Superformance MKII, Riverside Racer 289 FIA vintage race car

[1795]

Well, back home after a long trip to Mid Ohio. Met some new friends and had a great time, but am exhausted. First time out this year, so a little rusty, but made steady gains on each session. The new engine ran great, need to make a couple of minor changes to the jetting as I was running more towards the lean side. The plugs weren't white, but they were not tan either and the engine seemed to run hotter than normal. Upping the jetting to the next size larger jets.

I have attached one video and I need to take a look at the brakes and rotors, seemed to be a little bit of squeaking there when I was hitting the brakes. Did not notice it when driving, but there was no way I would have heard that over the sound of the engine.

For the first time I had to manage the throttle a little. Several times while going through thunder valley I would accelerate hard in second gear and break the rear end loose. Adjusted my tire pressures thanks to the advice of a fellow racer and immediately dropped my time by 2 seconds in the next session. Started the weekend doing 1:53 laps and finished with a 1:47. Still plenty of room to grow and on later races did keep my right hand on the steering wheel and not resting on the shifter as much as in this video of one of the time trials.

Video link: https://youtu.be/9Rh5eRmYByU

Enjoy.

A special thanks to Blas Castagli and Ross Henry who stoped by on Sunday and helped me with the car getting ready for my last run. Saw some fellow cobra owners at the track on Wednesday and again on Friday.

Jim

[Blas]

Any update on the coolant issue?
Blas

[1795]

Blas,

Did not boil out as much water the last race. I think that it was due to the higher pressure radiator cap. I am thinking that the increased temp for the coolant was secondary to the engine running on the lean side, and we finally got all of the air bled out of the system. I am going to put in the next size larger jets and then test that theory at home. I have a couple of weeks until Pitt race. Also am going to see what I can do about getting better ducting to the brake rotors as there were times when the brakes would fade some and then I would have to start braking early. A course like Mid Ohio is tougher on brakes as you are hitting the brakes almost every 20 seconds with the only long pause on the back straight.

Speaking of the back straight, it seemed to get shorter with the new engine.

Jim

[Blas]

I would still run a pressure test on the cooling system. You can probably get a loaner tool from Autozone. Also consider a catch-can setup that returns fluid.
Blas

[1795]

Originally Posted by Blas

I would still run a pressure test on the cooling system. You can probably get a loaner tool from Autozone. Also consider a catch-can setup that returns fluid.
Blas

Blas,

Thanks, will consider your advice. Going to try to get the car up on jack stands and take a look at things today, while at the same time getting back to the building a new house project. Again, great getting to meet you at Mid Ohio.

Jim

[1795]

Tom,

Give me a call at your leisure.

Jim

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by 1795

Blas,

Did not boil out as much water the last race. I think that it was due to the higher pressure radiator cap. I am thinking that the increased temp for the coolant was secondary to the engine running on the lean side, and we finally got all of the air bled out of the system....

Jim, your water temp gauge reading appears to be low....is that a correct reading at between 120 to 160? You mention that it "Did not boil out as much water the last race"?

Great footage to watch for us armchair spectators! Aside from the ever present risk of bingles, as well as the long lonely nights in prep for the races, you must be having a ball on the track!


Here's cheers!!
Glen

[1795]

Originally Posted by xb-60

Jim, your water temp gauge reading appears to be low....is that a correct reading at between 120 to 160? You mention that it "Did not boil out as much water the last race"?

Great footage to watch for us armchair spectators! Aside from the ever present risk of bingles, as well as the long lonely nights in prep for the races, you must be having a ball on the track!


Here's cheers!!
Glen

Glen,

With the FIA fuel log there is no port for the water temp sensor. Tried to find a place with adequate metal to place a bung but could not find one. Had the engine builder make an in-line assembly, but there was no room to place it between the intake and radiator, as that is where the thermostat had to go. So, the only place left was in the line coming from the radiator back in to the engine. I did notice that once the thermostat opened that the temp went from 180 down to 140, so I am going with adding 40 degrees to the water temp to estimate engine temp. Not optimum, but it is what I am stuck with until I can find a better place for it.

Jim

[1795]

So far I have been pretty much trying to race with the factory street suspension setup. Have done ok, but other than adjusting the camber, castor and toe for racing, it is pretty much stock. Being an adequate mechanic, I have come to the conclusion that the car needs a race mechanic to get it setup correctly.

So, I talked to Dennis Olthoff and I will be transporting the car down to him and over the course of the next month he will be going through the car and getting it setup into race form. We will reinstalling lowering blocks on the transverse leaf springs to drop the ride height an inch or so, maximizing the camber, castor and toe, looking at the shocks, Rick Muck is supplying some adjustable sway bars and solid mounts, checking the bearings, fabricating brake cooling ducts, and Dennis will be taking a look at some race tuning of the engine as well.

The car should be ready for the US Vintage Grand Prix at Watkins Glen in September. Looking forward to having the car properly setup and being able to just focus on my driving skills. With building a new house, I just do not have the time to try to get this all done myself, and I really do not have any where near the knowledge and skill that Dennis and his crew have.

Jim