Show Posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.


Topics - SaltandPepper

Pages: [1] 2
1
Front Engine Dragsters / Learners questions...
« on: April 18, 2019, 08:08:30 AM »
Well this is my second season of racing and I continue to impress myself with an exceedingly expanding lack of knowledge. I have learned that if you want to play you gotta pay so I have spent all winter doing upgrades....including a NOS system that I am still debugging but will save those problems for another thread. I do have questions about tires and exhaust pipes though. Wideopen custom made me a set of zoomies that I love. However, after my first run on nitrous I noted that they blue up pretty good about 1/3 of the way up. Is this pretty normal when running spray? I remember back from my days of working on motorcycles blue pipes meant a fuel mixture that was too lean. I pulled the plugs and they look pretty good, not white like a lean mixture. Second, how many runs should I get out of a set of slicks? The ones I have on now have got about 6 runs on them and I do not smoke the tires excessively on burnout. Someone told me that once you begin to see vertical lines on the tires they are done. Is this true? Seems to me that I should get 15-20 runs out of a set before needing replaced. Does anyone recommend a better brand than Hoosier? Please see pics. Again thanks in advance for any input...John


2
Front Engine Dragsters / Timing retard....
« on: March 26, 2019, 02:42:09 PM »
OK fellas, I need some education here. I installed all my NOS system and everything seems to be working as should, all I have to do is retard my timing a few degrees as a last step but this is kicking me pretty good. Last year I ran it at the strip without touching the timing. When I put a light on it the timing was set to a white mark the previous owner had at 38-40 degrees and the engine ran well. When I move the crank trigger to attempt to retard it a few degrees I simply lose spark. When I put it back I run again. Run great when the light shows 40*, 50*, even 60* but put it one notch below that white mark and I have no spark at all. I am running a crank trigger to a MSD-7A ignition box. Is there something about this particular box that I just don't know about? I tried to google it but can find no info....there is plenty of info on a MSD-7AL but my ignition box clearly lacks the L. I am hesitant to run my NOS without the proper timing set. I got a feeling this ignition box may have been manufactured in the time of the steam engine. Any help on this would be appreciated.

3
Front Engine Dragsters / shifter problems...
« on: March 05, 2019, 06:04:47 AM »
Having some difficulty here, hope for some help. I purchased a Digital Delay Elite RPM switch to replace the old MSD system for auto shift and aside from the switch not performing as it should, which I am calling Digital Delay today, I noted that the shift solenoid has a difficult time shifting from 1st to 2nd gear due to friction in the cable. I would like to purchase a new cable but am having a hard time identifying the type shifter I have. It has cc stik on the side of it but I get no hits at all when I google that. If anyone can steer me in the right direction to get a 4 foot cable or can identify which company makes this shifter it would be a help.

 

4
Front Engine Dragsters / AFR system...
« on: February 04, 2019, 05:01:43 AM »
After buying a complete system from Nitrous Express, I am currently installing and wiring my FED. I purchased a maximizer 5 progressive controller unit with the intention of hooking up an AFR sensor to it to safeguard my engine. It has become apparent that I do not fully understand the components of such a system. I went to buy a sensor then found out that I need to purchase a complete module which then plugs into something else. After totaling up the cost I hit at about $800 and stopped before I purchased to get some advice. What do I really need to have a functioning sensor that I can hook up to the Lambda wire of my max 5. The company has suggested I stick with a system from AEM or Innovative. If I can't figure this out the only other option is a $3 plug for the bung....which does not look too bad right now.

5
Front Engine Dragsters / NOS fuel install...
« on: January 24, 2019, 01:40:04 PM »
OK, need some advice here. I bought a single stage cross bar nitrous kit and am currently installing. Looking at plumbing the fuel solenoid. I have a 10an main fuel feed coming off of my fuel pump to the fuel pressure regulator that then splits it into duel 6an feed lines to my 750cfm 4150 carb. The directions specifically state that the fuel solenoid for the NOS must have its own separate regulator. However, in the limited space I have it would require quite a bit of plumbing to reduce the 10an down to 4an that connects to the solenoid and I would have to plumb a T valve into my 10an line. I also have a fuel pressure safety switch that will disable the NOS at 5lbs. I usually run my regulator at 8lbs. I understand what the directions state. It would be a heck of a lot easier and compact for me to plumb that solenoid from one of my 6an lines and use the regulator that I have for the carb than to cut into that 10 and add a separate regulator. Since I have the pressure safety switch is a separate regulator honestly needed? In short, could I honestly get away with this or should I go with a separate regulator?

