Chapter 8: Getting closer

While I doubt this project will ever be 'done,' it is getting a lot closer to being what I have wanted to start with as a fun, fast track toy. I finally got around to installing my short throw shifter and rear spoiler. Anyone who has ever driven a C4 knows just how crappy the stock shifter it. The throws are long, the gears feel vague, very rubbery feeling, and generally just blows. Pretty much the exact opposite of what you want in a race car. And, to top it all off, the stock shift knob is a cube. I picked up a B&M short shifter, along with a custom made delrin shift knob to go with it. The shift knob was made by Alan Blaine, of Blaine Fabrication (he also made the spoiler). The new shifter has significantly shorter throws, and feels much more solid all around. Installing it was a pain in the ass. Step 1 of the instructions says "Drop the exhaust." 3 hours later, it was done (and I did it at work with a lift!). Also in this picture you can see the switch panel I made. This goes in the factory stereo (which I threw in the trash) location and currently houses power window, fan, rear hatch release switches, as well as the stock cigarette lighter (works great for DL1 at the track). Having full manual control of the fans is great. At a recent auto-x practice, I kept them running full time, and the temp never got higher than 194.

Also from Blaine Fabrication was this nice adjustable lexan spoiler. C4's are known for being a little tail happy with an aggresive alignment. I can't wait until the next work/drive (Feb 17/18) to see what kind of difference the spoiler makes in both cornering speeds and top speed down the front straight.

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