I think Jono is generally in agreement with this theory, as well.
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* Let's have a test and tune day in So. Cal.
- Thread starter 400Eric
- Start date
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- drag racing nitrous
Casey just timed his cams the night before the most recent track day. Is he now thinking that he did it wrong? He told me he thinks his turbo is coked up. He's been suspecting that for a long time but I think he's holding out for the "right" turbo that he can upgrade to. He doesn't want to run a run of the mill "replacement" turbo.
The rest of the Swedes are totally MIA. No response to my thread over there. It's almost as bad here. We still have only 3 M119s in ALL of So Cal that can go drag racing?!?
Gonna have to keep watching the sales at H.F. so I can score a fuel pressure gauge cause my old school one only goes up to about 9 pounds(!) Is this something that can be borrowed from one of the auto parts chains that loans tools?
I don't doubt that ethanol is not good to have in our fuel system but I have also noticed that the owner's manuals of B1, B2, and B3 all say that ethanol content up to 10% is OK. (I don't have an owner's manual for B4 but I suspect that it would say the same thing.)
My wife was commenting that the fuel pump sounded like it was straining. She's very car intuitive! (But she doesn't know that B1 has 2 pumps.) I heard it too but I thought it was because of the fuel starvation problem. In other words, I figured once we got the fuel flowing again, things would quiet back down. The noise is barely louder than normal, not a huge rad flag moment as far as I'm concerned but I am also keenly aware of the fact that running the pumps without proper fuel flow for just a little while can burn them up because they rely heavily on the flow of the fuel to keep themselves cool. So maybe the damage is already done. I need a fuel pressure gauge!
The more immediate need right now though is for me to finish getting B3 ready for Sat! I am confident that I have found 2 more tenths! Still gotta find 1 more tenth!
Regards, Eric
The rest of the Swedes are totally MIA. No response to my thread over there. It's almost as bad here. We still have only 3 M119s in ALL of So Cal that can go drag racing?!?
Gonna have to keep watching the sales at H.F. so I can score a fuel pressure gauge cause my old school one only goes up to about 9 pounds(!) Is this something that can be borrowed from one of the auto parts chains that loans tools?
I don't doubt that ethanol is not good to have in our fuel system but I have also noticed that the owner's manuals of B1, B2, and B3 all say that ethanol content up to 10% is OK. (I don't have an owner's manual for B4 but I suspect that it would say the same thing.)
My wife was commenting that the fuel pump sounded like it was straining. She's very car intuitive! (But she doesn't know that B1 has 2 pumps.) I heard it too but I thought it was because of the fuel starvation problem. In other words, I figured once we got the fuel flowing again, things would quiet back down. The noise is barely louder than normal, not a huge rad flag moment as far as I'm concerned but I am also keenly aware of the fact that running the pumps without proper fuel flow for just a little while can burn them up because they rely heavily on the flow of the fuel to keep themselves cool. So maybe the damage is already done. I need a fuel pressure gauge!
The more immediate need right now though is for me to finish getting B3 ready for Sat! I am confident that I have found 2 more tenths! Still gotta find 1 more tenth!
Regards, Eric
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So where were they hiding and could still be?
:-o...Naw!
I rather wait till Saturday, so you can surprise us.
Since the Sauce Man is kind enough to bring his camera, maybe a wash wouldn't be a bad idea? Maybe a clean car can cut through the air better?
...you think so? Ok, its ON, Homeskillet - finally this day has come.I hope you found those extra tenths, you gonna need all of them and then some.
No argument from me, that's why I hope Jano and the Sauce Man can bring their cars one day so we can have a larger group. But at least we'll have the video(s) to show the results. Let's try to get there at the same time, or wait to go for tech check at the same time, to get into the same class.
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7 AM because we can't take any chances. EVERYBODY is after the cooler, denser air so they can run better E/Ts that they can then brag about on the web. The only thing that kept the 11/19/11 date from being a total madhouse was the fact that there was the threat of a track closure hanging over everybody's heads that kept some people away. It even almost kept us away, remember? There's no such threat this time. It is promising to be an absolutely STELLAR day with sunshine and dry air for a dry track, and dry air with downright cold temps for the best engine performance so I'm sure there are a lot of racers planning on going this time. If this forecast holds true it will in fact be the BEST conditions that I have EVER seen there! We need to do everything we can to take every advantage of this day because they are few and far between!
