Round #2 2009 14b keeps chipping away...

[Phil1320]

Hey all! Hit the strip today unexpectedly for the CCDSM rental at Lebanon Valley, NY. I didn't think I was going to make it, but, things came together quickly and it was a go.

Last time out in May car went into the 11's with a best pass of 11.75

Changes since that day are:

-opened front bumper for more airflow to FMIC
-shorty exhaust
-removed front swaybar
-removed rear strut tower brace
-stock seat back in with 2G belt(harness was too old not mounted correctly as I do not have a rollbar yet....

Basically some mild weight reduction to offset any weight gained from stock seat going back in. Race weight last time was 2605 lbs. Scale was not open today. Estimate on weight would be 2590 lbs.

Also, I did not install the new chip for todays outing. I figured I had some more driving to improve on before any more mods and stutterbox.

I'm gonna get right to it here as I'm ready to crash!

Runs:

#1 1.65 [email protected]
#2 1.54 [email protected]
#3 1.58 [email protected]
#4 1.55 [email protected]

#5 1.55 [email protected] [email protected] 1/8 mile

#6 1.61 [email protected] [email protected] 1/8 mile
#7 1.57 [email protected]
#8 1.62 [email protected]
#9 1.64 [email protected]

That's it!

Run #5 was the pass of the day-new best 1/8 & 1/4 ET and best 1/4 MPH
Run #7 was the back up pass
Run #6 was weird like back in May. My highest 1/8 mile speed at 94.87 but then a big drop in 1/4 MPH to 112.97 and still a quick overall ET. My previous best of 11.75 in May was at "only" 113 when other passes of that day were hitting 116, it also had a high 1/8 MPH at 94.4. I figured out that before these two passes, even though different days, the car was the coolest to the touch(i/c pipes etc.)before these passes.

Temps got warmer and the track started to go away later in the day. Last two passes showcase this pretty well. Some passes were hot lap passes. Letting the car sit even 30 minutes after a run really didn't cool it down that much. Temps were near 80 or a tad above.

I did drive a bit more aggressive today than I ever have. Doing some no lift shifting and a bit higher on launch rpm.

Unfortunately, again, no datalogs

So, [email protected]!!! Super psyched!


New Personal Bests:

60' - 1.543
1/8 ET - 7.360
1/8 MPH - 94.87
1/4 ET - 11.593
1/4 MPH -116.85


Good night all...

 

[fhudsonjr]

Definately excellent. Looks like you were still pretty consistent.

 

[pneumo]

Ohjeez, I'm on the edge of my seat! That's within spitting distance of my best 14b time!
Congratz on the new times!

 

[Phil1320]

Definately excellent. Looks like you were still pretty consistent.

Thank you very much! I think being consistant has been one of my strong points over the years. I try to keep that trend ongoing...

 

[Phil1320]

Ohjeez, I'm on the edge of my seat! That's within spitting distance of my best 14b time!
Congratz on the new times!

Thanks Dave! Honestly, I did not expect to hit a 5 run. I thought I could hit 6's as I figured there might be a tenth there with my driving. I would have been happy with anything better than 11.75 honestly. I was stoked when on my second pass I hit my best 60' at 1.543. Even if I didn't run better than 11.75, I had that personal best to take home with me. And, so the day got better! As you can see, on the sixth pass I finally went slower at 11.70 and that broke the trend. Pass seven was a nice back up at 11.638, and from there started to slow.

When I went 11.68 I was truly done for the day and would have been happy as I edged my 11.75. But, it was only 11:30 AM, four more hours of racing left! Mission accomplished entirely at that point. Then, the bonus run that put me ahead of Leon R.'s 11.64......gravy....just gravy....I really can't believe it.

When I pulled up to the booth, I joked with the guy, "Tell me it's an 11.51!!!," he said, "No, but how bout 11.59@116?" I said, "NO WAY!" I was more amped up than when I hit that first 11 pass a few months back. As I said elsewhere, that was more like a sigh of relief.

A happy day for sure!!!

