Messages

46

Electronics / Re: Camera

« on: February 14, 2019, 11:16:26 AM »

We have used a GoPro for over 5 years , yes we had tire shake issues too until we built an alum mount to replace GoPro plastic mount. We mounted on the rear top of our roll bar , far enough out of the way so our driver didn't bump it when getting in and out of the car. The mount we made was mounted to the chute mount . Yes we lost the GoPro with the plastic mount. It helps us look at the driver actions, and how we do down track . We also use a hand held video camera to see what's going on at the start. One thing we look at is wheelie bar tracks and another thing we found was the right slick was being hit harder because of engine torque, so we now put 1/4-1/2 lb more tire pressure in the right tire to help it run straight. If we have long tracks on the track from the wheelie bar we put a liitle more lead on the nose, to help balance the car.
I hope this helps.
Jon

47

Jon's Wheel House / Re: Front Tyre Pressures

« on: February 05, 2019, 12:32:19 PM »

it depends on your front end weight, and weather you have a front wing. It's all about down force with the wing, it adds front end weight.
Mostly with out a wing we run 35-40 lbs of pressure, and up to 80lbs with a good size wing. Big show TF run as much as 100lbs with their wing that adds 2500 lbs of down force.
Simple right ? BTW owheavy are your alloy wheels and tires ? Wire spoke wheels and tires can weight as little as 7 1/2 lbs each if your alloy wheels & tires weigh 35+ lbs , it's like adding over 200 lbs of static weight, because one pound of rotating weight is equal to 10 lbs of static weight. And the thought is if you take 100 lbs off your car you will pick-up a tenth.
I hope this helps , not confuse,
Jon

48

Altereds / Re: How much power needed to run 8.60 in a 105" nostalgia type Altered?

« on: January 30, 2019, 01:14:48 PM »

We ran a Donovan in Jerry's TF car in 73 , one problem we had was the Donovan's made bottom end power than the 426's, so we had traction issues.
I heard the same thing Bruce said 426's needed more timing [ more low end power]
And I think teams continued to race Donovans because they bought them 1'st.
I'm not sure when NHRA stopped racing TF at Div races, we quit racing TF when our sponsor got out of it when the oil shotage started in late 73.
Jon Hansen

49

Altereds / Re: How much power needed to run 8.60 in a 105" nostalgia type Altered?

« on: January 29, 2019, 07:03:42 PM »

My Wisconsin partner and I raced The Gators in 1969-71, and the 1'st time I drove Jerry Newmans RED Top Fuel dragster which we ended up Div 3 TF Champion. The 69 race we raced our BBC BB/GD, which we won at the 69 U.S. Nationals, and at the 70 & 71 race we ran our dual BBC Top Gas dragster. Too Bad NHRA eliminated TG after 71, but we still raced our TG car at match races in 72, including at Jacksonville FL.  Connie Swingle invited us over to Big's shop so we could fix our chassis. We liked GatorNationals  track and event.

50

Altereds / Re: How much power needed to run 8.60 in a 105" nostalgia type Altered?

« on: January 28, 2019, 09:19:12 PM »

Here is some info on another combination, one of the egines we run in our all iron early 310 ci [ limit at time it was built] pure alky burning Hemi racing in NHRA Heritage JrFuel , we chose the 354 block, because Gene Adams said it is stronger, and 331 heads, because it's alittle lighter, and the port shapes are good for OEM head , plus you don't have to weld up the heat riser in the head. we use a block filler to help make the block stronger , TI valves and Rocker Arm Specialties 1.8 ratio on the intakes, for one reason because the Hemi has a limit on cam size so we make it up on ratio, custom billet piston, because burning alky works better with as high compression as possible , not too common since so many Hemis are super charged, but JF rules are stack injectors. On a dyno we made 873hp and in our 225 wb dragster with Power Glide with a 7" converter stall at 8300, and shifting at 91-9200 in our 1485 lb car with driver. OH ya the slick limit is 12" on 12" wide rims. We won a JF Championship with this combo running the best at 7.02@187 mph.   
I know this not what you are looking for, but I thought I'd give you something to think about.
Come to the March Meet and watch us run the Hemi
Call if you want more info 805-444-4489, cell

51

Jon's Wheel House / Re: D2585 Goodyear 31x12x15, and D1288 GY 33x12x15

« on: January 26, 2019, 11:11:25 AM »

No, but I'm going to try a set of GY 29x11x15, I'll pick them up at The WinterNationals and try them on a TNT at Fontana or Bakersfield before the March Meet.
The 29x11's are little sticky compound than the 31x12x15 GY , but this is a tire they normally stock, unlike the 31x12x15 Let me know if you are interested ,

52

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Power+weight+time.

