S197 3V Fabman's build; How did we get here? Build Thread

[Mad Hatter]

I'm sure they probably work ok but to me they look like airbrakes....real airbrakes...the kind that they use to stop an airplane. With all the work we do trying to keep our cars aerodynamically slippery I don't see how putting two parachutes under the car is all that helpful. I want the air coming from the tunnels to feed smoothly up and out the fender vents, not all balled up in front of the control arm and bashed into a 90* turn, but what do I know. Stick you arm out the window with a dust pan in your hand and see how aerodynamic that feels....

Yup, thats pretty much why we didn't get them or make our own in the end. May be it would be ok for parking lots!

 

[Fabman]

Yup, thats pretty much why we didn't get them or make our own in the end. May be it would be ok for parking lots!

4” brake ducts

 

[302BOB]

Let it be what it is.

Hope for the best and don't look back............................

 

[JDee]

So I had 3" hoses with the FTBR kit, which continually got crushed and I don't think they put a ton of air through. I can't imagine how I could have made 4" hoses fit. Out of frustration with the hoses I got the Vorshlag flaps. I did leave the 3" hoses in there, they are cut off at the inner fender liner and also are directed at the flaps. But all the rest of that kit was removed.
My brake temps are stable, as good as they were with hoses that weren't crushed and obviously better than crushed hoses, certainly have had no new braking issues since changing to the flaps.
Rooting through videos from last summer, the first year with the flaps, my top speed on the longest straight at Mosport was 146 mph. That is actually higher than I previously saw with the hoses which would be in the 143-145 range. That's the fastest straight of any track that I run.
So I kind of think any additional drag from the flaps is minimal and they are certainly a lot less trouble than the hoses were!
I have a totally stock aero PP1 car, other than Race Louvers hood vents.
This is hardly scientific and was shot with a cell phone, so as always, YMMV.

 

[Mad Hatter]

Interesting.....

 

[Fabman]

So I had 3" hoses with the FTBR kit, which continually got crushed and I don't think they put a ton of air through. I can't imagine how I could have made 4" hoses fit. Out of frustration with the hoses I got the Vorshlag flaps. I did leave the 3" hoses in there, they are cut off at the inner fender liner and also are directed at the flaps. But all the rest of that kit was removed.
My brake temps are stable, as good as they were with hoses that weren't crushed and obviously better than crushed hoses, certainly have had no new braking issues since changing to the flaps.
Rooting through videos from last summer, the first year with the flaps, my top speed on the longest straight at Mosport was 146 mph. That is actually higher than I previously saw with the hoses which would be in the 143-145 range. That's the fastest straight of any track that I run.
So I kind of think any additional drag from the flaps is minimal and they are certainly a lot less trouble than the hoses were!
I have a totally stock aero PP1 car, other than Race Louvers hood vents.
This is hardly scientific and was shot with a cell phone, so as always, YMMV.

4” ducts do fit, it’s a pain in the ass on those cars which is why those flaps got popular. It’s an easy solution, but not the only or best solution. S197 is way more hose friendly, but still a pain in the ass. So we choose what’s important to us. As a guy who’s quite capable of making those flappy things for myself, I’ll still take the hoses.

 

[Fabman]

Whoah.....now here's an oldie but goodie:

Who's that young man setting the bump steer way back in 1992?

Note the bubble level on the lower control arm and home made bump steer gauge.

 

[Sjohnson1800]

Love that mustache

 

[Fabman]

Well, it runs and moves forward and back under its own power so the clutch works.
I think next week it’s going to go for a ride around the parking lot, then it’s off to AED.

 

[Mad Hatter]

Off for Tuna magic!! Can you post a snapshot of your log when you can?

 

[Fabman]

Off for Tuna magic!! Can you post a snapshot of your log when you can?

You mean the dyno sheet?

 

[Mad Hatter]

That too!. But always interested in the sct log info you can view on the Livelink II software. Spark advance, etc

like this image

 

[Fabman]

That too!. But always interested in the sct log info you can view on the Livelink II software. Spark advance, etc

like this image

View attachment 63932

I will if Shaun lets me.

 

[Anti]

Whoah.....now here's an oldie but goodie:

Who's that young man setting the bump steer way back in 1992?

Note the bubble level on the lower control arm and home made bump steer gauge.
View attachment 63897

Soooo... how'd you go from tube chassis magician to messin with a mustang as deep as you have?

 

[Fabman]

Soooo... how'd you go from tube chassis magician to messin with a mustang as deep as you have?

It was totally unintended.

 

[Fabman]

Soooo... how'd you go from tube chassis magician to messin with a mustang as deep as you have?

It's all Kevin's fault.

 

[Albino500]

Everybody needs a challenge in life.

 

[Anti]

Well, what was your opinion on the solid axle beast then vs now?

 

[Fabman]

Well, what was your opinion on the solid axle beast then vs now?

It will never be as fast as a similarly prepared s550 but it is what it is and I love the early s197 body style.
Kevin has the Cortex Cambered rear so that's about as close to an IRS as we're gonna get.
I'm still on the stock axle housing and that's going to have to be good enough at least for now.
I'll know more when I get it to Laguna Seca for a test day next week. Stay tuned.

 

[Fabman]

There it is, ride heights set and ready to go to AED Tuning.