Lola - Ke55 4a-gze

[ancullen]

To my knowledge it can only be the Dorian. After reading some information about the Dorian, it would appear that wires have been laid in the track for more accurate timing, and the whole timing system is a Dorian thing. So I would assume that only Dorian brand devices will work. One of the options I'm considering is using the Starlet for the lapsprinting and motorkhana championships this year. The track times wouldn't be quick, but I think I'd be more consistant (and more reliable) than the Corolla. This would mean that I'd have a shot at the title in each championship, which I feel would provide me with a stronger chance of gaining sponsorship. One of the businesses I'm thinking of petitioning has apparently already offered sponsorship to someone for the Rejex Rally, but the person who received the offer didn't have a car ready in time. If I go to this business owner (who I have met before, but don't really know) and show him my first place trophies from the last two years, then he might be keen enough to pay for a Dorian for me. Any other mods (should I decide to bother with any, which I doubt I would), would come from my own pocket.

[ancullen]

Just so everyone knows, I am still here, but I haven't done anything to my car. I have not taken it racing in quite a while, and am trying to decide what to do. I have recently acquired a fairly neat 1983 AE71 sedan. I'm pretty certain I can get it registered, and as it shares so many front suspension parts with the AE86, it is looking really good. So I'm thinking about swapping the 4A-GZE into that vehicle. The AE71 isn't nearly as pretty as the KE55, but I like the better factory rear suspension setup, as it seems a better starting point. We'll see what happens.

 

Due to my crappy performance in a recent motorkhana, I'm going to use Lola at the next motorkhana event. I'm not expecting to win, I just want to learn some better RWD car control and have some tail happy fun in the process. I've got some nearly bald tyres on a pair of 13x7's (zero offset), so I'll chuck them on the back of the car and see how long they last (not long :wub:).

 

I'm still researching parts for the engine and suspension. I'm mainly concentrating on AE71 suspension as there's a far greater availability of parts (thanks to the AE86), but that's not to say I'm not looking at KE55 parts too. I may still stick with the KE55 as extra linkages can be added to the rear to prevent excess movement, and so the only difference would be leafs vs. coils. And I'm not that fussed about that.

 

As for the engine, I've recently been thinking about SC14 superchargers. Then yesterday I was doing some research and found some discussion about the Twinscrew supercharger. For about $3,000 I could buy a kit that is meant to make about 200rwkw with this new supercharger. I don't like that idea. :jamie: Sure it's great power, but the guy who's built the kit has been through a few of these blowers as they are quite fragile, plus for $3,000 I could go turbo and make a bit more power than that. Instead I got thinking about Eaton superchargers. Specifically the Eaton M90 as used on the Commodore V6. Now some of you may baulk at this idea, but just look at the comparison below:

 

SUPERCHARGER: SC12 SC14 M90

VOLUME: 1.2L 1.42L 1.474L

MAXIMUM RPM: 11,000 11,000 (estimated) 12,000

VOLUME/MINUTE: 13,200L 15,620L 17,688L

 

As you can see, the M90 can easily out perform the SC14, and if the rumours are true that it can actually be spun to 14,000rpm, then it's volume/minute rises to over 20,000L, equalling VERY high boost pressures for a 1.6L engine. To further show how well this might work out, with a standard 98mm supercharger pulley (as used on the Commodore V6) and a standard 4A-GZE 150mm crank pulley, the supercharger will spin at almost 1.5 times crank speed. Therefore at 7,500rpm the supercharger will be doing 11,500rpm, which is just about perfect. Any further SC speed can be gained by making the engine rev harder, which I was already planning on doing.

 

Stay tuned for further developments - I've posted off an email to CAPA Superchargers to try and get more info on the M90 and it's suitability.

[ancullen]

On Sunday I went to watch the racing at Hidden Valley. My good friend Anthony bought a Honda S2000 the other week, so he had that down there in the Streetcar Shootout (a newly introduced lapsprint championship). His best time in his LC Torana was a 1min33 (according to him, 1min35 according to the times recorded on the internet) - the S2000 did a 1min31.4 in the first race. So the bar has been lifted rather significantly. This has revitalised my interest in getting back on the racetrack.

 

Now I realise that my Corolla isn't going to go from a 1min35 lap time to a 1min31 in a hurry, but I have a plan to get it there. Step one is I want to get ny current vibration issues sorted. I'm not sure if they're suspension, brake, or bearing related, so finding the cause is the first issue. If it turns out to be the brakes, it's not much of an issue as I'll be installing the RX7 calipers (probably with Mini Cooper S rotors) as well as a new master cylinder to overcome a lack of braking. I think it's more likely to be a suspension issue, so I'll take it to a workshop to get it tested and fixed. I may as well get the rear suspension lowered at the same time. With these modifications (improved braking and lowered suspension) as well as installing the Whiteline rear swaybar I've got sitting next to the car, I would hope to see my lap time drop into the 1min33's.

