Plavan's 818R Build Thread

[C.Plavan]

Rain came in after qualifying. I broke the Willow Springs Sub 1:30 barrier. 1:29.2. I'm pretty excited about that. Not too shabby for a car not 100%. I really hate this boost creep crap.
Race is at 2:05, no way I'm racing a new car in the wet. I might be done today.

[Santiago]

Very promising Chad! Half the ST2 field behind you and half in front, with you definitely in the hunt. Too bad the rain came, starting the race with the 4 front running cars in the class all lined up would have been great! Looks like nice racing to be had.

So you're about 1-3/4 seconds behind the ST2 leader (damn Corvettes!). I don't know how well sorted and seasoned the leader is in your class, but I bet you can shorten that substantially once the car is dialed in and you're more comfortable with it. Keep it coming!

Signed,
- Living Vicariously

EDIT: Oops! Misread the sheet. Still promising, but more to work through though...

Ok, so you're within 2.3 seconds of the front runners - except for that one guy - there's always that one guy who's got speed from who knows where...he's 3.8 seconds ahead on a short track...damn fast. That's still a nice cluster to race in if the gap can get down to around 1.5 seconds. Lots to happen in that range.

I'm still living vicariously...

[C.Plavan]

Thanks- it will only get faster. I look at it as being 2-3 seconds off developed, full blown Viper race cars and a 997 Porsche Cup car.
I'm estimating the boost creep ECU throttle cut is costing me about 2 seconds a lap. It happens about 3-4 times a lap if I'm not lifting to blow off the pressure. Not a fun way to race the car.
I'm also going to have to figure out this AWIC temp thing before next race in April. The overboost is probably not helping the AWIC temp.

Btw it just started raining again!!!! Boooooooo

[metalmaker12]

Awesome job, you will be right up there with them once your dialed in and for a fraction of the cost too. Awesome. I would think you should get it sorted by then. Awesome news bud!!!

[bbjones121]

Get an external wastegate on there and hit the track again. Can wait! Awesome progress. Thanks for keeping us all updated.

[Hindsight]

Agree with the others... that is very promising and I have no doubt you'll shave a couple seconds off easily. You have a lot of tuning and adjusting to do. Plenty of places to find that extra couple of seconds or even more. Looking forward to watching it happen!

[Mechie3]

For the AWIC, I wonder how much airflow comes in through the bumper opening vs how much goes through the HE. Mine is sealed at the top against the frame rail but there is room on either side of the radiator and underneath for air to go around. The fins are also tipped down vs oncoming airflow. I've thought of adding a small lip on the bottom aluminum to deflect airflow up and prevent it from slipping underneath.

[C.Plavan]

Thanks guys. Just got done with qualifying. It was slippery from the rain, and I had my skirt on. Not sure where I qualified yet, but probably not good. I only managed a 1:31.
I'll probably make an aluminum duct on the nose, or block off all the escape routes once I get home. Never thought I would have so much boost creep with a Blouch turbo with 10cm.... I'm going to be calling them.

[metalmaker12]

Thanks guys. Just got done with qualifying. It was slippery from the rain, and I had my skirt on. Not sure where I qualified yet, but probably not good. I only managed a 1:31.
I'll probably make an aluminum duct on the nose, or block off all the escape routes once I get home. Never thought I would have so much boost creep with a Blouch turbo with 10cm.... I'm going to be calling them.

What kind of boost controller do you have? this plays a huge role. also how much boost you running ( less than 15psi). the efficiency range of that turbo is 18-25. since your running much lower I suspect the turbo is starving for boost and creeping up to try to get it. I have never run a 1.5 below actuator 15 psi but I can assume this is your issue. 19psi-21psi on that snail is what it likes, unfortunately it puts you way over the power level you want. As you know a 18G or smaller is what you need to make less power.

Stickshift84 has a 16 or 18g, I can't recall what he got, but he might work a deal with you. PM him.

[Mitch Wright]

Impressive first race outting Chad, your reports are great motavation as my R is coming together.

[Frank818]

For a second I thought "Jeff" Gordon was just in front of you.

[longislandwrx]

nice job.

[Wayne Presley]

Chad, did you log the IAT at the MAF too? I'm wondering if you are getting hot air into the motor to start with. I have an 818 R customer that never got over 130° MAT at Sebring on a 75° day. On the dyno I never got above 104° on a 77° day.

[FFRSpec72]

I run with Zack George in the ST3 Vette here in the NW, he is running 10:1, he should have some video to share

Here is the video from Zack's ST3 Vette (10:1) which started behind Chad. https://vimeo.com/120994689

[C.Plavan]

Chad, did you log the IAT at the MAF too? I'm wondering if you are getting hot air into the motor to start with. I have an 818 R customer that never got over 130° MAT at Sebring on a 75° day. On the dyno I never got above 104° on a 77° day.

