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#201 ·
Since you're thinking about swaybars, I know there was mention of a Mazda 3 rear bar, earlier in this thread. I don't know if you ever looked into it further, but I did. They do indeed fit our cars. The biggest thing is finding endlinks that work. But otherwise it bolts right in. The Mazda 3 links might work, but they use a solid mount for the control arm, and I didn't feel like going this route to risk snapping the lower control arms. I went with 240SX front swaybar links, which required using sleeves on the on the swaybar side as the link studs were 10 mm, and the holes in the swaybar were 12 mm. I ended up with the Hotchkis 32 mm bar to go with my no bar on the front. The Hotchkis includes two holes. I know there are some bars with three.

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Discussion starter · #203 ·
I've also been thinking of going with a Mazda3 rear bar. It seems like the endlink design would be a little more compliant than the Focus endlinks. I wish there were more hollow-bar options, like the Hotchkis.

The 28.6mm solid Steeda bar is just a little on the stiff side for me. It's great for low-speed corners, but feels a little unpredictable in high-speed transitions.

I think something in the 24-26mm range with multiple holes for adjustment would be nice. I would likely increase rear spring rates slightly to help compensate for the loss of roll stiffness.
 
#204 ·
ecugrad said:
Damn, 32mm! How do you like the bar Bill?
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Tough to say. I switched tires the same time I installed the bar. At low speeds, my car still doesn't rotate as well as I want to (My lack of front camber, and excessive spring rates is probably the main cause of this). But on high speed transitions and sweepers, it feels very neutral, easy to drive, and easy to place the vehicle where I want to. I may a James Barone Racing Tru-Torsion competition bar in the future.
 
#206 ·
I got the 480 CCA version of that battery. I decided to go with a little more capacity since I still DD my car. I've been using it for a year, now, and it's been great. You can't park the car for more than 3 days, though, or it will die. But works great, even after shutting the car off after every run. I also got the 240 CCA version in my motorcycle.
 
#208 ·
Hi Justin it's Chris from Washington with the MINI, and now a Focus, which I partially blame on you and the SCCA. Thanks for the great thread.
 
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#211 ·
Considered a different radiator to save weight? Or any other crazy ideas?

Sent from my ASUS_Z00AD using Tapatalk
 
Discussion starter · #212 ·
nboyles85737 said:
Considered a different radiator to save weight? Or any other crazy ideas?
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Rules limit the crazy ideas, (including lighter radiators,) but I have a few other ideas to save more weight. Brakes are the biggest opportunity right now. I could also get lighter wheels, but they would have to be custom. I still need to swap out the stock passenger seat for a 25# race seat. The exhaust system could still be lighter. With a little money and work, I think I could easily drop another 50-75 pounds off the car. I was sitting at 2,396 pounds on the scales at Nationals, so low 2300's should be possible.

 
#213 ·
Justin

What did you end up doing for a slider with the race seat? We are going to swap in the OMP's over Christmas break, and will need a slider for my co-driver.

Are you talking about the Massive rear conversion?, also I think there is some weight to be saved doing a l.w. caliper and 2 piece rotor up front. Who will get to 2300# first.
 
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Discussion starter · #214 ·
Woundup7 said:
Justin

What did you end up doing for a slider with the race seat? We are going to swap in the OMP's over Christmas break, and will need a slider for my co-driver.

Are you talking about the Massive rear conversion?, also I think there is some weight to be saved doing a l.w. caliper and 2 piece rotor up front. Who will get to 2300# first.
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I think I have the Corbeau single-locking slider. I fabbed up the mounting bracket though.

I was just suggesting that there was weight savings to be had in the brakes. The Massive conversion does look like a good option. Have you found a 2-piece rotor or lightweight caliper for the front?

You'll probably get to 2300# first. I'm not willing to put in the money/effort required to get there.
 
#215 ·
JustinT said:
Finally made it to the dyno. Not bad for a Mustang Dyno on a hot/humid day.

Mods:
2.5" K&N Typhoon Cold Air Intake
F2 4-1 Header
Magnaflow high-flow Cat
2.5" custom cat-back
Custom tuning by Tom and RS Motors

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I took mine to the same Dyno, before and after new tune, seem too high : runs in 3rd gear, numbers in 4th gear run was even

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Post Tune 3rd gear vs. 4th gear:

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Andres
 
#216 ·
Spring length

Are you running extremely short springs in the rear suspension? I tried to install a set of spring adapters in the rear of my car and the only way the spring would sit flat is if I had very short springs (probably ~4 inch).
 
#217 ·
Question might fit better for answers in another location (we can move it for you), just what were you trying to do?

Lower spring end isn't flat.
 
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