Team3S: 3000GT & Stealth Wednesday, January 14 2004 Volume
02 : Number 345
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Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 14:32:50 -0500
Subject: RE: Team3S: Power Steering
Is this true? I wasn't aware that our cars has variable assist.
Is this true for both the VR4 and Stealth TT? All years?
Kurt wrote: "Our steering is variable assist"
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Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 08:38:05 +1300
Subject: Team3S: Cold start
I appear to have a problem starting my 1992 3000GT VR4 when it is
cold,
such as morning starts. Is there a auto choke of some type that
maybe
sticking or could there be something else that I should be looking
at?
The car runs fine when warm.
Cheers, thanks for your help.
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Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 16:21:33 -0500
Subject: RE: Team3S: Power Steering
There was a question on whether all models are variable assist.
Seems they are, and the page also mentions, Very Reliable.
Well, I guess that's so since no has a good idea what might be wrong.
and similar pages.
Kurt
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Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 16:31:01 -0500
Subject: RE: Team3S: Power Steering
Is this the same thing as variable assist? I thought that in variable
assist cars, steering force is a component of vehicle speed. According to
this diagram and write-up, steering force in our systems is a component of
engine speed, which makes sense considering the faster the engine turns, the
faster the pump can pump. Am I right about this, or am I
over-analyzing?
<<<Kurt wrote: "There was a question on whether all models
are variable assist.
Seems they are, and the page also mentions, Very
Reliable.">>>
Above email is for intended recipient only and may be confidential and
protected by attorney/client privilege.
If you are not the intended recipient, please advise the sender
immediately.
Unauthorized use or distribution is prohibited and may be unlawful.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 20:40:28 -0500
Subject: RE: Team3S: Power Steering
At 04:31 PM 1/13/2004, Starkey, Jr., Joseph wrote:
>Is this the same thing as variable assist? I thought that in
variable
>assist cars, steering force is a component of vehicle speed.
According to
>this diagram and write-up, steering force in our systems is a component
of
>engine speed, which makes sense considering the faster the engine
turns,
>the faster the pump can pump. Am I right about this, or am I
over-analyzing?
You analyzed it correctly what they wrote. It is just that they did not
know what they wrote. The meaning must have got lost during translation
from Japanese. It should have been "The oil pump is a vane type oil pump
with a fluid flow control system to keep the steering force from varying
with the engine speed.
Philip
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Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 20:22:50 -0800
Subject: Re: Team3S: Good Shop in Portland OR
Folks (including Glen and Glenn)...
I wrote back directly to Glen, I wasn't sure if anyone else cared. It
appears there's at least one more Oregonian on the list so here's my
message
from yesterday.
Looking forward...Chris Winkley
======================
Glen...
I have all my work (that I can't do at home) done by John Boline at
Gateway
Automotive. He used to run an authorized Mitsubishi service at the
same
location (118th and N.E. Halsey) but the dealership folded so he went
into
business for himself. IMO, he's the best in the northwest. His phone
number
is 503-261-2350. Tell him I sent you. FWIW...his shop rates are average
but
he ALWAYS ensures the customer is happy. I wouldn't go to one of the
local
dealerships even when my car was under warranty.
Looking forward...Chris Winkley
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Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 22:15:26 -0800
Subject: Team3S: Re: Open track events and instruction
Since this is potentially of interest to many of our members who may
be
considering taking their car on a race track this year, I've copied this
reply
to the Team3S Main List. It is somewhat off-topic for the main list,
so
please limit any discussion to the Team3S Racers' list, or to private
replies.
FYI..., if you go to the Team3S "Track Reports" Page (the link is on our
Home
Page or on the FAQ Index Page), we have a link there to a page full
of
schools, clubs and open-tracking links, prepared by Rich Merritt and
John
Christian, (with some info from 'stang-er Jeff Lacina).
