Finally started work on my Focus
#81
Advanced PassionFord User
Thank you buddy 👍
Its hard to say how much of a difference the splitter made as I hadn't drove the car for a while but it did seem to not have as much initial turn in understeer, as for spring rates I'm not to sure yet I have a rough idea what I would like to try but will let everyone know once everything is on he car
Its hard to say how much of a difference the splitter made as I hadn't drove the car for a while but it did seem to not have as much initial turn in understeer, as for spring rates I'm not to sure yet I have a rough idea what I would like to try but will let everyone know once everything is on he car
I work at Leda and I've been looking into spring rates as I'm just starting to build mine up. I've opted for 375lb front and 450 rear. I'm running bladed arb's too. Some of the spring rates other companies were quoted were huge. 700 & 800lb front and rear, which is massive considering the corner weights of the car. It'll never give chance for the dampers to work surely?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
#82
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Thanks for that mate. How far forward is the splitter I was thinking about fitting one to mine about 75mm extended out.
I work at Leda and I've been looking into spring rates as I'm just starting to build mine up. I've opted for 375lb front and 450 rear. I'm running bladed arb's too. Some of the spring rates other companies were quoted were huge. 700 & 800lb front and rear, which is massive considering the corner weights of the car. It'll never give chance for the dampers to work surely?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
I work at Leda and I've been looking into spring rates as I'm just starting to build mine up. I've opted for 375lb front and 450 rear. I'm running bladed arb's too. Some of the spring rates other companies were quoted were huge. 700 & 800lb front and rear, which is massive considering the corner weights of the car. It'll never give chance for the dampers to work surely?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
#83
Advanced PassionFord User
I'm building a focus rs mk1 mate. Been a labour of love for a few years now. Twins and marriage slow things down massively.
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#84
Advanced PassionFord User
A friend of mine had a focus rs mk1 track car, he had a very expensive Ohlins set up on it. His springs were around 600 & 700 front and rear running standard arb's and 210 slick tyres. He would get terrible snap oversteer on tight hairpins sometimes. It just seems an awful lot of spring on each corner for a focus. 6 & 700 pounds of pressure on each corner before the dampers are allowed to do their stuff and control it. The rear of our cars is very light after you've stripped them out.
#85
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I'm building a focus rs mk1 mate. Been a labour of love for a few years now. Twins and marriage slow things down massively.
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#86
Advanced PassionFord User
Looking forward to reading about your winter updates, and next year is looking good.
#87
Advanced PassionFord User
Cheers mate. I'm hoping to get it home one night this week coming. Most bits are ready to bolt on, just waiting on a couple of little bits but work is manic and it's holding me back a bit.
#88
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#89
Advanced PassionFord User
Stick the pictures up on here please mate. I'm old and don't do instagram.
#90
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A friend of mine had a focus rs mk1 track car, he had a very expensive Ohlins set up on it. His springs were around 600 & 700 front and rear running standard arb's and 210 slick tyres. He would get terrible snap oversteer on tight hairpins sometimes. It just seems an awful lot of spring on each corner for a focus. 6 & 700 pounds of pressure on each corner before the dampers are allowed to do their stuff and control it. The rear of our cars is very light after you've stripped them out.
#91
Advanced PassionFord User
No worries mate. You're further down the line than me so I was hoping you could help me. I do know that when I had the 375 springs on the front and dampers set to hard I really had to bounce the thing to make them move.
#92
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I was working from my BTCC stuff they have 800-900 front and 1200-1500 rear and the Honda 24hr cars I built used 800-1000 so I just thought to go softer.
We we are all here doing the same thing just with different knowledge, experience and budget so spreading help where we can is all apart of the fun of building our cars and sharing the jounery.
I'll post some of my Instagram pics up later if my laptop stops having a hissy fit
We we are all here doing the same thing just with different knowledge, experience and budget so spreading help where we can is all apart of the fun of building our cars and sharing the jounery.
