[elky] Re: Drag Racing Report
- From: Chris Lindh <chris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: elky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 23 Oct 2011 11:35:36 -0400
I reinstalled the factory driveshaft "strap" that comes on G-bodies just
before I left town. I figured it would be better than nothing. I had to
flatten it to clear the driver's side exhaust pipe. I have tried but can't
get a hold of the guy you bought your driveshaft loop from, I want the 3"
setback model in case I go to a T56.
The 8.5" is open and has 3.42 gears. Since my trans is not overdrive 70 MPH
would go from 2500 RPM to 3100... more gear is good for drag racing...
I guess it was a good night of racing, I got a lot of runs in and didn't
scatter parts...
Thanks!
On Sun, Oct 23, 2011 at 11:10 AM, Ray Buck <rbuck@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Great stuff. You broke a whole lot less stuff than I did on my last
> racing attempt. :)
>
> Sounds like traction is the biggest issue...but as you say, too much of
> that could just lead to the next weak point. I think the 8.5" rear end and
> a heavy-duty driveshaft would be a good start. Suggestion: use driveshaft
> loops front and rear. If you can mount the rear loop to the differential or
> control arms, then there shouldn't be any problem with clearance as the ride
> height changes. I had a new loop kit on the shelf that I'd planned to put
> in the 67 Camaro, but that little heart trouble thing got in the way (I was
> having bypass surgery when WoS 2004 happened...when I'd planned to race the
> Camaro)...so it stayed on said shelf. It'll go into the race car as part of
> the resurrection.
>
> All in all, congrats on a good night of racing.
>
> r
>
>
>
> On 10/22/2011 9:21 PM, Chris Lindh wrote:
>
> I wanted to go drag racing to help me decide the direction I want to
> proceed with the '80. More power? Durability? T56?
>
> The drive to the "Atlanta" Dragway takes an additional hour on a Friday due
> to rush hour and the race track being 70 miles from Atlanta. The
> lifesaver? Ear plugs: with no carpet and headers the '80 is loud. I
> arrived at the track 30 minutes early and was first in line. Paid $20 and
> proceeded to tech. The tech inspector passed the '80 without comments, I
> wanted to ask him what things he looked for, but I was in a hurry... to then
> wait 30 minutes for racing to start (hurry up and wait, this seems to be
> common theme for sportsman racing).
>
> First run, blew away the tires off the line and in every gear thereafter.
> Clearly traction, or the lack thereof, would be the theme of the day. 16.3
> at 88MPH. I had hoped to be quicker. Although the Marauder in the other
> lane blew my doors off he red lit... so I win dammit.
>
> Next run 15.4 at 103MPH. This is more like it. 103 miles per hour
> calculates ~300 hp to the wheels, and the elapsed time should be 13 flat.
> So I'm not putting the power to the ground... should this be a surprise?
> Air shocks, Eibach springs and hard tires with little sidewall... like a
> recipe for no traction. I did lower the pressure in the air shocks, but I
> was afraid to lower it too much lest the 275/40s get into the fenderwell.
>
> I hotlapped the next 4 runs, all 16 something at ~97 MPH. Then I was told
> I had an oil leak, so I made a banzai run to a local parts store for a valve
> cover gasket and swapped it out in the parking lot.
>
> I came back and made 4 runs, getting into the low 15s at 97. I wonder if
> the 103 MPH run was correct? I took a break to snap some photos of other
> cars (night shots, mostly blurry, I need a monopod). Something happened on
> the track so the line to race got long, so I headed for home around 9:45. I
> was pleased to have made 10 runs, I data logged so I can tune places on my
> fuel map that I will never see in street driving (high load, high RPM).
>
> Carnage to the '80? Header collector gasket (sounds like a log truck) and
> possibly the heater core. Not bad all things considered. Where do I go
> from here? For traction I at least need to install the load leveler springs
> and air bags waiting on the shelf, then maybe drag shocks? (I had planned
> on Bilstein shocks like the front) Drag radials or slicks are a
> possibility, but too much traction will no doubt lead to the demise of the
> original 7.5" rearend, driveshaft, or both. I have an 8.5" from my
> Malibu... or maybe go to a Ferd 9"?
>
> A trailer would be nice, take the worry out of breaking something at the
> track & being stranded... I'm visiting my brother next weekend and I may
> come back with his trailer and my old MGB. Our driveway would look like a
> home for wayward cars...
>
>
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