FUeL's first track day.

[monza]

I guess I'll get the bad news done first.:injured: Unknown engine issue at this time.
Have yet to get into it. Suspect some thing broken in the top end. Heard nothing in the way of breakage, pulled out of a corner hard on the gas and noticed a different sound, the exhaust had a deeper tone. Did a cool down lap pulled into the pit and stopped. At idling speed a random 'bad noise' was heard. A single random slap/crack and turned the car off. Did complete cool down then a start up. Idled for a couple minutes sounded totally normal then slap/crack. Turned it off called for a trailer. Had it hauled to my mechanic as opposed to home, wish I did not do that now as he was leaving for the weekend, and I didn't have access to it to get into it. auuugh

So that was the bad, hoping for the best and I don't have to get deep into the motor!!!

The good, a two mile road course that was super fun and FueL drove hard. Once I started to learn the line (first time at this track) I really started flying, it is a beast! Fast and hard into, through and out of corners, WOT on the straights was :headbang: !!!
The brakes, damn impressive, worked them hard and zero brake fade.
My first WOT in the fasted part of the track followed by very hard braking into a corner the instructor (passenger seat) just said, 'wow I had no idea.'
He is used to Euro cars and Vettes, it was his first PT ride.
I few laps later I was unfortunately done. Hitched a ride with a really experienced driver with thousands of laps at this track in a Porsche GT3, that was impressive I learned a lot.

So I'll keep you posted. I'm really trying not to get to depressed about it or feel guilty about driving hard. I've broken a lot of toys over the years... just not my favorite one!
__________________

[6'9"Witha69]

It happens. At least it wasn't a wreck! Glad to hear you had a great time otherwise and good to hear Fuel was all it was said to be.

[Rybar]

Sorry to hear about the engine issues Dave. Fuel is a badass machine, got any pics from the track day?

[Nine Ball]

Sorry to hear about the engine problem, but I'm glad you are actually driving the car like it is meant to be driven.

[James OLC]

Dave, hope it is nothing major; give me a shout if there is anything I can do to help.

Betcha FUeL was a first for the guys at Race City...

[protour_chevelle]

did you run on the racecity track?

[Steve Chryssos]

Congrats and bummer. Hard mechanical problems do not temporarily fix themselves on restart. Not usually anywayz. So this smells like a fuel injection or ignition problem--maybe. Your EFI uses a different program for cold start. The problem re-occurred only after the starting cycle timed out. Perhaps a fried O2 sensor? Best to plug in a laptop and launch software diagnostics BEFORE starting the engine on Monday. Start it dead cold with diagnostics on the screen. If she purrs like a kitten when cold and then pops, farts and bangs when warmed up, then look to the electronics. If you don't want to take chances, then pull the valve covers/spark plugs and do an oil change before start up. Cut open the old filter. If the valvetrain and plugs are intact; and the oil/filter look acceptable, then put it back together and test. Also look for obviously burned wires such as at the O2 sensors.

It could be something very minor. (fingers crossed) The important thing is that you LISTENED to the engine while driving. Lots of guys don't pay attention. They just keep pushing until they drive over their crankshafts.

Was the oil pressure okay? Fuel pressure? Any smoke? Fire and Brimstone?

[monza]

Sorry to hear about the engine issues Dave. Fuel is a badass machine, got any pics from the track day?

Thanks, sorry the only pic I have is Fuel being loaded on the trailer:sick: (in my phone and I don't have the wire to down load in here)
I had another track event planed the next day, with a buddy coming to take photos... that unfortunately did not happen.

[monza]

Dave, hope it is nothing major; give me a shout if there is anything I can do to help.

Betcha FUeL was a first for the guys at Race City...

It was a first for sure nobody had any idea, a few guys said, wow big tires on your Camaro. I said nothing just went and drove. After pulling off I had a crowd, when I opened the hood... I should had that on film. I'm I'll stressing they're busy drooling.

[monza]

did you run on the racecity track?

Yea it's in rough shape but still very drivable.


Congrats and bummer. Hard mechanical problems do not temporarily fix themselves on restart. Not usually anywayz. So this smells like a fuel injection or ignition problem--maybe. Your EFI uses a different program for cold start. The problem re-occurred only after the starting cycle timed out. Perhaps a fried O2 sensor? Best to plug in a laptop and launch software diagnostics BEFORE starting the engine on Monday. Start it dead cold with diagnostics on the screen. If she purrs like a kitten when cold and then pops, farts and bangs when warmed up, then look to the electronics. If you don't want to take chances, then pull the valve covers/spark plugs and do an oil change before start up. Cut open the old filter. If the valvetrain and plugs are intact; and the oil/filter look acceptable, then put it back together and test. Also look for obviously burned wires such as at the O2 sensors.

It could be something very minor. (fingers crossed) The important thing is that you LISTENED to the engine while driving. Lots of guys don't pay attention. They just keep pushing until they drive over their crankshafts.

Was the oil pressure okay? Fuel pressure? Any smoke? Fire and Brimstone?

Thanks for the ideas and great tips. What your saying really makes sense. I just thought broken spring or something loose in there.

I'll let you know what we find.

Edit: Oil pressure was ok, Temp. Ok and full pressure seemed normal? One person said they saw small puff of white smoke, nobody else on the track saw it?

[protour_chevelle]

Right on! I'll have to come down there once I get mine on the road! I was just in your shop btw. Spent just over 400 bucks. I'm slowly making you more rich. hahah

[TonyL]

Good to hear you are beating on it. That's what these cars are meant for! I hope it turns out to be something simple!

[BA.]

Good to hear you are beating on it. That's what these cars are meant for! I hope it turns out to be something simple!

X2

props to ya!

[monza]

Have it figured out and I guess I got off easy, a damn nut broke to be specific:

Part number 4654-16 Comp cams Some would call the poly locks-rocker Arm adjusting nuts.

One nut on the drivers side, which is so weird because I would have bet money of the left side. I was never one to believe the electrical arc, but I do have to admit it was really odd reverberating sound.

So replaced all the nuts just to be on the safe side.

[TonyL]

*whew*

Im glad it wasn't terminal! That's weird for a poly lock to fail. I've never had a problem with mine.

[monza]

Ya weird for sure, the guess is maybe torqued to tight? That's why I replaced them all to check all the torques and yes they were tight. Who knows though, things break....

[Rybar]

Good to hear Dave, let's line up Fuel and my car for another friendly wager lol

[monza]

Good to hear Dave, let's line up Fuel and my car for another friendly wager lol

What, you get a Whipple! lol I'd love to come to Vancouver with Fuel this summer, but I think I have a busy summer planed.

[WS6]

hey that's good news. Just remember to check them before the next race day.

[monza]

Actually broken parts... (lame focus hopefully you can see) Pencil is just for scale.

anyone have these break before??