2011 ESP Project update...

[Sam Strano]

Sadly things have been progressing much more slowly than I had hoped. My car has issues in the electrics that are keeping me from really attacking the project the way I need to, and I'm fast running out of time before back to back ProSolo's in May.

I managed to get my springs, bars, dampers and camber plates on and the car aligned. Also 18x10.5" wheels and 315/30-18 Hoosiers as well. And ran the car 2 and a half runs before it just flat died. The good news, in that short time it's what I expected--fast.

Better, there are many other things yet to be added. Intake, tune, upgraded limited slip, Watts link, just to name a few (seats too, those stock seats are not staying).

I love my car, and I'm looking forward to this year/project and trying to nail down my 8th National Championship. But as a disclaimer if the Mustang isn't fixed or reliable I might have to run some events in my backup ESP car... my 2001 Z28 that I won with in 2004 and 2006 (and haven't competed in since, though I do some track days in it here and there). *IF* that happens, rest assured its only because I'm still having issues with the Mustang (which nobody can yet find or solve).

It's been a while since I've mentioned the project, but wanted to touch base and let you know I'm trying to get it done but I can't spend the time to build a car that I can't use for what I need to use it for.

 

[pcdrj]

Sadly things have been progressing much more slowly than I had hoped. My car has issues in the electrics that are keeping me from really attacking the project the way I need to, and I'm fast running out of time before back to back ProSolo's in May.

I managed to get my springs, bars, dampers and camber plates on and the car aligned. Also 18x10.5" wheels and 315/30-18 Hoosiers as well. And ran the car 2 and a half runs before it just flat died. The good news, in that short time it's what I expected--fast.

Better, there are many other things yet to be added. Intake, tune, upgraded limited slip, Watts link, just to name a few (seats too, those stock seats are not staying).

I love my car, and I'm looking forward to this year/project and trying to nail down my 8th National Championship. But as a disclaimer if the Mustang isn't fixed or reliable I might have to run some events in my backup ESP car... my 2001 Z28 that I won with in 2004 and 2006 (and haven't competed in since, though I do some track days in it here and there). *IF* that happens, rest assured its only because I'm still having issues with the Mustang (which nobody can yet find or solve).

It's been a while since I've mentioned the project, but wanted to touch base and let you know I'm trying to get it done but I can't spend the time to build a car that I can't use for what I need to use it for.

Sam,

You managed to get 315's up front and cleared the struts? What wheels/offsets are you running?

 

[Sam Strano]

I did, not much trouble at all. This is where is gets sticky because I sell the wheels and spacers it's tough to then just toss out exactly what I found out in the general public. The idea with the car is a development tool for work, to find what works and what doesn't and that sort of info I just can't blurt out--at least not yet.

I can say this. The setup is pretty affordable and light as far as such wheels go and I carry both the wheels and the spacers needed (small ones, no studs, etc required). Parts wise, $1525 plus shipping for the full set and the wheels came in right about 21 each.

 

[Infamousjim]

Hey just bolt those 315's on my car and you can do an event in mine, I've got everything on your short list minus the aggressive alignment haha.

 

[FR500GT]

I can say this. The setup is pretty affordable and light as far as such wheels go and I carry both the wheels and the spacers needed (small ones, no studs, etc required). Parts wise, $1525 plus shipping for the full set and the wheels came in right about 21 each.

Are they posted on your website yet or are they still under "testing"?

 

[ArizonaGT]

In for more details on this!

 

[Sam Strano]

Testing should be complete this weekend (if the car runs the entire time). Different, more bumpy lot, better grip, etc. Then I'll have the combination up on the website.... Hopefully Monday.

 

[jayel579]

Thanks for the update Sam. I was planning on asking you about this when I call you in about a week or two to order parts. Now I dont have to be as impatient!

 

[Captain_Stangin']

I'm also running my Mustang in ESP. At my local club there are only 2 cars in ESP, mine and my dreaded competitor: The 2002 Camaro SS. 2 weeks ago I just nudged past him by 300 hundredths of a second. He's looking for revenge on this Saturday, the 9th. Long live the Camaro Mustang Challenge!

 

[Thinkkker]

Hmmmm.....

I bet I know just about the offset you are at Sam .

I need to get with all of ya'll up here at a event.

