The Best of 2010: Scoop! Dai Yoshihara’s new Formula D ride for 2010

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Dai Yoshihara Discount Tire Falken LS powered Nissan S13 2010

Power from the Super LS is fed through this McLeod billet twin disc clutch.  This clutch has proven to be the most durable in testing.  The transmission is a G-Force race box with straight cut gears and dog engagement constant mesh gears.  The shifting is sequential and can be done ultra fast without the use of the clutch.

 

Dai Yoshihara Discount Tire Falken LS powered Nissan S13 2010

More SPD fabricated trickness, after being caught out of gear several times in the 2009 season, a quick change rear end was installed  so that ratios can be changed at the track in minutes.  Surprisingly a spool type differential is used as Dai likes a very positive lock up.

 

Dai Yoshihara Discount Tire Falken LS powered Nissan S13 2010

From the quick change, the power flows through this custom heavy duty 300M axle using Skyline CV joints to the wheels.  The suspension uses SPL Spherical bearings and tubular fabricated arms.  A Progress rear swaybar is used and the suspension geometry has been massaged to give less torque bind and better hookup.

 

Dai Yoshihara Discount Tire Falken LS powered Nissan S13 2010

Progress rear sway bar is 3-way adjustable

 

Dai Yoshihara Discount Tire Falken LS powered Nissan S13 2010
SPL lower control arms, toe links and tension rods are used in the front suspension.  These all use spherical bearings to eliminate all rubber.  These parts also correct bump steer, camber curve and roll center.  SPD modifies them slightly for more steering angle, important in drifting.

 

Dai Yoshihara Discount Tire Falken LS powered Nissan S13 2010

KW’s excellent 3-way adjustable motorsports dampers are used at all 4-corners.  The KW shocks precise valving allows the use of fairly soft springs with the dampers being used for platform control.  This allows the car to find traction and give a tremendous amount of quick tuning flexibility.  Big changes can be made between runs in seconds if need be.

 

Dai Yoshihara Discount Tire Falken LS powered Nissan S13 2010

Spherical bearings are found in the top plate.  Although it seems like the obvious use for the plates is camber adjustment, they are actually used more to adjust steering axis and self steer with camber being adjusted on the bottom through the SPL arms.

 

Dai Yoshihara Discount Tire Falken LS powered Nissan S13 2010

An upward view showing the KW Motorsport McPherson strut.  The strut uses a unique design with an inverted shaft riding in linear bearings for maximum stiffness with minimal friction.  This shot also shows the semi tube frame construction and how much of the chassis forward of the strut towers has been replaced with tubular members.  A Progress 3-way adjustable front antiswaybar is used.

 

Dai Yoshihara Discount Tire Falken LS powered Nissan S13 2010

The whole back of the car including the quarter panels have been cut away.  The back of the car is very cleverly designed to be light, stiff and easy to repair in the field.  Parts of the subframe are designed to deform and save the main structure.  It can be quickly unbolted and either replaced or repaired.  The subframe contains the fuel safe fuel cell, Aeromotive pumps surge tank and regulator, the Optima battery  and the reservoirs for the KW shocks.  The rear bulkhead is a quick access point for the main electrical panel and the differential and transmission catch tank and vent system.

 

Dai Yoshihara Discount Tire Falken LS powered Nissan S13 2010

You can see the bolt in point for the rear subframe here.  The car is very well laid out with logic with quick adjustment and easy repairability in mind.  The shock adjuster for all 4 corners can be reached in seconds for all adjustments.  Nearly every maintenance, trouble shooting and failure point is easy to access.

 

Dai Yoshihara Discount Tire Falken LS powered Nissan S13 2010
Every wire in the entire car is terminated here for ease of troubleshooting.

 

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