One of the main reasons I go to the dragstrip is to measure the affects of my mods/tuning. I realize I cannot fully control all variables that will effect dragstrip performance, such as weather - temperature, humidity, and driver improvement :), but at least it is data. (as opposed to SOP guessing).

After several aborted trips to the dragstrip including one pass where the engine apparently died halfway down the track, my initial objective was just to make a clean pass!

May 25 - (Just trying to get thru the 1/4 mile:

15.099 @ 94.36 mph
phew! so I push it a little harder, and get:
14.795 @94.99 mph

Next, my pertronix conveniently fails, so I get part #s from lars and go back to points. I also install a set of light springs in the distributor and use the lars method to set the timing at 36 degs all-in pretty quick (because of the lighter springs.... somewhere around 2300-2500 rpm)

June 29 - It is really HOT! (around 95 degrees I think), and I am idling for quite some time in line. Engine temp reads above 210 - not OVERheating, but kind of hot.

14.434 @ 96.79 mph. I am thinking that I am getting better at driving, but then realize the tuning must have added some real power. I am pretty psyched up, but on the next run the old fuel delivery issue seems to come up again, engine dies out, and I call it a day and go home.

So, I change my oil (still using dino) but change the trans oil to Mobil 1, but the truth is I probably only suck out half the old oil, which isnt old anyway.

AND (big AND), I move my vacuum advance line from the front of my carb to the side of my carb. I was getting no vacuum advance at idle in the old location, but I do in the new location. This seems to help the car run cooler at idle. Which brings us to today:

This really shocked me! :eek:

14.485 @ 100.28 mph

Air temp was a lot cooler today, plus I was at the front of the line so didnt have to idle a lot. When I started my pass, engine temp was, maybe 180.

Next run the engine temp was a bit higher, maybe 200.

14.367 @ 99.27 mph So, new best et but slightly slower mph. I really think it was the engine temp, but I wonder if the vacuum advance really made a difference. There is an easy way to find out.... next time! :)

MJ


[Modified by MNJack, 10:50 PM 7/27/2002]

 

110 mph! :eek: Mark, are you sure you didn't install points AND NOS? :lol: You should be in the 12s with a mph like that.

 

good grief! i must be high on something!! :lol:
Changed 110 to 100..... :bb MJ

 

Darn, I was hoping my L36 could run a 110 by just moving that vacuum line :lol:

Nice job on the times. It looks like you're perfecting your driving!

-Joe

 

The vacuum advance wouldn't have been functioning during the run but the cooler temps it made just before the run, engine and underhood air, probably helped.

 

sniff.... sniff... I smell 13's Mark!!!!

Great to see you again!

Joe.... where were ya? Aside from a little rain delay you missed a great day at the track! :smash: :cheers: :cheers:

 

Way to go Mark your creeping up on the 13s. Sorry I missed the event

 

Hey Mike! Actually, I was there with my wife from about 2 to 4. We spent the first hour wandering through the car show and the autocross, and the next hour in the bleachers watching the early elimination rounds. We saw you run against that red C3. Love the new wheels! My wife thought you had the best looking car there :) I had hoped to see the beginning of the Challenge, but I guess it started late. Before we left, we walked through the staging lanes but couldn't find you or Mark.

 

great to hear about the progress!!! 2 more weeks and I will be (hopefully) doing my first passes with my 68' in Bradenton!!!! I hope that I will somehow be able get my 60' ft times to an acceptable level. I have to reduce tire spin. I am actually thinking in launching with the second gear at 5000 RPM...... In first gear - the tires just spins way too much..

:cheers:

Olivier

 

Ahhhh sorry I missed you! Tell you wife thanks... but there were some seriously nice cars there yesterday! Mine couldnt hold a candle to most of them! I lost to that guy in the red 73 last year in the eliminator... I tried to mess with his head going to the line.. and the only one I messed up was myself! Oh well.... there's always next year right?! :crazy:

Sorry I missed you!

 

Geez MJ, you're making some real progress! I definitely see 13s in your future. The real question is how much is the driver holding back your setup :D j/k.

 

Actually, that is a very big question! My total drag racing experience is summarized above! I have never owned a stick shift car. I am ummmm..... past my physical peak :lol: so it is very possible that my driving is getting better on each pass. It is also safe to assume an experienced driver could do much better with my car, although I am reluctant to turn it over to say...... a Mike69 and have him thrash the car thru a 13 sec quarter and directly onto a flatbed!! :lol: I can tell each pass has been quite different in terms of shift points.... no consisency here! Shifting is real slow with my clutch the way it is... I need to replace that clutch fork pivot ball. If I dont have to push the cluth to the floor my shifts will be a lot faster. No powershifting for me, but I am losing a lot of time on the shifts, esp 2/3. MJ

 

i see 13,s very near in the future for you, good job. :cheers:

 

Hey Bence, did you race the Z06?? If yes - how did it go???

:cheers:

Olivier

 

Hey Mark, You've sure come a long way baby!!! Like since that time you drove your Lexus to the track. :lol:

 

Mark, glad to see you yesterday. Glad to see you are putting triple digit mph on the board. :D

btw, someday i will get you to go into the elims :p:

see you at the next one?

keep up the good work.

 

I'd be nice to it Mark! I promise! I wouldnt even powershift!!! :blueangel:

I'm sure you'll see 13 soon... He you can race mine if I can race yours!!! :cheers: :D

 

I have never seen Mike go home on a flatbed yet. He is very nice to his car :lol: :lol: . I found a shift light made the car much more consistant and the shifts are at the same rpm all the time. Keep practicing. I have knocked off more than 1/2 a second with just learning how to drive the car. It has been a while since I was at the strip so I would probably be back doing lousy times again.

 

No kidding when are you gonna go racing???? I haven't seen you in a while... I got projects if ya aint busy! :D

 

i think gordon has been working on secret projects to go faster then us all :yesnod: