Track Day Ready & Accusump Installation
Discussion
I have just bought a 2002 Subaru WRX for TRack Day use. When visituing a recent track day a number of drivers advised that I should install an accusump as one of the first improvements - to look after the engine.
After taslking to various suppliers and technical people my plan is to install an 4 pint accusump,an eletric control valve (EPC) with connection to the oil system via a snadwitch plate fitted on the oil filter. Seems a simple installation. My question is:
-The EPC I believe I require operates in the 20-25psi range - does this seem correct? Subaru manual quoates oil pressure at 5000rpm as 43pis.
Separately to get track ready I am planning to do/have done: change all discs and pads; fit accusump; replace timing belt and velt belt; removed air con system; install roll cage; install 4 point belts; and move battery to boot to create some room under hood. I know there is stacks that can be done - but what does this look like as a priority list.
Cheers
After taslking to various suppliers and technical people my plan is to install an 4 pint accusump,an eletric control valve (EPC) with connection to the oil system via a snadwitch plate fitted on the oil filter. Seems a simple installation. My question is:
-The EPC I believe I require operates in the 20-25psi range - does this seem correct? Subaru manual quoates oil pressure at 5000rpm as 43pis.
Separately to get track ready I am planning to do/have done: change all discs and pads; fit accusump; replace timing belt and velt belt; removed air con system; install roll cage; install 4 point belts; and move battery to boot to create some room under hood. I know there is stacks that can be done - but what does this look like as a priority list.
Cheers
First on your list should always be brakes, handling and weight loss.
Once you have it as light as it can be, stopping on a dime, and then going around corners like it's on rails, then you'll need to look at engine mods because if it's handling that well, and with the addition of decent tyres, you'll certainly get some oil surge on a standard or modified engine.
So many people do it the other way around first.
I suppose it depends on just how serious you want to get. I would start with a 19row oil cooler, baffled sump, and Cosworth baffle plate which is within most peoples budget. You'll need to modify the oil pickup pipe a bit as they have been known to foul on the baffle plate and crack.
If you want to be really serious go dry sump like the pro's. I suppose it ultimately depends on how deep your pockets are.
If you're taking a bog standard engined/unmapped WRX and tracking it, so long as the car doesn't stand you in at too much dosh i would have some fun in it as it is, until something breaks or the engine goes pop, and then spend spend spend!!
Once you have it as light as it can be, stopping on a dime, and then going around corners like it's on rails, then you'll need to look at engine mods because if it's handling that well, and with the addition of decent tyres, you'll certainly get some oil surge on a standard or modified engine.
So many people do it the other way around first.
I suppose it depends on just how serious you want to get. I would start with a 19row oil cooler, baffled sump, and Cosworth baffle plate which is within most peoples budget. You'll need to modify the oil pickup pipe a bit as they have been known to foul on the baffle plate and crack.
If you want to be really serious go dry sump like the pro's. I suppose it ultimately depends on how deep your pockets are.
If you're taking a bog standard engined/unmapped WRX and tracking it, so long as the car doesn't stand you in at too much dosh i would have some fun in it as it is, until something breaks or the engine goes pop, and then spend spend spend!!
I'd upgrade the suspension with an uprated anti roll bar as a minimum too, reduces understeer and will make it more controllable/fun on track imo.
For brakes I would seriously consider uprating to the Brembo's off an STI and a set of wheels to fit over. They're not cheap (£600-£800 usually) but you can sell them on if you sell the car in the future. Most WRX owners who track their car end up with larger discs and callipers after trying numerous uprated disc/pad combinations. If budget is tight, you can space out the exisiting callipers with a kit from Godspeed http://www.godspeedbrakes.co.uk/~godspeed/product.... £550 with new discs and pads.
I wouldn't worry about baffled sumps or dry sump arrangements unless you modify the suspension further and/or fit semi slick tyres, just keep it up to level and should be fine, plenty of cars being tracked without.
If it is to be a true track car you can strip out all in the interior but personally I probably wouldn't bother.
A fruity exhaust will add to the experience but be careful on noise as you must stay within the sound limit for your choice of track.
Finally, book some tuition possibly, might give you some pointers to focus on and further increase your enjoyment.
Just my 2p worth!
