Punch List for Sears Pointless 2015

There are not many major items to be worked, but both cars need the general checks to be completed. Here is the punch list.

Work List for 2015 Sears Pointless
Electrical Systems			Status
		Items	300z		Type D	Comments
	1	Power disconnect switch				Confirm operation
	2	Dashboard / Gages				Check
	3	Alternator light	Done		N/A
	4	Descuzzify wires				Check
	5	Main power battery hookups				Check and cover
	6	Install Traqmate				Check
	7	Battery charged				Charge Battery
	8	Check charging system				Confirm
	9	Check ECU error codes				Check
	10	Cooling seat system	N/A		N/A
	11	Start button	Done		Done
	12	Fan switch				Check
	13	Idiot light system			Done	Print Labels
	14	ABS switch
Engine and Driver train
		Items	300z		Type D	Comments
	1	Engine compress test	Done		Done	Z- D1-185,2-185, 3-185, 4-180
	2	Spark plug	Done		Done
	3	Replace oil filter	Done
	4	Replace engine oil	Done			Check D
	5	Check transmission oil	Done			Exchange
	6	Check differential oil	Done			Exchange
	7	Check clutch fluid				Check system
	8	Inspect timing belt				Visual inspection
	9	Inspect water and alt belt				Check
	10	Check air box				Check and Clean
	11	Check and add water to radiator				Inspect
	12	Check and add water to overflow				Check
	13	Cooling fan				Check
	14	Inspect and replace throttle cable				Check and Test
	15	Oil cooler and lines inspection			N/A	Check
	16	Run engine to temperature
	17	Test rear differential				Check
	18	Radiator screen				Inspect
	19	Shifter bushing				Check
Suspension and Brakes
		Items	300z		Type D	Comments
	1	Check strut and tighten
	2	Inspection ball joint
	3	Check wheel bearings
	4	Front Sway bar mount				Replace
	5	Check rear and front bushing
	6	Check rotors
	7	Check brake pads				Check inventory
	8	Bleed brake lines				Check inventory
	9	Check bias
	10	Alignment
	11	Tires and rims				Order
	12	Check tire pressures
	13	Strut tower support
	14	Brake Cooling
Safety Systems
		Items	300z		Type D	Comments
	1	Check fire extinguisher
	2	Fire suppression system
	3	Check seat
	4	Check back rest
	5	Check seat harness
	6	Check mirrors
	7	Roll bar pad
	8	Check tow hitch
	9	Cover remaining glass
	10	Secure roll cage
	11	Arm restraints / driver net
	12	Fire wall inspection
	13	Battery disconnect outside
	14	Main battery secured
	15	Rear fire wall				Check
Chassis
		Items	300z		Type D	Comments
	1	Wipers
	2	Front skirt
	3	Rear diffuser				Design and install- not
	4	Rear spoiler	Done		Done
	5	Fender repair	Done
	6	Front and rear bumpers	Done		Done	Fix D
	7	Jack points	Done		Done

Alignment Help

These just hit the door today.  It is for Z and we will see if this will help Lugnut with the car setup.

We are in for Sears Pointless March 21-22!!!!

Alright (I think), we have both cars the upcoming Sears Pointless Race.  Here is the note from Nick:

Hi, Muddy: 

Half-Life Racing (Ra-D-um) has been officially ACCEPTED for Sears Pointless at Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma CA on March 21 - March 22. (Multiple entries? Log in to see what made it and what didn't.)

To participate, please read this email completely!

1) FINISH YOUR TEAM INFO: Your team's current status is Not Ready to Race. If you're not showing "ready to race," log on here and fix what's missing.
 

2) PRINT OUT THE LATEST SAFETY-INSPECTION CHECKLIST, then inspect each listed thing on your car. When everything's checked and correct, bring the signed, filled-out checklist to the track and present it at pre-race tech. (Remember, not every rule is reflected on the Checklist--you still need to study the full LeMons Rulebook.)
 

3) READ THE NOTICES BELOW:

EVENT SCHEDULE, CAMPING, DIRECTIONS, ETC: Look for these on this race's Event Page--when we learn something new, we'll update it there.

DRIVER-SAFETY GEAR: Event-sponsor Pyrotect offers all the required driver-safety gear in one box at a big LeMons-only discount. These subsidized rates are only available at LeMons' online store.

RACE #s: If the number you want isn't available on your Team Home Page's pulldown menu, somebody else already has it. Pick another one.

RULES: The LeMons Rulebook has been updated! Read the complete Rulebook (http://www.24hoursoflemons.com/prices-rules) now and re-check it often, refreshing your browser each time. Remember, it's your job to know this stuff!

