Sunday, December 27, 2009

Audi RS6 Boost Gauge Install

I've completed a custom install of a VDO boost gauge in my 2003 Audi RS-6. There are no pre-fabricated pods for the RS-6 so I had to fabricate and customize one of the dash vents to hold the gauge. The install was time consuming, but it came out well and gives me a real time view of boost levels.

I tapped the boost line into the vacuum hose between the fuel pressure regulator and the intake. I had to get a bit creative on how to route the hoses to keep them from kinking. I also replaced all of the other vacuum lines since most looked pretty old and had visible cracks.

Vacuum Hoses and Boost Line




To install the VDO boost gauge in the vent, it took quite a bit of fabrication to use the factory directional vent vanes. They looked pretty rough during the fabrication, but it turned out fine.

Vent Modifications





Gauge




Sunday, December 6, 2009

2003 Audi RS6 - new purchase

First let me say that the Audi brand and vehicles can be so addictive. First an A4 then a S4 and now the RS6. I wasn't even looking for a new (to me) car until Brandon happen to mention there was an R8 at the import dealership in town. Loretta looked at their Web site and saw they had an 2003 Audi RS6. At first wasn't interested  because I had no reason to get sell the Audi S4. When I drove the RS6, that all changed.....

I wasn't sure I would even like the RS6 because it is automatic and a bigger chassis. After learning from the dealer that the owner had a chip and exhaust installed, I was more interested. The stock HP figures were 450hp and he said this one had over 500hp. At that time all I knew it had was a computer chip and a cat-back exhaust. I drove it and the power was amazing and spool up time for the turbos were really quick. The transmission had normal automatic mode (drive), sport mode (automatic downshifts and quicker shifts), and full manual mode with paddle shifters.

After working with the dealership for a while, we came to an acceptable price for purchase. So I bought the car and traded in our 2004 Dodge Durango because we were no longer going to need it to haul the trailer and Formula Ford. I drove it home and every time I stepped on the gas it made me smile. What I love about turbos is if you drive the car normal you don't realize you have more power. Plus when I was easy on the accelerator I was getting 25mpg on the highway.

Here is the list of modifications at the time of purchase:
  • O.CT engine chip (increased boost and top speed limiter removed)
  • O.CT transmission chip option (quicker shifts)
  • PSS9 Coil over and 9-way adjustable dampers and springs (ride height and dampening adjustable)
  • Hotchkis sport front and rear sway bars
  • 18"x9" wheels with 12mm spacers
  • 255/35/18 tires Goodyear F1 Asymmetric tires
  • Milltek stainless steel cat-back exhaust systems
  • Milltek turbo downpipes with high flow cats
  • Hyperboost diverter valves
Recent Modifications:
    Specifications (modified):
    • Engine: 4.2L V-8 Bi-Turbo (twin turbo)
    • Power: 530hp / 515ft/lbs (at the crank)
    • Weight: 4075lbs
    • 0-60: 3.6-3.9 - verified on 12/6/2009 with averaged G-tech runs
    • 1/4 mile - 12.0 seconds - estimated
    • Top speed: 195mph
    Photo Gallery:

    Wednesday, November 25, 2009

    SOLD: Citation Formula Ford Race Car


    Please note that I have sold this on December 11, 2009.

    For sale is an immaculate condition, restored and updated Citation Formula Ford. The race car was stripped down to a bare chassis in 2001 and everything on the car was either rebuilt or replaced with newer technology. It also has a new engine built by Jim at Justice Racing Engines with a "runoffs" aluminum head and forged pistons with no track time. The car is complete, race-ready with spares and log books are available. Since the restoration the car has not been road raced. The car has competed in two autocross events for final engine and chassis tuning.

