BJK's 6A13TT FTO

[slippercream]

6A12 in a golf cart?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5ZetaO9Ax0

I'm sure that'd fly.

Funny you should mention removing a resonator, as I had a bit of an epiphany last weekend that my "exhaust leak" turned into quite the straight-pipe

Exhaust_2020-06-27_FTO Exhaust Leak 1.JPG (220.85 KiB) Viewed 8865 times

Indeed, sounded nasty. Idled loud enough to gurgle like a small, mild V8; and absolutely embarrassing when accelerating as it sounds like it's always going 3 times as fast as it really is.

Anyway, I had to get someone to just do a patch-up job until after the resto is complete. And now it sounds way too quiet.

Exhaust_2020-06-27_FTO Exhaust Leak 3.JPG (186.78 KiB) Viewed 8865 times

BTT -- honestly, I think the 6A12 isn't that bad, ... not at all. Perhaps the best way to make it even more potent is to ditch a whole bunch of weight!
Though, in true Mitsubishi fashion, the FTO is an instrument crafted to play one tune: Runs that have very few straightaways. It seems to love the short, winding courses.

I've got twisty roads where I live as well, and I really do feel like it can give an Evo a run for its money, so long as it's a twisty road that's max rated at 80kph speeds. I've given the local Miatas a run for their money on its full kerb weight and rusted out stock suspension

Then swapped out for the Evo, and it felt like child's play But, where's the fun in that?

[bjk]

They do love the twisties (though two turbos help up the straightaways and hills too ). Had a lovely run out again today, sun out, cool air, not too much traffic, good times. More little bits and pieces to bring together hopefully soon, delays inevitable with lockdowns interstate however, so mostly just same ol research and calculations. Thinking I'll likely end up with some Hankook RS4s for the new Superlaps; bit oversize section width for a "235" which will help fill out the 9.5" width, but also shortish diameter compared to some others. Much cheaper than the Yoko's too.

Only recently found out about roll centre on a Mac front strut too, and discovered that what I considered was a reasonably modest ride height I have currently to be beyond the ideal, technically speaking. Can't say I've noticed too many bad mannerisms on the street (though maybe the springrates on the coilovers help anyway?), but all else aside raising it will help with fender and driveway clearance, so more optimised suspension is a bonus.

[adzski]

Billy you are still active on the forum. Follow your build ig Car is looking nice.

Worked on mine today for the first time in a long time.

[bjk]

Billy you are still active on the forum. Follow your build ig Car is looking nice.

Worked on mine today for the first time in a long time.

Hey! Cheers man. Gotta keep it alive so the Russians don't take it over and nice, should chuck up some recent pics in your thread

[adzski]

Haha yeah, seems a lot of the guys that were active from like 2012 to 2014 have dropped off.

Yeah i might, gonna do bit more work on it this weekend i think.

Hows your car? Seen ypu are running evo stockies now.
What are the specs?

Ive been considering a set of work meisters. Haven't seen anyone run em before on a fto.

[Vectose]

Some of us are still here.

[slippercream]

And some new ones

Work Meisters, huh? I was a fan of the deep dishes once, too. I imagine they would look mighty fine on an FTO.

Speaking of Meisters... got these last week.

Coilovers_2020-07-20_Box at Receipt.JPG (543.59 KiB) Viewed 8638 times

Buttt.... haven't had a chance to work on the car either. More like, waiting for some other parts to come in so I get motivated to work on a bunch of things at the same time *cough-cough Vectose*

:p

[bjk]

Haha yeah, seems a lot of the guys that were active from like 2012 to 2014 have dropped off.

Yeah i might, gonna do bit more work on it this weekend i think.

Hows your car? Seen ypu are running evo stockies now.
What are the specs?

Ive been considering a set of work meisters. Haven't seen anyone run em before on a fto.

Everyone mostly floats about the FB group now, but I like the better record/presentation of the forum still.

Car's still holding up so far yeah on the stocks after I sold the Volks, usual Evo sizing 17x8 +38. I actually considered buying some new S1 3P's, but in the end I swung back to the monoblocks lyf. Maybe I'll do a set if I make another easy $3k sometime haha

[adzski]

And some new ones

Work Meisters, huh? I was a fan of the deep dishes once, too. I imagine they would look mighty fine on an FTO.

Speaking of Meisters... got these last week.


Coilovers_2020-07-20_Box at Receipt.JPG

Buttt.... haven't had a chance to work on the car either. More like, waiting for some other parts to come in so I get motivated to work on a bunch of things at the same time *cough-cough Vectose*

:p

Are you based in the USA?
Noticed the Texas number plate.

Nice havent seen those coilover before, will be good once fitted.

[adzski]

Some of us are still here.

Vectose, glad to see you are still on the forums.
Hows your turbo 6a12?

[adzski]

Haha yeah, seems a lot of the guys that were active from like 2012 to 2014 have dropped off.

Yeah i might, gonna do bit more work on it this weekend i think.

Hows your car? Seen ypu are running evo stockies now.
What are the specs?

Ive been considering a set of work meisters. Haven't seen anyone run em before on a fto.

Everyone mostly floats about the FB group now, but I like the better record/presentation of the forum still.

Car's still holding up so far yeah on the stocks after I sold the Volks, usual Evo sizing 17x8 +38. I actually considered buying some new S1 3P's, but in the end I swung back to the monoblocks lyf. Maybe I'll do a set if I make another easy $3k sometime haha

Billy what offset would you recommend for something flush. Ive been considering something around 17x9 +25

What do you think?

