In the last couple weeks since our last update, we've come a LONG way as far as progress in concerned in getting our car together and in racing condition.

As some of you may already know, we've decided to join the USTCC instead (www.ustcc.com) and thus delayed the progress of the car a few more weeks.

Currently, the car has a JDM b16A power plant, however we are in the progress of building a B18C1 which should be ready in the next couple weeks.

I have a driver training at PIR in May (25/26) so hopefully the C1 will be ready by then, otherwise we will run it with the 16A in it.

Many shoutouts to the following people for their support and assistance in getting the car to its current state of readiness:

Pat (RaginAngel) - wish you were here
Evan (EVS1) - can always count on you, thanks
Jamie, Giom, Craig, Matt, Nazar, and the rest of the group at NorthWest Honda - couldn't have done it without you guys
Donny (Import Specialty Automotive) - always helpful, thanks for the tranny and other items, couldn't have completed the car without it
A&J Racing - love you guys, thanks for the support and parts
Tim and the group and Meridian Performance Service - MANY MANY thanks to you guys, I always enjoy the laughs and conversations. I enjoy the donated dyno time even more - much appreciated!
Kris (Fatboyraceworks) - Always appreciate your help. Good luck this season to you guys too!
And anyone else that I'm forgetting, so sorry hehe - but I'll dream of you tonight - i promise haha

teasers:









Rest of the pics:
http://www.c-speedracing.com/t...shoot/


Enjoy!

 

I know you've done a lot of work Crescent, and I'm not hating on your project whatsoever, but I'd really like to see a better cage in your car. You currently have the *minimum* required roll protection, which in my opinion, isn't much. It just seems like you took a shortcut in a otherwise nicely put together car.

$.02

 

THis car.....something changes everyday with it, it's almost annoying

high comp SOHC one day, then a B16 the next, now building a C1....it's never gonna stop!!

Glad I could be of the slightest help....it's nice being niehgbors and parts swapping constantly

 

Johng: always glad to hear from you How's things going on your end?

What did you have in mind as far as improving the cage? I'm always open to suggestions and always love learn from others with more experience.

bwt: noticed you ran in the USTCC last year. Was it only for once race? Are you still running in it? if not, why not?

 

Looks good. I would think, though, that you'd want a little more support for that steering column extension. I wouldn't want something like that flexing on me over curbs or on high speed corners.

Very clean, though. I likes.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by G3-TEG &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What did you have in mind as far as improving the cage? I'm always open to suggestions and always love learn from others with more experience.</TD></TR></TABLE>

It might be easier to Ebay the bolt-in and do a welded bar from scratch, but some things to consider...

Better door bars on both sides (gut the doors and use NASCAR bars). Check rules for passenger side, but 90% of series allow the driver side.

Move the bar that runs from A-pillar to A-pillar above the steering column (or into dash) so you don't break your knees on it. Maybe it is high enough with the seat so far back, hard to tell from pics.

Gusset the joints where the halo meets the main hoop and A-pillar down tubes.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by G3-TEG &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Johng: always glad to hear from you How's things going on your end?

What did you have in mind as far as improving the cage? I'm always open to suggestions and always love learn from others with more experience.

bwt: noticed you ran in the USTCC last year. Was it only for once race? Are you still running in it? if not, why not?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm saving money and stocking up for the Infineon WCHC cross-over race weekend in August (6th & 7th). I'll probably only do one or two local races before then. I ran the USTCC race in Portland as a field filler and qualified towards the front on Saturday in the rain. Unfortunately, Sunday qualifying was dry and I was towards the back. I still managed to turn faster lap times than one of the hybrid cars during the race.

As far as your cage goes, I'd (personally) like to see you scrap the bolt-in cage and start over. The bolt-in plates can create weak points in the sheetmetal, and if you look around at custom cages in our cars, you'll see the rear down tubes are welded at-or-around the rear shock towers instead of the sheetmetal wheelwell. The slip collars should be replaced with solid tubing, and for your own comfort, move the forward down tubes forward and follow the a-pilar through the dash down to the floor. Then you can have firewall bracing coming off from there.

Again, just my $.02 and this should probably be in PM.

 

Crack Monkey: Thanks for the input. I'll check the rules on the passenger side intrusion bars. As for the nascar style bars, I want to keep the stock windows so having the bars protrude into the doors wouldn't work so well.

The dash bar does sit low *if* the seating position was in the normal OEM location. However, with the seat about 12" back, the new pedals are almost direct below the dash bar, so you (knees, etc) are very far away from.

I've considered adding guskets, but having gotten around to it. But I guess I will heed your advice and put that higher on the list of priorities.

