Team3S: 3000GT & Stealth  Saturday, November 16 2002  Volume 02 : Number 001
 
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Date: Fri, 15 Nov 2002 19:20:17 -0600
From: "merritt@cedar-rapids.net" <merritt@cedar-rapids.net>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Trail braking & tire chunking(was: Open Track  Troubles)
 
At 04:14 PM 11/15/02 -0800, Dean Benz wrote:
>> I never trail brake, because I turn in way early immediately after
>straight line braking, and get the power on where RWD cars are trail
>braking. Just like Chuck taught me.
>
>Can you explain this a bit more? Normally turning in early is a
>guarantee that you will not be able to power through the apex to the
>exit unless you over brake.
 
Sure. On a typical late apex corner (Turn 1 at MidAmerica, Turn 1 at Blackhawk, etc.), I straight  line brake (just a big stab these days, no longer a stand-on-the binders like I used to do), lift,  turn in WAY before the apex, and hammer the throttle. I go through the apex under full power. The  AWD grabs and pulls me through.
 
I am NOT early apexing the turn. That is something completely different, and tends to put you off  in the grass. I am on the same line as a late apex, but I am under power. It's called "carrying  speed" or some such. Essentially, I am under full power where all the RWD cars are still trail  braking. I can gobble up a 911 or a Z06 this way, because they cannot get back on the power as  fast as we can.  They suffer from power oversteer where our cars STICK. I just LOVE AWD. 
 
It takes a great instructor to get a driver to this point. I don't recommend it for rookies.  Instead, take the classic line for a few events, and get some seat time. Then, someday, sign up  for instructions with our own Chuck Willis. He'll show you how it's done.
 
Rich/slow old poop
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Fri, 15 Nov 2002 19:47:50 -0800
From: "BlackLight" <BlackLight@planetice.net>
Subject: RE: Team3S: Anyone here done the Accell coil mod?
 
Search for it on 3Si, Omnip_1 has a write-up on his website with photos I believe.
 
Matt Nelson
1994 RT TT
BlackLight@Planetice.Net
www.BlackLight.5u.com
 
- -----Original Message-----
From: Shawn Keren
Sent: Friday, November 15, 2002 7:19 AM
Subject: Team3S: Anyone here done the Accell coil mod?
 
I've got three Accell Super coils, part # 140017, coming today from Summit Racing. I'm planning on  installing them in my VR4 tomorrow. Has anyone here done this mod already? Is there anything that  I should watch out for or any warnings that you might have? Maybe some wiring hints or help?
 
Thanks in advance
 
Regards,
Shawn Keren
 
Red '92 VR4
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Fri, 15 Nov 2002 19:49:50 -0800
From: "BlackLight" <BlackLight@Planetice.net>
Subject: RE: Team3S: Anyone here done the Accell coil mod?
 
Thanks Jeff, sorry, I missed your post  *rolleyes*
 
Matt Nelson
1994 RT TT
BlackLight@Planetice.Net
www.BlackLight.5u.com
 
- -----Original Message-----
From: Jeff Lucius
Sent: Friday, November 15, 2002 10:30 AM
Subject: Re: Team3S: Anyone here done the Accell coil mod?
 
Adam Fortier and Allan Bautista have some write-ups and tips on installing
aftermarket coils in our cars.
 
http://www.omni-vr4.com/Accel%20Coils/index.htm
http://www.allanbautista.com/accel/
 
Jeff Lucius, http://www.stealth316.com/
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Fri, 15 Nov 2002 20:35:33 -0800
From: "Shawn Keren" <nouveau3@attbi.com>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Anyone here done the Accell coil mod?
 
Thanks all, I didn't look far enough earlier. I printed out Allan Bautista's info a little while  ago. Thanks for your help.
 
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "BlackLight" <BlackLight@Planetice.net>
Sent: Friday, November 15, 2002 7:49 PM
Subject: RE: Team3S: Anyone here done the Accell coil mod?
 
