Oh those rolling roads

Mike Usiskin · Post by **Mike Usiskin** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 11:51 am

Hi All,

I'm taking the old lady up to Bob Watsons on Wednesday after having the engine rebuilt and now run in, the MFI pump rebuilt and the throttle bodies and linkages all set as per factory. Must say I'm really looking forward to it

Since I know almost nothing about rolling roads and/tuning etc. can anyone give me some tips on questions I should be asking etc. I don't want to have left Bob's thinking "now was there something else I should have been asking? or "I wish I understood all the info he's given me? (though that's a given I'm afraid

)
Any info would be great.

TTFN

Mike

johndglynn · Post by **johndglynn** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 1:03 pm

Bob will answer any questions you have no probs Mike, so don't be worried about looking like a new boy, he is used to it with people like me

There are a few things he can change, so you could ask him to explain how they interact up and down the rev range, how cars like yours typically like to be set up, how long it should be before the next session, whether the power output is likely to rise or fall over time as components settle, that sort of stuff. You can an also ask him what the common areas to watch are, he has a lot of stuff in his head that he doesn't realise is very interesting, so nice when some of that comes out.

Check your oil before you go on (makes you look a bit clued in) and maybe check the tyre pressures that day also. Other than that relax and enjoy watching your car on a heart monitor, it's brilliant when the numbers start going up (as they surely will).

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 1:38 pm

Mike, I can never fully get my head around the differences between main rack and idle rack, and how they should be set up together/separately.
Bob is an expert here and the dyno would be the best place to try to understand how they work, please pass it on if you can!

Simon Rudge · Post by **Simon Rudge** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 5:33 pm

Mike,

Before you get near the rolling road, make sure all the bits and pieces are as they should be, no pipes hanging off as you have not had time to fix that clip etc.

Bob should be able to advise on tyre pressures etc, operators have their own preferences and know their equipment. Take a foot pump and pressure gauge with you.

Make sure you have plenty of the fuel you ussually use in the car, there are variations between makes and it makes sense to get the best from the set up. You will use a fair bit of fuel on a rolling road usually.

Other than that, talk to the guys, they should be happy to explain what they are doing. You should really notice the difference on the way home!

Bob_Salmon · Post by **Bob_Salmon** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 5:45 pm

Mike, if it's your first time then be prepared to be very worried if not actually frightened!

Although logic says you run max revs on occassions, on the highway or track, when the same thing is experienced close up, and stationary, it really isn't very nice.

The first time I had the MFI set-up, I was dying to ask the guys to stop! I had visions of pistons flying out and all sorts of other mechanical disasters. Of course, like your first parachute jump, it seems quite normal next time.

Have faith!

Bob