These cold days always cause nasty big turnouts that severely limit our number of runs and now we have the added problem of them sticking the bikes in with us too. That is a fairly new thing that we weren't having to deal with before. In the past, even without the bikes, we have traditionally only averaged 3-4 runs on these killer condition days. You can ask the Sauceman! He'll tell you! So let's don't blow this date. Let's get there super early so we can secure our good spot so we don't have to deal with ending up in long lines in the staging lanes which will cause us to have to do a lot of pushing of our cars! Remember, if we start our cars a lot to move them through the staging lanes, we will heat them up rather quickly, plus restarting them too much drains their batteries, plus running their heaters too much (to cool them back down) will also drain their batteries. Don't forget, Spacey Casey will be there gunning for both of us! We need every possible advantage.
Getting there early will also allow us to have plenty of cool down time before racing begins at 9:00AM. It will be colder at 9:00AM than it will be at any other time of the day! Let's get in at least one run in that super cold air! Let's also be the first cars to run on a perfect clean track before the ricers get on it, start blowing up and dirtying it up! (And causing delays.) Look at how many times we have had our first run of the day delayed till 11:00AM because of ricers blowing up and causing delays! Let's do this thing up right this time!
I know you hate getting up early, I hate it too! But it's worth it for a day like this!
Regards, Eric
These cold days always cause nasty big turnouts that severely limit our number of runs and now we have the added problem of them sticking the bikes in with us too. That is a fairly new thing that we weren't having to deal with before. In the past, even without the bikes, we have traditionally only averaged 3-4 runs on these killer condition days. You can ask the Sauceman! He'll tell you! So let's don't blow this date. Let's get there super early so we can secure our good spot so we don't have to deal with ending up in long lines in the staging lanes which will cause us to have to do a lot of pushing of our cars! Remember, if we start our cars a lot to move them through the staging lanes, we will heat them up rather quickly, plus restarting them too much drains their batteries, plus running their heaters too much (to cool them back down) will also drain their batteries. Don't forget, Spacey Casey will be there gunning for both of us! We need every possible advantage.
Getting there early will also allow us to have plenty of cool down time before racing begins at 9:00AM. It will be colder at 9:00AM than it will be at any other time of the day! Let's get in at least one run in that super cold air! Let's also be the first cars to run on a perfect clean track before the ricers get on it, start blowing up and dirtying it up! (And causing delays.) Look at how many times we have had our first run of the day delayed till 11:00AM because of ricers blowing up and causing delays! Let's do this thing up right this time!
I know you hate getting up early, I hate it too! But it's worth it for a day like this!
Regards, Eric
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...say what? I don't know about 7am, that's too early...maybe if I was a die-hard drag racer. I was thinking more like 8am, I do have a longer trip and to make and waking up at 5am is just not gonna happen.Did you miss the part where I said that this day is gonna be STELLAR? The "die-hard drag racers" are gonna get our spot and there is even the very real possibility that they will cause us to not even be able to run at all! It happens! It has happened to me before! The Sauceman can vouch for that! Once they reach 500 racers, that's it, no more racer cards sold, only spectators allowed after that. Again, the turnouts on these stellar D/A days can be a monster! It's a whole different scene than what we are used to! Let's don't chance it! If you get there late and can't get a racer card, I win by default!
Regards, Eric
Regards, Eric
So be it. 8am would be the best I can do. If for some reason I happen to have nightmares about loosing at the track and wake up in cold sweat, I'll get there earlier. Grab the crushed ice this time and clear up your phone's in-box - and charge the battery!
See ya there.
I think THIS is the epic race. STEVE! DUUUUUDE! THIRTEENS!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa7XQ5QjJSs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa7XQ5QjJSs
I got your time slips right here…
I’ll just give my .02 cents worth and let Eric’s full report do the rest.
“Nappy looking car beats your pretty hoopty”…keep dreaming - although Eric did run his best time in B1 to date. In our fist run, I slightly lost some traction at the 1/8 mile and triggered the ASR - which allowed Eric to catch up a bit, but I did hold him off at the finish line. Up to the 1/8 mile, my time in the first run was better than was my second run against Eric, which did earn me a 13.983 ET. I think I would have had two sub 14’s times if I didn’t break traction in the first run. I did drop the rear PSI a bit more and did not break traction from there on in either lane. So far the right lane has gotten me the best ET’s. Eric and I ran four times - my car number at the track is 1078 and Eric's is 6656.
1:37 pm – 14.056 @ 98.80 mph 1st race
2:55 pm – 13.983 @ 99.51 mph 2nd race
3:30 pm – 14.020 @ 98.98 mph
3:55 pm – 14.127 @ 98.38 mph
4:11 pm – 14.116 @ 98.49 mph 3rd race
4:18 pm – 14.171 @ 98.75 mph 4th race
Casey also got his best time, a 13.998…close but no cigar, although he did match his best 14.1 time again up to that point, but I didn’t get this full time on that run. Casey and I did not have chance to line up against each other, I guess the early call keeps him away until later.