I'll post some of my Instagram pics up later if my laptop stops having a hissy fit
#93
Advanced PassionFord User
Nice work you do. That's some serious poundage, maybe I'm miles off (often the case) they look quite soft on track, lots of nose dipping under breaking. A couple of guys on here with our cars run a softer spring too. Underdog and nevsrevs I think they're around a 450 rear spring, I think the rear was twitchy when they used higher rates.
#94
Advanced PassionFord User
What sort of aero did they use on BTCC?
#95
Advanced PassionFord User
My mates focus ran 600 & 700lb springs front and rear respectively
#96
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Yeh it does look like they are soft but can ensure you they are heavily sprung. Most of it is due to set up as they have a lot of rack plus the body kit is high apart from Welch's Proton that had the rear archs made to fit lower making the back look lower but still ran 15-20mm rack, aero wise not much just wider body to meet the regs for max width, front floor/splitter (can't remember how far it extended past the bumper but not much) and a rear wing which in the Focus's does next to nothing as it's made to sit a bit lower then the roof line as they still use the standard boot lid wing and most other front wheel drive cars were set up to add lift on the rear to help pivot te back on turn in and create less drag
#97
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Small update and a few pictures of a few thing to come in the future.
Firstly I pick up a front end rally cross kit from the guys at X-Sport Racing a while back after seeing pictures of their old rally cross car turned into a V8 monster I know I had to have it as the pictures will prove,
(I'm not using the bonnet)
The kit test fitted,
Also got them to make a splitter for the bumper as well,
Just need to get wheels to fit.
Back to the updates, My old tired Eibach coilovers have done me proud after a good few years of use, but its time they came off to make way for my new setup,
And modified my top mounts,
(ignore the rust looking bits that is crap of the bottom of my strut brace)
With the power upgrades slowly coming together I had a afternoon free and made a start on the idea I have for the new exhaust. Can you tell where I got the idea from?
I'm going for a Group A style side pipe I'll hopefully get round to making the exhaust over the weekend, I will keep you all updated if I do, maybe a video as well
Firstly I pick up a front end rally cross kit from the guys at X-Sport Racing a while back after seeing pictures of their old rally cross car turned into a V8 monster I know I had to have it as the pictures will prove,
(I'm not using the bonnet)
The kit test fitted,
Also got them to make a splitter for the bumper as well,
Just need to get wheels to fit.
Back to the updates, My old tired Eibach coilovers have done me proud after a good few years of use, but its time they came off to make way for my new setup,
And modified my top mounts,
(ignore the rust looking bits that is crap of the bottom of my strut brace)
With the power upgrades slowly coming together I had a afternoon free and made a start on the idea I have for the new exhaust. Can you tell where I got the idea from?
I'm going for a Group A style side pipe I'll hopefully get round to making the exhaust over the weekend, I will keep you all updated if I do, maybe a video as well
Last edited by Rstar_man; 13-12-2017 at 07:47 PM.
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PaulinhoT (14-12-2017)
#98
Advanced PassionFord User
A mate of mine runs that front end on his focus rs. Make sure you fit it securely and use an underfloor too. The splitter generates that much down force it nearly ripped the bumper off! He's probably going back to a smaller splitter from memory. Car is going to be epic. What dampers are going on?
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Rstar_man (13-12-2017)
#99
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A mate of mine runs that front end on his focus rs. Make sure you fit it securely and use an underfloor too. The splitter generates that much down force it nearly ripped the bumper off! He's probably going back to a smaller splitter from memory. Car is going to be epic. What dampers are going on?
I think I follow him on Instagram, the kits were made a week apart (sad that I know that), I was going to make better supports from the chassis legs (like the cross brace on the WRC MK1) to hold the bumper and floor on with the extra force on light weight panels. Not to sure on dampers yet still trying to work out what budget I have to do everything
#100
Advanced PassionFord User
Yeah jacks his name, I'm sure he will be along to comment at some point. You must have access to some suspension goodies and wheels in your line of work?
