3.5L goes back to Pikes Peak

[Todd TCE]

Just thought I'd mention to all the SHO heads out there that after a five year absence I'll be headed back to Pikes Peak in July for another run on the hill. This will be the first run with the 3.5L motor as the last time (07) was still running the 3.2L. Hoping to make a bit more torque and pull out of the corners a bit better but I suspect I'll give up the top end still to the bigger motors.

Entered in Open Wheel where in 03 we finished third against them. This year...who knows. Just can't pull 125mph against a 355ci push rod motor with this car. Harder now also to out drive them in the low to mid speed turns (as found in 07) since they can put down the power now easier than before whereas I could keep up the speed more. Still; hoping to give them a run and some time last June back east on the pavement shows with a bit of tuning the car still has some life in it!

Mt. Washington June 2011

 

[firebat45]

More details? 93mm stroker?

 

[Ishodu]

I would love a ride in that thing. Very nice driving Todd.

 

[Off Road SHO]

Todd,

Good job, very impressive. You're down about 160 cubic inches and yet still pull to within 2 spots of first place? That is a huge win in my book. That has got to be discouraging for the pushrod guys. Good job.

So can I assume you don't need a block from me anymore?

Tom

 

[typhoon5000]

That's awesome! I can't wait to see that thing scream up the hill, make sure to get video!

 

[jayro]

Todd,

Good job, very impressive. You're down about 160 cubic inches and yet still pull to within 2 spots of first place? That is a huge win in my book. That has got to be discouraging for the pushrod guys. Good job.

Tom

I agree with this 100%. The fact that you are competative while giving up that much displacment says a ton about your skill. Too bad they don't have a v6 class. I'm guessing a low boost turbo setup is not in the rule cards either?

 

[jayro]

More details? 93mm stroker?

In one of his other posts he mentions its a stroker with a 92mm bore. I think it is an offset ground crank that was rehardened and then he source rods from a different motor. Details would be awsome!

 

[Todd TCE]

Thanks guys.

Yes down on HP but the car was built for the former sub 3.5L class that is no longer running so we'll have to compete with the bigger motors. The third in 01 was with the 3.0L motor which later became a 3.2 with which it last made the run in 07 and set the records for the class- qualifying and race.

The motor has been 3.5L for a few years but thus far has not proven to be outright faster. More torque and less rpm but no more pure speed. At least not on the clock. Pretty much matched my best time at another event with it but did not beat it. May not see an increase in straight line speed up there this year but may we can 'pull' some more time up the inclines??

Yes offset ground crank and 92mm bore. Custom JE pistons and a 13:1cr makes some power. Right now the motor does not have that much time on it really. Hoping it wears in a bit more and loosens up some.

Ran well at Mt. Washington and scared some folks I think who dismissed us from the very get-go as a car that "won't be competitive here". They didn't say much after the times started showing up. It was a fun time.

While I can still hold my own driving it the car is more the star. It's pretty darn easy to drive and offers very good tactical feedback. Some more changes to the front tires for the Peak should help a bit more still and I'm also looking at gearing issues for the upper portion.

I'll have to pass on the block for now Tom. Still on the "fun to do with more money" list but I just can't swing another engine build right now! Just don't toss out any good 3.0 blocks without calling....

 

[yamahaSHO]

Like! I may come out this year. I may be tuning one of the Subaru's for the event. If that's the case, I'm there!

 

[Shoaz]

Good to see you heading back to PP and looking forward to you doing well. Holler if you need help with anything.

 

[SHOmanBC]

All I can say Tod is...WOW!
Second only to Pro Rally Star David Higgins and the factory Subaru Rally Team thats excellent!!

Here's Higgins First place record run http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PSheuIa4h0

Can't wait for PP.

 

[Todd TCE]

Thanks. I'm sure I could have closed that gap with more seat time. Taking nothing away from his run; that team put in dozens of upper section runs in both the street car and race car on day two after practice. I got a half a run in the race car (couldn't see and was worried about getting hit by a street car) and two times to see it in the mini van...ever.

Another huge advantage to him was the use of Pastrana's co-driver notes which were used in his ipod each run as a co-driver. Brilliant strategy although some of the other guys didn't feel quite so much the same.

 

[SHOVNST]

Very impressive stuff Todd!

Any video of your run(s)?

 

[typhoon5000]

Thanks. I'm sure I could have closed that gap with more seat time. Taking nothing away from his run; that team put in dozens of upper section runs in both the street car and race car on day two after practice. I got a half a run in the race car (couldn't see and was worried about getting hit by a street car) and two times to see it in the mini van...ever.

Another huge advantage to him was the use of Pastrana's co-driver notes which were used in his ipod each run as a co-driver. Brilliant strategy although some of the other guys didn't feel quite so much the same.

So you're not allowed to have a co-driver or he ditched him for the weight savings?

 

[jayro]

Very impressive stuff Todd!

Any video of your run(s)?

x2. I wanna see that thing in action

 

[Off Road SHO]

So you're not allowed to have a co-driver or he ditched him for the weight savings?

Todd's car is a single seater. A Coyote Wells chassis, I believe.

Tom

 

[Todd TCE]

You cannot have a co-driver in the unlimited class we ran in is all. There's no rule against what the team did however. As best I can tell they started the tape a tad early making his run a 'catch up' of sorts to the co-driver notes. Brilliant strategy really.

VIDEO (long intro, sorry)

There are others by searching Mt. Washingto, Todd Cook or Well Coyote even. Wife found a half dozen clips.

 

[SHOmanBC]

That is brilliant when you don't have a co-driver to change the pace of the pace notes.
Like Higgins said its hard to go back to driving by sight when your so used to have the co-driver telling you whats over the blind crest or around that blind corner.

I'm sure if he had the same practice time and no ipod that gap would have been a smaller.

 

[Todd TCE]

I thought it was a great strategy. I can appreciate anyone who's thinking outside the box a bit- that's what makes for some great competition. Now...all I gotta do is figure out how to make sense of this recording....hmm

 

[jayro]

Man, that was awsome!!! Just watching it made me a little nervous on the parts with the big drop off at the edge of the road. Great driving...very smooth. It was neat to watch how you kept the line as straight/smooth as possible when the road was going all over the place.