    General Specifications:
    • Make: Citation
    • Model: 84F FF w/ suspension updates
    • Wheelbase: 96"
    • Track: 59.5" front, 57" rear
    • Weight: 850lbs w/o driver
    • Engine: Ford "Kent" 1.6L (new)
    • Chassis no: 840585
    • Legal in SCCA FF road racing and CM autocrossing
    • Bodywork painted Red and Blue with exact PPG paint codes from a 1990 Nissan GTP ZX-T.
    Chassis Specifications:
    • Powder coated red chassis with no crash damage
    • Hewland MK9 - smooth shifts
    • Panasport magnesium wheels
    • New engineered pushrod rear suspension - created by ICP in 2002
    • Penske 8100 Double Adjustable shocks with custom valving for chassis and setup
    • AiM Mychron 3 XG Log - datalogger and digital dash (steering, brake, throttle, G forces, engine rpm, engine oil pressure, engine water temp, o2, lap counter), cables and track side sensor and 8MB of data storage
    • Hypercoils springs - 1700lbs front, 450lbs rear
    • Aluminum belly pan - anodized and bonded to chassis with Hysol
    • Custom fuel cell built by ATL in 2006
    • Willians 5-point harness - valid till 2011
    • Momo suede steering wheel with quick release
    • Fire suppression system with full bottle
    • New wiring and switch panel
    • All new aluminum and panels during restoration
    • LED rain light
    • New CV joints and boots
    Engine Specifications:
    • Complete engine built, dyno'd and tuned by Justice Race Engines.
    • 711M Cast iron block
    • Aluminum heads - runoff quality
    • Jet hot coated headers and collectors with o2 sensor and port
    • Titan 5-port dry sump pump
    • Aluminum oil pan from a Swift DB-1
    • Lightened and balanced flywheel - SCCA legal
    • Tilton 7.25" racing clutch with buff spring
    • Tilton Super Starter
    • Ramair foam airfilter
    • Braided stainless steel oil and fuel lines
    • MicroDynamics Smoothcut Rev Limiter
    Spares and parts:
    • Gears: (autocross + road racing) 14:36, 17:33, 17:34, 18:32, 20:30, 21:30, 22:29, 22:30, 23:28, 23:28, 25:26
    • (5) Panasport wheels with (4) Goodyear rain tires - red powder coated
    • Spare Ford Cortina block
    • (4) street wheels and tires - for off-season storage
    • Roll hoop upgrade - created by ICP to double torsional rigidity of chassis
    • Formula car Jack
    • Master cylinders and reservoirs
    • Complete carburetor jet set and rebuild kits
    • Taylor digital scales
    • Ferodo brake pads
    • Stock connecting rods
    • Lucas starter
    • Bosch coil
    • Engine gasket sets (multiple sets)
    • Brake bleeding system - single person via air compressor
    • (2) Side pod belly pan panels
    • Custom engine stand - for storage and shipping
    • (2) Hypercoils springs (800lbs)
    • Foam impact material - 2 sq. feet from IndyCar manufacturer
    • Exhaust headers and collection tube
    • Clear leading edge tape - saves the paint!
    • Gear change tray
    • Miscellaneous stainless steel braided and rubber hoses
    • Fiberglass pipe insulation and fluid reservoirs
    • (2) 5 Gallon fuel jugs
    • Book "Hanes Weber carburetor rebuild"
    • Book "How to Build and Maintain Competitive FF 1600 Engines" by Jake Lamont.
    Trailer
    Price:
    • $15,000 for car and spares package
    • $5,000 for trailer
    • Package deal: $19,000 for car, spares, and trailer
    • We will consider package deal offers first
    For more information, please contact Chris More by email or phone at 814-883-1418

    Photo Gallery:

    Wednesday, January 14, 2009

    Data Fusion in the Fast Lane - presentation

    On November 13th, 2008 I presented to a class at Penn State's Information Sciences and Technology college. The IST class is about Data Fusion taught by Dr. David Hall, and my presentation explained how data fusion and analysis happens in racing.
    Data acquisition topics Covered:
    • Race car dynamics
    • Sensors / Calibration / Storage
    • Acquisition / Analysis
    View recorded video

    Note: 23 minutes into the presentation I show a YouTube video to the students for additional background information. The audio and video did not come over well to the recorded video. You can view the video using the link below.

    The Role of Electronics in Formula 1