Fostek's R&D department

[Warrior]

Re: Fostek's R&D department

Me and John ( fossie's dad) were talking about this at a charity day recently. How many conversations we had both have with people about there lightweight new gucci bits and the driver weighed 20 stone

Haha brilliant

[FOSSIE]

Re: Fostek's R&D department

Well the car was out on track at Croft for the RSOC trackday back in June, successful day all round really, car performed very well and I'm pleased to say I think we've got the gearshift gremlins sorted out at last.

The performance took us all by surprise to be honest - keep in mind this is a rally car and shouldn't really be at home round a race circuit - but there's a video knocking about of it pulling away from a Time Attack Evo down the back straight!

The only potential show-stopper was being black flagged for being too noisey! I wasn't surprised, I always knew it was sailing a bit close to the wind in terms of noise, but I was very surprised by the solution! Taking the silencer off, I was expecting to find it empty - my experience of re-packable silencers would suggest that they tend to blow the packing out and need re-stuffing from time to time - but this one was packed solid! The scrutineer suggested taking some packing out, which we did (about 50%) and the result was something like 20dB quieter through the noise trap... I'd never have guessed that - learn something every day. Happy days though - it means we don't have to start adding more silencers...

Looking at the data logs I still think it's over-cooling, but I'm not sure what I'm going to do about that yet.

The new anti-roll bar made a big difference, felt much better on the longer bends, although a touch more understeer on the tigher bends, so I reckon the softer bar would be needed for a twistier track.

Couple of gremlins with the throttle system, but it looks like we've got to the bottom of that...

So the only changes before the next track session is a new steering column! The one in the car was just a butchered OE Escort column. I wasn't sure whether the car was going to need power-steering or not, so we decided to try it out without first, before spending any effort on a properly engineered one. Anyway for whatever reason, maybe the suspension geometry, or the fact it's only running little wheels, the steering is lovely and light even with 8" slicks on the front - so we decided EPAS wasn't needed and we knocked up a new inner-column purpose made for the job.

This new one is made from a single piece of EN24T, with the bottom end splined for the Escort knuckle, and the top end has the detail for the quick-release boss machined directly into the shaft rather than welding on a boss (which concerns me a bit) Nothing out of the ordinary, just neat, simple, strong and best of all - light









Next outing is Donnington park trackday sometime in August, to test the new throttle setup, some different brake pads and possibly some different tyres...

[boffer8]

Re: Fostek's R&D department

Excellent build and amazing to read. Love the Joystick gearshift and the exact weight saving that has gone on throughout.

[Fosworth]

Re: Fostek's R&D department

We've been busy perfecting all the systems on the car and today was yet another visit to the rolling but I hope the result will make you as happy as I am with it. I still am amazed at how slick the fly by wire throttle and gear changes are. Don't forget to turn up the volume.

https://www.facebook.com/100008348944534/videos/1751025835185698/

[Fosworth]

Re: Fostek's R&D department

I nearly forgot, it's a massive thanks to Damian at Daytuner ( rolling road in Harrogate ) and Steve Broughton at SBD Motorsport for their help with this amazing set up. Their service at all times has been outstanding and I think the result shows that.
We are out on track again at Croft on 25th September .. I am geeet excited and for an old chap like me thats proably a bit sad but what the hell.

[mexicotait]

Re: Fostek's R&D department

John do daytuner do carbs or just more modern stuff!

[Lmr025]

Re: Fostek's R&D department

Yes he does carbs Damian is spot on

[Fosworth]

Re: Fostek's R&D department

No Luke, he is a computer type wizzo.

[Fosworth]

Re: Fostek's R&D department

Sorry if I misjudged what Damian does. I've only seen him dealing with ECU type stuff.

[Tr7v8]

Re: Fostek's R&D department

Just read this whole blog, amazing build and really great attention to detail...mark

[Warrior]

Re: Fostek's R&D department

I nearly forgot, it's a massive thanks to Damian at Daytuner ( rolling road in Harrogate ) and Steve Broughton at SBD Motorsport for their help with this amazing set up. Their service at all times has been outstanding and I think the result shows that.
We are out on track again at Croft on 25th September .. I am geeet excited and for an old chap like me thats proably a bit sad but what the hell.

Any updates on the car?

[tracktoy]

Re: Fostek's R&D department

amazing thread, would love to see more

[cosworth4door]

Re: Fostek's R&D department

Would love to see an update on the car, have you considered having the steering columns made? I'd love one it's a bit more piece of mind than a welded one

[Fosworth]

Re: Fostek's R&D department

It is with a heavy heart that I can tell you all that Tom and I have decided to sell this Mk2 Escort. We no longer have the time to use the car and it is such a waste seeing it sitting doing nothing. It needs to be out competing and that means in tarmac rallies, Sprints, Hillclimbs or Circuit racing. It is so light and nimble that it it will shine in any of these. The advert is on MOTORSPORT AUCTIONS.

[GavinR]

Re: Fostek's R&D department

Sorry to see it up for sale, but understandable

Link to the advert
https://www.motorsportauctions.com/Mk2-Escort-Modern-Spec-SBD-Duratec