What are the gear ratio's, final drive, tire size and max rpm? The gears look really really long, you seem to be in 1st and 2nd forever. I guess with the lack of weight and all that earth rotating torque you can get away with really long gears.
What are the gear ratio's, final drive, tire size and max rpm? The gears look really really long, you seem to be in 1st and 2nd forever. I guess with the lack of weight and all that earth rotating torque you can get away with really long gears.
In reply to Adrian_Thompson:
It has a quick change so I can change the gears to suit the course. For Philo I was running 5.04 rear gears. The rear tires are 27". In the Philo vid I'm launching the car in 2nd then I do one shift to 3rd and that is it. The car is light and the engine is built specifically for a very wide power band. It is making almost 400 ft/lbs at 2000 rpm and the peak is over 500.
There are other reasons for the long gears as it makes managing the torque easier. Shifting down a gear usually means burning up the tires coming out of a corner. Anyway I don't claim it is best way to do things but it is working for me.
Congrats Kevin. I hope to back on the hill with you next season to make a mess out of P3.
In reply to DaveEstey:
Great, can't wait to watch that.
The off season has arrived. My major goal of finishing the season with the car in one piece has been achieved. 
The current plan is for the car to sit in the garage for a long time. Sometime closer to spring I have some plans. Need to fix the fuel cell for one. The pickup has had a problem since the crash at Washington earlier this year. It stops picking up fuel when there is still several gallons in the cell. The plan is to pull all the foam in the cell and replace it which should let me see what is going on with the pick up.
Ice racing
TRoglodyte wrote: Ice racing
I'm picturing the cockpit filled with shaved ice. :-)
Cool thread, book mark to read more.
KevinGale wrote:By popular request here is the thread.
This picture is to cool. Been reading your thread and it is a awsome read. I like you keep bring it back to life after crashing. Well done.
I'm sure you covered this, but what rack are you using? That thing changes directions quite nimbly considering the size of the front meats. Really impressive, man.
In reply to Stang_guy03:
Thanks. Should be some new posts soon. It is about time to do some work before the season. Past time really, but I did so much last year that I'm trying to do a bit less this year. I picked up a new fuel cell bladder and I'll have to pull the rear sheet metal off so I can pull the old one out and replace it. I may be changing to a new carb this season as well not completely sure yet.
Acme Lab Rat wrote: I'm sure you covered this, but what rack are you using? That thing changes directions quite nimbly considering the size of the front meats. Really impressive, man.
In the latest build (from last year) I am using a Sweet racing rack.
The clip from previous years used a Pinto/Mustang rack. That wasn't bad but the Sweet rack allowed me to pick a faster ratio. It is about a turn and a half lock to lock. Usually I don't have to move my hands. That said I'm pretty sure I do move my hands a lot when I don't really have to. Probably bad habits learned from years of driving cars with slower steering.
see what you have gone and done now.... This popped up on my local CL and I thought of this thread and how I should go buy it....
In reply to java230:
I want that. Badly.
Dusterbd13 wrote: In reply to java230: I want that. Badly.
me too... and $500....
java230 wrote: see what you have gone and done now.... This popped up on my local CL and I thought of this thread and how I should go buy it....
Lol, That would be cool! Also there are almost always modifieds for sale cheaply. Or at least cheaply for the relative perfomance. Often there are rollers for less than $5000. So pretty much a complete car minus an engine, transmission and usually a seat. I've seen a couple that I wanted to buy because they were such good deals but it is hard to buy another when I already have one. I'd need more garage space.
This year I'm going to try to just relax a bit and try to enjoy the ride. Last year was a frantic pace. In the end it all paid off with this:
So this year I hope to have fun and hopefully not crash or break anything.
In reply to KevinGale:
I dont see any cheap ones near me! I have been looking after reading your thread a while back.... That one is supposed to be a "roller", but really everything needs to be replaced. Its not a full mod, there is some car chassis left in it. Has steering, suspension, and a ford 9" rear end.
java230 wrote: In reply to KevinGale: I dont see any cheap ones near me! I have been looking after reading your thread a while back.... That one is supposed to be a "roller", but really everything needs to be replaced. Its not a full mod, there is some car chassis left in it. Has steering, suspension, and a ford 9" rear end.
Yeah the near part can be an issue. Not sure where you are located. Even mine I drove from NH to NY to get it so it wasn't real close. There is a facebook group named northeast asphalt modifieds that often has cars for sale posted. That is where I usually see them. Racing Junk also has a modified section
In reply to KevinGale:
Im on the wrong coast for modifieds I think. Seattle WA. Ill keep keeping an eye out. Id love to make it a road legal summer fun car 
java230 wrote: In reply to KevinGale: Im on the wrong coast for modifieds I think. Seattle WA. Ill keep keeping an eye out. Id love to make it a road legal summer fun car
Yeah I think it is more of an east coast thing for some reason or at least less of a west coast thing. People do make them street legal. Have to admit that the idea of pulling up next to someone at a stop light in my modified would be pretty cool. I can just imagine the looks I would get. 
Not sure if I mentioned this before but the guy I bought my car from had a street legal modified that looked a lot like this:
Exactly! I want.... Need to get the wife on board though.... Then maybe something will follow me home.
In reply to java230:
If you ain't gonna buy it, can I get a link so I can?
Dusterbd13 wrote: In reply to java230: If you ain't gonna buy it, can I get a link so I can?
SWMBO hasn't said no yet.... Ill send it your way if she does.
I hope to see your build thread, not mine.
In reply to KevinGale:
I've spent past 3 days and 4 days the lat time I was home thrashing to get mine ready to race this coming weekend. I got the front done and 75% of the rear done. Hopefully it will be back on it's wheels tomorrow. I got an appointment at the alignment shop for Wednesday.
I can't imagine the prep you go through for your car. Good luck this year.
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