I knew I should've given the car a rest after Brands last week. Remember rule #1: if you have a gut feeling you shouldn't do something, DON'T.

Ok, it's not too bad I think. Didn't even intend to go to the strip yesterday, but I woke up at 6 and it wasn't raining so I packed up and went. Only 1gal of race gas, so I'd have to run my Street file.

Got there and the track was still wet. Took until noon to dry it, and it was cloudy and the air was wet. Not ideal conditions by any means. First run, turned "off" PSM and lined up. Launched and slipped the clutch WAY too hard. I burned the hell out of it, smells like clutch even now. ALWAYS take the fuse out! Horrible run followed by 12 more horrible runs - best of the day was an 11.85 @ 125 with a 2.17 60'. Wheel hop on every launch. I am a little pleased that I'm running more or less the same MPH at 17lbs and Street file now, than last year at 22lbs on the Race program.

PROBLEM #1: After the run, I pop the hatch open to look around. I see fluid bubbling out of the valve on the reservoir with "Pentosin" written on the cap. Here's a pic:



What is that, the clutch fluid? Why is it bubbling leaking out of the relief valve?

PROBLEM #2: So I pull the PSM fuse and get on with more runs because I'm pissed (clutch is ok but a little chattery). Curiously enough, now the speedo no longer works, nor does the odometer. RPMs show fine, and PSM is off. What the hell? After I pop the fuse back in, all is back to normal except the miles I've run are not registered. Hmmmm.


A few more runs into it, I'm cooling down in the lanes and a guy I know runs up and says that my passenger side rear wheel is wobbling/floating on my passes. Look underneath and can't tell if anything is broken. Car just didn't feel right. Damn road racing.

PROBLEM #3: Sounds like I torqued some of my bushings or broke a drop link? This weekend I intend to drop it off at Parr since I don't want to even attempt to repair whatever's going on, and have them do: the rear sway bar and bushings, drop links, maybe upgrade the lower control arms (if possible?), and change out my brake pads and fluid. From the description of the problem, any ideas what it might be? And any suggestions of what else to do - can I replace the subframe bushings with poly too? I want all of the play out pronto.


Thanks for your feedback, I'm a little down on the car right now.

 

i think you should jack it up and check your control arms and most of the suspension for bends or anything out of the ordinary... and you should open up about 80 on the freeway and let go of your steering wheel and see if it pulls to anothers side dramatically... your best bet is to see a certified Porsche mechanic

 

Have them take a look at your rear wheel bearings also. Mine were toast. A known problem.

 

Thanks for your feedback, I'm a little down on the car right now. [/QUOTE]


17 or so max effort drag launches??? The car's probably a little down on you......

 

Only 13! And the ones where I missed a shift or had garbage launches I only stayed in it enough to keep ahead of the other car.

I went head-to-head with a guy I know in his "600 hp" 997TT tippy for 5 runs. I consistently trapped 5mph and 0.1 better. Hmmmm... Could be worse as his friend in a Lambo Gallardo blew up his tranny on the first run (3rd one for him ) and the F360 was running 13.9's @ 105...

 

No ideas guys? Figure I'll order the GT3 sway bar, bushings, AP drop links, AP rear control arms, and TRG rear toe arms - replace everything, and even if that doesn't do it I'll have greatly improved handling anyway.

The Pentosin bubbling has me confused though...

 

The Pentosin fill is for clutch and power steering fluid. My guess is that you got the clutch hot enough to boil some of the hydraulic fluid.

Broken sway bar links won't make your wheels wobble...

 

Good runs Jimmer!
A 600 hp 997TT was running in the 12's at 120 mph? Wow.

MK

 

Yeah, supposedly 600 (programming, filter, exhaust). It was a tippy and you could tell at every one of my shifts. Caught him at the end though no probs.

With a good track and a tad more boost I should run some fast times this year on my little K16's...

 

I hate you and your 125mph Maybe I will get to the track with the new clutch and see if I pick up any. I went 12.4 @ 118 leaving like a stop light (2.4 60ft) and then went a 11.8 @ 118 (1.72 60ft) The next pass the clutch was useless. So I think maybe I will pick up a few mph with a good clutch.. but not 125

Hopefully you get the stuff fixed. I am afraid I may do the same sometime.

 

I hate YOU and your GT30 hybrids Chris! LOL!

Once I'm satisifed that I've explored the limits of the K16's (maybe 10's?), the arms race is back on brotha and I'm gonna get some secret weaponry too!

How'd you get the 1.72 60'? That's damn good! Did you drop it from 3500? My best this last trip was a 1.9x. I suck. All I seem to get is wheel hop. Hopefully my rear suspension mods/fix will rid me of some of that.