* Let's have a test and tune day in So. Cal.

[400Eric]

No, I'm not. Please re-read my post again. I was adding to it when you posted.

Weren't your VW GTIs CIS-E? A person could do better, but they could do worse too.

Your W126s still have bigger engines than your 036 does. That's going to adversely effect fuel economy.

My situation is the same as yours: I have some CIS-E cars in my life that I am quite fond of, just like how you have your CIS-E W126s that you are quite fond of.

Regards,
Eric

 

[gsxr]

We recently had a LH system expert write on the forum somewhere that it is entirely possible that the Cat-Trim Plugs actually may advance timing under certain conditions in an effort to make the car run leaner and hotter to make the cats more efficient.

Yes - this is my theory too. The non-KAT plug may reduce timing, and reduce fuel economy, while lower temps a bit. The non-KAT plug is also designed to work without an O2 sensor (full time open-loop). There was definitely zero power gain at WOT, there was no more consistency at the 'strip, and there was no apparent part-throttle gains either. I've got a few of the non-KAT trim plugs available cheap if anyone wants to buy some, lol.

 

[gerryvz]

No, I'm not. Please re-read my post again. I was adding to it when you posted.

Weren't your VW GTIs CIS-E? A person could do better, but they could do worse too.

Your W126s still have bigger engines than your 036 does. That's going to adversely effect fuel economy.

My situation is the same as yours: I have a couple of CIS-E cars in my life that I am quite fond of, just like how you have your CIS-E W126s that you are quite fond of.

Regards,
Eric

My VW Rabbit GTI was straight CIS ... not CIS-E. As was my 1977 450SEL 6.9. No electronics involved -- straight mechanical system.

Why is it that my 6.9 got exactly the same fuel economy (12 MPG mixed driving) as my 560SEL, whereby the engine in the 6.9 had significantly larger displacement and slightly more power (250 HP)?

 

[400Eric]

Didn't you also just say that your SEC is also getting better fuel economy than your SEL, despite the fact that your SEC has 3.07 gears vs. the 2.47s in your SEL? This despite the fact that the rest of the powertrain is the same. Sounds to me like something is up with your SEL! I think we know what your next project should be after you finish your M104 project!

Regards,
Eric

 

[gerryvz]

Didn't you also just say that your SEC is also getting better fuel economy than your SEL, despite the fact that your SEC has 3.07 gears vs. the 2.47s in your SEL? This despite the fact that the rest of the powertrain is the same. Sounds to me like something is up with your SEL! I think we know what your next project should be after you finish your M104 project!

Regards,
Eric

Dude, my SEL has 80,000 miles on it, and runs perfectly. It's not even broken in yet.

 

[400Eric]

So why on Earth would two essentially identical cars get these wacky fuel economy results? The SEC has 3.07s and gets better fuel economy than the SEL does with it's 2.47s? And the SEC got even better fuel economy when it had it's 2.47s? It doesn't seem odd to you that the SEC's fuel economy is so superior to the SEL's? And as you said, your 6.9 got the same fuel economy as your SEL does, that doesn't bode well for the SEL either. I'm not saying your SEL is a bad car, I'm just saying maybe an examination is in order. Between those three cars, it should be getting the best fuel economy of the three, not tied for the worst.

Maybe it's just not broken in enough yet.

Do either of your M117s have the more efficient Euro style exhaust manifolds?

 

[gerryvz]

The SEL is a heavier, larger car. Take a look at the fuel mileage ratings for when the SEL and SEC were new, and your question should be answered. There is nothing wrong with the 560SEL.

My question was about the 6.9 and the 560SEL - given the displacement difference. You pointed out the 0.6 liter displacement difference being a major factor in the 4-5 MPG difference between the E500 and the 560SEL. I'm pointing out the 1.3 liter displacement difference (and nearly same fuel injection system) being a major factor in the essentially same MPG between the 450SEL 6.9 and the 560SEL, and wondering why.

 

[400Eric]

Because something is up with the 560SEL!

Like I said, maybe your 560SEL isn't broken in enough yet!

The 6.9 has 2.47s too right?