So...Eric and Casey came to take me down and although they put up their best times they came up a tad short…foolish mortals.
Btw, it was windy as hell and the wind was a blowing across the track this time (at least it wasn’t a head wind) and I can only imagine the ET’s if we had that much tail wind. I think with the humidity being at 30% this time vs. 50% last time at the track, played into the lower ET’s. I hope we can have a 0% humidity day in the next months, before the warmer Spring weather starts.
I’ll just give my .02 cents worth and let Eric’s full report do the rest.
“Nappy looking car beats your pretty hoopty”…keep dreaming - although Eric did run his best time in B1 to date. In our fist run, I slightly lost some traction at the 1/8 mile and triggered the ASR - which allowed Eric to catch up a bit, but I did hold him off at the finish line. Up to the 1/8 mile, my time in the first run was better than was my second run against Eric, which did earn me a 13.983 ET. I think I would have had two sub 14’s times if I didn’t break traction in the first run. I did drop the rear PSI a bit more and did not break traction from there on in either lane. So far the right lane has gotten me the best ET’s. Eric and I ran four times - my car number at the track is 1078 and Eric's is 6656.
1:37 pm – 14.056 @ 98.80 mph 1st race
2:55 pm – 13.983 @ 99.51 mph 2nd race
3:30 pm – 14.020 @ 98.98 mph
3:55 pm – 14.127 @ 98.38 mph
4:11 pm – 14.116 @ 98.49 mph 3rd race
4:18 pm – 14.171 @ 98.75 mph 4th race
Casey also got his best time, a 13.998…close but no cigar, although he did match his best 14.1 time again up to that point, but I didn’t get this full time on that run. Casey and I did not have chance to line up against each other, I guess the early call keeps him away until later.
So...Eric and Casey came to take me down and although they put up their best times they came up a tad short…foolish mortals.
Btw, it was windy as hell and the wind was a blowing across the track this time (at least it wasn’t a head wind) and I can only imagine the ET’s if we had that much tail wind. I think with the humidity being at 30% this time vs. 50% last time at the track, played into the lower ET’s. I hope we can have a 0% humidity day in the next months, before the warmer Spring weather starts.
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He, he...I was gonna break 14 seconds or die trying. One day, I might leave the spare wheel/tire at home, but disconnecting and removing my 27lbs subwoofer might not be an option.I think THIS is the epic race. STEVE! DUUUUUDE! THIRTEENS!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa7XQ5QjJSs
Geese, you've practically done the report already!
I'm pretty sure that was B3 I had with me this time. And careful, or I'll bring my turbo Volvo out, which is both even nappier looking and quicker than B3 is! (And don't forget what it's twin did to you!)
I clearly had traction issues of my own that day as well and I didn't have any ASR to bail me out of them!
I had other issues going on that day too. I had a back tire blowout on the way to the track and my spare was a stockish 205/60-15 that I didn't want to mount as it now was no longer the same diameter as what I had just mounted on B3. So I quickly bought another used tire that is the same exact size as what I am now running and since it too has a "V" speed rating, I simply hoped for the best. That "new" tire was the one that was constantly losing traction, as evidenced by the fact that ALL of the fresh spent rubber on B3 was on the side of the "new" tire!
Also costing me were lug bolts that are still too long for these CLK rims, despite the fact that I installed these rims using the shortest lug bolts I have ever seen for a Benz. (Graciously provided by the Sauceman.) They are rubbing my emergency brake springs, which I'm sure was costing me at least a little in the way of MPH and E/T. I had installed the CLKs on B3 just the night before track day in the hopes that they would give me another tenth or two (Dave, what did you say these super light weight wheels are worth?) I thought I had thought of everything and that I had everything covered and expected it all to work out splendidly. It didn't.
I shouldn't have been so generous and instead should have split the right lane with you 50/50 that day.
I'm very convinced that I would have had my best run of that day too on that run if only I hadn't gone up in smoke because I was so generous in giving the right lane to Steve again. What was I thinking! Now Steve wants to gloat about it! Think about it: If I had taken the right lane on that round as was my right since it was my turn to have it, Steve would have been in the slippery left lane and most certainly would not have gotten that one and only 13! That left lane never did fully get good again after someone broke on it and slicked it up. Then it spent the rest of the day collecting the sand that the wind was blowing on it!
