Stage 4 and my transmission

[Showgun]

I don't know if I'd describe it as rough, but definitely more noticeable/firm at WOT than stock.

-Rick

That's my point Rick....I've heard varying descriptions making it hard to quantify--
As I said, starting with 2 would seem to be prudent for me and then make my own judgments.

What sticks in my mind is that your SHO runs Stage 2 and runs very well to boot.

 

[mjhpadi]

Hmm, Dan Millen's Mustang sure looks a lot like a Pro Mod car....and he must be good, you don't become part of the AL-ANABI team without some outstandingly consistent performance!

 

[Showgun]

I agree Rick, I never felt that the shift was rough even under WOT, I think it feels firmer, but not like it is "banging" the transmission. I think it feels like a nice firm shift...never ever have I felt like it was ******* the trans.

Nothing I hate more than the proverbial 'slushbox', mj -- that's what I want to stay away from -- I want to at least feel those shifts even at part throttle.

If I can't feel the shifts, to me it's like driving a CVT (UGGG/barf-- boring)

 

[Showgun]

Hmm, Dan Millen's Mustang sure looks a lot like a Pro Mod car....and he must be good, you don't become part of the AL-ANABI team without some outstandingly consistent performance!

......he must have cast iron cajones too. That's PDQ isn't it.
Yes I know there are faster classes and God bless them too -- those guys are outright wacked not just brave (IMHO-)

 

[LMSRick]

Hmm, Dan Millen's Mustang sure looks a lot like a Pro Mod car....and he must be good, you don't become part of the AL-ANABI team without some outstandingly consistent performance!

It's actually an Extreme 10.5 car. Basically a Pro Mod on a small tire. He has the record for the class and won the Championship in Qatar in 2010 and 2011 and the Championship in the US in 2010. The 2011 season starts in 2 weeks.

-Rick

 

[LMSRick]

[youtube]og65Te_QqkY[/youtube]

His old car... another record setting multi-championship winning car

[YOUTUBE]RNxHvMMD5VY[/YOUTUBE]

Driving to get lunch

[YOUTUBE]19w-iZuPcEE[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Fordnatic]

As to availability of race gas -- The only suggestion I would have is to visit your local municipal airport with a 5 gallon can or 2 whom I believe have 100 octane on any given day.

It's true that av gas is 100 octane. However it's 100LL, or 100 Low Lead. Low Lead for av gas, but it has more lead than leaded auto fuel ever did. I don't think your cats would live long using 100LL. For a muscle car or anything without cats it's great for mixing. I saw a guy put 5 gal in his GTO just the other day at the self serve pump.

 

[Showgun]

It's true that av gas is 100 octane. However it's 100LL, or 100 Low Lead. Low Lead for av gas, but it has more lead than leaded auto fuel ever did. I don't think your cats would live long using 100LL. For a muscle car or anything without cats it's great for mixing. I saw a guy put 5 gal in his GTO just the other day at the self serve pump.

Wow, I thought we got rid of all our leaded gas decades ago...I had no idea that there are still exceptions.....cool beans.. thanks for saying.....

I do know that cats and O2 sensors are very sensitive to the fuel that's in the tank and to whatever is added to the fuel -- like lead, octane booster, and even gas line antifreeze that may be harmful to fuel line metals and intakes.

Should any of these sensors/converters become coated with crap or dirty, they'll need replacement at substantial cost.

I wonder if there's a website/source of information that would explain all these things about fuels and additives and their uses?
I use a fuel injector cleaner quite regularly (every 5k miles) to help with mileage by keeping the injectors in good shape -- I'm wondering now if that could be a bad thing in light of the car's sensitivity.

I'll have to do a little research.

Thanks again for the input.

