The V8 Owners Forum -

Hi
not really sure where to put this but I think this is the closest to an account of the season so far so. . . Yesterdays first run out and I had the engine running well, I have pretty well sorted the engine pick up issue with a new map in the ECU, it needs a bit more advance at about 1200 revs but it did a good burn out got settled and away I go!
however yesterdays first run yesterday was the first of the day and the last my season. The front suspension where it meets the chassis main tubes collapsed. . . The Mark Williams torsion tube, where it was welded onto the main tubes failed and tore out the wall of the tube at the edge of the weld. I think it is safe to say I am not pleased that it failed, it is actually the third major issue with the chassis since I bought it, I think it is safe to say I will not be goind back to this builder in the future. Petty really I did a 10.44 / 127 and if I had crossed the line on 4 wheels not 2 and a bolt head I think I would have been across in under 10 seconds.
Looking ahead I will be starting the winter strip and rebuild a couple of months early, I need to clear the garage then find a couple of 20 foot long RSJs to make myself a chassis table so I can rebuild the front of the chassis. I have decided that if it is safety critical on this thing I am trusting my own design judgment and my welding not anyone elses. I trust my maths and design skills not the "well we've always done it like that" attitude that seems to be around part of the drag racing seen.
Now I'm off to kick something!
Best regards
Mike

Lucky it was on the line and not at the bumpy end of the track, good luck with the winter rebuild

Good result Mike and glad your ok. Must have shaken you up a bit.

I did offer some cable ties and JB weld but he was not convinced it would hold?

I can see his point I guess. The ambient temp and humidity would have meant 2 hours curing time ???

Some people eh

JSF55 wrote:Lucky it was on the line and not at the bumpy end of the track, good luck with the winter rebuild

Hi
it was at the finish line doing 127mph
Best regards
Mike

Video to follow I assume ??

If anyone wants to see the fun, look here

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gnuc0lc40g71loh/4c7yHnjmnS

the last video is of the run with the collapsing suspension.
Best regards
Mike

Hi Mike

Was definitely a gutting thing to have happened.

Looks like it happened 23 seconds in when the car goes over a big bump Starts making a massive grinding noise immediately after.

Hope it's not too bad a job for you to sort out.

Looks to me like the front end starts getting floppy before the finish line.
And even more so when he comes off the pedal.

And gives up at the bump. The bump is in the run off area where the new track surface ends....

Its FUBAR now anyway !!

Hi
It all started just after half track I think, if you look after launch and as the front starts to get more load the front end starts to move about, as I change up it all seems to get looser and as the Misfire kicks in thins get more rattly. As I lift off after the line it is pretty well on the deck, and after the bump where the track surfaces changes it is on the deck.
I should get the lockup secure at the week end so I can clear the garage and start stripping the car to get to the chassis. I have been off the last 2 days with a stomach bug, however this has give me a chance to start measuring up and drawing out a new front suspension. I am going to go for a simple double wishbone set up probably using rockers and motorcycle shock absorbers. At the moment I plan to modify the Mark Williams front uprights to take a lower ball joint and an upper rose joint not planned the steering yet.
Best regards
Mike

simple and reliable...

Hi Eliot
where do you you think I can get a set of wheels like that? they are rather nice
Best regards
Mike