Punknoodle's ST185

Punknoodle

New member
FC Zach":1bvodnm4 said:
Nice work on that bracket, looks good!
Thank you! It was actually a bit of a pain to get right, but after a test fit it looks like it will work nicely. I'll paint the compressor housing once it's been welded so the turbo will look a bit nicer.
 

Punknoodle

New member
Over the last week or so I've turned my attention on to the interior. I've stripped the sound deadening, it was a complete pain in the ass, but I'm happy now that it's done. I also removed all of the ventilation gear from behind the dash. This is made a LOT more room and removed a fair bit of weight. I'm going to re do the ECU connections and all of the wiring I've added for the water pump ecu and also remount the ECU in a more accessible location. I want it to look a little more presentable and easier to work on, and with no interior it makes it really easy to get at and loom nicely etc. I will be making the factory fuel pump wiring redundant. The new pump draws more current, and it's an important circuit so I'm going to run a dedicated feed directly from the battery which is in the boot anyway, via a fuse and relay, which will be controlled by the ECU as well as a manual override switch in case I need to run the pump manually for testing etc.

DSC_0258_zpsfmkqwodg.jpg


I'm also going to remake the battery bracket in the boot, and weld it directly to the floor, to simplify it and make it easier to work on. Previously it was bolted through the floor and so I needed to drop the tank if I ever needed to tighten the bolts. It's all about trying to simplify things. Once that's done, and the roll cage is done and welded in, I'll be painting the entire floor and cage. At the moment I'm thinking it will be Gunmetal Grey.

I sold my SSR wheels, too. I'm intending on getting some RPF1s, as they are more suited for track work and I can fit big brakes in behind them. Will be buying new tires, too. I'm thinking I'll go with the Federal semis again, but this time the RS-RR model, in a 235/40.

Also in among all the little jobs going on I dropped the rear sub frame. I wanted to do it anyway to make it easier to work on the fuel lines back there, plus it's a good time to get around to installing the XIII Motorsports solid diff bushes I have had sitting in my tool chest.

B2930ED6-8FDB-408B-A2BE-E41627F0A43A_zpskjoig6a0.jpg


The aluminium diff plate is installed using loctite. The old bushes were really easy to get out, I just used a little heat and pried them out. New ones installed using grease. I'm looking forward to seeing how this feels. I'm also going to drop the drive shaft and give the centre bearings a freshen up.

That brings us up to date.
 

Punknoodle

New member
Hi all, it's been a while since I last updated here. I've been making process, albeit fairly slow, but some interesting and cool stuff has been done since the last update.

Before I go on, you'll notice my old photos are all broken... You can blame stupid Photobucket for that! I've since started using Flickr but I haven't bothered to move over old photos and fix links...yet...

Anyway since the last update I installed the new Walbro 460L/hr pump in to the tank. I had to modify the bracket a little to make it fit, then get a little creative regarding how to support it in the tank but I think it works well.


The fuel lines at the rear of the car were swapped out with new Gates Barricade hose along with the low pressure ones at the front. For the high pressure lines up front I used Aeroflow 200 Series -6 Teflon braid. There is also a new Haltech flex fuel sensor in the mix as well as a fuel pressure sensor remote mounted via some -3 Teflon braid.


I'll be buying some new injectors to install immediately before it gets retuned on Ethanol, probably ID1050x's. Currently just have the old 740cc's in which will do until it goes on to E85.

When it came time to put the subframe back in with the new solid mounts, I decided I really didn't want to reuse my original toe arms with their horrible cam adjustment. Instead I designed some new arms and my friend Josh drew them up for me in CAD and organised to have them machined. I made the connection point on the subframe static by welding plates over the slots with just the round bolt hole in them.


The other components looked like this after being machined.


After welding the thread inserts to the existing tubes and giving them a bit of paint and a healthy dose of anti seize compound, they end up looking like this, complete with FK JMXL rod PTFE lined rod ends, installed.



There is enough adjustment on them to allow to be shorter than stock right up to longer than ST205 length. I bolted back the subframe and fitted new poly bushes to the inner LCAs and 4x new spherical bearings in the hubs for the arms. The trailing arms already had new poly bushes from last time I was working on the rear. Now every bush and mounting for the suspension in the car is new. The arms all bolted up beautifully, it's all really solid and the on car adjustment for the rear toe is really direct and simple, no more cam adjustment!