For brakes I would seriously consider uprating to the Brembo's off an STI and a set of wheels to fit over. They're not cheap (£600-£800 usually) but you can sell them on if you sell the car in the future. Most WRX owners who track their car end up with larger discs and callipers after trying numerous uprated disc/pad combinations. If budget is tight, you can space out the exisiting callipers with a kit from Godspeed http://www.godspeedbrakes.co.uk/~godspeed/product.... £550 with new discs and pads.
I wouldn't worry about baffled sumps or dry sump arrangements unless you modify the suspension further and/or fit semi slick tyres, just keep it up to level and should be fine, plenty of cars being tracked without.
If it is to be a true track car you can strip out all in the interior but personally I probably wouldn't bother.
A fruity exhaust will add to the experience but be careful on noise as you must stay within the sound limit for your choice of track.
Finally, book some tuition possibly, might give you some pointers to focus on and further increase your enjoyment.
Just my 2p worth!
Tein coilovers on my car do well. They are too harsh for a daily, but for an occasional and track car they are spot on and not silly money.
My exhaust setup (see garage) is 96db static, not sure what it is on a drive by test.
Odly I am yet to change the ARB's on my car (I have been meaning to for ages).
My exhaust setup (see garage) is 96db static, not sure what it is on a drive by test.
Odly I am yet to change the ARB's on my car (I have been meaning to for ages).
(Would you be the chap I was talking to at Blyton on 29th December? If so, hello again. I was the one with the blue car in the hangar and I was working on the brakes).
In answer to your question, I haven't seen any rating on the solenoid valves I have dealt with. Crudely speaking, they will allow oil to pass in one direction all the time, meaning you have to install it the correct way round. Mine is currently holding back an Accusump charge pressure of about 110PSI and it has been for about two weeks, so when you switch the electric supply off to them they really do work. If you are buying one of the complete kits from the likes of Merlin Motorsport, the solenoid valve included will be exactly right for your needs.
In terms of piping it in to your engine, you can go with a sandwich plate or alternatively you can connect straight to the oil pump cover, which is the way mine is piped. I prefer this method because I'm not a lover of the sandwich plates and connecting direct to the oil pump cover seems the better option.
In terms of the order to do things, you very much have to pay your money and take your choice. That said, I did blow my engine to bits within six sessions at Croft, first time out. STI RA, road rubber, standard brakes and suspension. It really is that easy and that is why the likes of my car and a lot of the race Impreza's you see are fitted with an oil accumulator. In terms of oil cooling, there are loads of kits out there and many of them are complete tat. Mine is still fitted with a standard Modine oil cooler and I'm not seeing excessive oil temps even when we are pushing on a bit. I agree that baffling the sump can be a good move and mine is, but to be honest the cost of going dry sump is really quite steep when considered against the other options that afford you the protection you need.
Good luck with the build!
In answer to your question, I haven't seen any rating on the solenoid valves I have dealt with. Crudely speaking, they will allow oil to pass in one direction all the time, meaning you have to install it the correct way round. Mine is currently holding back an Accusump charge pressure of about 110PSI and it has been for about two weeks, so when you switch the electric supply off to them they really do work. If you are buying one of the complete kits from the likes of Merlin Motorsport, the solenoid valve included will be exactly right for your needs.
In terms of piping it in to your engine, you can go with a sandwich plate or alternatively you can connect straight to the oil pump cover, which is the way mine is piped. I prefer this method because I'm not a lover of the sandwich plates and connecting direct to the oil pump cover seems the better option.
In terms of the order to do things, you very much have to pay your money and take your choice. That said, I did blow my engine to bits within six sessions at Croft, first time out. STI RA, road rubber, standard brakes and suspension. It really is that easy and that is why the likes of my car and a lot of the race Impreza's you see are fitted with an oil accumulator. In terms of oil cooling, there are loads of kits out there and many of them are complete tat. Mine is still fitted with a standard Modine oil cooler and I'm not seeing excessive oil temps even when we are pushing on a bit. I agree that baffling the sump can be a good move and mine is, but to be honest the cost of going dry sump is really quite steep when considered against the other options that afford you the protection you need.
Good luck with the build!
Yep it's me, thanks for your advise. Just been fitting the accusump this last week end. Already done all new brake pads and discs and timing belt and v belt. Once accusump is piped then just roll cage and ready to test her out. Hopefully in next 2 weeks.
Hopefully see you at the track some time soon.
Cheers
Nigel
Hopefully see you at the track some time soon.
Cheers
Nigel
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