Jumping in to Stock or SuperStock

[Ed Wright]

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.

[Pvt Parts]

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

I don't get how they don't cost as much to run as an auto?

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.

[joespanova]

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

That was my first stick pass since 1979. Nothing to it. Softer clutch pedal, shifted so easy it was like nothing connected to the shifter. Much easier than a slick shifted Super T10. I was shifting those is up the air back then. Nothing to it.

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.

[Dwight Southerland]

Originally Posted by k stubbs

this was not the case for me. I had better reaction times, won more rounds including my first national event, after switching my car to a stick. Very easy maintenance and more consistent car when done. The car did not vary as much in et with weather changes.

x2

[joespanova]

Originally Posted by Pvt Parts

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.

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 .

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.

[Ed Wright]

Originally Posted by joespanova

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.

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.

[Pedigo Perf]

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

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.

How did you spend the first half of your life?

[Ed Wright]

Man, that was cold!

[John Nechiporchik]

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