Thread: SE-R Race Car Questions

IT doesn't allow PS delete.

The big worry with over-filling is the extra heat produced by windage. I make sure mine is full, but never over. A crank scraper/windage tray is planned for my next engine.

Apparently the MAF connections like to go bad. Search "re-ground MAF" or similar for those issues.

I understood his initial question from the get go. I'm currently involved with NASA AZ and there are not many SR powered vehicles representing here. From my own experience the cooling system definitely needs to be upgraded with at least a 2 row radiator ( NX or Koyo, Mishimoto, etc) and an underdrive pulley for the water pump as previously mentioned. Get a REAL water temp gauge for accurate readings. I blew a headgasket because I relied on the idiot stock gauge and it cost me. This is on a DE in AZ heat in August. Slightly overfill your oil pan because depending on the lateral forces in tight turns you don't want to starve your bearings. Just speaking from my own experience. Carry an extra set of wheel bearings for the front and an extra hub as I have gone through my share of them the last couple of years. Make sure you have a good alignment before tracking your car also. A good set of coilovers is optimal suspension wise but I did ok on KYB AGXs and Roadmagnet springs. If you get a chance upgrade your rear sway bar & jump on some decent front and rear STBs. That's just a few pieces of info, feel free to PM me if you have more questions. Glad to see a fellow SR pilot tracking for fun.

^ I'm pretty sure the AZ heat thing is unique in many of your issues because we have never had a problem with the stock radiator in our track g20 and average 35 to 40 track days a year since 2009 in the thing.

August in AZ tends to be over 100 - 110 in the day and DRY oven hot whereas in the midwest, 80-90s and humid is much more typical in August.

We also don't go through a ton of front wheel bearings and hubs (average of replacement once a year so it will last us 35 to 40 track days on average) so again, might be a little bit more about the extreme heat issues in AZ that overheat the bearing grease and cause premature failure due to climate (also the dry AZ air I'm sure doesn't help matters much)

Having a water temp and oil temp and oil pressure gauge is a must for tracking though IMHO.

It's not. We cooked the NX at the Glen. Maybe the G20 gets better cooling than a B13? A Koyo is one of the "must haves" on my list of what you need when building.

I've gone through some front bearings. From my SS days, I've gotten used to doing them once or twice a year regardless.

I think you guys get way more mileage out of that car than anyone else ever does. I'm jealous! BTW you going to make the Apr event at Mid-O?

So you knew he/she wanted engine related engines?

Yet none of this is engine related engine.

We opted to go to the NASA Central Gateway region event instead the same April weekend (closer drive for us and we are hoping for nicer weather farther south towards St. Louis)

Ben, chill out. Sometimes you get too deep when you reply at times. He asked about engine related issues and he got the answers he wanted. Any other B13 ROAD RACING tidbits that he can benefit from I freely gave him from MY experiences so far. I respect your wisdom as a whole but unless you have any credible experience with road racing then you can contribute your tidbits to help the OP out. I approached his question with an open mind as I was once in his shoes and asked the same questions. He can PM me or Chris or anyone else who has road racing experience. Been there Ben.. just sayin'.

It's been a heck of a learning experience dealing with the heat here. In the early and late summer months we only run in the mornings, the heat's that bad. A few tracks here are bad on wheel bearings and brakes so we prepare the best we can. Just finished track time at AZ Motorsport Park today and just glad that nothing broke, leaked or blew. A great day for racing. I would love to check out your tracks over there and run a few laps in your G20. Any day on the track is a great day to learn new stuff and chat with fellow drivers. Water & oil temp with oil pressure gauges definitely FTW

I can't believe you guys haven't mentioned motor mounts! Search for "Prothane"

Also be aware the B13 trannies have an issue with 5th gear pop out. They will also self destruct when you start increasing power...especially with boost.

Since the SR only holds about 3.5 quarts of oil, an oil cooler isn't a bad idea. Especially, if you plan on doing enduros.