I've painted the floor and remounted the fire extinguisher so I can get to it whilst strapped in to my harness. I also tidied up my wiring in the passenger footwell and made a new bracket for the ECU, to make it more accessible. You can also see the new battery location. The wiring for the fuel pump is all new, direct from the battery via a new fused relay block.



The switches you can see are for, from left to right:
Electric Water Pump Manual
Thermo Fan Manual
Fuel Pump Manual
Datalog Enable

When the switches for the manual control are left off they just run automatically as per usual controlled by the ECU and EWP controller.

I have all the little random bits and pieces I need for the intercooler piping now, like weld on bosses for the temp sensor, weld on hose barb for idle air valve hose, couplings and clamps, new BOV with weld on V-Band fitting. I just need to get the aluminium pipework fabricated now.

I also snapped up a set of ST205 rear calipers. I'm not going to use them yet but they are good to have for later. I gave them a freshen up.


That's it for now :)
 

Punknoodle

New member
Since the last update:

Finished off the aluminium intake piping









I then made some ducting to suit the new intercooler









Then I focused on how the air leaves the coolers. I figured with the standard bonnet, the scoop forces air in to the engine bay which creates a high pressure zone, limiting air through the radiator. The Group A bonnet is good in this scenario as it has a vent rather than a scoop, but they are incredibly hard to find now days and they demand a premium, as do the carbon fibre versions by the tame you take postage to Australia in to consideration.

I decided to make my own vented bonnet. I sourced a clean (it was actually a brand new, unpainted bonnet) for an ST184. I then bought a universal fibreglass vent then set about attacking the bonnet with an angle grinder. Because I had to cut some of the main reinforcing for the bonnet, I decided I would also add some latches to the bonnet to ensure it stays put at high speed.





I then smoothed in where the vent met the bonnet using filler, and primered it up



I then painted it a metallic charcoal colour with clear coat and this is the result







To tie it in with the rest of the car, I've ordered some vinyl which is a pretty close match to my car's colour. I intend on doing 2 stripes down the bonnet, one wide and one thin, beside each other and running down offset to one side (think AMG GT3 Mercedes).

Pretty happy with the result, I think it will help with temps by being able to draw out the air from the radiator and remove some of the heat from the turbo/exhaust from the engine bay.

I've refitted the bumper etc now, next step is getting the car over to the fabricator to get the 4 point cage installed.
 

Punknoodle

New member
Since the last update the car has gone to the fabricator and had it's half cage built. Here are some photos from during the build:






And the finished result (after I painted it):



And the racing seat and harness installed:





I'm really happy with how it came out and how it feels now to be strapped in to the racing seat with a proper harness. I'm really looking forward to getting the car back on track and seeing how the extra rigidity feels. On that note, I've also ordered the new track wheels for the car - Enkei PF01 in 17x8 +35, and I intend on running the Nankang AR-1 semi slick on these in 235/40/17. Here is what the wheels look like:
 

CMS-GT4

Active member
Looking good. I like your air guide under the FMIC. I plan on doing something similar with the toe adjustment on the rear. I'll be cutting a set of 205 arms though, and adding threaded tubes to them.
 

Punknoodle

New member
Thanks, looking forward to seeing how well it actually helps with cooling when I do some testing.

With the rear arms, I just designed the thread to have adjustment to suit either the 185 or 205. Just adjust to suit.
 

Punknoodle

New member
So, it's been quite a while since I last posted here so things have moved on a fair bit and I don't really know where to start - here is a very brief rundown.

First thing I did after moving the battery and installing the cage was I replaced the battery with AGM due to it being in the cabin now. The wheels arrived, I got some Nankang AR1 235/40/17s mounted and waited on my new brakes to arrive.

The rear brake setup is a complete ST205 setup using new slotted rotors and Winmax W5 pads. The front setup consists of 2 piece 330mm x 32mm rotors with Wilwood 4 piston superlite calipers and Pagid RST3 pads.




I also decided that I hated my new wastegate bracket, so I removed the compressor housing again, made a little tab and then it got welded. I then bought a new wastegate actuator, made a new bracket and refitted it. It looks a LOT better.




Funnily enough though it's short lived as I've purchased a Precision 5858, yet to be fitted.

