DeTomaso Mailing List: June 97, Message #87
     



From: GRR456@aol.com

Subject: Weight and rockers

Date: Mon, 9 Jun 1997 23:34:32 -0400 (EDT)



Hi Guys,



Well the way we move the weight around is that our stock cars weigh about 

1900 lbs, less the driver but with full fuel and oil....The total weight

needs to be around 2650 lbs with driver....Our female driver weighs 135 lbs

with suit and helmet and the male driver weighs about 210 with all of the

equipment....so that leaves 

500-600 lbs of balast we need to position around the chassis to achieve our

61% left and the 52% rear bias. And we do end up putting the weight all

around the chassis. So all we do, if we need to change a percentage or two is

to put the car on the scales and take a 30 lb piece of lead and move it from

the rear to the middle, or so....



By the way...We scale the car before every race nite, to make sure all the

cross weights and ride heights remained the same. Checking the ride heights

is very critical to the car's handling characteristics...It determines your

roll centers and wedge, which can make your car loose or tight in a turn. We

also check the caster,  camber and toe, before each race. There is a complete

checklist that we run thru, prior to every nite of racing.....



For example....We went to a 1/2 step stiffer compression shock, on the right

rear and right front, and also moved the roll center on the right front up

3/8's of an inch....And our female driver picket up 3 tenths of a sec on a

3/8mile high banked track. She went from being "just OK" to being the fastest

car on the track....She qualified seventh out of 21 cars, before the

change....She went out and within 5 laps, passed those 7 cars and dominated

the rest of the 75 lap feature....



And Jack...I forgot to mention about the roller rockers....But you have to

use roller rockers with a roller cam..But you are right, that will drop the

oil temp significantally.



One other trick is to use big block chevy studs and rockers, instead of the

hard to find Ford rockers..If you're going to machine your heads for

adjustable rockers, anyway. They cost less, and they are supposed to be 1.77

ratio instead of 1.73 ratio...Every little bit helps!



Regards....Gary



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