683 replies to this topic

[toryman76]

thats unreal!! been following this thread, and its good to hear its finally on the track!

Looks like a mean machine too!

What sort of license do you need to attend these meets?

[Heath]

Was a great day for me at least. I was inspired by the range of vehicles there.

Let me know when you're doing the valvetrain mate. I'll definately come and assist you.

Edited by Heath, 04 June 2007 - 09:20 PM.

[TerrA LX]

Great to see you and the car out on the track, i envy you but it it so easy to do as you have shown so no excuses here.

Noticed the RODOMO cold air intake did not make it past the beta stage.

[rodomo]

253ToranaSS
I had a ball! Regardless of the engine issues. My biggest regret is starting this at the wrong end of my childhood

Define "quick"?... 160kph (100mph in the old money) is quick if you've never done it before. It has enough power (when it runs properly) that I can get into trouble coming out of corners. It went from 2.02 to 1.54 so that was quicker If I can get it down to around 1.40 - 1.45 it will be quick for what it is. There is probably another 5 secs between 47yr old quick V 21yr old quick though

toryman76
The cams licence you need is Level 2 Speed.
Stay tuned, there is more to come in the build.

73LJWhiteSL
You won't see me at Winton in July. The electricity bill landed and the fridge fell over
Pity really, because by December, there will be no contest

Heath
Stuart rang me this arvo and has a set of anti pump up lifters for me and a set of valve springs. He is chasing up retainers too. Over the next couple of weeks I will remove the lifters and have a look at the cam lobes. It might get a new cam depending on the condition of the lobes. (Balancer off again )
I don't know if you read my post from last night but he is giving me a set of used dunlop race tyres off his Bluebird
After you left, Bretts hornet scoop flew off the bonnet of the Mazda up the back straight and dented the roof just above his windscreen.
Wheres your pics?? I got you in mine. Eerie how you get in all the pics Phantom Grasshopper.

ALX76
That plan got sidelined for the moment. I was a bit concerned that it could come adrift with the torque reaction of the motor. I will be moving the battery to behind the pass front seat so the tube can run straight forward. I have worked out a better way to bend the tube too. Stay tuned.

Edited by rodomo, 04 June 2007 - 10:57 PM.

[TerrA LX]

Try a flexable connector like on a VL rb30 that they run on the AFM.

[rodomo]

I want to avoid convoluted stuff if I can.

[rodomo]

No Holden back Steve, wot plan? This is a sharing forum
The Commodore will hopfully be back at Sandown 12th August and there's a pass. seat if you want to know what your up against

[rodomo]

My lips are sealed, untill such time as the funds come to at least buy the potential race car.

I wouldn't mind comming along in August, even to check out the beast. Can't say I am much of a passenger Rodomo.

Steve

O.K! Have it your way! Who wants to know any way?
As long as it doesn't involve the 2 door Torry you have your beady little eyes on.
That would be sacrilege

[Heath]

But that would be a guarunteed win... Toranas are always better than Commodores.

[retired308]

hey great reading this one and good luck on the track.
Just thinking when i sold the commodore sports sedan
all the spare doors were very light compared to a standard
one in the spares I had, upon taking off the trim panels
I was amazed at the holes drilled inside the door
frames and all the window winder mechanisms. Looked like
someone spent all day drilling out to save weight, but
it looked like a normal door until you picked one up,
huge difference!.
It was an ex Mobil vk group a race shell.

[rodomo]

RoDoMo budget Race Attire.





Light weight, flat soled "Body Glove" shoes: $12.99 Dimmeys
"Genuine Holden Merchandise" cotton polo top with logos: $5.00 Savers Op-shop
Grey long sleeved crew neck cotton under garment: $3.00 savers Op-shop
Unmarked approved helmet: $30.00 E-Bay, delivered
gmh-torana.com sticker on helmet: PRICELESS!!!!

I know, I know, second hand helmet but the heads a bit second hand too.

