Question: How
do I quicken my ET at this weekend's race?
10 tips for shaving ET this weekend
by Don Terrill of racingsecrets.com
(c)2000 - reprinted with permission
1.) More RPM
- I've found that it's just about impossible to have too much (higher number) gear in
your car if your goal is the lowest ETs. Just keep
adding gear ratio until you stop gaining ET, even if
the MPH falls off. Remember: racing is usually ET not
MPH.
2.) Jetting - If I had to guess I'd say that 80% of all
race engines are jetted too rich. Some of the signs of
a rich setting are an engine that misses or surges. Try
jetting down two sizes and see what happens. Learning how to read spark plugs is my best advice.
3.) Ignition Timing - Go up or down two degrees and
make a test. I've seen engines tuned with just a
couple of degrees too much timing lose 30hp, so don't
think you can't have too much.
4.) Oil - If you aren't using synthetic oil already, try
it, it's worked every time for me. The other big thing
is oil level, on a wet sump engine too much oil is a
killer. No engine needs more than 6gts, no matter
what the pan manufacturer says. In fact; too much oil
is bad.
5.) Shift Points
- If you're going to miss your shift point, miss it early. A late shift is an ET killer,
especially in the lower gears. Here's a test: If you
seem to really be knocked back into the seat after
the shift, you're late. The Reason? Your body went
forward before the shift because of lack of acceleration.
6.) More Traction
- Obvious subject I know, but here's one I've seen missed more than any other
traction aid: Weight. So many people are afraid to
add weight to their car, but I would guess that 80%
of cars could benefit from weight in the trunk. Don't
take my word for it, give it a try.
7.) Lower Coolant Temp - With all other variables
being the same, lower coolant almost always makes
more power. There are a lot of ways to lower the
temp and I can't mention them all here, but a problem
I've seen more often than not is low coolant level.
Make sure the radiator is full.
8.) Kill The Accessories - A water pump takes 10hp
to drive, an oil pump takes 10hp and the alternator
can take up as much as 35hp. Use a low drag water
pump or electric drive and put a switch on the field of
your alternator to turn off the drag during the run.
9.) Aerodynamics - Now I know changing
aerodynamics of your car is not a simple thing to do,
but there is one quick modification that I've seen
work more than once; Lowering the front end of your
car. I've seen drag cars pick up as much as .01 of a
second in ET and 3 MPH in speed by just lowering the
car two inches.
10.) Test Different Carbs - Carburetors all have their
own personality and some just seem to work better
than others. Buy two carbs that are exactly the same
and you'll have different results. My advice: test ever
carb you can get your hands on and never get rid of
a good one.
* Article by DON TERRILL of
RacingSecrets.com . Don is a three time poll winning
Winston cup engine builder. Visit www.racingsecrets.com
for more "how-to" on Racing. Don't have time to visit the site? Subscribe to their Free, monthly newsletter:
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