First highway drive - check.
First autocross - check.
The highway drive is notable because the soft top has multiple holes in it and I was worried it might come apart. And also one of the latches doesn't like to stay latched at first, but I think I figured out if I put the top up at least 15 minutes before a trip and re-seat the latch as often as it needs it in that time, it'll hold from then on. Fixing the latches (the other one squeaks like an annoying squeaky thing over bumps) is on the very long list of improvements...
After the event I heard a light knocking sound at idle. First thought is the beginnings of a bottom end bearing failure. The car wasn't run low on oil (it consumes some but I kept it at at least halfway up on the dipstick) but the engine has unknown mileage from an unknown Celica, so who knows. The knock/tap is rhythmic and only at idle - any other engine speed it's gone. I can't really hear it from the top, and it's loudest when I poke my head down to the ground behind the doors. That sure seems like rod knock indicators, but the fact it's only at one specific engine speed is a little confusing, makes me think maybe something big is rattling down there at that specific engine speed harmonic. Maybe a clutch spring is broken? The clutch felt a little heavier on the drive home, felt like there was more friction in the pedal, but not so heavy that it's obvious something is wrong.
I think the plan is to get under the car now that it's cool and see if anything heavy and external could be rattling down there. And then do a used oil analysis, which I'm guessing would tell me if I have a bearing issue or not. It's not a deep knock, it sounds more like a lifter tick but the sound is definitely not up high at the valve cover.
Anyway, the autox was fun, this car is a liiiiittttle better than the 328i at it.The Spyder still needs a lot of setup changes to get good, but that old familiar MR feeling is there. The rear sway bar is too big for this setup, so there's plenty of over-rotation on entry and then inside wheelspin on exit. The car came with some sort of Federal tire with 2017 build dates but plenty of tread. Seemed fairly sticky actually.
I was only 2.5 seconds slower than the Civic Type R driven by a National Champion.
This camera mount was far less shaky and far more useful than I had anticipated.
Paddock pic
Love the shifter in this thing, it's so easy.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Rare White Ape