> Thanks Jeff, sorry, I missed your post *rolleyes*
>
> Matt Nelson
> 1994 RT TT
> BlackLight@Planetice.Net
> www.BlackLight.5u.com
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Fri, 15 Nov 2002 22:31:40 -0800
From: "Dean Benz" <dbenz@vchillclimb.org>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Trail braking & tire chunking(was: Open Track   Troubles)
 
I understand what you mean now Rich. You caught me with your use of the word "early". I usually  associate early with the whole turn and/or where the car apexes or gets closest to the inside of  the track in a corner. If you turn in early, you usually apex early, and exit or track out early  which we both agree most of the time is a real good way to do a little gardening or worse body  work.
 
What you are describing is a hard turn in late apex turn, and accelerating/powering though the  apex.
 
All cars can do this to a degree, but AWD cars excel at it. That is why through most of the 80s  and 90s, Audi's Quattro AWD system dominated much of international motorsports and in '98 was  finally banned from FIA competition as a "unfair advantage". (There is a great book by that name  which talks about those years in great detail but I digress.)
 
Today, with all the advancements in traction control, and suspensions, much of that advantage has  been eliminated, Audi's own 3 time champion R8s are rear wheel drive monsters that are so stable  the drivers can't even tell when they lock up a wheel except for the puff of smoke.(Or so I've  heard.)
 
A VERY GOOD driver, which I am not, with a smooth and skilled right foot in a modern RWD car can  take almost the same line with the same power as an AWD car. AWD just makes it a lot easier, and  in general is more forgiving than either RWD or FWD at the limit. Actually, there are times when a  RWD can take a different line and use their stronger abilities in throttle steering to pivot the  car and actually outperform an AWD car, but that is a whole different topic. Don't get me wrong, I  love AWD, both my daily driver and track car are AWD, as were my 2 previous daily drivers, and one  previous track car, but a high powered RWD car in the hands of a skilled driver can be really  scary fast!
 
In my last example I should not have used the word apex where I did. I should have just stopped  after I said "If done correctly, just as the brake pads pull away from the disc, the wheel is at  the maximum angle for the turn, and 100% of the available traction is being used to turn the car".  From a pure geometric perspective this might be the apex of the car's turn, but is likely nowhere  near what we normally describe as the apex of a turn on a track, the point on the inside of the  corner that the car passes closest to. Sorry for the confusion.
 
Trail braking is completely compatible with the way you are describing your cornering and will  make you even faster when done correctly.
 
Trail braking is about carrying your speed further into the corner, braking later, braking less,  and being able to turn in harder by controlling the car's weight shift during the transition from  braking to turning. You can still put the power on in the same place you describe, you just get to  that point in the corner faster than someone who straight line brakes. But, just like powering  through the apex, it takes practice, patience, and a good instructor doesn't hurt to learn to do  it well.
 
- -Dean (What no tire section?) Benz
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 16 Nov 2002 01:35:07 -0500
From: "Darren Schilberg" <dschilberg@pobox.com>
Subject: RE: Team3S: how long do new stock motor-mounts last
 
Bill,
 
I received a response from Steve Burrows at 3SX Performance, www.3sxperformance.com, and he said,  "If they start to walk on you we will definitely stake them for you as we are currently doing, and  naturally if it ruined the mount bushing we would replace it."
 
Good customer service.  I have not had any problem with mine in the last 10,000 miles of highway  and "spirited" driving and don't foresee any problems but they are willing to stand behind their  product which is fantastic.
 
Here is the response from Steve Burrows at 3SX Performance (www.3sxperformance.com).
 
- --Flash!
 
- -----Original Message-----
From: Bill vp
Sent: Thursday, November 14, 2002 18:03
 
I have 15G's, exhaust, fuel mods, etc.  I need some new motor mounts but am leery of the 3sx ones  because of people on 3si complaining about the polyurethane "walking" out over (short periods of)  time.  How long will new stock motor-mounts last with the power that I have?
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Fri, 15 Nov 2002 23:00:01 -0800
From: "Riyan Mynuddin" <riyan@hotpop.com>
Subject: RE: Team3S: which bearings are accessible when oil pan is dropped?
 
