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

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Fabman

Dances with Racecars
6,513
8,135
Exp. Type
W2W Racing
Exp. Level
20+ Years
Pleasanton: 1/2 way between Sonoma and Laguna Seca
Maybe better off getting a used one?? or did you have to have the 302S one?
I mentioned getting a GT one but Filip said there were problems with the GT one and big tires.
 

Mad Hatter

Gotta go Faster
5,228
4,215
Santiago, Chile
I must admit, have been going hard since 2012 so far its been great. Is the 2012+ rack any differet then the 2005 to 2011 rack?

I see they have three models for the 2011+ S197, maybe some had problems?

1634229636788.png
 

Fabman

Dances with Racecars
6,513
8,135
Exp. Type
W2W Racing
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20+ Years
Pleasanton: 1/2 way between Sonoma and Laguna Seca
I must admit, have been going hard since 2012 so far its been great. Is the 2012+ rack any differet then the 2005 to 2011 rack?

I see they have three models for the 2011+ S197, maybe some had problems?

View attachment 69344
I don't know any details, this is the first I looked into it. I do know that some were shipped out with problems and recalled, but that's all I know.
 

Fabman

Dances with Racecars
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Pleasanton: 1/2 way between Sonoma and Laguna Seca
This is a fun little ride along:

 

Mad Hatter

Gotta go Faster
5,228
4,215
Santiago, Chile
We had a S550 with a dead steering rack. When we went to get a new one saw a ton of differnet models. Just got the one that said wide tires and it worked out ok.
 

Fabman

Dances with Racecars
6,513
8,135
Exp. Type
W2W Racing
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Pleasanton: 1/2 way between Sonoma and Laguna Seca
We had a S550 with a dead steering rack. When we went to get a new one saw a ton of differnet models. Just got the one that said wide tires and it worked out ok.
any idea what the part number was?
 
898
543
The 2011 racks had issues with active nibble software. The 2012 and newer racks do not have the issue. But, if its not urgent, I would get the 302R rack. It has a calibration for slicks. I am waiting on Ford Performance inventory to be replenished myself.
 

Fabman

Dances with Racecars
6,513
8,135
Exp. Type
W2W Racing
Exp. Level
20+ Years
Pleasanton: 1/2 way between Sonoma and Laguna Seca
The 2011 racks had issues with active nibble software. The 2012 and newer racks do not have the issue. But, if its not urgent, I would get the 302R rack. It has a calibration for slicks. I am waiting on Ford Performance inventory to be replenished myself.
Let me know if you hear anything, thanks!
 
1,289
1,113
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HPDE
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5-10 Years
Philly Metro Area
I think the racks are mechanically identical but the ones for the wider tires have limiters installed similar to these from Roush.

But if you need them I'm sure you can fab some yourself.
 

Fabman

Dances with Racecars
6,513
8,135
Exp. Type
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Pleasanton: 1/2 way between Sonoma and Laguna Seca
I think the racks are mechanically identical but the ones for the wider tires have limiters installed similar to these from Roush.

But if you need them I'm sure you can fab some yourself.
I installed those limiters on my FR500 rack. There is something different in the racks though I can't tell you what that is. I know the difference between my stock GT rack and the FR500 rack was night and day and those are mechanically identical. Something that they tweak in there that makes the magic happen. I'll see if I can get some detail from Filip.
 

Fabman

Dances with Racecars
6,513
8,135
Exp. Type
W2W Racing
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20+ Years
Pleasanton: 1/2 way between Sonoma and Laguna Seca

Fabman

Dances with Racecars
6,513
8,135
Exp. Type
W2W Racing
Exp. Level
20+ Years
Pleasanton: 1/2 way between Sonoma and Laguna Seca
1,105
1,102
Exp. Type
HPDE
Exp. Level
5-10 Years
Lenoir City TN
The racks had different part #'s based on wheel size. The rack itself was physically the same but each differed in programming, wheel stop position, and tie rod length. The 2011 and some early 2012's had the active nibble issues which did not like bigger heavier wheels/tires/brakes. Stiffer bushings also set it into orbit. The Ford Performance rack from the 302s/302r is basically a dumb electric rack without all the features that try to drive the car for you. I put one in a couple of years ago and it has been great. You may try Watson Racing to see if they can get their hands one one, since they built the Boss race cars.
 

Fabman

Dances with Racecars
6,513
8,135
Exp. Type
W2W Racing
Exp. Level
20+ Years
Pleasanton: 1/2 way between Sonoma and Laguna Seca
Okay, new pump installed....please sweet baby Jesus let this thing hold together for this last race weekend of the season!

41844777_10156689670168535_6568104700485304320_n.jpg
 

Fabman

Dances with Racecars
6,513
8,135
Exp. Type
W2W Racing
Exp. Level
20+ Years
Pleasanton: 1/2 way between Sonoma and Laguna Seca

Track Spec Motorsports newest offering:
Custom molded wicker bills for existing Track Spec Louvers!
This should be good for a nice efficiency bump.



IMG_3154.jpgIMG_3155.jpgIMG_3152.jpgIMG_3153.jpgIMG_3160.jpg
 
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