Hilux 4x4 Forum

Andre, put in a second seat, i'll sit in it for you.

Good luck with the race this weekend

Situation update

What a hectic day at practise... Arrived at the track bright and early after leaving Jhb at 4am. Got everything offloaded, set up and hit the track for the first session. Had one exploratory lap, and then started picking up the pace. Ran a 2:15, 2:13, 2:11 and 2:10. Car felt fantastic - planted nicely in the corners, motor running like a song.

Adjusted tyre pressures a tad, and hit the second session. Started finding a good rhythm, and running even better times - dropped another second easily and could feel there was more to come. Pulled into the pits, parked it and was on my way to go and weigh the car and set up weight when I heard a funny noise...

Seems there is a gudgeon pin loose... Can't race the car unless I feel like yet another complete engine rebuild...

While contemplating whether to go home immediately or stay and watch the racing, Alex came over and offered me a ride with him - how unbelievably awesome is that?

Got into his Golf for the last session of the day to get a feel for the car. Spun off twice in that session - scary stuff. Did manage a 2:12 though. Last thing for the day we put my tyres on his car, as his rears were completely worn and there was a bit of a vibration on the fronts. Just need to make one or two adjustments prior to qualifying, then we are set

Gonna be an epic day

I suppose it's time for an update again

I took the head off last week to check what damage there was following the Phakisa drama. Found the sleeve on no. 3 had some nice deep gouge marks thanks to the loose gudgeon pin - will need to be re-sleeved. Thankfully I have been hoarding up parts for a second engine, which includes a freshly bored block and new pistons. I also have a set of brand new rods from a Chevy/Daewoo motor, which are much stronger than the Opel rods. Basically I'm going to build a whole new sub assembly for it.

Tomorrow I can pick up the rods and pistons from the engineering shop after they finish the press-fitting. I also had some teflon inserts made to prevent damage if I get a repeat of the same problem.

Still need to pull the block out and strip it as I am going to use that crank again. Can maybe get that done tomorrow and start assembly.

So for this engine:
Freshly bored block
New pistons
New rings
New big-ends
New mains
Teflon inserts on the gudgeon pins

The rest remains the same

Hope that no 3 piston is still OK for the spare engine...

Damn! What a run of bad luck.

but the feeling of being flat out around the track makes up for it all i'm sure.

Keep us posted.

Update time

Assembled the new engine, and put it in the car. Not gonna bother with pics as you have seen it plenty times earlier in this thread lol

Anyways, engine starts, sounds good so far. Will take it for a drive tomorrow and load the engine for a run-in. Not gonna bother with a re-dyno as it is essentially exactly the same engine as the old one. Will obviously just have to do a dyno run to get power figures and then seal the motor again.

I'm a bit worried about the power figures I might get - think it's gonna make it hard to stay in class C. If that's the case I'll just take off the third silencer and join Alex in class B.

Pulled the pistons out of the damaged block...

Here is the culprit

Took it for a drive today. Everything seems fine. Feels like it might have gained a couple of ponies, but I'll wait for the dyno readings to confirm this.

Decided I'll rather have it tuned again to be safe...

Tidied up the intake a bit, as well as all the wiring in the dash. Looks decent enough.

Oh ja - never put a pic up of this... I put some LED strips inside and under the bonnet. Yes I know it's ricey, but it works a charm for when I'm working on it at night

I watched the Phakisa races broadcast on Ignition over this past weekend hoping to see this monster, even though you did report problems with it. But next time!


-F_D

Family_Dog wrote:I watched the Phakisa races broadcast on Ignition over this past weekend hoping to see this monster, even though you did report problems with it. But next time!


-F_D

You would've seen a Golf driving in the dark with its indicator on... That was me haha

Sent from my garage using a vaccuum cleaner

I put LED strips under the bonnets of my bakkies a few years back already .... operated with a contact switch so they come on when you open the bonnet. They've helped me on many occasions and it's a small mod that I would recommend any time.

Will see what it does on the control dyno\

Pic fixed - F_D

So today I took it to Z for a track day...

Car behaved really well - did 5 sessions without hiccup. Also managed faster lsp times than what I managed the last time. Gave the brakes a proper test today as well - happy with how they operate

Not much to do in preparation for the race...

Glad to hear that.

I saw you at Zwartkops.

Car kocks a wheel at the top turn. looks so cool

I just watched about 3 laps coz I was heading to the Skidpan to have some fun myself.

Timed one of your laps:








Here is a vid of the skidpan fun
http://youtu.be/wv4fppQR63M" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hey Diesel! Shot for the pics.

Skidpan is awesome - so addictive haha

Sent from my garage using a vaccuum cleaner

Did the power run on the dyno today...

Made a bit more than what I would've liked...

