46callaway
Registered
What is the benefit of turning off the air ride?
Quickest Lincolns of Distinction - DISCUSSION
- Thread starter driller
- Start date
I do it mainly to keep the compressor from cycling during each run.
In theory, the lower the car, the less underbody drag.
With the suspension turned off, the car stays 'lowered' at park height. With the ASHAM8 I now have, I lower it as much as practical before turning the suspension off.
Also the compressor is a high load electrical device.
By turning it off, you will decrease the electrical load on your car, leaving more voltage available for things like "fuel pump" and "coils".
It might not be ALOT, but.. every little bit helps.
ALSO, by turning off the air ride you will insure that your car stages with the same part of the car and trips the finish line sensors with the same part of the car.
At most tracks, the starting line sensor is 1.5 inches off the surface, whereas the finish line sensor is up at around 6 inches.
So you might be staging with the TIRE and tripping the finish line sensor with the Bumper Cover.
There is alot of overhang on the mark 8, the curve of the bumper covers profile will cause alot of inconsistancy UNLESS you are hitting the finish line sensor "with the same part of the car" each time.
Measure up 7 inches under the front of your car, and you'll then know "what part of the car" is hitting the finish line sensor.
*TIP* if you lower your car, before turning the air ride off, you'll be hitting the finish line sensor with a part of the car that is "well infront of the wheels" thus decreasing your ET.
Some of the True Ten 5 cars have a little wedge/widget in the front of their car that insures they "stage AND trip the finish line beam" with the "same part of the car".
Billy Glidden has/had one on his car.. it created quite a stir in the 10.5 tire classes
By turning it off, you will decrease the electrical load on your car, leaving more voltage available for things like "fuel pump" and "coils".
It might not be ALOT, but.. every little bit helps.
ALSO, by turning off the air ride you will insure that your car stages with the same part of the car and trips the finish line sensors with the same part of the car.
At most tracks, the starting line sensor is 1.5 inches off the surface, whereas the finish line sensor is up at around 6 inches.
So you might be staging with the TIRE and tripping the finish line sensor with the Bumper Cover.
There is alot of overhang on the mark 8, the curve of the bumper covers profile will cause alot of inconsistancy UNLESS you are hitting the finish line sensor "with the same part of the car" each time.
Measure up 7 inches under the front of your car, and you'll then know "what part of the car" is hitting the finish line sensor.
*TIP* if you lower your car, before turning the air ride off, you'll be hitting the finish line sensor with a part of the car that is "well infront of the wheels" thus decreasing your ET.
Some of the True Ten 5 cars have a little wedge/widget in the front of their car that insures they "stage AND trip the finish line beam" with the "same part of the car".
Billy Glidden has/had one on his car.. it created quite a stir in the 10.5 tire classes
46callaway
Registered
Good info to know...
I found this out a few years ago when I first started bracket racing.
In very close races, I was hitting the brakes..crossing the stripe with the nose down..and breaking out.
Many times I broke out .03-.04 faster than my quickest pass of the day..because I was "dipping the nose" into the beams instead of hitting the beams with the front tires.
If I cross the finish line at WOT the front tires "stop the clocks"
if I cross the finish line Coasting the lower curve of the bumper cover stops the clocks
If I cross under full braking the longest part of the front end of the car, just beneath the license plate stops the clocks.
Considering the long overhang, that can be quite a few numbers.
Of course none of this really matters unless your in a bracket race, where you would be "hitting the brakes, or worried about going to fast"
If I'm not mistaken, 455 watts = 1 hp.
Assuming the compressor is around 100 watts, how much can shutting it off actually get you?
To the other end of the track with out any needless electrical crap running.
Considering the car begins to lower itself at 60, which will make the front of the car lower than when it launched, it will affect the et, Regardless of the wattage of the current draw.
Then consider that after you finish your pass the air ride has to pump the car back up
That is
1. a waste of compressor, since it isn't needed during the pass.
2. a possible inconsistancy in ET
3. now consider 5000 passes, and all the needless up and down work the compressor is doing.
Sometimes it's not worth the time and effort to split the hair, but feel free.
Burbank 98 LSC
Registered
Update please. 11.41@122.28
The car is running faster everyday...
