I ran the car again down at Keystone yesterday. The was run the first time at ~160 and the weather was not perfect, but much better than before. I had the honor of meeting corkyvette! He and I talked for quite a while before I raced. He checked the car over and said everything appeared to be in check.

I explained how my oil pressure and WB are acting much better after setting the valves. I told him I was really confident that the car would run a minimum of 12.8 at 107 MPH. He agree it should easily be able to turn that time.

First run:

RT .498
60' 1.952
330 5.536
1/8 8.474
MPH 84.08
1000 11.021
1/4 13.204
MPH 101.04

I was totally amazed, but not surprised. Corky came over while I was laughing (now I don't even get mad, I just shake my head), with my dad and stare at the engine.

Corky came over and we discussed some items that could be messed up. One thing I mentioned that surprised him was I said I was crossing the traps at ~4600 RPM. He said there was no way I could be crossing at that RPM and that MPH. I said well I am not 100% that is what I saw. I just happened to glance down at the tach as I crossed. I said I would check on the next run.

We were discussing RPms and I explained that I normally shift at 5600. The one time I did run a 12 was when the tranny would not shift into 3rd and I way over reved 2nd. Then let off. It went into gear, then I got back into it. What came out of the conversation is that I way over reved 2nd gear. And that maybe my tach was off and I was not getting into my power band. I explained the car doesn't seem to be loosing power at the top or anything. So we made a plan for me to shift it at 6400.

Next run. Car at ~170 after burnout. Tried to really get the tires heated and sticky to improve the 60' I lost. I hit 5000 RPM in second gear and they were really smokin. I burned out of the water and staged. Tach set at 6400. I really thought that might have been the problem and that is why I saw the unusually high RPM at the traps.

I launched the car and knew right away the 60 was no better than the previous run. Car ran up to 6000+ and I could feel it flatten off, but I wanted to stick to the game plan. Each gear was taken to 6400. I crossed the traps feeling less than optimistic.

On my return to the pits an official came running out to stop me. I knew why.....I thought I must have hit 12s and inmy haste getting ready that morning forgot my helmet. They never asked so I did not bring it up at the tech check-in. He stopped me and I put the window down. He said you really got that car movin in that run. I said OH Yeah! Thinking maybe the ET was well into the 12s. He said yep with that 13.4 you can park the car unless you have a helmet. I said, 13.4 that SUCKS! He said well you still need a helmet. I said OK sorry. I won't run again. So that shot down another theory.

Upon returning to the pit I was met by Dad & Corky. I said well that wasn't it. I forgot to do one of my jobs during the race. Watch to see what RPM I crossed at, I was data logging that run so we went to view the data and see what RPm I crossed at.

Upon reviewing the data we found something I have never noticed before. During the run the car will climb in RPM for instance:

4000
4025
4050
4025
4050
4075
4100
4125
4150
4175
4150
4175

Sorry for the long set of numbers, but do you see the problem? My RPMs actually go backward at times? What the hell is up with that? This very well could be the gremlin. The car is running in my opinion worst than ever lately. The 60 ft seems very sluggish and nothing has been changed.

Corky thinks, and I agree I have an ignition problem. Or a fuel problem. But the funny thing is, and I am very sensitive to things going on in the car (if you know what I mean). And I feel absolutely nothing that would indicate the car missing.

I am turning to you racing gurus to give me a lead on what the heck could be causing this type of behavior. I have the old cap, so I am definately going to replace that ASAP and see if that makes a difference, and then onto the plugs and wires. All of which are new equip.

Again I would love to hear what you guys think would cause this and have it not be felt? I would think maybe a weak coil, that is firing, but not missing. A miss I would think you would feel bigtime.

I am going to post this in a few spots, hope no one cares. This is a HUGE lead that I think might solve me 5 month long search of my missing power.

Thank to all that try to, and already have helped. And a Huge thanks to Corky for sticking with my through the night helping. Corky is a real stand up guy!

Lets hear it guys.

 

Sorry you didn't make any progress.

The convertor does lockup at around 80mph and the RPM's do come down. I notice this on all my runs.

Vic

 

Where is your base timeing set at. What is the the retard or advance on the camshaft? You did degree the cam? Whithout knowing for sure what you are running, I doubt your RPM's went backwards, that is just a program error maybe. I think at 4100 RPM at least I know I would the car would feel flat or hesitat. There are so many things that can cause this though so here it goes on the quick route. Check your base timing. I usually set about 6-8 degrees btdc. What is your total timing, should be in the 34 degree range. Now double check the ignition and sparkplug gaps. You could have a plug with a closed gap or almost a closed gap. What fuel pump are you running? I had a problem with my DFI set up, I used the red/white wire to go straight to the pump. Well when it got hot the pump could not pull enough amps through the 16 gauge wire. Now I use the DFI wire to trigger a relay that used power courtesy of 10 gauge wire to the relay and to the pump. Good Luck.