Fensport GT86R Race Project, Part 9 - 2020

 

You may think there's not much left to do with our GT86R, but there's always something to do! Over the winter of 2020 we changed the front end again.

Realising the handling benefits of reducing weight and lowering the centre of gravity we set about making the intercooler pipes from aluminium, changing the route to lower the pipes and have a smoother flow to the intercooler.

 

Also we relocated the accusump to the lower radiator support panel, the radiator itself was also re mounted to increase airflow, reduce drag and make room for the accusump.

 

With the front end now about as good as we could get it we turned our attention to increasing rear end grip by adding a set of  MCA Traction Mod brackets.

Of course with the onset of Covid delayed any opportunity to test the car as all events were cancelled until September.

September 20th - Javelin Sprint held at Croft Circuit.

Well it was well worth the wait!

Adrian says " It had been 10 months since I had driven the car and although I was nervous the very first lap brought back just how good this car is, the grip, the turn in, the power was amazing, BUT and it was a big BUT! the brakes were awful, I had to rely on the handbrake at the chicane just to slow the car enough and the brakes were on fire.
  With no spares there was little we could do except change the driving style, brake earlier and use the gearbox to slow the car. We later found that the brake pads had completely glazed over.

We continued and the rest of the car performed flawlessly. I managed to lead from the start and despite the brakes and a spin on run 4 managed to take the win.

 

10th October - Javelin Sprint at Cadwell Park

This one didn't go so well!

Adrian says " The weather was going to rule this day, it was very wet in the morning and I was quite shocked to be in 2nd place after the first run, but from run 2 I slipped down the leaderboard. It wasnt a worry at the time because we could see the dry weather coming. 
  After lunch we changed the tyres back to our normal Toyo 888R and was ready, but the track did not dry and I struggled even more, eventually ending up 7th.

13th December - Javelin Rally Sprint at Cadwell Park

Due to the Covid situation and lack of events we decided to try something different, a Rally Sprint which combines all your times throughout the day, and as an added twist the last 2 runs are held in darkness.

Adrian Says " I was really looking forward to this one, the combination of all times count, being allowed to use Michelin Wets and setting the car up for wet and slippery conditions and the massive challenge to compete against some formidable drivers and cars was a challenge like no other!

I knew form my past "Rally Experience" that the key here was going to be consistency as there were 10 second penalties for over track limits or touching any cones etc.

The first run showed that there was no way I would keep up with Phil Reed in his evo, he pulled 7 seconds over me, but I was in a safe 2nd place with a further 7s to third place Damien Bradley.

Run 2 and it all changed, Phil had a power steering failure and Damien suffered propshaft failure, this left me with a "comfortable" 16 second leead at halfway.

Runs 4,5 & 6 was really about being consistent, clean and tidy, with it getting dark this was a big challenge in itself. Check the video below and you'll see what it was like!

We did it though and I was amazed at how good the 86 was in those conditions, it was an amazing result against very stiff 4wd opposition.

A very proud result :)

 
What's it like to drive the GT86R in the dark at Cadwell Park? Check out the video below.

2020 Brief Specification

Engine -

• Cosworth prototype pistons & con rods.
• Kelford valve springs
• ARP head studs, mains and engine casing bolts
• Cosworth headgaskets
• 2017 Alloy intake manifold with Grams 72mm throttle

Turbocharger -

Avo stage 6 Custom Avo turbo kit - using the new Garret G25-660 turbocharger, modified Avo manifold for remote mounting of the Tiall 44mm waste-gate

Electronics -

All mapping by Adrian Smith using Ecutek and RaceROM features to control boost, fail safe water methanol injection and full throttle shift integrating Geartronics and Ecutek

• 4 Bar map sensor
• Geartronics gearbox ecu
• Tablet dashboard using Ecutek Pro Ecu

Cooling - 

• Electric water pump
• Mishimoto radiator
• Mishimoto low temp thermostat
• Samco hoses
• Blitz tube & fin intercooler
• Fensport custom oil cooler
• Racer X high capacity & baffled alloy sump
• Accusump

All radiators and intercoolers have carbon ducting

Fuel System -

• Avo large capacity fuel bucket and uprated pump
• Fensport custom -8 / -6 fuel lines
• 109 octane fuel

Transmission -

• Samsonas 6 speed sequential gearbox
• Xtreme 230mm twin plate clutch
• Fensport custom propshaft
• Standard 4.1 final drive
• Kaaz Super Q LSD
• Driveshaft shop uprated driveshafts

Brakes - 

• Cosworth / AP 355mm 6 piston front brakes
• Stoptech grooved rear discs & Stoptech pads

Body - 

• Custom cages FIA multipoint weld in cage
• Summit chassis braces
• Fensport custom lightened doors
• Perspex windows

Suspension - 

• BC Racing external reservoir coilovers
• Swave Camber Control Arms
• Swave Adjustable Toe Control Arms
• Swave uprated front wishbones with uprated bushes
• Swave roll centre adjusters & anti bump steer track rod ends
• Superpro Polyurethane Bush Kit

Exhaust -

Fensport custom 3" three silencer system with Blitz Nur Spec R rear silencer

Wheels & Tyres - 

• BC Racing forged monoblock RT53 alloys 10.5 x 18 front and rear
• Toyo R888R 295/30/18 front & rear

Aero -

• Fensport custom front splitter & wing gurneys
• Blitz wide arch body kit
• Blitz Aerospeed Sideskirts
• Fensport custom dual element carbon rear wing
• Fensport custom rear diffuser

(For full aero build please see Part 7 )

Note: The dyno report below is using the Avo stage 5 ball bearing turbo setup from 2017. We are making more power now but have not yet dyno'd the car.