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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Here's the latest, might be window of opp depending on the track as long as it's not an elim round:
http://www.jrdragsterplus.com/phpBB2...ic.php?t=16132 BTW, just a heads up - no touching the car after it hits the first staging beam or a/t disqualificaton: http://www.jrdragsterplus.com/phpBB2...ic.php?t=16124 |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Worrying about a GoPro is one of the more stupid things I've heard out of the NHRA lately...especially on a Jr. dragster. But, sounds typical of Glendora...
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Not too hard to fgiure out. We all know how sponsor $$$ detemines the rules for NHRA, so my guess would be, NHRA charges pro video companies big bucks to video their events (licensed), thus any other video is viewed as non-licensed. Of course no where does what might be good for "johnnie racer" and the sport sport figure in to this logic.
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Chevy454</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Worrying about a GoPro is <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">one of the more stupid things </span></span>I've heard out of the NHRA lately...especially on a Jr. dragster. But, sounds typical of Glendora... </div></div>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sYc</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Not too hard to fgiure out. We all know how sponsor $$$ detemines the rules for NHRA, so my guess would be, NHRA charges pro video companies big bucks to video their events (licensed), thus any other video is viewed as non-licensed. Of course <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">no where does what might be good for "johnnie racer" and the sport sport figure in to this logic.</span></span> </div></div> Agreed on both counts! |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Some more pics of the Eastern Conference Finals:
The 8-9 year old kids always ran first thing in the morning, made for a nice photo at 8am as the sun just crested the mountains: http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...aginglanes.jpg Back in the pits / shade after a run: http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6.../Beninpits.jpg Got him to pose with the car: http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...Beninpits4.jpg He's tall, and growing like a weed! Must be all of the healthy 'track snacks': http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...rackSnacks.jpg http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...lersmiling.jpg Ben is here with Paige Wheeler from the UK. Paige is the 2010 UK Jr Dragster Champion, and came to the US to race at the Finals: http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...nandPaige2.jpg The Maple Grove Raceway Team has been raising money for Alex's Lemonade Stand, and decorated their portion of the stands with the theme: http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...rp/stands2.jpg Our racing buddies, Joel ready to warm up the slicks (this car is for sale right now, just in case any of you guys want to jump in!!): http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ngburnout2.jpg We put a new computer on the car while we were there so we could get better graphs of the runs - amazing! We just plug our download thumb drive into the dragster computer and it automatically downloads the data. Very cool, I can now see/better understand what Benjamin is telling me (or not telling me!): http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...raphrun3-1.jpg Little bro was sure glad to see Benjamin when we got home, and loved his new, yellow, Halfscale Dragster t-shirt: http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ominghome2.jpg |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Is that a "Mopar" decal on the nose, lol? [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/laugh.gif[/img]
What did you think of Bristol? I was geared up for a FAST event there one year and had car or truck trouble and didn't make it...everyone said it was a pretty sweet facility & location. I see the "deep" on the car...I'm surprised they let you do that as picky as they are about everything else...heck, I've been to tracks where it's prohibited for everyone (which is goofy)! |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
The Mopar thingy on the nose came with the car - and it's air brushed, and under the clear coat. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/eek.gif[/img] The deal was such that during prior ownership, the track champion got a free paint job from Kohr's Customs which is a Mopar resto shop here in PA. They really did a beautiful job on the car, and I can't bring myself to sand it all down. So, we left it alone, and our vinyl guy actually tied in the colors with the Ben Bear Racing design. Funny you mention, bec/ after the first run I've never even noticed it being there! This experience has been the proverbial 'drinking from the firehose', so the Mopar isignia is no longer a priority. We'll likely change it when Ben decides to migrate away from the Ben Bear Racing motiff.
