FSP 1st Gen Protege Project

[XelderX]

Progress looks good. I was wondering if you were going to get the 15x10 6UL's for the front. That should look really good. Were you still thinking of testing some other sizes for the rear?

I'll likely be joining FSP next year with a "mild" prep. So if you have any leads on suspension, etc., feel free to give me a heads up. So far it's looking like my best (somewhat affordable) option is converting Koni reds to "sport" or "race" specs.

We are going to try 205s on the back instead of 225s. We shouldn't lose any tread width and it will save a few pounds. I'm running Koni SA race inserts in AWR coilover bodies. I'm considering upgrading to DA race inserts, but we have a few other things to do first.

Nice work on the splitter. Any plans for suspension changed in light of the new allowances?

We are going to try higher spring rates this season, but I don't want to make any big changes. Just small steps right now with the suspension while we make more of an effort on the exhaust and intake.

[Racerboy]

Why not use inline throttle bodies? I read over the rules and it didn't say they were illegal. So i'd think you'd want to take advantage of that. Also, ever thought about an aluminum exhaust system to save weight?

[XelderX]

Why not use inline throttle bodies? I read over the rules and it didn't say they were illegal. So i'd think you'd want to take advantage of that. Also, ever thought about an aluminum exhaust system to save weight?

ITBs are a possibility, but I want to try a different single throttle body manifold setup first. I've thought about aluminum and titanium for saving weight in the exhaust, but it was never a big priority in the past as the exhaust location being extremely low and near the center of the car minimizes any gains other than lowering the curb weight (still a good idea). The added cost of aluminum or titanium has made it less of a possibility in the past as well, but I'm hoping that that will be less of a factor in the next year or two.

[XelderX]

Here is the new air box so far. Just need to add a support or two and make the top. I'll also be covering it in the same insulation the old air box was made out of.

[XelderX]

Finally got the airbox near enough complete I can call it done.







This thing is rock solid compared to the old airbox. I'll be putting some thermal tape on the outside to keep the heat soak to a minimum. I'll probably need to extend the overflow vent hose to keep it from spewing directly into the intake as well.

[Racerboy]

what are you going to run as an air filter?

[crazycanadian]

The car only gets driven 40 - 60 sec at a time... no need for an air filter...

looks good man... I'll be bugging you later on in the coming months about your suspension and spring rates... I am slowly building idea's for my car for this summer...

[Racerboy]

The car only gets driven 40 - 60 sec at a time... no need for an air filter...

looks good man... I'll be bugging you later on in the coming months about your suspension and spring rates... I am slowly building idea's for my car for this summer...

I'd still run one. Any dust and stuff can get in there. It's hurting the performance of the engine. When a cone filter can flow 1500 cfm and your throttle body can flow less than 500, you won't have a reduction in power. I have engine dyno software, and every engine I test comes up with the same results. No change in hp at all. Unless you guys don't run one because it weighs to much, lol.

[XelderX]

I'd still run one. Any dust and stuff can get in there. It's hurting the performance of the engine. When a cone filter can flow 1500 cfm and your throttle body can flow less than 500, you won't have a reduction in power. I have engine dyno software, and every engine I test comes up with the same results. No change in hp at all. Unless you guys don't run one because it weighs to much, lol.

Most of the data that you can find on air filters and how they don't reduce power is at a steady state throttle opening which is fine and I do agree that modern filter technology has made them very "high flow". I believe that an air filter will still be somewhat restrictive at initial trottle opening when you are going from maximum intake vacuum to minimum vacuum. I watched my old airbox while the car was on the dyno and it was fine at WOT pulls all the way to redline, but just blip the throttle and it would try to implode. The vacuum at those momets was huge.

[FE3-323]

i like the box. but correct me if im not viewing it properly.... is it completely riveted closed??

[XelderX]

i like the box. but correct me if im not viewing it properly.... is it completely riveted closed??

That piece of angle around the outside of the top is riveted to the top panel. I did that to add some structure to the top piece. That is held onto the rest of the box with 5 screws. The top is completely removable to allow access to the overflow.

[FE3-323]

Excellent!!

[ot81to]

Looks like you might want to start searching for a clean 90-94 323 to swap all your goodies to: http://scca.cdn.racersites.com/prod/...march-solo.pdf

It will be interesting to see if the SPAC and SEB approve the FSP changes. There are a few cars in there that could possibly shake the class up.

[XelderX]

Looks like you might want to start searching for a clean 90-94 323 to swap all your goodies to: http://scca.cdn.racersites.com/prod/...march-solo.pdf

It will be interesting to see if the SPAC and SEB approve the FSP changes. There are a few cars in there that could possibly shake the class up.

Ha....yea...I don't think I'm going to have the money to switch chassis this year. I probably won't be in FSP next year so it's a moot point after that. The 323 chassis isn't legal in ITA with the DOHC motor and I don't want to have to switch chassis twice so I'm keeping the 4 door and taking it to ITA next year.

[ot81to]

Ha....yea...I don't think I'm going to have the money to switch chassis this year. I probably won't be in FSP next year so it's a moot point after that. The 323 chassis isn't legal in ITA with the DOHC motor and I don't want to have to switch chassis twice so I'm keeping the 4 door and taking it to ITA next year.

Nice. I'll probably still prep the Protege for FSP this year, but if it goes through I'll hunt down a 323. I've always figured I'd eventually go to SMF. So if the shake-up makes the BG chassis uncompetitive in FSP, I'll still have another direction to go.

Do your ITA plans mean you won't be autocrossing, or will you just be playing in another class?