Ah, cool. Makes sense... just wondered if there was some helmet magic about airbags I had yet to clue into.

 

i think the bigger issue is running a full-faced helmet with airbags. i don't know if there's truly an airbag compliant helmet.

 

My guess is that the danger of a full face helmet w/ an airbag is that the bag could push up under the helmet during deployment, cranking your next up at an awkward angle and probably giving you some nasty whiplash...or worse.

Having said that, it looked like some orgs require full face helmets for their track events, so I went that way when I purchased my helmet, too.

I found some info online from the SCCA regarding open face helmets (but the quote is from 2005, so it might be out of date?):

It has been brought to the attention of SCCA Technical Services that the use of full-face or closed face helmets while driving vehicles with active airbag restraint systems may result in injuries in the event of a crash that deploys the airbag. Because of the location of the steering wheel relative to the driver's position, the airbag axis is on a level with the driver's chin. In a crash with airbag deployment, contact with the chin area of a full-face helmet can be so powerful "that fractures to the jaw cannot be ruled out". (Hubert Gramling, FIA Institute, FT3/AF, 18.5 1999)

 

Good discussion here- Colorado Clark came closest with his post from the SCCA. While the release date is '05, it still holds today: an airbag release could push a full face helmet into your jaw, causing a jaw injury. So an open faced SA-rated helmet is your best bet, particularly for those just buying a helmet.

Having said that, I use a full face SA-rated helmet for racing and wouldn't want anything less! But the racecars don't have airbags and the greater protection (particularly with a HANS Device) offered make it a better option.

 

You still have Ada's number?

 

Jen does

 

Despite some snow coming in Wed night, it looks like Saturday's weather will be good for the event. Is everybody REALLY ready?

 

oil changing and brake fluid flushing tonight. i'm trying to get through will's 8 page oil analysis thread to figure out what oil to use.

will, if you're reading, you recommend the Mobil One 0W40, but 30 is the number recommended by nissan. I understand the gist of your thread--is your contention that this 40wt oil is good for the VQ based on it being a thinner 40?

 

Amsoil 0w-30

 

I looked at the results for the VQHR and filled up with Mobile 1 0W-40.
I based this on the fact that it held up well - meaning didn't break down to much.
Will have to see how it treats me...

 

Oh im ready.... See Below.

 

I found the syntec 0W30 European Formula at the autozone on federal and speer. that's what i'm going to try.

 

I use Amsoil 10/30, and change it out on a regular basis, pretty much after every track weekend. Kind of pricey, but good insurance, especially with the turbos. You don't want broken down oil running through your turbos!

 

For anyone looking for a quick reference for what the tech/check on your car, here is what NASA uses NASA is the National Auto Sport Association, and sanctions/sponsors HPDE events in all parts of the country, including the Rocky Mountain region.

 

Nissan specs up to a 40 weight oil for the DE engine. Are you running FI?

For track days, a high HTHS score is what you're looking for in an oil. This is the measures of the oil's viscosity under high temp and high stress conditions. M1 0W-40 and German Castrol have an HTHS of 3.7 and 3.6, respectively. Either will be fine for this track day. Really, you're not going to be doing anything so high stress that it requires any special racing oil. So, if you just changed either of these fluids out, you don't need to replace them after the track day. I ran the M1 0W-40 at PMI and for two track days in Albuquerque, for 3 track days total, and the UOA was really good.

If you are FI, I would probably consider a good Diesel oil if I were you. Rotella T-Syn or Delvac1 would be great 5W-40 options. Both are very well formulated to put up with extreme heat in the turbo center section, last for a long oil change interval, and handle high loads on the bearings all day long. Plus, they both have several good UOA's from other FI engines.

Wish I could make this one, but my car is still in pieces and this seminar is amazing. Claude has already forgotten more about chassis dynamics than I'll ever comprehend. I'm in there with about 35 other engineers, all going "wtf...??!?" as we try and understand some of the more intricate tricks to suspension tuning. We spent about three hours on changing roll center axis to create active suspension characteristics for cars running in racing series where active suspension is banned. Among many other things. It's awesome, but it's also 12 hours long each day with only one 45 minute break for lunch.
By the time lunch rolls around, I start thinking, "maybe skipping the last day and going to the track would not have been a bad idea..."

Will

 

Will, you amaze me! I consider myself a relatively smart guy, with a degree in physics, but your level of intelligence and knowledge is levels above me! Thanks for insight on the oil, and we'll miss you Saturday.

Dave

 

Thanks, that's a huge compliment Dave. But, I think if you were coming to this seminar with me, you could help me understand a thing or two. I took physics several years ago and some of the principles that we cover made me strain to remember basic stuff. When Claude discussed increasing spring rate on the inside wheel only, what effect that would have on the outside wheel in a corner, about half the class, all engineers mind you, couldn't remember basic forces and behavior when springs are acting in a series, for example. Luckily, I remembered and got some kudos from Claude, but it was a good example of how we all tend to "overthink" things and forget the root physics involved. Claude shook his head and told us all that we commit too much "intellectual masturbation", LOL.

I think driving sounds more fun.

Will

 

So, instead of re-reading the oil threads... what oil filters do you guys swear by?

Resolute, Great info btw... reinforces my understanding of things. :-)

 

Will, you still remain my hero...

 

i'm going with a Wix on this one. i've heard good things about the nissan OEM, and the PureOne by purolator, too