Bristol is the best track I've ever been to, hands down. There is nothing bad to say about it. Staying at a local Super8 type of hotel was crazy reasonable at $50/night, and we shared the room with our racing buddies. Super Walmart on the way to the track kept the cost of ice and food/snacks down, and the bathrooms were not only huge, they were spotless. There is a separate Shower House, a 1/4 mile of RV hookups - 2 deep, a Hospitality Suite for more trailer or RV's (read; quiet, next to a meandering creek, not on the main RV row which is 'party city'!). Overall, an awesome track. Oh, they have deep fried twinkies too - Ben's new favorite! The DEEP staging thing is actually track specific, and Bristol allowed deep staging - even for kids older than 8-9 I believe. The general rule that most tracks follow is that DEEP is allowed for the 12.90 cars bec/ the cars react so slow, and the kids are learning how to cut a light. However, you must put DEEP on the car so they can over ride the Autostart on the tree's computer. We never mess around at the line, we courtesy stage and then immediately DEEP stage. Our take is that we are there to race, not play head games. As long as you do that, most tracks will not give you a hard time. Staging DEEP has improved RT's dramatically, as much or more than raising the idle to within several hundred RPM of clutch engagement. We are now moving up to 8.90, so we will no longer stage DEEP - and although some feel that 8-9's should not stage DEEP, I felt that I'd rather reposition the car vs have Benjamin relearn the tree. |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Sorry for the double post, but here is a good example of how important the on-board computers are, as well as having the ability to graph it out visually. On this particular day, we only got one time shot, so it was exceptionally hard to dial the car. Ben was on a streak of red lights, so I decided to back the idle down a bit to slow the car's reaction - yet have him leave on the same spot on the tree.
This computer allows you to overlay two runs to compare, the red line is rpm. Notice the lower starting point on the left with one of the red lines, it was lower than I wanted it to be - but once he lites the top bulb I can't touch the car. These 12.90 carbs can vary their idle a lot, thus he left at ~3650 rpm vs the prior run of ~4000 rpm. The car slowed by 1.5 tenths, and his .014 light was not enough to compensate the other car's .130 lite. This is the hair pulling cycle of 12.90, but I could not blame the entire deterioration on the starting line rpm. When perplexed, ask the driver! Ben states that he might have lifted or pedaled - normally this is good when you tree the other driver, but he would not have known that yet. So, why? He wasn't sure what he did.... I'm befuddled, there was no wind, no tire spin, engine didn't break up.... I pull the laptop outta the truck, download the runs to the drive and upload them - to find this!: http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...aphcompare.jpg Notice where one of the red lines drops off significantly sooner than the other. Ben was right, he did lift - unconsciencously, as he was looking around for the other car! Good stuff to know, can't argue the data. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif[/img] Another point, this kid has sure grown in a little over a year! The car is up on the stand in the most recent pic, so you have to add about 4 inches! http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...Beninpits4.jpg http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ingDayRev2.jpg |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Who would have thought that the Halloween Race for the Jr's would be snowed out - along with the makeup race! We'll see if we can get our first crack at 8.90's this Saturday....
http://i42.tinypic.com/nbx6rr.jpg http://i42.tinypic.com/2j15ts0.jpg |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
This engine will go 4 seconds and ~24mph faster than the previous class. Quite a leap, especially when you consider this is within 660 feet! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] Ben can't wait. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...s890engine.jpg |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Wow...stepping up to the big boys! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif[/img]
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Looks like some real HP there boys! Go for it!
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Yep! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Lookin' good!
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Thanks! We've been trying to get to a track for several weeks now, but have had 'issues'. I took a day off of work to button up the engine, set up the clutch for 8.90's, and change the rear gear, then install the engine - not realizing that when I put the oil scraper on the piston it had overlapped itself. Upon firing I had instant 'chocolate milk' for oil and the entire header pipe was coated inside with oil. I'm surprised it ran! Skipped TnT that Friday night, along with Saturday's Jr event at Cecil County as we tore it all apart and figured it out. Pulled all the way to Cecil County the following Friday night only to find out they don't let Jr's run on Fridays - only Wednesdays! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img] Then we got snowed out. Sure is tough to get some seat time right about now.... We can't wait until Spring to see where we are at with this combination, that's for sure!
[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] My little Amanda now says she'd like to race! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Great Stuff Marlin!!
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
My little Amanda now says she'd like to race! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] </div></div> That's awesome Marlin! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif[/img] |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
We are going to suit up Amanda with Ben's gear - head to toe - and put her in Ben's car, then fire it up with the 8.90 engine and see how she reacts. These Jr Dragsters are quite polarizing - kids either love it or hate it. Many a kid has scrambled out of one in tears on their first time. So, we'll try it out and see how Amanda likes it - I'm thrilled that she wants to try it!
I never worried about Ben, I knew he'd be a racer - as was evidenced by this giant smile after his first run down the track last summer! His first words were; "can I go again?" - just what a Dad wants to hear (especially after heavily investing!). [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...p/100_1888.jpg http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...p/100_1899.jpg |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
So, we finally did get to run the car last year with the 8.90 engine - can't find the camera card right now with the pics though.