DROPOUTS: When you enter a race, you're buying the right to compete--not a guarantee from us that you'll get your own act together. If you drop out, can't finish your car, blow up, go broke, catch swine flu, step on your own wiener, or otherwise fail to avail yourself of your grid spot, you forfeit your entry fees. That's why they're called "entry" fees, not "I got to drive the whole race" fees.

4) COUGH UP YOUR ENTRY FEE: Your entry fees are due now--all fees must be paid in full by 02/07/2015. Miss that deadline, and your spot may be given to a team on the waitlist. (Need to beg an extension? Please drop us an email before the due date.) To check your current balance or make an online payment, see your Team Home Page at https://registration.24hoursoflemons.com/members/races/registration/signup_id/12416.

TO PAY BY CREDIT CARD, just use the "Pay Now" button on your Team Home Page, at https://registration.24hoursoflemons.com/members/races/registration/signup_id/12416.

TO PAY BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER, make payable to "24 Hours of LeMons" and mail to LeMons Dept. of Up-Coughing, 5675-C Horton St, Emeryville CA 94608.

5) ALL SET? CLICK BELOW TO CONFIRM YOUR ACCEPTANCE NOW!
https://registration.24hoursoflemons.com/login/acknowledge/sid/12416/hash/7f2952178bf03409ec7a0bd5c42afdea

Got questions? Hit www.24HoursofLeMons.com or:
Nick Pon, Associate Perpetrator
5675-C Horton Street, Emeryville CA 94608
nick@24HoursofLeMons.com

 

This email was sent to dougvanlare@yahoo.com. If you are no longer interested you can unsubscribe instantly.

Z Performance

Both D and Z were reviewed and inspection after Arse Freeze race about a month ago. The consensus is that they survived as well as could be expected. We performed our standard engine test is a cylinder compression test. For the D little change from the previous test appears to have happened. (Cylinder#1 180, Cylinder#2 180, Cylinder#3 180, Cylinder#4 180)

As for the z we might have an engine health issue. When you look at the compression numbers, it doesn't look bad (Cylinder#1 170, Cylinder#2 170, Cylinder#3 170, Cylinder#4 170, Cylinder#5 170, Cylinder#6 170). However, when you compare the compression to the values before the race, it is clear that cylinder#1 is down 20 psi, cylinder#4, 5, and 6 are down 10 psi.  I think our overheating trouble on the first day did the damage. It appears to be slight, so let's run it again. So, except for the little trouble with the Z's motor, we look good.

That means the work that is required for the Pointless Race is general maintain, paint and lipstick will take about a day for each car, and we then should be ready for the net adventure. With that said we can switch our efforts into some nice to have.

One item I would like to look into more is the performance of the Z. With the Traqmate we are able to compare the performances of Rubby and Whitey. I have gone through the Traqmate comparing car performance from several races. From that I have found, Rubby's performance still looks to be a little better.  Below is set of graphs comparing performances.

 This has Rubby (Red, 2012) versus Whitey (Blue, 2014) at Sonoma Arse-Feeze event.

The comparison is complicated as a result of a different turn 11 track layout, so a shift in distance occurs. However, on first review of the graphs at the various high G events, Rubby constantly achieves a higher G load than Whitey is showing. Elevated G load in itself does not mean quicker times, but I think in two spots in this graph, we can see possible correlation with higher speeds.

The first point to look at is at the 2,000 foot distance. This represents turn 3 a left then right up hill complex. Rubby constantly has 0.15 more G loads at apex of the two corners, and it shows up in 10 mph increase speed throughout the complex. Since the following straight is so short the added speed only shows up briefly.

The other spot and more importantly is at the 10,000 foot mark. This point represents the turn nine, right left chicane at the end of the fastest part of the track, followed by an average length straight. The 0.15 more G's carried by Rubby shows up again. In this corner the better cornering resulting in about a 5 mph exit speed out of turn 9. This exit speed is then carried down the rest of the straight and is likely worth about 0.75sec reduction in lab time.

So, now the big question is "how do we get Whitey to increase it's cornering?"

I think the easiest place to find this is in the sway bars. We are currently running stock NA sway bar with front being 26.5mm and rear at 16mm. Seeing if we can find a TT sway bar we would get an increase in the rear to 26mm (the fronts are the same at 26.5mm). Without spring changes, this would have us go in the wrong direction and increase oversteer. The other place to look is the 350zx and 370zx. Both run a 36mm front and 23.25mm rear, but heavy modification is needed to make this work. There is an after market adjustable sway bar that is 28mm front and 21mm rears. New is not Lemons budget friendly, so I'll search E-bay and Craigslist, but have little real hope of finding it at Lemon friend prices. Finally, we could look to manufacture the sway bars which is a lot of work.

We have a month to figure this out to let the fun begin.