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I mentioned here a while back that I've signed up for one of those 1/2 mile events where you get to run WOT on a runway. I figure this is a good place to shake down the car and ensure it's happy going WOT on a track with some sort of traction....THEN I can work on dialing in the drag strip launches.
I've been posting in a sort of "blog" with Andy Bolig (think editor of Vette magazine, Corvette Enthusiast, Auto Enthusiast and general all around car guy).
I figured it might be fun for some of you to follow along as I get this thing ready to rumble!!
Jim :
Don't throw caution to the wind..... ..so to speak .
!!!!!!!!! (Down Force Needed)!!!!!!!!!
Kimmo Nevalainen has been working on his SIX5Racing 65 coupe for some time and appears successful. Controlling Front end lift and some secret belly pan config has Kimmo running unheard of speeds. Some say the coupes have more lift (wing effect) than the Roadster's with hard top & the headlight trick also.
Ive been hoping to see his "under car mods" , but no photos have been published yet.
Now Kimmo's Front spoiler / Air dam dosent seem outrageously large .
But air does accumulated under the hood and the spare tire area that lifts our cars.
So Minimum , if I you can lower that car any more, Add a Air Dam (First Gen Camaro works) front spoiler , Run the spare tire with carrier to add weight to rear and will reduce that big air pocket.
................................... Good luck my Friend .
I have had several small block cars that after about 125 you feel like you could not steer the car if you had to, had one of my big block cars up to just over 140 before the same thing. Had a small block restomod that had a 67-68 camaro front spoiler on it, had it in the 130+ several times and it was no problem at speed. only real change was lowered a bit and the spoiler
Thanks guys. I've been keeping up with Kimmo's threads and he makes it look easy! Of course we know a LOT of development work went into it. I'm definitely trying to be very cautious about this. I keep watching those videos of stuff like Lambo's etc that are rolling along just fine and then all of a sudden they're out of control.
I've had mine past 150-160+ MPH a few times and it's actually handled pretty well considering it was on drag slicks with low air pressure sometimes and just plain old street radials other times.
I've got a pretty good rake to it and I "think" that helps. I can only lower it so far with the 3.5" exhaust system under there. I wonder if it really helps or not?
Please keep posting comments in either thread and any thoughts you might have. Power won't be an issue....applying it will be!
I Agree ......most Front spoiler's /Air dam's ..... just look wrong on C2's .
This one on the other has a blended look that grows on you. Im hoping the vender will make more and/or has a mold of it.
I've got a six point and harnesses. The only other rule is if I wanted to run with the top down I would have to have the crotch belt....which I'll probably add anyway.
How about taking the front bumpers off and opening the hood. If you could open the hood 3-4 inches in the back that should help negate the lift effect. Btw, what speed are you shooting for?
How about taking the front bumpers off and opening the hood. If you could open the hood 3-4 inches in the back that should help negate the lift effect. Btw, what speed are you shooting for?
from experience I can tell you that you would need to make a way to modify hood latches so you could latch it 3-4 inches up, or at least limit it. its amazing how far the hood can lift at speed when not latched (enough to block my entire view)
from experience I can tell you that you would need to make a way to modify hood latches so you could latch it 3-4 inches up, or at least limit it. its amazing how far the hood can lift at speed when not latched (enough to block my entire view)
Jim Lockwood used straps at the rear of his hood on his race car to allow the hood to lift. temporary lanyards of sorts should work for this purpose too.
Jim Lockwood used straps at the rear of his hood on his race car to allow the hood to lift. temporary lanyards of sorts should work for this purpose too.
Bill
And the downside of having the hood loose enough to relieve pent up air pressure is that I occasionally get the mechanical black flag from a race steward who hasn't previously seen my car at speed.
I've got hood latch extensions I've used for years at the drag strip. They prop the hood up a couple of inches and I'm sure contribute to how well it drives now. But I'll say I've had it over 160 MPH a few times without them and it really wasn't bad either.
It is pretty wild to see the beating the wiper arms take when the air is coming off the hood and catching them just right. I think I'll pull them off for this event.
Don't really have a clue what it can do in a half mile. It ran 142+ MPH in the 1/4 mile back when it was naturally aspirated. Now it's got twin turbos and some boost.....so not sure what that looks like in a half mile. It will have stupid power...it's the using it that will be tricky. I'm not locked on a particular speed....I'll go as long as it feels good.
Theoretically:
6000 RPM= 162 MPH
6500 RPM= 176 MPH
7000 RPM= 190 MPH.
The magical 200 MPH barrier would take 7368 RPM.
The engine is easily capable of the RPM....I'm sure I'll run out of road or testosterone first!
I've got a six point and harnesses. The only other rule is if I wanted to run with the top down I would have to have the crotch belt....which I'll probably add anyway.
Jim.
That would be a good idea. Four point belts are just dangerous.
If you are going to a clip in crotch belt, you might as well go 6 point rather than the 5, 6 point is a tad more comfortable.
I've got hood latch extensions I've used for years at the drag strip. They prop the hood up a couple of inches and I'm sure contribute to how well it drives now. But I'll say I've had it over 160 MPH a few times without them and it really wasn't bad either.
It is pretty wild to see the beating the wiper arms take when the air is coming off the hood and catching them just right. I think I'll pull them off for this event.
Don't really have a clue what it can do in a half mile. It ran 142+ MPH in the 1/4 mile back when it was naturally aspirated. Now it's got twin turbos and some boost.....so not sure what that looks like in a half mile. It will have stupid power...it's the using it that will be tricky. I'm not locked on a particular speed....I'll go as long as it feels good.
Theoretically:
6000 RPM= 162 MPH
6500 RPM= 176 MPH
7000 RPM= 190 MPH.
The magical 200 MPH barrier would take 7368 RPM.
The engine is easily capable of the RPM....I'm sure I'll run out of road or testosterone first!
JIM
Subscribed! Good luck Jim.
I had my '65 SBC up to 145 and still climbing fast one night and the steering still felt OK to me. Brights were on and hood was fully closed.
Do you have a video of your latest engine build on the dyno? I'd sure like to see it.
10-23-2016, 03:09 PM
So when does a 'Vette go airborn?