#101
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You would like to think so, but unfortunately loads of seriously heavy spring and centre nut wheels and I don't wont to go down the route of custom hubs etc, although centre nut wheels would be mint.
#102
Advanced PassionFord User
I really like the front end on that car, I wonder if it would work well on the road
#103
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Evening all,
I managed to get a bit of time on the car last night and finish the exhaust, I do have a video but I can't seem to transfer it from my phone to computer but I'll keep trying.
Here's a few pictures of the finished exhaust,
Also a few pictures of what's to come
Thanks to the guy's from Lightning Motorsport for the manifold.
I am expecting more parts to arrive in the post over the coming days and into the new year so best pull my finger out and start building.
Thanks guys
I managed to get a bit of time on the car last night and finish the exhaust, I do have a video but I can't seem to transfer it from my phone to computer but I'll keep trying.
Here's a few pictures of the finished exhaust,
Also a few pictures of what's to come
Thanks to the guy's from Lightning Motorsport for the manifold.
I am expecting more parts to arrive in the post over the coming days and into the new year so best pull my finger out and start building.
Thanks guys
#104
Advanced PassionFord User
Shiny I like it. It looks like itll be nice and quiet
#105
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Rstar_man (10-01-2018)
#109
Advanced PassionFord User
Any updates on this?
#110
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Evening all,
Just a small update this time.
The new suspension kit is on the car, may choice my surprise some but I've gone for BC due to budget, but still going to work better then my old Eibach dampers
As you can see from the condition of my old rear springs they have been on the car for quite some time
They have standard springs on at the moment but have stiffer springs to try and see what I prefer.
Also more engine parts have arrived, Ollie from OC Motorsport has sorted me some of his stage 2 cams which will work while the car stay's N/A to work on the handling with a bit more power and will work with helping to increase the power when the turbo build is finished.
New stage 2 cam on the left and standard cam on the right for size comparison
Both cams ready to go in
That's is all for now, I have a few parts that hopefully should arrive by the weekend. I will post up when they do.
Just a small update this time.
The new suspension kit is on the car, may choice my surprise some but I've gone for BC due to budget, but still going to work better then my old Eibach dampers
As you can see from the condition of my old rear springs they have been on the car for quite some time
They have standard springs on at the moment but have stiffer springs to try and see what I prefer.
Also more engine parts have arrived, Ollie from OC Motorsport has sorted me some of his stage 2 cams which will work while the car stay's N/A to work on the handling with a bit more power and will work with helping to increase the power when the turbo build is finished.
New stage 2 cam on the left and standard cam on the right for size comparison
Both cams ready to go in
That's is all for now, I have a few parts that hopefully should arrive by the weekend. I will post up when they do.
Last edited by Rstar_man; 10-01-2018 at 08:18 PM.
#111
Advanced PassionFord User
Nice little update. Heard good things about BC units. What spring rates?
#112
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Cheers John, I can't remember what the standard rates are I think somewhere around 350-450 but I could be wrong, I'm also going to try 600-700 springs once I've drove it with the standard ones to get an idea and which I prefer
#113
Advanced PassionFord User
Nice little update, and I would love an exhaust like that for my ST170 ,)
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Rstar_man (11-01-2018)
#114
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Evening everyone, another small update as a few boxes have arrived at work.
