Doesn't Kai Noeske have one of these in ITS?
Yes, I do. I am only starting to build it; it was Sam & Susan Ryan's old SSC car that I bought off them. Just did/had done some ITS mods (thanks Matt Kessler and AJ Nealey).
Car currently has:
- full exhaust (from previous owner), Hytech-like ebay header (me)
- comptech adjustable rear sway (currently stock setting)
- used springs (800#F,1000#R, per recommendation from others who run the car in Honda Challenge and from Koni)
- Koni 8041RACE shocks
- K&N full cold air kit (draws from fender)
- fuel pressure regulator and a dyno tune
- stock engine, stock ECU and stock rev limiter settings
- Gear LSD, stock Honda from a type-R (relatively soft)
- stock final drive (4.3?)
Interior is mostly stripped. Car weighs 2600# post-race with me (210lbs) inside. Some interior, the windows w/ power regulators, and the tar-like sound damping stuff are still in. Min weight is 2430, I hope to get another 100 out of the car.
Car made 160+ whp at Kessler's dyno before the intake, ie I assume 165+ whp / 190+ crank hp now. Still has power left to be made, easiest next step would be Hondata ECU - the engine has high rpm power left.
On first full weekend out at Summit, on old tires, ran a 1:29.3; that was 3 sec off the leading ITS pace that day; at least several 1/10s left in the driver, some more in new tires, in getting the suspension settings sorted better (only started), and some more time in removing 100lbs, and possibly some engine work (ECU). Car may not be the winning ticket, but will be able to run in the middle or towards the front of the pack with some more development.
Surprisingly, on the long front straight, several of the mid-pack ITS cars (Datsun Zs, 3 series Bimmers) did not pull away from me. The short gear ratios (same as Type-R) help keeping the engine in VTEC at all times.
In a rain qual race, being one of the few FWD cars, and one of the few on rain tires, the car drove circles around most others.
So far, so good. Car does what it was supposed to do - get me out in a class where I have a healthy number of experienced drivers in a variety of cars to race, and it's fun to drive and feels quick!
Would be great to be in touch if you decide to go forward!