So, for now, I don't plan to race for a bit. I will take the time to get the chip installed, and get the lighter doors on. Maybe my rear 1/4 window lexan, and last the Polk control arms. I have to address my exhaust and intercooler pipe issues. The wastegate pipe is very close to the lower i/c pipe, it actually touches. So some reconfiguring and thermal barrier coating or wrap is in the pipeline. I seem to be experiencing some heat soak issues still even with the bumper open, so a larger core may be needed in the future but I will try to get the other areas cooler first as thats not helping the charge air temp.

Thanks again and will keep you updated!

Phil

 

[andy4g63]

You are very good at it sir... Congrats..

 

[907dsm]

Congrats... very nice improvement.

 

[bullettdsm]

Ohjeez, I'm on the edge of my seat! That's within spitting distance of my best 14b time!
Congratz on the new times!

Dave, you know you gotta look in the mirror when/if Phil goes 11.4's. It'll be that chip that will put him over the edge, . I honestly can't see him not doing it with the added timing etc. up top.

As Phil said, the run was a total surprise. I was also figuring high .6's. But nice surprise.

Congrats Phil.


MB

 

[Phil1320]

You are very good at it sir... Congrats..

Thank you, I appreciate the comment!

 

[Phil1320]

Congrats... very nice improvement.

Thanks for the props!

 

[Phil1320]

Dave, you know you gotta look in the mirror when/if Phil goes 11.4's. It'll be that chip that will put him over the edge, . I honestly can't see him not doing it with the added timing etc. up top.

As Phil said, the run was a total surprise. I was also figuring high .6's. But nice surprise.

Congrats Phil.


MB

Thanks Mark! It was a great set of runs, I'm still super pumped about it. I am sure that the chip will take the car to that "next level" of modification. If you think about it, I'm so late to the game with it. Better late than never I suppose. I hope we can get DJ to the strip next time for some datalogging. I'd really like to have Dave review some of my passes. He could then make a specific tune for what he sees. But, that's a ways away.

I will start to exhaust the to-do list before the next trip back, trying not to leave anything on the table. When/if I can go sub 11.50, that rollbar will need to go in, which will add some weight back into the equation.

It's been suggested by several to get to E-town or a strip closer to sea level. Maybe hit Epping now that the traction issues are taken care of.

Although, LVD, at 603' above is not that bad.

Well, Chapter 2 for 2009 is written. I'll savor it for a bit and then start to get a game plan together to prep for Chapter 3.

Phil

 

[Phil1320]

A shot from CCDSM Drag Day:

 

[SICKBIRD]

way to go phil those are some awesome 60ft times

 

[Phil1320]

way to go phil those are some awesome 60ft times

Thanks!!! Hopefully 1.4X are possible......

 

[SBstar]

Awesome times once again Phil! It just keeps getting better and better. Not taking anything away from what Leon accomplished years ago, but it has to feel good to best that time doesn't it?!?!

 

[Phil1320]

Awesome times once again Phil! It just keeps getting better and better. Not taking anything away from what Leon accomplished years ago, but it has to feel good to best that time doesn't it?!?!

Thanks Shane! Glad to see you up here. It does keep getting better and better. And, without a doubt, not taking anything away from Leon's accomplishments at all, his number stood a long time. It does feel good to finally run quicker, but, nothing like the night where I actually took the all time record he held at 12.053, with a 12.052 pass!! and then backed it up with a 12.022. That was a great night for me, although none of my friends were there to celebrate with me. It was a Wed. night street night, drove up by myself and none of my local DSM crew were there. I made five passes and those were the last two of the night. Ironically two of Leon's friends were there to witness and actually approached me and said, "Are you Phil Beers?" I had just made the 12.053 pass but didn't know I had clipped the record by .001!!!! It was pretty cool and then the 12.022 sealed it without question. It was a record I held for about 8 months, a record I had been chasing since Marc Hallmans car was in Turbo(I think) mag listed at 12.57@109 on the stock 14b. I had to watch alot of guys go faster than me for some time before I even went quicker than Hallman's 12.57. Greg Horn, Doug Derby, and the late Jeff Carpenter, to name a few.

Then Leon came back and went into the 11's one day after I ran a Friday Dragday, besting at 12.09, that was in summer of '03 if I'm not mistaken. I'd have to break out the timeslips to confirm. Someday in the future I'm sure I'll put together a chronology of sorts.

