10/29/2007 - Project Spec-V: Part 26: Installing the Bigger Turbo
In our last installment we added some of this new technology in order to increase our competitiveness. Now we need to add some power to the mix, more power in the order of 100 more hp.
Full Article
10/5/2007 - Project Spec-V: Part 25: Details
At first glance it seems like Project Spec-V is getting close to being done. However, we have been hard at work getting the final details finished on the car. The most important detail is getting more power and finally putting it to the ground.
Full Article
9/19/2007 - Project Spec-V: Part 24: Setting up the Chassis
Project Spec-V: Part 24: Setting up the ChassisThe sophisticated suspension in our Time Attack car required special attention to proper installation. Unfortunately a proper setup is what many enthusiasts ignore when setting up their car suspension. Many enthusiasts do not realize that the setup makes as much difference as a shiny new set of coilovers.
Full Article
9/17/2007 - Project Spec-V: Part 23: Getting the Look Down
For a race car to be successful, it also has to look good. Looking good is important for the sake of your sponsors. Usually this means spending big bucks on a custom paint job with a flashy theme, which is sometimes a project just as arduous, expensive and time consuming as building the car itself.
Full Article
8/10/2007 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 22: Improving Aerodynamics Part 4
It has been a long time since our last update. Progress was delayed due to problems in obtaining some one-off prototype parts. At last things are looking up for project Time Attack. Only a few more details lie between us and the track.
Full Article
2/16/2007 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 21: Improving Aerodynamics Part III
In our last segment Brian Kono of Afterhours Automotive was working on our Syndicate Customs aero kit to make it work better in a racecar and to increase the amount of downforce it could generate without increasing the drag.
Full Article
1/24/2007 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 20: Improving Aerodynamics Part II
In our last segment, Brian Kono of Afterhours Automotive was modifying our Syndicate Customs carbon aero kit to give it true downforce. In this segment Kono completes the finishing work.
Full Article
12/13/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 19: Improving Aerodynamics
Aerodynamics are often overlooked in the construction of a race car. Many enthusiasts purchase an aero kit without really understanding the functionality of the add-ons they are installing. If you are armed with some knowledge, you can modify an off-the-shelf aero kit to greatly increase your on-track performance.
Full Article
10/19/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 18:The Interior
A race car’s interior is very spartan. Every bit of the vehicle’s insides that do not have a vital function is removed. Although this sounds simple it is quite a bit of work. There are scores of brackets, studs, bulkheads, unneeded reinforcements and other bits that should be removed from the inside for safety and to reduce weight. These things can have sharp edges that can hurt the driver in an accident and the clutter of unused brackets welded to the chassis is not very attractive. We spent several days with a spot weld drill and an angle grinder removing every bit of excess sheet metal and bits and pieces from the cars interior and engine compartment. This included the door intrusion beams and the inner door panels. In total this probably amounted to over 70 lbs of unneeded metal or half the weight of the cage.
Full Article
10/18/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 17: Details, Details
After months of slow hand fabrication of multiple custom components, now it’s time to bolt the car together. We are doing the final touches towards installing the engine and transmission and moving to getting the functional parts of the interior done.
Full Article
10/11/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 16: It’s a Turbo
Since the long stroke QR25DE does not like high rpm, we have chosen to limit its maximum revs to 7000 rpm and make power by adding turbo boost. In our experience, it is difficult to get front wheel drive cars with more than 350 wheel hp to be able to use the power without excessive wheel spin under road racing conditions. In front wheel drive cars, excessive wheel spin quickly overheats the front tires and leads to severe understeer, a condition to be avoided.
Full Article
10/10/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 15: Making a Motor (Continued)
When we last left off, Jim Wolf Technology was well on the development path for our motor with new rods, pistons and the removal of the balance shafts. JWT had a few more tricks up their sleeve to improve the motors power and reliability.
Full Article
10/5/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 14: Making a Motor
The Nissan QR25DE has had a spotted history as a performance engine. In the performance world, it has a reputation as being fragile and the many recalls have furthered this reputation. We are going to address the engine’s weak points and see if we can turn the QR into a solid performer capable of racing level performance and reliability.
Full Article
10/1/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 13: Adding a Fire System
Fire is a driver’s worst enemy, so our team pays the utmost attention to safety. To help reduce the driver’s risk in case of fire, we installed a Safecraft RS Fires system. The Safecraft system is a lightweight aluminum bottle system that consists of 10 pounds of Halon 1301.