I have fto stockies on it now and i think that are in the +40 range

[slippercream]

Are you based in the USA?
Noticed the Texas number plate.

Nice havent seen those coilover before, will be good once fitted.

Yeah, man. Austin, TX.
Also, these are the same brand ones Richard Batty sported in his FTO.
Guys were super nice. Even offered a "sponsorship" price, since I'm the first one in a long time on an FTO. And apparently the first in the US?

Haven't opened the box yet. Maybe this weekend. Spring Dyno sheet in box. Requested that they tune it for road use. Probably to match the same rates as that of an Evo IV front/ III rear.

[adzski]

That's cool as, is that now cause they hit the 25 year rule?

a lot of our r34 skyline prices have been going up in preparation for that and s15's.

[slippercream]

Yep, 25-year rule. I have noticed, too, that R34 prices have been going up, though I doubt it's specifically because of the US (it's not legal to import until 2024). It's probably that there's more interest in true drivers' cars worldwide thanks to the SUV boom.

We already have a lot of way-over 1000hp+ R35 GT-Rs here (Jotech and Cobb are both just 10 min away from me. Not to mention the Houston and Dallas powerhouses both just 3 hours away), so I suspect it's just really the purists who will want R34s. And it's those purists around the world who will want to spend money. Not like Mitsubishi fans who've historically been the more budget-conscious variety.

Good news for Mitsu fans - this price hike doesn't apply to Mitsubishis
So... good for me! Because my stable is 100% Mitsubishi. I've already set out my plan for the next few years, starting with my next milestone of 2022. (GPvR, Pajero Evo)
Maybe an EC GVR4 or Legnum - which are easier to find. Who knows.

[bjk]

Those in the group have seen already but I'mma spam it here as well for posterity, and 'cause I like the pics that Stevo got.

For a looong time I have been meaning to get the FTO out on track to really explore its full potential (and my driver limitations), and I finally had few enough excuses about this that or the other needing attention that it actually happened. I had noticed that even after hard driving on the street that it would require a top up of coolant when I checked it next, and discovered after the second session that it was definitely pushing it out of the overflow tank. It was consistent enough that I did manage three sessions without it completely blowing its stack, however, which is still a fair effort. Ordered a genuine rad cap to see if that helps that problem, but I'm still looking into undertrays and ducting, and am becoming more convinced that the lack of them currently is doing me no favours on that front.

On track my thus-far seat-of-the-pants mods seem to stack up okay in terms of suspension etc. I think I have a clunk from one sway bar mount bolt coming loose, but otherwise nothing too untoward in the handling department. The RE003s impressed for wet grip, even if lift off oversteer caught me a couple times Other than that, good day out, despite the weather. Keen to get out when it's dry.













And some footage of the last session

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zKbuORiA3k&t=0s

Oh and before I forget, new wheels finally arrived Forged monoblock goodness. 18x9.5 +22 TE37 SuperLaps.

[slippercream]

Not bad, Billy Jack! Looks like you had fun - and in the wet, nonetheless.
I think those wheels will do you a lot of good. Gonna feel more power to the pavement, for sure

Strange that coolant would overflow like that - are you hearing a whine from the water pump? That... shouldn't be normal. Have you flushed your rad and system lately? Maybe that should be your next upgrade - a higher-flowing rad.

[bjk]

Not bad, Billy Jack! Looks like you had fun - and in the wet, nonetheless.
I think those wheels will do you a lot of good. Gonna feel more power to the pavement, for sure

Strange that coolant would overflow like that - are you hearing a whine from the water pump? That... shouldn't be normal. Have you flushed your rad and system lately? Maybe that should be your next upgrade - a higher-flowing rad.

Would rather have had just the cool air, but can't control the weather!
Feel it maybe, but at least they're lighter than the VIII stockies.

Pump was done before engine went in, rad is not too old and had fresh coolant through it pretty recently as well; think it is more of a pressure problem than an outright cooling problem, will be investigating either way. I did buy a larger one but, surprise surprise (not really ), no chance of fitting it. That leaves a custom unit as the only real option, but I'm going to address the other deficiencies before I throw money at that.

[slippercream]

Oh, no - I was talking about flow, not cooling efficiency. A sump always helps in the event that coolant temps do rise and expands beyond what the system can displace. But that's why you have a reservoir. If liquid is backed up in the reservoir, it might mean you have some kind of obstruction either in your coolant line or within the water system. That's why I said a higher-flowing radiator - because that's usually the culprit. Or a bad water pump. Or belt. Or, someone you hate dropped a cigarette butt into your coolant line

As for the new wheels and "feeling it" - I expect you will. Compared to the Evo Enkeis, your TE37s look to be about 2 lbs lighter per wheel. There's some disputed metric about how much each pound of unsprung weight is equivalent to chassis weight reduction. Either way, the car will feel peppier on the accelerator.

[bjk]

Ah, fair enough. Admittedly not really down on the more complicated details. Fingers crossed its a cheap remedy, knowing my luck probably not I'll do it if I have to, but don't really wanna spring like $1500+ for a custom rad.

I'm just happy it's not a big loss compared to a 17" wheel. And yeah, just shy of 1.3kg per wheel lighter than the Evo 8s, and only 100 grams heavier than the 17x9 TE37s I had before!

Not the best indication of how they'll sit (but less droop on the coilovers so pretty close), was mostly just to check caliper and trailing arm clearance to make sure my prior calculations were accurate









Ceramic coat next, then tyres, then some more fiddling with the coilovers and wheel alignment.

[Bennoz]

Just whack 'em on & send it, calculator boi.