1st track day 2008, good and bad

[Boss281]

Went to test and tune at Mason Dixon Dragway in Boonsboro Maryland today, the first this season since having a replacement SpecII+ clutch installed. Temps were about 40-45 from 12-4pm. The clutch worked flawlessly today--it never slipped, started cooking, and I had no problem with high rpm shifts.

Other changes are tubular k-member, swaybar delete bracket and longtube headers with o/r h-pipe. I'm running 17" MT ET Street Radials at 295/45-17. Fronts are a 235 series tire on OEM 17x8 wheels.

The first four runs were to test the lanes. Lane 2 hooked up the best, but lane one gave me the best MPH. On only one occasion would I say the car hooked and took off, either it bogged or spun wheels like crazy in the 1st-2nd shift zone.

The good news is I shaved a tenth off my best for 12.731 at 108.45, and had a weird best mph with a 13.057 at 112.05. Bad news is I had a terrible time hooking up, although I pulled a few 1.7s and one 1.6. I was getting in the groove towards the end but a motorcycle blew oil the entire quarter in one lane and I pulled out of staging and went home. Here are the stats:

60___ 330__ 1/8 __mph ___1000 __1/4 ___mph ___Comments
1.850 5.532 8.456 83.200 10.920 13.019 108.63 lane 2, Shocks on softest (1)
1.870 5.484 8.476 82.230 10.954 13.064 108.12 lane 2
1.953 5.619 8.522 83.630 10.990 13.057 112.01 lane 1, Shocks on 3
2.022 5.706 8.658 82.740 11.135 13.204 112.05 lane 1, personal best MPH
1.724 5.257 8.171 83.200 10.631 12.731 108.45 lane 2, personal best ET, dumped clutch 6000
1.689 5.282 8.246 82.350 9.694 12.843 107.63 lane 2, missed shifts, hit rev limiter twice
1.749 5.352 8.31 82.650 10.787 12.902 107.85 lane 2, rev limiter again, slow shifts

While other folks do 12.00 flat with my mods, I'm beginning to think the car doesn't have much more in it, although I'm admitting my 1st to 2nd shift zone is doing me in I think.

Real drag wheels will drop some more weight, and had I had a truck to lock with me, I would have pulled the passenger seat and spare tire. Mod wise I'm about done--perhaps adjustable struts. Heads maybe, but that's assuming big money comes in. Can't count on it.

Despite the bests, I'm a bit bummed and expected better. I'll probably have my son drive the next time, and videotape it to better see what's going on. I also have some 26" ET Streets on my other 17x8" wheel pair, and perhaps I should see if those hook better. I'm betting they do.

Comments anyone?

John

 

[don_w]

Congrats on the new personal best!!

I'm not sure what you're so bummed about. Mid to high 12s N/A is pretty good. I don't know too many guys running much quicker than that. And to go 12.0... we'll I bet you could count them on one hand.

 

[GT4Dino]

+1, and I think most of those cars are gutted to some degree anyway.

 

[Boss281]

Congrats on the new personal best!!

I'm not sure what you're so bummed about. Mid to high 12s N/A is pretty good. I don't know too many guys running much quicker than that. And to go 12.0... we'll I bet you could count them on one hand.

You're right, we improve a tenth at a time. So I'll look for a 12.6 next week, and have my son follow in the truck with our jack and the alternate wheels with the ET Streets. Those always seemed to hook even in the worst of conditions. And I'll bring a camera, too!

John

 

[ArtQ]

John, that 1.6 you missed the shift. Was that 1st to second? Number one, looking at your times and 60's don't be too depressed just yet. It's been a while since you ran the car so it will take a bit to get your timing back. That 1 to 2 shift when the car is really digging out of the hole is the tough one and is where I had most of my problems with the stage 2 set up. Probably messed up your concentration and may be the reason for the other rev limiter shifts. It seems you are experiencing what I had described to you before about that clutch set up. With the car digging hard out of the hole at high rpm it just doesn't want to go in to gear. I had the advantage of knowing what the RPS set up could do. Once I ditched the Spec and went back to the RPS that went away. Still not sure if that's your problem or not but sure does sound familiar. Like I said 12.7 was my best with the Spec 2 and that is exactly where you are. Dejavu aside, see what happens next week. Could be you just need to get more seat time after the winter break. I'm hoping that's it.