GravelGuy/Ron Brajkovich/1998 Mark VIII LSC/14.238@95.894
60'/2.039
Sacramento Raceway, California
12/22/07
Stock exhaust (mufflers removed), stock air box (silencer removed), and stock LSC wheels all around. If I can reach 13's & still look stock, my work is done.
GravelGuy/Ron Brajkovich/1998 Mark VIII LSC/14.238@95.894
60'/2.039
Sacramento Raceway, California
12/22/07
Stock exhaust (mufflers removed), stock air box (silencer removed), and stock LSC wheels all around. If I can reach 13's & still look stock, my work is done.
46callaway
Registered
Nice, Ron... get that 60 foot time down in the 1.90 range and you will be close to a 13 second run.
BlackIceLSC
Registered
so...we all got time slips to support these new times folks?
getting back to Tommy's discussion-Tommy, who I consider THE most experienced drag racer amoung us, logging more 1/8 passes than many Mark VIII's have seen in MILES...
what he is referring to in the traps, is also commly called "stripe taking".
in 1999 NHRA outlawed many "stripe taking" devices that many full-body bracket racers would "install" on the front ends of their cars to trip the finish line beams before their front tires could. The finish line beams are 6" off the ground...
But in 2001, NHRA allowed the devices to be installed as long as they are permanently mounted, and cannot be adjusted or altered at any time during the event. They allowed them because many dragster/funny-car/altered designs have the front wing/body panels mounted low enough to trip the finish line beams, and the "body" cars were calling "unfair".
The Mark VIII front bumper valance sits low enough to trip the beams if you stab the brake pedal in the lights, or "dump".
many of todays bracket racers are not aware that sometimes they actually break out because of this, not because they were running too quick.
Tommy...great answers to the above pal...nice to read from someone with "bracket racing" experience, not just someone who runs down the quarter mile for time slips.
You guys wont see any more time slips from me in my 94 unless I deciede to replace the motor, install some gears, and get some sticky tires...other than that, I already know how slow it is
getting back to Tommy's discussion-Tommy, who I consider THE most experienced drag racer amoung us, logging more 1/8 passes than many Mark VIII's have seen in MILES...
what he is referring to in the traps, is also commly called "stripe taking".
in 1999 NHRA outlawed many "stripe taking" devices that many full-body bracket racers would "install" on the front ends of their cars to trip the finish line beams before their front tires could. The finish line beams are 6" off the ground...
But in 2001, NHRA allowed the devices to be installed as long as they are permanently mounted, and cannot be adjusted or altered at any time during the event. They allowed them because many dragster/funny-car/altered designs have the front wing/body panels mounted low enough to trip the finish line beams, and the "body" cars were calling "unfair".
The Mark VIII front bumper valance sits low enough to trip the beams if you stab the brake pedal in the lights, or "dump".
many of todays bracket racers are not aware that sometimes they actually break out because of this, not because they were running too quick.
Tommy...great answers to the above pal...nice to read from someone with "bracket racing" experience, not just someone who runs down the quarter mile for time slips.
You guys wont see any more time slips from me in my 94 unless I deciede to replace the motor, install some gears, and get some sticky tires...other than that, I already know how slow it is
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Craig I wish I had a dollar for every race I lost "before" I realized
1. how much overhang the Mark 8 has
2. how much that overhand DID cause me to lose races.
After I realized that, it made "racing the stripe" alot easier because I was more aware of my opponents car and how the front end was set up.
One that comes to mind is the S-10 platform, which has very little overhang as to many pickups both full size and "mini".
I had to alter my racing technique drastically.
...anytime I "dump" someone at the stripe I HAVE TO BE BACK ON THE GAS as the car crosses the finish line.
Craig it's very nice to see you post, as always
It's always great to read info from someone who not only "understands bracket racing, but also loves the sport"!
1. how much overhang the Mark 8 has
2. how much that overhand DID cause me to lose races.
After I realized that, it made "racing the stripe" alot easier because I was more aware of my opponents car and how the front end was set up.
One that comes to mind is the S-10 platform, which has very little overhang as to many pickups both full size and "mini".
I had to alter my racing technique drastically.