 

To go the extra two seconds, I could go for more engine power, but I don't want to. There is an AE71 with Commodore struts that has done a 1min32.6159 lap time, and it's only meant to have about 78rwkw. It sits REALLY high and bodyrolls rather massively, but it does have the advantage of Yokohama Advan semi-slick tyres. If I had semi-slick tyres, with the suspension and brake setup mentioned, with my current standard 87rwkw, I feel I could do a 1min31. However, as I also don't want to buy semi-slicks at this stage, I think I'll be limited to a 1min33.

 

So, to do a 1min31, I will use the AE71 that I will work on on the side. I want to prepare the shell, then I will install coilovers all around, along with various braces and swaybars. When that is all ready, I'll swap the 4A-GZE into it, and with the far improved suspension setup of the AE71 (better basics along with better aftermarket improvements compared to the KE55), I feel that 1min31's are within reach. Some of you may disagree that the AE71 will offer that much of an improvement, but I do have some significant suspension upgrades planned for it as well as the coilovers.

 

The ultimate aim for the AE71 will be to beat the current Improved Production car lap record of 1min19. This record was set by an RX3, and apparently the most powerful rotary racing at Hidden Valley has just under 200rwkw. Either by a turbo or a bigger supercharger (and I prefer the latter option), I WILL surpass 200rwkw, and at some point I will be upgrading the gearbox and diff to match this output. As I'm hoping to do a 1min31 on street tyres and with only 87rwkw, I think that a 1min28 isn't out of the question on semi-slicks, and the extra 9-10 seconds will come with the significant power gains and suspension fine tuning to match.

 

Of course, the only way to test these theories is to attempt them. Money will slow this progress, but given time I will eventually get the car to where I want it. When I feel that I've reached the vehicles limits through the above modifications - whether I manage to beat 1min19 or not, I will then look at another project, with a larger engine capacity and much more power. Currently a V6/V8 Corona is really appealling, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

[Raven]

Boo.....stick with the KE55E and embarrass the faster owners by getting that sorted to handle well and get the power down easily.

[Trev]

Boo.....stick with the KE55E and embarrass the faster owners by getting that sorted to handle well and get the power down easily.

 

The ultimate aim for the AE71 will be to beat the current Improved Production car lap record of 1min19.

 

You can't get away with improved production if you run a 4AGZE in a KE55, Unless road is different to dirt.

Edited April 30, 2007 by Trev

[ancullen]

I'm not actually going to have the car entered in Improved Production. It will be going in the Streetcar Shootout, the only rules for which are to comply with basic safety stuff like working seat belts, tail lights, no leaks, etc. You can have the 4A-GZE in an Improved Production Corolla, but you need to run a restrictor as no Australian market model came with that engine. I think 300-340hp is a reasonable target for a restricted forced induction 4A-GE based motor - it'd definitely be possible with a turbo, and with the right supercharger it could be done too.

[Des]

On Sunday I went to watch the racing at Hidden Valley. My good friend Anthony bought a Honda S2000 the other week, so he had that down there in the Streetcar Shootout (a newly introduced lapsprint championship). His best time in his LC Torana was a 1min33 (according to him, 1min35 according to the times recorded on the internet) - the S2000 did a 1min31.4 in the first race. So the bar has been lifted rather significantly. This has revitalised my interest in getting back on the racetrack.

 

Now I realise that my Corolla isn't going to go from a 1min35 lap time to a 1min31 in a hurry, but I have a plan to get it there. Step one is I want to get ny current vibration issues sorted. I'm not sure if they're suspension, brake, or bearing related, so finding the cause is the first issue. If it turns out to be the brakes, it's not much of an issue as I'll be installing the RX7 calipers (probably with Mini Cooper S rotors) as well as a new master cylinder to overcome a lack of braking. I think it's more likely to be a suspension issue, so I'll take it to a workshop to get it tested and fixed. I may as well get the rear suspension lowered at the same time. With these modifications (improved braking and lowered suspension) as well as installing the Whiteline rear swaybar I've got sitting next to the car, I would hope to see my lap time drop into the 1min33's.

 

To go the extra two seconds, I could go for more engine power, but I don't want to. There is an AE71 with Commodore struts that has done a 1min32.6159 lap time, and it's only meant to have about 78rwkw. It sits REALLY high and bodyrolls rather massively, but it does have the advantage of Yokohama Advan semi-slick tyres. If I had semi-slick tyres, with the suspension and brake setup mentioned, with my current standard 87rwkw, I feel I could do a 1min31. However, as I also don't want to buy semi-slicks at this stage, I think I'll be limited to a 1min33.