The first choice, of course, (if you can afford it), is the multi-day
formal
schools (like Skip Barber, Jim Russell, Bob Bondurant, etc) where you pay
a
couple of grand for a 3-day or 5-day school. You learn everything
using their
cars. It really depends on your location (and luck) as to what
quality you
get in instructor-led schools, since no matter how good the curricula,
there
there are good- and bad teachers. We've seen SB grads who knew so
little they
had to be placed back in HPDE 1 to get them started, and others where a
3-day
grad was comfortable running in HPDE 4, and good enough for racing
competition
(under tough, NASA standards). These schools all offer competition
licenses
to graduates of their advanced courses (whether they deserve one or not!),
but
most graduates are very well taught. A hefty price, but usually well
worth
it.
Your second best choice (and the most "bang for the buck") is the NASA
Pro
Racing HPDE program (High Performance Driving Education), with the
nearest
chapter to you being Mid-Ohio; national membership is ~$35(?). You
drive your
own car, and all you'll need is a ($100) Snell 85 motorcycle helmet
(or
better) and a working seat belt, and your car in good shape. NASA has
the
toughest licensing policy of any group - it's so demanding, in fact, that
a
NASA competition license is honored by everyone. (You'll need an
approved
race car and full racing gear for competition licensing, after
proving
yourself competent in HPDE 4). They run 2- and 3-day HPDE school
events, led
by experienced competition racers (avg cost=$120-$150 per day) at:
- ---Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (Lexington, Ohio, 3-day HPDE April 2,3,4
-
HIGHLY recommended!, and 3-day HPDE Oct 22,23,24);
- ---Putnam Park Road Course (Mt. Meridian, Indiana, May 22/23, Oct
9/10);
- ---Road America (Elkhart Lake, WI, 3-day HPDE Oct 29,30,31);
- ---Gingerman Raceway (South Haven, Michigan, 2-day HPDE July
18,19);
- ---They also hold events in Nashville and BeaveRun, PA...
Third on the list is the club racing groups who will occasionally allow you
to
join them, especially Porsche (PCA), Shelby (SAAC), Audi (QuattroClub),
and
BMW (BMWCCA). You can check out their local chapter events using the
link on
our Track Reports page to their pages. The Quattro Club
instructors,
obviously, can teach AWD handling, but not all events from all groups
will
have instructors, which are important for you when you are starting
out. If
there's a club near you, it's worth checking out to see if they
accept
non-member cars at their events, and which events have instructors
available.
Fourth is SCCA, which is really a toss-up - some chapters are pretty good,
and
some are awful. Once the premiere 'everyman' driving school, they
have fallen
apart of late, with dozens of race groups (and school instructors)
switching
to NASA. Check them out to see if they hold events in your area, and
maybe
you'll luck into one of the (few) good chapters. All of the
racing
instructors in our racing school are former SCCA people, who now are
exclusively with NASA NorCal and our "Next Level" driving/racing school
in
Nevada. SCCA gives out competition licenses to anyone who takes their
3-day
advanced course, (whether they are qualified or not). (But
their licenses
are no longer honored everywhere...) You don't have to be a member
to
participate in their school events, so once you are schooled and you
simply
need "seat time" experience, don't rule them out. If SCCA is the
closest to
you, it's probably worth a shot to pay for one of their school
weekends.
Maybe you'll get lucky and the one near you has good instructors...
Last on the list, unfortunately, are the small, one-day events run by
groups
like Speedseekers. (I've already given you my opinions about
them,
privately...) If they're all you've got, they may (or may not) be
better than
nothing. ;-) It takes most of a day just to learn a track well
enough to
begin learning. If it's your first time at *any* track, I don't
recommend
participating in a one-day event. I very much recommend that you take
the
3-day April NASA event at Mid-Ohio INSTEAD OF the Speedseekers event for
your
first outing! You'll be much better prepared for subsequent events
by
studying with racers.
[Note that problems can happen with all the schools, including my
preference..., NASA. Two years ago, the SoCal Instruction in NASA was
awful,
but now there's a new bunch of winning racers who have turned it
around. Even
NorCal NASA has had bad days, 2 or 3 years ago, but hardly ever any more -
it
all depends on the event, and the instructor who is available for your
group.
Wherever you are (and whatever group you're in), if your instructor
sucks,
find another one.]
