Topics

1

Spud Miller's Cave / Tune up question

« on: June 26, 2018, 07:54:21 AM »

Ok experts, I need some advise. Last year we spent a lot of time trying to find our tune up. A VERY long story short. we were stuck in the 8.00-8.10 range trying different tunes. At the end of the year we were able to get a best of 7.90 @ 166. We went to the dyno after the season and did some tuning. found more power by landing on a tune up "close" to what we had. This season we have gone out testing and have not been able to get back to the 7.90 range and again were stuck in the 8's. This past weekend was the oldies but goodies race at woodburn Oregon. In order to qualify we needed to be into the 7's. After struggling in testing on Friday night test and tune, Paul New came over to offer his advise. His words of wisdom was  "put your 7.90 tune back in!" xxxx, Why didn't I think of that!!! Saturday qualifying we went out with our 7.90 tune in it and lo and behold we ran a 7.84 at 169!! (thanks for waking me up Paul!!). We are now qualified for the B field. Great!! This tune took us all the way to the final on Sunday!! We lost the final but only by a very slim margin. Math worked out to .003 of a second loss. It was awesome!! Great race!!
   Here is my question. The tune up is where I need help. Don't laugh its out there. The main pill is a 69. running a high speed bypass with a 55 pill. the highspeed opens at the hit so the entire run is on the main pill as well as the highspeed. The plugs show good heat (still a little rich). My question is. How do I figure out what main pill will get me to the 2 combined pills so I can get back to a correct tune up?
 "note to self, Don't tune with dyno!!"

415 small block chevy
hilborn 2 3/4 stack

   Again In want to thank Paul for his help!! We had a great weekend

2

Spud Miller's Cave / Advise on Nitro tune

« on: May 16, 2017, 06:27:39 AM »

Spud,
   I need so advise on which direction to go on our tune. Our set up is, SBC with 415 cubic inch, AFR heads, Hillborn Stack Injection, Our normal tune on methanol is timing at 38*, 85 pill. We can run a very consistent 8.00 with this tune. In order to try to break into the 7's decided to run some nitro this year. I started out with 20% to get a feel for it. I put the timing back to 32* and put a 80 pill in.It  ran a 8.30 out of the gate (kinda what I expected). On the next pass I set the timing to 36* and put the 85 pill back in. On the next pass it was running like a scalded dog on the first half of the track (best numbers so far) but second half of the track it was slow but still ran a 8.00. After we got back to the pits I knew something was wrong and I was right. It burned both head gaskets (copper) between the two center cylinders, also burned the electrode off 1 spark plug. I mixed the nitro by volume then checked it with a hydrometer then added 1 qt of toluene for 5 gallons. I have since repaired the damage but this leaves me with a choice and I don't want to get this wrong again.
 Do I
    1, Run the same 85 pill with less timing
    2, Run the 80 pill with more timing
    3, Run 25% with the 80 pill and 36* -38* timing
I'm just trying to be carefull on what I put in to it. We need to get into the 7's in order to run with the group but at the same time I don't want to burn it up.
  Oh sorry, It also is running 14.3 compression (I know its high)
 

3

Spud Miller's Cave / Dyno shops

« on: February 01, 2016, 06:09:07 AM »

Spud, can you recommend a Dyno shop in our area (Salem/Eugene)?