Well, I finally got my car updated with a Blainefab rollbar and SFCs, and a Kirkey seat to boot! Also got the UE PHB lowering brackets installed. After I picked up the car, I then drove home from Alan's shop in Santa Cruz, CA to Chandler, AZ (742 miles by the route I took). I left his shop at 4pm and arrived at home at 2:45am, stopping only for gas twice. Gas mileage averaged in the mid-26 range. Some initial observations thus far:

1. Seat needs additional padding in the base. I had an additional seat cushion but it just wasn't enough, although road surfaces played a big part in transmitting vibrations as well. I updated the padding with some foam provided by Alan after getting home. Subsequent road test (5 min only) provided significant short-term improvement. I'll drive it for longer distance/time this week to see how the padding works.

2. UE PHB lowering bracket/AFCO 200# springs - was difficult to accurately evaluate this mod on the road trip since I had the car full of other stuff (luggage, OE driver's seat, grandmother's antique china). During the seat cushion upgrade drive, I got to take a couple of corners and immediately noticed an increased ability to apply throttle at the apex. Some of that may be the feeling of the Kirkey's stiffness, but the backend really wanted to get with the program more so than the prior configuration. I upgraded my spring rate from 150# to 200#, but still have the 21mm 1LE bar installed. I have a 25mm rear bar coming from Sam. I noticed no bottoming out loaded or unloaded, nor did the car feel "springy." I was curious if either of those issues were going to happen. So far, this mod makes the car feel like it's riding lower than it actually is. Interestingly enough, when Alan was installing the AFCO 200# springs we found the SSS 150# springs were 1" taller. Alan was going to make a spacer to compensate for the difference, but his spacer was based on using the older LT1 isolator, not the LS1 version. However, The LT1 isolator fit snugly inside the LS1 isolator and provided the desired ride height, so that's what we went with. I don't know if stacking the isolators will cause the springs to not react properly, but my initial moderate acceleration testing didn't create any odd reactions from the rear suspension.

3. Rollbar install is awesome. Main hoop is pinch-welded to the roof, which gives me some additional headroom. This is not a CMC-legal mod, but this won't be a CMC car. NO rattles, noises, nothing from the seat or rollbar. Very sanitary installation and the car feels better than just having the SLP bolt-in SFCs.

I'll post pics soon, however I still have lots of garage work, a sick dog, and relatives in town for a few days. (that and I'm still a bit wore out from the trip - I was used to the LA/Phoenix trip of close to 500 miles, but the extra 250 miles really was a bit much.) Am going to register for the Nov 11th AX event here at Firebird Raceway when online registration opens up. I still need a harness and to install the new sway bars (got a hollow 35mm front from Sam as well). Thanks to Alan, Jason, and Sam for all their help and products!! Let's go racing! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

What is is your front spring rate?

So you home for good?

Reg is open for the 11th. Also, there is a Porsche club event at Pinal Airpark the following day. If you've never been there before, Pinal is a small road course that's a little abbrassive but a blast to drive. It's about an hour south of FIR.

Hey Tom, interested?

Larry, I couldn't find the link on the website. I'll look again.

Tom, yes I'm here now. I don't start the new job until Nov 27th so I've got some time off for a little while.

Sean, I still have the 1LE front springs. I'm switching to GC coilovers with 550# springs soon though.

I'll probably do "TO" on the 11th AX.

The Pinal course looks interesting,

here you go rob

http://saz.pca.org/announcement_Pinal.htm

Do they welcome the mullet cars?
(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/burnout.gif)

This post has been edited by tom97ss: Oct 31 2006, 05:29 AM

A little? I think 8 runs on the course there took as much tires off my car as 90 minutes at Firebird.. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) Maybe i'll do the Nasa Event at Firebird instead. That weekend