Yes- The hottest it got from my Accessport was 124 degrees at the MAF- but that included sitting for a bit. I'm hoping it is just the over boosting causing heat. During the Sunday race the IAT had no alarms, no nothing. It got to 130 for a bit, but other times it was down at 111. it was a little colder. It seemed when I was really pushing it with the boost creep cutting throttle, the hotter it got. The boost creep was peaking at almost 25psi- the tune was for 19/20psi.... I started to manage it more by lifting on the straights in 5th gear...... very frustrating. It would do it in 4th too, but I could short shift.

Then my car did not like 5th to 4th downshifts- I could not find the gear which cost me big time in the race. Gotta love the gremlins. It was still fun though, car has alot of potential. on Sundays race I finished 9th overall (22 cars) 6th in class. I guess you can say it was the first 818R raced on the West Coast


Punch list:
1. Fix overboost one way or another.
2. Duct and seal off HE better
3. Install bigger oil cooler with fans
4. adjust shift linkage
4. Run Hoosier A7's instead of R7's for qualifying and races (that what every single ST2 car had, or slicks)

[AZPete]

Thanks, Chad, for the info and videos. You are carrying all of us with you!
The video by Zack George is very cool, especially at 25:09.

[C.Plavan]

Thanks, Chad, for the info and videos. You are carrying all of us with you!
The video by Zack George is very cool, especially at 25:09.

No worries- hopefully you guys are learning from my issues.

I'll post a video of the start later. I got a pretty good one. Then the new car issues started up. Then I could not concentrate because I was worrying about the oil temp (150), boost creep, IAT- my eyes were all over the place. On the tighter tracks we race, even with the boost creep, those Corvettes would of been in trouble. It was a pretty boring race after I could not get the car in 4th for what seemed like forever on turn 9.

I'll also add, you need the aero peices for your helmet..... I will be grabbing a set for my helmet. I also developed Aero push towards the end of the race with the fuel going down. I will take 1 degree out of the rear wing. Also make sure your set screws are tight on your coilovers and mark them

[Wayne Presley]

Yes- The hottest it got from my Accessport was 124 degrees at the MAF- but that included sitting for a bit. I'm hoping it is just the over boosting causing heat. During the Sunday race the IAT had no alarms, no nothing. It got to 130 for a bit, but other times it was down at 111. it was a little colder. It seemed when I was really pushing it with the boost creep cutting throttle, the hotter it got.

So the air going into the turbo was 65°F above ambient???? I'd really say you need to feed the motor cold air more than better ducting on the HE...

[C.Plavan]

So the air going into the turbo was 65°F above ambient???? I'd really say you need to feed the motor cold air more than better ducting on the HE...

That was at a standstill

[Wayne Presley]

What was it running?

[Scargo]

If this is where you have the CAI then you need to move it. It's your photo.
fIXszIJl.jpg
It needs to be isolated and sucking only cool air. In my STi (and as is common with many racers) the CAI is down in front of the passenger wheel... really out of the engine bay.

[C.Plavan]

If this is where you have the CAI then you need to move it. It's your photo.
fIXszIJl.jpg
It needs to be isolated and sucking only cool air. In my STi (and as is common with many racers) the CAI is down in front of the passenger wheel... really out of the engine bay.

I'll add that to the punch list

[metalmaker12]

So the air going into the turbo was 65°F above ambient???? I'd really say you need to feed the motor cold air more than better ducting on the HE...

I agree, getting the pre turbo temps down will obviously help. Heat wrap in intak/inlet should help. It seems the engine bay temps need to be controlled more. Heat wrap, and a fan to draw heat out along with more air venting. Btw I am impressed with what you did with a car that had boost creep/cut etc. once we get this damn thing sorted it is going to be a freaking track beast!!!

[Speedy G]

That's funny. All those problems and you still managed to be in the middle of the pack with the wrong tires. Wow! Also, thanks to you, I can now say that the 818 is faster than a radical Sr3.

[Brando]

wow, you broke 1:30 at WSIR? That's moving. That's awesome Chad congrats.

[Wayne Presley]

1:30 is fast at WSIR, I've done a low 1:29 there but I spent most of that time on 2 wheels

[C.Plavan]

wow, you broke 1:30 at WSIR? That's moving. That's awesome Chad congrats.

