Just got my new track car!

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Boxer12

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Viper87, thanks and I agree with your motto! Enjoy life! My first track date is Apr 7, so it's getting close to Miller time! (actually, I drink Coors light!)
 
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Boxer12

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OK, put the Autoform brake duct kit on today. It was an interesting job, kind of a bugger cutting holes in the tight spaces into the bulkhead behind the facia, which is two layers of 1/4" thick PVC or something like that. Dremel tool got a workout! Here are some pics:
 
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Boxer12

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Well, my latest adventure was putting in the Autoform brake vent ducts. It was a bit of a knarly job, complicated by difficult cutting positions and angles, without instructions. Take a look at pics if you want to do this and see where the ducting comes thru the inner cowling. At the very end, I was drilling a hole in the bracket that holds the duct on the drivers side, and put a hole in the oil cooler behind it. Crap. That complicated the job immensely as I had to remove it to take it to a welder for repair. Had to take the front facia off to do that, well, just loosened it and pulled it off enough to remove it up thru the top where the air dam is located. I found a good used cooler so I plan to keep the repaired one for an emergency spare. Meanwhile, I got the rollbar installed, but am waiting on the second harness to put the inside back together. So the car is on blocks, the front facia loose and moved out, the seats out, the inside rear bulhead off, side bolster and center console off. Track day is next Friday. Looks like I will be burning the midnight oil to get her ready.
 
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Boxer12

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Finally got the car off the jacks, and running smooth. Had a loose power brake hose after the valve cover replacement, which made the engine run a bit rough. Man, does it take some effort to brake when the power is unplugged! It's almost impossible to stop. Anyway, set about finding a barren road to dial in the brake balance. After about 10-15 good lock ups, I think its dialed in. Holy crap did I lay a bunch of rubber on the road in the process! Since the tires were trashed, I decided to work on some power-on starts. Pretty amazing just lighting up the tires, but it did hook up in 1st, which surprised me. I couldn't get any nice dark black stripes, but some long ones nonetheless. Great fun. Now, I just need my other harness and I can put the interior back together and it's ready for track day! ;)
 
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Boxer12

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Well, the second harness didn't come in time, but the weather cleared and we hit the track Friday for the first time. It was amazing. A blast! The car ran like a beast, and there was a sharp learning curve. Spun it once, after taking off the slicks to run with streets (Michelin PS's) and didn't make the adjustment fast enough. Nobody hit me and I didn't leave the track. Got about 450 degrees at about 80 mph. What a ride! With the slicks on, I was able to pass a Lambo, another GTS, and numerous Mustangs and BMW-M's and lesser cars. Got passed by a modded Z06, 930 and a few other cars, but it was driver experience, I'm sure. I will get them down the road. Putnam Park rocks! Great place to get your feet wet on the track. The first few laps were in the wet, which on slicks, was like driving on marbles. Several cars went off the track, and a Noble into the tire barrier. Oh well. Better luck next time guys! All I have to do to get ready for VIR (next track day in 3 weeks) is check out and get a decent seat. Viper seats just don't cut it. Oh yea, and my harness came in today, a day late. That would have helped a bit. Since I had to have an instructor, I had to use 3 pt along with him, so my harness was tucked in behind the seat. The guest instructor was David Murray, a former Porsche factory driver, who is very articulate and informative. Got in a few laps with him, and he gave me some good tips. Have to work on my heel and toe technique, that's for sure. Almost got sideways at 105 with him in the car at the end of the main straight dropping down into third with high revs. I think it was performance anxiety. David made me nervous. Then I nailed turn 5 and made me feel great by telling me I was "the best" in that turn all day (I didn't tell him that is where I spun out earlier...haha). :)
 
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Boxer12

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Finally, got my second harness. It's installed, as is the rear console piece, which was a bear to cut out and get nice. Here is the finished look:
http://gallery.viperclub.org/showphoto.php/photo/25993/sort/1/cat/500/page/1
I took a lot of time to cut out the little cubby hole, as you can see I cut channels for the roll bar support rather than a big gaping hole. I also put rubber tubing, cut and split, into the top side of the harness strap holes to give it a more finished look. I am satisfied with it. It was a hard job. Easily could have ruined the console piece and had to spend $1,500 for a new one. I am relieved it turned out so well, and that the car has a nice finished 'like stock' but better look! It's track ready now, but I intend to get a racing seat or two after I have a chance to check out some fitments. ;) Yahoo!
 

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Fortunately, my neighbor is a Viper owner and avid track guy himself, so I have a resource close by! (Former Chrysler exec too).

What's his name and what years was he w/ Chrysler Corporation? I might know him. I was the District Manager of Los Angeles in the late 80's-early 90's.

:usa:
 
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Boxer12

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Archer oil pan kit installed...

http://gallery.viperclub.org/showphoto.php/photo/26353/sort/1/cat/500/page/1

Pulled brake pads after one track day. Not much signficant wear. I must not have been braking hard enough! Have a big rattle in the rear end from Eibach springs when driving on bumpy streets (which are everywhere here in farm country)...need to find a solution to that. Anyone?
 

George Murray

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Yo -

tell me about that SRT big brake kit you got! I'm interested in installation difficulty, and price of course. Currently have StopTechs on my ACR.
 
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Boxer12

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George,
If you already have Stoptechs, then I believe the mounting tabs have been cut off the rear brakes already, which is the hardest part of the job. I would say it is a medium difficulty job if you have to cut off the tabs, but a breeze if they are already cut off. Use a cutting wheel or sawzall to cut the tabs off. See Dave's site for cost, which I would say is very reasonable compared to Stoptech or Brembo kits. I have lots of pics on my gallery you can look at, and let me know if you have specific questions. Jim
 
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Boxer12

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Getting into race trim!
http://gallery.viperclub.org/showphoto.php/photo/26614/sort/1/cat/500/page/1
Everybody asks "Why Daytona?". It's in honor of my Dad who grew up outside Daytona and got me involved in motorsports very young, and who will be at VIR with me this weekend (hopefully, he's getting kind of old)! I also think Daytona 24 hrs is the race I thought about driving more than any other as a kid. Also, it's different and if I go to VOI 9 I can pick my car out of the photos!
 
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