Rather let down with my times tonight

[douglas vincent]

Well, went to the races tonight. And after all my rebuild time and money, all I gained was about .20 of a second.

While I did get my personal best of 16.602 tonight, I was expecting a much larger increase, maybe a 16.25.

I mean, is .5 of a second that much of an increase to ask for? After a set of new rings, a new clutch and weight reduction? I think not. I am slightly pissed but such is life.

I think it might be my new tires though. I had some 185/70s and now have 195/65's. The new tires are about 1" smaller in diameter. I now have to shift into 4th before I hit the speed trap. Before I got new tires I just barely kept it in third.

Looking at my old records, I am definetely faster but I just didnt see much of an increase in performance.


Ah well, had fun and didnt break anything. Now off to the Rallycross on Sunday.

[Brat4by4]

What were your trap speeds and how much have they increased? Those tell you more about the power of the car and less about the skills of the driver to squeeze a smaller elapsed time out of it.

[douglas vincent]

My trap speeds decreased.

Previously I was running a 16.75 ish and 80.5 mph.

Now I am running 16.71 consistantly but at 79.5 mph.

Can you feel my dissapointment? From a slipping clutch and smoke all the way down the track to a new tight gear change and what feels like more power and only a .1 to .15 increase. Blah.

[BAC5.2]

Did you have the MAF screen removed when you made the first run (the 16.75 run?)

You're trap decreased, which seems like you LOST power, but got a better launch?

I'm no drag racing whiz, so William will have to fill in.

[douglas vincent]

Yeah, everthing was just like it was before, except I had the bad clutch and bad rings and was getting 12 mpg.

Like I said, I think it is because of my new tires. Since I have smaller diameter tires, I am getting to the topend of third quicker and so when I shift into 4th the 50 yards or so before the trap, I stop gaining any real time or speed because now I am lower rpm in 4th which no powerhouse in a NA.

So if I was really into it AND had the time, I would trade rims with my wifes car because she has the same tires I used to have, and run again. I suspect I would see a slightly better time and trap speed.

Correct me if I am thinking wrong.

[azn2nr]

correct me if im wrong but isnt your car n/a. and if it is that time is pretty good

[douglas vincent]

Its only NA until I hit the happy gas now. Then it transforms into a forced induction unit. Or so I read somewhere that if you use NO2, it puts you in the same class as supercharged and turbocharged units.

I am heading back out tommorrow night and expect to get 15.25-15.5 ets.

I could potentially even do better but I wont say that out loud as to not jinx myself!