Yep. Thanks. That is probably the only thing that kept me sane that whole weekend. I was chasing my tail with all the other stuff. I did learn alot. I could of kept it in 5th all the way through 8 & 9, and still get sub 1:30. I'm not use to Aero or torque

[C.Plavan]

1:30 is fast at WSIR, I've done a low 1:29 there but I spent most of that time on 2 wheels

Anything seems fast on 2 wheels. haha

It is on paper, but like I was telling my other vintage racing buddies, it doesn't seem fast with aero. The fastest I ran in my 2.5L non aero Porsche was a 1:32. You are sawing at the wheel just to keep it straight. Turning left to go right! ... I still think I need to learn to trust the down force more on the 818R.

I did have a little tank slapper coming down the hill in the race. I channeled my 911 experience and saved it. I lost alot of momentum and the Porsche got by me..... then I could not get it into 4th around turn 9. I'll post that clip.

[Brando]

I did have a little tank slapper coming down the hill in the race. I channeled my 911 experience and saved it. I lost alot of momentum and the Porsche got by me..... .

The backend of turn 4? That's the hardest part of that track to nail in my experience. Big elevation changes, late apex and you don't want to mess up 5 and blow that back straight. I'm getting a rush just thinking about it. I'm glad someone sacked up and got their 818 on the Big Willow. I'm still working up the confidence in my car mechanics, aero and mostly myself.

I'm really curious how the balance felt in turn 2. Did you notice any instability or were you planted? 4th gear? Can't wait to watch the video.

[Wayne Presley]

Anything seems fast on 2 wheels. haha

It is on paper, but like I was telling my other vintage racing buddies, it doesn't seem fast with aero. The fastest I ran in my 2.5L non aero Porsche was a 1:32. You are sawing at the wheel just to keep it straight. Turning left to go right! ... I still think I need to learn to trust the down force more on the 818R.

I did have a little tank slapper coming down the hill in the race. I channeled my 911 experience and saved it. I lost alot of momentum and the Porsche got by me..... then I could not get it into 4th around turn 9. I'll post that clip.

I did it in a 24 hour MC race on the old paving where turn 8 was Mr Toad's wild ride. Ran a low 1:29 in the day and a 1:30.2 at night.

[C.Plavan]

I did it in a 24 hour MC race on the old paving where turn 8 was Mr Toad's wild ride. Ran a low 1:29 in the day and a 1:30.2 at night.

You are officially crazy in my book. haha

PICS!

[C.Plavan]

Warning this video get very boring after the 4 lap or so.... lol

Wrong tires, missing 4th gear downshifts, boost creep, lifting to try and eliminate boost creep on straights, watching the oil temp constantly(250), but still fun. BTW- This thing is VERY thirsty with gas! I can't wait till its sorted.

The 818R will dominate 2nd, 3rd, 4th gear tracks against the Corvette's. You can tell on the great start I got.

[FFRSpec72]

The 818R will dominate 2nd, 3rd, 4th gear tracks against the Corvette's. You can tell on the great start I got.

Not so sure about that, Zach was running 10:1 in ST3 class, but all-in-all glad to see the car running well, things will get sorted out and then the fun begins, nice job !

[C.Plavan]

Not so sure about that, Zach was running 10:1 in ST3 class, but all-in-all glad to see the car running well, things will get sorted out and then the fun begins, nice job !

No doubt in my mind it the 818R will dominate shorter (straights) technical tracks (Buttonwillow, Sonoma, Laguna will probably be equal). I got both Zach and the BMW back before the end. Patience

[Scargo]

Fun to watch! Nice save, too. It's obvious you are not using all the track all the time.

[C.Plavan]

Fun to watch! Nice save, too. It's obvious you are not using all the track all the time.

It basically turned into a test session. I had to moniter all the temps since it had never been on track over 20min at once.

[yertle]

Hope this isn't too OT, but my buddy was out there racing wheel to wheel for the first time in his new race prepped vette - #20. He had a blast. I do HPDEs in my WRX and almost joined him for the weekend experience, but didn't make it. Wish I had because I've been eyeing building an 818S or R and would love to talk to you about yours. I've never seen one at the track. When is your next track day?

[metalmaker12]

Warning this video get very boring after the 4 lap or so.... lol

Wrong tires, missing 4th gear downshifts, boost creep, lifting to try and eliminate boost creep on straights, watching the oil temp constantly(250), but still fun. BTW- This thing is VERY thirsty with gas! I can't wait till its sorted.

The 818R will dominate 2nd, 3rd, 4th gear tracks against the Corvette's. You can tell on the great start I got.

From watching this I can't believe you did so well considering your redline set so low and the what seemed like boost cut constantly. Your a pretty damn good driver to be able to adapt to the distractions.

[bstuke]

Glad to see your hood wobbles around like mine...

[bstuke]

PS. No restraints? That would never fly here..