Best,
Forrest
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 06:24:51 -0700
Subject: Team3S: Hesitation Help
I own a 1992 3000GT VR-4 with 74,000 miles. I replaced the clutch
about
4,000 miles back. I have recently began noticing my car loses power,
hesitates and generally does not sound good if I hold the RPM's above
about
4500 in any gear. I realize this could be caused by a hundred
different
things but would appreciate any advise on where I might start looking.
The
car has run pretty good since I bought it about a year ago. It appears
from
a receipt in the glove box when I bought it that the 60,000 mile service
had
been done. Thanks
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 09:01:19 -0600
Subject: Team3S: Re: In defense of Speedseekers
>Last on the list, unfortunately, are the small, one-day events run by
groups
>like Speedseekers. (I've already given you my opinions about
them,
>privately...) If they're all you've got, they may (or may not) be
better
than
>nothing. ;-) It takes most of a day just to learn a track
well enough to
>begin learning. If it's your first time at *any* track, I don't
recommend
>participating in a one-day event. I very much recommend that you
take the
>3-day April NASA event at Mid-Ohio INSTEAD OF the Speedseekers event
for your
>first outing! You'll be much better prepared for subsequent
events by
>studying with racers.
>
SpeedSeekers is a happening, dude.
It is not a small, one-day event. It will have 200 cars, including some
of
the weirdest, fastest cars in the country, running on the best road
course
in the world.
There is nothing like it anywhere.
No one ever claimed it to be a school.
They put people in 4 groups from novice to advanced, and instructors
and
advanced drivers are available to help out rookies, but this is
definitely
not a school.
We are having a gathering of 3000GT/Stealth people from Wisconsin,
Iowa,
Illinois, and nearby states at SpeedSeekers, and expect 15-20 of our
cars
to show up to drive, spectate and socialize. With luck, there will be
an
interesting array of 3000GT/Stealth engine, brake, and suspension
technology on hand. For those like Jesse Rink who want to run one day
or
two, we've been offering preparation advice and answering questions.
Perhaps the organizers might want to step in here and say a few
words.
People at NASA will cringe, but Speedseekers allows unlimited
ridealongs,
so Jack T, Philip G, and I will be giving rides to anyone who shows up,
and
giving instruction to anyone who wants it.
Considering the absolutely weird cars that show up -- would you believe
a
1970s Coupe De Ville with a 500 cu in motor? -- this is an event that
no
one should miss.
Rich/slow old poop
>
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 07:37:54 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: Team3S: Hesitation Help
Sounds fuel related. Could be a simple as a bad tank of gas.
Next, I'd look
at replacing the fuel filter, then take a look at the injectors.
Glenn
At Wed, 14 Jan 2004 06:24:51 -0700, you wrote
>I own a 1992 3000GT VR-4 with 74,000 miles. I replaced the clutch
about
>4,000 miles back. I have recently began noticing my car loses
power,
>hesitates and generally does not sound good if I hold the RPM's above
about
>4500 in any gear. I realize this could be caused by a hundred
different
>things but would appreciate any advise on where I might start looking.
The
>car has run pretty good since I bought it about a year ago. It appears
from
>a receipt in the glove box when I bought it that the 60,000 mile
service had
>been done. Thanks
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 12:27:13 -0700
Subject: Re: Team3S: Hesitation Help
It's either ignition or fuel.
Might want to replace the ignition wires if they havn't been replaced
recently. Check the
sparkplugs, then start checking fuel related things. At least that's what I
would do, ymmv
Donald Ashby
'93 3000GT VR-4 (RIP)
'92 3000GT VR-4 (Vroom!)
"Don't drink and park, accidents cause people!"
- ----- Original Message -----
Sounds fuel related. Could be a simple as a bad tank of gas.
Next, I'd look
at replacing the fuel filter, then take a look at the injectors.
Glenn
At Wed, 14 Jan 2004 06:24:51 -0700, you wrote
>I own a 1992 3000GT VR-4 with 74,000 miles. I replaced the clutch
about
>4,000 miles back. I have recently began noticing my car loses
power,
>hesitates and generally does not sound good if I hold the RPM's above
about
>4500 in any gear. I realize this could be caused by a hundred
different
>things but would appreciate any advise on where I might start looking.
