Thinking about PFM (long term FM driver)

[Coochas]

Hi All.
I'm trying to learn more about the PFM to see if it would be a good fit.
I have two standard FMs which I love. I am able to do almost all of the maintenance myself including gearbox rebuilds.
Of note I've also had 5 Rx-7s and I have a 74 Mazda Rotary Pickup. You see the theme here.

Trackside can a PFM be started. fueled etc by one person or do you need a helper. There was a PFM at my home club which always seemed to have 4 people working on it!

Is the starting procedure complex with the external battery and dual speed starters? I saw a video about using an external fan to keep the coolant temperature down until it matches oil T. Is this correct?

Parts are incredibly available from Moses for the FM. Is the same true for PFM?

Can a decent amateur mechanic do fluids, brakes, and gearbox maintenance (I do all this on my FMs)?

Finally, reliability. The FM is fairly bulletproof. How does a PFM compare.

THANKS and sorry for all the noob Qs.

[Extreme1]

I have a 2009 PFM that I bought for my first race car. I have several years of go karts and off-road racing behind me, but this is my first formula car. I only use it for track days and to have fun. I don’t have the budget to throw thousands and thousands of dollars at it with all my other expensive toys and hobbies. So far, it hasn’t cost me anything except running expenses, fuel, entry fees, etc.

It took me a few weeks of going through the car when I bought it, because I’m OCD. It’s very easy to work on and parts are readily available from a company in Arizona. I do all the service and maintenance myself in my home garage, with help from this Forum.

Trackside you will need a helper. My wife or a buddy comes to the track with me to help me get belted in and remove the jumper battery plug after starting the car. My wife or buddy use a leaf blower to keep the water temp down while the oil heats up. We use hand signals when I want them to step away so I can go on the track. Again, all very easy.

For the jumper battery I use a NOCO that I changed the clips to a car matching plug. It’s lightweight, small and has a ton of power for starting. I don’t know why anyone would use a car battery when there are NOCO’s available.

My car has been bulletproof, but im not going to be rebuilding the gearbox when it needs it. I don’t have that kind of skill.

[Coochas]

Thank you for the reply.
Food for thought.

[CSasfai]

I, too, have both an FM and a PFM. When the FM's engine finally gave up after several race seasons, I bought the PFM (seemed like a good excuse to buy a new car!). Overall, I'll say that the car seems more 'refined' (smoother, no rattles, etc.) than the FM. Subsequently, we overhauled the FM engine and, since I don't need a sealed engine, built it with higher compression and lighter rotors. I suspect it has another 10 to 20 horsepower and we raised the redline to 8,000RPM. One of my adult sons has been driving it (the FM) and it's not that much slower than the PFM.

As for what you asked, the maintenance and repairs are similar to an FM and, yes, you can operate it without a full ground crew. Some things are just a little more challenging than the FM (like installing the cockpit head surround after you've gotten into the car). In some respects, it's easier (e.g., no more tinkering with carburetor adjustments). I also think that parts are a little more expensive since this is a higher level car. You specifically mention cooling while warming it up and mine has an electric fan which makes life easy. As you know, sitting on the grid with the FM running, you have to watch the coolant temperature. With the PFM, when the coolant temperature hits 190 degrees (it's fully programmable) and the car is stationary, the fan kicks on and I can watch the temperature start to tick back down.

[Coochas]

Thank you for the info! The bulk of the time I am running my car by myself. The FM is easy enough to warm up, strap in, and get going solo. I do have some concerns about being this 'independent' with the PFM.

[CSasfai]

Also, except for the first start of the day, my car does just fine using only the onboard battery. I installed a lightweight battery a couple years ago and even though it only weighs 4 or 5 pounds, it starts the car without any problem.

[mikey]

I had PFM. Could do all maintenance by myself. Operated at the track by myself. Where there is a will there is a way.

[Extreme1]

There’s always someone at the track willing to help get you belted in and unplug the jumper battery.

I was looking at a 14V onboard lithium battery but it was $600 so I just got the NOCO.

[racpercival]

I’ve seen that teams split the car apart after every weekend and seem to be going through the gearbox, pulling the engine, clutch, etc. Not sure if everyone does that, and the necessity of that level of maintenance, but just an observation. And this for even non Pro
level drivers.

[HazelNut]

I’ve seen that teams split the car apart after every weekend and seem to be going through the gearbox, pulling the engine, clutch, etc. Not sure if everyone does that, and the necessity of that level of maintenance, but just an observation. And this for even non Pro
level drivers.

that's totally unnecessary even at the pro level

[Tech-One Racing]

as someone who has not only driven both FM and PFM, and maintained many of each as a shop owner.. Here's my .02

Stepping into a PFM from an FM is a HUGE upgrade (no hate on FM). Way more comfortable, driver friendly (even more so if its paddle shift), better brakes. aero, speed, etc.

You are going from carbonated to Fuel injection and something i haven't seen mentioned here is an ECU (more wires lol)
This shouldn't scare you as these cars are typically very reliable but come with their own set of "issues".

I believe parts are more readily available for PFM but there is still a few scarcities, like any "old" car.

Oil temp takes a bit to warm up, but if your water cooler has a good fan, its a no brainer. A lot of us Midwest guys end up blocking off some of the oil cooler anyways.

I know plenty of people who "1 man band" these cars, its all about your comfort level.

PFM typically fouls out spark plugs way less often!

We just use a big jump pack, fire the car up, unplug the jump pack, get in car with helmet sitting on head (above your eyes) and do your belts while it warms up.

Safety: a carbon tub will almost always be safer then a tube frame car.. get a seat poured for you and you will be even safer and more comfortable.

Any questions, feel free to reach out. we have 3 PFMs in the shop now along with F3 and F4. And loads of PFM parts for sale.

P.S. We also offer pre sale inspections if interested.