Track Day

[ByronRACE]

http://www.youtube.com/byronrace

First 2 vids are from a track event I attended last Monday. Testing the new Quaife 9" LSD...which turns out was most of my "rear suspension" problem I thought I had...the old trac-log was either dead when I got it, or I killed it prior to the WSCB.

At around 3pm, my car exploded on the track (sorry no video). No damage though, just a thunderous backfire that left me looking in the mirror for parts. The rotor in the distributor came apart, the EFI loaded the pipes with fuel, and it ignited....KABOOOOOMM. Very impressive, so I'm told. LOL. I robbed parts out of my gen1 lighting (towed with it) and kept on going.

Considering the added sproing factor of my car due to the stuff I did to it, I was very pleased with the result. No issues with the powertrain at all aside from a rotor failure. This was a very low attendance event, with TONS of track space and I really got a chance to tweak the car in well. Turning the power down a few hundred HP since the WSCB was the right thing to do...it's a lot easier to drive now. Perhaps I'll turn it back up later, but right now I'm happy with it. Boost is not necessarily your friend if you are trying to learn how to drive. I'm seeing around 8-10psi at 6K, running 19deg total advance...and a lot happier.


Byron

[Howard Jones]

I'm glad you have had made progress with your test and tune program. I bet you really liked that new Quaife diff. The reduction in power was a good move. Once you are happy with your lap times to the point that you feel you need more power to lower them then add power. Until then just have fun working on the line, being smooth, and brake points.

Cheers buddy, Howard

[ByronRACE]

The Quaife was an excellent recommendation...the car feels like it has 4 wheel steering now, compared to how it was acting before.

My comment above about "big boom, no damage" was less than accurate. I later discovered timing shake on my datalogs that got worse throughout the day at Thunder Hill culminating with the big backfire and broken rotor. After seeing the shake in the ignition timing inputs to the ECU, I decided to investigate deeper, and when I did I discovered that my comp "roller friendly" steel gear and my comp roller cam (purchased together and recommended by COMP) ate eachother. Not pretty, but at the moment it appears all the magnets I bonded into the bottom of my oil pan did the intended job. I don't see metal anywhere other than at the bottom of the pan, but am not done with the investigation yet.

I have to pull the cam (gear worn) and will be trying something different. I'm happy with the duration, but since I'm not wanting for power I'm going to go with a more mild ramp rate, about .050 less lift, more LSA, and a 137 firing sequence. I'm also changing to the Isky EZ-Roll needle-bearingless lifters. I'm afraid of what happens when all those needle bearings fall out. I've seen pictures. I've always wanted to try the 137 sequence on a 385 series; now is a good opportunity. Oh, and screw the "roller friendly" steel gear...I'm going bronze and will simply change it as frequently as necessary in hope that if a failure mode like this were to ever surface again, it wouldn't take the cam with it!

Anyway...I'll be down for a few months at my pace...so be it.

Byron

[jmarsey]

Byron,

Keep us posted on your next track day outing. If I can, could come out and work with you on your line and smoothness. Glad you are getting seat time and car sorted. Thanks for sharing your videos and keep up the good work!

Talk soon, John :>

[ByronRACE]

That would be great; thanks for the offer. I'll keep you posted.

They had a pro photographer out at Matt's event...he took some nice shots.

http://larrysacksphoto.smugmug.com/R...%20Days/541856

This one prompted a poster order...and plans for a 6" taller roll bar for track days!

http://larrysacksphoto.smugmug.com/g...17693089_tpeCs

Also looks like dropping the rear nearly an inch wouldn't be a horrible idea.