but I think the give might be a feature of the pad to improve modulation?
Placed OK, I just gotta remember how to go fast again. Didn't get a chance to play with dampers unfortunately. Did take video with my new GoPro.

[autoracer86]

I had a bit of extra travel in my brake pedal after my first session on track which I never had before. Like you I still had enough braking power to trigger ABS so I just keep on trucking for the day.

I did just order some temp stickers for the calipers so I can keep a better eye on things... Everyone warned me the CL brake pads I have run hot