 

[Sam Strano]

You probably do... but I'm not running the same offset or the same wheels.

 

[Sam Strano]

Well, it's been a while since I updated this thread.

I've been running the car part time this year... and a Grand Sport Corvette the other half of the time. Can't complain much as I've won multiple National Events in both cars.

I'm continuing to make some tweaks, the big one today was shedding 18 pounds from the front and up high by way of a lightweight battery. Also got my oil separator installed. Steeda Intake is back on with a tune that should be less heat sensitive. And made a rear spring change which transformed the car in terms of ride quality and how it works over bumps.

Next week, one last alignment check, and I'm trying to get a lighter seat for the passenger side before Nationals too. The plan being the car should be about 50 pounds lighter than it was back in the spring, also 1" lower and about 35% stiffer too. Last time I was in Lincoln, I lost ESP. I don't want that happening again in the ProSolo Finale.

 

[Towelly]

Great progress. Can't wait to see the ProSolo results.

 

[Philostang]

Gotta love those batteries!

I did this earlier this summer...weighed on my scale:

OEM battery: 36.5 lbs
OEM battery tray: 1 lb
Braille 14115 battery: 11 lbs
Custom battery tray: 0.5 lbs.

Total weight shed: 26 lbs!

For folks keeping track of things, that's over twice what you lose with Steeda's radiator support for around the same price and it's a hell of a lot easier to install (not that you should choose one over the other - do both!)

Good luck at the ProSolo Finale!

Best,
-j

 

[Sam Strano]

My OEM battery was 32, and the Braille I used came in @ 14 on the same scale, net savings 18 pounds.

 

[Sam Strano]

Latest update...

Did some more pissing around. Installed a Braille battery, dumped the passenger seat for a Sparco Evo2/L without sliders too. Those changes netted me about 35 pounds more out of the car. Did a little scaling, playing with fuel and corner weighting too.

The good news is on low fuel with the Enkei's I got it under 3500 pounds (not way under, but under) and that's without anything rash. Once I get a lighter clutch/flywheel in there (which I need and is a next year kind of thing, just out of time this year) the total will be less. Mind you my car will ALWAYS have A/C and a Radio. Not sure that the LS seat delete will net me much at all since I've have to put the x-brace back in and @ $1700 right now, that's not high on my list of things to try.

Running this weekend, in Washington DC...hope it doesn't rain. Running it next weekend in Toledo OH. Home to put some new tires on it, etc and then off to the ProSolo Finale with it to see what kind of progress I made since the spring!

 

[jsnyng]

Sam - Which driver's seat did you say you went with? That's on my short list of in the near future purchases.

 

[vbluep51]

Latest update...

Did some more pissing around. Installed a Braille battery, dumped the passenger seat for a Sparco Evo2/L without sliders too. Those changes netted me about 35 pounds more out of the car. Did a little scaling, playing with fuel and corner weighting too.

The good news is on low fuel with the Enkei's I got it under 3500 pounds (not way under, but under) and that's without anything rash. Once I get a lighter clutch/flywheel in there (which I need and is a next year kind of thing, just out of time this year) the total will be less. Mind you my car will ALWAYS have A/C and a Radio. Not sure that the LS seat delete will net me much at all since I've have to put the x-brace back in and @ $1700 right now, that's not high on my list of things to try.

Running this weekend, in Washington DC...hope it doesn't rain. Running it next weekend in Toledo OH. Home to put some new tires on it, etc and then off to the ProSolo Finale with it to see what kind of progress I made since the spring!

Do you know if the LS brace can be installed in a 2005-2009 model years and where did your get the $1700 price from.

 

[Sam Strano]

I run (and sell despite them not being on the website... It's so hard to keep up) a Recaro Speed. I also sell Sparco, and if required Corbeau... but they aren't anywhere near the same category on quality or durability.

I imagine the brace will fit older cars. The price was floating around another forum... I'm sure they will come down with time, but right now they cost a fortune for a real one, which for legality I'd need to run.

 

[vbluep51]

I imagine the brace will fit older cars. The price was floating around another forum... I'm sure they will come down with time, but right now they cost a fortune for a real one, which for legality I'd need to run.

I am sure some one could make the brace cheaper, lighter and better compared to the LS brace.