Re: Jumping in to Stock or SuperStock
 

Tranny temps are one variable many guys don't monitor. I'm guilty of that myself. Don't even have a gauge in mine. Some (probably many ) guys log ATF temps. It's a variable I should pay more attention to. Warmer is quicker up to a point.

Re: Jumping in to Stock or SuperStock
 

Ed, most don't have a clue. Some do. Just because the car goes down the track, is relatively fast and doesn't break anything doesn't mean the clutch is "right". There's a lot of ET in the bellhousing but it takes takes time, work and a considerable amount of money to find it.... and the testing never stops.

Re: Jumping in to Stock or SuperStock
 

I'm going to assume what you drove ( above ) was clutchless......clutchless trans have made anyone "proficient".

Would you say the same in a manually shifted car? Doubtful.

Re: Jumping in to Stock or SuperStock
 

x2

Re: Jumping in to Stock or SuperStock
 

I think that to find a LOT of ET in the bellhousing tells me you had to be WAY off at some point. There is ET in the bellhousing .

Re: Jumping in to Stock or SuperStock
 

Its almost all in the bell housing, and starting line management

.At least when your trying to make fast runs to win class at Indy and the track temp is 120* or higher and your riding on a 9" wide tire. Forget about if your racing a big block or something with a tremendous amount or tq or rotating weight. You can make a fast run here or there but to be consistently fast requires a constant tune, and non stop paying attention to detail. Its not like a Showtime Grill, " SET IT AND FORGET IT" At least not what I found.

My car car was a decent Spring and Fall car. Was tough in the dog days of summer, especially at Indy. But that is on me, and why I made the switch at the end of this year to an auto.

To be successful with a stick car in all phases heads up, qualifying, bracket racing in all track conditions requires hard work, extra parts, money and know how. One of the most impressive things about Kevin Stubbs, the Zaskowskis, and some of the other sticks guys that escapes my mind at the moment. They are always ready and the cars work no matter what. Something I couldn't master with mine.

Re: Jumping in to Stock or SuperStock
 

Was, but out of habit used the clutch. I raced stick cars for over 30 years, none clutch less. Auto car for five. Oval dirt track cars for ten in between. Hired crazy people to drive those.

Re: Jumping in to Stock or SuperStock
 

How did you spend the first half of your life?

Re: Jumping in to Stock or SuperStock
 

Man, that was cold!

Re: Jumping in to Stock or SuperStock
 

Recently I received several PM's from racers that have cars for sale. Thanks to all of you for your responses.
Please not thast I originally started this post in June (2013) and shortly thereafter found/purchased a 98 Firebird LT1, 4 speed stocker (C/S NHRA, B/FI IHRA).
Other than a few electrical gremlins documented in another thread, I have spent the past several months learning how to drive a 4 speed again (burnout, staging, leaving, shifting) after almost 40 years of automatics, trans brakes and delay boxes!
This car has re-energized my passion for racing.....even though I've gone from a 7.20 Top Sportsman car to a mid 10 second stocker. Yanking second gear with the front end dangling 2 feet airborn is a rush!
I'm still on a learning curve and need to work on consistency (driver, not car!)....but I'm looking forward to next year and some fun class racing.
Between testing and 2 IHRA races, we've been .960 under in IHRA trim and .650 under at C/S weight. This was all without touching the tune-up that came with the car.
Hopefully, as I learn the art of fuel injection.....I don't screw it up too badly!
One last thing....I do need a good tutorial on clutch tuning/adjusting/management as part of my learning curve.
Anyone that can help me out here....please PM me and we can talk(you talk, I listen!)
Thanks,
John