Chestikoph Sr20Det Ke55 Coupe

[chestikoph1]

Well it's been a while since the latest update, where do I start.

The Rally Sprint series concluded with the remaining 2 rounds going well and really helping with the development of the car.

The sway bar link setup worked well and contributed in reigning some lateral weight transfer. I also changed up the ride hight a bit by dropping the rear by half an inch and raising the front by the same, this coupled with a heavier front spring rate dialled in the rear to front weight transfer. The car was now more settled under braking and was a lot more balanced and  nuetral turning in to corners.

I did end up changing the brake pads and this was probably the single most performance improving part I changed. The QFM's I was running weren't bad but just didn't perform the same as a proper race pad. At $600 for a set of pads I was pretty nervous at dropping so much cash at just brake pads. But the change was massive, dropped 6 secs over one lap, the confidence going into corners was amazing the harder you push the pedal the more they bite, and with out the booster the modulation you get is great.

This was all great and I was super happy with the results. At the end of the 5 round series we ended up mid field out of 80 odd cars and were beating much more modern and more powerful 4wd cars. But Tarmac Rallysprint on streets is pretty unique, very fast sraights into slow and very tight corners over and over again. I was interested to see how this setup would go on the race track.

I have done a couple of track days with the Rolla in the past but none since the cage and the latest rebuild, so I thought I would sign up to the very next event available at Barbagallo Raceway it just happened to be the first round of the WA Time Attack Series. Definitely not the sort of event you would expect an old Corolla at. Anyway I was super excited and they had just resurfaced the track for the upcoming V8 Supercar round so I was keen to check it out.

Put it this way It was the oldest car there by a loong way and it attracted heaps of attention amongs the Skylines, Evo's, WRX's, Civics and Porches. Three classes, Street, Tuner, and Race, I was allocated to Tuner class. There was aero as far as you could see and I don't know if you can count my front lip as aero but car went great and surprised a lot of people. Out of 58 entries I finished 36th, ran a best time of 68.8 sec. The fastest lap of the day was a 58.4sec and slowest was 78.4 sec, overall super happy with the result and I think with a couple of tweaks and changes I should get into the mid 60's. I have couple of things in mind to sort then I will chase more HP and that should help get me further up the field again.

Well that's it for now I will post up a few things I am working on soon.

A couple of shots from the track day...

 

 

 

Edited June 7, 2019 by chestikoph1

[chestikoph1]

Thought I might drag this thread out from the archives!!

Cars still in one piece and running well. I was doing a few track days throughout 2020 in between lock downs and restrictions mainly sprints and Time Attack at Barbagallo. 

Couple of upgrades and changes since the last post include wider 15 x 8 wheels, 225 tyres and some bolt on flares to fit them under.  Bought tears to my eyes taking the grinder to the rear arches, they were absolutely rust free! Oh well she’s long past ever returning to a standard shell.

Also dropped in some cams for a bit more top end. Now into the mid 66 sec around our local track, weight reduction is my next project. Will have to get back into more regular posting, some recent pics.

 

 

 

[Banjo]

Hi Dean,

               Lovely pics !  Nothing like an olde Rolla; nose down, in full flight.   Had a 79 2 door KE55 coupe, once, & was such a good car, with a 5K in it.

Nostalgia setting in, just looking at your pics.

Cheers  Keith

Edited May 3, 2021 by Banjo

[chestikoph1]

Thanks Keith.

It’s certainly nice to have something different amongst the field of modern cars.

Planning a big change with the cars look this winter, I want to get rid of the fender flares and look at moulding a wide body type set up.

I want to keep the same body shape but wider, something like the Subaru 22b. The plan to use my spare shell to make the widened plug and take a mould from that then fit to the race car.

Trialing one of the methods I was thinking of using on a boot spoiler first.

Easier  to explain the process with some photos.

 

[Banjo]

Hi Dean,

               I've never had the patience to take on something as radical, as you suggest, but admire your enthusiasm & commitment to your car.  The way you don't just rush into something, but think about it, & even mock it up, is a great attribute.

I love the idea you had of taping the body work, so as not to damage the paintwork, then gluing the prototype spoiler to the tape.  Is the dummy spoiler cut out of plastic, thick cardboard, or plywood ?  Looks great !   Would the final product be "bolt on", or made to be a permanent part of the boot lid ?

Cheers  Banjo

 

Edited May 23, 2021 by Banjo

[chestikoph1]

I definitely enjoy the build challenge more than driving the car sometimes, the satisfaction of doing it yourself is rewarding.

As for the tape it serves a couple of functions besides protecting the paintwork, it’s a little hard to see but there are reference lines marked on there. I use these as a guide to glue on the cross sections of the spoiler. Their cut from pvc sheet.

It should also help in removing everything from the boot once I take mould from the finished plug.

Plan a to mould it as one piece with the boot but have the option to make it a bolt on spoiler as well.

Some more progress pics with urethane foam now filled and shaped into the cross sections.

 

[chestikoph1]

First layer of filler to seal the plug and start the shaping process.

The next part of this project really is tedious, a lot of sanding and filler and then a lot more sanding! 
But I can start to see the resemblance of the finished product which keeps the motivation up.

 

[chestikoph1]

More filler and sanding!!

[Banjo]

Hi Dean,

               I can see you are a perfectionist !   It will look great in the end.

Your's looks a bloody sight better than this guys one 1

Cheers Banjo

 

Edited June 5, 2021 by Banjo

[chestikoph1]

Classic!! That would double as a nice luggage rack.

Perfectionism, it’s a terrible affliction, probably borderline OCD.

My thing is if I wouldn’t  be happy paying for the finished product, then it’s not good enough.

Getting close to blocking and final shape, pics soon.

 

 

 

[chestikoph1]

It’s primed and sealed.

No more bog, only taken a month to get to this stage of making the plug!!
I am finally done with filler, i think it’s as symmetrical and straight as it’s going to get. Key take away, next time keep it simple with flat surfaces.

I think I went to complex making it with compound curves and trying to follow the cars profile too much

Anyway it’s done, final sanding to 1200 grit to go and then it’s ready to pull a mould from it.

 

[chestikoph1]

Mould done, give it a few days to cure and then hopefully it releases from the plug with no issues.

 

 

[coln72]

Why wasn't this around when I had my KE35........

With the rear quarters, found there was enough "flex" in them to push the out far enough to cover a 225/60r13 tyre

[chestikoph1]

Well the plug released from the mould…but not in one piece unfortunately.

It stuck around the back corners and had to be broken to release, in hindsight I should have used PVA not just release wax but I was trying to gain the smoothest finish possible.

Positive thing is the mould turned great and should be ready after a 1200 grit sand and polish.

 

 

[chestikoph1]

Mould prepared and ready to go, polished, waxed and with a coating of PVA.

 

Edited July 5, 2021 by chestikoph1