That would be very helpful. Any info would be nice at this point. Today after I got home I  listened closely to my engine. I thought that I could hear a ticking noise on the bottom end of  the engine. It seems to only be audible when idling (RPM below 1000). I also have lifter tick from  the top, and this is a different tick that that I hear from the bottom. Hopefully it's not rod  knock or piston slap. I'll probably buy an automotive stethoscope and try to figure out what's up  here.
 
- ---------->
"fastmax" wrote:
 
I can forward the messages to you if you wish.
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 16 Nov 2002 00:01:18 -0800
From: "Riyan Mynuddin" <riyan@hotpop.com>
Subject: Team3S: driveshaft install
 
when my car was at satan, they said there's a lash in at least two of the three pieces of my  driveshaft. I could just replace the bearings but the shaft is rusty, heavy, and stock. I think  it's time for a new one. Can I do this myself?
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 16 Nov 2002 00:31:30 -0800
From: "Riyan Mynuddin" <riyan@hotpop.com>
Subject: RE: Team3S: driveshaft install
 
BTW, the driveshaft that I have my eyes on is the PST one-piece CFDS.
 
http://www.pstds.com/carbonfiber.cfm
 
anyone think there's a problem with switching from a 3-piece to a 1-piece?
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 16 Nov 2002 11:28:47 -0600
From: "merritt@cedar-rapids.net" <merritt@cedar-rapids.net>
Subject: Team3S: Re: Trail braking
 
At 10:31 PM 11/15/02 -0800, Dean Benz wrote:
>I understand what you mean now Rich. <snip>
>What you are describing is a hard turn in late apex turn, and
>accelerating/powering though the apex. All cars can do this to a
>degree, but AWD cars excel at it.
<snip> But, just like powering through the apex, it takes
>practice, patience, and a good instructor doesn't hurt to
>learn to do it well.
 
I don't recommend either technique for rookies.
 
Trail braking into a corner for a rookie usually means "Oh shit, I'm going too fast," as they  brake past the apex and off into the grass. It is far, far better for a rookie to learn straight  line braking, proper turn in points, and proper lines.
 
In fact, it is of utmost importance to learn how to brake properly. I was one of those drivers who  was able to keep up with the "big boys" because I could outbrake them. I was standing on the  brakes until the ABS chattered. This cost me untold worn out brake pads, boiled fluid, and hours  trackside fiddling with my brakes. Our cars -- especially with Big Reds -- have incomparable  stopping power, but they sure wear down fast if braking is done improperly.
 
Learning how to make "a hard turn in late apex," as you put it, requires proper instruction.  First, you must learn proper braking. Second, you have to be convinced that you can make it  through the corner at higher speeds than you ever tried before. In my case, it took two  instructors: Our own Chuck Willis demonstrated the technique to me at Heartland Park, so I knew it  was possible for our cars to carry that kind of speed through a corner. But it didn't "take" until  another instructor kept reassuring me, "the car will stick." I regard the whole thing as an  epiphany, and I wonder what other fast driving secrets await. Trail braking perhaps?
 
Rich/slow old poop
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 16 Nov 2002 11:44:12 -0700
From: "Damien" <dabinch@actionsd.com>
Subject: Team3S: Oil Drip
 
My '93 VR-4 is leaking oil.  It only happens when the engine is running. The drips are coming from  about 18" inboard of the passenger side front wheel and the drops of oil are dripping about 1  every 8 seconds.  I was wondering if this could be the infamous transfer case leak?  Any word on  the recall?
 
Anyone know of a shop in the Phoenix area that is familiar with our cars?
 
Thanks,
 
Damien
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 16 Nov 2002 11:44:09 -0700
From: "Moe Prasad" <mprasad@uswest.net>
Subject: Re: Team3S: driveshaft install
 
Everything is easy except for the flange that has to be swapped in the back.
 
You will need a very good impact wrench to take it off.  What we did was went to the Auto Zone and  borrowed their electric impact wrench and that did the trick.  We did have a hard time to get them  to lend it us but they finally gave in.
 