Steve wants to compare his 13.983 to B3's 14.200 but his 13 was obtained during a different time of day when the track and weather conditions where obviously more conducive to a better E/T as evidenced by the fact that Steve ran a better E/T at that point in time! Further proof of this is the fact that Steve's MPH was .7 higher on that 13 second run than it was on our earlier run, a MPH that was by far his best of the day! Even more proof is the fact that Casey got his one and only 13 second E/T right before Steve did. I missed out on all of this because of my generous act of letting Steve have the lane of his choice again. The conditions were in a constant state of flux with the wind speeds constantly changing all day long. And it wasn't a cross wind it was a diagonal wind, blowing both across the track and onto the track, making it a strong headwind as well. It was quite strong and we are all sure that it cost us all some E/T and MPH. The bottom line is, when lined up against each other at the exact same time, in the exact same conditions, the 500E only had a 0.144 and 0.15 edge on B3! Damn close in my book!
Anyways, even if we do allow Steve to compare his best run to my 14.200, we still are only 0.217 apart! Only two tenths apart when the difference between these two cars when they were new was one second and two tenths!
We've got to give B3 his props. Looking at just the E/T differences, on the 2 times he hooked he ran within 0.144 second of a 500E on his first race with it and within 0.15 second of it on his fourth race with it. To be able to do this when the difference between these 2 cars when they were new was 1.2 seconds is admirable. Also worth noting is that Steve is running a specially tuned pimp 92 ECU while B3 is only running a stock 92 ECU with a cheap E-bay chip that in back to back testing on a chassis dyno showed absolutely zero hp or torque gain. I'm only running it because it has a 6,500 RPM rev limiter instead of the stock 6,200 RPM rev limiter which allows me to hold onto first gear a little longer.
Casey's best run was a 13.994, not 13.998. Yes, once again, he dragged his ass and got there so late that neither of us got to race him because the lame track stops allowing grudge racing later in the day. Technically, one of us could have raced him when he first got there but we opted to race each other again instead (that was only our 2nd race). Later, Steve and I learned how to play the lanes just right and were able to get in two more runs against each other, but it took some effort. Effort that Casey, for some reason, wasn't willing to expend. It's really too bad that he didn't run Steve in his first round, as his 13 occurred just a few minutes before Steve's did. It would have made for an awesome race!
Later in the day, as everybody's E/Ts were slowing up again, Casey was right in front of me and ran a 14.341, RIGHT BEFORE I ran a 14.321! (Now my second best E/T of all time!) That would have been another awesome race! He also ran a 14.199 earlier in the day, which would have been a GREAT match against my 14.200!
That's a bit of a stretch. We were all there, first and foremost, to better our previous best E/Ts. Casey, despite running a 13 before Steve did, still didn't even put up any effort to line up with either one of us!
It's all OK though. I feel like I have proven my point which is that my 400E can hang with 500Es and I still maintain now more than ever that B3 could take down at least half of the 500Es out there if only they would bother to show up! Not bad for a car that has MUCH TALLER gearing and almost a full liter less displacement! (Not to mention smaller cams and valves!) Not bad for a car that cost 28,000 fewer dollars back when these cars were new back in the early 90s! How much money was $28,000 back then? Well, it was enough to buy a nice Turbo Volvo 740! (Just like the one that I have!!)
I was so happy to get that 14.200 that I opened my big mouth and told Steve that even if I tanked for the rest of the day, I'd still be happy because that first run was so awesome, both as a close race and as an E/T that stands on it's own as an absolutely awesome E/T for an essentially stock 400E. Well, my remark obviously jinxed me because "tank" was essentially what I did for the rest of the day!
Again, it was a diagonal wind. half headwind, half crosswind, and yes, it was strong as hell. It also didn't help that there is nothing but dirt and dust and sand on that North side of the track, all of which were getting blown onto the track. Many of us were losing traction mid-track throughout the day because of this. I'm sure the rest of you know about these winds that we here have been enduring as they have been so strong they have been making the headlines on the national news! Once again it seems that we can't for once have all of the ingredients come together for a perfect condition day! (I know, I know, we aren't going to get any sympathy from any of the rest of you in the rest of the country!)
All in all though it was still a pretty outstanding day and we all had fun! The rest of you should have come!
More info and videos are coming!
Regards, Eric
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This was Dec-3, right? The humidity was quite low that afternoon:
http://www.dragtimes.com/da-density...2&day=3&year=2011&getweather=Get+Weather+Data
The air was pretty darn good overall, enough that the correction factor would only translate into maybe 0.1 sec quicker and less than 1mph faster (use the "extensively modified" numbers, the "stock" numbers are always way too optimistic). Oh, and Eric's ride has a secret weapon which was not mentioned in the previous post... along with the 92 LH and chip, he's also sporting a GSXR-massaged EZL! Wooops, now the feline is out of the burlap sack...
http://www.dragtimes.com/da-density...2&day=3&year=2011&getweather=Get+Weather+Data
The air was pretty darn good overall, enough that the correction factor would only translate into maybe 0.1 sec quicker and less than 1mph faster (use the "extensively modified" numbers, the "stock" numbers are always way too optimistic). Oh, and Eric's ride has a secret weapon which was not mentioned in the previous post... along with the 92 LH and chip, he's also sporting a GSXR-massaged EZL! Wooops, now the feline is out of the burlap sack...