Progress report: (after catching up around here and kissing Mrs RoDoMo)

I have removed the lifters and all are concaved on the bottom. So different cam ($30.00 e-bay special) anti pump-up lifters, new collets and retainers will be done.
The cam I have has 174 stamped on the gear end. Any idea what it is?
I have been told it might be Speco? but can't find any specs.
I have measured .275" (.440" overall) lift on both lobes?
Anyway if it has more lift than the old worn cam it will do.

[toryman76]

gotta love Savers!!!

[rodomo]

UPDATE:
2nd outing today (12th)
Engine has had cam, lifters, valve springs, valve caps and collets replaced.
Also, hi volume fuel pump (was running standard red motor pump)
Front brake pad upgrade.
Battery moved into cabin.
Ram cold air induction fitted.
Boot spoiler fitted.

Hoping to equal last outing of 1:54 if wet or sub 1:50 if dry

[FastEHHolden]

Good luck..and may the force be with you!

[rodomo]

RACE REPORT:
The day started in the rain, tippy toeing around and brushing up on my "drifting" skills. I used the opportunity to learn the track better, bed in the front pads and find out this car has no rear grip in the wet. The downer though it was still struggling to get over 4500rpm but at least it was running on 6 after 4 laps.

As the track dried, the times came down and I was able to beat my last previous best by a second even with the miss.

In between stints leads were checked, coil lead replaced, fuel filter checked and fuel tank cap checked to insure it was letting air into the tank.

Frustration set in and it was decided to remove the whole aircleaner set-up. Once removed the carby got a "hand job" as well. Big rev, hand held over airhorn with thottle still wide open. What this does is let engine vacuum act on the jets and sucks through any crap in the jets.

INSTANT HORSEPOWER AND REVS!!!!!!

It meant now it would rev to 6000rpm+ (my personal choice is 5500 as max) and reduced the lap time by 6 1/2 seconds by the end of the day to 1:48:02! The previous best was 1:54:78

Next on the agenda is 3.45 spooled diff to replace the 2.6 LSD and nolathane bushes. The car is "squirmy" under brakes and as a result I am braking too early.
Hopefully the nolethane will help stiffen it up and the diff change should make it quicker out of corners

Grasshopper was there and did a couple of laps:


OF THE CARPARK!!!!

[Heath]

Grasshopper was there and did a couple of laps:

...

OF THE CARPARK!!!!

hehehe

More pics:

[rodomo]

Next outing is late October and I have been gathering suspension bits.
$300 Nolethane kit and $50 30mm front sway bar
I might just weld the sway bar to the chassis and do away with the coil springs and castor bars

[MRLXSS]

Nice Heath Pic Rob

Looks like real fun! That was a massive power gain when you did your little carby trick! VERY NICE!

[rodomo]

Next race day is tomorrow at Sandown.

Improvements:
The car has Nolathane all round.
30mm front sway bar.
3.45:1 Minispooled VL wagon diff. (Replaces 2.6)
Second hand race tyres.

A couple of "bonuses" fitting the diff, I didnt have to alter the lower shocker mount, just pushed the steel sleeve out of the bushes, turned the shaft 1/4 of a turn and bingo! The sedan shockers are shorter than the wagon ones and the wagon mounts are lower on the housing. Now the springs are captive (was using hose clamps to hold them in)

The VL uni is the same as VB V8 so the flange fitted and no further tailshaft mods.

There is a 20min warm-up in the morning, which I am going to use to hopefully improve my braking distances, before the timed sessions in the arvo.

Last time out was 1:48:02, I'm hoping for a sub 1:45.

My engine builder buddy is cross entered in the car as he is waiting for a loom for his RB25 conversion in his Bluebird.

He has done approx 300 laps at Sandown (+ he is 15yrs younger than me) and is aiming for 1:40

Edited by rodomo, 27 October 2007 - 09:44 AM.