The
>car has run pretty good since I bought it about a year ago. It appears
from
>a receipt in the glove box when I bought it that the 60,000 mile
service had
>been done. Thanks
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 14:42:18 -0800
Subject: Re: Team3S: Re: In defense of Speedseekers
> > I very much recommend that you take the 3-day April NASA event at
Mid-Ohio
INSTEAD OF the Speedseekers event for your first outing! You'll be
much
better prepared for subsequent events by studying with racers.
> SpeedSeekers is a happening, dude.
> It is not a small, one-day event. It will have 200 cars, including
some of
the weirdest, fastest cars in the country, running on the best road course
in
the world. There is nothing like it anywhere. No one ever
claimed it to be a
school.
> They put people in 4 groups from novice to advanced, and instructors
and
advanced drivers are available to help out rookies, but this is definitely
not
a school.
- ---------------------->
Exactly my point. It's NOT a school, and someone who is new to track
events
NEEDS a school environment before going out there with experienced
drivers.
Even their beginner's group will have "Hot-Dog" morons who think "Fast
and
Furious" was something to emulate, instead of the reality of it's being
a
movie about felons endangering one anothers' lives in trickmobiles.
There is
NO insurance coverage for track incidents at Speedseekers, while contact
in
school events IS covered. You take a novice and put him/her on one of
the
fastest, best courses in the country with a bunch of hot-dogs and it is
a
recipe for disaster. If this was YOUR event and just you guys were
taking
Jesse around, that would be cool, but you don't know what kind of jerks
will
be in that novice group. Schools throw the lunatics off the
track.
Speedseekers invites them.
> We are having a gathering of 3000GT/Stealth people from Wisconsin,
Iowa,
Illinois, and nearby states at SpeedSeekers, and expect 15-20 of our cars
to
show up to drive, spectate and socialize. With luck, there will be an
interesting array of 3000GT/Stealth engine, brake, and suspension
technology
on hand. For those like Jesse Rink who want to run one day or two, we've
been
offering preparation advice and answering questions. Perhaps the
organizers
might want to step in here and say a few words.
- ---------------------->
I'm "all for" the social event. The organizers should be commended
for
throwing it together - I'm thrilled that so many of our cars will be
there.
And I think Jesse would get invaluable insights by riding along with
you
experienced guys. But where a novice is concerned, "advice" and
"answering
questions" is no substitute for full-day schooling with an
experienced
instructor. He should NOT be driving on that track without one.
> People at NASA will cringe, but Speedseekers allows unlimited
ridealongs, so
Jack T, Philip G, and I will be giving rides to anyone who shows up,
and
giving instruction to anyone who wants it.
- ----------------------->
That's BS. NASA gives unlimited ridealongs, AND is the only group
that allows
*local* yellow flags for track incidents, instead of calling the whole
track
yellow any time cars make contact. NASA is safety oriented, but
logical -
it's the least restrictive school there is. But it's the strictest
about
LEARNING what you're doing before going out there. Does Speedseekers
insist
on 2 low-speed laps behind a pace car for the first run of the day to give
new
drivers time to LOOK at the track? Are you guys going to take Jesse
out at
slow speed in the first session so he can "warm up his tires, his car and
his
brain"? Will you stay with him for every one of his sessions to teach
him
vehicle dynamics, braking zones, learning the line, and the nuances of
proper
steering? And what happens if FIVE "Jesse's" show up - who will
instruct
them?
> Considering the absolutely weird cars that show up -- would you
believe a
1970s Coupe De Ville with a 500 cu in motor? -- this is an event that
no one
should miss.
> Rich/slow old poop
- ----------------------->
This sounds like an event that no *experienced* driver should miss, and
I'm
sure that you guys who have run open-track before will have a ball.
But I
stand by my statement-- a Speedseekers event should NOT be the first
track
event for ANYONE.
- --Forrest
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End of Team3S: 3000GT & Stealth V2 #345
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