66.5kw
119nm

Gotta add quite a bit of weight

Practise today. Elected to do only one session. All went well - 3rd fastest in class...

Bring on tomorrow...

Qualifying at 7h30...

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Congrats and Good luck for today.

Wow... What a day...

I'm just going to give some details of the day because it is all kind of a blur - will have to check the video footage to get a recap haha

Qualifying - we were the first group out for the day, so the track was a tad slippery... Ran 5th fastest out of the 8 entrants in my class, and after all the grid shuffles happened I got 6th spot on the grid

Race 1 - As we line up on the grid, somebody got his position pointed out all wrong by a marshal and caused chaos on the line-up. Everybody's moving around, next moment the car in front of me has the reverse lights coming on and I am completely confused by all that's happening. The moment the reverse lights go off the race has started and everybody's past me - I'm left for dead... End if story I'm stone last as we exit turn 2. I'm rather rattled after all this being my first ever race start, but I set about chasing them down. Eventually caught up after a couple of laps and make a pass in turn 5. Do this a couple more times, and chequered flag drops with me finishing 5th in class. Over the moon...

Race 2 - thanks to the grid reversal of the top 5 of the previous race, I get pole for our class - awesome (so now what?). Flag drops and I get a so-so start. We head around turn 1 and I just see smoke, dust, hair and kittens in the air as a couple of cars got it all wrong going into 2. I back right off as I'm not keen to get involved ib a demolition derby, and promptly get demoted to 3rd. A lap or so later I'm in 5th and things seem to settle down. The guy running 4th has his alternator call it quits so I reel him in and eventually get on his inside in turn 2. Reckon 'I've got you' as I get on the power in 2nd gear, and realise I'm in 4th. Opportunity lost. I do eventually get him a lap later going through turn 4, but I now also realise my gear linkages are not quite all there as I can only find 3rd and 4th gear... Lovely... Continously praying for the chequered flag I manage to make it to the end in 4th position, also getting overall 4th in class for the day

Most fun I've ever had

Will post some video when I get the chance...

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A good performance nonetheless - congratulations!


-F_D

CONGRATS !!!!!


so you upgraded you hart to pump pure adrenaline :)

Wow! Awesome Awesome AWESOME!!!

Congrats Andre!

Thanks Guys!

Some photos

Great shots! You really seem to be enjoying what you do :)


-F_D

So - videos

Qualifying - some of the slipping around and my fastest qualifying lap:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSXVgMKL4nk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Race 1 (I took out the boring bits):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBKV05RgmLs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Race 2 (Took the boring bits out again):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-tZ79dEl8s" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



When I watched these videos today I realised just how many stupid little mistakes I made... It was a bit daunting being my first ever race in this car - can only improve

very very impressive. you certainly can drive very well.
not sure what mistakes you picked up from your view but from the cam it definitely looks like you have a balance issue to me.
I don't know why you have a passenger seat in. also don't know where you have added your extra weights in the car. next time try add some weight onto the passenger seat to counter your weight for the left and right balance of the car. then distribute the remaining weight in the front an rear of the car. try to get equal weight on all 4 wheels. you might need to get the car on a 4 wheel scale to get the balance just right.
also when changing gears you let go of the wheel way long before you need to change. let go of the wheel just before you need to change, then change and then hands back on to the wheel.
I know I make it sound easy but it isn't really easy, but these are the things you need to focus on. i'm sure this will be on tv very soon so eager to see footage from the outside.

im really not criticising here but just trying to help.
well done on the progress so far and know you have been struggling with the car for very long now.
hope the next race is just as or not more successful.

Thanks, Rigardt.

Yeah the way I manage myself in the driver's seat is my biggest problem at this stage. At least now that I have watched the footage I know what to concentrate on to get it right.

The balance on the car is very much not right. Nice thing is that it is very predictable though. For now I am not going to mess with it - I just want to get more seat time to get to know the car better. I am only planning on getting the handling sorted for next season - by then I should know what I want it to do haha

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good old saying - change one thing at a time.


so easy to start chasing your tail if you change too many things at the same time .....




sadly this means a very long learning curve when one starts out.

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rookie of the day !?!
well done man !
I forgot to ask last night. what happened to the gearbox ?
seems you got the engine problems sorted so now the gearbox needs some better parts to keep with the more power ?

Yup - Rookie of the day.

The gearbox is fine - just a bolt that started coming loose on the shaft that connects to the gear linkages. 5 minute fix

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Congratulations. That is great driving and a just reward for your perseverance!

Thanks, Mars

Was awesome to actually get the car into the race and successfully finish both races without incident.

So relieved...