Then I went to work making a new front splitter for the car and here's how it turned out:





There's lots more little stuff, relocating oil lines, improving the ducting to the oil cooler etc, making the exhaust straight pipe (no muffler), but to keep it brief I'll cut straight to action shots at QR:



And finally a couple of onboard videos taken at Lakeside:
https://youtu.be/2oaHmpQIqMk
https://youtu.be/2GMv64X9HQk

Thanks for reading.
 

underscore

Well-known member
You've been doing a lot with the car, nice work! It's cool to see these cars still getting used for all sorts of things.
 

Bempa

New member
Excellent work, I really like it that you take yout time to finish everything of and paint it, that´s the kind of stuff that stands out from other builds. :notworthy:
 

FC Zach

Active member
Punknoodle":2qu7mr5p said:
I also decided that I hated my new wastegate bracket, so I removed the compressor housing again, made a little tab and then it got welded. I then bought a new wastegate actuator, made a new bracket and refitted it. It looks a LOT better.



I too got to where I couldn't stand my relocation bracket. . and it wasn't just the bracket, it was also the way the wastegate was secured to it. The bracket I bought required that I cut off half the wastegate's mounting bracket which left it with only one screw hole to secure it (I can only imagine it flexed and folded like a cheap lawn chair when under boost). I knew the best way was to relocate the mounting points on the housing, so I did just that. I had a fabricator cut the mounting points off the housing and weld them in the appropriate positions. My wastegate was obviously not reusable since I previously cut it up so I ordered a direct replacement aftermarket part to let the guy use to ensure proper fitment.
35081174993_89f3ab8d87.jpg


Punknoodle":2qu7mr5p said:
Funnily enough though it's short lived as I've purchased a Precision 5858, yet to be fitted.

For the longest time I've been wanting to install an EFR but part of me wants to keep it simple and have the stock turbo modded by ATS Racing. I like everything I've heard and read about the EFRs but I also like stock fitment :) I believe for a somewhat stock daily, a CT27 will do just fine.
 

Punknoodle

New member
FC Zach":1oonat7v said:
I too got to where I couldn't stand my relocation bracket. and it wasn't just the bracket, it was also the way the wastegate was secured to it. The bracket I bought required that I cut off half the wastegate's mounting bracket which left it with only one screw hole to secure it (I can only imagine it flexed and folded like a cheap lawn chair when under boost). I knew the best way was to relocate the mounting points on the housing, so I did just that. I had a fabricator cut the mounting points off the housing and weld them in the appropriate positions. My wastegate was obviously not reusable since I previously cut it up so I ordered a direct replacement aftermarket part to let the guy use to ensure proper fitment.
35081174993_89f3ab8d87.jpg


For the longest time I've been wanting to install an EFR but part of me wants to keep it simple and have the stock turbo modded by ATS Racing. I like everything I've heard and read about the EFRs but I also like stock fitment :) I believe for a somewhat stock daily, a CT27 will do just fine.
In all seriousness, I was running on the CT20B and it was fantastic. I'm only upgrading now as I got it for a good price and I need more power to be competitive at World Time Attack Challenge, which is a goal for next year.
 

FC Zach

Active member
Punknoodle":2mdirhmr said:
In all seriousness, I was running on the CT20B and it was fantastic. I'm only upgrading now as I got it for a good price and I need more power to be competitive at World Time Attack Challenge, which is a goal for next year.

Are you keeping the CT20B? If not, what would you sell it for? I'm sure the shipping cost is out of this world! weighing options. .
 

Punknoodle

New member
FC Zach":3alh9r09 said:
Punknoodle":3alh9r09 said:
Are you keeping the CT20B? If not, what would you sell it for? I'm sure the shipping cost is out of this world! weighing options. .
I'm sure I will end up selling it but I'll keep it for a while as a spare.
 

FC Zach

Active member
Punknoodle":6uf8v12y said:
I'm sure I will end up selling it but I'll keep it for a while as a spare.

Out of curiosity, is there that much more difference between a ceramic wheeled CT26 (which I have) and a CT20B? Or is a 20B better matched to a modified 26 (CT27)? . . or even better than the CT27?

From what I've read the ceramic wheeled 26 spools faster than the standard 26 but I don't know how it compares to the 20B. The figures for a 27 by ATS show 300rwhp so I wonder how it compares to that as well. .