...anytime I "dump" someone at the stripe I HAVE TO BE BACK ON THE GAS as the car crosses the finish line.
Craig it's very nice to see you post, as always
It's always great to read info from someone who not only "understands bracket racing, but also loves the sport"!
I know I have ran my "quickest pass" of the day with my foot planted firmly on the brakes {shakes head in a I lost THAT race manner)
Makes me wonder if someone were "shooting" for a 13.99 and had been running low 14ohs like and 14.03 -.05 if they just "let off the gas" just as they hit the stripe if they wouldn't pick up that .03ish needed..
HAHA
Craig, I've seen you post this several times.. and while I agree it makes not much sense to TNT your car anymore, you really should "reconsider" that cars "retirement".
I know it doesnt have the Umph of Peanut nor any of those killer Mopars you are used to, but..as you know, the mark 8 is an excellent bracket car in the hands of someone that understands bracket racing AND a Mark 8.
Just think if you were out there "taking out the other side of the field" while Brenda pedals peanut to the final round on the "other side of the ladder".
You and Brenda would definately be a force to be reckoned with!
not to mention winning the winners money AND the runners up money!
Tiff and I have met up in the final rounds a few times, and that has to be the most GRATIFYING loss I've ever had!
HAHA
The guys at the track often ask.."dont you hate it when she beats you"?
and my reply everytime is "NO SIR, I LOVE IT WHEN SHE DOES THAT"!
(short story)
HAHA
Couple of years ago, Tiff and I drove from Houston to San Antonio to run in their friday night bracket program.
At a track we'd never been to before we went "round, after round, after round", mowing thru the competition.
Final round found two mark 8's, Tiff and I.
I had a "I dont care if I win or lose" attitude, because when tiff wins.. I WIN!
I figured win or lose, we'd both come home with a trophy!
So I went soft on the tree, as to make sure I didn't redlight.
Tiff and I rode side by side to the finish line and as no suprise to me the win light came on in her lane!
Victorious we went back up to the tower to collect our bounty.
They gave Tiff a really nice plaque, a money winners sticker and a check for 50.00 ( it was a street tire class)
I got exactly ZERO ZIP NADA for "runners up"....
I still laugh when I think about that race this very day.
Needless to say, I was very happy..and disappointed that I "didn't make a race out of it".
Hindsight, I'm glad Tiff won.. we drove 2.5 hours to get there and I wouldn't have felt very happy if I had gotten all the bounty and tiff got nothing for runners up.
I think I still got the best deal overall... a girlfriend who understands my affliction with bracket racing, and can "beat me at my own game AT WILL"!
Craig is also one of the "very lucky ones" in much the same manner as I.
HAHA
Couple of years ago, Tiff and I drove from Houston to San Antonio to run in their friday night bracket program.
At a track we'd never been to before we went "round, after round, after round", mowing thru the competition.
Final round found two mark 8's, Tiff and I.
I had a "I dont care if I win or lose" attitude, because when tiff wins.. I WIN!
I figured win or lose, we'd both come home with a trophy!
So I went soft on the tree, as to make sure I didn't redlight.
Tiff and I rode side by side to the finish line and as no suprise to me the win light came on in her lane!
Victorious we went back up to the tower to collect our bounty.
They gave Tiff a really nice plaque, a money winners sticker and a check for 50.00 ( it was a street tire class)
I got exactly ZERO ZIP NADA for "runners up"....
I still laugh when I think about that race this very day.
Needless to say, I was very happy..and disappointed that I "didn't make a race out of it".
Hindsight, I'm glad Tiff won.. we drove 2.5 hours to get there and I wouldn't have felt very happy if I had gotten all the bounty and tiff got nothing for runners up.
I think I still got the best deal overall... a girlfriend who understands my affliction with bracket racing, and can "beat me at my own game AT WILL"!
Craig is also one of the "very lucky ones" in much the same manner as I.
