The 14b Drag Race Discussion Thread

[SBstar]

Awesome Shane! Are the tracks still open way up north where you are?

Nov. 2nd they close, and we've had some decent weather. I'm hoping tomorrow I can do a proper test drive then start working on a new tune. If all goes well I'll do a compression test and we'll start talking about a track day. Crossing my fingers that everything will be good.

The cams sound good

 

[Nate Crisman]

Sweet! You'll be the last 14b standing.

 

[SBstar]

Honestly I'd be happy to get back close to 12.0's, there isn't alot of time to work out a "new" setup and hope to better what I've done so far. But, there's always that chance!

 

[1SloEvo]

What cams are you guys running on the 14b that seem to work best?

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

Nov. 2nd they close, and we've had some decent weather. I'm hoping tomorrow I can do a proper test drive then start working on a new tune. If all goes well I'll do a compression test and we'll start talking about a track day. Crossing my fingers that everything will be good.

The cams sound good

I asked my local track when I went last week about their "winter hours" and they just close for the month of January and then upen back up in February.

 

[TSimage]

Ours never closes. Guess we're lucky. Good Ol' California Sacramento Valley weather FTW!

 

[1SloEvo]

Yeah...the only thing Sac does is shut down the Wednesday night Street Car nights. Otherwise they continue the test n tunes year 'round.

 

[91stocker]

Nov. 2nd they close, and we've had some decent weather. I'm hoping tomorrow I can do a proper test drive then start working on a new tune. If all goes well I'll do a compression test and we'll start talking about a track day. Crossing my fingers that everything will be good.

The cams sound good

I dont know how far you are from lapeer dragway but they are open until nov 27th.

 

[SBstar]

If the weather holds perhaps Lapeer is an option then, must be nice to live where the tracks never close or just for a month or two!

As for what cams work best, I'm not sure we have a clear answer on that. Joe Bucci ran Crower 413's, Dave had FP2's, Nate is running GSC S2's, and then we have Phil running stock cams! This will be my first experience running cams, it's the HKS 264/272 combo.

 

[Nate Crisman]

If the weather holds perhaps Lapeer is an option then, must be nice to live where the tracks never close or just for a month or two!

As for what cams work best, I'm not sure we have a clear answer on that. Joe Bucci ran Crower 413's, Dave had FP2's, Nate is running GSC S2's, and then we have Phil running stock cams! This will be my first experience running cams, it's the HKS 264/272 combo.

Pretty sure I would have ran exactly the same on stock 2g cams. I might be putting the stockers back in next year to save some money.

Same tune, same fuel, same boost, about the same hot sticky summer weather, and similar 60'.
First day out w/ 14b I went 11.8@111 w/ ported head & GSC S2 cams
Second day out w/ 14b : 11.8 @ 111 w/ bone stock 2g head and stock 2g cams.

Then I put the ported head/ GSC cams back in:
Last time out the 11.5 @ 115 and 11.3 @ 116 came with much cooler weather, less humidity, and bumping the ignition timing up quite a bit. I attribute the gain to the air density and tune. IMHO, the cams aren't worth much if anything.

 

[1SloEvo]

Thanks for the info Nate and Shane.

Have any of you tried adjustable cam gears on stock cams to see if you can move that powerband at all? I know the stock cams are pretty mild, but if you could slide that powerband into a slightly higher rpm range, it might make a difference.

I'll try out the stock cams first since I'm actually going to be running a 2g head and see where that gets me. That will also help with saving some funds and help get the car back on the road quicker...although it's a winter build anyway!

 

[SBstar]

First impressions were interesting, car seemed to drive smoothly, but I added a bit of fuel and took alot of timing to be safe and the car is seeing crazy knock if I try to WOT even for a second. I am hearing a touch of lifter tick but I'm not sure if it's the cause or not yet. Might have to find another hundred bucks for some 3g lifters.

Searched the link forums for lifter tick knock, found that it's usually experienced free revving out of gear as well as while moving, so back out to the car with the laptop, 15+ counts of knock free revving. So, looks like new lifters will be in the works. Also decided to do the compression test, also not fun.

Results
Cylinder 4 = 137 psi
Cylinder 3 = 137 psi
Cylinder 2 = 134 psi
Cylinder 1 = 95 psi

None of the cylinders were particularly high, but cylinder 1 is an issue. I tried a capful of oil and it went up to 115 psi. Not enough to show a ring problem 100%. Might have to do a leakdown to know for sure.

 

[1SloEvo]

Yeah...that #1 cylinder is a little low...even at 115psi. At 115psi it would still run fairly well if the knock wasn't an issue, but obviously not optimal. Hope you get it figured out soon (and without much of an issue to take care of).

