i will have to look at my buddy's duster. i thought his had that rib, but i could be mistaken. [sure wouldn't be the first time i don't know what i'm remembering. ]
Yes, ridge from '72 up, IIRC, which would include the Feather Duster aluminum lid. I would think that given all the limitations those guys have, they'd sure be looking at weight anywhere they can pare it.
ahhh........you treed me ! my buddy's duster is a 72, so it must have the rib. it's not a feather duster however.
That car is a good example of what can be achieved when you refine a combo over a long period of time.
They just keep pecking away at it.
Absolutely correct. I've run engines on the dyno and then the car doesn't run the "number" right off the trailer and people start yapping about dyno numbers. Then a year later the car is running 0.50 or even a full second quicker without any changes to the engine. It just takes a lot of work to get the right converter in the car hooked up to the correct gear ratio and tire size and shift speeds and suspension settings, etc. The really skilled guys can sort a car out in a few outings but other guys have to peck away at if for a full season or maybe even a couple of seasons. Especially if they are budget limited.
Horspower Depot has a Youtube channel that is really interesting.
Granted, they're racing BBC in Corvettes and a '69 Camaro in F.A.S.T. but it's super interesting to see them test and find out what works and what doesn't. Apparently sidepipes on 'Vette kill about 40 hp over rear exit exhaust! Crazy!
They've been 9.31's at 147mph in a factory appearing Corvette and 9.50's in the Camaro.
I witnessed the 9.31 pass at Indy. Unbelievable. Doug
Horspower Depot has a Youtube channel that is really interesting.
Granted, they're racing BBC in Corvettes and a '69 Camaro in F.A.S.T. but it's super interesting to see them test and find out what works and what doesn't. Apparently sidepipes on 'Vette kill about 40 hp over rear exit exhaust! Crazy!
They've been 9.31's at 147mph in a factory appearing Corvette and 9.50's in the Camaro.
Here's a video about the Camaro where he "reveals his secrets". Have to wonder what was left out.
They are running hidden Holley EFi stuff to control timing and data log. Don't know if that alone makes them faster per-se but it does give them a better handle on their data with all the sensors. You can run whatever sensors you want with the Dominator modules - wheel sensors, driveshaft speed, etc. It all helps.
Over the summer I spoke directly with one of the more competitive F.A.S.T. racers about this idea and he basically admitted he was behind the curve without it.
Horspower Depot has a Youtube channel that is really interesting.
Granted, they're racing BBC in Corvettes and a '69 Camaro in F.A.S.T. but it's super interesting to see them test and find out what works and what doesn't. Apparently sidepipes on 'Vette kill about 40 hp over rear exit exhaust! Crazy!
They've been 9.31's at 147mph in a factory appearing Corvette and 9.50's in the Camaro.
Here's a video about the Camaro where he "reveals his secrets". Have to wonder what was left out.
They are running hidden Holley EFi stuff to control timing and data log. Don't know if that alone makes them faster per-se but it does give them a better handle on their data with all the sensors. You can run whatever sensors you want with the Dominator modules - wheel sensors, driveshaft speed, etc. It all helps.
Over the summer I spoke directly with one of the more competitive F.A.S.T. racers about this idea and he basically admitted he was behind the curve without it.
I thought the electric vacuum pump he showed recently was pretty cool. You can see it in the passenger floor if you look carefully and he turns it on with the cigarette lighter knob.
'63 Dodge 330 11.19 @ 121 mph Pump gas, n/a, through the mufflers on street tires with 3.54's. 3,600 lbs. 10.01 @ 133mph with a 250 shot of nitrous an a splash of race gas. 1.36 60 ft. 3,700 lbs.
[quote=RMCHRGR]I thought the electric vacuum pump he showed recently was pretty cool. You can see it in the passenger floor if you look carefully and he turns it on with the cigarette lighter knob.
It's one of the coolest forms of racing but it may be at the point where it can't go much farther because of the safety requirements. Might be tough to call them "Factory Appearing" anymore when they start needing 8.50 cages.
[quote=GY3] They are running hidden Holley EFi stuff to control timing and data log. Don't know if that alone makes them faster per-se but it does give them a better handle on their data with all the sensors. You can run whatever sensors you want with the Dominator modules - wheel sensors, driveshaft speed, etc. It all helps.
Over the summer I spoke directly with one of the more competitive F.A.S.T. racers about this idea and he basically admitted he was behind the curve without it.
I didn't watch the video so forgive me if it's been stated but if they have the above equipment they have everything they need for traction control.
Traction control is technically illegal per the rules, but the advantage of using an ECU to pre-program a timing curve is a huge advantage to getting the cars to leave on these tires.
You pretty much have to shave bias plies to true them up at a minimum. The repro tires do hook a lot better as they get down to the tread bars or less... you can run them bald.
The 32 pound tire pressure does not work. More like 45 PSI or more. Back seats are just a frame with no springs is one of the tricks. Definitely a thinking mans game. ETC
Shaved down till there is only about 1/8 of an inch of tread left. In one video they have close-up pictures and also give break in procedures. They used to have a local circle car racer shave the tires, but they finally bought the machine and just do it themselves.
July 19th should be "Drive Like Rockford Day". R.I.P. Jimmie.
Re: impressive run F.A.S.T. Duster
[Re: John Brown]
#3088228 10/22/2201:49 AM10/22/2201:49 AM
I didn't watch the video so forgive me if it's been stated but if they have the above equipment they have everything they need for traction control.
If you're referring to taking advantage of the data logging feature then in a sense, yes. As I understand it, 'traction control" is about correlating wheel speed and driveshaft sensors (for example, could be any number of sensors/configurations) to see where it spins. With EFI you can obviously adjust both fuel and timing in those spots but the way the F.A.S.T. guys use the ECUs (carbureted) they're essentially limited to timing control.
The tires are a big part of the game. One racer laughed as he was telling me about buying a couple sets of $1,000 repro Polyglass tires and then shaving them down to the tread wear markers. Another guy told me 14" tires vs. 15" are worth a little bit of ET because of the weight.