Again, I'm just saying that we don't need to be hating on CIS-E cars so much. They're not so bad. You don't hate your CIS-E cars do you?

 

[gerryvz]

The 6.9 has 2.47s too right?

Again, I'm just saying that we don't need to be hating on CIS-E cars so much. They're not so bad. You don't hate your CIS-E cars do you?

Final drive ratio on a 450SEL 6.9 is 2.65, so a bit shorter than a 126.039/126.045.

I'm not and have never hated on CIS-E cars. In fact, I'd say I've been one of the biggest boosters of them on this site. Otherwise I wouldn't have a 126 coupes sub-forum. I like CIS-E, it's easy to work on and for the most part I 'get' it.

It's just not as good as LH or ME, really in any way shape or form.

I have to agree with Dave on this statement. If CIS-E would have been so great, then MB would have carried it over on the M119 from the 500SL to the 500E at the beginning of production at the end of 1990.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[400Eric]

MB did hang on to CIS-E longer than anybody else, correct? CIS-E M102s/M103s were in W201s and CIS-E M103s were in W124 4matics as late as '93. I'm sure they would have held on to CIS-E longer but impending emissions regulations probably rendered that impractical.

Do either of your M117s have the more efficient Euro style exhaust manifolds?

Yes, LH does everything better, except be as reliable as CIS-E. That's my experience. I know others experiences have been different than mine.

The deep dark secret here is that Dave actually HATES CIS-E! He just cleverly disguises his posts to hide that fact! He doesn't like M117s either! (Although I doubt he would kick an AMG Hammer out of bed! )

Regards,
Eric

 

[J-Sauce]

Re: Eric's incoherent string of psychobabbles and inferences

Wtf is this thread about these days? We should just change the title to "Eric's incoherent string of psychobabbles and inferences."

I, for one, am extremely hyped by the news of the track opening! Eric, I've got a couple of tricks up my sleeve for 2014. Dave, don't spill the beans please I think Jerry is old enough to go and not be a nuisance. Heck, he can probably even operate the camera! Savanna is also excited to tag along and see her man do some authorized spanking.

 

[400Eric]

Re: Eric's incoherent string of psychobabbles and inferences

Wtf is this thread about these days? We should just change the title to "Eric's incoherent string of psychobabbles and inferences."

When there is no racing going on, the thread does go off topic a bit. Blame the folks who keep baiting me.

I, for one, am extremely hyped by the news of the track opening! Eric, I've got a couple of tricks up my sleeve for 2014. Dave, don't spill the beans please I think Jerry is old enough to go and not be a nuisance. Heck, he can probably even operate the camera! Savanna is also excited to tag along and see her man do some authorized spanking.

Jerry stopped being a nuisance about two years ago. If you'd drop by once in a while, you'd already know that! He's going to turn eight in less than a week. He's becoming quite the little man! I was already planning on bringing both kids to the "next" track day (March 2012) that wound up never happening. I was also going to debut my new exhaust system at that time, but now of course that's out cause the trans pump seal is blown. (I flat am NOT going to try to tackle a trans R+R in that car until AFTER I relocate!)

Jerry would love to take some vids of his Uncle Justin "spanking some bottoms".

How come we can't talk about your new mods/tricks? This is the drag racing thread after all! It's that kind of thinking that causes the thread to go off topic! Talk about your drag racing mods and the thread will have some on topic stuff to talk about! It's either that or we are going to have to talk about what I'm doing to Benzer5 in preparation for the next drag day instead!

If for whatever reason you are unable to get your car ready in time, please bring that Titan again so that B5 will have something to run! B5 has taller gearing than B1, but with over 100,000 fewer miles, I'm hoping his engine is at least a little tighter! Going to try to better B1's M103 record! You've seen how virginesque that car is!

I don't know if you heard about the turbo 850 that I tried to turn Casey on to, but he didn't have the funds, so I ended up grabbing it myself. I'd like to take that car to the drags at some point as well as Benzer4! There's also that Supercharged Buick that has some potential as well. The Grand Am GT has been flipped for cash. It's too bad too, cause that little bomb had some potential. I modded it a bit and I'm confident it would have run some 15.3's, which would have been enough to spank your M104. Too bad that race isn't going to happen now. That car had some suds. I miss it. I'm thinking I shouldn't have flipped it.

