Hmmm - time to shoe horn a V8 ?
Discussion
Well just seen the potential number of cars running in Rd 1 of the HKS class & as it stands very low numbers & starting to wonder if some of the classes will ever see a big field as just not people coming through in the Pro Class etc ?.
For the expense involved (bloody expensive) let's be honest it's just not the same as running in a decent sized competitive field.
Yes of course it's nice to win but not against 1 other solitary car or 2 others max
I would much sooner run in a big field & gewt my arse kicked & occassionally maybe win the odd round if lady luck shone & everything went brilliantly etc etc.
Thinking that this could be our last year running in HKS & then it's time to think about whacking a V8 in the 350z & just running against the best there is win or lose & taking a lot more satisfaction in competing in big competitive fields .......
For the expense involved (bloody expensive) let's be honest it's just not the same as running in a decent sized competitive field.
Yes of course it's nice to win but not against 1 other solitary car or 2 others max
I would much sooner run in a big field & gewt my arse kicked & occassionally maybe win the odd round if lady luck shone & everything went brilliantly etc etc.
Thinking that this could be our last year running in HKS & then it's time to think about whacking a V8 in the 350z & just running against the best there is win or lose & taking a lot more satisfaction in competing in big competitive fields .......
A tough decision to make John, but I think the right decision, I've enjoyed watching you move over into mainstream drag racing and the look of excitement on your face when you were in the thick of things at the FIA meets..
Can you create enough horsepower if you go with a hammered Jap V8?
Can you create enough horsepower if you go with a hammered Jap V8?
Slinky said:
A tough decision to make John, but I think the right decision, I've enjoyed watching you move over into mainstream drag racing and the look of excitement on your face when you were in the thick of things at the FIA meets..
Can you create enough horsepower if you go with a hammered Jap V8?
no way will a jap v8 cut the mustard when using a blower its all about big valves big bores high boost levelsCan you create enough horsepower if you go with a hammered Jap V8?
heads that flow massive amounts of air
and a blower like that costs start at $20,000 without all te nessasary other stuff,
if your starting with a clean sheet put in a BAE hemi and be done with it whatever induction you choose
Likely to go down the more traditional route Wil/Graham to be honest.
It's something I have been pondering on seriously for a while if i'm honest & it's certainly not a kneejerk reaction.
The costs of running either car as they stand with jap engines is not bloody cheap by any stretch of the imagination & certainly a very limited market available for parts & to get to lowish times ie/ mid 7's skyline & 6's 350z you have to screw the things to death with boost due to the small amount of cc's & torque on tap ie/ 2.8 litre with the skyline & 3.5 litre with the 350z.
Realiability with either isn't that bad but like anything we do get the occassional bad run & costs mount up quickly, looking at costs it doesnt seem to be anymore expensive in reality looking at the V8 route after a few discussions with various in the states.
In the cold light of day going forward we will push both hard this year as it would be nice to get the skyline to the point where it finally brought the record back to the Uk for the 1st time ever ie/ quickest one there is & the recent switch to methanol + big turbo will hopefully help us find the missing 1/10th
The 350z i'm sure will run high 6's this year but it will be hard work & very questionable reliability likely
Next year is our last year with Jap engines as we intend to only run in 1 competition for the whole year in Australia against the current quickest jap powered cars out there in the world so a fitting way i think to bow out of the scene.
There just isnt the competition around in Europe Jap wise in any volume & the 350z chassis is essentially a 100% pro mod/pro stock car full stop, we will not see the V6 be accepted within the FIA rules like it or lump it, we would kill the HKS series with it (although by that time will there be any runners in the pro class anyway !!) so is it worth paying out a fortune to essentially run against no one in HKS & to have to run in bracket classes which we know the car isnt really sorted to ?.
We absolutely love running head to head rather than bracket racing, bills wouldnt be outrageous to current budgets presently & life is to short so the idea of planting a proven V8 package in that complies with FIA/MSA rules is very very attractive & really where i think we have to go. As to whether it would be a small block turbo or more traditional big cc blower route i'm not 100% sure & something i think we will keep an eye on this season both here & in the States in relation to potential rule changes etc.
have had numerous conversations with Moran motorsport & interesting stuff really.
It feels a little strange for us to turn our back on jap power for the future but i think we have served it well over the last few years & will have done it justice after this season & the big one off next year.
Time to really let our hair down & just enjoy racing against the best there is longer term :-)
It's something I have been pondering on seriously for a while if i'm honest & it's certainly not a kneejerk reaction.
The costs of running either car as they stand with jap engines is not bloody cheap by any stretch of the imagination & certainly a very limited market available for parts & to get to lowish times ie/ mid 7's skyline & 6's 350z you have to screw the things to death with boost due to the small amount of cc's & torque on tap ie/ 2.8 litre with the skyline & 3.5 litre with the 350z.
Realiability with either isn't that bad but like anything we do get the occassional bad run & costs mount up quickly, looking at costs it doesnt seem to be anymore expensive in reality looking at the V8 route after a few discussions with various in the states.
