More Nurburgring Fun...

[Tim_M]

Steven - funny, eh? Believe it should have made a bit more, but more discerning is the blowby the engine seems to have - more than previous. This is likely tied to the 190 mph run...tale end the engine experienced some knock and power dropped a fair bit - rear main seal blew at that point. Possible reason is a cracked ring land on the piston. Not uncommon on poorly tuned LT1's or extreme usage which topend is. I've not done a compression test as of yet so I'm just guessing...and maybe laying the ground work for my other engine building family member...

[Solar]

So....how did I miss all this ? Holy cow Tim, you got some serious car projects going, when do you have time to eat ? Damn Americans.....

[Native]

I've not done a compression test as of yet so I'm just guessing...and maybe laying the ground work for my other engine building family member...

when do you have time to eat ?

Build, race, break, repeat. Much easier with helping hands! The problem's a bummer, but at least you can snack while the protege works...

[Tim_M]

Brian: I suppose this section isn't the most appropriate for this topic...it started out as Ring videos and went off the rails. The Camaro needs nothing...just a bit greedy with 200 mph.

The kiddos get a lot out of it so there is goodness. But projects are now competing with each other. 2 years ago, a big project was pulling the wheels off the Camaro and cleaning the inside/brakes.

The catch can is absorbing a fair amount of oil...to the point, I wonder how many laps (1?) before it fills up. Only one way to find out...

[Tim_M]

Enjoyed the weekend - took the 1LE with the family of 4 to a favorite German burger joint...5 Guys! Hey, it is Father's Day holiday, ok... Exhaust is fun to echo off downtown Stuttgart skyline - you can tell who are the auto enthusiasts. :smiling1:

Following day pointed the black hood 3 hours to Nurburg...commenced to knock the rust off. Been a coupe of months since last track visit and it showed, but the fresh GY's and -3 camber up front made a difference. 70 degree temps and a clean track from previous night's heavy rains made for a good experience.

However, I packed it in after 3 laps (40 miles) due to the catch can hose rubbing on the blower belt under duress...my failure.

A very forgiving and flexible car Chevrolet has put together. The OEM blower only made the car more thrilling...too much for my skills! And gotta love the intoxicating exhaust note... Now I'll give it a bath and drive it to work...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TCSI-OPtSA

And...

Nice exterior shot of an most exciting corner...fast forward to 5:17 for the action coming in hard and enjoying the youtube corner video (likely the riskiest corner on the 13 mile track thanks to the cameras...):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e7YtfLQmjw

[Solar]

Sounds like a great Fathers Day, even got to go to 5 Guys (love their fries) Pretty impressive telemetry, surprised to see anti-skid come on in track mode ? Whats up with those Type-R drivers ? Don't they know that car is supposed to eat up Nurburg, I thought you were going to have to make a evasive move going into one of those turns, because it looked like one of those Type-R's was on a Sunday drive.

Looks like a blast, very cool that you're taking advantage of your location and you get to drive the grocery getter too !

[Tim_M]

Brian: It was a grand weekend. No complaints!

The car was in its least amount of traction 'management' setting...so still showing when the system was triggered. I honestly can't say I can feel it and from the external view you can see it allows quite a bit of latitude for sideways/tire slip. Nonetheless, my skills aren't there for 600 HP and this track. :-) Maybe in another 10 visits not spaced 2 months apart.

The Honda's appeared to be lap rentals so certainly very low experience on the track, however I was a bit surprised when the leading car backed off the throttle to nearly stop. I was only setting him up for a pass at the next short straight, but best to get by sooner than later in most cases. Cars are for the most part very courteous for moving to the right with signal, thankfully. I do the same for the real drivers come by...

After each trip, get quite a sense of accomplishment (no crash/car handles 6 hours of driving with no failure), but also acknowledging it is a unique experience which is not lost on us.

[Dave]

Sounds like a great Fathers Day, even got to go to 5 Guys (love their fries) Pretty impressive telemetry, surprised to see anti-skid come on in track mode ? Whats up with those Type-R drivers ? Don't they know that car is supposed to eat up Nurburg, I thought you were going to have to make a evasive move going into one of those turns, because it looked like one of those Type-R's was on a Sunday drive.