Speaking of your M104, have you gotten around to addressing that car's issues yet?

Have Savanna bring and run her car! Don't be sexist, let the girl run too! Casey's GF (Katie) was going to bring and run her turbo Volvo S40. That would be epic! We could have our very own "Powder Puff" division, and then the winner could take on the winner of the boy's division!

 

[gerryvz]

Re: Eric's incoherent string of psychobabbles and inferences

Are you guys talking about me? Or Dernt?

With regard to Dave:

• he HATES 126s
• he HATES the term "mushroom" to describe upholstery color for US-model cars
• he intensely dislikes CIS and CIS-E
• he doesn't like M117s unless they have a twincam AMG head installed
• he LOVES the M119 and LH

On the other hand:

• I LOVE 126s
• I LOVE the term "mushroom" to describe MB upholstery no matter where it's marketed
• I intensely like CIS and CIS-E
• I REALLY like M117s but will never own one with a twincam AMG head installed.
• I LOVE the M119 and LH

 

[gsxr]

Re: Eric's incoherent string of psychobabbles and inferences

Are you guys talking about me? Or Dernt?

Neither, I think it's a short person related to Eric.

With regard to Dave:

• he HATES 126s
• he HATES the term "mushroom" to describe upholstery color for US-model cars
• he intensely dislikes CIS and CIS-E
• he doesn't like M117s unless they have a twincam AMG head installed
• he LOVES the M119 and LH

That was pretty close, Gerry. Minor clarifications:

• Dave has very little interest/attraction to 126s, although a 560SEC might be tolerable
• Dave HATES the term "mushroom" to describe xx5 upholstery color for US-model cars
• Dave intensely dislikes CIS and CIS-E (thanks to ownership of M103's)
• Dave doesn't like M117s unless they are 6.0L with twincam AMG head installed, but would probably never own one due to the cost
• Dave LOVES the M119 and LH... and the M119 with ME ain't bad either.

Wtf is this thread about these days? We should just change the title to "Eric's incoherent string of psychobabbles and inferences."

I think that is an EXCELLENT suggestion.

 

[400Eric]

I let Jerry read this page and he requested that I add that he specifically wants to record his Uncle Justin spanking some BMW bottoms!

Is this boy growing up proper or what?!?

Uncle Gerry, don't you remember? We've talked about this before. I have a brother named Jerry, a son named Jerry, an Uncle in Texas named Jerry, and an Uncle in Texas named Gerry. Both you and Dernt agreed that that earns me an honorary place in the exclusive Jerry/Gerry club!

Maybe we should have a thread called: "Eric's extremely insightful and profound streaming consciousness."

Regards,
Eric

 

[gerryvz]

Uncle Gerry, don't you remember? We've talked about this before. I have a brother named Jerry, a son named Jerry, an Uncle in Texas named Jerry, and an Uncle in Texas named Gerry. Both you and Dernt agreed that that earns me an honorary place in the exclusive Jerry/Gerry club!

Now don't go and start thinkin' that this "Jerry" thing makes us blood brothers, and that I'm gonna put you in my will or anythin' .....

Maybe we should have a thread called: "Eric's extremely insightful and profound streaming consciousness."

Seems like a good 'Sauce-ian & GSXR-level decision...

 

[400Eric]

Being put in your will probably wouldn't help me much anyways, seeing as how I'm actually older than you.

 

[400Eric]

Saucer, Stevo,
I might as well get this out there now rather than waiting till the last minute (like our track does).
I might not get to go to the late February track date. As I said in my first post after my sabbatical, we are expecting a baby boy soon. Well, our baby boy is due March 8, and leaving the wife alone to go racin' when she is so close to her due date is probably not going to go over very well. And even if I can go, it's one of those situations where I probably shouldn't go. I'll just have to play it by ear. Anyways, I just wanted put this out there now instead of dropping a bomb at the last minute. You guys may have to manage without me. I trained both of you though and I have every confidence that you both will be able to do just fine without me!

