Early this spring I ran pretty easy 13.9's with traps ranging from 100-103mph. I went tonight with the following changes since then:

- New(er) engine
- 3.33" SC Pully (from 3.62")
- SCCAI
- ACT Clutch
- Poly motor mounts
- MEVI (5000 RPM switchover)

I expected 13.7's or 13.8's to be easy, and was hoping for 13.6's.

Not even close.

It was about 85* and 72% humidity on the track computer (which is known to be a little off).

Best run of the day:



My previous best:

Here's the kicker. I was having electrical problems (kept blowing fuses all the sudden) and my MEVI wasn't working for that run! My best run of the night with the MEVI working was:

The car feel faster with all this stuff, but the numbers aren't there. I felt that it was a lot harder to get the car down the track, especially the first 1/8th mile. Compared to last time, I lost almost a tenth right there. My 60' times all sucked. No better than 2.320.

My times for the night: 14.010@101.18, 13.996@101.10, 14.667@80.07, 14.153@101.85, 14.120@102.52, 14.364@102.26, 14.293@99.51, 14.196@101.03.

Kinda confused. I'm not really botherd that my ET's weren't great, as I obviously had problems getting the car down the track. However, I expected a significant boost in my traps with more boost (9psi) and the MEVI. Could be the new engine isn't quite as strong (although compression is better), hotter day (85* vs. 65*), MEVI, you name it. Not really sure why it didn't run well yet.


On a more positive note though. I won (out of 75 or so cars) the 'Import/Sport Compact' bracket racing division. Dialed between 13.85 and 14.0 for the night, but won most of the races at the tree. Even cut a .501 light. Won the finals because the other guy (16.5s Grand Am) broke out. Done bracket racing twice this year, 2nd place the first time, 1st time time.

 

You need to change your MEVI switchover to 5300 or 5400. You are probably losing 1-2mph right there. I know it sounds crazy but i gain a consistent 1mph just switching from 5000-5300. Also have you taken a look at your y-pipe flex section?

 

Really? I'll have to try that.

Y-pipe is just fine. Inspected it while doing the engine swap.

 

I think the heat and humidity was definately a huge factor. 13.9@101mph is pretty respectable for those kind of conditions are rather slow 60 foots. The best I could muster last night in 102-98 degree heat was a 14.61@94.5mph with a 2.26 60'. I was definately happy to pull that kind of time, but I realized just how much MPH is sucked out from nasty conditions. I usually gain 22mph in the last 1/8 mile, but last night I could barely get 20mph. Of course I did run on my 17s and fully loaded so that was working against me.


Dave

 

I'm concerned that I was SLOWER when the MEVI was working. Kinda bothersome, but maybe it was just my x-over point as Neal pointed out. I'll have to mess with it.

It just felt like the car wasn't pulling quite like it should. Its just seemed to cruise, and not pull like it should. Its different of course on the track, but the car feels crazy fast on the street. Not so on the track though.

It should also be said that I babied the tranny. Didn't even chirp a single shift. Being the first time at the track with this clutch, I wasn't looking to break anything...yet...

I saw that. Good time! Honestly, I always trap higher using my 17's. I'm sure its a gear/tire ratio thing, but I get worse 60' times, and better traps. I'd be interested in seeing what you could do in your "race trim" but with your 17's. I think you'd be surprised.

 

I should be hitting better times as well. I think its the humidity

 

Definately adjust your switchover to 5300-5400rpms when it's hot out. It doesn't seem to matter much in cold air, but when the motor is smoking hot and the air is less dense, the higher switchover definately helps things. I know what you're saying about it not pulling like it should. My car just felt doggish in every gear. I attribute it to the weather, the weight, and even the openess of the track (sense of acceleration goes down).

Good to see you're one of the few that knows how to safely drive with the ACT clutch.

BTW, I got the MEVI cover a long time ago. Thanks again. My engine bay looks really clean and completely stock The Mustang guys were like "that's a bada$$ looking engine".


Dave

 

I'll try that. I may go back next week. Now that I'm in Buffalo its not as convenient. When I was in Rochester it was only about 25 minutes away. Now its about an hour.

I figure I'll get more aggressive with it once I've gotten a better feel for it. I won't powershift, but I won't be as careful.

Good! Glad someone is getting use out of it. It just would have looked wierd in my engine bay. Got a pic?

 

My MEVI was set at 5k. I might try that setting next time as well, and the track is about an hour drive from my house so i will let it cool off next time before i run.

 

Forgot the funny part of the night....

I pack up all my stuff and leave the track. I've got a 70lb tool box and jack in the trunk.

I make a right hand turn onto the main road to head home, and hear a BOOM followed by a hissing noise from the rear of the car. I figure I blew a rear tire, although I didn't feel anything strange.

Get out and check the tires, and they're just fine...then I see a white smoke-like cloud coming out of the trunk! Open the trunk and everything is covered in white? It looked like I would have expected if my nitrous bottle (when I had it) would have leaked. However, this was like a powder substance.

Turns out my fire extinguisher we off! I guess through the course of the night the lock pin fell out, and when I turned the tool box slid, and pressesed against it. What a mess!

 

Probably the heat and humidity. Did you have any excess weight in the car?

 

Just a thought, but you guys may be experiencing detonation in those kind of temps/conditions, which the ECU will pull timing and feel doggy.

I'd try mixing in some higher octane gas on a 1/4-tank just to eliminate that as a possibility or "trick" the KS into thinking everything is fine with a 470 ohm resistor(right?) to see if it makes a difference.

BTW, I'd kill for those times.

 

Looks like your best run was your second, just like mine. I hit 15.1, 14.9, then like 7 more 15.1's and a 15.0. The humidity was 87% at 85degrees

 

Nope. I've actcually lost weight since the last time I was at the track.

That could be. I need an intercooler. I was using 93 octane, like always.

 

Those aren't in order. The 13.9 run was actcually my 4th.

 

93-octane(Chevron RIGHT?) should be plenty NA. I thought you were running 91-octane, since that's all we get at the pump.

However, you're SC'd right? DEFINITELY get an intercooler, however even now I'd recommend you get an alcohol/water injection Aquamist system. Jane is selling hers.

It will give you the cooling effect on the incoming charge air PLUS with the alcohol, it will bump effective octane considerably saving you the $5/gallon cost of 100+octane.

For $300 used or $420 new, I'd have one with or without an intercooler.

 

Neal and Dave both have more track times than I do, but after all 13 of my dynos I never noticed any sort of dropoff in power/torque with a 5000rpm VI switchover. FWIW I believe the VI should be set lower with forced induction anyway
-hype

 

it was a 102 degrees at night?

 

Yep. I was at the track from 6pm to 8pm because no one was there and I could make as many passes as I wanted. Here's the weather data from Kansas City. My track is about 15 miles south of KC and is typically a few degrees warmer. It was 91 degrees at midnight.

http://www.wunderground.com/history/...lyHistory.html


Dave

 

im an idiot, but i say it was the heat...going from conditions like u said my car loses almost half a sec, but thats prolly due the fact that im a dog off the line neway (VE auto)

 

Opening the vi earlier is a huge mistake. I lost 55hp when I opened it at 4500 rpm. At 5000 rpm I lost 20hp. I also found 5300-5400 rpm was the best place to open the vi.