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Little update

Decided to take the linkages off completely rather than just reset and fasten. Good thing I did - noticed that two of the bushes are rather worn. Thought that while I'm busy, I might as well do a mod I wanted to do long ago already - want to modify the one linkage arm to shorten the throw on the gearlever. Hope it works haha

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Just make sure you test it properly before the next race.

I am so glad the car is running fine now. You get 10 out of 10 for perseverance. Well done

So - me not being a member of the Oppenheimer family, bringing a piece in from Netherlands ain't gonna happen

So here's the plan:

Firstly, replaced the crappy plastic linkage with one made up from two ball joints and a piece of threaded rod. This will make the left-right movement more precise and give better feel



Next, the bushes were a bit worn, so I bought some new ones from Goldwagen. Heavy duty nogals. Should make for a much better feel.



Now here is the bit that will actually shorten the throw (forwards -backwards). Basically, the pivot point on this linkage below is being moved 10mm to the short side



Should have the last bit back by tomorrow hopefully then I can put it all back and give it a test

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So here is the linkage as it is now



Basically moved the pivot point 10mm, and bolted it in place to test it before welding it in place

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So I fitted the poly bushes. Bit of a mission - found that a bench vice works best.

Just before I put it in:





I then re-installed it in the car. After much muttering and grumbling I finally got it in and lined everything up. Took it for a test, and what a difference! The throw is shorter by about 30 - 40%. The shifts feel much more precise. The old setup actually felt like you were stirring lumpy porridge haha

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Doubt that will ever break - good show!


-F_D

Thanks, Eric

Still can't believe the difference it makes in the feel of the gearshifts. Now I just want to make a plan to get longer ratios on the gearbox - I am sure I can score anywhere from 0.5 to 1 second around Zwartkops...

So here is the end result

1st gear:


2nd gear:


Doesn't seem like much until you compare it with a std setup. After testing it I decided to adjust the clutch so the pedal 'takes' a bit lower - my leg is too slow haha

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Looking good!

Was bored, so I thought I might as well use the time to morrify something



Then I also took it to the dyno again to check if there was any change in the output - don't want people to think I'm being skelm or anything. Plus is that if I had lost power I can take weight out



This is a comparison between the power before Phakisa and now. Really like the graph... Should run ok

Next race is Saturday. If you are coming through, pop around and come say hi











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With the gear change shortened, you will have no problem in teaching yourself to hold onto the steering wheel longer. It will also give you a lot better feedback.

Can't wait to read about your next race.

Yeah I'm really excited

Got a good couple of new cars joining in the fun this weekend too - I believe we have something like 30 entries already. Should make for some epic racing

Andre you have really been putting in a lot of hard work on this car, so I really wish you the very best for next race day...

Thanks, Edge

It is so nice to finally sample the fruits of my labour

Wow, what a nice read. This is something most petrol heads want to do at some stage of their lives. I must be honest though and say that most would have given up at the halfway point. Props to you on going all the way. The only problem now is that I also want to build something like this. I'm a big Toyota (obviously) and Honda fan and would struggle to choose between the two. Maybe one day I'll have the guts. Good luck on the 8th.

Thanks, Theuns

Andre I see your post count is now "777" .... may that be a GOOD omen for the weekend :)

Not a bad day...



Not a bad day at all 

2nd!!!!!!!

That's awesome.
Congrats boet.

Well done Andre, your hard work is now paying off nicely!


-F_D

Well done and congrats all round! Glad to see your setup treating you well after all the effort you put in On that note, epic car you have yourself there, must be an absolute blast

OK - videos.

Unfortunately I actually forgot to turn the camera on before the race started (in both races :yawn: ), so the videos kinda starts in the middle of lap 1



Race one - video starts with me running in 3rd place in class. This was an epic battle!

http://youtu.be/4Fb70-1O-Rk




Race 2 - video starts with me running 1st in class... Things went downhill rather quick from there...

http://youtu.be/HcNBIlyJoY4


But end of the day, I finished 3rd in the first heat, but then the C2 that finished 2nd was found to be underweight, handing me 2nd. 2nd race I ended up 4th (was everywhere from 1st to 7th in that race), and when all the calculations were done I ended up 2nd overall for the day in my class.

Just really glad the Golf I hit didn't have any serious damage - the rear bumper just needs a paint. My car needs a new bonnet, bumper and headlight

Wow, that looked like real fun.

I liked the way clapped hands after race one, can see you enjoyed the battle.

Congrats !! :)

Thanks, guys!

I was just amazed that I managed to catch it in turn 4 in the second race. Really thought I was gonna hit the wall and get in the way of the 8 or so cars behind me... Some poop nearly escaped haha

4x4BEES wrote: can see you enjoyed the battle.

It was unbelievable fun!

Congrats

The extent of the damage



The cradle got a little dent in it too, but nothing too serious


Someone was nice enough to leave a little message on the windscreen