Regards,
Eric

 

[szvook]

Eric, the only way I can see you being at the track during that time would be if you were the one giving birth...and if that was the case, I can see you insisting to give birth at the track in order for your boy to be track ready from day one.

Wishing you and your wife a healthy and strong boy and hope the delivery goes smooth.

As I mentioned earlier I will not be attending the first track day, way too many people will show up and the lines for staging will be absurdly long. Plus I want to have the up-and-coming work on the car done first, before taking it to the track and if everything plays out I will be targeting the end of March before hitting the track's. Speaking of which, I have yet to see the 2014 schedule for the drag strip from the auto club speedway site, just says "Stay tuned for the 2014 Auto Club Dragway schedule". Is there another place that has the months/days listed?

"I trained both of you though and I have every confidence that you both will be able to do just fine without me!" Yes, Sifu...

 

[gsxr]

How about Sauceman's or Vookster's GF/SO drives Eric's car, and flogs it at the strip? That seems like a reasonable solution!

 

[szvook]

My girly wouldn't be caught dead at a drag race event of any kind. I showed her a few videos and her reply was "Boring, at least the tracks with turns look like more fun"...I took that as an incentive.

 

[gsxr]

My girly wouldn't be caught dead at a drag race event of any kind. I showed her a few videos and her reply was "Boring, at least the tracks with turns look like more fun"...I took that as an incentive.

As an ex-roadracer (on sportbikes), I thought the SAME thing. Dragstrip was booooooring.

Then I tried it. First hit off the crack pipe, etc, etc... 10 years later, I'm still going to the dragstrip. I wouldn't mind roadracing again but the cost is easily 10x higher.

 

[400Eric]

Eric, the only way I can see you being at the track during that time would be if you were the one giving birth...and if that was the case, I can see you insisting to give birth at the track in order for your boy to be track ready from day one.

Wishing you and your wife a healthy and strong boy and hope the delivery goes smooth.

As I mentioned earlier I will not be attending the first track day, way too many people will show up and the lines for staging will be absurdly long. Plus I want to have the up-and-coming work on the car done first, before taking it to the track and if everything plays out I will be targeting the end of March before hitting the track's. Speaking of which, I have yet to see the 2014 schedule for the drag strip from the auto club speedway site, just says "Stay tuned for the 2014 Auto Club Dragway schedule". Is there another place that has the months/days listed?

"I trained both of you though and I have every confidence that you both will be able to do just fine without me!" Yes, Sifu...

You're too funny Stevo!

Thanks for the well wishes! We are already pretty confident that this boy is strong. The way he bulges his Mother's stomach when he moves around in there is downright freaky looking! It looks like the scene from the original "Alien" movie when the alien is about to bust out of the poor host's stomach! We don't remember our first two kids being able to do that in such a pronounced way.

What does "Sifu" mean?

 

[400Eric]

How about Sauceman's or Vookster's GF/SO drives Eric's car, and flogs it at the strip? That seems like a reasonable solution!

The only Benzer that is running right now without issues is Benzer5, and we intend to bring the new baby home in a Benzer, just like we did with the first two, so B5 needs to stay with us during this time period.

It's funny I just had a dream about running B5 at the track, and he couldn't do better than low 16s. Maybe he's not up to breaking B1's record?!?

I really need to get B4 home and running!

 

[gerryvz]

Saucer, Stevo,
I might as well get this out there now rather than waiting till the last minute (like our track does).
I might not get to go to the late February track date. As I said in my first post after my sabbatical, we are expecting a baby boy soon. Well, our baby boy is due March 8, and leaving the wife alone to go racin' when she is so close to her due date is probably not going to go over very well. And even if I can go, it's one of those situations where I probably shouldn't go. I'll just have to play it by ear. Anyways, I just wanted put this out there now instead of dropping a bomb at the last minute. You guys may have to manage without me. I trained both of you though and I have every confidence that you both will be able to do just fine without me!

Regards,
Eric

Girly men !!



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dan]

What does "Sifu" mean?

Master (kung fu)

 

[400Eric]

Oh, yeah.
Thanks!
I see that you are nearby. Is there any chance of you joining us someday?