Full Article
9/28/2006 - Nissian Spec-V: Part 12: Modifying the Brake System
Since the horsepower and tire upgrades, the demands placed on our braking system have gone up considerably. Although perfectly adequate for street use, the stock brakes were not designed for repeated high-speed use for extended periods. We called upon the experts at Stoptech to cure our brake issues. Stoptech gave us a racing brake kit with ST40 4-piston calipers and 13-inch floating rotors. These brakes should slow us down from any anticipated speed with ease.
Full Article
9/27/2006 - Nissan Spec-V part 11; Lessons in Geometry
The Nissan Sentra Spec-V handles well but the suspension has a few problems. We will have to re-engineer the suspension geometry to try to make up for the car’s shortcomings.
Full Article
9/25/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 10: Installing Bushings and Converting to 5-Lug Hubs
Soft rubber suspension bushings weigh down the stock Sentra suspension. Soft rubber is good for a smooth, quiet ride but it hurts performance by making the suspension alignment inaccurate under load. Soft rubber also slows down the car’s response to steering inputs and dulls the driver’s feel of the car.
Full Article
9/17/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 9: Installing Sway Bars
Part of any good handling package includes the anti-sway bars. Sway bars help resist body roll and keep the car flat in corners. For racing, adjustable sway bars are important because adjusting the stiffness of the front or rear bars helps adjust the amount of under- or oversteer a car will exhibit under hard cornering. Adjustable bars are critical because they can be adjusted at the track faster than other methods.
Full Article
9/15/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 8: Installing Coil-Over Suspension
Suspension is a top priority for a time attack car. Handling is more important than eking out every last bit of engine power. The key suspension component is the coil-over/shock system because it allows you to adjust spring rate, ride height and damping.
Full Article
9/1/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 7: Painting the Interior
After constructing the cage and welding the interior, we proceeded to finish the interior with some paint. Painting the interior is dirty, smelly and tedious work, but it is an important step that must be done. The paint serves several functions. First, it gives the interior a more professional appearance. Second, it prevents corrosion on the raw welds and tubes of the roll cage. Third, it helps reduce reflections and glare that could reduce the driver’s vision. Finally, it makes it easier to spot fluid leaks and to clean them up once they occur.
Full Article
8/20/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 6: Protecting the Driver
Safety is very important, so we have taken precautions to ensure we can safety take this car to the limit. The first main piece of safety equipment is the driver’s seat. The seat is important because it holds the driver in place in an accident, absorbs shock and keeps the harnesses in place in a bad crash.
Full Article
8/10/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 5: Adding Plates to the Unibody
Last week we continued to work on the roll cage, adding more tubes to increase the stiffness of the structure. This week we add plates to tie the cage into the car’s unibody. Most modern chassis are a unibody construction. A unibody gets its strength from the folded sections of sheet metal from which it is stamped. The entire structure, from the outer body panels to the inner panels and rails, contribute to the structural strength. To make sure our cage performs we tie it into the unibody in many places with plates of steel. The plates are dimple die-cut to increase stiffness and reduce weight. The dimples act like ribs to give the metal more resistance to bending.
Full Article
8/1/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 4: Triangulating the Cage
In our last installment we laid the foundation for our roll cage, concentrating on improving roll over protection. We touched on the fact that the cage’s other primary function is to improve chassis stiffness. The stiffer the chassis, the more sensitive the car will be to changes in the suspension. A stiff chassis allows the suspension to not only absorb bumps but also improve both ride quality and traction.
Full Article
7/20/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 3: Building a Roll Cage
Last time, we removed the sound deadener and seam sealer from the inside of our Spec-V. This week we are starting to work on the roll cage. Richie Watanabe of Technosqaure will be constructing the cage and doing most of the heavy fabrication. Most people know the roll cage protects the occupants, but the cage is also the car’s backbone. With a stiffer chassis, the car is more responsive to changes in the suspension setup, making it easier to dial the car to conditions. In addition to being protective, energy absorbent and stiff, the cage also has to be lightweight. An overbuilt cage slows down the car.
Full Article
7/10/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 2: Removing Sound Deadener
This week I continue to ruin a perfectly good econobox to make a racecar. We already stripped the car to its shell and removed the interior, engine and transmission. We shipped the engine to Jim Wolf Technology to fortify it for turbocharged use so it will withstand over 300 hp.
Full Article
7/5/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 1: Shedding Extra Weight
Have you ever wondered what it might take to build a racecar? Welcome to my nightmare! In the following months, you can follow my quest to build the ultimate Time Attack machine for the Front-Wheel-Drive Unlimited class. My vehicle of choice was a pristine, stock 2003 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec-V. Why the SE-R? It represents a unique challenge: It will be difficult to source parts as the performance aftermarket has developed fewer extreme bolt-on parts for this platform.
