I finally got to the track with the new engine. I'm not happy with the results compared to how it used to run but I'm still doing test and tune.

I was only able to get 3 passes in tonight. All I was able to accomplish was adjusting the timing. Adding 2 degrees total advance moved me from 11.8 to 11.6 and increased the mph from 116.42 to 117.93

That's well off from the original engine but the heads are out of the box Merlins. No port and polishing, no port matching etc. The car is also a little bit heavier. I stopped at the scale on the way to the track.

Race ready with me in it and just over 1/2 tank of fuel it is 3280 pounds. Based on my best time below the altitude corrected rear wheel HP is now 470 and I'm only shifting at 6300 rpm. That's down 30 hp from before. That could be down for any number of reasons but I'm also trying to finish test and tuning it before the end of the season.

At least I have a base line of what to expect before next year.

I've changed my sig file to represent the new engine. No sense quoting quicker times on an engine I don't use any more. Maybe I can get this one down to 11.2's and 121 mph again.

I have to add that the car is very violent off the starting line. It pulls hard to the right. I wish I knew someone with a video camera so I could see if the front wheels are lifting off the ground. It never launched this hard before.

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Follow my racing progress on Stephen's racing page
and check out the race car

87 IROC-Z SuperPro ET Bracket Race Car
461 naturally aspirated Big Block (times represent the new engine)

Best ET on a time slip: 11.608 altitude corrected to 11.18
Best MPH on a time slip: 117.93 altitude corrected to 122.76
Altitude corrected rear wheel HP: 469
Best 60 foot: 1.625

Racing at 3500 feet elevation with a typical race day over 5000 feet density altitude!
Member of the Calgary Drag Racing Association

87 IROC bracket car, 91 454SS daily driver, 95 Homebuilt Harley

[This message has been edited by Stephen 87 IROC (edited September 15, 2001).]

 

Stephen,

Just wanted to comment back since you give us such great advice and moderate the board so good. I know my questions may be tivial but some times you may miss the obvious.
How were your 60' times on this engine compared to the old engine? Also do you think the not porting and matching the heads hurted the performance? Also any reason why you didn't get Brodix (spelling?) heads instead of the Merlin?
I know you'll get it right by next season.

Good Luck!

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89 IROC 350 Auto
MSD 6AL
Custom DUAL Exhaust
Edelbrock Performer 6085 Aluminum Heads
ZZ9 Cam
TPIS Level 5 Chip
And Free mods.
(stock intake, runners and suspension)

13.879 @ 98.90 mph (with 2.77 gears!)


Moderator of http://www.iroczone.com

 

I just got back from a full day of racing with even better results. The engine is starting to loosen up and running very well now. Time today were consistant 11.4's with consistant 1.60x 60 foot times. I did hook up real hard once and got a 1.586 60 foot time and that resulted in my quickest ET. The density altitude hovered around the 5000 foot mark making it a typical race day here in Calgary.

I lost in the third round today and running brackets is hard to get good complete runs. Twice I was on the brakes at the finish line trying not to break out. You can't do a run like that and guess if it could have been your fastest run. My best results are all on timeslips so there's no guessing involved.

The old engine (The first BBC) I had a calculated rear wheel HP of 497. Today's best based on a power to weight ratio even though the fuel I burned off should make the car lighter now puts the altitude corrected rear wheel hp at 493 from the best MPH.

These Merlin heads out of the box could then be compared to the ported 781 heads as about equal. I'm NOT pulling this engine apart again over the winter just to do some work on the heads. It's possible I could make at least another 20-30 hp from some port work.

Reason for the Merlins instead of Brodix or Canfields.. Cost! I'd love some aluminum heads but a set would be around $4-5000 Canadian fully assembled. The Merlins were only $1860 complete.

Anyway... After I good day of racing I just wish I had more test and tune passes. I wanted to play with jets and shift points. I also have a 2" carb spacer that I wanted to try but just never had the time. You don't go changing things on the car while in competition or time trials unless something isn't working properly.