After that, I didn't run the car until '07 where I just spun like crazy after the suspension changes, the light flywheel and the DSS driveshaft. Again, relegated to 12.0 on both outings but trap speeds were up to mid 115's, running mostly 1.9 60's with a BEST of 1.79. So my friend bullett and I talked and decided full slicks were the ticket.

Fast forward to this past May first time on slicks netting 11.75 best and finally hitting 11's.

And so here we are........

I will say, I was more pumped when I received my 11.59 timeslip, then when I received my first 11 second slip, which amazingly and unexpectedly came on my first pass this year, 11.81. As I said elsewhere, that first 11 was a breathe easy sigh of relief.

When I reflect, I can say that it could have happend about 5 years back if a few things changed then. Let's just say that my interests shifted to some other things during that time and I just plain didn't drag race.

The best part about it all is that there's still more in it! I've got a core group of supporters and helpers out there and that's what keeps me motivated as of late.

The car is going through changes already in the garage. Hopefully they are changes that will take the car into the low 11's.

I'm just happy to report that the car is now a solid 11 second ride

In a nutshell, yeah now that you throw it out there.....it's nice to have topped Leon once again

 

[outlawdsm]

Congrats, its cool to see you getting faster! You going to E-town for the shootout this August?

 

[Phil1320]

Congrats, its cool to see you getting faster! You going to E-town for the shootout this August?

Thanks!!! I actually posted up that I was gonna run but it was the night before so I figured it was a bit late. It literally was a spur of the moment decision as I thought I wouldn't be able to make it.

Not sure about this shootout at E-town....what day is it?

 

[SBstar]

Same day as the traditional shootout.

 

[Phil1320]

Same day as the traditional shootout.

Oh, no kidding. I will check into it. Be nice to run at E-town!

 

[outlawdsm]

Even if you don't race, it should a very fun event to attend. Heres a link to some more info Exedy Racing Clutch presents "The Showdown @ E Town" - evolutionm.net

 

[toofast82]

Ohjeez, I'm on the edge of my seat! That's within spitting distance of my best 14b time!
Congratz on the new times!

Wait til he starts using your chip
You may have given him the last piece of the puzzle although he's already knocking off some sick 60's and must be shifting pretty good!

Great times Phil! Congrats on getting in the 11.5s, bet you were very pleased

 

[Phil1320]

Wait til he starts using your chip
You may have given him the last piece of the puzzle although he's already knocking off some sick 60's and must be shifting pretty good!

Great times Phil! Congrats on getting in the 11.5s, bet you were very pleased

Thanks!!!! Really psyched!
Beyond my expectations that day.....I was stoked when I hit 11.68! Unreal......

That's why I went back without the chip yet because I knew that there was more after only six passes on the slicks in May when I first hit 11's. Most likely the chip will go in for the next outing, but I didn't get all the weight reduction done for last time so I may go back once again, without the chip, especially since it's possible I'm heat soaking pretty bad with the EVO FMIC. So, no doubt pneumo's chip is gonna help for sure and I want to see that in itself rather than guessing if more weight reduction produced the speed or not.

I'm shifting ok, not sure if shift points are optimized yet though.......

I'm looking for 1.4X 60's out of the beast, maybe the chip/stutterbox is the key to that, we'll see!

 

[Gooberlog]

Holly smokes! Mid 11's and 1.5 60' times, geez. Your really showing us how it's done Phil. You know i've been slackin on the car lately but now i'm putting the hammer down. This is motivation enough for me. Congrats man, who knew it had it in it. Awesome!

I took your advice on ditching the stock exhaust even though i was dumping the stock downpipe at the track, and i ordered a 3" DP. I've been considering options for the cat back though and due to money i think the cheapest option is to have one made. I found the only shop in MD that does mandrel bending of 3" "they go up to 4", and i got a quote of $230 to run a 3" pipe from the DP with a flange and have some hangers welded and installed and have it come off the DP and dump in front of the right rear tire. I thought this would be original and more importantly cheaper. Not to mention it will be lighter, granted no muffler = obnoxious, but at the rate i've been driving my car i'm ok with that. Plus it'll be flanged so i can change it out for a catback if i get one down the road. I noticed you were talking about running a shorty exhaust, i just stumbled on to this thread as i feel like i've looked at the entire internet today and pondered into the drag section of tuners yet again. I can't believe i almost missed it.