Rgds
Moe
 
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Riyan Mynuddin" <riyan@hotpop.com>
Sent: Saturday, November 16, 2002 1:31 AM
Subject: RE: Team3S: driveshaft install
 
> BTW, the driveshaft that I have my eyes on is the PST one-piece CFDS.
>
> http://www.pstds.com/carbonfiber.cfm
>
> anyone think there's a problem with switching from a 3-piece to a
> 1-piece?
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 16 Nov 2002 12:33:38 -0800
From: "Riyan Mynuddin" <riyan@hotpop.com>
Subject: Team3S: spinning bearing? piston slap? anyone know a good rebuilder? [long]
 
Warning: this post is lined with questions!! :)
 
This is exactly what I was worried about. How sure are you? Satan told me that the oil pressure  warning switches are quite unreliable, while the engine itself is quite robust and it's "most  likely okay". Being the service dept. manager, you'd expect him to want to scare me rather than  assure me that my car is okay. Maybe he forgot that it has 188k miles on it. The new oil pressure  warning switch should go in today or tomorrow. The tick that I hear below 1000 rpm is not a  rhythmic tick like my lifter tick is. It has somewhat of a rhythm, but sometimes it "misses  ticks". You know what I mean? It's also very quiet and very hard to hear. Is this what an early  spinning bearing sounds like? Is there anything else at the bottom end of the engine that could  make a sound like this? From what I've heard, a "spun" bearing is a louder knock that gets louder  as RPM increases. This ones *seems* to disappear after 1K rpm. But perhaps this is what the early  stages are.
 
It's difficult to put my finger on it because it could even be an accessory on the lower side or  something ticking at the top end of the engine that happens to be echoing all the way to the  bottom. An automotive stethoscope will go on the oil pan before I remove it. I'll see if I can  covert that to a .WAV file or something. Either way, it's time to garage the car a little longer.  I'll drop the oil pan and see what I find. Dropping oil pan requires removal of downpipe... and I  need to increase air flow in the rear pre-cat
:)  so might as well kill two with one stone. With all these problems, I've considered selling the  car and starting over with another stealth/vr4. Well, then I'd probably have just another can of  worms. And I'm already past that point of selling my car since I have around 40 labor hours, $2000  in
upg+60k, $1000 in fuel and electrical, and almost $1400 in the full
upg+exhaust
system from dynamic racing. I'm going to take this slowly and fix it up.
 
suggestions? ideas? I am looking for an engine rebuilder now because if I actually need new  bearings then I might as well get new pistons and an overbore too. Even if it turns out that I  don't need a rebuild, having someone in my rolodex that truly knows the inside of a vr4 engine and  how to rebuild it the right way is a nice thing to have. As far as their pricing goes, I'm not  going to say that I'll throw my wallet at them. But I will say that I don't want any "bargain"...  "coupon deal" work. I want this to be done right, and I will indeed pay good money for proven good  work. I live in Sunnyvale...40 miles south of San Francisco. Any rec's will be taken seriously.  Any distance up to 100 to 150 miles is acceptable. I'd even consider taking the car farther away  if the rebuilder has lots of references, particularly with rebuilding 6G72 blocks.
 
Riyan
93 stealth rt tt
.... and I can't drive it...  again??  :(
 
P.S. one more idea I have is to remove one spark plug at a time and see if the noise changes at  all as each one is removed. If the noise changes for a specific cylinder, then that would mean  that the noise is more likely to be piston slap in that cylinder, since if you remove the  compression from a cylinder then piston slap is reduced or eliminated.
 
Here's an article on piston slap:
 
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jk/020320.htm
 
"STNCOLDBK" wrote:
 
hate to say this but your losing a pump  but most likely a rod or main bearing catch it early you  just have to change the bearings but the tick you hear is a bearing spinning repair it before you  have to replace the crank
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 16 Nov 2002 12:46:10 -0800
From: "Tigran Varosyan" <tigran@tigran.com>
Subject: RE: Team3S: spinning bearing? piston slap? anyone know a good rebuilder? [long]
 
Check to see if its your throwout bearing. In idle push the clutch in all the way, listen, then  let it go. See if the sound is different with clutch it or clutch out.
 