 

[Boss281]

John, that 1.6 you missed the shift. Was that 1st to second? Number one, looking at your times and 60's don't be too depressed just yet. It's been a while since you ran the car so it will take a bit to get your timing back. That 1 to 2 shift when the car is really digging out of the hole is the tough one and is where I had most of my problems with the stage 2 set up. Probably messed up your concentration and may be the reason for the other rev limiter shifts. It seems you are experiencing what I had described to you before about that clutch set up. With the car digging hard out of the hole at high rpm it just doesn't want to go in to gear. I had the advantage of knowing what the RPS set up could do. Once I ditched the Spec and went back to the RPS that went away. Still not sure if that's your problem or not but sure does sound familiar. Like I said 12.7 was my best with the Spec 2 and that is exactly where you are. Dejavu aside, see what happens next week. Could be you just need to get more seat time after the winter break. I'm hoping that's it.

Man, you JUST nailed my primary worry. 1-2 JUST WASN'T HAPPENING. Is it timing and just need seat time after the winter break, or is there a problem with the clutch? I have to admit the clutch truelly felt good and was hitting all the high RPM shifts like butter.

I had a lot on my mind: was the car squatting too much, was the front end bouncing up and down, what RPM am I sitting at watching the amber turn to green... I was really nervous and since I was alone I had to try to remember everything that happened right and wrong, then take notes at the end of the runs. Getting out of the hole was my big problem, but I'm still thinking it's partly a tire problem. We'll see next time with the ET Streets. Wish I had the money for Bogarts NOW as I'd get those in a hurry.

Thanks for the comments and encouragement fellas. I had higher expectations for day 1--I should be happy with the gains.

John

P.S. If it turns out this is a Spec clutch problem they are so NOT getting a Christmas card...

 

[Fastmover]

John, that 1.6 you missed the shift. Was that 1st to second? Number one, looking at your times and 60's don't be too depressed just yet. It's been a while since you ran the car so it will take a bit to get your timing back. That 1 to 2 shift when the car is really digging out of the hole is the tough one and is where I had most of my problems with the stage 2 set up. Probably messed up your concentration and may be the reason for the other rev limiter shifts. It seems you are experiencing what I had described to you before about that clutch set up. With the car digging hard out of the hole at high rpm it just doesn't want to go in to gear. I had the advantage of knowing what the RPS set up could do. Once I ditched the Spec and went back to the RPS that went away. Still not sure if that's your problem or not but sure does sound familiar. Like I said 12.7 was my best with the Spec 2 and that is exactly where you are. Dejavu aside, see what happens next week. Could be you just need to get more seat time after the winter break. I'm hoping that's it.

I don't know what you guys are having problems with, but it isn't the SPEC clutch. I have the 2+ with a steel Flywheel. I HAMMER my car, Launch at 5300 RPMS ( and it hooks its ass off), 60 foot in the 1.5x range and never take my foot off the floor teh wole way down the track, shifting couldn't be smother. I just tap the clutch and WAM! next gear. I am suspecting some of the problem may be with a aluminium Flywheel? Just a guess, but it isn't the clutch, cause I am 500 to the tires runing low 13s and never a hickup. just my 2 cents,

 

[Boss281]

I don't know what you guys are having problems with, but it isn't the SPEC clutch. I have the 2+ with a steel Flywheel. I HAMMER my car, Launch at 5300 RPMS ( and it hooks its ass off), 60 foot in the 1.5x range and never take my foot off the floor teh wole way down the track, shifting couldn't be smother. I just tap the clutch and WAM! next gear. I am suspecting some of the problem may be with a aluminium Flywheel? Just a guess, but it isn't the clutch, cause I am 500 to the tires runing low 13s and never a hickup. just my 2 cents,

I have the steel flywheel.

Personally, right now I suspect the tires and/or the rear shock settings--I had trouble hooking up at MIR last November as well. Next week we're using ET Streets.

What part of MD are you from, and what track do you frequent? Oh, I'm guessing hoping that "low 13s" is a typo?

Thanks.

John

 

[Fastmover]

my bad yea ment Low 11s.
I frequent and work at MIR
<------ see photo

 

[Boss281]

my bad yea ment Low 11s.
I frequent and work at MIR
<------ see photo

Oh, you're the announcer that invited me down for the Get Out of the Cold event at MIR next Saturday--I remember now. Unfortunately, the weather's looking a bit rainy so far. We'll see...