Doood…enough with milking the “generosity” factor, I only asked you for the right lane one time (since I had to wait for 3+ hours before you got to the track) and from then on, it was anyone’s choice. I have no problem at all taking the left lane and the next time we run, you can have the right lane all day long…and I will STILL take you down on each run. So far my second fastest ET up to date of 14.020, at this track, came in the left lane – so I have no problem.
Btw, the only reason I ran better MPH on the second was the traction slip in the first run, otherwise you would have had two 13 second runs against you. The way I see it, you got lucky this time that I only put up one 13 second run.
And I don’t pay that much attention to the time of the day and the weather conditions from run to run. I just line up, turn up the music, watch the tree and pretty much spank the majority who runs against me in a similar class (not counting the 10, 11 and 12 second cars I have been staged against).
You better start looking for more tenths to shed, or maybe Dave can find more tricks aside from the massaged EZL to help. Feel free to bring out your turbo Volvo any time you’re ready and I have not forgotten what its twin did. If I had my car stripped down to it’s bare frame, I bet I can put up some serious numbers as well – but that won’t ever happen.
I guess I don’t pay much attention to the time difference between cars as much as who wins, with cars running close. And furthermore, I recall someone calling me out…I believe I answered four times and with a 13.983 ET on top.
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Go Steve! LOL! 
FWIW, I find there is rarely a difference between lanes, at least with cars in the 13/14 second range. Now if you're running 7 seconds at 180mph, that's a different story. But in a W124, not so much. If there is dirt/dust blowing on the surface causing traction issues, most tracks would clean it before resuming racing, as a safety measure. I really think Eric's traction issues were due to the tires being used; not all are equal, especially old/used tires of unknown history. I am certain that Eric's 400 has another tenth or two left in it, under ideal conditions, with zero wheelspin... but all the planets will have to align to get there. I've run an occasional blistering time in my cars but those are abnormal conditions, not easily repeatable. YMMV, etc, etc...
FWIW, I find there is rarely a difference between lanes, at least with cars in the 13/14 second range. Now if you're running 7 seconds at 180mph, that's a different story. But in a W124, not so much. If there is dirt/dust blowing on the surface causing traction issues, most tracks would clean it before resuming racing, as a safety measure. I really think Eric's traction issues were due to the tires being used; not all are equal, especially old/used tires of unknown history. I am certain that Eric's 400 has another tenth or two left in it, under ideal conditions, with zero wheelspin... but all the planets will have to align to get there. I've run an occasional blistering time in my cars but those are abnormal conditions, not easily repeatable. YMMV, etc, etc...
Capt. Fast does need good tires all around, that's his achilles’ heel and on both track cars. And he wonders why his times are so sporadic. If he wants any chance in hell (aside from the planetary alignment) to run closer with me, he needs four good tires to start. Or just get drag radials for track days.
+1. I know Eric is allergic to spending $$$, but a set of Hoosier DOT's on CLK forged wheels (~$750 total) would eliminate his traction issues permanently, even with NOS, a 6.0, or 3.27 gearing (maybe even with all three combined, lol). Yeah, it's not cheap, but reduced frustration & lower blood pressure has gotta be worth something, right? However, this would take away one of his last excuses!!! Uh-oh.
Agree 100% on both counts. I'm definitely impressed with what he's extracted from the granny-geared 4.2 setup. And also bummed that the magic EZL doesn't appear to work on late 4.2 cars (the 4.2 EZL's are not all interchangeable as 5.0 EZL's are). That means I can't work the same magic on my 95 E420. I do have a bit of interesting info for Eric regarding his eBay chip, if he reads this and remembers to shoot me an email about it.
Count on it...wait, he's not much of an email user, but this might change his mind? Is it good or bad news?
This was Dec-3, right? The humidity was quite low that afternoon:
http://www.dragtimes.com/da-density...2&day=3&year=2011&getweather=Get+Weather+Data
The air was pretty darn good overall, enough that the correction factor would only translate into maybe 0.1 sec quicker and less than 1mph faster (use the "extensively modified" numbers, the "stock" numbers are always way too optimistic). Oh, and Eric's ride has a secret weapon which was not mentioned in the previous post... along with the 92 LH and chip, he's also sporting a GSXR-massaged EZL! Wooops, now the feline is out of the burlap sack...
