Special getting closer...

[911hillclimber]

Wife will not allow me to run Gurston!
Too dangerous for her mind!

I'm off to the Charity shop to find some 'Elton john' boots which dates me somewhat.
Self disciplin I think is the order of the day.
The repairs are great, that welding on the upright was superb and a pity to paint over it.
An aerospace qualified guy did it for me as i have neither the skill or equipment for that! (would love a TIG welder)

Loton Park Championship race this weekend then a 2 week hols in Italy for brownie points by the skip load

[911hillclimber]

Loton was nice and dry for my 3 runs in the car, and all loked well for pressing on to see if the lack of speed is ME or IT.

First run was a miserable 61.09 (done this hill in 59 secs in my 911), but a good start at 2.06secs for the 64 feet marker.
Second run was 60.93, start 2.1 and all the other sector times and speeds within 0.1 secs!
Third run was 60.86, 2.12 and sector time to 0.2 secs os previous runs.

Mr Consistancy in this car!

I have checked the throttle pedal total movement (to the stop) = exactly the PMO max throttle position.

This car just will not go quicker, and is slower than last year by 2 seconds!

I just am not sure this engine is delivering the goods despite the rollers result.
Weighs 610Kg with me in it, 270 bhp = 440 bhp/ton
My 911T/3,2 is 1050 Kg 220 bhp = 209 bhp/ton

Hill times are the same.

Lola has 14" wide AVON slicks, 911 has 205 list 1B Kumho road tyres....

There is some thing very wrong here with this Lola as it stands.

Just wish I knew what.



Seriously thinking of removing the 911 engine and fitting something that works.
A standard Impreza flat 4 with stock turbo gives 270 bhp, and with it's gearbox converted to 2 wheel drive (easy DIY), rifle bolt gear change etc it is very temping indeed.

Well dissapointed.

[gridgway]

Do you have any onboard video of the runs in 911 and Lola to compare.

It makes no sense with the power to weight ratios and the differences in tyres to be getting slower times.

What's happening on the corners to stop you being faster in them? Understeer, oversteer?

Also you could go somewhere and time acceleration to see whether it's right for the power to weight.

If you don't have any data logging, I have got a spare DL1 you could borrow if it helps at all?

Graham

[MikeB]

Sorry to hear that you are disappointed , Graham.

Have you done any of track time, as suggested here and on Uphill Racers yet?

Do you have any data logging facility, do you know what you are revving it to through the gears?

Even if the engine was only producing the same power as the 911, it will still be quicker, due to being lighter.

However, if you are not comfortable and confident in the Lola, then you might be best to step back to the 911 and enjoy your motorsport.

[911hillclimber]

No data logging, but 20 years racing at the same venues in my 911, the 360 bhp Impreza and the Lola i have a good seat-of-the-pants feel and this car is no better than the 911 which is daft.

I know I'm no hot-shot driver, but 59 in the 911 and 56 in the Impreza I know I am faster on this hill.

The car does not over/under steer, runs straight, stops true and well, but it just does not feel fast anywhere. I was doing 60's in the 911 10 years ago.

I am very very close to finishing with the whole escapade and going back to my 911.

Thanks for the offer Graham, very kind of you, but i think any analysis is pointless, I am so far away from this car.
Mike: a test day will be used on a sprint track.

If 2011 takes me no further, then that's it.
This is not fun, just constant frustration.
Can this engine really have dropped from 270 bhp to 170?

[Gary71]

It's not geared to do 250mph is it?

[911hillclimber]

If only it could be that simple Gary!
No, fist is a bit taller, but not noticably.
Taking 4th at the top of the hill and i know third on the limiter is 80!

my old Impreza got written-off yesterday, roof down onto the cage so track was very fast. not sure how well the lola would fare in such a barrel roll.

I need to try something different in my appraoch today, just cannot think what though.

Maybe something will click.

[Nige]

Isn't the engine just a boggo standard 3.2 on PMOs? If so how is it seeing 270bhp?

[gridgway]

This is how (back in April)...

Just spoken to Bob....
I think he is trying to kill me as he has dialed a huge 269 bhp and 234 lbft from this little car by "throwing-out the rule book" and jetting it to work.
Hot Rod style, just right for this Lola.

[911hillclimber]

Today at Loton started wet, and then went wet and finished very wet. Never been so bloody wet in all my life.
Didn't bother with the second runs and came home to start the drying out 'process' with 5 old towels all sopping wet. Wet wet wet.!

The car was scarey when you squeeeeezed the throttle, what a waste of time.
Pulled a plug this morning, black as the ace of spades.

I've emailed the ever helpful Richard Parr, boss of PMO, for the cost of the 3.2 'starter' parts, 35mm chokes, set jets etc. Time to go back to basics.
Have also sized-up the 2.3 L Duratec 4 pot and the flat 4 turbo Impreza engine i know so well. Latter is 270 bhp and an electric gearbox, no lazy 915!



Off to Italy for 2 weeks hols on tuesday, so time to contemplate this car and discuss with Mrs Hillclimber..

The Vauxhaul VX200 turbo is beconning!

[Bruce M]

First things first......

Shut the garage door, switch off the grey cells and go enjoy a couple of weeks in Italy.

We'll still be here when you get back.

[911hillclimber]

Ha! If only.

Car took 3 hours to clean off and water still weeping out of the alum tub. Hour of WD40 today, then taking your advice. Off to the Italian Lakes with a FILM camera. (Pentax Spotmatic)

I find this whole project still unfinished business until i can go as fast as the old Impreza in the dry.

[911hillclimber]

Prescott today was actually POSITIVE for a change.(!)

I have some good advisors I respect there racing their 911's (well, GT3's actually) and this has helped me.

Car is definitly running just too rich, and after a good clearing of it's PMO's had a good set of starts, but I do need to hold onto the taller 2nd we put in the box. I think i agree with 'my people' on the startline I am changing to 3rd far too soon to drive on the torque.

If the good weather stays with us tomorrow, will push a good deal harder.

Nearly into the 48's today, but still slower than Bob Mortimer in his RS.

I have the details now from PMO of the jetting of the 46mm carbs for the stock 3.2, inc the use of 38mm chokes which I think are a bit too big, but Bruce Anderson also says 38mm.
Tempted to get some 36mm.

The hillclimb season takes a summer break very soon, time to swop the carb jets etc and try it out a-new.

[911hillclimber]

Got deep to the 48's with a 48.13 so some progress.
Several said it sounds 'not right' so i hope this is just the rich carbs.

Missed to gear changes due to rushing in the hot weather this afternoon which was irritating.

So, get the jets, DIY fitment and start afresh with the carbs still with the 38mm chokes.

Oddest of things happened this morning. Came to start it, turned the power ON, turned the fuel pump on and the engine started without the starter motor.....

Spooks.

[gridgway]

Good news on the improved times, well done!

What you have is a timing problem. I suspect the little cylinder pushing pixies are not working together. So you need to whip them into shape and get them to all push together at the right time.

And tell them that you are in charge of when to start the pushing and any more spontaneous cylinder pushing will not be tolerated.

HTH
Graham