New Times Finally

[turbojimmy]

Hi all,

I was FINALLY able to get to the track. Haven't been there since the new engine was installed. Still need to "tune" it (more on that in a minute) but I think it made a decent showing. All runs were at Island Dragway today. It's low 40s outside. I'm running drag radials (275/60) and 94 octane fuel w/ alky. There were 2 other GNs there - one with GNX type wheels, the other with stock rims in front, stickies out back. Didn't catch up with either driver nor was I able to see what they ran.

SUMMARY (details below):
- need to know exactly how much boost I'm running
- best time was 12.27 @ 111.64
- minimal knock; ran out of adjustment on the BstC

Anyhow, here's how it went.

First run (full timeslips are on my site under the Drag Racing link):
60': 2.514
13.88 @ 108.57

Can you say "no traction"? My 330' time was 6.473 - it was still spinning 1/4 track. Finally hooked about 1/3 of the way out. As I soon found out, I can't launch on the DRs with ANY boost at all. They just go up in smoke.

Timing was at 21 degrees WOT and boost was probably in the 20 psi range (can't tell for sure - I think the gauge is goofy). No knock (per my knock gauge).

I can't get TurboLink to tell me anything useful. I have to screw around with it to find out what's going on - it used to work. So at this point I'm flying blind. I'm "tuning" with the knock gauge.

Run #2:
Crank the BstC all the way up (gauge shows 22-23 PSI). Timing still 21 degrees. This time I launched with 0 on the vac/boost gauge:

60': 1.957
12.44 @ 110.76

Getting better. No knock whatsoever. Turned the timing up to 23 degrees @ WOT.

Run #3:

60': 2.6
14.47 @ 71.43

Launched with about 3 PSI on the gauge. Spun to about 1/3 track again. About half track I realized that the knock gauge was pegged. I immediately got off it. Still pegged. Whacked it, went back to normal. It does this once in a while - always freaks me out. The last red light lights up, but dimly. I panicked for nothing and got out of it.

Run #4: same timing and boost (23 degrees @ WOT, 22-23 PSI)

60': 2.010 (launched at 0 boost)
12.44 @ 111.60

MPH picked up with the timing increase. One green light on the knock gauge on the 2-3 shift.

Run #5: cranked the timing up to 25 @ WOT. Same boost.

60': 1.910
12.27 @ 111.64

Knock gauge lit the 3rd green (didn't hit yellow). Rather than let off, I cranked up the alky and drowned it.

So, I need to adjust the wastegate. Looks like I have a decent amount of headroom for turning up the boost. I'm not sure what the O2s were because my TLink files are messed up.

I think it did okay given the fact I had no information on how it was running.

Next time out I hope to squeeze out some 11s with a bit of tuning.

Jim

 

[salvageV6]

Very good info. since I have a lot of the same parts.

Wish I could race one more time up here in the cold air.

Looking for the same times you ran without the pistons, cam, heads....

Of course I need 24-25 psi. and 24* timing.

Good job, musta been crowded...

 

[turbojimmy]

Originally posted by salvageV6
Very good info. since I have a lot of the same parts.

Wish I could race one more time up here in the cold air.

Looking for the same times you ran without the pistons, cam, heads....

Of course I need 24-25 psi. and 24* timing.

Good job, musta been crowded...

Actually it wasn't too crowded today. I only spent about an hour and a half there to get the 5 runs in. I let it cool down for a while in between runs, too.

I think my boost gauge is way off. Unless something else is wrong (which is entirely possible), it should be a lot faster if I was really running 23-24 PSI and that amount of timing. This is the same gauge that said I was running 24 lbs. of boost on 94 octane with a 92 Thrasher and no alky. I'm thinking my boost is more like in the sub 20 PSI range. I'm going to put the timing back to 21 or 23 and turn the boost up until I see some retard. I don't have any now. In the meantime, I think I'm going to order up another gauge.

Jim

 

[salvageV6]

Wow I would kept testing 'til they told me to leave.

Actually most gauges I've tested have read low. I use a large Omega laboratory gauge for calibrating my analog and digital boost gauges.

Anyhow those numbers are in line with what I have seen on pump gas and alky.

 

[turbojimmy]

Originally posted by salvageV6
Wow I would kept testing 'til they told me to leave.

Actually most gauges I've tested have read low. I use a large Omega laboratory gauge for calibrating my analog and digital boost gauges.

Anyhow those numbers are in line with what I have seen on pump gas and alky.

I ordered another gauge anyway. If the old one proves to be okay, I can just send it back. I wanted more MPH out of it and I was hoping it was because boost was low. I want to tune it 'til it knocks - or at least until my O2s drop below 800. I finally was able to get some info from TLink (not a TLink problem, it's my laptop). On the 12.2 run O2s were 810-820. On one of the 12.4 runs O2s were 780-790.

I'd have stayed longer if I had the foresight to bring a 7/16" wrench to adjust my wastegate. The lack of traction was really pissing me off, too. I'm going to go back with slicks, but they're 26x10.5 (versus the 28" tall DRs) so I'll probably lose some MPH.

I was checking out the slips and my 1/8th mile didn't improve much over last time out even though I picked up 5 MPH in the 1/4. If I can get it to stick, the MPH might improve. I know typically when the 60 foots improve your MPH gets a little lower, but I'm spinning 1/3 of the track. It's gotta be affecting MPH.

It's supposed to get back to "normal" temps (mid-50s) this week. I might head back to Island for testing on Sunday again.

Thanks for the replies,
Jim

 

[salvageV6]

I bring every tool I own when I go racing.

2 1/2hr. drive so I can't afford not to be prepared for a rebuild.

Good luck this week should be fine for racing.

 

[Turbojorge]

Nice Times

You should have no problem getting deep into the 11's once you get it dialed in. Slicks may be a big help too. Most importantly, get the T-Link working.

 

[fast eddie]

excelent job nice running,great job on the car also

 

[turbojimmy]

Originally posted by fast eddie
excelent job nice running,great job on the car also

Thanks.....

13.19 @116?! And I'm complaining about traction!

I was hoping for something in the 115-116 MPH range with the alky. I'll have to try again this Sunday. Less air in the DRs, tighter wastegate, and working TLink (got it fixed up now).

Jim