Dave, I've been running that EZL since last December when we ran our then best ever record breaking 14.348 with it. I then gave it due credit in this very thread. No big secret there.
This time the 2 big changes were a bunch of turns on the trans "T" bar and the CLK rims. (Along with some shorter tires.)
What E/T gain did you say that CLK rims should be worth over stock 15" 8 holes (all other factors being equal)?
Regards, Eric
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The only problem with that generous offer is that next time the right lane might be the bunk lane. It always changes depending on who breaks their car and where they do it. Now if you are offering me the lane of my choice, I will gladly accept!
Remember, it wasn't you who I was originally calling out, it was all of the rest of the 500Es in So Cal who aren't joining us on track day.
Regards, Eric
Whatever floats your goat, since you're the one nitpicking with lanes.
Since no other .036 showed up, I stepped in for all .036 available.
Dave, again, as I have already pointed out on numerous occasions, this track is lame. They aren't very diligent about keeping it clean. That's why we occasionally have pretty bad wrecks there. I'm sure there would have been some lawsuits about it by now were it not for the fact that we all have to sign that release before we can race. As I already stated in my previous post, someone broke in the left lane, oiled it up nice and good, and as we know, an oily surface will retain the dirt that is being blown onto it better than a clean surface will. Yes, they did of course clean the track after the breakdown, but they didn't get all of it. They never do. This is why everybody was fighting for the right lane for the rest of the day. Even Casey was trying to avoid the left lane. So was Steve. So it's not just me here who feels that on this particular day, the right lane was the hot ticket.
I really think Eric's traction issues were due to the tires being used; not all are equal, especially old/used tires of unknown history. I am certain that Eric's 400 has another tenth or two left in it, under ideal conditions, with zero wheelspin... but all the planets will have to align to get there. I've run an occasional blistering time in my cars but those are abnormal conditions, not easily repeatable. YMMV, etc, etc...
+1. I know Eric is allergic to spending $$$, but a set of Hoosier DOT's on CLK forged wheels (~$750 total) would eliminate his traction issues permanently, even with NOS, a 6.0, or 3.27 gearing (maybe even with all three combined, lol). Yeah, it's not cheap, but reduced frustration & lower blood pressure has gotta be worth something, right? However, this would take away one of his last excuses!!! Uh-oh.
Guys, again, as I already stated in my previous post, yes, I obviously know that tires were an issue for me too! I left here with a matching set of 4 "V" speed rated tires. No, they weren't anything to write home about, but they were decent, and I was hooking with them. (I did perform some tests!) The problem is I didn't make it to the track with all 4 of those tires! I had a blowout on the way and had to substitute a tire, and THAT tire is the ONE that wasn't hooking, remember? I was already very late and had to improvise. It cost me. I'm not complaining about it, just setting the record straight. Gonna switch it with the one on the front for next time!
However, this would take away one of his last excuses!!! Uh-oh.
I've just run within 0.15 second of a 500E with a 400E, twice! And not just any 400E, a seriously nappy 400E! I don't need to make any excuses for anything!
I do however, need to keep the record straight! 
Regards, Eric
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No argument from me. But in hindsight, my 14.020 ET came at 3:30 pm, after the crash and I didn't have problems hooking up at the line or down the lane. :wink:
Btw, you still need tires with better/more tread for street tires, if you want to use street tires. Sorry to say, but yours have less than track ready tread left, plus you said that you hook up on the streets much better - which like you said, points to the condition of the track. If you want to overcome that, you need to run wider tires in the rear, hence I don't break traction much after I adjust the rear PSI on my 275's.
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....since you're the one nitpicking with lanes.
You are the one who absolutely INSISTED on having the right lane in our first race. I would say that constitutes nitpicking. So we are both guilty of it!
Agree 100% on both counts. I'm definitely impressed with what he's extracted from the granny-geared 4.2 setup. And also bummed that the magic EZL doesn't appear to work on late 4.2 cars (the 4.2 EZL's are not all interchangeable as 5.0 EZL's are). That means I can't work the same magic on my 95 E420. I do have a bit of interesting info for Eric regarding his eBay chip, if he reads this and remembers to shoot me an email about it.
Dave, remember, the "magic" EZL was only worth about a tenth at best, as I've already documented last December. Definitely a worthwhile gain, but far from being a "magic bullet".
