First time at the track for me too...

[ravenp]

Well, I finally got there, and while I did not make the times I was hoping for, I still had a blast and want to go again once I get a tune-up, oil change and manual fan switch!

First the times, then the explanation : )

First run... Engine temp a little high, over the first line, just drove 30km's to get there. Beat a Volvo Wagon on the pass [img]smile.gif[/img]

Temp 83 Hum 78 Barometer 29.51
R/T 1.135
60' 2.561
1/8 10.951
1/4 16.923
MPH 79.97

2nd... I ran too soon on this one, engine was over 210, past the midpoint. The track was so busy though, it was go soon or don't go. Still managed to beat an 88 Civic CRX : )

Temp 83 Hum 81 Bar 29.51
R/T 1.021
60' 2.665
1/8 11.066
1/4 17.033
MPH 79.94

3rd pass. The best one! I was able to let the engine cool down, so by the time I ran it was just around the first dash, but still a bit hot i guess. Got creamed by a 70's Fairlane :(

TEmp 82 Hum 75 Bar 29.43
R/T .697
60' 2.520
1/8 10.785
1/4 16.704
MPH 80.07

So as you can see from someone going there hoping to crack the 15's, I didn't even come close. I still had a blast, especially beating the civic. It was a really hot night and I couldn't get the car to cool down. I need that manual fan switch.

The only other thing I can think of that was robbing me of power are my need for an oil change and a strange idle. The night before I noticed a vibrating sound coming from my exhaust somewhere. Apon getting out to inspect I could tell that the idle wasn't steady. It revs up and then levels off for a few seconds, then up a bit..then down. I'm not sure if it's misfiring or what?

I've gone 96000Km's without changing spark plugs and while the gm book says 150000, i'm going to get some good platinum plugs in there soon.

Anyways, aside from the obvious reasons my times were low like 3.08 gears, no fan switch, terrible 60' times etc... I'd welcome any other ideas [img]smile.gif[/img]

In the end though I still had a great time and will be back after some tuneups and when the cooler weather hits.

cheers.

[99Camaro99]

check your car out bro...bone stock a 3.8L (which you have) should run hi 15s. Definately get that tune-up.

[rob231]

raven, what is your altitude? that must be the reason for low mph. see if you can find a scale to correct for weather and alt. so you can see how you compare to us flat lander gear heads.

[ravenp]

Not sure what it is, but i'm right near the Michigan border... i don't think that's the issue... Teal? You've raced at Grand Bend before eh?

THanks for the suggestion though... i've seen some altitude conversion charts, i'll try to figure that out anyways.

[camaro97]

yea, u should be running at least low 16's, but if ur car is like mine(mine still had factory wires and plugs at 85K miles) it will help accel A WHOLE LOT

[ravenp]

Yeah, i'll be getting the plugs and wires in the next pay check for sure. I'm going to price out the auto fan switch in canada too.

If the weather were in the high sixties rather than low 80's, could that account for as much as a half second for our cars? Or, more like a few tenths?

Thanks guys...

[jonny985]

save the money on the fan switch and do this mod, works like a charm and only cost about $5
http://users.oco.net/xero/fanmod/

[ravenp]

Thanks man, i'm going to do this...

[TealV6]

GB is a slower track for us V6er's. The only thing I've been able to figure out so far about there is the bite (VHT) is heavy. That and the alt. does not help any.

I have never done well at GB. My best times are with St. Thomas and Cecil.

Personally I like St. Thomas for the fun factor. You get a ton more runs in. Can you say "hot lap all day" :D Plus it's more relaxed there. GB is for the big boys to play and us to watch and learn (ie. drink beers) [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Raven when did you go?? You'll have to see some of the Windsor boy I know run up there. They hook with some serious power and boggy down the track. But that's what happens when you run about 800HP in a F-body!!

Steve

[ravenp]

Thanks Teal... saying GB doesn't run that good makes some sense, since my fiance's 84 Z28 was only running 17.03 best et. She used to work there and has never cracked 17 with it(although it's usually burnout related [img]smile.gif[/img]

Anyways, we went this past weekend... the weekend of the Hot Rod Mag/National Muscle Car Assoc. Power Weekend. We ran friday and entered them in the show n shine on saturday.

pics at http://members.rogers.com/ravenp/kruise.htm at the bottom. more to come soon.

I'll have to check out St Thomas. I was there once as a spectator and wasn't impressed with the track quality. It was an import show and there was a guy running an 8 sec eclipse and he almost lost it twice and had to shut down. I hope it was just a fluke [img]smile.gif[/img]

Anyways, let me know when you're heading there next(preferrably when it's under 75 degrees out as well [img]smile.gif[/img]