Next race.. Around Mothers Day 2002.

My season is over for the year but with so many people able to race all year in the lower states, I'll always be here to answer questions and dream of having a season longer than 4 months.

My racing page will be updated soon with all the new results and new parts that are in the engine etc. Time to start planning winter projects.

------------------
Follow my racing progress on Stephen's racing page
and check out the race car

87 IROC-Z SuperPro ET Bracket Race Car
461 naturally aspirated Big Block (times are for the current engine)

Best ET on a time slip: 11.447 altitude corrected to 10.99
Best MPH on a time slip: 119.42 altitude corrected to 124.86
Altitude corrected rear wheel HP: 493
Best 60 foot: 1.586

Racing at 3500 feet elevation with a typical race day over 5000 feet density altitude!
Member of the Calgary Drag Racing Association

87 IROC bracket car, 91 454SS daily driver, 95 Homebuilt Harley

[This message has been edited by Stephen 87 IROC (edited September 16, 2001).]

 

Stephen, It's good to see you're back up and running. With a little more testing/tuning/tweaking, I'm sure you'll see a few more tenths at the least. I hope to get back to the track with my 82 Z Fri night. Since my best ET (11.60 @ 114.56) I have installed tubular LCA's, Panhard Rod, V6 springs and will be putting on my Spohn LCA Relocation Brackets Tomorrow if they come in. I also removed the front and rear impact bumpers from the car. My best run was on a 88*, 100% humidity day, and it finally started to pretty cool late at night down here in the deep south. It was around 55*, and 45% humidity with 30.12 baro last night, so I hope when I go back it will be similiar.

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82 Z28 383, Ported 215cc Dart Iron Eagle Heads 72 cc Comb. Chambers, Comp custom grind Hyd roller cam, Speed Pro .250" domes, Wheeler Motorsports 4340 I beam rods, Eagle 5140 steel crank, Weiand Team G intake, Holley 830 DP, hedman headers
Trans: Turbo 350 w/ 4000 stall -- Rearend 7.5 w/ Richmond 4.10's, Auburn Minispool
Best ET:11.60 @ 114.56, w/ a 7.34 1/8 @ 93.50, and a 1.622 60'


89 RS, L03 305, Hypertech Chip,cat delete, Dynomax exhaust,K&N open element Filter,160 stat, MSD coil --Trans:700R4 Corvette Servo -- Rearend: 7.5 GM 3.42 w/ posi-lock

Bassett Racing

 

That's great to see you're running again. Hope this one hangs together.

 

Steve,

Great to hear that you are racing once again, even if it's just once!

Too bad weather shuts you down. Here in Tucson and Phoenix we can do all sorts of outdoor stuff all winter including drag racing.

With some minor tuning and tweaks you'll be setting new personal bests real soon!! Hope the new motor is all you want it to be...

Phil

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Phil87IROC
Blue '87 IROC, 383 Crate Motor, KB pistons, AFR 190 heads, TPIS ZZ-9 cam, Edelbrock RPM intake, 1" TD spacer, Hooker SC/LT headers w/ Mufflex Y-pipe, Edelbrock 750 cfm Carb (#1411), Stock T-5, GM 3.42 gears w/Auburn posi.
Ohio Valley Dragstrip (KY) Trophy Bracket WINNER - 8.39 ET on a 1.82 sec. - 60'. Best MPH = 84.44. Still Tuning Carb!
Red '89 IROC L98, TES w/Flowmaster, 1LE DS, 700R4, T-Tops, K&Ns w/open air boxes, 160 T-stat, Hypertech Chip, gutted MAF & CAT, Jacobs Ign., 53kv coil, MSD wires.

 

how do the short times compare to the old motor? if the car is leaving more violently than before, could you be losing a little time and acceleration space by spinning the tires slightly?
i would love to see a vid of you car

later
tim

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