85 resuscitation

[SVOeric]

you can't replace just the diaphragm on most external waste-gates. You have to replace the entire actuator. OR, if you're like me, you replace the entire turbo, with a bigger turbo...and a new waste-gate actuator

[whoyacallem]

Thanks Eric, I was able to get a replacement that I made work. It now holds 15psi at WOT which it wasn't before. I think it's finally ready for a check up. This guy by us says he has done a bunch of work on turbo coupes and SVOs in the past so I hope to set up an appointment soon.
I finally convinced my youngest daughter to drive it. I'm pretty sure she likes it better than the 89 GT...

[SVOeric]

A word of caution---
MANY of these cars are wrecked because younger drivers are not 'ready' for the way the turbo 'hits' when it comes in, especially on wet roads..

[whoyacallem]

We had that conversation a few times! How far it sunk in is up for debate... She's pretty careful but I was young once a long time ago.

[whoyacallem]

It took all year but I was finally able to get to an auto cross last Saturday NIGHT which was the last one for the year. By night I mean no track lights, just the car headlights.It was pretty interesting and not always easy to see the cones but still a lot of fun. It also got pretty cold, 45ish deg for the last 2 runs and I got to experience the difference between warm and cold tires.

Other than my care deciding to blow a ton of blue smoke on the first two runs for some reason, which I hadn't seen at all before, the car ran good on the 1.5 hr drive up and back. Pretty happy and looking forward to doing more events next year.

[whoyacallem]

Loooong time between posts! I did my first track day at road america with the SVO Saturday. It was super fun and the car was a blast! Wasn't the weekend I was hoping for though. I missed 2 thirty minute sessions because my instructor noticed the seatbelt on his side didn't lock when he pulled it out. Neither did mine and not knowing that's not how it is supposed to work I didn't know or was a problem. So I drove 2+ hours home and planned to pull them out of my 89 GT, same thing! Ok, check my 65 fastback I put 3 point belts in and they worked. Swapped out the driver's side and back on the way. Made it for 2 laps of the 3rs session that had started at 3 and it was crazy! Road America has so much elevation and blind corners, plus everyone else in the track had a couple sessions in already! Last session was much better, started to figure it out and was hanging with a couple cars when the car lost power. The tube for the bypass valve came off the intercooler, ugh. Quick put it back on, tightened it up, back on track and about a lap later it popped off again. End of session, big grins and a to do list.
I was for sure the only 80s car there and I think the SVO got more smiles and thumbs up than any other car going through the pits mer a guy that used to race one way back and many people with stories about how they lusted after one back in the day. Now most of them have new GT 350s....

[Bruce]

RA is an interesting place for sure! Glad you've got it up and running.

[svono50]

Sounds like you had a good time. I ran RA back in 2012, but it was raining cats/dogs and ~52 deg (see SVOCA front page for me cresting the hill on the front stretch), so a true pucker ride trying to tip-toe around the course on the 'very wet' line.

Inertia locks typically get gummed up over time and only need a cleaning to return to working condition, not too uncommon. Now you got me thinking to check mine, as it has been too long. At least on track I have my Schroth Rallye-4 units to keep me firmly planted in the seat.

I typically get similar reactions with my 86 at track days. One guy last year had always wanted to own one, but has relegated himself to a '22 911 GT3RS...my heart really bleed for him (ack!!). Nice guy in any case, but he wouldn't trade rides for a session for some reason...maybe next time (ha,ha).

[whoyacallem]

It was a lot of fun, would definitely like to get back again. The guy that told me I shouldn't run said seat belts do get old and should be replaced. I haven't really heard that but it makes sense.

Those new GT350's and vette's and stuff can really freaking rip! It was crazy how fast they could just disappear.

Coming out of turn 5, up the hill to that blind left hander the first few times was interesting.

Hopefully back to auto crossing again soon, I did the first one of the season here at Ho-Chunk casino in the rain and mid to low 40 deg temps. That was interesting too.

[MIKESVO]

Sounds like you had fun Ryan. I ran super bikes there back in the late 80s. Love that track.

[svono50]

It was a lot of fun, would definitely like to get back again. The guy that told me I shouldn't run said seat belts do get old and should be replaced. I haven't really heard that but it makes sense.

Those new GT350's and vette's and stuff can really freaking rip! It was crazy how fast they could just disappear.

Coming out of turn 5, up the hill to that blind left hander the first few times was interesting.

Hopefully back to auto crossing again soon, I did the first one of the season here at Ho-Chunk casino in the rain and mid to low 40 deg temps. That was interesting too.

It is just nuts how new cars can just run away from our technology, that is for sure. I run 3:05's on the Autobahn CC full course (3.56 miles) and I rode along in a race prepped S550 Mustang once. The guy was literally a horrible driver...missing apexes, way early braking points, etc...but he still easily clocked a 2:36 on one particular lap...sheesh!

You need to set your line up for turn 6 BEFORE you are under the bridge, otherwise you will be in a world of hurt...especially in the rain!! My instructor was all over that one as one of the most critical corners not to make a mistake at. Kind of like turn 4 on the Barber Motorsports track, as you blind crest the hill at the apex of the turn...wahoo at full tilt!

[whoyacallem]

More time on that track would be awesome! Turn 6 was quite interesting a couple times. On a big track I don't think an SVO has much of a chance against anything with 500+ horsepower. That didn't bother me much, at this point I am the weak link, not the car. Autocross is a bit less dependent on horsepower and at the 2 events I have done so far I had faster times than my buddy with a 2014 mustang who told me I would NEVER beat him....

[Bruce]

What kind of top speed did you see at RA?

[whoyacallem]

I forgot to start my digi hud but my daughter saw 113 mph in life 360. My speedo is accurate up to 40 ish mph then gets whack. 70=83, 85=103... Turn 1 was a bit scary if nobody was in front of me to give me an idea of when to brake.

[Bruce]

Learning to use braking markers along trackside is something I never got enough experience with. Track days are great fun but in the end I didn't have the money to do it regularly.