White Gts-T's, White Gts-T

[White GTS-T]

A few last minute updates before the hillclimb next weekend.

I sandblasted the red top rocker covers over at the machine shop.



In exchange for some beers, they welded on the dash fittings.



I have since dropped off the covers to the powder coaters, to be sprayed wrinkle/crinkle red. They had to order in the paint and so wont be ready until mid week. I'm undecided as to whether to fit them before the hillclimb or wait until afterwards. I'll see how I go time wise.

I fitted some stickers to meet the Sup Regs.



And also fitted the Topstage bonnet.







It's so light, you could throw it like a frisbie. After a bit of stuffing around and fitting a much softer expansion spring, I was able to retain the standard latch assembly. Some better pics in natural light.







Lastly I had a play with the new GoPro and coppied #@RBN1's video idea.

Edited November 24, 2013 by White GTS-T

[White GTS-T]

So I bit the bullet and decided to pull the old rocker covers off and fit the catch cans in preparation of the freshly painted items being finished today.

I arrived at the powder coaters just as the covers were coming out of the oven, and the painter was looking quite concerned. As it turns out, he thinks that the rep sent them the wrong paint. Instead of a wrinkle/crinkle finish it's what they call a textured finish.

It's a bit hard to tell from the pics but..

He told me to take my money back and to bring the covers back after the hillclimb and they'll redo them. But I don't know if i'll bother...Thoughts?

[byebye]

So many good quality parts here! this is the first time i've seen Ikeya Formula Maple A-one gauges, did a search on them and not much came up, are they a good thing?

[JH32]

He told me to take my money back and to bring the covers back after the hillclimb and they'll redo them. But I don't know if i'll bother...Thoughts?

I wouldn't bother, I think they look good!

[White GTS-T]

Cheers. Hopefully i'll get to fit them today and see what they look like fitted up.

#@byebye I haven't had a chance to use them as much as i'd like, but they proved invaluable when setting up the ikeya gear, having to remove the arms to make incremental changes. But I did put it on a brand new high end alignment machine thereafter and it was spot on.

[White GTS-T]

The powder coater rang first thing this morning, he said that they supplier may have got the ratio of the additives wrong. They've ordered more paint and said to bring them back in.

In the interim, I fitted the baffles back to the red top covers.

Interestingly, the red top baffles were bolted in, while the silver top baffles are rivited.

Although they're a missmatch for the turbo setup, the Tomei cams still look as good as the day I installed them.

The Hi-Octane catch can was modified to take the AN fittings.

And the custom can that fits around the strut tower.

I dummied up and then made the hoses.

I was worried about the shorter hose at the rear being too stiff and consequently not providing enough flex for when the motor torques. I came up with a bandaide solution by soft mounting the catch can with rubber mounts. But I think i'll have to revisit it after the weekend.

The only drawback is that since blocking the pcv valve, the power fc is hunting quite badly at idle. I plan to take the blanking plug off and to fit a small breather filter to it until I can get it retuned.

[White GTS-T]

Not pictured, is the same air filter mounted to the front catch can. It fits up underneath.

I've also ordered some proper earls hose clamps but they have yet to arrive, so the zipties will have to suffice in the meantime.

The last thing to do is make up a bracket for the igniter, but ill get to that later. Off to the hillclimb tomorrow.

Edited November 28, 2013 by White GTS-T

[White GTS-T]

So the Hillclimb has been run and suprisingly won.



To be honest, I had NFI what I was doing, so I'm not too sure how that came about.

I turned up for the optional Friday night Scrutiny, and I was blown away by the level and varity of cars entered. From historics to purpose built Hillclimb machines and everything in between.



After passing scrutiny, I headed back to the Motel and didn't sleep a wink. Saturday morning, I was one of the first to arrive and unload the car.

I was alocated to group 1, which included a standard BA falcon with 300k that a couple of guys had entered just for fun, up to serious time attack weapons like the carbon clad WRX 22B.



I approached the start line for the feeler/practice run and I couldn't stop hyperventilating.



I was unfamiliar with the course layout, but after the first few corners the adrenalin kicked in and calmed the nerves. My first run was a 1:02

I got a few "The Stig" comments throughout the weekend, which was a laugh.



Everyone at the event was really nice and very genuine. There were some real characters there and they kept a smile on my face all weekend. I felt very welcomed for a first timer and I even made a few friends along the way.

Over the course of the weekend my times started to slowly drop as I became more confident. Some photos of it in action.



















Unfortunately the day was cut short on the Sunday after a someone had a big crash and destroyed the armco, they were okay but the armco was left worse for wear.

But somehow I still managed to get my times down enough for the win.



Although I'm still not sure I was alocated to the correct class.

Some GoPro footage. Enjoy.

Edited December 2, 2013 by White GTS-T

[byebye]

Congrats on the win!

[White GTS-T]

Cheers man. I think I did okay considering the car setup and tyres I was running. After talking to the guys there, most of which are running semi slicks, they say that semi slicks are worth at least a second or two. I'd love to have another crack with some better rubber and try to dip in to the 40's.

Edited December 2, 2013 by White GTS-T

[byebye]

Well I don't know the course but if you didn't dip into the 40s changing from street to semis and the fact it was your first time there, id be very surprised!

[Joshbigt62r]

Nice build and awesome effirt on being #1

[White GTS-T]

^Thanks. Who knows, maybe if the second day wasn't cut short I might have edged in to the 40's. My times were getting progressively quicker, with the exception of the last run, where I locked up the fronts heading in to the chicane and then miss-shifted trying to make up time.

But the tyres were the limiting factor, as you can see by the 'hairy' moment, at the end of the second video...that and the 3rd gear synchros ^_^

[White GTS-T]

So a snap decision, I decided to enter Winton's Summer Drift Matsuri, that's in three weeks time. It's been 3+ years since my last drift day, so I hope I don't embarrass myself too much, trying to remember how to drift. In lieu of this, this care package arrived, courtesy of Jesse Streeter.

Watch this space.

[On Edge]

liking the bits an pieces going in to this good stuff!!!

[Manuel Kasko]

Awesome work mate
congrats on getting 1st

Can't wait to see more updates

[White GTS-T]

Thanks guys, your too kind.

[Bushy]

Very nice as always mate! Do you have adjustable front camber arms, can't remember, if so which ones? I'm looking at getting some soon

[White GTS-T]

Cheers. I was running R33 LCA's and fixed Cusco Upper arms, that are 10mm shorter for -3 degrees camber (This worked really well). But I have since installed the Ikeya Formula LCA's and extended them further, for extra clearance for the wider wheels. However, the new setup has yet to be tested in terms of sliding the car, so I'm a bit apprehensive as to whether it's all going to work together the way I'm hoping it will, or moreover, like it used to.

[Bushy]

Yeah ok thanks for the info, I'm not sure whether to go for an adjustable it fixed arm, I might just have to wait until I get coilovers installed/setup and see how that effects things first