omgpham…
12Sep/110

Goodbye Bob Maxell… =(

It's a very sad day for me. After putting my S15 up for sale on CarSales, it finally sold after three weeks. The new owner has taken Bob Maxell away and all I feel is sadness =(, I call it Bob Maxell because of the number plates 808 MXL!

Click through for wallpaper download.

Although I put a lot of work into my S15, I decided it was time to buy an RX-7 (Series 8 FD3S) and it would be just too irresponsible to own three cars. So the S15 had to go to make way for my future car. Being a rotary, I just know that I will be working/fixing it non-stop. Will make for some enjoyable blog posts =)

18Aug/110

Blits Bonnet Test Fitment

Long time since an update, but here are some photos of the Blits vented bonnet being test fitted.

Was a bit worried at first about how easy it'll fit, fortunately it was easy as and everything sat real nice.

9Aug/110

Beatrush Cooling Panel + New Semi Slicks

Not much of an update, but just picked up some new semi-slicks for the rear. They used to be Kumho KU36 which have lasted me 15000Kms, not too bad! This time around I decided to try the Federal 595 RS-R on the rear, will post impressions after the next track day.


Used up Kumho KU36 replaced with new Federal 595 RS-R semi-slicks.

I also ordered a Beatrush Radiator Cooling panel. Just like the Beatrush under-body panel I have, the build quality is amazing! Haven't installed it yet, but I took some test fitting photos to share. Fitment is perfect =)

Update - finished installing.



31Jul/110

Blits Vented Bonnet

About a month ago, I decided I'd like to experiment with the effects of a vented bonnet. After many hours of researching I decided to go with a Blits vented bonnet. I wanted something strong and street legal, this meant it had to be fibre glass instead of carbon fibre, rigidity was important so that bonnet pins weren't required.

Some theory of vented bonnets here:
http://omgpham.com/aerodynamics-of-engine-cooling-part-1
http://omgpham.com/aerodynamics-of-engine-cooling-part-2

Read more after the break...

30Jul/110

Sneak Peak

Just picked up my custom made Blits vented bonnet today. Build quality is very good, and it's Transport Department approved for road use.

Will test fit and get it painted when I get back from Sydney.

28Jul/110

She’s Back!!

For the past week I've been working hard on the S15 to try get it ready for a road trip down to WTAC in Sydney. Turned out I had a leaky head gasket so the head had to come off, was a scary and fun experience... Very glad it's all over now =)

Previous posts are below -
http://omgpham.com/engine-head-removal
http://omgpham.com/engine-head-assembly

In the last 24-hours I've driven 500kms and plan to bring that up to 600kms tonight. Everything looks good and there are no leaks. Once I finish my 600kms, the rocker cover and cam shafts are coming out so I can re-torque the head studs. Just a little extra work to ensure my head won't lift on high boost.

Took some extra photos while I was finishing up yesterday.


ALL DONE!!!!!!!!!!!

25Jul/110

Engine Head Assembly

So last couple of days I started to re-assemble my engine with some help from friends.  Not bad timing since I was due for my 5000km service anyway =)

Since I had to replace my gasket, I decided to spend a little extra and went with a Tomei 1.2mm head gasket and ARP head studs. A good upgrade because the factory gasket and head bolts don't like running high boost. So now I can run higher boost! Exciting for me.

Read more after the break...

21Jul/110

Engine Head Removal

As mentioned in the previous post, my S15 was performing like a champion at the track. Water temps stayed between 80-85°C the whole time and oil temps staying below 90°C. Couldn't have asked for a better result.

But tragedy struck after entering the pits and we lifted the bonnet... Roughly 750mL of coolant was pushed into the overflow bottle, which is very strange because the car never overheated. Even stranger was that the coolant in the overflow never sucked back into the radiator, we even left it to cool for about 60-90mins.

After some reading, testing and talking to a few workshops. We concluded that combustion gases were leaking into the cooling system when the car was on boost. This pressurised the cooling system and forced coolant passed the radiator cap and into the overflow bottle.

Initially I decided I would send it to a workshop to get my S15 repaired, but my mates Duy and Jess convinced me that I should do it myself at home (with help of course!). So below is the progress from today...


Intake and exhaust manifolds cleared from the head.


Front pipe had to removed so the exhaust manifold could be manuvered out, rocker cover off.


Cams, cam gear and rocker arms removed.


Most of the parts layed out.


Me fatty working on the engine.


Engine head finally off.


The engine head in all it's glory, heading to machine shop tomorrow.

19Jul/110

Some Testing at Lakeside

Last Sunday, I headed out to Lakeside Raceway with some friends for Happy Laps. These are great events as it only costs $20 and gives you 30mins of track time and a hot breakfast!

I took this opportunity to test out the cooling system in it's current state. So in the 30mins of laps, I was hard on the throttle and constantly on boost. Aim was to push the heat as high as possible =)

  • Water Temperature -  temps stayed between 81-85°C the whole time, the water reached 85 at the end of the main straight and the thermo fans kick on to drop it to 81°C by the next two corners.
  • Oil Temperature - temps initially were around 85°C but then peaked at 90°C and stayed there the whole time.

Pretty good results so far, especially when you consider the standard cooling system was reaching 95-96°C on the track at the last event.

Was an awesome morning, hope to get out again soon to test out the vented bonnet =)

15Jul/110

Thermostat Comparison

Over the last couple of weeks I've had the chance to test out three different thermostats in my S15, genuine and after-market. They all have pros and cons, all of it really depending on the cooling system as well as main use of the car.

The three thermostats I have tested are:

  • Nissan 76.5°C
  • Nismo 62.5°C
  • Tridon High Flow 76.5°C

Read more after the break...