 

[1990AWD]

Dang, that sucks Shane.

This is a used stock 6 bolt, correct?

 

[SBstar]

Dang, that sucks Shane.

This is a used stock 6 bolt, correct?

Yeah a used block from a timing belt failure. But im not convinced 100% its the block as that's the cylinder I replaced the valve in. Perhaps the machine shop didn't check it over as well as id hoped.

 

[1990AWD]

Yeah a used block from a timing belt failure. But im not convinced 100% its the block as that's the cylinder I replaced the valve in. Perhaps the machine shop didn't check it over as well as id hoped.

Ah, I see. Did you have a chance to do a leakdown yet?

And do valves need time to break in like piston rings? Maybe it just hasn't had a chance to seal yet?

 

[SBstar]

I had them cut in the valve, so it should have a good seal, plus I lapped it. I've never heard of them having to "seat" or anything. I don't have a leak down tester but I'm trying to find access to one, then I'll know whats going on for sure. I'm going to throw new 3g lifters in as soon as they arrive, figured it's time to get them and be done.

 

[GRNDSM]

I did a bit of 14b racing this past weekend. Took the Summit to the track with the "break-in", 14b turbo. It ran the best of 13.3 at 103, which isn't impressive on its own. Until you look at the set-up:

- 16psi of boost (dropping to 12'ish, partially induced by, now fixed, boost leaks)
- 3" downpipe connected to the stock Summit cat back exhaust by a 1 7/8" test pipe.
- Terrible 1.95 launches (caused by, now removed, restrictor in the clutch slave cylinder).
- Race weight 3220lbs (van, alone is 3010lbs).

My plan is to install an exhaust cut out, so that I can run 3" dumped exhaust, drop around 150lbs (rear bench seat, spare tire, 5-6 gallons of fuel and baby seats ) and try to maintain 18-20 psi of boost.

I believe that mid 12's are very possible... Lets just hope that weather cooperates... As we only have two weeks of racing left.

Anyway, this a video of my first run 13.6 at 100 (the only one I have)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss1g-Ww--V4

 

[1SloEvo]

Thats pretty cool. Congrats. Doesnt sound too bad considering the boost drop.

 

[pneumo]

ha, very nice Leon! I always liked the idea of a turbo AWD Vista wagon.

 

[Nate Crisman]

Iv got a 8.5:1 compression long block sitting on an engine stand in my shop and it seems people are telling me I can swap the motor without having to pull the trans/axles and suspension. Now Im thinking about sticking it in my car for a last ditch attempt this weekend.

any bets on how long a stock composite HG lasts with ARPs with a 14b maxed out and a small nitrous hit?

 

[91stocker]

I did a bit of 14b racing this past weekend. Took the Summit to the track with the “break-in”, 14b turbo. It ran the best of 13.3 at 103, which isn’t impressive on its own. Until you look at the set-up:

- 16psi of boost (dropping to 12’ish, partially induced by, now fixed, boost leaks)
- 3” downpipe connected to the stock Summit cat back exhaust by a 1 7/8” test pipe.
- Terrible 1.95 launches (caused by, now removed, restrictor in the clutch slave cylinder).
- Race weight 3220lbs (van, alone is 3010lbs).

My plan is to install an exhaust cut out, so that I can run 3” dumped exhaust, drop around 150lbs (rear bench seat, spare tire, 5-6 gallons of fuel and baby seats ) and try to maintain 18-20 psi of boost.

I believe that mid 12’s are very possible… Lets just hope that weather cooperates… As we only have two weeks of racing left.

Anyway, this a video of my first run 13.6 at 100 (the only one I have)

That is so bad ass. Could it get anymore sleeper? haha.

Edit: You should a baby on board sticker in the back window

 

[Kevin Jewer]

any bets on how long a stock composite HG lasts with ARPs with a 14b maxed out and a small nitrous hit?

In my experience, a stock gasket with ARPs will shit the bed around 30 psi once you start to push the tune. On a soft tune it will live beyond that but you're taking a risk of damaging the head either way. If your 14b is tapering to ~15 psi, I would think it could take another ~100 shot on top of that.

 

[GRNDSM]

That is so bad ass. Could it get anymore sleeper? haha.

Edit: You should a baby on board sticker in the back window

My littlelest is turning 6 on Friday, hardly a baby . But I do have "Chelmsford Soccer" magnet on the back... Same idea .

Tonight I installed the exhaust cutout! Now I just have to make to the track!

 

[Pirrofab]

nate- if its only going to be one night of abuse and your not to radical on the tune it should work . Be easy with the nitrous. Every time you play with that stuff you always post bad news. Just go with a small dry shot if anything.
I know its off topic but how did it go with your friends galant getting into the 9's? You were missed at etown.