Well we went out to play around a little yesterday with the car since we made the changes. To recap those changes are moving the cell and pump up front, new set of valvesprings, new chute, accumulator and longer wheelie bars. I had not run the car all out with the longer bars yet. Anyway I have come the the conclusion my car cannot fall out of a tree very fast.

My 60' times are HORRIFIC. This car has never been stellar in 60' but NEEDS to be better than it is. First off we did not change the 4 link at all, just were out to have some fun and play a little bit. We did try launch RPM's from 4500-59000 rpm, tried air pressure from 7.5-8.75 lbs, short burnouts, long burnouts also loosened the extension on the shocks once. Oh yeah we even tried a new set of plug wires in A-B-A testing and got no gain, actually lost a tad, but to be fair we had not tried changing timing or jetting with the new wires, but they did slow the car 1.5 mph and a few hundredths. Oh yeah we jetted up to and the car liked that with a 1.5mph gain, unfortunately I did not have any larger jets so not sure if there is more there, yes we did this before swapping wires. The wire test was just that A-B-A, changed nothing but the wires. We also left the timing alone. Would have played with the shocks more but we had a pipe fitting crack and leak on the fuel pump and were done for the day.

The results speak for themselves. We got zip zero nada, nothing made a difference. The 60' did not change at all. We had a best if 1.250 to 1.266. Thew 1.26 was with the bars to low unloaded the tire and got a revolution or so of spin. Now while one might be happy with a 1.26 60' keep in mind this car is going 169mph running 8.20's the best mph in the 1/8th was 133 at 5.36. The car should be running quicker but until I can get it to cover the first 330' quicker it is just gonna run 20's I guess. The air was just ok for us yesterday at 1900'+- most of the day when we ran.

I guess I should be happy as we are commited to running S/ST with the car next year. We did pick up a couple, well 3 MPH most likely a result of the spring and jet changes. The leakdown numbers are still 3% or less. The car drives great. Hopefully I can carry some of that over on the stop. I had been dropping about 10mph on the stop at 10.90 so hopefully now I will be right at 158-9.

I will try and get the video up but may be a few days. Have friends arriving today from Japan so that has priority. I am open to any thoughts you might have on this deal. here is where we are at. Launch RPM is 4700 shocks are 3 from stiff on extension and 4 from stiff on compression. 4 link is 84 and 1 right now. Want to try and maybe bring that back a bit. My next option is IIRC 69 and .5 but have to look at my notes. EDIT for old age sake..I am currently at 69 1/8" out and 1 1/2" up. Next option is 60 1/2"out and 5 1/2" up So lets hear it..Also think the 4.56's are gonna go in it. I was able to get 7750 crossing the stripe yesterday which is better than where I was but can still stand a bit more RPM. That should also help getting the car moving.

time for a converter change

why so much air psi? have you tried any other rear shock/spring combos?

Wayne I think shocks are an area I need to address. I have Strange DA's now but not sure they are working properly. They seem fine on the stop but all out they do not seem to respond to changes really. Our worst 60's have been with the air pressure low. It has been better with it up in the past. Yesterday it did not seem to matter and it may just be we need more time with the wheelie bars. Maybe they are to low or to high, have not watched the video on the big TV yet, cant find the dang cables. I can hear it unloading if the are to low however, ya know tires barking.

As for the converter, yeah it is tight but for the .90 thing the one in it works like a champ..HOWEVER I am going to pick up a new looser piece from ATI in the winter sale. Just to see what we get with it.

I am not a big fan of Strange shocks. I have them on my dragster and don't like them too much. With that car knocking on the 7's I'd invest in the best you can afford, Santhuff would be a great choice. Spring choice will also be critical I prefer Eibach over all others. Video of the rear tire and suspension should reveal alot. FWIW I ran 6.5psi in the Dart which was similiar weight and et.

Wow! I am faster than you too 60', 1.231 best.But then you would blow right bye me! But almost forgot you have a glide I have a 727 (which I would like to sell both my 727's and get a glide myself).

Here is another observation, and what is leading me to believe the bars are to low. After finding the cords Our chalk stripes consisted of about 8-9" hit initially then a 1' gap and then back on the bars for about 2', on a couple passes we actually have a third strip for 8" or so...Also notice the front tires did not leave the tarmac at all..

As for the shocks I should have replaced them when I had to replace the springs. I will get it done before we start next year for sure. I am a little suspect that they might be an issue.

Call MR2performance, (765 483 9371). Mike can fix you up on Santhuff shocks. Also check on the best secert in town (quicklinx).

I'll offer you a little R&D free of charge...

Brand new Strange dbl adj shocks 1.19-1.20 60'

next time out with Santhuff dbl adj and same Bickel springs, no other changes 1.13-1.14

now you decide.

Launch RPM is way low. I had the launch RPM with that motor, at 5500 RPM, with the small tire, and it still wasn't enough. I would say to loosen the converter, and let the motor sing. What is the current converter flashing at? What is the driveshaft speed?

6200rpm is the current flash RPM...We can all agree that the current converter is to tight. However launch RPM made no difference in ET or 60's at all. The fastest pass of the day was at the lowest launch RPM. Car does the same every time the button was released according to the Data. Slip was 4% accoriding to rpm at the stripe. I do have a couple little blips in RPM off the line and the video shows this as well..

Al,

Where does your motor make peak Tq?

Dont have the sheet in front of me but 6500 is ringing a bell. Not a torque monster at all at 775ft/lbs.

what converter are you running now?

My current convertor is an 8" ATI. It works very well for where we race the vast majority of the time. I will be getting a looser version over the winter to try. The convertor I have was a custom built unit from ATI, but they had to try twice to get it this loose.

From what I recall the torque numbers in the 6000-6600 rpm range is not much different. I dont have the dyno sheets in front of me right now but will take a look at them.

Anyone else have any thoughts?

I would suspect the shocks too my setup uses koni. I tried adjusting my strange shocks on my old drag truck never did a thing. That's why I went with koni. What are your wheelie bars at mine likes it at 8-1/4" hits them and stays on them for 3-4' That's all the info I have to offer I would take your 60's for your ET and MPH.

IIRC you have about a 7.55 SLR? Pretty weak? What are guys with similar combos running for Starting line ratios? I guess the real question is how much starting line torque they have. If converter multiplication is 2/1, then 7.55 x 775 x 2 is 11,700 ft lbs at the axle. I am curious what others running where you want to be have for that number. My deal is about 16,000 at the axle, and it hammers against the wheeliebars too hard, spins so bad you can feel the car loose traction, and still goes 1.28. My best is 1.261 I know I have issues that slow it down in the 60 ft, but feel eventually it should go at least a 1.24.
The thing that got my attention is the lack of any wheelie at all. Tells me you can probably use a lot more grunt off the line now, just need to control the rear axle for best results.
If you get a good converter that stalls say 6800, it might actually multiply torque a little less, combined with a tad less torque at the higher rpm, and unless the SLR is increased to the point where it gives you a fair amount of increase at launch, might not show the results it is capable off. Just my rambling thoughts, hope it gives you something to consider.