Prawn and BigAls A3 Track Car

[Sam_]

Yeah camber makes a car look way meaner. How much camber are you running? I was advised to run 3 degrees up front with the D03G, mine are mediums. Currently I run 2.5 front, 1.5 rear.

 

[Prawn]

Yeah camber makes a car look way meaner. How much camber are you running? I was advised to run 3 degrees up front with the D03G, mine are mediums. Currently I run 2.5 front, 1.5 rear.

Currently 2.6 degrees up front and 2.2 degrees at the back mate, although with the S3 wishbones, and caster eccentric bushes, AND the top mounts set to max at midway between camber and caster, it's got around 10 degrees of caster.

I've been wondering if I may gain more by rotating the topmounts to give stock upper position caster wise and get closer to 3 degrees of camber.

Something I'll definitely play with once I'm on slicks.

 

[Prawn]

Cooling down after an evening thrash, loving these pirellis. So much grip!

 

[bigal 1]

You're not supposed the blow the ****** Tyres Off.!!!. Car looks real good from that angle. Purposeful. Wing looks as though its meant to be there. Not OTT in my opinion. AND it works. I envy you being able to "track" the car every evening. Looking forward to the Curbrough sprint. Might I suggest some Blackwall on the tyres before pics.

 

[Gops]

My mate at inters said to me.. "You see that a3 with the wing at the back? That think was rapid!!!"

The smug look came and I said "yeah that's prawny, on OUR forum!"

But he loved it, was even more shocked when I told him the power!! I need to be a passenger in this! Haven't yet experienced it

 

[16Klappe]

You're not supposed the blow the ****** Tyres Off.!!!. Car looks real good from that angle. Purposeful. Wing looks as though its meant to be there. Not OTT in my opinion. AND it works. I envy you being able to "track" the car every evening. Looking forward to the Curbrough sprint. Might I suggest some Blackwall on the tyres before pics.

Don't worry Al, I move back on the 7th of August so it'll be immaculate at all times!

 

[ReDBull]

When does the turbo work start Nick?

 

[badger5]

you at combe tomorrow prawny?
vw/audi autometrix day?

 

[Prawn]

Might I suggest some Blackwall on the tyres before pics.

I can answer this ^^

With this \/

Don't worry Al, I move back on the 7th of August so it'll be immaculate at all times!

When does the turbo work start Nick?

Heading down to Bens on the 27th Paul, we'll get the bulk of it bolted up then, then leave it with Ben that week to finish off the downpipe.

you at combe tomorrow prawny?
vw/audi autometrix day?

I'm afraid not Bill I'm going to the beach instead! Lack of monies, and sessioned trackdays are just too hard to justify for us at the moment sharing the car, £95 each to get 3 15 minute sessions each just isn't worth the outlay when you factor in fuel and travel as well. I'll definitely be making the effort for ADI though!

I'm not sure why Autometix price the sessions so high to be honest, the sessions are £10 each more expensive than at the equivalent Mini specific action days, it's a shame

 

[ReDBull]

Just to prove they've gone to a good home!

you where right about the calliper clearance. I've only got a fag paper clearance with the TD 1.2's.

 

[bigal 1]

I'm not sure why Autometix price the sessions so high to be honest, the sessions are £10 each more expensive than at the equivalent Mini specific action days, it's a shame

The reason is typical of some business's with a captive audience in this day and age. They are ****** GREEDY. That alone is reason for me not to go.

 

[Prawn]

Wheels look awesome on the LCR Paul!

 

[ReDBull]

I'm not sure why Autometix price the sessions so high to be honest, the sessions are £10 each more expensive than at the equivalent Mini specific action days, it's a shame

The reason is typical of some business's with a captive audience in this day and age. They are ****** GREEDY. That alone is reason for me not to go.

VAG tax?

Wheels look awesome on the LCR Paul!

Thanks I'm very pleased with them! I though 17" may look to small but they look spot on. I like the purposeful rumble from the tyres as well.

 

[Prawn]

oh awesome, have you had a drive with them too then? You'll probably find they're really slippery for the first few corners when they're cold! I tend to have a regieme where I throw it quite aggressively around the first few low speed roundabouts to get it sliding around, which warms the rears up quicker it seems.

After a few bends they warm up and start to grip REALLY well!

it's funny, my views on the wing have changed since Hullavington, now that I know it works, I'm somehow more accepting of how it looks

 

[Prawn]

Saturday is the day!

Off to the sea side to see Dan and Mr. Parsons and get this new turbo fitted!

