Post by raceenginerd on Sept 2, 2014 16:51:11 GMT
Hi all! I'm new to the forum but have been lurking for a little while now. I was hoping to get some advice and other general thoughts on how the Mevabusa fares as a track car, etc. Moderators, this thread may be better served in the Mevabusa forum, so feel free to move this there.
First, a little bit about me: I'm a race engineer out of the US and, when not working with other peoples' cars, I enjoy getting out on track myself. Due to my schedule, etc., I tend only to do track events (we call them Drivers' Educations out here) and very few races myself. I am an instructor with the Porsche Club of America; my primary track car is an '86 944 Turbo, with a Boxster playing second fiddle (i.e., if the wife lets me drive it).
I've been wanting to build a track car from a kit for a while now. Back in college/grad school, we had a program called Formula SAE -- in Europe, it's referred to as Formula Student. In any event, the most fun I have ever had on four wheels was driving those cars. Small, lightweight, handling of a gokart but with a lightning-fast crotch-rocket engine. What a winning combo.
So naturally, I started looking at purchasing an Ariel Atom. But the cost was higher than I should like, and it would not give me as much of an opportunity to "make it my own" as if I were building the car from a kit. Plus, the Atom didn't have a high-revving motorcycle engine.
Apologies for the lengthy intro; I'll dive into the (also lengthy) questions I have. I'm aware of the 0-60 times, weight, etc, as well as the ability to tune the top speed via the sprocket set. What I haven't heard, however, is how the car fares as a track car in general. Specifically:
1) Many of the tracks we visit are fast tracks (VIR, Watkins Glen, Mid Ohio, Road America, Summit Point, Road Atlanta are the most common for me). What is the accelerative performance like at 100mph? Yes, the car is an absolute rocket from 0-60, but this speed is rarely usable on track, where the average speed is 100+ mph. For example, while I absolutely LOVE the Exige/Elise, its performance above 100mph is underwhelming. Will this be the case for the Mevabusa?
2) What is the suspension sourced from? It looks like the shocks are single-way adjustables. Would prefer to have at least three-way adjustables. Retrofitting a comparable shock is an option, I suppose.
3) What are the spring dimensions, and are different rates easily sourced? e.g., preference would be standard 2.5" diameter.
4) Is the differential a true LSD or is it a torsen?
5) Is the quick-ratio steering rack a desirable option for a track car?
6) What nuances have you encountered with the car since you have been tracking it? Any issues with the chassis, brakes, etc.?
7) How has the transmission held up? As an example, the SCCA's DSR & F1000 classes use motorcycle engine/trans combos; transmission failure is a somewhat common occurrence.
8) If you had been looking at the Mevabusa and decided against it, why?
9) What extra cooling (oil, water, brakes, driver) did you need to install?
10) Is finding race pads for the brakes achievable?
11) What is interior space like? I'm 6'2" with broad shoulders but otherwise a thin guy. Have you had any issues fitting in the car?
Thanks in advance!
Collin
First, a little bit about me: I'm a race engineer out of the US and, when not working with other peoples' cars, I enjoy getting out on track myself. Due to my schedule, etc., I tend only to do track events (we call them Drivers' Educations out here) and very few races myself. I am an instructor with the Porsche Club of America; my primary track car is an '86 944 Turbo, with a Boxster playing second fiddle (i.e., if the wife lets me drive it).
I've been wanting to build a track car from a kit for a while now. Back in college/grad school, we had a program called Formula SAE -- in Europe, it's referred to as Formula Student. In any event, the most fun I have ever had on four wheels was driving those cars. Small, lightweight, handling of a gokart but with a lightning-fast crotch-rocket engine. What a winning combo.
So naturally, I started looking at purchasing an Ariel Atom. But the cost was higher than I should like, and it would not give me as much of an opportunity to "make it my own" as if I were building the car from a kit. Plus, the Atom didn't have a high-revving motorcycle engine.
Apologies for the lengthy intro; I'll dive into the (also lengthy) questions I have. I'm aware of the 0-60 times, weight, etc, as well as the ability to tune the top speed via the sprocket set. What I haven't heard, however, is how the car fares as a track car in general. Specifically:
1) Many of the tracks we visit are fast tracks (VIR, Watkins Glen, Mid Ohio, Road America, Summit Point, Road Atlanta are the most common for me). What is the accelerative performance like at 100mph? Yes, the car is an absolute rocket from 0-60, but this speed is rarely usable on track, where the average speed is 100+ mph. For example, while I absolutely LOVE the Exige/Elise, its performance above 100mph is underwhelming. Will this be the case for the Mevabusa?
2) What is the suspension sourced from? It looks like the shocks are single-way adjustables. Would prefer to have at least three-way adjustables. Retrofitting a comparable shock is an option, I suppose.
3) What are the spring dimensions, and are different rates easily sourced? e.g., preference would be standard 2.5" diameter.
4) Is the differential a true LSD or is it a torsen?
5) Is the quick-ratio steering rack a desirable option for a track car?
6) What nuances have you encountered with the car since you have been tracking it? Any issues with the chassis, brakes, etc.?
7) How has the transmission held up? As an example, the SCCA's DSR & F1000 classes use motorcycle engine/trans combos; transmission failure is a somewhat common occurrence.
8) If you had been looking at the Mevabusa and decided against it, why?
9) What extra cooling (oil, water, brakes, driver) did you need to install?
10) Is finding race pads for the brakes achievable?
11) What is interior space like? I'm 6'2" with broad shoulders but otherwise a thin guy. Have you had any issues fitting in the car?
Thanks in advance!
Collin