They do this a lot faster during elims! Interesting to me how the head gasket thickness affects compression ratio.
We also have the ability change the blower overdrive in the lanes and nitro % two pair before we run.Thanks Alan. Yes, I have heard of shaving the heads. Old hot rodder trick that goes back to.... at least 1930's. I think they called it milling the heads, cuz was usually done in a machine shop. I find it very interesting that the teams wait until the last minute to assemble the engine, determined by gasket size. How many gasket thicknesses are there? Must be a bunch, to cope with conditions. Man this sport is soooo hi tech anymore. I have watched videos of T/F in late 90's, and sometimes they didn't even pull the heads. Dick LaHaie would tune by checking the bearings. They still ran high 4's in the 1/4 mile.....
Also to answer your head gasket question, we carry sizes from .060 to .120 and obviously multiples of each size.Thanks Tony. I always see the crew chief inside the "box", making some last second change.
When Tim Richards was Joe Amato's crew chief, the trailer's head gasket inventory was over 1500 pieces . Multiples in .002" increments.Also to answer your head gasket question, we carry sizes from .060 to .120 and obviously multiples of each size.
Just to add, and correct me if I'm wrong, timing, fuel and clutch activation can also be adjusted in the lanes.We also have the ability change the blower overdrive in the lanes and nitro % two pair before we run.
You can but we don't ever cut it that close.Don't forget the tire pressure can also be changed right up until they start the car.
Yes you are correct, although I don't think we ourselves mess with the fuel curve at that point.Just to add, and correct me if I'm wrong, timing, fuel and clutch activation can also be adjusted in the lanes.