Full Article
In our last installment we added some of this new technology in order to increase our competitiveness. Now we need to add some power to the mix, more power in the order of 100 more hp.
Full Article
10/5/2007 - Project Spec-V: Part 25: Details
At first glance it seems like Project Spec-V is getting close to being done. However, we have been hard at work getting the final details finished on the car. The most important detail is getting more power and finally putting it to the ground.
Full Article
9/19/2007 - Project Spec-V: Part 24: Setting up the Chassis
Project Spec-V: Part 24: Setting up the ChassisThe sophisticated suspension in our Time Attack car required special attention to proper installation. Unfortunately a proper setup is what many enthusiasts ignore when setting up their car suspension. Many enthusiasts do not realize that the setup makes as much difference as a shiny new set of coilovers.
Full Article
9/17/2007 - Project Spec-V: Part 23: Getting the Look Down
For a race car to be successful, it also has to look good. Looking good is important for the sake of your sponsors. Usually this means spending big bucks on a custom paint job with a flashy theme, which is sometimes a project just as arduous, expensive and time consuming as building the car itself.
Full Article
8/10/2007 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 22: Improving Aerodynamics Part 4
It has been a long time since our last update. Progress was delayed due to problems in obtaining some one-off prototype parts. At last things are looking up for project Time Attack. Only a few more details lie between us and the track.
Full Article
2/16/2007 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 21: Improving Aerodynamics Part III
In our last segment Brian Kono of Afterhours Automotive was working on our Syndicate Customs aero kit to make it work better in a racecar and to increase the amount of downforce it could generate without increasing the drag.
Full Article
1/24/2007 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 20: Improving Aerodynamics Part II
In our last segment, Brian Kono of Afterhours Automotive was modifying our Syndicate Customs carbon aero kit to give it true downforce. In this segment Kono completes the finishing work.
Full Article
12/13/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 19: Improving Aerodynamics
Aerodynamics are often overlooked in the construction of a race car. Many enthusiasts purchase an aero kit without really understanding the functionality of the add-ons they are installing. If you are armed with some knowledge, you can modify an off-the-shelf aero kit to greatly increase your on-track performance.
Full Article
10/19/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 18:The Interior
A race car’s interior is very spartan. Every bit of the vehicle’s insides that do not have a vital function is removed. Although this sounds simple it is quite a bit of work. There are scores of brackets, studs, bulkheads, unneeded reinforcements and other bits that should be removed from the inside for safety and to reduce weight. These things can have sharp edges that can hurt the driver in an accident and the clutter of unused brackets welded to the chassis is not very attractive. We spent several days with a spot weld drill and an angle grinder removing every bit of excess sheet metal and bits and pieces from the cars interior and engine compartment. This included the door intrusion beams and the inner door panels. In total this probably amounted to over 70 lbs of unneeded metal or half the weight of the cage.
Full Article
10/18/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 17: Details, Details
After months of slow hand fabrication of multiple custom components, now it’s time to bolt the car together. We are doing the final touches towards installing the engine and transmission and moving to getting the functional parts of the interior done.
Full Article
10/11/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 16: It’s a Turbo
Since the long stroke QR25DE does not like high rpm, we have chosen to limit its maximum revs to 7000 rpm and make power by adding turbo boost. In our experience, it is difficult to get front wheel drive cars with more than 350 wheel hp to be able to use the power without excessive wheel spin under road racing conditions. In front wheel drive cars, excessive wheel spin quickly overheats the front tires and leads to severe understeer, a condition to be avoided.
Full Article
10/10/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 15: Making a Motor (Continued)
When we last left off, Jim Wolf Technology was well on the development path for our motor with new rods, pistons and the removal of the balance shafts. JWT had a few more tricks up their sleeve to improve the motors power and reliability.
Full Article
10/5/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 14: Making a Motor
The Nissan QR25DE has had a spotted history as a performance engine. In the performance world, it has a reputation as being fragile and the many recalls have furthered this reputation. We are going to address the engine’s weak points and see if we can turn the QR into a solid performer capable of racing level performance and reliability.
Full Article
10/1/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 13: Adding a Fire System
Fire is a driver’s worst enemy, so our team pays the utmost attention to safety. To help reduce the driver’s risk in case of fire, we installed a Safecraft RS Fires system. The Safecraft system is a lightweight aluminum bottle system that consists of 10 pounds of Halon 1301.