I did minor work to the laser today, removing and reinstalling the drive shaft couplers to remove the exhaust heat shields to make room for the custom exhaust next week. I still have to mod my BOV to hold more boost before i waste my time going back to the track, but i'm kinda itchin since my last trip was 1/8mile which i can only calculate into a 12.8. Not to mention my second gear syncro is about gone, but i have a used trans line up to be picked up in August.

I saw you might attend the englishtown shoot out. If you do give me a buzz i think i'm going to try to make it up there to watch. It would only be 3 hours for me to drive compared to the 8 for Ohio, but i took off the last week of Aug to go to the beach so i might just try to take off that Sunday and wake up early. Atleast i'm off on Monday. Call me scared but i'd be driving the DD truck up there.

BTW: How the hell did it feel launching with a 1.54 60' ?!!

 

[Phil1320]

Holly smokes! Mid 11's and 1.5 60' times, geez. Your really showing us how it's done Phil. You know i've been slackin on the car lately but now i'm putting the hammer down. This is motivation enough for me. Congrats man, who knew it had it in it. Awesome!

I took your advice on ditching the stock exhaust even though i was dumping the stock downpipe at the track, and i ordered a 3" DP. I've been considering options for the cat back though and due to money i think the cheapest option is to have one made. I found the only shop in MD that does mandrel bending of 3" "they go up to 4", and i got a quote of $230 to run a 3" pipe from the DP with a flange and have some hangers welded and installed and have it come off the DP and dump in front of the right rear tire. I thought this would be original and more importantly cheaper. Not to mention it will be lighter, granted no muffler = obnoxious, but at the rate i've been driving my car i'm ok with that. Plus it'll be flanged so i can change it out for a catback if i get one down the road. I noticed you were talking about running a shorty exhaust, i just stumbled on to this thread as i feel like i've looked at the entire internet today and pondered into the drag section of tuners yet again. I can't believe i almost missed it.

I did minor work to the laser today, removing and reinstalling the drive shaft couplers to remove the exhaust heat shields to make room for the custom exhaust next week. I still have to mod my BOV to hold more boost before i waste my time going back to the track, but i'm kinda itchin since my last trip was 1/8mile which i can only calculate into a 12.8. Not to mention my second gear syncro is about gone, but i have a used trans line up to be picked up in August.

I saw you might attend the englishtown shoot out. If you do give me a buzz i think i'm going to try to make it up there to watch. It would only be 3 hours for me to drive compared to the 8 for Ohio, but i took off the last week of Aug to go to the beach so i might just try to take off that Sunday and wake up early. Atleast i'm off on Monday. Call me scared but i'd be driving the DD truck up there.

BTW: How the hell did it feel launching with a 1.54 60' ?!!

Thanks!!! It was a good day. Made nine leisure passes. Dragdays are great. When I ran in May I had 3 1.57 60's. The first 1.57 felt like nothing I had in the past.

The 1.54, 1.55's felt similar, but nice nonetheless. The car really moves out of the hole, without the up/down drama picturesque launch style of a stock suspension or soft damped car. The car gets a tiny bit sideways on the launch, but overall a nice controlled without seeing the sky!

I really think it has 1.4's in it. I'm running the slicks at about 14-15 psi and have been told by my technical advisorBullett, that it would be optimal at about 11-12 psi. So, I'll work toward that.

Your exhaust sounds cool, it will do the job for sure. Hope you get it all back together so you can get back down where you were in the low 12's or maybe 11's! before the year is out! Glad I can help get you motivated! I think it was Dave(pneumo) who got me motivated at the end of last year with his 11.51 run, sometimes we need a kick in the pants, glad I can be the one kicking you in the pants!

I may go to the E-town event and run. Not sure though. Lots going on in the personal arena and less time for car stuff as of late. But, I will most likely go to spectate as others have suggested so we could still meet and shoot it for a while, haven't seen you since 2003.

So, I will keep updates with the car on this thread, and of course post a new thread after the next visit to the strip. Keep me posted on your Laser's progress as well.

You know what? I'd like to run at Capitol again someday, that was a cool track!