S550 #95 mustang Build Thread Profile - S550 Mustangs

[Nbjeeptj]

I had to send the transmission controller back to get repaired / replaced due to it freezing up. No idea yet what actually caused that. But I did the graphics added while I was waiting on that.

 

[Nbjeeptj]

I finally have the issues with the sequential transmission controller fixed, and it appears to functioning properly. Had to send it back 2 times and it was a lot of trouble shooting / testing to get to the bottom of it. Max at Xinnering was great at working with me and getting this fixed.

Up next was solving my exhaust issues, my exhaust was a cobbled together mess of parts from different manufacturers, I have had so many cracks in the system that I had welded back together, even the resonator I put in it to get past noise restrictions at AMP had a 10” crack in the case. My guess is all those products were designed for street use and not 20 min sessions with the car at 5 to 7k RPM’s. I replaced this with a 3” Kooks system, not only was this a much better fit under the car but it sounds really good. Don’t know if I will meet sound requirements at AMP but I will have them test it at the next NASA event.

 

[Nbjeeptj]

I had mine at the track yesterday for a test and tune and had some issues in the first few sessions with engine misfire that lead to limp mode, but was able to get that solved with a crank relearn. Here is a video of one of the laps towards the end of the day, It took some getting used to but I was able to get real close to my personal best lap time on some 7 day old toyo RR's, so I cant wait to put some fresh tires on it and see what it can do. The transmision is noisy, but for the crazy fast shifts its worth putting up with the sound.

 

[biggsy]

Amazing job on the project!

 

[Nbjeeptj]

After a few track events with this new setup, I finally have the programing dialed in pretty good. I did find a new problem that I had to address and that was with a broken bolt in the rear diff. I was looking under the car and noticed one of the diff mounting bolts and one of the STEEDA lockout pucks missing. Upon further investigation I found it was a broken bolt. Not knowing what caused it for sure I went with Kelltrac bushings with the big bolt kit. have not made it to the track yet to see if it holds up but a lot of vibration I had in my car is gone so hopefully this will solve the issue and not break another bolt. The bolt extraction and bushing replacement was a huge pain in the ass, so im not looking to have that kind of fun again any time soon. Before making the change to the Kelltrac bushings I did reach out to Steeda and ask them what could have caused it, and they said the only thing could have been that the bolt had come loose. I have no way of knowing for sure if it was loose or not when it broke, but when trying to extract the broken bolt I broke 2 easy outs and tried welding a 1/4" rod coupling to it and could not get it to budge. In the end I just had to replace the rear diff cover since the bolt would just not come out. Another thing that led me to swap the bushings was the bushing on the bolt that failed was torn. I don't believe it was torn when I install the Steeda lockout kit, so I did not want to take a chance that it would happen again if I put factory bushings and lockout kit back in it.

 

[Nbjeeptj]

Well I can report that I like the less vibration of the Kelltrack bushings better, its a lot less vibration. My weekend of testing / TT racing at Road Atlanta was a real mixed bag. Saturday had real good day, car was performing great, I was getting real used to the transmission on this track. Sunday morning found a new PR in the first session, but all that fun ended real fast in the second session as I ran out of talent in turn 7, and hit the wall. I guess now I get to learn how to replace rear quarter panel on a unibody car.

Before all the fun


right after all the fun ended


I will post a video of crash, as soon as I can extract it from my Garmin.

 

[biggsy]

Sorry to about the love touch with the wall. People always mention 12 but for me, 7 is where I feel the most anxious. I tend to creep when powering out of 7 before the long straight. I try to make up time by carrying more speed from 6-7. I also saw a Camaro almost spin out next to me at T7.

Glad it isn’t too bad. Can’t tell but maybe a good PDR place can fix ?

 

[Nbjeeptj]

Yea, it was too much power on exit of 7 that got me, along with a overaggressive attempt at correction. The front fender and door are an easy fix but I am thinking its a little worse than PDR, although I have seen some videos of amazing work on that online, so with the right person it may be possible.

 

[Nbjeeptj]

Well I have it apart and started fitting the rear quarter back in before it got too hot to work in it today.

 

[Nbjeeptj]

It was not as much fun as I was hoping but I did get most of the painting done. I still have to do the hood once it gets here, then it should be just reassembly, and back to the track

 

[Nbjeeptj]

Getting closer.

 

[67GTA]

It was not as much fun as I was hoping but I did get most of the painting done. I still have to do the hood once it gets here, then it should be just reassembly, and back to the track

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How did the inflatable paint booth work? I’ve been considering one now that I have a space big enough to use it.

 

[Nbjeeptj]

After I learned that it in fact needed to be setup inside my building I love it. My first attempt at using it was a 92 degree sunny day, by 10:30am it was so hot inside that it was hard to breathe. After that I moved it into my shop and it worked great. I was thinking the way the fan works for ventilation that it would have filled my shop with fumes but it was not that way at all. Very pleased for the money it cost. I would have spent close to the same thing to piece something together out of wood and plastic, and with this I have it for the next project.

 

[Nbjeeptj]

Well it lived, I had it at VIR this past weekend and it had only a few minor issues. Cant wait to jump back into the NASA TT events.

 

[Nbjeeptj]

Had another setback at CMP during the first session of the TT for the weekend, where I got overly aggressive too soon and slipped it off the track and thru a deep sand trap. This bent the bumper under the front end took out both headlights and the radiator. It is possible that the radiator was damaged when I hit the wall in Atlanta but I don’t know for sure. The possible PSA out of all of this is the aftermarket GT500 bumper is way less expensive than a factory bumper and looks way better, but it is no where near as sturdy as the factory one. The small issues I had at VIR on the first track weekend after the rebuild was that it chewed up both front inner fenders and spit those out. My best guess is that at 150mph the bumper was bending enough to cause the wheel liner to rub the tire then eventually fall and get caught under the tire. Then there is the trip through the sand trap. I have been through a few of these at CMP in the past few years with the factory bumper and never had an issue. This time I got a used bumper from eBay and the fit is way better and it feels way stronger. My point is I’m just not sure the aftermarket market piece is up to the task of being on a track toy.

The car is back together and I plan to do a few events before fixing the multi color issues I have at this point, but if I can figure out how to keep it on the track I will get the whole car wrapped again.

 

[Nbjeeptj]

Well since this time last year I have had to fix the car from 2 off track excursions but I had the wrap put back on the damaged side today so I can start next NASA season fresh