Looks like a blast, very cool that you're taking advantage of your location and you get to drive the grocery getter too !

Pommes Frites. and don't forget the mayo!

[Native]

Pommes Frites. and don't forget the mayo!

Ahh yeahhh.

[Tim_M]

Yes mayo is a staple here...even too much for my normally unhealthy eating habits...

[Tim_M]

Drained the catch can after ~1000 miles and 40 track miles...



I'm thinking this is a bit excessive for a healthy engine. Will continue to monitor the output.

[Loren]

I'm thinking this is a bit excessive for a healthy engine. Will continue to monitor the output.

Back in the 90's when certain low-mileage new Saturns were known to use more than a quart in 3000 miles, GM said that a quart in 1,000 miles was "normal".

I'd bet that half of yours was "extreme use" on the track. During regular driving, it's not using nearly as much. I wouldn't worry about it.

[Tim_M]

Loren - I would like to agree with you, but with the rear main seal pushing out and this much 'blow by' remnants in only 40 track miles... My concern is pushing the rear main out again at speed/track.

I had planned to visit the ring again this weekend since the family was in the states but, noticed a missing exhaust manifold stud! Guess my reinstall had a fault or too. 3 more weeks of waiting... Modifying an American car is an extreme over here...

[Tim_M]

I'd planned for another visit to the circuit, but during inspection/oil change...found a hole where an exhaust manifold stud/nut was supposed to be!

No doubt due to my lack of torque wrench use in this challenging area...but the stud too?

3 weeks later...Chevy in Kansas City delivered:



5 minute install...back in business.

Friday is an off day this week...maybe with some luck might break away...

[Tim_M]

Got a Friday off so off to the Ring we went! Took 30% longer due to the summer break traffic (painful), but the car performed better than I and tied my previous fast B to G time. Lots of cars and they had opened the lots back up for the gatherings. Great to see.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYLn4Kqy5bI

I just need to clean up my driving and remind myself of a proper line...7:30's will likely be my sweet spot before I exceed my comfort zone/run out of skills!

[Tim_M]

Wish we could all drive around this low...:



Small carousel...a tough corner, I have yet to figure out...

[Loren]

Small carousel...a tough corner, I have yet to figure out...

I'd suggest staying on the banking. Yep. That's what I'd do.

Might also be prudent to... Push less. Don't suck at all.

[Tim_M]

Loren: entrance is no issue, but the exit is where the banking abruptly disappears and you leap out of the corner in an ugly slide. I do agree stay on the banking with those g's!

[twistedwankel]

Tim,
You ought to be speaking pretty good German by now.
Glad you are still able to pound the pavement. We haven't even seen our UK kids in nearly 2 years. Geesus. What's wrong with that Fauci guy? Why won't he retire? Asshole. I retired at 59. Used to have fun. Crap old farts ruin everything.

[Tim_M]

Our Mitsubishi project is nearing its roadworthy condition finally...runs and drives! Just no inspection...salty roads will hold that for March.



and



Now some time to point toward the inoperative Camaro. Last trip to the ring was cold (40 degrees) which meant more boost than ideal. At 157 mph on the fastest straight...smoke and oil show. Fortunately, no body panels were scratched in the fun nor where any other autos involved. Serious issue on the German roads during tourist drives. Clean up and tow(s) home were not inexpensive or quick either.



and



Nonetheless, I would guess a cracked piston from last years top end run gave up in more significant fashion. Oil leakage and engine is running on 6 or 7 cylinders points toward a new engine project - I've got another assistant that is itching for some wrenching so a new engine will allow us some quality time. He has built an LS 5.3 already so more versed that I in the new fangled engines.

Already ordered the rotating assembly for a lower-end, mild 416 cu in assembly.

Will be replacing the DOD lifters with something that allows for 7000 rpm operation along with a mild camshaft.

Basically a larger displacement LT1 with a mild bump in power, but able to rev a bit more.