 

So, to do a 1min31, I will use the AE71 that I will work on on the side. I want to prepare the shell, then I will install coilovers all around, along with various braces and swaybars. When that is all ready, I'll swap the 4A-GZE into it, and with the far improved suspension setup of the AE71 (better basics along with better aftermarket improvements compared to the KE55), I feel that 1min31's are within reach. Some of you may disagree that the AE71 will offer that much of an improvement, but I do have some significant suspension upgrades planned for it as well as the coilovers.

 

The ultimate aim for the AE71 will be to beat the current Improved Production car lap record of 1min19. This record was set by an RX3, and apparently the most powerful rotary racing at Hidden Valley has just under 200rwkw. Either by a turbo or a bigger supercharger (and I prefer the latter option), I WILL surpass 200rwkw, and at some point I will be upgrading the gearbox and diff to match this output. As I'm hoping to do a 1min31 on street tyres and with only 87rwkw, I think that a 1min28 isn't out of the question on semi-slicks, and the extra 9-10 seconds will come with the significant power gains and suspension fine tuning to match.

 

Of course, the only way to test these theories is to attempt them. Money will slow this progress, but given time I will eventually get the car to where I want it. When I feel that I've reached the vehicles limits through the above modifications - whether I manage to beat 1min19 or not, I will then look at another project, with a larger engine capacity and much more power. Currently a V6/V8 Corona is really appealling, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

What model Corona are you thinking ?

[ancullen]

:sob: You copied ALL of that post just to ask about the last sentence. :yes:

 

I'm boring, so I'd just go for an ST141/RT142. They're common as muck, which would make parts sourcing easier, but would also serve to make a REALLY good sleeper. :)

[love ke70]

why are you so afraid of turbos?

for a race car they are a much more sensible, and not much dearer (if at all) option.

i firmly endorse turbo on a racecar :)

[ancullen]

Turbo = lag. The whole point of having a lighter car is to get better corner speed. Hence I want maximum instant power as soon as I start pressing the throttle. To get the sort of power I want I'd be looking at a significant lag factor which I want to avoid. Plus I want to do something a bit different without being too extreme or complicated, eg twincharging. I do like the feeling turbo's give, and I definitely don't like the power superchargers require to spin them, but most of all I hate the way turbos DESTROY engine notes. There are very few truly cool sounding turbo cars.

[Raven]

can't twin-charge it? :)

[ancullen]

Twin charging always seems to cause issues with tuning. I don't know why this is the case, but it is. And really the only reason for HKS choosing to twin charge was to keep the SC12 so there was boost down low, and get top end from a reasonably sized turbo. A dirty great supercharger like the M90 will do both, the only issue with it will be how much power it will drain from the motor, but I'd estimate it to be a maximum (and this is over compensating somewhat) of 80hp. The SC12 drains about 30-40hp by my estimates, and I'm certain the Eaton blowers are more efficient to run.

[ancullen]

According to Harrop Engineering - the official local supplier of Eaton Superchargers (CAPA never responded to my email), the M90 supplied on the Commodore was the 3rd generation of Eaton supercharger. They're now about to release the sixth generation (the new four lobe design - apparently more efficient). The Commodore M90 is only good for about 12psi of boost - it can be spun faster but it becomes far less efficient and makes the air a LOT hotter. I'm still tempted to try it out, but would want a really good intercooler before I would.

 

I am curious though, as I was under the impression that Eaton superchargers created boosted air externally to the actual supercharger. Therefore all the supercharger does is push air into a chamber, and the more air that goes into the chamber, the greater the compression achieved. Therefore if you've got a chamber volume of one litre, with a supercharger volume of 1500cc (1.5L), assuming the chamber is being emptied at the same rate as the supercharger is pushing air through, then the air would be compressed to one and a half atmospheres (or there abouts), that equalling 1.5bar or 21psi (close enough).

 

Therefore to get greater boost you simply need to create the smallest volume plenum chamber you can whilst still ensuring that the engine is getting enough air in each induction stroke. Anyone know more about the subject and like to comment?

[ancullen]

Also looking for an automatic ST141 Corona Avante diff for the AE71 - LSD, disc brakes, stronger, about 40mm extra width - should be good.

[Des]

I don't think the st141 ever had disc brakes on the rear, Rt142 did though and the IRS models had a LSD aswell, I think the IRS models are a F series. I think its Ra65 or Ra6X something that has a very similer IRS F series aswell.