first time at the track with the new setup!

Hello all, This week end was the first time I got to run my new setup, I was not real happy with the results, with all the work I did to my car the best run I could get was a 9.138 at 76.56 mph 1/8 mile with a .667 R/T even with my new caltracs 26X10 MT slicks and new springs I still can't get my 60' any lower then 2.1, I'm so frustrated at this I could scream I'm sure my car has a lot more in it I just wish I could get it dialed in right, the cold and rainy weather did'nt help any either! All in all it was still fun I made about 4 runs at Fri. night TnT, 4 time trials Sun. and was beat out in the second round because of a bad dial in on my part, I could kick myself!!!Hopefully things will be better next weekend and I'll get my pics developed!

 

With the kind of MPH you are running you should be in the 8.60 to 8.70 range for the 1/8 mile. Next time at the track try some different things with the caltracks adjustment.

 

What convertor stall? Cam and manifold etc.? Was the track sticky or water seeping up? Lots of stuff to consider. I am mad at myself too. raced two days and got two wins, either red lighted or had high five's and even some six lights. Very close to hanging it up and finding a good young driver for the fairmont. Runs consistent 7.30's at 91mph with 303 and c4. Youngest son did get runner up Sat and 400.00 in his stang. Got beat by a Maverick, by the way. Oldest son with Mav, went out in fourth rd sat and both were still in yesterday until rain came, but got 190.00 split pot each. Have more fun watching them win and drinking beer after I am on the trailer. Maybe it's time to reflect on reallity.

 

As long as its still fun, your never too old.

 

heres my setup:

75' 302+.040 basiclly stock bottom end with a FMS windage tray

wolverine 288 cam, dur. @50 = 218 ,intake centerline107,lobe sep. 113
with the scorpion 1.72 roller rockers the valve lift is .495

66' 289 4bbl heads ported, 194/160 valves with 54 cc chambers
offy 360 intake, 625 carter afb carb with a K&N velocity stack
hedmann long tube headers into 2 1/4 pipes exiting behind front tires
electric fan,and water pump drive
mallory hy-fire ignition timing set at 14 degrees adv.
C4 trans with shift kit TCI streetfighter stall 3000 rpm
the car is gutted, one plastic seat, 6cyl front springs with 90/10 shocks
rear has new 4 leafs from ESPO,Caltracs,factory shocks,battery moved
to trunk.
A 8" mini spool with 4.62 gears 26X10-15 MT ET drags(at 10 psi). I tried adjusting the
caltracs from no preload to about 3 turns,using the top mounting
hole in the spring plate, I never really noticed much change

the track was slick at times, everyone I talked to said they were running slower then usual.

I was leaving the line at about 2000 rpm footbake, and shifting at about 5200 rpm.crossing the finish line at about 5100 rpm in drive, Sorry so long I just wanted to be through, any advice would be great!!

 

Man, that thing oughta do better - and it will once you figure the problem out to arrive at the solutoin.

You haven't said WHY your sixty foots are bad.

a) Are you spinning?
b) Is the engine falling on it's face (lugging)?


Other questions of interest:
c) What gear ratio are you running?
d) Do you have properly functioning posi-trak?

The "cold air" is better than hot air (as you know from experience). The 'rainy' part obviously isn't conducive to good traction (if that's one of your problems). Nothing you can do about that except wait for a sunny day.

How do your times compare to your previous set up and what were the changes?


You should be getting 1.8 (max) 60's, I'd think - and you will.


Hang in there,

R

 

Just out of curiosity do you still have the front sway bar on the car?

 

my rear is a 4.62 with a mini spool, I only felt the car spin on one run, does not seem to be lugging,and it is pretty responsive and seems to pull hard, the front sway bar is gone!

my old time was,
9.54 @ 72.6mph, 2.1 60' .652 RT with a detroit locker 3.80's, air shocks, slapper bars, full interior,factory low compression heads, and street tires

 

I'm thinking that it might be timing or some other h.p./torque related issue now.

a) How much timing are you running? Have you tried advancing it (advancing equal higher torque at lower rpms)?

b) Have you tried readjusting your valves?

c) Have you done a compression check (as last resort).

d) .495 lift is only about .005 shy of 'standard' valve spring limit (FWIW).

e) Have you 'read' the plugs? Lean? Rich? Okay?

f) Have you played with the Carbeurater (of course you have - it's a carb)?


I do not profess to be in-the-know on all this stuff, it's just that I've been in similar situations or have seen my buddies go through this.

There's a reason you're not optimizing your components - it's just a matter of eliminating the potential problems.


Please keep us posted.

R

 

timing is set at about 14, I'm thinking of changing it so I get about 40 total? does that sound about right for a sbf I've never done any jet changes to the carb yet,only metering rod springs, the heads already have the hi-perf. springs to match the cam and screw in studs, I have not readjusted the valves since done, or done a compression test

 

Hmm... the total timing seems high (I thought 34-38 max). Are you getting any detonation at all?

Your cam may be peaking out at lower rpms (I couldn't find the power rpm range for that particular cam).

What rpm's are you shifting 1-2 and 2-3 at? Do you think you're still in the torque band after you've shifted and the power actually gets to the rear wheels (~.3-.4 seconds elapse from the time one reacts to a shift light and the engine sees a change in load - meaning you might be out of your torque band - a lot of things happen fast with those gears).

Do you have or have access to a vacuum gauge? What are you getting? Too low of vacuum will cause probs with your carb, won't it? (going on memory)


Just offering up suggestions and food for thought here. :confused:

 

my cams powerband is 2800 to 4800, so I'm probably running out of it shifting at about 5200, I'm pulling about 13 in. of vac. at idle. never any detonation probs.

 

How are you stalling the car? Maybe try flashing the converter to get those rpms up.

 

If this is a strip only car, I suggest locking out the timing.........it would do wonders for your 60'!

 

it is a strip only car, whats the best way to lockout the timing?