Full Article
9/28/2006 - Nissian Spec-V: Part 12: Modifying the Brake System
Since the horsepower and tire upgrades, the demands placed on our braking system have gone up considerably. Although perfectly adequate for street use, the stock brakes were not designed for repeated high-speed use for extended periods. We called upon the experts at Stoptech to cure our brake issues. Stoptech gave us a racing brake kit with ST40 4-piston calipers and 13-inch floating rotors. These brakes should slow us down from any anticipated speed with ease.
Full Article
9/27/2006 - Nissan Spec-V part 11; Lessons in Geometry
The Nissan Sentra Spec-V handles well but the suspension has a few problems. We will have to re-engineer the suspension geometry to try to make up for the car’s shortcomings.
Full Article
9/25/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 10: Installing Bushings and Converting to 5-Lug Hubs
Soft rubber suspension bushings weigh down the stock Sentra suspension. Soft rubber is good for a smooth, quiet ride but it hurts performance by making the suspension alignment inaccurate under load. Soft rubber also slows down the car’s response to steering inputs and dulls the driver’s feel of the car.
Full Article
9/17/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 9: Installing Sway Bars
Part of any good handling package includes the anti-sway bars. Sway bars help resist body roll and keep the car flat in corners. For racing, adjustable sway bars are important because adjusting the stiffness of the front or rear bars helps adjust the amount of under- or oversteer a car will exhibit under hard cornering. Adjustable bars are critical because they can be adjusted at the track faster than other methods.
Full Article
9/15/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 8: Installing Coil-Over Suspension
Suspension is a top priority for a time attack car. Handling is more important than eking out every last bit of engine power. The key suspension component is the coil-over/shock system because it allows you to adjust spring rate, ride height and damping.
Full Article
9/1/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 7: Painting the Interior
After constructing the cage and welding the interior, we proceeded to finish the interior with some paint. Painting the interior is dirty, smelly and tedious work, but it is an important step that must be done. The paint serves several functions. First, it gives the interior a more professional appearance. Second, it prevents corrosion on the raw welds and tubes of the roll cage. Third, it helps reduce reflections and glare that could reduce the driver’s vision. Finally, it makes it easier to spot fluid leaks and to clean them up once they occur.
Full Article
8/20/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 6: Protecting the Driver
Safety is very important, so we have taken precautions to ensure we can safety take this car to the limit. The first main piece of safety equipment is the driver’s seat. The seat is important because it holds the driver in place in an accident, absorbs shock and keeps the harnesses in place in a bad crash.
Full Article
8/10/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 5: Adding Plates to the Unibody
Last week we continued to work on the roll cage, adding more tubes to increase the stiffness of the structure. This week we add plates to tie the cage into the car’s unibody. Most modern chassis are a unibody construction. A unibody gets its strength from the folded sections of sheet metal from which it is stamped. The entire structure, from the outer body panels to the inner panels and rails, contribute to the structural strength. To make sure our cage performs we tie it into the unibody in many places with plates of steel. The plates are dimple die-cut to increase stiffness and reduce weight. The dimples act like ribs to give the metal more resistance to bending.
Full Article
8/1/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 4: Triangulating the Cage
In our last installment we laid the foundation for our roll cage, concentrating on improving roll over protection. We touched on the fact that the cage’s other primary function is to improve chassis stiffness. The stiffer the chassis, the more sensitive the car will be to changes in the suspension. A stiff chassis allows the suspension to not only absorb bumps but also improve both ride quality and traction.
Full Article
7/20/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 3: Building a Roll Cage
Last time, we removed the sound deadener and seam sealer from the inside of our Spec-V. This week we are starting to work on the roll cage. Richie Watanabe of Technosqaure will be constructing the cage and doing most of the heavy fabrication. Most people know the roll cage protects the occupants, but the cage is also the car’s backbone. With a stiffer chassis, the car is more responsive to changes in the suspension setup, making it easier to dial the car to conditions. In addition to being protective, energy absorbent and stiff, the cage also has to be lightweight. An overbuilt cage slows down the car.
Full Article
7/10/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 2: Removing Sound Deadener
This week I continue to ruin a perfectly good econobox to make a racecar. We already stripped the car to its shell and removed the interior, engine and transmission. We shipped the engine to Jim Wolf Technology to fortify it for turbocharged use so it will withstand over 300 hp.
Full Article
7/5/2006 - Nissan Spec-V: Part 1: Shedding Extra Weight
Have you ever wondered what it might take to build a racecar? Welcome to my nightmare! In the following months, you can follow my quest to build the ultimate Time Attack machine for the Front-Wheel-Drive Unlimited class. My vehicle of choice was a pristine, stock 2003 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec-V. Why the SE-R? It represents a unique challenge: It will be difficult to source parts as the performance aftermarket has developed fewer extreme bolt-on parts for this platform.
Full Article