xcarguy

RUN, MARAL!!! RUN!!! :smilielol5: Okay, just kidding. Maral, welcome to one of the most informative and most fun forums on the web. Great group, here. :seeya:

Mike, I've wondered the same thing. I'll admit, after experiencing how different my car felt in the turns, if the mods I did were laid out in front of me and I could only choose one, it would definitely be the wheel/tire combo followed by the wings and then power. I guess I did it bass-ackwards; pulled the engine first thing when the season ended for me last year, then slapped on the wings, and finally, the rolling stock. I like your data acquisition system; comes complete with a high-powered sense of humor. :jester:

So far, it seems all I've done is just sit here and sniff it and admire its uselessness. :toetap05: However, I've had both my hands in it this pile of muck this morning trying to shape into something productive. Spent the morning on the phone with Glen at TM, trying to work out a few issues with video writing, data overlay, vid/data sync, MY IGNORANCE, etc. . . . . . you know, just 'crap' like that. Saturday at Cresson was TM test-n-tune, along with a host of other trial and error stuff like new tires and wheels, engine mods, CF wings. Oh, and did I mention the weather du jour was mist and rain for most of the day? I'll have to say that running on a semi-wet track was interesting (first time for me . . . . yes, ran on slicks). What fun! Saturday morning started out with the TraqDash generating a blank screen when turned on (generating data, just no visual); turns out it was a temp-related calibration issue which I found out about . . . oh . . . 'today'. :banghead: Secondly, one of the Replay camera cables stopped working (conveniently, that very morning) and would NOT power up the camera (Glen at TM has a new one on the way). This issue left me with manually turning on the camera before each session which, in turn, tossed any hope of vid/sync out the window for that camera. (Sorry, there is no emoticon on this forum that relays exactly my emotional state at that particular point in time). Lastly, when the TM is powering the Replay camera/s, and an external mic is being used, there is unbearable noise interference picked up by the mic; this has been an ongoing issue with the Replay cables and is not a TM problem. TM is currently working on upgraded components (different cables) that will 'hopefully' resolve the problem and allow external mics to be used with the Replay camera while being powered by the TM. Glen at TM told me these components are 4-6 weeks out from being available and that he will simply swap components with me when ready. Because of the external mic issue, I resorted to using the internal mics of both cameras. I installed the wind breaker (and a modified muff) on both cameras . . . . . a worthless pursuit at best; wind noise is horrible. In hind sight, I wish I'd went with the lesser of two evils and used the external mics; I think the engine noise (under load) would have been enough to drown out most of the unwanted mic interference. Having said all of that, I have managed to 'just-now' finish butchering my first (maybe only) short video from Saturday and will post it later on boob-tube and link it on this thread. If there is any good to be said about Saturday, regardless of my ranting and ignorance, I had a blast as usual; even the Porsche owners where nice and friendly (might be a Texas thing). And while I'm not particularly an ET chaser, at the end of the day, I managed my quickest lap time (at least according to the TM data). Last year, my best guess-timated lap time was in the neighborhood of 1:23ish for the 1.7ccw course. I finished up Saturday (same track and direction) with a GPS generated 1:16.8. I suppose the changes to the car, weight loss for the idiot behind the wheel and the Gregorian chants while studying others drivers lines via video worked to some extent. Croc, I even thought about you Saturday; twice as a matter of fact . . . . both times I was sitting in the grass watching cars roll by that I had just passed. :smilielol5: I'll be sure and make a video of that also. I'll call it How to Run Cresson in 2:00 or greater. It wouldn't have been so bad, but the track was dry both times. :iamwithstupid:

Earlier last week, Storker :jester: #85 got a Traqmate system install. :smash: Here’s a link to the file in the Stalker Gallery: http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=25221 . . . . . . . :ack:

:ack: . . . . . . :svengo:

I can't find a pot of gold anywhere . . . . . Okay, I'm waiting . . . . . opened hand. :smilielol5: Buy the fleabay helmet. When bigdog gives you flak, I'll protect your head as you go sliding gracefully under the bus. :jester: . . . . :cheers:

On fleabay: 2003 Birkin. Anybody know this car? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lotus-Super-Seven-2003-BIRKIN-S3-LOTUS-SUPER-7-CA-CAR-SB100-2-0-5-SPEED-/221396770438?forcerrptr=true&hash=item338c469e86&item=221396770438&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

:smilielol5:!!! . . . Too funny!

Blokko, Welcome aboard! :seeya: . . . . . :cheers:

Yessir!

My two cents if it helps; running WCM Ultralite fenders on my Stalker (thanks, WestTex). . . . Stick with 8's up front (keep the tire under the fender). FWIW, I'm running 9.5" wide wheels on the rear

Mario took the Stalker out for a ten mile test hop today! :cheers:

I heat shrink on EVERY connection and wrap exposed sections of the wiring harness with split braided sleeving (available from Summit Racing): http://www.summitracing.com/parts/aww-510156/overview/ I also use cold shrink tape on the ends of the sleeving: http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/CTI0/85274/N0226.oap?ck=Search_N0226_-1_-1&pt=N0226&ppt=C0335 Here is an example of the use of all three; heat shrink (far right in photo), split braid and cold shrink tape (center).

Mario has a winch mounted up high; uses it to hoist the trailer upright and out of the way. :cheers:

Good Lord, Russian Mig helmets with iPod upgrades and silicone putty ear plugs . . . . I wonder if Silly Putty would get the job done? And Klasik, there you go again with that Porsche . . . . Getting yourself thrown back under the bus. Dasvidaniya!

The Polar Bear Blat sounds like a real hoot, and definitely not for the timid. Any Stalkers in the mix for next year?

JohnK, time to dust off the skill and work your loom magic for Bill and Paul.

Never mind the noise issue, I want a leather helmet like AndyB's!

Had sixty-seventy degree highs for most of the week here in south AR . . . . . Just sayn'. Oh yeah, been sunny too.

Mario sent me this photo. His Stalker has come a long way since the F-150 challenge. :smash::smash::smash:

Might give this a shot: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Smiths-Water-Temp-Sender-Telemetrix-International-Gauge-/360843413031

Well, Steve, I thought for sure I would've gotten slammed by now. :jester:

CASwede, If you do decide to replace the gauge, I might consider another electric unit; easy, clean install. I was suggesting the mechanical for testing because I think it may be cheaper than an electric gauge. Again, just a thought.

This should help. :cheers:

CASwede, If you don't mind spending the money, purchase a 'relatively' cheap temp gauge (mechanical) from O'Reilly, Auto Zone, etc. It will come with a sending unit; hook up the gauge (outside of the car) and see what it reads. Alleviate the possibility of the problem being something other than the sending unit . . . . . just a thought. :smash: