Current Blog Status

Due to scheduling limitations this blog is currently on hold.  Time constraints have forced us to re prioritize.  We will keep it online for now as our schedule may change in the future.  The project itself, the DIY Tuner Shop is still being considered but will only be pushed forward if the demand is there.

Sure would be cool for all of us to have our own shop we can access to get our mechanical's done, me included.  After closing the shop in Moncure, I sure miss the lift and all the equipment we had access to.

$25 to $45 a month to have access to shop and equipment, not to mention parts discount would be a cool deal, place to hang out, lounge with WiFi.  Would be cool...

We gusted up the Facebook group to 500 founding members, but without a team together, admin or otherwise, no one to provide periodic mailing etc.  The numbers are closer to 200 now.

Anyway, you can join the group on Facebook to stay in touch, follow this blog and maybe the demand will present itself, the investors will get excited and we can push this project along.

Stay Tuned...

Member Count Nearing 600

Looks like we past the 500 mark and are heading to 600 pretty quick.  We will set up details about The Race Club project when we hit 1000 members.  In the meantime there is shop space for rent at the body shop by the hour.  Race Club members will be able to use shop space by appointment without paying an hourly rate.

New Look

We are changing the overall look of this blog.  Feel free to comment and let us know what you think.

Member Count to Reach 500 soon

We are currently hovering around 450 members.  Our goal is to reach 1000 members before we move forward with this project.

Member Count Climbing to 400 Quickly

We are still seeking admin help with this project.  Some of you may or may not know, just an FYI.

Founding Membership Count to Reach 300 Soon

Anyone interested in becoming a founding member should hurry, they are going fast.  This will be an interesting project for all of us.  I for one am looking forward to it and I'm sure I'm not the only one either.

We will be choosing administrators soon.  Anyone interested can send an email or comment.

New Membership Count to Top 250 Soon.

It seems we are approaching the halfway point to 500 Members.  After reaching 500 Members we will choose administrators from current members to help with the planning stages.

As always, questions comments and suggestions are welcome and necessary.  We will be picking the brains of our administrators soon.  If anyone out there has recommendations, you can post them here or in our Facebook group.

What is The Race Club?

It's an exclusive club for members and guests only. Members can work on their cars or other member / guest cars. For basically the cost of a major credit card payment members will have access to the facilities. Join while there are still founding memberships available...

New phone number

As of Aug 18th 2009 we will no longer support 919-542-0364. Our new number will be 919-655-5620. As some of you know, this transition is no supprize, we have been planning it for months. The deadline for our switch is the 18th.

New / Used Parts Listing

We Can Link to You

Don't forget after submitting your article to add a link to your blog or website. This will help get your information out there. Also you can link to the post.

Submit a Tech Tip or How To Article?

We would appreciate anyone willing to share their mechanical knowledge with other members. This is a good way to encourage do it your selfer's to tackle an otherwise intimidating project.

One of the many benefits with the DIY Shop and Forum is the ability to learn from other members and even tag team a project. Speaking as a car guy myself, I can't tell you the nights I've spent helping a friend with their car project. Kinda goes with the enthusiastic participation I guess.

Anyway; anyone interested can submit a comment/Tip or How To project, if its a good one we will give it it's own page. Oh and thanks in advance.

Approaching 200 Members

Current member count is soon to reach 200 thanks to Facebook groups. Its seems to be a valuable tool.

As we get closer to the membership requirement for launch, we will start sending announcements directly to the membership base, we will start choosing administrators and working out the details of the project.

With the economy in its current state, finding a location for the first shop should be pretty easy and cost effective.

Member count Exceeds 140

Current member count for founding members is 140 and rising.

130 Members and Counting

Currently we are 130 members and counting.

Membership Status 114 and counting

As membership grows in this exciting new project, we will start choosing administrators. Administrators will help in the day to day operations, planning and implementation of tasks dedicated to the initial launch. The reason founding members will be chosen for these positions is, so we can maintain a sense of ownership and a sense of vested interest.

Just Broke the 100 Member Mark

We are currently 100 potential founding members strong. We will start designating administrators soon. Founding memberships will be limited so join while there are some left.

Using Mitsubishi's Plentyfull 14b Turbos on Honda

We recently had a questioned asked on Facbook. We though it would be helful information for an interesting home brewed Turbo set up for the Honda guys so we posted it here, in the DIY forum. Below is the copy and paste from the email...

Do you know of a good engine set up for a 1998 civic i want to eventually turbo it?

Race Club Body Shop

Today at 11:44pm

Actually I do know a low budget turbo set up that works for a NA Honda. I'm assuming your looking for a low budget, maybe do it yourself set up. Otherwise you could just go out a drop $3500 on a Greddy or Edlebrock system and be done with it, lol.

The important thing to know when adding Turbo, or super charger to any Normally Aspirated engine is to keep the boost levels low, its cheaper then lowering compression. Unfortunately, unless your willing to run race fuel. Forced induction and high compression does not mix well. So understanding you wont be pushing that much boost (more then 6lbs is risky), you don't need a big turbo set up. Mitsubishi used the 14b on many cars and most who own them go with the 16G (the larger one) and boost 19 to 20 psi. They can run this much boost because the engine was built around forced induction and therefore runs a lower compression. Now the Honda guys should be jumping allover the 14B's because the Mitsubishi guys sell em off cheap and rebuild kits are plenty full. The last 14b I purchase, I got used off eBay for $150, spent $50 on s rebuild kit and 3 hours labor, rebuilt the turbo. While it was off, I had it ported on the exhaust side. Ran 15psi on it for almost 2 years. Was still boosting until I got a deal on a 16G I couldn't refuse (freebie, Lol). From what I understand the rebuild kits are a little more expensive now, but still cheaper then a new set up.

You will need an AFC controller to richen the mixture to accommodate the additional air flow and step the injectors up as well. But those mods are external and pretty simple. You have to get creative with your piping and manifold, but if you understand how a turbo works, it should be pretty easy. Would take some work retrofitting this hybrid style turbo set up. But with $200 - $300 in Turbo parts and some elbow grease you could have a pretty cool turbo set up boosting 6psi and spooling up fast. Street Honda's should run a small turbo anyway. You want the quick spooling for bottom end on the street.

You can get most of the parts you need on eBay, get creative when routing your piping and your good. Otherwise just drop $3500 on the Greddy/Edlebrock set up, $1500 on the install and fight the urge to bypass the boost controllers 5psi setting and turn it up to 15 like the Mitsubishi guys.

Not sure if that answered your question but, now you have more info on boosting your Honda.

Member Perk #1

Founding members will have full access to the lounge, shop and other facilities. Next time your on your back in the driveway changing your oil, imaging being able to use the lift at your own shop. Imaging paying yourself with satisfaction instead of paying a mechanic $90 per hour. Now imagine doing this for about what the average person pays on their credit card per month.

Potential New member Count Status

Nearing 90 new members. Cool huh. Imaging having a remote to open the door and your own parking spot. Some perks up for discussion for founding members. They will be the decision makers.