BlackIceLSC
Registered
Tommy...as per the S-10 platform, you're dead-nuts right...except we have a little "factory" cheater system...there is a small rubber "air dam" bolted to the bottom of the front bumper. I've measured it...it sits 4.5" off the ground when off the throttle....it's commonly referred to as a "stripe taker"...
a seasoned bracket racer will often line up next to the competition in the staging lanes, get out, and make sure they have "the stripe" position on the car they are racing...they will then get back in their car behind the wheel, sit back as if in 'race mode' and line up a part of the other car with a part of their car, the view out the window...for example(Tommy, I know you KNOW...but others might not)...if you park next to a car at a stop light, and wish to "take the stripe", glance over at their car, and line up their side view mirror with something on your car's peripheral...some racers use a diaginal pin stripe down their side glass...they'll mark a spot with a sharpie in the staging lanes on their glass diagonal line as it lines up with a part on the competiton's car...they will actually try to line that up as they near the beams so as to be "parked" but in position to take the stripe...
the whole object in brakcet racing is to get their first, without breaking out. the best way to do this, is to be as close to the other car as possible in the lights, but be ahead by as little as possible.
tough to do at 95 mph if the other car is going 85, or 112 mph...
I will often use sign posts on the freeway, and the car next to me...at 70 mph, it is fun to try to race the stripe with a car at the speed(they have no idea) as you simply cruise along without changing speeds...you see a sign post coming...the other car is just ahead of you, but you're gaining on them at a rate of 5 mph...you try to judge if you will take the stripe or not...
it's a good mental tune up for bracket racing.
Tommy...in case you didnt know, Pinks ALL OUT is coming to our home track for the final race of 2008. Brenda and I are both signed up...yes, that's right...both of us...I am coming out of retirement, and teaming up with my old racing partner from 10+ years ago to campaign a 1966 Shelby GT-350 Replica...it's a 10.teen car...small tire, wheels up, racing.
I really like the Pinks ALL OUT format...very rarily can a grass-roots racer find a venue that allows them a chance to compete in an evenly-matched HEADS UP race for large sums of cash.
and Tommy...I wont race my 94 also because it is still my daily driver, and at 174k miles, regardless of your freak of luck, I cant risk hurting it...our 97 LSC sits in the garage, as if "on deck" for the day my 94 gives it up...but for me, bracket racing my 94 is a bore...anything slower than 12 seconds, to me... YAWN.
a seasoned bracket racer will often line up next to the competition in the staging lanes, get out, and make sure they have "the stripe" position on the car they are racing...they will then get back in their car behind the wheel, sit back as if in 'race mode' and line up a part of the other car with a part of their car, the view out the window...for example(Tommy, I know you KNOW...but others might not)...if you park next to a car at a stop light, and wish to "take the stripe", glance over at their car, and line up their side view mirror with something on your car's peripheral...some racers use a diaginal pin stripe down their side glass...they'll mark a spot with a sharpie in the staging lanes on their glass diagonal line as it lines up with a part on the competiton's car...they will actually try to line that up as they near the beams so as to be "parked" but in position to take the stripe...
the whole object in brakcet racing is to get their first, without breaking out. the best way to do this, is to be as close to the other car as possible in the lights, but be ahead by as little as possible.
tough to do at 95 mph if the other car is going 85, or 112 mph...
I will often use sign posts on the freeway, and the car next to me...at 70 mph, it is fun to try to race the stripe with a car at the speed(they have no idea) as you simply cruise along without changing speeds...you see a sign post coming...the other car is just ahead of you, but you're gaining on them at a rate of 5 mph...you try to judge if you will take the stripe or not...
it's a good mental tune up for bracket racing.
Tommy...in case you didnt know, Pinks ALL OUT is coming to our home track for the final race of 2008. Brenda and I are both signed up...yes, that's right...both of us...I am coming out of retirement, and teaming up with my old racing partner from 10+ years ago to campaign a 1966 Shelby GT-350 Replica...it's a 10.teen car...small tire, wheels up, racing.
I really like the Pinks ALL OUT format...very rarily can a grass-roots racer find a venue that allows them a chance to compete in an evenly-matched HEADS UP race for large sums of cash.
and Tommy...I wont race my 94 also because it is still my daily driver, and at 174k miles, regardless of your freak of luck, I cant risk hurting it...our 97 LSC sits in the garage, as if "on deck" for the day my 94 gives it up...but for me, bracket racing my 94 is a bore...anything slower than 12 seconds, to me... YAWN.
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