260DET Posted April 30, 2015 Author Posted April 30, 2015 The story continues. ZX is all ready to go in manual form, drive by wire and all. Waiting to get a dyno tune now. But there's more. Auto guru is back and preparing the 4L80E factory special 640 hp capable transmission which will include dyno tuning the electronics so everything works how it's supposed to, all before it goes into the car. That should be finished next week so if the planets align it will be sent to AM for fitting, which could be interesting as the ZX was never designed to take a big auto like that. Something to note on using this auto on a racetrack, the selected torque converter incorporates a tripple plate lockup clutch which the electronics will lock and unlock when appropriate. Given that the engine has a 3000+ rpm usable power band the clutch will be locked most of the time when accelerating so in effect the auto will then be acting like a manual transmission. Quote
KatoKid Posted April 30, 2015 Posted April 30, 2015 Does Turbo Yoda approve of this auto trickery? Quote
C.A.R. Posted April 30, 2015 Posted April 30, 2015 Does Turbo Yoda approve of this auto trickery? Probably, because it's not a Honda. Quote
260DET Posted April 30, 2015 Author Posted April 30, 2015 Apparently the headers will have to be rerouted and so on, this after taking a lot of time and trouble to get them right originally. ZX seems to have less engine bay/trans tunnel space than a S30. Quote
d3c0y Posted May 1, 2015 Posted May 1, 2015 Keen to see this setup in the flesh Richard. Sounds like it's going to be a well thought out thing. Quote
260DET Posted May 1, 2015 Author Posted May 1, 2015 It's serious, for your average punter who has no delusions of being a pro. Extra weight is the negative which is for an amateur compensated to some degree by it being central and low weight. Then there is the plus which for me, hopefully, enables more concentration on driving the car fast and safely. And to me that's what it's all about, anything that is problematical and which interferes with that process is a negative which should be eliminated, if possible. Quote
260DET Posted June 21, 2015 Author Posted June 21, 2015 Latest new is that LSX-280 has been on the dyno and delivered 430 rwhp which is about right for a new motor with a 520 engine hp cam. Haltech Elite doing full sequential and drive by wire. Next is fitting the special 4L85E auto, for a start it has a triple plate lock up, and tuning the controller. A dummy fit showed that the big lump went in with only a bit of easily fixed tunnel interference which is great as this is all pioneering stuff going on here. After fitting will come tuning the controller, all shifting will be manual by either a centrally mounted sequential lever or else it will have steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. Either will suit. That's about it, getting the car back will be brilliant, just watching the Zed blokes at Morgan park yesterday hurt Quote
Gordo Posted June 21, 2015 Posted June 21, 2015 I was wondering how you where going with this Richard. Bet you can't wait to get back on track. Quote
260DET Posted July 10, 2015 Author Posted July 10, 2015 Latest news is that the auto is in and all hooked up, new tailshaft, redone headers in so except for the shifter and fitting a bigger battery the mechanical stuff is pretty well done. But these days things are not quite that simple, particularly when some get a bit carried away and seduced by all the new fancy electronic stuff available Anyway the gurus have come up with the idea of using a tunnel mounted Subaru sequential shifter which sounds good, I'm not stuck on using paddle shifters so that sounds sorted, all that will then be left then is the dreaded software and the persuasion of same to do what should be done when it should be done. But hey, that's why the experts get the big bucks although here the bucks may be more moderate, geez, it's only an old unfashionable Datsun mate, fair go Quote
KatoKid Posted July 10, 2015 Posted July 10, 2015 I'm liking the way this is heading Keep at it Quote
260DET Posted July 17, 2015 Author Posted July 17, 2015 So the shifter was thought to be sorted but it's not but one from a Pontiac G8 is on it's way and hopefully that will do the job. It's impossible to get continuity with a job like this which is why very few will tackle them I suppose. Mech thinks he has everything to do a job but then finds out not. Part ordered, job put aside while others are done and so on. Anyway the tech bit is this auto needs a PRN function plus a sequential function, typically the + and - part of your usual road car auto shifter. With a LHD G8 shifter the + and - part will be on the right side which is where it should be on a race car. The upside is I've bought a new tow car, a Jeep Cherokee Limited diesel so i'm getting some time to run it in before towing the Z home. Book says towing before x km have been done is bad, some good 'running in' roads around here Quote
260DET Posted August 17, 2015 Author Posted August 17, 2015 Bloody Ebay global freight program, G8 shifter took ages to arrive after sitting in a shed somewhere in the US for two weeks. Anyway the boys now have it but it's not straight forward because there is some fancy switching to be worked out otherwise it looks suitable. Don't know about anyone else but damn I miss not having a track car, with Morgan Park ten minutes away............ Quote
dat2kman Posted August 17, 2015 Posted August 17, 2015 Buy a used IPRA car, go have fun with that, get your CAMS license and all. It'll be another 12 months before your Spirts Sedan is finished,,,,,? Quote
260DET Posted August 18, 2015 Author Posted August 18, 2015 I'm too fussy Jason, regularly look at what rear drive race cars are for sale but then think what I could build for what prices some ask. The only ones that look suitable and are at the right price are bloody BMW's. The Z is not far away, once the shifter is sorted that's about it. Could have gone with easier to do steering wheel paddle shifters but prefer a floor shift and Sports Sedan rules don't allow the others. Quote
hmd Posted August 18, 2015 Posted August 18, 2015 persist with it Richard. All good things takes time No need to buy some rubbish to have a track car immediately, the more toys you have the more problems you have. Quote
260DET Posted August 18, 2015 Author Posted August 18, 2015 Yeh we'll get there. The boys think that overall the auto will be no heavier than the manual setup, the single plate LS clutch and flywheel are massive plus it had a steel bell housing in case the clutch decided to self destruct. But if the auto conversion was going to be done again I'd look at using a alternative system of control that I have in mind. Quote
PeterAllen Posted August 27, 2015 Posted August 27, 2015 ... regularly look at what rear drive race cars are for sale but then think what I could build for what prices some ask.... Tell him he's dreamin'. Quote
260DET Posted September 25, 2015 Author Posted September 25, 2015 The last step before she comes home I hope. Z is now with a car software bloke who will tune the transmission controller to facilitate shifts that suit all circumstances although the final tweaking will be done by moi using a laptop out at Morgan Park. Which should be fun Such tuning will include full throttle upshifts hehe. This tuning business can get really complicated eg bloke says on full throttle upshifts he will get the transmission controller to talk with the Haltech ECU to tell it to momentarily retard ignition timing during the shift to avoid any engine detonation at that time. Z was loaded onto the trailer under it's own power, loading with an auto is certainly more civilised than with a jumpy clutch so that's a plus already. V8 sounds brilliant, this thing is going to scare the c**p out me, looking forward to that Quote
Gordo Posted September 25, 2015 Posted September 25, 2015 Can't wait to see the results Richard. Bet you got a smile on your face! Quote
260DET Posted September 25, 2015 Author Posted September 25, 2015 The results will likely involve a change in underwear Gordo Tech on these sorts of things has advanced quickly, now there seem to be transmission controllers available that are virtually plug and play. Quote
dat2kman Posted September 25, 2015 Posted September 25, 2015 Richo, have you worked out how to use/monitr the MyLaps timing system at MP? The website s shite compared to good old Natsoft! When the Historics are on, the event secretary prints off each events results/times/position changes as per Natsoft, we all grab a printed sheet for each event, but, once t hits the MyLas website, there is absolutely no info bar name, event number, and jst a single lap time! Maybe when you are Presdent f WDSCC you will be able to get it working better! Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.