Tyson
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 16 Nov 2002 12:53:38 -0800
From: "Riyan Mynuddin" <riyan@hotpop.com>
Subject: RE: Team3S: spinning bearing? piston slap? anyone know a good rebuilder? [long]
 
Push clutch in and out when idling in neutral, or driving slow in first gear?
 
- -------------------->
 
"Tyson" wrote:
 
Check to see if its your throwout bearing.
- ----------->
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 16 Nov 2002 13:24:18 -0800
From: "Tigran Varosyan" <tigran@tigran.com>
Subject: RE: Team3S: spinning bearing? piston slap? anyone know a good rebuilder? [long]
 
Doesn't matter. I think you would be able to hear it better if you were stopped. Tranny in  neutral, see if having clutch in or clutch out makes a difference with the noise.
 
Tyson
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 16 Nov 2002 17:57:29 -0500
From: "Bill vp" <billvp@highstream.net>
Subject: Team3S: help adjusting TPS please
 
ok, on the cd manual it says (13-34) to put a 0.65mm feeler gauge between the fixed SAS and the  throttle lever
 
first of all, what is a feeler gauge?
 
second, what is the SAS and throttle lever, is that where the little hammer like thing hits the  screw looking thing when the car isn't being accelerated at all? I mean when you are idling they  are touching, but if you push the gas does a gap appear between them then? I don't know how to  describe it too well, but hopefully somebody will get what i mean
 
is there anything else I need to know ... it says to check voltages and keep turning clockwise  more and more, etc
 
when I put it on initially (the tps) do I just sit it in place, or do i move the throttle cable  any (which moves the little copper colored markers ... which move the tps things on the inside)?
 
because I just sort of put it in and screwed it in a little more clockwise than 12:00
 
now my isc readings on the pocketlogger never go below 60??!?
 
how could that affect it?
 
it's reading 11% (tps on pocketlogger) at idle, and goes up to 94% full throttle; it seems like it  may be a little slow getting there though, but I didn't try it out too much ... I may have imagined  that.
 
thanks for any help
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 16 Nov 2002 18:14:59 EST
From: Rod2414738@aol.com
Subject: Re: Team3S: ECU update (car started the first time but not since)
 
I'm a recent owner of a '93 Stealth TT, so I might be missing something here,
but in my electrical engineering experience, replacing leaking capacitors, if
found quickly, can fix problems.  Yes, if let go for too long, the
electrolyte can corrode through traces.  However, a capacitor whose
Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR) has changed due to losing electrolyte and
therefore not shunting noise to ground or not allowing a clock signal to pass
at full amplitude can cause problems by itself long before damage to the
board occurs, especially on a well-postcoated board. 
 
- -Rod
'93 Stealth TT
 
In a message dated 11/11/2002 8:43:33 PM Pacific Standard Time,
scooper@paradise.net.nz writes:
 
> There is a huge difference between rebuilding a working and a non
> working  ECU  The faults are caused by the leakage from the capacitors
> so as I stated  before, replacing the capacitors only, will never fix
> it.
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 16 Nov 2002 15:50:28 -0800
From: "fastmax" <fastmax@cox.net>
Subject: Re: Team3S: spinning bearing? piston slap? anyone know a good rebuilder? [long]
 
Piston slap is often a start up condition --- after the car warms up a little the noise goes away.  The larger clearances required for forged pistons can
cause slap that goes away as the pistons expand upon heating.
 
        Jim Berry
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Sat, 16 Nov 2002 17:24:18 -0800
From: "Shawn Keren" <nouveau3@attbi.com>
Subject: Team3S: Accel Coil Mod
 
Well, I just finished adding the Accell Super Coils to my VR4. WOW, more responsive on low end,  the car runs and idles smoother and what I thought might be spark blowout around 5000 RPM on WOT  seems to be gone.
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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End of Team3S: 3000GT & Stealth V2 #1
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