Thanks for the suggestions.. always appreciated.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by G3-TEG &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> As for the nascar style bars, I want to keep the stock windows so having the bars protrude into the doors wouldn't work so well.

Thanks for the suggestions.. always appreciated.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I still have all door glass, and I have NASCAR door bars. You can have both.

 

Crez.

Thanks for the shoutout.... u know I got your back ever since the days we met and you were still rolling the riceboy scene..... trust...I won't divulge anymore than needed...

I think a lot of johng's concerns are well founded and that is the reason why I didn't stay with a bolt-in cage and went custom....although mine doesn't have any nascar bars and such, it was built to meet regulation in SCCBC....but hope to be in USTCC with you soon enough....as fate allows.

I think the cage should be replaced when the budget allows for it....it's not prudent to roll the dice on these things.....

Best of luck always and you got my support....even if it's halfway across the world.....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by G3-TEG &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Crack Monkey: Thanks for the input. I'll check the rules on the passenger side intrusion bars. As for the nascar style bars, I want to keep the stock windows so having the bars protrude into the doors wouldn't work so well.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Then replace the door skin with sheet steel or aluminum and add "mini-NASCAR" bars as best as you can fit (this might be what johng did). At mimimum, add a door bar higher up on both sides.

BTW, other than the minimal cage, looks like a nicely done car. And I ran a bolt-in Autopower in my old RX-7. But I probably wouldn't in my next car.

 

You need a much better cage, that cage actually makes me cringe. Lord forbid you should wreck you'll be in major trouble. Kirk and Autopower make prefab cages, or you got get a custom made cage. If you call the SCCA main number they can give you a list of fab guys in the area who do custom cages.

 

nice looking race car..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 94accordsedan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You need a much better cage, that cage actually makes me cringe. Lord forbid you should wreck you'll be in major trouble. Kirk and Autopower make prefab cages, or you got get a custom made cage. If you call the SCCA main number they can give you a list of fab guys in the area who do custom cages. </TD></TR></TABLE>

that is Autopower....doesthis change your mind now

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Evs-One &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">that is Autopower....doesthis change your mind now </TD></TR></TABLE>

Nah... I believe Autopower has spec cages. Atleast thats what I have seen on their site. So either Autopower cages aren't all that good, or he got a non spec cage.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 94accordsedan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Nah... I believe Autopower has spec cages. Atleast thats what I have seen on their site. So either Autopower cages aren't all that good, or he got a non spec cage. </TD></TR></TABLE>

dude, that is an Autopower cage in his car

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Spikey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">dude, that is an Autopower cage in his car</TD></TR></TABLE>

I know, sorry I meant to say that the cage may require additional stuff to make them safer. I was under the impression Autopower cages came with additional support bars that they didn't show in their catalogs.

http://www.ioportracing.com/Me...AP581

The link above shows a 6 point bolt in cage which says its SCCA/NASA spec. (I believe thats the one shown inside the car.) I'd still want a bit more protection since you only get one head.

 

it may be hard to see in the pics...but the one you linked is the same one in Crescent's car. We added an additional driver side brace and a knee bar. Plus firewall supports

 

Sweetness.

 

I am with johng on this one.....

I would ditch the bolt in cage (not to mention the coat hanger bar in the back) and have a custom cage welded in.

Crashing at racing speeds is NOT soft tissue friendly, you need ALL the protection you can get.

 

i ran that autopower cage with some added side impact bars...felt somewhat safe...but now ive stepped up to a full welded cage...feel much better and safe

also, i would highly suggest you put some sort of grille guard so you do not run the risk of puncturing your radiator with rocks and other debris...it would suck to not finish a race or loose a race due to a punctured radiator

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by paRRRker &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">also, i would highly suggest you put some sort of grille guard so you do not run the risk of puncturing your radiator with rocks and other debris...it would suck to not finish a race or loose a race due to a punctured radiator </TD></TR></TABLE>

You basically gotta threaten this guy before anything gets done.... I am proud to say I got him to paint the engine bay..... and have been telling him to "guard" his radiator since last summer.... HOPEFULLY, he'll get it done now that it has been mentioned again.....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by paRRRker &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">also, i would highly suggest you put some sort of grille guard so you do not run the risk of puncturing your radiator </TD></TR></TABLE>

Good point
Crescent, lemme know if you need some screen. I can send you a roll of the good stuff.

 

johng,

Do you think it would be possible for you to post some pictures of your nascar bar setup that still allows for a window?

I think it would be nice to inspire Crescent to get his done and perhaps for others as a reference too....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RagingAngel &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">johng,
Do you think it would be possible for you to post some pictures of your nascar bar setup that still allows for a window?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I've seen lots of different variations of the driver's side door bars lately. Mine's fairly basic.