Dazed_Driver Banned Godlike Moderator Location: John and Skyes Magic Love liar Join Date: 08/24/2007 Posts: 2,154 |
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phlat65 Sean Medcroft Senior Moderator Location: Edmonds, Washington Join Date: 02/12/2009 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 1,802 Rally Car: Building a Merkur |
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SgtRauksauff Jorden Mega Moderator Location: Baraboo, Wisconsin, USA, Terra, Sol, Milky Way Join Date: 01/24/2006 Posts: 372 Rally Car: whichever one i happen to be driving at the time |
I thought I read somewhere that water (distilled, of course) transfers heat better than engine coolant. However, it also freezes WAY sooner, hence the term anti-freeze. I'd just as soon use straight water, I actually did for a whole summer of autoX/HPDE in my freshly rebuilt 4AGE in my Commode-a, and drained it in winter when it got parked, but the next season I just started using Prestone, since I don't have to drain, plus straight water doesn't have any lubricative properties for the pump.
--sarge ---** To be in compliance with the Anarchy **--- Jorden R. Kleier Baraboo, Wisconsin, USA 1990 Mazdog Protege 4WD 1973 |
Rallymech Robert Gobright Mega Moderator Location: White Center Seattle Join Date: 04/27/2008 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 1,292 Rally Car: 91 VW GTI 8V |
I see we need a quick review about coolant and cooling systems. Ethylene glycol "antifreeze" serves several important functions that outweigh it's slightly lower thermal conductivity.
Ethylene glycol lowers the freezing point and raises the boiling point of coolant. The additives in modern coolant prevent corrosion and foaming. The additives also reduce electrical conductivity and cavitation erosion. If you think that your engine needs to run straight water you likely have other system problems. A few more cooling system facts: The only function of the thermostat is to regulate the minimum operating temperature of the engine. Water pumps are not "lubricated" by the coolant. There will always be a slight amount of leakage past the shaft seal of the pump. This is normal, the seal needs to be wet. The bearing is either grease or oil lubricated. The pressure within the cooling system, regulated by the cap, determines the boiling point of the coolant. This is important because the boiling point limits how much heat energy the coolant can carry. In a correctly designed and operating engine the maximum engine temperature is a function of load and radiator efficiency. The pressure in a cooling system is created by the thermal expansion of the coolant. Robert. "You are way too normal to be on Rally Anarchy." Eddie Fiorelli. |
Rallymech Robert Gobright Mega Moderator Location: White Center Seattle Join Date: 04/27/2008 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 1,292 Rally Car: 91 VW GTI 8V |
It's time to get your cars ready!
LAP ATTACK #4LAP ATTACK #4 When Sunday, Jan 9, 2011 Description Competitive Car Lapping to establish fastest lap time. Practice begins at 9am. 3 classes. FWD, AWD, RWD. Lowest total time wins.Top 3 finishers receive trophies. No passengers. Cost $85. $10 pit pass charge for spectators. PGP in Kent Washington at Pacific Raceways. 253 639 7223. I just talked to the folks out at PGP. There are 12 cars registered so far and they think that there will be another 12 or so by race day. They can handle up to 35 cars but would prefer no more than 28. The tech inspection will be basic: NO LEAKING FLUIDS and nothing falling off. Seat belts, helmet and tires in good condition. Cage or roll bars are not required. You can drive your street car if you like! Pre registration is recommended: http://www.pacificgp.com/racingclasses/car-events/car-event-forms/required-formsinfo.html Robert. "You are way too normal to be on Rally Anarchy." Eddie Fiorelli. Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/03/2011 01:06PM by Rallymech. |
phlat65 Sean Medcroft Senior Moderator Location: Edmonds, Washington Join Date: 02/12/2009 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 1,802 Rally Car: Building a Merkur |
So, we have on the roster:
Me Robert Derik Nelson in my Volvo 245 Forest Duplesse (sp) maybe in one of the Dirt Fish cars Don Wooten and Nate Tennis are gonna come out for pit support I have a portable propane fire pit, 20" flat screen with inverter. Derik is bringing PS3 with games. Nate is bringing Rally Videos we need e-z ups, BBQ, and chairs. It would be nice to have a small quitet generator. |
Rallymech Robert Gobright Mega Moderator Location: White Center Seattle Join Date: 04/27/2008 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 1,292 Rally Car: 91 VW GTI 8V |
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heymagic Banned Professional Moderator Location: La la land Join Date: 01/25/2006 Age: Fossilized Posts: 3,740 Rally Car: Not a Volvo |
Also people need to know that ethylene glycol is flammable. Flashpoint around 232 degrees. That is a reason many old time race tracks bannned it. It's also very slickery on tarmac as well as the eco-nazis concern over spillage. A good system with water under pressure shouldn't boil this time of year at all, and won't freeze until below mid 20s or so. Have fun up there!!
