For the first time in like 10 years I was able to get some real test and tuning done yesterday. With my new found power in the last few years I needed to try to get the chassis working better. The local 1/8 mile track was having TnT Fri, sat, and sun so I took advantage of it. With only like 20 cars running you could do whatever you wanted, and since this track has been marginal for traction it was a good choice to dial in some traction.
I made my first baseline pass. It spun a bit but wasn't tragic(about normal). I got to the trailer and tightened up the rebound on the rear shocks like 10 clicks(big change). Went right back out and the 60 ft picked up .03. So I put the shocks full tight and tried again to see another improvement. I was on the right track!
Now, there was a bit of a left hand pull on the launch, making me have to steer it when the front wheels touched. Since the car typically didn't do this I blamed the track surface.
I then try to loosen the front up some. It typically liked it slowed down some, I had 10 clicks in it(out of 16). I again made a big change....I turned them to 0 clicks (full loose). Can you see the bad decision???
I come out of the water, and like typical as I push in the clutch the tires will bite and the car will try to pull the front wheels(I've been told it has on occasion). It seemed a bit more radical this time. I quickly realized this may not be a good idea. But......naaa, it has wheelie bars, we're fine. Lol!!! I left like I had previously only to find it went vertical, like right now!! And it was turning left!! Oh crap, this isn't good. I quickly grab second gear to try to settle it down. It did, but I was peddling it also and that was too much and it fell to earth....HARD! Ouch....... I felt it in my back. I gathered it up and completed the pass. I get to the timing shack( I shut it off and coasted up). I turned on the ignition and the fan was making rattling noises. The fellow at the shack says "that's not good". Ya. I quickly get to my spot and check the damages. My fan had ripped loose, dropped down and bent the blades and promptly started to chop away at my radiator to the tune of 5 different holes spraying water. Oops.
So, I load up, remove the radiator, and head home. I found a replacement radiator at Summit, which I will get today. I did a quick check on the front end and everything seems okay. I do have quite a buckle in the front of the oil pan. Luckily the oil pickup is in the rear of the sump and that area isn't damaged. I had talked to the starter and he said I took quite a chunk of concrete out when I hit right on the edge of the track surface( next to the grass).
So, what did I learn?? I found the optimal shock settings to make the car hook on ice!!! Just need to lower/tighten up the wheelie bars AND keep the front shocks tightened up!!
Another friend with a stick shift Cuda did the same thing trying to get his new power dialed in. He clobbered the pan and bent up the front chassis(chassis car). He told me my bad karma took him out!! He had told me after my oops that his bars are real low and tight. Hmm, guess not enough?? He made his last pass after me.
The trials and tribulations of running a heavy, small tire stick car. The crazy part was the car was repeating ET like a dragster. Two 6.792 in a row. Not shabby.
