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  1. 04-12-2012, 09:05 PM #1
    smbstyle
    smbstyle is offline Junior Member
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    Default Built my own little ballast system

    I got this idea off of another STL driver at the last race at Palm Beach; it's easy to take out of the car if need be, weight can be added/removed quickly. It is 1/4" thick steel plate in the center, 1/8" thick steel beams on either side that mount directly to the stock seat track locations, and a steel Gold's Gym threaded dumbell handle welded to the 1/4" thick steel base plate. I will be using barbel weight plates, and right now I'm about 85lbs under weight, so I've got a few plates to add. The next step is to drill a hole through the threaded center section after I have the weights on in order to put a cotter pin through it so the nut can't back out. I'm also planning on having it powdercoated next.

    What do you all think about this? I liked this idea a lot better than drilling a bunch of holes into the car, and I can easily add and remove weight as I modify the car.


    STL Miata - 90 NA w/ 99 motor swap
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  2. 04-12-2012, 11:18 PM #2
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    lateapex911
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    You will have to drill lots of holes to make sure the nut can
    t back off too far.
    I would drill at least a few, but I'd double nut it. The interference can really lock things down.
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  3. 04-12-2012, 11:38 PM #3
    CRallo
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    Off the top of my head, I would say that is not technically legal. Though imho that is fantastic!
    Chris Rallo "the kid"
    -- "wrenching and racing" -- "will race for food!" -- "Onward and Upward"
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  4. 04-13-2012, 06:58 AM #4
    Greg Amy
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    Quote Originally Posted by CRallo View Post
    Off the top of my head, I would say that is not technically legal. Though imho that is fantastic!
    No technical limitations to ballast design/placement in Super Touring. Just make sure it's safe!
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  5. 04-13-2012, 07:08 AM #5
    smbstyle
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    Quote Originally Posted by Greg Amy View Post
    No technical limitations to ballast design/placement in Super Touring. Just make sure it's safe!

    Definitely the top priority!

    I was considering drilling a hole through each weight plate in the same location that lines up with a hole in the base plate, and then running a huge bolt through them and through the base plate, but I dont know if that would help anymore, or be considered "overkill".
    STL Miata - 90 NA w/ 99 motor swap
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  6. 04-13-2012, 12:53 PM #6
    CRallo
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    Quote Originally Posted by Greg Amy View Post
    No technical limitations to ballast design/placement in Super Touring. Just make sure it's safe!
    Gotcha. Good to know, wish it was that way across the board...
    Chris Rallo "the kid"
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  7. 04-13-2012, 12:57 PM #7
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  8. 04-13-2012, 07:05 AM #8
    smbstyle
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    Quote Originally Posted by CRallo View Post
    Off the top of my head, I would say that is not technically legal. Though imho that is fantastic!
    I know for SM it's definitely not, but the chief of tech was the one that pointed out the other STL driver's ballast system similar to mine as a "good idea" for me, lol.
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  9. 04-13-2012, 07:04 AM #9
    smbstyle
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    Quote Originally Posted by lateapex911 View Post
    You will have to drill lots of holes to make sure the nut can
    t back off too far.
    I would drill at least a few, but I'd double nut it. The interference can really lock things down.
    Good call, will do!
    STL Miata - 90 NA w/ 99 motor swap
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