Shots from Summit Point. Difference in wheels tells you whether it was wet or dry. Black (ugly) wheels have the wet tires. Superlite charcoal wheels are dry tires. Plus they look good too.

I can't stop

It is the end of the season and for next year, I want to improve several things that could have been executed better the first time around, or there was not enough time or resources at the time.

Yesterday, I rolled the car out to pressure wash from the last race, as well as to clean out the engine bay in preparation for painting. Right now the motor is getting refreshed, a new set of carbs are being built and I plan on building a new dash and re-routing the fuel lines and brake lines through the cockpit.

I'm gonna be busy.

Phase 2 of engine development

This weekend I went to Acme Speedshop to drop off my motor for some winter development. It was a great trip, because we actually broke the motor down together, giving me the chance to participate in the process, see the motor come apart and get a clear understanding of what was in there and how it all worked together.

Now apart, the motor will go to the machine shop to have the head and block decked several thousandths. This process increases your compression ratio, creating a more violent explosion thus increasing your horsepower. We are shooting for 13:1 compression. In addition to increasing the horsepower, I am installing a set of Pauter rods (pictured above) and high tension valve springs in order to sustain a higher number of engine revolutions. This motor should allow me to regularly shift at 7,200 rpm. Acme Speedshop is also going to build me a set of HS6 carbs. The larger carb will be able to provide the amount of fuel needed to feed the thirsty engine. I think I was getting about 7 miles to gallon on the smaller carbs and less developed motor. Of course, fuel mileage is not so much a concern for a sprint racing car verses an enduro car, or better yet, your commuter vehicle.

So, while the motor is being worked on, I am spending my time at home stripping the tub and making some much needed improvements to the fuel system, as well as looking for ways to refine certain functional aspects of the car. As I make changes, I'll post my progress.