Firstly Hardrace rear Toe and Camber arms,
I even managed to find time to install the Toe arms, after spending quite some time cutting the seized bolts out,
New arms on, I have replaced the long bolts with shorter ones now,
A bit silly but nothing says I'm a race car then a small white knob
Also a 1ltr fuel swirl pot for the updated fuel system to help stop fuel surge, I'm still waiting for the rest of the parts for the fuel system to arrive in form of a MSA/FIA fuel sampling kit which goes into the fuel line before the fuel rail which can be also used as a system drain to measure how much fuel I use per session, inline fuel pumps, filters and braided lines to run through the inside of the car,
It's only plonked in a rough place to get an idea on space for the pump and filter
New Vibra engine and gearbox mounts, I have a slight issue with the engine mount though and this is the only one Vibra so need help if anyone knows anyone that can make me the correct one,
Roughly 10 weeks to go until the official Time Attack test day Cadwell Park which I'm hoping to attend with most of the work done by then but we will see
Firstly Hardrace rear Toe and Camber arms,
I even managed to find time to install the Toe arms, after spending quite some time cutting the seized bolts out,
New arms on, I have replaced the long bolts with shorter ones now,
A bit silly but nothing says I'm a race car then a small white knob
Also a 1ltr fuel swirl pot for the updated fuel system to help stop fuel surge, I'm still waiting for the rest of the parts for the fuel system to arrive in form of a MSA/FIA fuel sampling kit which goes into the fuel line before the fuel rail which can be also used as a system drain to measure how much fuel I use per session, inline fuel pumps, filters and braided lines to run through the inside of the car,
It's only plonked in a rough place to get an idea on space for the pump and filter
New Vibra engine and gearbox mounts, I have a slight issue with the engine mount though and this is the only one Vibra so need help if anyone knows anyone that can make me the correct one,
Roughly 10 weeks to go until the official Time Attack test day Cadwell Park which I'm hoping to attend with most of the work done by then but we will see
#115
10K+ Poster!!
Can you really swap from 450 springs to 700 and use the same dampers?, I would have thought the damper would not be able to cope?
My little 205 feels stiff on 170 springs and it has a yb and a 4x4 system in it so not as light as a standard one.
My little 205 feels stiff on 170 springs and it has a yb and a 4x4 system in it so not as light as a standard one.
#116
Advanced PassionFord User
Nice list of parts there. You've got your work cut out to get it ready. Good luck.
@Toby that's a good question. If the kit has been nice designed for the softer springs then that's their optimum spring rate. You are right in thinking that the dampers might struggle to control the stiffer spring. It takes a lot to compress that kind of spring and in turn to control the rebound. It could be a very bumpy ride and if not careful it could pull the dampers apart (unlikely but possible.
This lad works in Motorsport so I'm sure he will research first.
@Toby that's a good question. If the kit has been nice designed for the softer springs then that's their optimum spring rate. You are right in thinking that the dampers might struggle to control the stiffer spring. It takes a lot to compress that kind of spring and in turn to control the rebound. It could be a very bumpy ride and if not careful it could pull the dampers apart (unlikely but possible.
This lad works in Motorsport so I'm sure he will research first.
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#117
Advanced PassionFord User
Doesn't the fuel system need a firewall? I'm trying to get my head around my installation now too.
#118
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Hello mate, its something I hear quite a lot can you do this or that won't work, but from my experience on cars I have built and run in the past be it from 24hr cars, club level front wheel drive cars and all the way to BTCC S2000 and NGTC spec cars, something that we have always done is put heavier pound springs on so we could run a more supple and not as stiff dampers (all be it a shit ton stiffer the anything I will run). Yes in my case I don't have a way of controlling the rebound externally so have no way of controlling it if the springs are to hard, which is why its a game of finding the right balance for how I want it to behave on track, but through many years of working in motorsport I have been lucky to make friends with suspension experts who can re-valve and shim the internals to suit if it feels to bouncy. Saying that I'm going to try the standard springs and then change to the stiffer springs back to back to get a comparison and make to damper softer to suit the stiffer springs
#119
Advanced PassionFord User
Are you changing the roll bars?
#120
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Yes ideally it does need a fire wall, but as I don't have a spare wheel well anymore, I Spoke to the Time Attack scrutineers/MSA scrutineers at Autosport and had the issue addressed. What I am going to do is make a box from alloy or thin steel to cover it which is bolted down to seal it from fumes escaping into the cabin and as the lines are in the car they have to be stainless steal and the system needs a roll over/vent valve installed. Hope this helps mate, unless you are using a ATL bag tank everything is contained inside the bag itself so will only need to make box for it to sit in and stainless steal lines in the car