Typical for us rookies, nothing ever goes according to plan - especially the weather! So, we wake up to high 20 degree weather on a mid November Saturday morning and head to the track - couldn't run till 11'ish because the track was too cold (Maple Grove actually ran the track dryer to put some heat into the track!). First run was in 40 degree temps, cars were hard to start, and it was very hard to get heat into them. Thinking like a big car, we hung 40 pounds of weight on the car - ran a 9.42, not good. Took 35 pounds off, and ran an 8.909 @ 73'ish mph - Ben is thrilled, (I'm concerned [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif[/img] ). Ben had to leave second on the first roung of elims, a first for him - and he got caught gazing and slept to a .231 light, [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif[/img] We packed .04, car ran an 8.856. Bummer on the loss, but it was a fun day. Now it's 2012 and the weather is unusally nice, so we are track hunting, [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img] After a rainout at Atco 2 weekends ago, we made it down the track a few times last Saturday - but it was cold & windy (43 degrees & 10-20mph headwind). http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...agingLanes.jpg http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...rp/PitPic3.jpg We left the November setup in the car, and our first run was a 9.06 with no weight in the car, .028 light! Second run was a 9.05, no weight & an .016 light! http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...rp/Burnout.jpg We packed .04 for first round, and catch a bulb by -.01 [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/eek.gif[/img] Ben is bummed, but runs it out the back door with a 9.08 on a 9.09 dial. http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...rp/PitPic1.jpg They let us run a few more time shots, which Ben red lit again with a -.057, car ran a 9.04. So, he hit the practice tree for 20 shots, and came back for the final time shot with an .045 green with the car running a 9.27 straight into the 20mph headwind. http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...rp/PitPic2.jpg Ben was freezing, so we packed it in. So begins another season of Jr Dragster Racing [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] can't wait! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Don't forget to have fun,and good luck. *Paul* Nice golf cart,they are fun too.
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Yea, we picked up the golf cart last October, sold my open trailer to offset the cost. We couldn't leave it alone of course, so we did the wheels, added the headlights & tailights, I cut off the bag holders and installed a stainless tool box, then installed a stereo system with marine speakers with grilles to match the wheels, then a full width rear view mirror (which is virtually useless right now [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img] ). Next we will shoot the cart the same color as the racecar, and bypass the governer even more [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img] It's fun, but just another thing to work on and keep running! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/eek.gif[/img]
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It's fun, but just another thing to work on and keep running! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/eek.gif[/img] </div></div>
Nothing matters except those first two words. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Marlin...sounds like you all are having a blast! There's nothing better than time with your kids [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
When the snowstorm hit last October, I had the golf cart in the garage and decided it was a great day to install the stereo and speakers (and antenna - no antennas on these things....). Hey, if the Dremel cuts that thick plastic body pretty good for the speakers - then the sawzaw will cut it even better! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] In fact, it can cut the body for the speakers, start through the metal frame, and put a nice hole in the gas tank before you even know it! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/eek.gif[/img] Perhaps the smell of fuel running out onto the floor is a good warning sign to stop and figure out how long of a blade is really required..... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/scholar.gif[/img] Never a dull moment! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]
Well Ben, today we get to learn how to mix epoxy and repair a 6 gallon plastic fuel tank. We will also learn how to remove the air cleaner, carb and part of the intake from golf cart engine in order to remove said fuel tank. "Here's your sign." |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
I love it! The school of hard knocks! Don't feel bad, it happens to all of us.
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Our golf cart is a long roof (electric) club car. So far the only addition has been a rear view mirror. If you charge it once a month-it's almost maintenance free. We really enjoy it-even with the grandkids. We had it at GM Carlisle this year. It made for better mobility and less sunburn. It was fun!
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
A few more pics of the November race, Ben Bear vs. Jear Bear - imagine the odds!