 

[16Klappe]

Can I have your old one?

KKthnxbi.

Xxx

 

[Prawn]

Old one is staying in my garage for the forseeable future! the most successful hybrid ever made won't be going anywhere for a while

 

[badger5]

I'm not sure why Autometix price the sessions so high to be honest, the sessions are £10 each more expensive than at the equivalent Mini specific action days, it's a shame

The reason is typical of some business's with a captive audience in this day and age. They are ****** GREEDY. That alone is reason for me not to go.

]

I lucked out on saturday.. I had'nt booked anything so got there early to sign on early in case of over booked (it was'nt remotetly however) and got chatting to a nice chap with a black mk2 ibiza with 1.8t inside.. I have seen him at several track days in the past... turns out he was K.J.M VW/audi Specialist and he had a spare trade entry as one of his guys could'nt make it.. Cover his costs and it was mine. Result! £70 for unlimited track action as trader.. Minimal queues as a trader and unlimited action, almost open session. Happy..

For others, we could club together and do something similar under the badger5 booking for future ref as that would work out to be a good value answer. Something to bare in mind for future.

 

[jojo]

Old one is staying in my garage for the forseeable future! the most successful hybrid ever made won't be going anywhere for a while

I reckon it would be happy under my bonnet, as I will thrash the pants off it just like you do!

 

[RobinJI]

Just been playing catch-up on the events since I last saw you. Really glad to hear the wing's made a difference. I don't think it looks that silly, but I'll definitely be watching the underbody stuff closely, give a shout if you need any composite bits or any advice on it. Work do a diffuser that might fit the bill nicely.

It's cool to see how evenly that last set of tyres have worn, like you say, the set-up must be pretty damn good now from that respect.

I trust this isn't the only car getting your attention at the moment

 

[Prawn]

Just been playing catch-up on the events since I last saw you. Really glad to hear the wing's made a difference. I don't think it looks that silly, but I'll definitely be watching the underbody stuff closely, give a shout if you need any composite bits or any advice on it. Work do a diffuser that might fit the bill nicely.

It's cool to see how evenly that last set of tyres have worn, like you say, the set-up must be pretty damn good now from that respect.

I trust this isn't the only car getting your attention at the moment

Underbody stuff will start very soon, and evolve over time I think.

Any links to the diffuser Arc Angels do that you're thinking of mate? I'll take a look on the website in a mo.

You're also correct, it's not the only one to get attention!

Mini rolled forward on sunday into the light for the first time in 18 months, and after a few hours careful prep to avoid any dangers caused by the lay up, I'm happy to report she fired into life INSTANTLY on the very first press of the button.

It doesn't come across well on film at all, but it's running really well, and I'd forgotten how much I loved the bark from the webber:



Brake pipe is here, just waiting on a small banjo that I've lost to re-fit the brake pipe and bleed the brakes

 

[RobinJI]

Awesome, glad to see the Mini get some love! Looking forward to seeing the wee beasty at RRG.

This is the diffuser: (Link)



We can make them any length you want (up to waayyy longer than you'll ever need on pretty much any car), and those bulges (they're for the lower rear wishbones on a radical) can be left out easily, probably making it a touch cheaper. (the shorter the cheaper too to some extent.) I need to grab some dimensions for the website, so I'll let you know once I've dug the mould out and measured it.

 

[bigal 1]

Underbody stuff will start very soon, and evolve over time I think.

Any links to the diffuser Arc Angels do that you're thinking of mate? I'll take a look on the website in a mo.

You're also correct, it's not the only one to get attention!

Mini rolled forward on sunday into the light for the first time in 18 months, and after a few hours careful prep to avoid any dangers caused by the lay up, I'm happy to report she fired into life INSTANTLY on the very first press of the button.

It doesn't come across well on film at all, but it's running really well, and I'd forgotten how much I loved the bark from the webber:



Brake pipe is here, just waiting on a small banjo that I've lost to re-fit the brake pipe and bleed the brakes

You mentioned the BARK. What is not realised is that the bark is so fierce and the whine from the straight cut box and drops is akin to living in the engine room of Concorde. Ear defenders are a MUST. Can not wait to drive this little beast again.

 

[Westy]

Lol you two aren't the smallest blokes around and yet you've modded one of the smallest cars you could have

Looks easy to work on though. Loads of room with the front off.

 

[bigal 1]

Surprisingly there is so much room in the MIN. Rear seating area does not exist so seats placed well back and bolted to the floor.

Kit car owners would like the space we have. I wonder how a wing, splitter and under tray would work. ???