Thanks for the comments.

John

 

[Rygen]

I wish I was there to watch you guys run. Thats a strong first time out for the season. I agree on the MT ET streets, they should help a lot on the launch, and I find them to hook very well over my old M&H's.

I personally hook better at MIR than I do at MD (Mason Dixon). I will still run at MD, but honestly could never get a decent amount of runs on sundays there due to the points races and what not.

I'll be at MIR for GOTC and would like to see you there and watch you run (I won't have my car yet). Your MPH looks like it has low 12's in it once you get more seat time.

 

[Boss281]

I wish I was there to watch you guys run. Thats a strong first time out for the season. I agree on the MT ET streets, they should help a lot on the launch, and I find them to hook very well over my old M&H's.

I personally hook better at MIR than I do at MD (Mason Dixon). I will still run at MD, but honestly could never get a decent amount of runs on sundays there due to the points races and what not.

I'll be at MIR for GOTC and would like to see you there and watch you run (I won't have my car yet). Your MPH looks like it has low 12's in it once you get more seat time.

Thanks, let's hope Saturday's weather holds.

 

[US-1]

I had a lot on my mind: was the car squatting too much, was the front end bouncing up and down, what RPM am I sitting at watching the amber turn to green... I was really nervous and since I was alone I had to try to remember everything that happened right and wrong, then take notes at the end of the runs.

Bingo. You're thinking too much. Get someone to watch the car (or video if available) so you can drive. Don't think.......just drive the car. Clear your mind before you pull into the water box. Nothing exists but you, the car, and the tree. Nothing else. You and the car must be a cybernetic organism.....part man/part machine.

And don't think.

 

[Fastmover]

Though it was "Don't Blink"
now it is "Don't Think"

 

[Fastmover]

Oh, you're the announcer that invited me down for the Get Out of the Cold event at MIR next Saturday--I remember now. Unfortunately, the weather's looking a bit rainy so far. We'll see...

Thanks for the comments.

John

Yea that was meeee. I won't be there, I got to go work for the Navy this weekend, Sucks cause air is good now, and I am taking the seats out of my car, looking for the 10.90 run! But I race there ALLOT and work on 1 or twice a month!

 

[Boss281]

Bingo. You're thinking too much. Get someone to watch the car (or video if available) so you can drive. Don't think.......just drive the car. Clear your mind before you pull into the water box. Nothing exists but you, the car, and the tree. Nothing else. You and the car must be a cybernetic organism.....part man/part machine.

And don't think.

Yeah, I think I get it. Don't think, just hold the stick and slide it into gear...sort of like my sex life. if only I could find a babe that likes the tats (won a $999 signed limited edition shelby poster at a car show):

 

[don_w]

+1, and I think most of those cars are gutted to some degree anyway.

And most run auto trans, too.

 

[US-1]

Though it was "Don't Blink".....

If you look over into the other lane and see me there......Don't Blink.

.....now it is "Don't Think"

Best advice you can give anyone driving a race car.

 

[ArtQ]

I don't know what you guys are having problems with, but it isn't the SPEC clutch

It's good to see someone having luck with there stg 2. That's the second one for Boss 281. I Tried 2 completely different setups from spec. Mine was the 2 not the 2+ and used there alum flywheel. It seems most guys with 3 and 3+ are doing OK. I had the RPS before I tried the Specs, It worked great, I abused it, it started slipping then tried Spec. After two tries with Spec I went Back to RPS and it was like night and day. Best time with RPS 12.1 @ 112, consistant 1.68/1.69 60'. Best with the Specs 12.7 terrible 60's as well as high rpm shift problems mostly 1-2 and some 2-3/3-4. Got frustrated and threw in another RPS and was back to normal with a best of 12.03 @ 113.78 1.69 60'. Weather and track conditions all very close between all runs. The clutch changes were the ONLY changes. Just relaying my personal experience with my stg 2's. There are more threads around with other people having issues with the stg 2.

 

[ArtQ]

+1, and I think most of those cars are gutted to some degree anyway.

Does removing the sub, spare and jack count as gutted?

Last weigh in was 3500 with me in it 195#