Boom!

driller

driller

El Presidente
Staff member
Did ya hear it? :D

If anyone heard a loud boom around 9:30 this morning, do not fear, it was just the Blue Flame at the track breaking down barriers.

This was at Cecil County Dragway in MD at the Super Stallion of the Net Fall Nationals.

1st run was spinning all the way thru the 60' and ended up being a 13.447 @ 102.66 with a 1.958 sixty foot. Not bad considering the track was cold as ice.

Next run the car hooked awesome. I knew it was a 'good run'. When I got the timeslip it registered a 13.180 @ 103.50 with a 1.868 short time. Now we're talkin'! :)

Then followed a string of somewhat inconsistent runs due to traction issues with a 13.3, 13.4, 13.2 and then a 13.4.

Time for a break.

When I went back out, track conditions had improved and I started with what would prove to be the best of the day.

R/T - 0.017
60' - 1.856
330' - 5.405
1/8 - 8.372 @ 82.79
1000' - 10.944
1/4 - 13.113 @ 104.31 :eek:

The remainder of the day was all 13.1s and 13.2s, never quite getting the magical 13.0s, but certainly enough to show that 13.1s was no fluke.

15 runs total and most of the sixty foot times ranged from 1.85-1.88. Trap speeds pretty consistent at 102-103+.
 
Sorry but I couldn't hear it because I was in my loud car on the way to the GLD dragway(115 miles each way).
Congrats on the new times and the fastest N/A Mark VIII.
 
LOL, thanks, with the cutouts it was pretty loud. :)

But I do know what you mean on the loud car. But I think your's is likely more whine than rumble. When I get tired of my loud, I just crank the stereo louder. :D
 
What was the Density altitude on your best run.We had some killer weather today as most of the day was like 40-45F and about 50% humidity.
 
I don't have all the numbers crunched yet but it was negative 1000 feet plus or minus.

It ranged 35-48 degrees F with 30-40 % humidity and pretty much steady 30.4 inches of Hg on the barometer.
 
Congrats JP... fastest known NA Mark VIII! I need to get my sled back out to the track with this cold November weather and new tune...
 
JP, time for another gear change? 4.56 or maybe a higher stall plus weight reduction should get you into the 12's on a good day.
 
Thanks everyone. :)

After a day of reflection, I have surmised it was indeed a long time coming and a near perfect confluence of conditions including weather, the car and the track. Persistence and stubborness are but shades apart indeed.

How to get into the 12s? Let's begin with it won't be weight reduction. My race trim now is between 4050-4100 pounds depending upon fuel levels. I have actually added weight over stock trim with bracing and the heavier rear sway bar and I'm not inclined to start gutting the car. I remarked at the track if certain people were there with me they would be ripping the seats out in an attempt to see it do 12s. LOL.

And for now at least, it won't be in the 12s with any "sissy power adders", but one can only imagine the capabilities of the car when it does. :D

While I won't totally rule it out, I doubt I'll be changing the torque converter and gears. As a track car, 4.56s may be a good move but it would be a bit much for the highway IMHO. Now with the 4.30s, I can still see 20-23 mpg on the highway cruising 75-80.

But of course, now with one goal achieved comes another, and the obvious goal now is a 12 second 1/4 mile in a naturally aspirated Mark VIII. It is a lofty goal and it certainly won't be easy, but I believe it is certainly attainable. There are a handful of small things that I have on the To Do list, and while no single one will make a big difference, it is the sum of the parts that work together that I attribute to the reason the car is what some will refer to as the fastest N/A Mark VIII while I affectionately call it the Blue Flame. Likely what the car really needs is a better driver (or at least one not quite so heavy, LOL).

I have a lot of people to thank for this accomplishment. Many whom are are on this message board and some who have since moved along. Some whom have sold me their wares, some who have advised me along the way and others who have simply cheered me on and supported my obsession, they all have my sincere thanks.
 
You could dip into the 12's with just a cobra intake swap... You would probably trap around 106-107mph on a good run.
 
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