Blue Flame Test and Tune

driller

driller

El Presidente
Staff member
It has been over two months since running at the track, the last time being Memorial Day weekend. I was anxious to see what the 4.30s would provide over the 4.10s. The weather was pleasant for a mid August day, with temperatures starting in the upper 60's on a bright sunny morning. The venue was a private track rental hosted by the Northern Virginia Mustang Club at the Mason Dixon Dragway in Hagerstown, Maryland.

The chart belows recaps the track times...

http://www.lincolnsclub.org/forum/user_files/1679.jpg

The Detroit TrueTrac performed well on the questionably prepared track surface. Fairly consistent 60' times, albeit not as low as I was hoping for. Trying to stall the converter off the line during the launch only worsened the short time as evidenced by the only 2.0 seconds in the sixty foot column. I quickly reverted back to just matting the throttle.

My RTs were off, probably due to lack of practice, and possibly due to a quicker reacting car off the launch. I was getting frustrated seeing red lights of -0.001, -0.003, -0.004 and -0.005. Twice I was caught off guard by a unusually quick tree after staging. Both were solo runs if that had anything to do with it. The resulting 0.2xx reaction times were disappointing.

I pretty much finished where I started, running consistent 13.7s with a couple 13.8s at 99-100 mph for a total of 13 runs down the 1320 foot track with only a couple breaks in between hot lapping the car in 4 to 11 minute intervals.

The best reaction time I could muster was 0.026 seconds. The quickest sixty foot time came in at 1.949 seconds. The best 1/4 mile ET of the day was a 13.728 and the fastest trap speed was 100.12 mph.

Not bad for a naturally aspirated two ton luxury cruiser in August. :)
 
RE: Blue Flame Test and Tune

Nice going JP. Looks as though you got that car pretty consistent. You probably relly break their hearts in the brackets. Are you implying that the 4.30 gear swap didn't gain you anything?
 
RE: Blue Flame Test and Tune

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Are you implying that the 4.30 gear swap didn't gain you anything?
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It may be premature to tell. The car feels quicker but the 60' times do not show that much improvement? Upon reflection, I do believe the redlights are symptomatic of the car reaction being slightly quicker. I'll have to adjust for that to be successful in the bracket races.

Statistically speaking, the trap speeds are higher, particularly for this time of year. 'Corrected numbers' are showing a good top end charge. My numbers corrected for density altitude at the beginning of the year were 13.7-13.8 at 99-100 mph. Now I'm actually running those numbers in 1100-1600 foot density altitude. That means the car is supposedly 1-2 tenths quicker and about 1.5 mph faster overall?

Time will tell. :)
 
RE: Blue Flame Test and Tune

It felt plenty quick for me, when I drove it last Sunday. I couldn't get over how smooth this car fells and yet it's a mid 13s ride. I'm guessing 13.41@102mph this fall.
 
RE: Blue Flame Test and Tune

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I'm guessing 13.41@102mph this fall.
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I'll settle for that! :D

I like Mason Dixon, their schedule fits mine better, but I need to get to one of the 'faster' tracks. Like Pittsburgh Raceway Park, their schedule sucks, but the car seems to run quicker there despite being higher in altitude.

Hmmm... wonder what the track's like at Atlanta in November? }(
 
RE: Blue Flame Test and Tune

Should have got 4.56's JP... going from 4.10 to 4.30 is like going from 3.90 to 4.10... not that much difference at all and the timeslips don't lie.
 
RE: Blue Flame Test and Tune

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Should have got 4.56's JP... going from 4.10 to 4.30 is like going from 3.90 to 4.10... not that much difference at all and the timeslips don't lie.
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If it were a trailer queen, I would agree with the 4.56s, but since I drive it on the highway the 4.30s were the best compromise in my opinion. My only regret would be not having 4.30s all along.

Besides, the track-lok in the 4.10s was done, so the Detroit Truetrac was the real upgrade... the 4.30s were just a timely step in the direction I needed to go. ;)

EDIT: Also, FWIW, comparing the runs at the two different tracks may not be truly representative despite similar average weather conditions. Gateway International is known as a 'faster track' compared to Mason Dixon.
 
RE: Blue Flame Test and Tune

JP...it's interesting to note that your 4000 lb Mark VIII actually 60-foot's beter than our race car.

a typical pass in our '67 Dart 383 with 9" slicks has a 60-foot time of roughtly 1.975-2.005, and even though it has 3.91:1 gears, it runs the 1/4 mile in around 13.20's @ 102-104 mph. The car has a 727 TF with a bone stock(junk) converter...I can stall it up to 2500 at launch, but the short front tires limit my roll-out, so red-lights would be too common if I launch above 2000 rpms.

I'd say, with your set up, you've pretty much reached you pinnacle ET. The next thing to do is put that sled on a diet! It launches well, but carrying all that weight down the track is your cars shortcoming.
torque moves an object. Horsepower accelerates that object once in motion. You're making torque....your making HP...lighten the load, and you'll be shocked.

have you scaled the car yet? How much does it actually weigh? 3750+, right?
 
RE: Blue Flame Test and Tune

I've weighed the car at the track in typical race trim at 3810 pounds without the overweight driver.

I would think the best place to start the diet would be the wheels and tires. I'm doing well with the rear snowflakes and hoosiers, but I need to lighten the front rollers. That may mean either finding elusive Mk VIII aluminum spares with appropriate tires or biting the bullet for a set of light-weight custom racing wheels, frontrunners included. I suppose I could fit two more wheels in for the trip.

I'm hesitant to start doing the obvious, such as removing interior insulation, trunk carpeting and non-essential attributes of the car that makes it a Lincoln. As it currently stands, it's a pleasurable ride back and forth to the track, though everyone keeps prodding me to trailer the car behind the F150 Harley Davidson, which truthfully wouldn't be so bad of a ride either.

I'm not so confident I've achieved the pinnacle just yet. My overall averages are improving this year, despite running in in the heat of the summer. I believe I can get another couple tenths out if it naturally aspirated AND at full weight. ;)
 
RE: Blue Flame Test and Tune

The results are beginning to show true for the 4.30s being a better selection than the 4.10s. The corrected averages definitely show a top end improvement.

before 4.30s - 13.660 @ 99.95
after 4.30s - 13.582 @ 100.66
difference - (0.078) sec ~ 0.71 mph

I had expected better 60 foot times, but any difference is minimal at best. I do suspect this is likely due to worn suspension components masking any possible performance increase from the steeper gearing.
 
RE: Blue Flame Test and Tune

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
The results are beginning to show true for the 4.30s being a better selection than the 4.10s. The corrected averages definitely show a top end improvement.before 4.30s - 13.660 @ 99.95 after 4.30s - 13.582 @ 100.66 difference - (0.078) sec ~ 0.71 mph I had expected better 60 foot times, but any difference is minimal at best. I do suspect this is likely due to worn suspension components masking any possible performance increase from the steeper gearing.
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Those poly spindle bushings were one of the best things I did for my car. Just make sure to dedicate an entire day for the job...
 
RE: Blue Flame Test and Tune

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Just make sure to dedicate an entire day for the job...
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...and that's why they're still in the box! :7
 
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