As far as the chip news goes, please just share it here! If you can't, please just PM me! I don't know what in the world you could be talking about. As I have already stated, I made exactly the same hp and torque with the chip as I did without it in back to back testing on the chassis dyno. So even though it isn't gaining me any power, it's at least not costing me any power either. Again, I'm only running it so I can have a 6,500 RPM rev limit instead of a 6,200 RPM rev limit.
It's also gonna help at the Mojave Mile by eliminating the 155 MPH governor. That's gonna let my 2.24 gears shine!
Regards, Eric
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This brings up another advantage that Steve has: he has much better tires than I do!
Yes, I do need better rubber, but what I left here with Saturday morning would have sufficed for the day had I not lost one on the way to the track.
Regards, Eric
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The flyweight CLK wheels weigh about 5 lbs less than stock 8-holers (roughly 14 vs 19), with tires that should be about 35 vs 40, depending on the weight of your tires (which can vary significantly between brands). With CLK's on all four corners you should see up to a tenth improvement, assuming no wheelspin. The difference compared to larger/heavier wheels (i.e., AMG staggered 17's at 48-50 lbs each) can be 2 tenths or more.
Tweaking the trans modulator for firmer shifts may not make a significant difference, perhaps a few hundredths? I've had runs where the trans slipped and/or hung up at the shift point and there was very little loss in the timeslip numbers. It's not going to hurt to firm it up, but don't expect huge results.
Think I mentioned this before, but the gearing won't affect your Mojave Mile performance much. Gearing will change your ET over a fixed distance but have very, very little effect on MPH over a fixed distance. Also, the '92 LH has the 155mph limiter so it won't matter which chip you use. Based on my test data, I'd expect my E420's to do the standing mile at around ~135mph or so, give or take a few mph. Eric's car is definitely quicker than mine so his might crack the 140mph mark... maybe. Mojave is ~2750' elevation, almost exactly the same as where I live, so my local test data would be directly comparable (no correction factors needed). The 500E's should be in the mid-140's or so.
So Eric, when you gonna get some Hoosiers? Tip: Order Hoosier part number 17320, size 225-50-16, they have 8.8" tread width and only weigh 18 lbs (total of 32 lbs on CLK forged wheels - wow). Full specs are here. Summit & Jegs both have 'em for $193/ea.
Tweaking the trans modulator for firmer shifts may not make a significant difference, perhaps a few hundredths? I've had runs where the trans slipped and/or hung up at the shift point and there was very little loss in the timeslip numbers. It's not going to hurt to firm it up, but don't expect huge results.
Think I mentioned this before, but the gearing won't affect your Mojave Mile performance much. Gearing will change your ET over a fixed distance but have very, very little effect on MPH over a fixed distance. Also, the '92 LH has the 155mph limiter so it won't matter which chip you use. Based on my test data, I'd expect my E420's to do the standing mile at around ~135mph or so, give or take a few mph. Eric's car is definitely quicker than mine so his might crack the 140mph mark... maybe. Mojave is ~2750' elevation, almost exactly the same as where I live, so my local test data would be directly comparable (no correction factors needed). The 500E's should be in the mid-140's or so.
So Eric, when you gonna get some Hoosiers? Tip: Order Hoosier part number 17320, size 225-50-16, they have 8.8" tread width and only weigh 18 lbs (total of 32 lbs on CLK forged wheels - wow). Full specs are here. Summit & Jegs both have 'em for $193/ea.
That was the price you paid for being late to the track.
Advantages, Shmandvantages - its called preparation…just let it go.
What’s with all of the excuses? You don’t see me tripping when your twin Volvo wagon with a turbo kicked my ass (regardless if it was stripped bare or not), that’s racing, buddy. I’ll even set stakes – you beat me and I’ll give you $50.00.
Go get “new” tires and we’ll line up anytime you are ready to get spanked.
I WAS prepared. I had a blowout on the way to the track. It happens. It happens to a lot of people. It could have even happened to you. It's not an issue of "letting it go", it's just an issue of getting all the facts out there, reporting the whole, complete picture, not leaving any of the details out. That is the mark of a complete Rock and Roll Race Report! I'm also pointing out all of your advantages only to point out what an uphill battle B3 and I had on our hands and how getting within 0.15 of you was a major accomplishment. Don't worry, I'm cool, and again, totally pleased with B3's showing. It's that damn replacement tire that had me pissed. And crappy left lane. Please don't misunderstand my tone here. Again, I'm just making sure that the WHOLE story is told (for posterity's sake).
And you are also ALWAYS very quick to point out how that Volvo is "stripped" EVERY TIME it is mentioned. (Sorry, I just HAD to point that out!)
