Predicting 1st qualifier ?

SmBlkFord · 08-09-2013, 09:25 AM

No matter how many good runs I have stored can't seem to predict that 1st run very well. Why is this ? Same track , same DA and weather almost identical , even using a couple programs for the prediction. Can't figure it out ?

Mark Markow · 08-09-2013, 09:41 AM

The temp of the fluids? I always pick up a couple on the second run

Robert Simpson · 08-09-2013, 10:17 AM

What about getting it really hot before your first run. Leave the hood shut and let it gradually cool down some before your first run? I believe that it helps the engine and driveline get some head soak and warm the oil up some. I know there is limitations but it is worth a try. It has helped one of my cars be more predictable on the first run.

Jim Kaekel · 08-09-2013, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Markow

The temp of the fluids? I always pick up a couple on the second run

X2 You may not be warming the engine and driveline up enough prior to your first run.

Stock726 · 08-09-2013, 04:53 PM

Even warming it up on jackstands doesn't seem to work as well as making the first pass, from my experience anyway.

I think there maybe more factors involved besides oil and water temperature??

michael mercer · 08-09-2013, 06:50 PM

Put a temp gauge on the trans. Trans fluid temp will definately make a differance.
Get up on the converter in the staging lanes or get a magnetic pan heater.

SmBlkFord · 08-09-2013, 10:07 PM

So you guys think temp is doing it ? I warm it up good through the pits but never got on the transbrake. Try to keep the water temp around 160-180 when I go in. I can`t get it any closer then within 20 deg. if that would make that much of a difference ? Thanks

Ed Wright · 08-10-2013, 10:16 AM

You see cars driving down the return road to the end and back each morning at the races for a reason. I would not warm mine up on jack stands myself. I (and several others I encounter doing the same thing when I am) drive down the return road to the end, turn around, stop, set on the trans brake for ten seconds, and if the scales are open check my weight. The digital scales we have now don't vary much, but you never know. When I get back I plug in my cool down battery & charger until I get the engine back to ambient. Always runs the number first pass.

countrypuppy4865 · 08-10-2013, 11:40 AM

Could possibly be spark plugs loaded up and maybe after making one pass it cleans them up?

Ed Wright · 08-10-2013, 02:46 PM

I would think you would hear it miss. If tuned correctly, your plugs will always stay clean.

08-09-2013, 09:25 AM	#1
SmBlkFord Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Bensonhurst Posts: 43 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Predicting 1st qualifier ? No matter how many good runs I have stored can't seem to predict that 1st run very well. Why is this ? Same track , same DA and weather almost identical , even using a couple programs for the prediction. Can't figure it out ?

08-09-2013, 09:41 AM	#2
Mark Markow Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: east hartford ct. Posts: 539 Likes: 0 Liked 9 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Predicting 1st qualifier ? The temp of the fluids? I always pick up a couple on the second run __________________ Mark Markow 171 ss/tb

08-09-2013, 10:17 AM	#3
Robert Simpson Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 808 Likes: 7 Liked 20 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Predicting 1st qualifier ? What about getting it really hot before your first run. Leave the hood shut and let it gradually cool down some before your first run? I believe that it helps the engine and driveline get some head soak and warm the oil up some. I know there is limitations but it is worth a try. It has helped one of my cars be more predictable on the first run.

08-09-2013, 04:53 PM	#5
Stock726 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 71 Likes: 24 Liked 13 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Predicting 1st qualifier ? Even warming it up on jackstands doesn't seem to work as well as making the first pass, from my experience anyway. I think there maybe more factors involved besides oil and water temperature??

08-09-2013, 06:50 PM	#6
michael mercer Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: southern illinois Posts: 49 Likes: 9 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Predicting 1st qualifier ? Put a temp gauge on the trans. Trans fluid temp will definately make a differance. Get up on the converter in the staging lanes or get a magnetic pan heater.

08-09-2013, 10:07 PM	#7
SmBlkFord Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Bensonhurst Posts: 43 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Predicting 1st qualifier ? So you guys think temp is doing it ? I warm it up good through the pits but never got on the transbrake. Try to keep the water temp around 160-180 when I go in. I can`t get it any closer then within 20 deg. if that would make that much of a difference ? Thanks

08-10-2013, 10:16 AM	#8
Ed Wright Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 8,132 Likes: 896 Liked 390 Times in 170 Posts	Re: Predicting 1st qualifier ? You see cars driving down the return road to the end and back each morning at the races for a reason. I would not warm mine up on jack stands myself. I (and several others I encounter doing the same thing when I am) drive down the return road to the end, turn around, stop, set on the trans brake for ten seconds, and if the scales are open check my weight. The digital scales we have now don't vary much, but you never know. When I get back I plug in my cool down battery & charger until I get the engine back to ambient. Always runs the number first pass. __________________ Ed Wright 4156 SS/JA

08-10-2013, 11:40 AM	#9
countrypuppy4865 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Donaldsonville, LA Posts: 980 Likes: 17 Liked 228 Times in 70 Posts	Re: Predicting 1st qualifier ? Could possibly be spark plugs loaded up and maybe after making one pass it cleans them up? __________________ Jimmy "Cooter" Hidalgo, Jr. 4865 E/SA '04 GTO 4865 SS/GA '99 Firebird

08-10-2013, 02:46 PM	#10
Ed Wright Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 8,132 Likes: 896 Liked 390 Times in 170 Posts	Re: Predicting 1st qualifier ? I would think you would hear it miss. If tuned correctly, your plugs will always stay clean. __________________ Ed Wright 4156 SS/JA