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...p/100_3045.jpg http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...p/100_3046.jpg Amanda's first time in a Jr - she was all smiles! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] She wants a pink and purple car, how can a Dad say no? [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...p/100_3048.jpg http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...p/100_3051.jpg |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Awesome...! Thanks for sharing M [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...p/100_3048.jpg
Would the hand on her helmet possibly belong to the "D" in the future "B.A.D. Racing" ? [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] Great family fun M. Congrats!!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif[/img] |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Very good! Yes, that is Danny's hand holding her head still for the photo. Amanda was quite funny, as she starts yelling something while the 8.90 engine was idling (with me blipping the throttle a few times [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img] ), apparently, she was bit surprised by how much chassis vibration there is when the car is up on the stand and the tires don't cancel it out. She was all smiles though, so that was a good sign. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
A long slow Saturday at Atco's TnT this past weekend, [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif[/img] For some reason they didn't let us make our first run till 11:30 [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img] and the car ran slow - 9.35, should have run in the 8.7x's. I adjusted the carb float. Second time shot car ran a 9.26, Ben said the car flat died at the end line - so I figured I'd adjusted the float too far and it was fuel starved. Drop the bowl, full of fuel... car will idle but won't rev. Change carbs, same thing. I notice fuel dripping from the air filter, [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img] Pull the filter, fire it up - fuel is blowing out backwards. Turn it over by hand it feels easy, pull the head - can spin the intake with my thumb = broken valve springs, [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/eek.gif[/img]
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...alveSpring.jpg A bad day of racing is still better than your best day at work! |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Game on [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img]
The valve spring compressor tool was more $$ than the set of valve springs / retainers / and locks! That is rare for these little high strung engines! http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...eplacement.jpg http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...eplacement.jpg |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Looks great!
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Planning to head out to Numidia Dragway this Saturday for a TnT, get some seat time and collect some data. We'll be ready for that Flying Dutchman old timer! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img]
[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
I don't know....Benny is gonna be good! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
The Young Ben is 10 years old, and had a string of 16 consecutive lights under .050! Hard to beat the reflexes of the youngsters, [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]. I think he'll put a hurtin on the Old Ben! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img]
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Could be Marlin...could be...but never count out experience [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
So, while 'Older Ben' was partying this weekend, [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] 'Young Ben' was testing at Numidia Dragway which is up around Bloomsburg, PA. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img]
We had decent weather; a little chilly in the morning at 48 degrees, but a very strong cross/head wind at 15-20+ mph. Good thing for TnT days because we basically fought the car all day until the 7th run, but ran out of time to make the 1 change that I really wanted to - a rear gear change from 5.25:1 to 6.00:1. http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...il2012TnT1.jpg First run outta the box was a 9.16 - too slow, even for the cold temps. Second run was slower at 9.3x. Sputtering and bogging off the line, breaking up at the big end, low mph..... just miserable. Downloaded the runs onto the laptop, and they looked horrible - all kinds of stuff going on. So we started making changes, and running, and changes, and running, etc. Our friends Joel & Joel were running waaaaaaay too fast in their new car/engine combo - reminded us of how we started out in 12.90's! http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...il2012TnT2.jpg The last run of the day the air temp was coming around at ~60 degrees, and we were finally improving each run - and ended up with the original setup back into the car. We ran an 8.914 on an .037 light. We took a nice picture, called it a day, and began the 2+ hour pull home. Ben did his job all day, drove it straight and true - the cross wind would whack the cars at about half track, just as they went past the grandstands. The cars were wiggling all over the place! Ben went red once with an .011, but all other lights were no slower than an .053 - he had two .002 lights in a row! Watch out Ole Ben, [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...il2012TnT3.jpg Ben is proud of his burnouts, and took a pic of the after effect flung all over the back of the car! |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Just like other drag cars, these Jr's will make you pull your hair out! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/eek.gif[/img] Went to Maple Grove this past Sunday for TnT, and just couldn't seem to get the ET's we expected. Changed the rear gear to a 6.00:1, and did get better ET's and 60' times (1.89's!!) but this car should be flying. We now have a vibration issue to figure out along with the other headaches!
As Rob says, if it was easy - everyone would be doing it! Still a fun day - no matter what happens. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Hey Marlin,
what are your head temps leaving the line and at the end ? Those 8.90 motors LOVE the heat in the head. I like to make sure we are at about 150 degrees on the line. right around 350 or so at the other end.exhaust temps are 550 and 1300 at the end.33mm i run a 57 pilot , 185 main , .7,.8 air bleeds and mixture screw is 3/4 of the way out. Both cars are identical to make it easy on me except on Coles car i have 50 lbs of weight on it. i sometimes take weight off to stay in the 8.90 range but with two cars, i usually dont have time to mess around. what it runs on race day, it runs. On your graph, does your rpm get up to 8000 and stay there or does it gradually lose rpm ? my 8.90 combo in the clutch is 15-28-22 ramps, 6 grams on each arm , 38degree helix and the yellow spring on the secondary in the 5th hole. If your losing rpm down track, try removing some weight off the arms. like 1 gram at a time until the rpms stay up in the 8000 range. I run a 12 tooth front and 72 tooth rear for a 6.00 to 1 gear ratio. hope this helps you. |
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