Does that offer apply to my Volvo too? (Don't worry, it WON'T be stripped.) With B3 the odds are really stacked against me, what with him having a smaller engine with smaller valves and smaller cams. AND those brutally tall 2.24 gears! I need to get my R/Ts back in line too. I'm having to relearn B3 all over again. I relighted all day long except for one run where our wheel spin was so bad it prevented me from redlighting on that run. On our last run I made a conscious effort to NOT redlight which led to that miserable .316 R/T. (Which is Spacey Casey territory!) Don't worry though, I'll give it my best shot whatever car I'm in! I always do! That's racing!
Go get “new” tires and we’ll line up anytime you are ready to get spanked.
I don't want to put new tires on these rims yet as these rims are the ones that are going to receive the new pimp high speed tires for the Mohave Mile.
Regards, Eric
The "stripped" Volvo comment was the first time I mentioned it here. And I believe I only mentioned it twice in general - once while at the track when I ran against the Volvo and now here. But I didn't dwell on it.And you are also ALWAYS very quick to point out how that Volvo is "stripped" EVERY TIME it is mentioned. (Sorry, I just HAD to point that out!)
Sure...once I know how much boost you are putting out.
I was only referring to the fact that I don't have 2.82 gears which would limit me to 156 MPH because at that point we would be engine redline limited.
I thought the chip ditches that? Is this the chip "info" that you had for me?
Don't forget, the Mohave "Mile" is actually going to be a mile and a half this time.
Remember, 2Phast was only able to get his 500E up to 130 MPH during the separate standing mile competition at the Silver State Challenge. So 135 MPH for any 4.2, even mine, would be a tall order. How much more MPH will we be able to gain in that additional half mile? Now that is the question! At that speed it's a slow climb!
So which car are you planning to bring?
Regards, Eric
The stock 1992 chips have a 155mph limiter... the eBay chip eliminates the limiter, but this is irrelevant, as it will take more than 1.5 miles (from a standing start) to get past 155mph, regardless of gearing. And, the 4.2L is power-limited even if it had proper gearing for top speed; I don't think it would ever hit 155mph even if de-limited and with 2.65 gears (which would probably be optimal for top speed). I'm pretty sure the E420 will top out in the high 140's, maybe low 150's, when tweaked with a '92 LH and whatnot.
Rik's car should have gotten past 130mph in 1 mile, unless it was at really high elevation and high heat. My slowest 500 gets to 130mph in less than 4000 feet, and might not crack 140 in the standing mile. My quicker 500 gets to 130 in just over 3000 feet and should do mid-140's in the mile. The distance needed to get another 5-10mph at those speeds is huge, so extending it to 1.5 miles may only net another 5mph, 10 tops... my quicker 500 might manage low 150's in 1.5 miles? Maybe? Hope there's no headwinds, lol! I'm not sure if I can make it in 2012, but I'd bring one of the 500's if I did try it out. Maybe both if I could talk my wife into driving that far (she hates having to drive alone on long trips, and this would be 16 hours one way - ugh). More likely we'd just bring one car and take turns driving it.
Rik's car should have gotten past 130mph in 1 mile, unless it was at really high elevation and high heat. My slowest 500 gets to 130mph in less than 4000 feet, and might not crack 140 in the standing mile. My quicker 500 gets to 130 in just over 3000 feet and should do mid-140's in the mile. The distance needed to get another 5-10mph at those speeds is huge, so extending it to 1.5 miles may only net another 5mph, 10 tops... my quicker 500 might manage low 150's in 1.5 miles? Maybe? Hope there's no headwinds, lol! I'm not sure if I can make it in 2012, but I'd bring one of the 500's if I did try it out. Maybe both if I could talk my wife into driving that far (she hates having to drive alone on long trips, and this would be 16 hours one way - ugh). More likely we'd just bring one car and take turns driving it.
I agree with everything in your post except for the above. Car & Driver got 148 MPH out of a 93 400E, and that is WITHOUT a 92 WOT enrichment ECU! They also got 151 MPH out of a 2.82 geared, 235/60-16" tired, 92 W140 400SE. That car, as you know, has a whole lot more frontal area to contend with as well as a whole lot more weight. (4795 pounds in fact!). I got a solid 150 MPH out of B3 back when he was still running that non-enrichment 93 5.0 ECU. (The opportunity to top-end B3 with the 92 ECU still hasn't presented itself. That's what Mohave is going to be for!) Yes, it is unlikely that we will see better than 155 MPH in 1.5 miles with ANY 4.2, but, given enough room, I do think we could and would see at least 160 MPH.
I'm not sure if I can make it in 2012
I thought you were thoroughly committed to this Spring's event! Now it's only a maybe for you?
Regards, Eric