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Rallymech Robert Gobright Mega Moderator Location: White Center Seattle Join Date: 04/27/2008 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 1,292 Rally Car: 91 VW GTI 8V |
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MikeColangelo Michael Colangelo Godlike Moderator Location: California Join Date: 10/21/2009 Posts: 209 Rally Car: Spec Miata |
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Rallymech Robert Gobright Mega Moderator Location: White Center Seattle Join Date: 04/27/2008 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 1,292 Rally Car: 91 VW GTI 8V |
We had so much fun! My total cost for the day was $95, half a tank of fuel, one pack of hot dogs, one pack of buns and a six pack of soda. For my money I drove 46.1 miles on the track. I also rode along with Brian Carry and Sean Medcroft for roughly 10 laps. I could have run another 10 or 15 laps but I was getting tired. The day was a dam good value!
We had a full rally service area set up with tents, heaters, chairs ect. Despite the cold and wet I didn't spend any time sitting because I was either driving or at the fence watching my friends on track. When I signed up for this event I was skeptical of the track. I thought that a facility designed for karts would be too small for our cars. I was wrong. Pacific Grand Prix (PGP) is just big enough to be fun in a car. I have a 4.25 final drive in my Golf and I was hitting the rev limiter in third gear on both straights. Although the speeds are comparable to some auto-crosses and the fact that this is a dedicated road course means that you are not trying to navigate through a sea of cones. It continues to surprise me how many people like to talk about rallying and how few of them actually like to go out and do it! You should try participating some day. It's really fun! We had a long talk with Mike Smith the manager. We are now thinking about running a night rally sprint event at PGP. The best part is that you don't need a HANS or even a caged car. The venue even supplies the insurance! Would any of you PNW folks be interested in a tarmac rally sprint as a half ass substitute for Doo Wops? Robert. "You are way too normal to be on Rally Anarchy." Eddie Fiorelli. |
alkun Albert Kun Ultra Moderator Location: SF Ca. Join Date: 01/07/2008 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 1,732 Rally Car: volvo 242 |
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Jay Jay Woodward Godlike Moderator Location: Snohomish, WA Join Date: 12/21/2005 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 893 Rally Car: '90 Mazdog Frankenprotege |
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MikeColangelo Michael Colangelo Godlike Moderator Location: California Join Date: 10/21/2009 Posts: 209 Rally Car: Spec Miata |
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phlat65 Sean Medcroft Senior Moderator Location: Edmonds, Washington Join Date: 02/12/2009 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 1,802 Rally Car: Building a Merkur |
I too had an awesome time. I am actually sore this morning! Combined, Derik and I put over 100 miles on my XR, at Maximum Attack. You guys seriously missed the boat on this one.
The next Lap Attack day is February 13th. Mike will let us have a Rally class. The thing is, how do you know how fast you can go on wet or dry tarmac till you do it under controlled conditions? I now have much more confidence for those few tarmac sections we run at rallys. The best moment for me was the look of disapointment on one guys face when he realized he got beat by a rally car, on gravel tires, with no swaybars and 12" ground clearance, by a driver who has never driven there. He had a prepped Miata, proper rain tires, proper road course suspension, and has more that 200 laps there. Priceless. |