The Achieva Indy Test & Tune

[Robert Swartz]

The saga of the Achieva lives on. Had expected to work this past Saturday, that got canceled. That opened the door to go to Indianapolis Raceway Parks Saturday test and tune.

The car has undergone a few more changes. I removed the exhaust about two inches from the cat. The total exhaust system weighed 60 lbs. I also removed the spare tire and jack, those amounted to 48lbs. The hubcaps were 6lbs. Total weight loss = 114lbs.

Got to weigh the car at the track, dry weight of the car with a little over 1/2 tank of gas, 2860lbs. EF/SA weight for the car with driver 3020lbs, weight of this car with driver, 3080lbs, a little room to work there.

Now performance wise. We've put a set of M/T drag radials on the car, air pressure was 38lbs for this series of runs. I also put a set of spring rubbers on the rear to stiffen the car up. Art Leong, if you read this, used your Funny Car burnout routine. Wasn't impressive but did put a little heat in the tires. I was very happy with 60 foot times, they improved from 2.5 to 2.4's, not great but a gain none the less. It felt harder on the launch.

Et wise. I was a little stunned. I had modest expectations, anticipated it would run high, maybe mid 17's. First run off the trailer, 17.04. Most passes were in the 17.0-17.1 range. With two passes in the 16's, the fastest being a 16.88. Mph being consistant 79, with one 80 mph pass.

Since we had yet to run this car on the 1/4, all the above information is new. Raceway also gives 1/8 times. This I had information to compare. The previous best 1/8 pass had been an 11.43, we recorded a 10.83 on one pass, a 6/10's improvement. 1/8 mph improved from 59 to 65 mph.

IHRA EF/SA index(es) are 15.90/9.85. So, with 120K used car with little done to it. We're within a second of both indexes. Maybe to others this is no big thing, I was happy with the improvements, pleasently surprised might be more to the point.

Ed Wright, I appologise, I haven't pulled the computer chip yet. I will get with you on that.