Either way, none of that really matters at this point since I have a monstrous front mount (installed by previous owner that I never got around to replacing, but it looks nice though) that is better suited for a high horsepower app. so any turbo I'm looking at is gonna have to work for a few to build pressure until I get a better size for my set-up.
 

Punknoodle

New member
FC Zach":229o61st said:
Out of curiosity, is there that much more difference between a ceramic wheeled CT26 (which I have) and a CT20B? Or is a 20B better matched to a modified 26 (CT27)? . . or even better than the CT27?

From what I've read the ceramic wheeled 26 spools faster than the standard 26 but I don't know how it compares to the 20B. The figures for a 27 by ATS show 300rwhp so I wonder how it compares to that as well. .

Either way, none of that really matters at this point since I have a monstrous front mount (installed by previous owner that I never got around to replacing, but it looks nice though) that is better suited for a high horsepower app. so any turbo I'm looking at is gonna have to work for a few to build pressure until I get a better size for my set-up.

Not too sure regarding the different turbos. I was originally running a CT26 then switched to the CT20B (ceramic wheel). I did a heap of other upgrades at the same time including ECU so hard to say how much better it is by itself but it makes good power right to the redline where the CT26 fell over. Spool is excellent as you'd expect.

I limited myself to 19psi though with the CT20B due to the ceramic wheel.
 

Punknoodle

New member
So, I had a reasonably good day out at Morgan Park last month - the car had a couple of issues which I sorted, but it still put a bit of a dampener on things. On the plus side, the circuit is absolutely mega, I loved it and can't wait to go back there. I also got a few great photos from a photographer, which I'll post at the bottom of this post.

One of the issues I had on the day was the banjo bolt for the wastegate actuator came out. This caused the car to overboost, which the ECU controlled by cutting fuel, but it's definitely not a good thing. The idle also went quite lean and WOT is a little leaner than before. I decided that I'd just bite the bullet and proceed with the fitment of the Precision turbo. While I'm at it, I'm going over everything making sure it's ok, injectors have come out and are getting cleaned and tested, new fuel filter going on etc.

I disassembled the external wastegate then took the wastegate housing, manifold, dump pipe and wastegate pipe to Competition Coatings to get black ceramic coated, as they were plain stainless before. I need to try to control under bonnet temperatures as much as possible.

I've also sorted out all the plumbing I need for oil lines, wastegate lines etc. I'm going to use Speedflow braided teflon with AN fittings for the lot, from turbo to boost solenoid to wastegate. I don't want there to be a problem with a wastegate line again, so I think it's worth it. I'm also making my own oil return flange for the sump with a AN-10 weld on fitting to keep everything nice and tidy.

I've removed the old turbo and done some tidying in the bay. It's nice to be able to lose the big coolant hard line, the big oil line and drain for the turbo, the large turbo bracket and the big heavy cast manifold etc. I've also remounted the boost solenoid closer to the turbo. Once the new turbo goes in, everything is V-Band and the new lines are all flexible braid so it should look a lot tider.

So yes, shouldn't be too long now till the turbo is in and I can match up the exhaust and intercooler plumbing.

Finally, shots of Morgan Park as promised:
Skid Control Track Day by Nick Winsor, on Flickr
Skid Control Track Day by Nick Winsor, on Flickr
Skid Control Track Day by Nick Winsor, on Flickr
Skid Control Track Day by Nick Winsor, on Flickr
Skid Control Track Day by Nick Winsor, on Flickr
Skid Control Track Day by Nick Winsor, on Flickr
Skid Control Track Day by Nick Winsor, on Flickr
Skid Control Track Day by Nick Winsor, on Flickr
Skid Control Track Day by Nick Winsor, on Flickr
Skid Control Track Day by Nick Winsor, on Flickr
 

Punknoodle

New member
New turbo is installed and everything in the engine bay is complete, ready for tuning.

Changes are:
- Custom V Band manifold
- Turbosmart Hyper45 External Wastegate
- Precision 5858CEA Ball Bearing Turbo
- Custom dump
- New SPAL radiator fan
- Mishimoto non thermostat oil sandwich plate
- Speedflow braided teflon lines for wastegate plumbing and oil feed/drain

Looking forward to getting it tuned and seeing how it drives on track!



 
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