I want to shut off my engine at the end of the track so I can read my plugs, but I can't put it in neutral because I have a reverse/manual tranny. Is is OK for the transmission to shut off the engine in 3rd gear?
I wouldn't, because most of our cars's steering locks up when the engine is cut, and makes for a dangerous situation when you start it back up (gas is still being pushed through the system, and when you start it back up, you will likely blow out your mufflers when the gas in there ignites). If you idle it around to a safe location, the plugs shouldn't change much in the short distance you have to drive. Depending on the track, they MIGHT let you stop at the far end of the track to keep from idling it back to the pit area, but I would get permission first, or they might come screaming and hollering on the four wheeler and give you an embarrassing hassle. The other option (but maybe not in Oceanside) is to drive it hard in 1st or 2nd gear, and immediately pull over to the shoulder and cut the engine. That is what I do, but I have long stretches of wide open country roads within a mile or two of my house, with safe places to pull over without getting assistance from a cop or getting hit by a semi.
I ran out of gas once on the interstate (doh! ) which of course meant the engine died at about 70 mph. The engine continued to turn over and slow the car down just as if the car were a stick shift until I put it in Neutral. Seems to me like that would make your motor load up with gas. I wouldn't do it unless you can put your car in neutral. (side note, I had enough momentum to coast off the interstate, up an exit ramp and just as I got to the top of the ramp by some stroke of luck, the light turned green. By another stroke of luck, the road went down hill so I was able to build my momentum back up and coast into a gas station. )
Sounds like something from a Chech & Chong movie. I dont know squat about automatics but I do remember jump starting one once a long time ago. Had to get it over 30 mph before the thing would engage with the motor. Like Jamie said, without netural, dont know if it would help much. Not if you carefully turn it back 1 notch.
I don't think I could "carefully" turn it back one notch with any measure of safety at 100+ mph. That would scare the crap out of me. One thing cool to try, if you have old mufflers that need replacing, is to kill the engine for just a second and turn the key back to ON and enjoy the shotgun blast that follows :evilsmile On the negative side, I have heard of mufflers exploding and coming apart with enough force to mess up floor panels, etc. Even worse.
well... buy a egt monitor and you can safely tune da mav http://www.archeat.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=Archeat&Category_Code=EGT i try to maintain about 1280-1320 for best performance. try it you'll like it!!! to go fast ya gotta spend da cash!!
I am in the same predicament, Erick. I intend to make sure I am on the turn road then shut the engine off, change out the #1 plug, cruise back to my pit to read the plug. As long as you are off the track and not blocking traffic, I think you'll be okay. It's done all the time at the tracks where I've been. Like Scott said, it doesn't hurt to ask first. I'll find out from a couple of buddies of mine who have reverse manual valve bodies and see what they do and report back.
Erick assuming your runnin an MSD system why not just wire a kill switch to the cockpit, something you should have anyways, tell the starter you wanna pull a plug...in a T&T session they should have no problem with that. Not something you can buy off the shelf, but IMO a device like the doctor sticks in your ear or nose is the best plug reading tool...a hot plug like a Champion C-59 racing plug that the ground strap does not cover the electrode may be in order. Just a thought.
Just shut it off. You'll be fine. Click it at the finish line. Then use a magnifying glass with a light to read the plugs. Don't let the car idle for ANY amount of time after you click it off or that will screw up your plug readings.
never ever stop ont he end of the track.. get off the track at least.. there is always a shut down area off the track.. for the big boys... use that.. pull off to the edge so you arent blocking the return road...
It's bad for an automatic transmission. When the engine is not running, the pump is not working, so at 120mph, it would be for your transmission the same as losing oil pressure in your engine. Bad for the internals...
JPT offers an electronic neutral modification to your valve body, flip a switch at the end of the track and the tranny automatically goes to neutral......just another option....
Shutting down doesnt always work, I cant remember if it was my FMX or C-6 but my Blown 351w when shut down would wind down, and backfire through the pop-off valves, did it once will never do that again at least with a blower. It may have been the FMX since I had made my own valve body for it. For something street/strip I would go for the 1st or2nd gear pull as someone else suggested.
