2012 will see some changes in the Erceg Motorsport camp with the converting of the #50 (pro class) to #151 (prolite). The V8 never suited my driving style as I am more of a "revver" and my brain is still in 1600cc mode. So I thought, instead of continually bending valves and destroying Chevs I would slot in the V6 that rev to around 7,500rpm all day long. Combine that with a 6speed albins and Im hoping that my driveline dramas are sold. The conversion started at the front end as I saved coin for the Albins and VQ35 to slot in the back.
Removing the bump steer at the beginning of 2011 worked both good and bad for the Chenowth. I loved having no bump steer but with the steering box mounted where it is, it was hard to get all of the steering attributes that we wanted. The steering became very "slow" and we lost a lot of steering lock. So I thought it was time to get out the grinder and do some serious research, calculations and redesign the steering geometry. We still have a small amount of bump steer (1" over 24" of travel) but we have gained lock and speed in steering and the ackerman angle so we are thrilled.
Well the engine and trans are both mounted and now work begins on the exhaust, intake, plumbing etc. Work has slowed due to work on a customers car but hopefully get back into mine early in the new year. New trans will be ordered in a few weeks so am working hard on getting a set of ratios to suit...
I have tried to design the exhaust to compliment the intake manifold to gain power higher in the rev range. These engines work great up around the 5000-7000 revs and I am hoping that when I save up a few more $$ i would be able to get the internals done to rev between 6000 and 8500. That is the target anyway.
Ok... progress has been a bit slow but now that the customer car has left the shed, I have had a chance to get back on to mine a tad. I have finished mocking up the exhaust (fully welded when engine comes out), the air cleaner is mounted and the rear panel work has been started. The new Albins 6 speed has been ordered and will hopefully be here by the end of this month so the final assembly can start.
Our first race is 10th March so hopefully we will be able to get it ready in time to go and have some fun.
Getting pretty close now. Water pipes are finished, inlet manifold has been modified, exhaust finished, new sump on, throttle cable mounted, Howe power steering pump mounted and rear number completed. Next on the list is the fuel lines, gear change cable and a clean/reassemble of the rear hubs.
By next Wednesday we hope to have our share all finished and then off to the auto electrician to work his magic.
Well not a huge amount is happening just at the minute. The car is finished waiting for a couple of things now... The auto elec has another car in there at the minute so Im next in line there and the new Albins is set to be finished early next month. Just been doing the little fiddly jobs to finish it all off. Starting to get pretty keen now. First race is 14th of April. Hoping to go testing first but dont think time will allow...
Ok... big steps ahead at the moment. I can see the finish line coming (Start line though I guess). The new trans has been picked up and installed for the last time. Engine back in, all breathers and coolers have been plumbed up. Just need to fill the trans with oil and take it to the sparky.
Well its running, driving and makes all the right noises. Couple small jobs to do before Wednesdays dyno but should be there with flying colours. Only took it for a couple of laps around the carpark because its a pretty busy street but with a few quick turns of the wheel the steering changes feel wicked and it is heaps quick and responsive. Clutch master cylinder needs to be changed but thanks to RACER IMPORTS I already have that waiting for me.
Getting real close to getting it dirty and I can't wait!!
The car was dynoed on Wednesday and the figures showed we needed more air (11kw gain when air cleaner was disconnected). So we are mounting twin air cleaners and putting that air into a chamber before the throttle body.
Then its just floor, panels and a polish and we are ready for Round 1 of the SA Championships at Mannum next weekend.
Thanks mate. Yeah Im pretty happy with the sound of it. It is dead stock but seems to be pretty responsive on the throttle. We are down about 6rwKw on other standard VQ35 because of the intake manifold but I love the look of it so I'll be putting up with it for now until the 6 stack comes along haha (long way off).
watching your build up you did say it was stock,sounds far from stock,the v6s sound a bit doey like they are missing a couple of cylinders,but yours sounds great,my mate road races and said when formula holden run the new exhaust they sounded heaps snappyer,i think you found the answer,better cover it up or everyones going to steal it,,,
Haha I can't take all the credit for the exhaust idea. I have seen it on a few cars and love the look of it. You can't beat the sound of an all into one muffler IMO. Thankyou for the kind comments... It is a vain thing, but i always say if you can't go fast you have to look and sound good lol
We have got the whistle down to one of two things. Either air passing through the manifold or through the throttle body where the butterfly shaft comes through the casting. We have had it all checked out and on the dyno he wasn't concerned about it and didn't make any strange mixtures on the dyno so we don't think it is a vacuum leak. Just annoying more than anything.
It won't throw any strange mixtures because he's correcting for the leak (or it's small). As it's variable I'd be shaking the shyte out of things like the inlet manifold, any vacume lines and any device that bleeds into the inlet manifold (FPR?). I certainly wouldn't let it slide. Something is amiss and if it gets bigger (loose things tend to get looser in racing!!!) you'll run lean.
Well this is hopefully one of the last changes I need to make. Since we needed more air... I thought I would give it more air. Just need it powdercoated now and all done.
