Based on my years on the Salt, weight does matter. I guess the best we can
do is build the car light and add ballast as needed to make it hook up.
(trial and error).
John
----- Original Message -----
From: "Nafzger" <nafzger@vtc.net>
To: "landspeed list" <land-speed@autox.team.net>; "Phillip Landry"
<saltracer@hotmail.com>
Sent: Friday, August 23, 2002 10:41 PM
Subject: Re: Weight matters?
> Phillip,
> Join the quandary. I wish we all knew the correct answer to that question.
> You may need weight for traction but it's also a long drag race so you
have
> to get to the end in a hurry if you want to go fast. When aerodynamic drag
> exceeds available traction, weight in the proper place would help but it
> also slows the rate of acceleration. It's a balancing act that I feel can
> only be answered on a specific car by trial and error.
> Howard Nafzger
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Phillip Landry" <saltracer@hotmail.com>
> To: <land-speed@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Friday, August 23, 2002 6:39 PM
> Subject: Weight matters?
>
>
> > Ok, I believe our race car is too heavy. I come to this conclusion
because
> > the motor struggles to build rpm in third gear. Most people have
contended
> > that weight is not critical at Bonneville and actually helps traction
and
> > stability. We are running a kinda small (255ci) flathead and I'm
thinking
> if
> > we lowered the weight of the car our overall performance would improve.
> > Don't ask the weight of the car, we haven't weighed it yet. It's a
> modified
> > gas roadster with a frame made of mostly 2x2 square tubing.
> > Also, how much slippage should we expect from our torque converter? We
> > crossed the finish line at 4900 rpm with 27" tall tires and 2.75 gears
and
> > were only doing 125mph. Phil Landry
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