« on: January 20, 2019, 10:28:28 AM »

" Simply not hooking up" is more complicated than car weight vs front end weight. Our 1435 lb car has 320 lb front end weight.
If you are running a poweglide you may have too tight of a converter , the looser the stall,  the easier it hits the tire , you might have too high a 1'st gear like 1.90-1.80, we have a 1.68 1'st gear, your engine combo could have a high torque set up,  again it will hit the tire hard, you could be hitting the wheely bar and unloading the slicks, your slicks could be too old and hard. Also rim width makes a difference, we ran 10" wide on 12" wide slick [ max for our JF class] then moved to 11" rim , then again moved to 12" rim as I changed the power
And you thought you were asking an easy question ?

53

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: gas vs e85??

« on: January 19, 2019, 01:57:58 AM »

Yes alky is easier to tune, does not change tune-up when it air get hot, like gas, and you don't need to run a raditor, or water pump, just run water in heads and block. Another tip is alky burns better with a hot engine. I shoot for 180° when pulling the car into the staging beams, using an inferred heat gun looking at the head. 180 with water in the engine and 150-160 dry. Alky has a larger tuning widow.

54

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Power+weight+time.

« on: January 19, 2019, 01:46:37 AM »

We race NHRA Heritage  JrFuel for 17 years same car was 200" WB when first built by Dave Tuttle in 1998, and we front half the chassis in 2011 when tried an early Hemi and went to 225", max WB for the class.
Car with driver weighs 1435 with the SBC, and 1500 with Hemi . We run mostly 7.00's in the 1/4, and 4.45's in the 1/8 at 153-155mph, and 1/4 speed is 186-190. Class limits are only pure alky, 12"wide tires , powerglide, all iron engine,  stack injectors all at 3 1/2 lb per CI. Our engine location is 48" from back of engine to center of rear axle. The cars being built lately are 55-60" out. CI limit for JF is 430, we run 409 on the Hemi, and 400 on the SBC., but some teams run 387 ci SBC. One option we have in JF is we can also race NHRA Comp Elim, in A/ND [JFA] or B/ND [ JFB]
Call if you have more ??'s 805-444-4489, Jon

55

Jon's Wheel House / Re: D2585 Goodyear 31x12x15, and D1288 GY 33x12x15

« on: January 16, 2019, 02:58:46 PM »

OK, Email me jchansen60@gmail.com so I can put you on the wish list.
BTW Goodyear just put it on their list to have a part number and a price $380 , but they will only build them if we order about 100 tires.
I just found out about another GY tire  that might work, I think I'll try it on our JF car, it's a 29x11x15 D-5 compound it has a stifer sidewall than the 2858.
When 2'nd generation JF 1'st started,  the tire of choice was the 30x12x15.
Jon

56

Jon's Wheel House / D2585 Goodyear 31x12x15, and D1288 GY 33x12x15

« on: January 12, 2019, 12:52:00 AM »

If any racers want any D2585 Goodyear 31x12x15 slicks or D1288 GY 33x12x15 I need to hear from you so I know how many to special order from Goodyear. they don't stock or build these two sizes with out at least a 100 tire order each. I have ordred 3 times since 2013. contact me ASAP so I know how many tires you want and will commit for. You don't have to pay when you order now just when I ship them.
So think about how many tires you would like for the next 2-3 years. The last time they built these two sizes was my special order in 2016. I hope to get the shipment in spring of 2019.
BTW Hayden Wheels is a GoodYear Race tire dealer and I can get other sizes of slicks but not these two without a specaial order.
Hayden Wheels, 800-624-3803, jchansen60@gmail.com

57

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Spring upgrades....

« on: January 08, 2019, 08:31:16 PM »

How much does your car weigh with you in it ?

58

Wanted to buy / Re: WTB spindle mount front wheels/tires

« on: December 23, 2018, 12:00:18 AM »

Looking for wire spoke wheels or mag stlye, or solid alum ? Lighter front wheel/tires will reduce your static car weight.
Jon, 805-444-4489

59

Jon's Wheel House / Re: Front Tire Bearings

« on: December 19, 2018, 08:09:47 PM »

Not that I'm aware of, the rear end ceramic bearing are converted to ball bearings, Call Neil & Parks 785-654-3440

60

Jon's Wheel House / Re: Front Tire Bearings

« on: December 19, 2018, 11:12:23 AM »

No, when we installed them with new wheels tires on our JrFuel car we never did any back to back runs. Just  followed the sugestion of Neil & Parks, and I sell them for the racers that want the most out of their cars.
I can tell you when we have our car up on pro-jacks with the front wheels in the air, they seem to spin for ever , it's all about rolling resistance.
One of my customers posted on FB a video of his front wheels spinning for ever because his shop was hot and he had a floor fan blowing on / at his car and the it just kept spinning.
Of course we put some cermatic in our rear end, more expensive, but trick.

Jon