splitime

So I seem to remember one of these threads each year... sort of documenting the prep ahead to get ready for this years event. Unless I missed it... nothing has come up yet.

So here goes.

Splitime's prep that has to be done so I can actually drive at Expo:

+Finish suspension
-install adjustable front swaybar endlinks
-inspect/replace balljoints/tierods
-buy shocks
-setup shocks with new sleeves and spring rates
-install shocks
-install new rear LCAs (pray that bolts aren't stuck)
-get height dialed in
-get alignment
+Body work
-install flares (includes mockup, hacking of body panels, some welding)
-Build front lip/dam w/brake ducting and splitter
-incorporate vmount ducting with front lip/dam
-finish hood ducting
+Interior
-mount and wire up oil temp gauge
-build mounting setup for seat
+Tuning
-Turn boost up a few psi
-retune entire map (iron out cold start and cruising)
-finalize megasquirt mounting
+Wheels/tires
-mount/balance new tires/wheels
+Brakes
-get spare pads/rotors ready
-inspect/lube/rebuild calipers as needed
+Fluids
-Oil
-coolant
-trans fluid
-diff fluid
+Engine/engine bay
-finish excess wire removal (optional)
-make functional catch can
-possibly do timing belt/water pump/gaskets

Phew... should be fun! See you guys at Expo

CWTegRNo.160

Damn Dave you long to-do list.

Dave-ROR

My prep:
-Figure out if I'm driving myself, or riding with Craig.
-If riding with Craig, do nothing.
-If driving myself, replace rear wheel bearings/hubs/lug studs.
-Switch from somewhat bent daily driver wheels to track wheels and toss the hawk's in the hatch.

I'm too lazy for much else.

Kicker773

how much is to be a spectator again?

CDUB

Here's my expo prep...go out into the garage, stand and look at ITR, then proceed to bang my head against the wall because its 2200 miles away and I can't go!

CWTegRNo.160

40 i think but not sure. I'm trying to get KOOL-AID Brandon out there to enjoy the scene.

Trunkz

I am very excited for this years events. I wish i had been able to attend more of them in years past. I have plans to fly out, and rent a car to drive from the airport.

That is all the prep i have though.

splitime

Update of sorts to mine... will be doing timing belt/cam-oil seals/ball joints/tierods....

Hooray for more work!

Reyes

iTrader: (1)

i'm right there with you!

good luck with all the prep work before the event, wish i could make it out there to join you guys.

coolhandluke

iTrader: (2)

Free, the banquet is what cost $40. With $40 that you get top notch food, raffle tickets for all the expo give-aways, and good times. Someone won a brand new motor from Acura last year, PIC always gives away a set of coilovers, Whoopee Doo Racing gives away a full Rocket Motorsports Head package (Cams, valvetrain, etc), Cobalt donates pads, VPR Motorsports gave away a Kaaz LSD and tons of oil, etc etc.

Root of all Evil

Splitime what are you doing to vent the hood? I am wondering which route to go. Thanks

RockinaRHard

P1Auto gave away some very cool items too!

GI8U2racing

You know, I really wish the ITR expo's were some kind of circuit of events. I really wanted to go to VIR this year, then it got moved to Illinois, which is understandable. However, I bet if they did one at VIR, one at Autobahn, and one at Laguna (or some other west coast track) they would have amazing attendance at every one. Look how popular and plentiful Porsche Club events are.

splitime

<-- has a Vmount and a miata... not sure it would apply for you.

coolhandluke

iTrader: (2)

Having an actual race type event would void close to 90% of our participants. The majority of attendees only do one track event a year which is Expo. The committee did one West Coast Expo in the past and it was a failure due to lack of paid drivers. For this reason, I do not see a West Coast expo anytime in the future. The ITR Expo generally does not repeat its locations, but it has twice in the past. There are endless track options so I don't see why people continue to complain about the options the committee has provided for us.

There are plenty of options for one to do a circuit type event with NASA and SCCA, some of which will be at VIR. I plan to do an HPDE at VIR this fall since I thoroughly enjoy that track.

Jon D

There are more variables that go into planning an EXPO then most will ever realize. The number one goal of the event is find enough driver's to actually have the event. Not enough drivers = NO EXPO. Many ITR owners get frustrated with the location of the event each year without considering how the process works.

I'll keep my response short bc i don't have time to write a novel, but our driver attendance is the backbone of the event. Always remember that.

nsxtasy

And we appreciate every driver who signs up, both instructors and students. Without those sign-ups, there would be no expo.

BTW, n00bs should be aware that on a properly-maintained ITR (or other car), very little preparation is needed specifically for the Expo. There are really only two things that would need more maintenance than you would normally do anyway for street use: brake fluid and front brake pads. Brake fluid should be fresh, or at least, flushed within the previous 6-12 months, which is more frequent than you would for the street. Brake pads, particularly the front pads, will wear more rapidly on the track; in a single event, if I drive a fair amount, I'll generally use a third to a half of the thickness on a set of front pads; of course, YMMV. But if you don't have a lot of thickness on your front pads, you should either change them, or bring a spare set with you.

Other than those two things, and the scheduled maintenance you should be doing on a regular basis anyway, there's isn't anything that you MUST do, other than getting the car inspected to make sure nothing is loose or an obvious safety hazard.

I just got some new tires for the track, and remembered that there are a lot of steps I go through to do so:

1. Order the tires over the phone or internet.
2. Normally I have them shipped, but this time, I had to go to the tire dealer to pick them up.
3. Take the tires to the mechanic who mounts and balances them.
4. Pick up the mounted, balanced tires.
5. Label the tires with tire chalk.
6. Mount the tires on the car.
7. Drive at least 20 miles at highway speeds to heat-cycle the tires.
8. Remove the tires from the car.
9. Wash the tires (generally only if I'm not certain whether I will be using them at my next event).

cheezthis

That's too much work, Dave. You need to lazy it up like me. My car idles now, so I'm happy.

I suppose I'll flush the old super blue fluid, change some other fluids, tighten some bolts, etc. We'll see if I actually have time to go out for a few sessions.

triple_s1x

Dave can we trade to-do lists? ;(

Dave-ROR

We can barely get enough support for one event a year recently, so the chances of three happening are not so good.

You mention Porsche Club events, but look at how many Porsches there are and that they really allow any car in, and it's a well known club, etc.. there's a lot of variables there.. we don't run the ITR Expo as a business (unlike Porsche Club, BMWCCA, Chin, etc). I barely have enough time to help organize one, if we did three, I'd be out

Dave-ROR

That's too much work.. I do this:

1. Order the tires online.
2. Have them shipped to a friend who can mount them.
3. Drop off wheels to him.
4. Meet up with him to get the wheels/tires back.
5. Install on car.
6. Heat cycle on the way to the track

Man now that I don't drink anymore I can't even add in 10 extra steps for "Drink beer" and "Smoke cigs"

nsxtasy

For proper heat cycling, they need to cool off for 24-48 hours, off the car.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=66

white rocket

My prep includes drinking more now so I can prepare my liver for E9.
Heartburn meds = check.
Plane tix = check
Canada Eh? t-shirt = check

and I'm done

Dave-ROR

I know, but lazy > proper.

Kicker773

Can we buy more raffle tickets?