6
Front Engine Dragsters / Spring upgrades....
« on: December 31, 2018, 05:19:20 AM »
Well last summer was a great summer that introduced me to the world of FED racing and I had a ball. Got a lot of good advice on this forum that enabled me to get into the mid 9s with my 327 small block. I am currently saving up coin to enable me to purchase a new engine but that will not be until the winter of 2020 so I am looking for some upgrades to install for this coming summer. I have pretty much decided to add some NOS to the mix, nothing big....maybe a 50 to 200 hp spray but need a little guidance on how to do this. The first piece I would like to add from this puzzle is a new set of pipes. I currently have a set of upswept headers on. They look great but to replace costs a bit more than I am willing to spend on pipes. I am looking at a set of 45* upsweep zoomies that I am keen on and are of reasonable price. In doing my research on spray I see that an EGT sensor seems to be a pretty vital part of the system. To do this however I will have to contact the company who makes the pipes and get them to fabricate a port into the zoomies for the sensor. Is my thinking pretty well on track to achieve a well functioning NOS system? If so is there a certain cylinder that is preferable to mount this sensor in? Any advice would be appreciated.

7
Drag Racing / Car/Competition number...
« on: July 26, 2018, 04:08:34 PM »
Well I just received an email today stating they accepted my runs and granted me a level 6 Sportsman license. They also attached a temporary license with my license number that I can use to race with until my official license comes in the mail. I am a little confused though. Every time I go to the strip they ask me if I have a permanent car number yet. I assume they are asking about a competition number which I thought would be assigned to me when I applied for my license. My license number is 164X.....is that also my competition number, the one that I would put on the side of my car? Is there another application I must fill out? This might be a stupid question but I have found at times some of the directions given by the NHRA aren't exactly crystal clear.

8
Drag Racing / Sportsman License....
« on: June 20, 2018, 03:37:56 PM »
Well I have been attempting to improve my times every time I go to the strip, my last run a 9.8 in the quarter. The fellas at the strip told me I would have to tone it down due to not having my NHRA license so attempting to get that would seem to be the next logical step. I want to do this the correct way so I got in touch with a NHRA inspector and made an appointment with him on 7/9 to have my FED inspected. Until then I figured I could work on my hole shot in the 1/8th mile, try to improve my reaction times which is really in need of improvement as well as my launch technique. Question- Could I already start on getting my moderate runs, the first 4 runs to be signed off for my license, without having the car inspected yet? I could do the cockpit orientation test and try to get a jump on things.  Any guidance on this would be appreciated. I know this is going to take time and patience but if I did a moderate run that fit the bill and could get signed off that would be great.

9
Front Engine Dragsters / Cooling system upgrade...
« on: May 31, 2018, 01:52:03 PM »
Ok, I knew I would have to put a bit of coin into my FED so I decided to start with the cooling system since overheating seems to be a problem for me. On the advice of DusterDave I purchased a Meziere 55 gal/min water pump to replace the belt drive Moroso I have now. I figured if I was going to do that I would upgrade the radiator also so I purchased a Champion duel fan radiator also. It only weighs 6lbs more than the old one and mounting both new pieces is no problem. I do need some suggestions on the transmission cooler though. On the old system they just ran bolts threw the old radiator and bolted the tranny cooler against the bottom so the fan would pull air threw both. When I inspected this setup that thing was so loose it was rattling...and I do mean rattling. Also the tranny cooler has a slanted air flow design rather than the straight up threw air flow design on the radiator. I question how much cooling was going on or if it was just blocking the air flow to 25% of the old radiator. I looked it over and could come up with 3 options: 1) I could mount it up to the new radiator in the same fashion the old one was however I am not too keen on putting 4 holes threw my new rad. 2) I could fabricate a bracket under the rad and mount it to that but the question of air flow impediment still remains. Or 3) I could purchase a stand alone tranny cooler with it's own fan and fabricate a bracket mount in front of the new rad. I would have to run longer hose but that is no problem. Although I am not really worried about the cost it would be an extra $200 for a stand alone. My other concern is the connection pipe feeding the rad. As you can see in the pic this thing was home made and at a pretty sharp 90* angle. Is this going to be a big contributor to my overheating problem? All thoughts, comments, or suggestions are appreciated. 

