CobraRed's HPDE-DD Build Thread

[CobraRed]

Hi gang. Most of you don't know me around here, but I've been on mustang forums including StangNet, Corral and SVTP since around 2004.

The car: 2011 GT BBP MT82 I purchased 3 months ago with 27k on the clock. Purchased bone stock, guy still had dealers stickers on the driver's window
Goal with the car: This will be 95% daily driven and i want to attend HPDE events 3-6 times a year. I have another vehicle (truck) but the reason why I traded up mustangs is to have a stang I can enjoy everyday instead of just when it's not in pieces and on the track. This means I will make sacrifices when I have to in order to make the car not annoying to drive, but this build will mainly be about ways to not sacrifice and still achieve that goal.

About me: I work as the head Product Manager for large automotive tool company that makes its own and a lot of Matco's tools as well as Mac, Cornwell and Snap-On. I'm in charge of developing new tool designs and inventions and bringing them to market. My previous jobs included doing welding, milling, lathe work, designing camshaft grinds and working at a online retailer of mustang parts.

My previous mustangs:
96 GT with Stage 2 MMR heads, VT cams, built 4R70W
Coming from: 00 GT full 10-point cage, built engine, ported heads, custom blower cams, PD blower, T56, completely MM and Griggs suspension.


Pictars:

About the only appearance mod I've done outside the black badges is the carbon grill which looks pretty subtle on this car even with the matt stripes I added to match the center stripe, and has the added benefit of being a more direct air path being that I will be adding an oil cooler.

Only real picture I have with it on:

Other than that I've put on GT500 axle back and welded in 2.75" resonator deletes. About as loud as I want to go now that I'm no longer 18y/o. I will be welding in some 2.75" single bend sections to make the stock H pipe true 2.75 instead of stepping down to 2.25" for a short period as well.

 

[CobraRed]

Mods #4 thru 11ty billion will basically be brakes, cooling, suspension and tires. My last mustang gave me lots of smiles with power but I found over time it was what's under that car that really makes you appreciate driving.

1st mod after exhaust was to bleed some Motul 600 in. I also have a few bottles of unopened 660 from my last stang that I plan to use once I start HPDE.

Also got to test a new tool design we will be coming out with that allows one person to bleed brakes from the driver's seat, think an external speed bleeder that you can reuse instead of buying one for each caliper and leaving it on.

 

[CobraRed]

My first real stab at getting this thing headed towards the track was a decent set of coil-overs.
I've had a good relationship with KW suspension over the years and so i called them up. After talking about my goals and how I was originally not wanting to get too track focused and was looking at Koni's and a lower spring (like BMR SP065), they recommended I take a look at their ST XTA's (basically galvanized KW V2's) which I had been looking into already.

We talked a little about spring rates and my order was in. None in stock so they said they could drop ship from the Germany production facility in 4-6 weeks.

3.5 weeks later:

 

[Rabee]

Keep us updated...good luck

 

[Kobie]

What spring rates did you settle on?

 

[CobraRed]

I didn't go custom with it and am using the 400lb springs that come on the XTA's based on their recommendation (KW doesn't publish their rear progressive rates). I can always run more spring if I want to after hitting the track and deciding it's not enough spring, as this is a DD build afterall.

The no comprises part of that coin is this hubungaloid sway bar that just showed up yesterday:

BMR's 38mm. This means I can notch up to 3, 4 or even then 5th hole (going from soft to stiff) for the track simulating more spring somewhat, then bring the endlinks back to 1-2 on the street where there's less traction to take advantage of.

 

[CobraRed]

So the compromise I have for LCA's is BMR's TCA19's but instead of the 95 durometer somewhat grease intensive Poly bushings, I swapped in some elastomer bushings Kelly/BMR has been testing.
The nice deep knurling on the inside of the bushing I loaded with Amsoil synthetic grease as well as a thin rubbing around the rest of the bushing.

This will compliment the very non-compromising UCA route I will be going.

 

[CobraRed]

Since one of our factories already makes stainless hose, I had them send me 16' of some -10 braided hose for the oil cooler I plan on putting together after most of my suspension is handled.

I've read a lot about Moshimoto, Setrab and Derale coolers mostly on the SVTP Boss section's oil cooling thread and like the route i'll be going.

While Boss 302's have to deal with a lot more heat to begin with, it seemed like a lot of people were running their Setrabs in front/middle of their radiator. Whether it be 24 or 32 or more row coolers, no one was getting under 265-270 degree oil (not that this is a terrible place to be).

I decided to look for a extra wide short style cooler to place in a Boss/CS lower facia opening instead of in the middle radiator area where it would split air flow between the lower and grill openings. I think high pressure zones/air flow will make up for size.
Going with the Earl's Performance/Holley extra wide 81900 series

about 14" x 5 7/8" x 2" and American made
55,900 BTU's at 55mph which should get the job done.

For a plate I plan on running a Mocal sandwich with thermostat. No Moshimoto for me.

 

[BMR Tech]

Very cool! I really like build threads, and appreciate everyone for sharing everything - it truly helps the consumer and enthusiast.

Also, thanks for choosing some of our components to use in your build. We enjoy seeing our parts being put through real world abuse.

 

[csamsh]

What UCA are you using? BMR or Multimatic? Any other answer...hmmm....

 

[CobraRed]

What UCA are you using? BMR or Multimatic? Any other answer...hmmm....

As Kelly knows based on some orders and our discussions, this thread is just warming up as far as BMR parts go.

Going with the BMR spherical

 

[CobraRed]

I got some 80 mil GTMat for the rear seat wells and trunk as a way to sorta curb the extra axle vibrations that will want to be entering the cabin.

 

[csamsh]

As Kelly knows based on some orders and our discussions, this thread is just warming up as far as BMR parts go.

Going with the BMR spherical

cool. I used this part too...it was good.

On the axle bushing....I used spherical there too. It was LOUD, when combined with the Torsen T2R. It also worked GREAT. I haven't been in an S197 where the rear end of the car behaved as well as mine did.

That being said, if I were to build another one, I might put poly in the diff side bushing instead of a spherical

 

[Lucky_13]

Does your BMR bar have any side-to-side play? The inner bushing stop rings were way off on mine, and the bar never fit correctly.

 

[CobraRed]

Does your BMR bar have any side-to-side play? The inner bushing stop rings were way off on mine, and the bar never fit correctly.

Havent installed it yet because 1) my endlinks havent showed up and 2) its a bit much bar without my other suspension in and some decent tires.

But i'll let you know when I go to install it.

 

[BMR Tech]

Does your BMR bar have any side-to-side play? The inner bushing stop rings were way off on mine, and the bar never fit correctly.

Did you contact me about this? It is definitely possible for us to weld the rings improperly. I do not recall hearing any feedback about this, but if you have more info please email me with it. That is the best way to let us know something is off so we can fix it. Thanks

 

[LAStang1234]

Off to a great start! Keep it coming.

 

[CobraRed]

This should help:

For some reason I didn't think these were this big. SN95 habits I guess.

 

[claudermilk]

Damn that picture puts some scale on that part. I didn't think it was that big either. Massive, super-beefy part there.

 

[BMR Tech]

I hope OP doesn't mind, but here is a good idea. I am a decent sized dude too.



Of course, he is going with the UTCA033 set-up...so it won't look quite as ginormous. (pieces pictured are a custom 9" version we build for the Shelby S1000)