 

[Sam_]

Love the sound of a dcoe 40. I had twin dcoes on my old lump and later Jenvey SFs. Both sound nice but a bit different noises.

 

[Prawn]

DCOE45! 38mm chokes

 

[Sam_]

Awesome. Even better! I only ran 36mm chokes in my 40s, which is borderline to moving to 45s flow-wise. Are you taking it to a track day?

 

[16Klappe]

Ear defenders in the Mini?! Maybe on a trip to Germany, but for a warm Sunday shake down with the windows open, nothing I know of comes close

It sounds beautiful, Tic even fell asleep in it.

 

[bigal 1]

Awesome. Even better! I only ran 36mm chokes in my 40s, which is borderline to moving to 45s flow-wise. Are you taking it to a track day?[/QUOte. It's been to several trackdays, last one was 18 months ago at Hulavington where they built a very tight course. Min did not pass noise test but they put a sticker on it anyway, I guess they wanted to see how it went. It did not disappoint , much to the annoyance of a TVR with 440 brake who was slower.

Min has been to the Ring as well, driven there and back with the track car in tow. It started life as a Mini Cooper and Nicholas had it for his 17th birthday. Many a story to tell.

 

[ReDBull]

How long have you had the mini for? Is it the original one you raced?

 

[Prawn]

Had the mini 9 1/2 years now Paul! Bought Jan 2004! Not the one I raced as a kid, but the one I'll keep forever

 

[Prawn]

Just ordered a digital EGT readout display to work with the K-type sensors Dan uses on his test turbos. Should get that installed before mapping so we can keep an eye on EGT's

 

[bigal 1]

Ear defenders in the Mini?! Maybe on a trip to Germany, but for a warm Sunday shake down with the windows open, nothing I know of comes close

It sounds beautiful, Tic even fell asleep in it.

That answers lot of questions. He used to be normal. !!!

 

[Prawn]

Well, Ben has collected the turbo from Dan, I'm going to go for a final ko4 hybrid blast this evening, then tomorrow it's off to Parsons performance to start fitting the new TFSI unit. Fingers crossed it'll all go OK, and the car will be left with Ben to make a downpipe and fire it up, then we'll see what happens!

We intend to mount the EGT probe in the downpipe, and wire in the new display once it arrives, so we'll have an idea of EGT's whilst mapping, and also be able to monitor them on track using the peak recording function of the gauge.

Fingers crossed!

 

[Prawn]

Aluminium ordered to have a go at making my own inlet manifold.

the more we look into it, the harder it seems it's going to be to pipe up my right hand throttle body with the new setup, and I've wanted a large plenum inlet for a long while now, so I've ordered up the bits I need, and will be attempting to fabricate my own inlet!

Eek. daunting project.

 

[beachbuggy]

Aluminium ordered to have a go at making my own inlet manifold.

the more we look into it, the harder it seems it's going to be to pipe up my right hand throttle body with the new setup, and I've wanted a large plenum inlet for a long while now, so I've ordered up the bits I need, and will be attempting to fabricate my own inlet!

Eek. daunting project.

Ben was saying last night that the vr6 throttle body is larger than the agu and a direct plug fit to the ECU and throttle cable. Did you know this? I'm sure you do...

 

[Prawn]

I did know that Dan yes, it's something I've been thinking about for a while.

I just need someone to donate a throttle body and I'll try it!"

With any luck, if I get the bits for this manifold early next week i can fab it up in the evenings and then ask ben to weld it up when i go back down there next weekend. I think the back plate is going to be the nasty bit though.

Throttle body fixing on the end could be left until the last minute if we do go down that route. I'll have a word with ben

 

[Golfyste]

Looking forward to all to this unfolding!

 

[Prawn]

So, as I'm slowly and desperately trying to catch up on some severe sleep depravation, I'll try and take a few minutes this morning to add some words and pictures here.

I arrived at Bens, and within about 10 minutes, the front end was gone, and my pride and joy looked like a scrap yard find:





We had a few hicups, mainly revolving around Ben forgetting to bring the new turbo with him, so a minor road trip in the Jag cost us a few hours, but back to the workshop, and within an hour the car looked even more sorry for itself:



The last installed pic of what was the most powerful k04 hybrid to date - this thing has done me very proud



I rolled the car outside, and jetwashed the engine bay, i'd had a small oil leak from the rocker cover, so the bay was a bit messy:





Then it was time to bolt up the blower, using the all important beachbuggy designed adapter plate!





And a test fit of the TFSI outlet charge pipe too:



All looking good so far!