The NSX is simply not fairly classed in TTB, in my opinion it is a TT3 car that needs LOTS of stuff done to it. After getting a win last weekend in TTB in NASA midwest event #2 at Autobahn South, I have come to that conclusion. Next event for me in the 2014 season is in June. This is where I'm at:
First question is: you can't use all 20 pt.s and stay in a class? In other words, I'm +14 to start with in TTC**, then:
Tires: +11 (7 for NT01, 4 for 20mm over class width of 255) - I use 235/275
Engine: +4 (2 for header, 2 for exhaust)
Suspension: +7 (3 for damper, 2 for spring, 2 for sway bar
Weight: +3 for -35lb.s, or +4 for -50lb.s?
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39 pt.s if I use 3 for 35 lb.s of weight loss but if I used 4 for 50 I'd be in TT3?
-The car with a half tank (18.5 gal capacity) and me in it was 3066 WITH the following:
Spare tire = 30lb.
Passenger seat = 40lb.
Air pump (now missing) and jack (also missing after the weekend) = 9lb. ...can't believe people steal this stuff.
Floor mats = 6lb.
Base weight is 3047
So, at the track last weekend I was running without the mats, pump and jack, and spare tire for a net weight loss of 45lb.s, playing it safe I guess? That would mean at a half tank I was 3021lb.s or 26lb.s below the 3047 base weight with roughly a 10lb. buffer.
If I drop the sway bars I get 2 pt.s back but a rear wing costs me 4pt.s, so I'm still screwed. I would have to run with the spare tire in and take no points for weight LOL. I guess its worth it as I strongly feel that corner entry stability will be greatly improved with a wing back there. So far this has been a reoccurring handling trait in this car: break away at corner entry - for example at Autobahn T1-T2 off the brakes, turning in off the throttle the rear end would hang out just after turn in. Also T13 (last corner) same issue but at a higher speed: track left, brake, off brake, turn in and the rear would step out. Once on the gas the rear end stays put all the way through the corner. Its turn-in where it gets loose. To add to my problems last weekend I had at least a full second of fuel cut transitioning between T2-T3 starting at the apex of T3 it would hit and I wasn't getting power back until the exit. I'm researching this right now. Oh and my brake issue (severe vibration under braking) is attributed to uneven pad deposits - I will need new rotors and pads for next event.
Looks like the 275 tires where a mistake. The 20mm costs me 4 pts. I don't think I can stretch a 255 around the rear wheel - 18X9.5" I could go back to the OEM 16/17 wheels which would accommodate a 205/255 setup BUT Nitto does not have an NT01 for the front wheel. R6's DO come in those sizes but they cost 10pt.s as you know. I could go back to the 15/16 set with NT01's and HUGE sidewalls and get 4pts back +1 for using a 245 in back for a total of 5 pts back +2 more without adj sways so 7pts back. So I could run the wing and take 3 pt for weight and stay in class. I think I will just drive the car with no weight pt.s and add the wing. What do you think?
- - - Updated - - -
Maybe I'm not thinking this through enough.
To elaborate:
We still have to carry too much weight in TTB. Also my biggest complaint is the NA1 US market cars have border line lazy gearing for a 3.0L NA V6 - 2nd = 85mph, 3rd = 115~120mph. This means a "traditional" 2nd gear corner - say 40-45mph - puts you out of the power band for a good while. So, the NA1 type R trans axle becomes the best option, and, what should have come in the car in the first place. ...and there's +3 pts for "altered" gear ratios not to mention $6000 - not an option for me at this time.
Competition in TTB is going to be mainly E36 M3's...which NASA seems to love. They start in TTD (**?) so by the time they are up to TTB they are stripped to at LEAST 150lb.s less than us, running either NT01 or R6's, chipped, and IHE S52. They make outstanding torque and lots of power in the middle of the RPM's. You may also find the odd AP1 or AP2 S2000 which was in TTC but is so light they couldn't make weight AND keep the rear wing, A6's or R6's, I/E, or Hondata goodies (MY06-07). A rear wing really seems to pay dividends on most cars and from what I've seen on track and read. At this stage I feel it to be essential.
It looks like there IS a 255/35/18 NT01 - would that work on an 18X9.5" rim?
KW V3 (5pts), rear wing (4pts), header (2pts), exhaust (2pts), NT01 in 255 (7pts) and I now have 5 pts to apply to weight reduction if using the NT01's in 255 - up to 65lb.s in weight loss per NASA rules which would allow me a minimum competition weight of 2982lb. I think I would ditch the spare and passenger seat (mats, engine cover, and tools are already out) which would be roughly 70lb.s, then screw a 10lb plate weight into the spare tire holder and keep it at a half tank....then again, how much does say, a GTC300 and mounting hardware weigh? That has to be 10lb.s. For S&G that would make the car 2807lb. without driver and on a half tank. If I could only get that type R transaxle in there.... Weight reduction seems to be so important and I just feel like with the above setup it might not be enough. I'm going to do my best to win the TTB midwest championship in this car. Its kind of sad though that there isn't more than 3 or 4 cars in my class at these events so far. At what point does renting a prepared race car and doing wheel to wheel in say a Miata or FF2000 become more fun?
