Sterling Doc wrote:


If I understand this correctly.....even guys with good solid motors won't be able to make 138HP?
Then why 138 with a 140 cap?? Why not 136 with a 138 cap or even a little lower, say 135 with a 137 cap?? Something that everyone would be able to attain without such a "serious effort"?? That serious effort sounds like serious $$$$$.

RacerX wrote:


As I understand it, the number was decided upon based on where the majority of the cars lie on the power output. I believe they are assuming that the bell curve average of cars all across the country to be in the 135-136 HP range. In order to capture the vast majority of the cars without impact, they chose a cap just above where the vast majority sit on that bell curve. Additionally, I think they understand that there will be further progression in output as people get more effecient at massaging these motors together. I believe this to affect only a very few of us but in time, the class will get better at tuning/building to that number.

Eric, my mistake I assumed that you were listing the 1,2&3 place cars.

As far as the video goes I was pointing out that better corner exit speed will look like HP. Alot of drivers will make an asuumption that the guy driving away from them on corner exit is HP when it is most likely better car set up and driving skill.

I am stating this as a driver who has seen and been on both sides of this situation.

It is good to see this many drivers voicing their opinion on this subject.

cbuzzetti wrote:


Altitude.
Altitude is an important factor that most of us ignore, yet it affects the engine’s performance possibly more than any other element. The general formula for power loss with increases in altitude is 3 percent for every 1,000 feet above sea level. If you race in Colorado at 5,000 feet instead of in California at sea level, you can expect to lose about 15 percent of the engine’s potential power output, if the engine is tuned properly.
Air is thinner at higher altitudes, which means there’s less fuel-burning oxygen than at sea level. You might sense a common theme here: less air (oxygen) means less fuel to maintain the proper air/fuel ratio. So, running at higher altitudes requires a leaner mixture setting than running at sea level.

So if you were making 137 at 4000ft altitude well then you are making really big power at sea level.

SAE correction does attempt to correct for altitiude. In raw numbers, Charlie's car was making a lot less than 137 HP at Miller (on that dyno run). Our cars altitude correction is primitive, at best, and major changes throw the cars out of tune. Re-tuning is easier than changing jets on a carb, but not automatic & precise like modern EFI systems. Our cars are 25+ years old now!

Ag Racer - well said

Charlie - its all good, we're just getting deep in the weeds. I get your point on corner exit speed. Some day, it would be interesting to sit down with data.

What I'm really liking in this thread is all the enthusiasm for getting back to Nationals!

It would be awesome to see 25+ cars at Miller again.