 

[J-Sauce]

I though it was a typo for STFU. :-/

Jkjkjk

I've already congratulated you and Lilly (or is it Lily?) on the new little ass kicker, but once again, CONGRATS! Unless you'd like to evoke the scorn of a 8.5 month pregnant oriental woman, I'd forgo the first race day. That is, if it even materializes anywhere near February/March as advertised. With the way things have been moving, I wouldn't expect it to. Can't wait to meet the little bugger. When he's big enough, I'll bring savanna over to help babysit one day. She's much better with children than the last girl. Hell, she's much better all around.

Justin

 

[400Eric]

Thanks Justin!

The tone of the track management in that article that I linked seems to be: "We're into this damn sound wall for a fortune and we need to make that money back ASAP!". So I wouldn't be surprised if that late February date actually happens. Is your 036 going to be ready by then?

 

[400Eric]

Girly men !!

I would expect a little more understanding and sympathy from you Uncle Gerry.......

 

[gerryvz]

I would expect a little more understanding and sympathy from you Uncle Gerry.......

Too much talk and dicking around .... not enough action and tire smoke in the water box.

 

[szvook]

not enough action and tire smoke in the water box.

The "good" residents of Fontana made sure of that...and if they only knew in which direction this thread has taken a turn, they would retract their decision to close down the track.

 

[400Eric]

No body here is to blame for the fact that we haven't been able to drag race on a legitimate 1/4 mile track for 2 years.

Again, like I said before, when there's actual racin' goin' on, that's what we cover in this thread. When there's no racing goin' on, the thread does drift a bit at times, but we also still do talk about doing things to make our cars faster, which of course is obviously still relevant. You all have to admit though, that we've all had some good times here. Like I said a few posts back, I re-read this thing and it's a riot. It's at it's funniest when we are off topic and aren't being so serious.

It just really frosts me that I had to wait for 2 frickin' years for the damn place to re-open and now that they finally are, I can't go. That's typical for them though, and it's also typical for me and my life as well. I just hope I can make the next track day. I don't remember at what point it's "OK" to leave Mommy and baby by themselves. And I'm not speaking in medical terms here, I'm speaking in when Mommy says it's OK terms. Remember, when Mommy's not happy, nobody's happy. Happy wife, happy life!

What about you Uncle Gerry? You have a track or two in your area that you could have been running at all this time, but you still haven't gone yet! It seems to me that you are just giving us a hard time again!

Regards,
Eric

 

[gerryvz]

What about you Uncle Gerry? You have a track or two in your area that you could have been running at all this time, but you still haven't gone yet! It seems to me that you are just giving us a hard time again!

Perhaps a bit, but I've also been hard at work in recent weeks......like today as a matter of fact.

 

[400Eric]

Damn, in that 2nd shot it looks like you are about to make wild, passionate love to your M104!

I love my inline 6's too, but I don't love them THAT much!

 

[gerryvz]

Damn, in that 2nd shot it looks like you are about to make wild, passionate love to your M104!

Not quite - just a mix of happiness and relief that the head was finally sitting on that block in the correct position.

Now if that was Dave and would have been an M119 head ... all bets are off and you'd probably be right....

 

[J-Sauce]

I've been waiting for Eric to update his thread, but the track posted that they are officially open about two weeks ago. You can download the 2014 schedule at their website www.AutoClubDragway.com. I've taken the liberty of picking out the dates concerning us (Street Legal Drags) and posting them below, however there are additional dates not listed for events such as "Test and Tune", which are also open to the public. Those dates are all on Sundays immediately following our Street Legal days, as usual. But not every Street Legal day has a Test and Tune following it.

Can't wait to see you guys and get back to racing, especially on those two nice and cold December dates!

Feb: 22
Mar: 9
Apr: 5, 19
May: 10
Jun: 28
Jul: 5, 26
Aug: 2, 23
Sep: 20
Oct: 4
Nov: 1
Dec: 6, 13

Hell, this thread may get back on topic after all.

 

[gsxr]

Hell, this thread may get back on topic after all.

Whoa, let's not get all crazy now.