 

[Snorman]

VP carries several options for unleaded race gas. Your local speed shop should be able to get it in 5-gallon pails.
Fuel injector cleaner won't hurt anything, and they aren't as sensitive as you may think.
Lead, however, is tough on cats and O2 sensors. On cars running C16, you'll see a buildup of a white powder-type substance in the tailpipes/exhaust.
S.

 

[Blackwire1217]

Ive been running the stage 4 for about 2 months now and have no issues or problems with it. It shifts beautifully WOT, the only thing i can see some of you talking about is when I am stuck in bumper to bumper traffic and am the slightest bit on the gas and it decides to shift to 2nd. That is a hard shift and everybody in the car feels it and asks "What was that!?!?" with a shocked look on there face, but that happens seldom. Oh and ive been running it on 93.

 

[darreli]

I ran the Stage 4 most of the summer and fall and pretty much up until it snowed on 93 octane without any problems. I did put a few gallons of 100 octane unleaded in for the track a couple times. I personally think the tune is pretty safe on 93 octane but I understand Dan's point in running a race gas mix. He has a business and reputation he needs to protect and would rather be safe then sorry. Im a firefighter/paramedic and we run all the time on people who call their doctor and he/she tells them to "go to the er" 9.5 times out of 10 there is no reason for the them to go to the ER but it's that .5 that the doctor doesnt want to be responsible for.

 

[Showgun]

I ran the Stage 4 most of the summer and fall and pretty much up until it snowed on 93 octane without any problems. I did put a few gallons of 100 octane unleaded in for the track a couple times. I personally think the tune is pretty safe on 93 octane but I understand Dan's point in running a race gas mix. He has a business and reputation he needs to protect and would rather be safe then sorry. Im a firefighter/paramedic and we run all the time on people who call their doctor and he/she tells them to "go to the er" 9.5 times out of 10 there is no reason for the them to go to the ER but it's that .5 that the doctor doesnt want to be responsible for.

I understand, Darreli, (brother firefighter -- Local 499 Canada here). -- Dan Millen would probably also recommend a mix of a little race gas to also compensate for a variance in octane in gas that we buy from place to place and time to time -- It would also help if one got a bad tank which happens infrequently but you read about it sometimes. (tho that scenario would be a lot more serious to my mind).

BTW I'm retired now -- did 25 and took the 75 factor a few years ago when the window was opened to reduce staff.
Waiting for my new toy -- Should be here within a week.

Cheers

 

[Fishrising]

For those experiencing the issue, can you get an audio clip or video clip with sound of what you are hearing? I experience "something" too. I haven't determined what to call it yet. At first I thought it was the front wheels breaking traction before the AWD kicks in, but with windows open I don't hear any chirping. Next time I am alone in the vehicle I'll see if I can capture it on my iPhone and post it, which will be tomorrow some time.

 

[way2evil]

It feels like a shudder almost like the transmission is slipping going from 1st to 2nd due to the power of the car. To be honest it doesnt feel like its going to be fun in another 25-30k miles.

 

[Snorman]

A shudder?
Maybe wheelhop?
S.

 

[Fishrising]

How would one define "wheelhop?" I'm with way2evil, studder is the best I can describe it at the moment as well. I don't think it's the tranny slipping, but it could be. It seems to be wheel and traction related but no tire chirping (that's 2nd -> 3rd).

 

[TaurusBuilder]

Kinda off subject, but I think the trannys are just fine. I personally plan to beat the crap out of this car and trade it in 2years before the warranty is out. Just saying.

 

[TaurusBuilder]

Is that messed up?

 

[way2evil]

Same plan as me. Just dont want any premature break downs.

 

[Snorman]

How would one define "wheelhop?" I'm with way2evil, studder is the best I can describe it at the moment as well. I don't think it's the tranny slipping, but it could be. It seems to be wheel and traction related but no tire chirping (that's 2nd -> 3rd).

Wheelhop is exactly that.
The tire bounces off the ground at a relatively high frequency. You don't hear the tires chirp and it won't trigger the traction control in all instances.
S.