In the cold light of day going forward we will push both hard this year as it would be nice to get the skyline to the point where it finally brought the record back to the Uk for the 1st time ever ie/ quickest one there is & the recent switch to methanol + big turbo will hopefully help us find the missing 1/10th
The 350z i'm sure will run high 6's this year but it will be hard work & very questionable reliability likely
Next year is our last year with Jap engines as we intend to only run in 1 competition for the whole year in Australia against the current quickest jap powered cars out there in the world so a fitting way i think to bow out of the scene.
There just isnt the competition around in Europe Jap wise in any volume & the 350z chassis is essentially a 100% pro mod/pro stock car full stop, we will not see the V6 be accepted within the FIA rules like it or lump it, we would kill the HKS series with it (although by that time will there be any runners in the pro class anyway !!) so is it worth paying out a fortune to essentially run against no one in HKS & to have to run in bracket classes which we know the car isnt really sorted to ?.
We absolutely love running head to head rather than bracket racing, bills wouldnt be outrageous to current budgets presently & life is to short so the idea of planting a proven V8 package in that complies with FIA/MSA rules is very very attractive & really where i think we have to go. As to whether it would be a small block turbo or more traditional big cc blower route i'm not 100% sure & something i think we will keep an eye on this season both here & in the States in relation to potential rule changes etc.
have had numerous conversations with Moran motorsport & interesting stuff really.
It feels a little strange for us to turn our back on jap power for the future but i think we have served it well over the last few years & will have done it justice after this season & the big one off next year.
Time to really let our hair down & just enjoy racing against the best there is longer term :-)
Edited by trackday addict on Tuesday 9th March 20:36
badbird said:
potential rule changes here they come...Personette went 5.78 @257 mph in a nhra legal car,
Rumour now is that it didn't happen chap.. http://www.yellowbullet.com/forum/showthread.php?t...
hmmm...
badbird said:
no doubt about commisso and rowe both going 251, just gets further and further away
Commisso runs 5.78 @ 252.Hopefully lots of rule changes for supercharged combos to reign them in..
Oh hang on,no chance of that as the rules are made by a guy who runs a supercharger..
Maybe they could just leave the rules alone and work on their combos to make them faster eh..
You are right Andy as seems very odd to look to potentially have to buy or build a turbo engine that fits within NHRA guidelines that still costs a tidy sum that essentially is at least 400 + bhp DOWN on performance against what the guys are using in ADRL !!
I would have thought faster is what people want to see .....
Still rules are rules & can only run within the rules we have over here so will keep a close eye on it over the next few months.
Just makes it virtually impossible to challenge those turbo times in ADRL when not on a level playing field etc .
Hopefully lots of rule changes for supercharged combos to reign them in..
Oh hang on,no chance of that as the rules are made by a guy who runs a supercharger..
Maybe they could just leave the rules alone and work on their combos to make them faster eh..
I would have thought faster is what people want to see .....
Still rules are rules & can only run within the rules we have over here so will keep a close eye on it over the next few months.
Just makes it virtually impossible to challenge those turbo times in ADRL when not on a level playing field etc .
redvictor said:
badbird said:
no doubt about commisso and rowe both going 251, just gets further and further away
Commisso runs 5.78 @ 252.Hopefully lots of rule changes for supercharged combos to reign them in..
Oh hang on,no chance of that as the rules are made by a guy who runs a supercharger..
Maybe they could just leave the rules alone and work on their combos to make them faster eh..
Edited by trackday addict on Wednesday 10th March 21:53
Edited by trackday addict on Wednesday 10th March 21:54
no different to the ADRL blower cars they are far more powerfull than the NHRA cars and probably cheaper to buy as they dont rely on highly modified custon built blowers @ $20,000 a piece,
trackday addict said:
You are right Andy as seems very odd to look to potentially have to buy or build a turbo engine that fits within NHRA guidelines that still costs a tidy sum that essentially is at least 400 + bhp DOWN on performance against what the guys are using in ADRL !!
I would have thought faster is what people want to see .....
Still rules are rules & can only run within the rules we have over here so will keep a close eye on it over the next few months.
Just makes it virtually impossible to challenge those turbo times in ADRL when not on a level playing field etc .
Hopefully lots of rule changes for supercharged combos to reign them in..
Oh hang on,no chance of that as the rules are made by a guy who runs a supercharger..
Maybe they could just leave the rules alone and work on their combos to make them faster eh..
I would have thought faster is what people want to see .....
Still rules are rules & can only run within the rules we have over here so will keep a close eye on it over the next few months.
Just makes it virtually impossible to challenge those turbo times in ADRL when not on a level playing field etc .
redvictor said:
badbird said:
no doubt about commisso and rowe both going 251, just gets further and further away
Commisso runs 5.78 @ 252.Hopefully lots of rule changes for supercharged combos to reign them in..
Oh hang on,no chance of that as the rules are made by a guy who runs a supercharger..
Maybe they could just leave the rules alone and work on their combos to make them faster eh..
Edited by trackday addict on Wednesday 10th March 21:53
Edited by trackday addict on Wednesday 10th March 21:54
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