What is the cost difference between entering the Street Legal Drags (Saturday), and the Test & Tune (Sunday)?

 

[J-Sauce]

I can't say if they have changed the pricing since completing the ~$1M construction project, but IIRC it used to be SL: $20 and T&T: $80.

 

[gerryvz]

Is 400Eric still coming to this site?

Since his friend clarkz71 was seduced by the Dark Side of the Force and became a Sith Lord, I fear we may also have lost 400Eric as well.....

 

[gsxr]

... it used to be SL: $20 and T&T: $80.

OUCH!! Eighty bucks for a test day? Do they provide Hollywood umbrella girls or sumtin'?

 

[400Eric]

Is 400Eric still coming to this site?

Since his friend clarkz71 was seduced by the Dark Side of the Force and became a Sith Lord, I fear we may also have lost 400Eric as well.....

It's not like that Uncle Gerry. I've just been busy! I've only been MIA for what, three days? It's nice to know that I'm missed!

I do hope that we can keep clarkz71 on this site....... I hope nobody chases him away. He has much of great value to contribute!

I've been waiting for Eric to update his thread, but the track posted that they are officially open about two weeks ago.

I haven't been monitoring the track's web site because, like I said, I probably can't make this first date, and probably not the second date either. That's one of the reasons why I served you all notice:

Saucer, Stevo,
I might as well get this out there now rather than waiting till the last minute (like our track does).
I might not get to go to the late February track date. As I said in my first post after my sabbatical, we are expecting a baby boy soon. Well, our baby boy is due March 8, and leaving the wife alone to go racin' when she is so close to her due date is probably not going to go over very well. And even if I can go, it's one of those situations where I probably shouldn't go. I'll just have to play it by ear. Anyways, I just wanted put this out there now instead of dropping a bomb at the last minute. You guys may have to manage without me. I trained both of you though and I have every confidence that you both will be able to do just fine without me!

Regards,
Eric

.....so that you all could pick up the ball and run with it. If you read the tone of the post, you can tell that I was passing the torch (temporarily) to you guys.

OUCH!! Eighty bucks for a test day? Do they provide Hollywood umbrella girls or sumtin'?

Nope. Just the privilege of having to deal with only 300 fellow racers instead of having to deal with 500 fellow racers.

Regards,
Eric

 

[400Eric]

The tone of the track management in that article that I linked seems to be: "We're into this damn sound wall for a fortune and we need to make that money back ASAP!". So I wouldn't be surprised if that late February date actually happens.

BTW, I have to point out that I called this. I TOLD you all that the February date would happen!

 

[gerryvz]

NEEEEEED ET's & speeds!!!

 

[J-Sauce]

You are correct sir! I probably won't make it until the first or second date in April.

 

[400Eric]

I already gave my excuse, what's yours?

Please tell me we aren't leaving Stevo to fend for himself!

 

[J-Sauce]

My excuse is that I still have a cracked spring perch that I don't feel comfortable pumping 500+ ft lbs of tq through and then going 110mph on. Hoping to finally get that fixed once it warms up a tad.

 

[gsxr]

As excuses go, that's a pretty darn good one. Smart move, Justin, definitely get the safety items fixed before going Warp Nine. Have you located a shop that can properly repair it?

 

[400Eric]

No, that's not a good excuse because he can do what I do: Bring a different vehicle. When I wasn't able to bring B3, I brought B1. I've only missed ONE cool day since I started going there back before this site even existed. That was the time that the track sold out before I could get there.

Bring the wagon, bring the Titan, bring your GF's car and run that. Anything! Just don't let poor ole Stevo go by himself!

You could also run your 036 off the bottle to establish a new baseline. Off the bottle runs shouldn't pose a risk, right? If it does, then go back to my first suggestion.


Another option is you could call me and set-up a time to come by so I can weld the spring perch for you. I won't charge you!

 

[036/199]

My excuse is that I still have a cracked spring perch that I don't feel comfortable pumping 500+ ft lbs of tq through and then going 110mph on. Hoping to finally get that fixed once it warms up a tad.

Remember to post the pics of the failure in the other thread,please..