Thank you CP/Carrillo for looking over the old parts, and cutting up the new set of pistons for the year.
The new pistons have a little different out shape, to help piston stability, and they now have 6 gas ports for the top ring, and they added polishing to the final steps of machine work.
So a quick run down of the new parts for 2012:
MAP stage 5 head with SI 1mm over nitrite coated SS intake and exhaust valves, Crower springs and titanium retainers with new Ferrea locks, the retainers are 1/4 of the weight of the old chrome moly ones we had in the head the last few years.
We ended up with the Titan SCE copper gasket (not the ICS one, thank goodness), and the block is at MAP to get o ring groves cut into the deck surface. the head gasket will be coated with copper spray and torqued down with the new MAP ultimate duty L19 head studs. We also picked up all new timing belt components, and a Gates blue racing belt and will use the same Crower 288/288 cams and Crower cam gears as the last few years.
We also have a new set of Hoosier QTP's for the track this year, they are 26" x 9.5" x 15". From what I have read they are the C07 Hoosier compound, so a little harder then the full Hoosier slick option which uses the D06 compound and sized in at 26 x 8 x 15, which is section width vs tread width, both come in at a section width in the 9.5" range and tread width of 8".
I have read the QTP tires will be more consistent and last a little longer, and with no burn out put the car in the 1.5 60' range, and any one that knows silly 1/4 mile math.... I am just saying.
With the bigger tire diameter we gain 10% in each gear, which is good because on the record run last year the car crossed the line at BIR at almost 9800 rpm in 4th gear, so the new tires put the car at a top speed in 4th at about 175 mph (est for 2012), vs 162 mph (est for 2011).
So when we up the boost to 46-48psi and spray a 50-75 shot of nitrous, if the tranny holds at all, which the AEM will control and limit boost in 1st gear, we might see some series sh*t.
Here are some end of the year pics (2011) of the car driving down to the MAP fall dyno day, and driving up to Elk River for a car show at Broadway Bar and Grill. And prof that it did run and drive around, I estimate we ended up putting about 1500 miles on the car last year.
So believe it or not we do have more plans for the car in the works, this is not the end all goal, and part of me wishes it was the end all goal....
Where could one go from here.... well I will say a full round tube chassis, solid rear end, AWD, and retaining the Saloon theme are not out of my thoughts.
I am thinking late this year/next year the car will be 25.5 certified and have all the goods to push that chassis certification.
~John
PS for the ones that may not know, a 25.5 chassis in NHRA is good for a 7.50 ET@180mph.
And a quick thanks to all my sponsors, and there are a few new ones this year: Modern Automotive Performance, Josh with CTS tuning, Ryan, Kyle, CP Pistons, Carrillo rods, Karl Ramm, KRAMM-LOX, Paul, Chuck at HTM, Jacks Trans.
