August 1, 2009

Changes since last race: 

It's been a while since I posted -- we have had numerous rainouts and I took a weekend off and went to watch a Lucas Oil Latemodel race in Wheatland, Mo.

We ran a few times, but we stunk!

We are taking one last stab at this fuel system this week. Last night, I spent three hours in an asphalt parking lot working on fuel mapping. We made huge gains, but I am still skeptical.

Hot Laps: 

The car dropped a cylinder right off the start -- what the heck is going on!!!

Changes before the Heat:

Reviewed the datalog from Hotlaps and ran diagnostics -- it shows injector one is "OPEN" meaning an open circuit and thus not firing. I find a damaged injector connector and do a quick repair.

Track is narrow with a slick bottom and low cushion.

Tightened the car by dropping RR air pressure (6psi) and increased wing angle.
Started with the RR shock set to #3 position.   

Heat Race: (started 6th / finished 6th) 

Car took off great and I got to 3rd by lap two. Then the engine started running rough again and then took off going in to turn 3 --- I spun!!! I hate it when that happens! Get it restarted and it is down a cylinder again. I reach out and wiggle the #1 injector connector and the cylinder starts firing. I hold the connector for three laps and end up 6th.

Changes before Feature: 

Injector #1 connector has a broken wire down inside the wiring harness. I strip it back and solder it for the night.

Track is sealed over (slick) and wide with a cushion pushed way wide.

Tightened the car:
Changed to a 12" wide right rear wheel (more sidebite) with 5psi and moved the wheel in 3/4".
Set RR shock to #2 position to start the race.
Increased top wing angle by another notch.

  

Feature: (started 9th, finish 10th) 

The first laps go well and I pass about four cars, but the fun soon ends as the engine starts loading up coming off the corners. It won't clean out until I run about a half lap at 1/2 throttle. That is no way to win a race! We soon start falling back in the pack. It seems that everytime I have to come all the way out the throttle, the engine loads up with fuel when I reapply throttle off the corner. It is inconsistent and extremely frustrating!

Wrap-up: 

That stunk again!!! The car handles well, but the dang engine just won't run!

We rent the track and take some huge swings at the fuel map. NOTHING helps! We are NOT coming back to the track with this fuel system next week!