STANG KILLA SS Goes Racin (2024)

NASA @ COTA
Whew what a weekend!

Clutch & Torque Tube:
3 days before race day, we replaced the clutch and rebuilt the torque tube. First time going threw this ordeal.

replaced the bearings and rubber couplers on the torque tube itself

Installed Fidanza flywheel. 13.3lbs vs 26lbs stock

I had ordered a RAM Powergrip HD clutch which i had used and liked on the SS, but when it was time to install it didnt have the dowel holes, and was 1/2" too tall in height. apparently i had ordered a LS1 version, not an LS7 version. Luckily we had also ordered another stock LS7 clutch just in case. Had to install that due to time, its what was in the car before and worked fine.

Vibes:
From the very first lap of racers warm-up Saturday morning, it was obvious something was seriously wrong. i had MAJOR vibrations when i would hit 75mph and above. They were massive. I could see the roof moving 1/4" away from the cage. the doors, steering, mirror, hood, the entire car was trying to destroy itself. All speed based, not RPM. It was obvious we had put something back together wrong in the driveline. Im really suprised the windshield survived. i had to double zip tie the mirror to the cage to keep it from vibrating off.

Oil Temps:
The rest of the weekend i was also fighting oil temps. they would pass 300 degrees in just a few laps. and i would have to back off, and just limp around trying to keep them hovering around 300.
My dual coolers in the fenders simply didnt work.
Tried blocking the opening between the engine bay, and the fender cavity, to keep the hot header air out. Made a little block off panel in the hotel the previous night.

That didnt help so eventually removed the entire rear/lower fender liner.

also added a little ghetto gurney flat to encourage the exit

sadly none of this helped. either there simply wasnt enough air passing threw, or it wasnt cool enough air, or the ebay coolers were simply junk.

FIRE!
Race #4 was the final race on sunday and was 40 minutes. It was 95 degrees out. For the last 20 minutes i had already been at half throttle, and shifting at 4-5k trying to get the 300 oil back down to 270 ish. On the last lap coming into T12 i started smelling something toxic smelling. Like chemically. Ie not clutch/brakes and not a burning smell like wood or paper. Made my eyes burn to the point i couldnt keep them open. Not smoke like, just more chemically/stinging feeling.
By T19 and 20 i had smoke in the car as i took the checkered. As I approached T1 it was getting worse. I knew i had to stop. Luckily been to all the GT pro races and know theres always a truck parked inside fence of T1, and the run off and stand in T2 would be the best spot for fast help.
I pull over and get out. Still just smoke, no fire. Good news, as i get to marshalls stand for a few coughs and for some reason shaking my head trying to get rid of the eye stinging so i can keep them open, I turn back to the car to see about 8" ball of fire in the drivers collector/oil filter area. ie the bottom of the drivers firewall area. i run back to the car to grab my hand held extinguisher. Things arent out of hand yet. All that was needed. Well it takes me awhile to remove it. by the time i get it free, things had escalated and flames were coming out of the hood i had luckily poped on exit. I go to spray the flames but the extinguisher runs out really quickily. Rescue gets there and pulls me away from the car.
Seconds seemed like minutes as they fiddled with the hose as the flames continued. They get to dousing it finally but it keeps wanting to come back, but finally its out.
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From up top no noticeable hot spot as deep as you can see. Random melted bits, wires, coil pack, plug wire, injector harness, and hoses, brake reservoir etc. Surprisingly not alot of damage.

I knew nothing about the fire on the pedals until i watched the gopro that night. but this is where most of the damage occured, the firewall gromet, column and pedal harnesses all got burned up. Even the steering column bushings melted.

Also during the fire i lost the clutch. its just a free swinging pedal now. Inside theres a melted hose hanging that matches the brake booster hose and white fitting under the hood, and my wife also found a 2x3" melted circuit board just laying in the floor board that night. So i have a hunch behind the gauges is a melted mess. Water hose probly didnt help as power was till on. I noticed The auto blip had constant power so i assume it melted to a live positive above the pedals.

But the car survived and will be back. Bummer for how the weekend went as i had family and freinds come to watch and support at this one race since so close to home.

Once back home and on lift we go underneath to our surprise there is no damage, it looked exactly as it had when we did the clutch and torque tube.
we did find a Fuel leak. where the 12" rail braided line, meets the main hardline at the firewall. Later at Gspeed this end was found to be damaged beyond use. My guess the vibrations were rubbing metal on metal (thin) and the joint finally gave out. its also visably heated/burned the braided stainless fuel line.

The Good news is the car is already at GSPEED and repairs are already underway. and if the current pace continues it looks like there may be a shot at saving Nationals in just a few weeks at Daytona! #bucketlist

Notes:
-3 Rear Comp
+1 Rear Rebound
-3 Front Comp

Cold pressures for 34F/32R hot
LF 25
RF 24.5
LR 23
RR 23