Post by Tim Kerr on Aug 2, 2010 18:09:32 GMT
Hi Guys. I have just returned from Kirkistown after having a half day with the track toyself to give the rocket its first proper run out in anger. Kirkistown is Irelands fastest race circuit and the rocket was hitting 105 down the back straight!
Anyway, i thought i would share my experience for those of you considering a slighty tuned up engine.
First of all the gearbox (start with the easy things that performed well on the track!). The IB5 has no problem at all handeling the power of my Rocket which is putting out 195BHP. I was also running the standard clutch and this was also perfect (i do however have a race clutch to go in with my next rebuild). My only comment is that first is too short for Launch control starts! I managed a 0-100KPH (0-62MPH) of 4.5 seconds, however i was getting way too much wheel spin off the line and didnt have the laptop with me to tweek it. The engin was revving out in first way too early.
The LSD was great and any steping out of the rear was easily corrected with the throttle. In fact the handeling surprised me as my road experience told me the car undrsteered badly. However on track, she turned in perfect and would only let the back go if you gave it a bit of encouragement. For anyone wanting to seriously track day it then in my eyes a lsd is the first mod i would do (that and a quick rack which was also excellent on track, but a bit nervous on the open road).
Brakes:- On the road i felt my brakes were about 2 out of 10. So following advice from this forum i changed to Mintex 1144 pads and i would say they were easily 10/10. I have the Wilwood polymatrix also to try but was having way too much fun to try them! Braking was spot on with only slight locking of the fronts and i was easily able to play around with the balance bar to adjust this. Stability under braking was also excellent.
Engine:- With my mods the engine sounded great and easily pulled through the revs up to its 7500 limit i have set. I need to change my throttle pedal as the pedal i made has way too much travel and is in the wrong position. Do RTR supply an acc. pedal now?
Cooling:- This was my biggest prblem of the day and will hopefully help a lot of you considering the bigger engines/mods. I popped the pipes off twice and was blowing through the expansion tank about 4 times!
I think the main problem is the surge from the hard acceleration (water temp was only ever about 100-105 degrees) so i am going to fit a Davis Craig pump and controller which will keep the water flowing at a fairly constant rate. The second thing i am going to do is fit a header tank and an expansion tank. Finally, i am going to invest in a custom radiator with a much thicker core and mount it a bit further forward (this will also allow me to move the battery up front).
Oil pressure was perfect but temperature was in and around the 110-120 degree mark after several laps. I know the Zetec likes to run hot. Anyone know what the "Warning Limit" should be?
Handeling as i said was excellent and i have not even attempted to set anything up so i believe there is pleanty of room for improvement. Tyre were stadard road tyres.
My mate has a few photos and videos that i will get him to post up. Also if your reading this do a google of Kirkistown to get an idea of the circuit.
Think thats about it! Just thought i would get something down whilst i still remember and hopefully it will help a few of you that are thinking of bigger engines. If i remember anything more i will post and can respond to any comments.
All in all, the Rocket is an EXCELLENT track day car!
Tim ;D
Anyway, i thought i would share my experience for those of you considering a slighty tuned up engine.
First of all the gearbox (start with the easy things that performed well on the track!). The IB5 has no problem at all handeling the power of my Rocket which is putting out 195BHP. I was also running the standard clutch and this was also perfect (i do however have a race clutch to go in with my next rebuild). My only comment is that first is too short for Launch control starts! I managed a 0-100KPH (0-62MPH) of 4.5 seconds, however i was getting way too much wheel spin off the line and didnt have the laptop with me to tweek it. The engin was revving out in first way too early.
The LSD was great and any steping out of the rear was easily corrected with the throttle. In fact the handeling surprised me as my road experience told me the car undrsteered badly. However on track, she turned in perfect and would only let the back go if you gave it a bit of encouragement. For anyone wanting to seriously track day it then in my eyes a lsd is the first mod i would do (that and a quick rack which was also excellent on track, but a bit nervous on the open road).
Brakes:- On the road i felt my brakes were about 2 out of 10. So following advice from this forum i changed to Mintex 1144 pads and i would say they were easily 10/10. I have the Wilwood polymatrix also to try but was having way too much fun to try them! Braking was spot on with only slight locking of the fronts and i was easily able to play around with the balance bar to adjust this. Stability under braking was also excellent.
Engine:- With my mods the engine sounded great and easily pulled through the revs up to its 7500 limit i have set. I need to change my throttle pedal as the pedal i made has way too much travel and is in the wrong position. Do RTR supply an acc. pedal now?
Cooling:- This was my biggest prblem of the day and will hopefully help a lot of you considering the bigger engines/mods. I popped the pipes off twice and was blowing through the expansion tank about 4 times!
I think the main problem is the surge from the hard acceleration (water temp was only ever about 100-105 degrees) so i am going to fit a Davis Craig pump and controller which will keep the water flowing at a fairly constant rate. The second thing i am going to do is fit a header tank and an expansion tank. Finally, i am going to invest in a custom radiator with a much thicker core and mount it a bit further forward (this will also allow me to move the battery up front).
Oil pressure was perfect but temperature was in and around the 110-120 degree mark after several laps. I know the Zetec likes to run hot. Anyone know what the "Warning Limit" should be?
Handeling as i said was excellent and i have not even attempted to set anything up so i believe there is pleanty of room for improvement. Tyre were stadard road tyres.
My mate has a few photos and videos that i will get him to post up. Also if your reading this do a google of Kirkistown to get an idea of the circuit.
Think thats about it! Just thought i would get something down whilst i still remember and hopefully it will help a few of you that are thinking of bigger engines. If i remember anything more i will post and can respond to any comments.
All in all, the Rocket is an EXCELLENT track day car!
Tim ;D