10
Front Engine Dragsters / Much Better....
« on: May 23, 2018, 06:24:11 PM »
Well hit Cecil Dragway tonight for another try at this and did much better. My first run I did a 10.208@ 136.77mph, my 2nd run I did 10.522 at 131.01mph. On the 2nd run it got a little loose on me at about 300 feet and I had to let up but got back in it as soon as I straightened up. They also put me up against a funny car that did a 8.822 and took me to school, LOL. Well I am happy to have gotten into the low to mid 10s for only my 2nd try racing. My temp stayed down to about 210 on the first run but I overheated slightly on the second....it seems to be overheating on the return...not the run. I have got to figure out a way to keep the temp down on this thing but it is much better than it was. I guess I just got some more work to do on it. Got to give a special shout out to DusterDave who guided me and helped me get this far. One thing I can say is he knows his stuff, everything he told me was on the money.

11
Front Engine Dragsters / First run...
« on: May 09, 2018, 05:44:00 PM »
Well made my first run tonight.....and my only run. Did an 11.94 which I am happy with since I never ran a FED before. My first run was not without it's problems though. As I went to tune the engine last night I noted my fuel regulator went south and was allowing the fuel to push past the needles. I went out this morn and bought a new one and dialed it in at 5lbs. The engine ran great but at the track I overheated like a big dog. by the time I got to the line I was at 190 and on the return I was steaming. I have a feeling this thing sat for a while. I guess my first thing will be to put a new thermostat in it but I wonder what the deal was. once I got it back to the trailer I was able to allow the water pump and fan to run and it did cool it down. Could the radiator be stopped up enough from sitting to let it overheat on a run? Any ideas on this would be appreciated.

12
Dan Dishon's Transmission Den / Powerglide fluid leak....
« on: April 13, 2018, 12:26:50 PM »
In taking my FED apart to repaint I noted I have a fluid leak from my powerglide. Talking to a buddy he told me it is most likely the shifter seal. I ordered a gasket rebuild kit with some Mobil 1 synthetic fluid along with a new filter. I have some mechanical ability but how much of a job is it to pull that shifter shaft and replace the seal? Can it be done from the bottom without pulling the tranny? I had planed to change the filter and fluids anyway so when I put it back together should I be worried about the fluid left in the converter? I just bought this and have no idea about the type of fluid it has in it now....The previous owner was deceased. Thanks in advance for any advice.

13
Front Engine Dragsters / Trying to learn...
« on: April 06, 2018, 06:24:56 PM »
As I am in the middle of customizing the look of my FED to fit the wife and I, I am starting to learn more about what I bought. I figured out the chassis was built by LJ Race Cars and the transmission is from JW Performance. I know I have to take this with a bit of salt but the tranny was manufactured in 96, so that gives me some idea of a possible age of the car. I believe it is a 2 speed powerglide....Are these trannys  pretty standard for 1/4 mile racing? The wife and I went to the strip tonight just to get a feel of the track but I noticed that all of the cars running the 1/4 mile ran threw 3 gears.....although non were FEDs. We walked the entire track figuring out the 1/8 and 1/4 mile marks. There were 2 REDs there, one with a heck of a fuel leak which he did not seem too concerned about....I would have been.
We stopped by VP fuels and I was amazed at how many different fuels there were. I guess I will try the VP110 or 113 since it is a little higher octane. Right now to start it the guy I bought it from put 100 octane airplane fuel in it....I will probably suck that out and discard it depending on how much is in the fuel cell. I take care of a fella at my work that use to drag race, his advice to me for my first run was just to take the car for a ride....don't even worry about the ET. Think I will take his advice. I hope to make my first run by mid May.

14
Your Builds / Photo Gallery / A New look....
« on: April 06, 2018, 05:23:44 PM »
Well, since I bought this FED I have not had a lot of time to work on it till now. The first thing is to give it a new look. I got all the parts sanded down for primer and have ordered supplies from HOK. The wife and I are thinking of a very light, almost white/silver for the car with a black race stripe down the middle. We will then order vinyl lettering to put "Salt&Pepper Shaker" down each side. We hope to be able to make our first run by mid May.


15
Front Engine Dragsters / Safety equipment...
« on: February 14, 2018, 03:13:43 AM »
Looking into and am getting ready to buy safety equipment for my start at the strip this spring but am a little overwhelmed with the choices and need some guidance. I have checked out Ebay and although their prices look good I know you only get what you pay for. Some on this forum have suggested I go to Biondo in NJ which is close enough to me to make the trip if I get quality safety gear. I would like to know opinions in regards to single piece suits vs. separate jacket/pants suits, multi-layer vs single layer, and shoulder HNR devices vs. the devices that extend down the chest. I plan to buy a suit/helmet/shoes/HNR/and gloves. Is their a specific rating that will be required at the dragstrip? Realize that I will only be a weekend warrior and will not participate in competition so I think a $1000 race suit may be a bit over the top. I am running a gas engine. Any responses will be appreciated.

Pages: [1] 2