FUeL's first track day.

[monza]

I guess I'll get the bad news done first. Unknown engine issue at this time.
Have yet to get into it. Suspect some thing broken in the top end. Heard nothing in the way of breakage, pulled out of a corner hard on the gas and noticed a different sound, the exhaust had a deeper tone. Did a cool down lap pulled into the pit and stopped. At idling speed a random 'bad noise' was heard. A single random slap/crack and turned the car off. Did complete cool down then a start up. Idled for a couple minutes sounded totally normal then slap/crack. Turned it off called for a trailer. Had it hauled to my mechanic as opposed to home, wish I did not do that now as he was leaving for the weekend, and I didn't have access to it to get into it. auuugh

So that was the bad, hoping for the best and I don't have to get deep into the motor!!!

The good, a two mile road course that was super fun and FueL drove hard. Once I started to learn the line (first time at this track) I really started flying, it is a beast! Fast and hard into, through and out of corners, WOT on the straights was !!!
The brakes, damn impressive, worked them hard and zero brake fade.
My first WOT in the fasted part of the track followed by very hard braking into a corner the instructor (passenger seat) just said, 'wow I had no idea.'
He is used to Euro cars and Vettes, it was his first PT ride.
I few laps later I was unfortunately done. Hitched a ride with a really experienced driver with thousands of laps at this track in a Porsche GT3, that was impressive I learned a lot.

So I'll keep you posted. I'm really trying not to get to depressed about it or feel guilty about driving hard. I've broken a lot of toys over the years... just not my favorite one!

[camcojb]

well, congrats, and I'm sorry.......... Sounds like it was fun for a while, and hopefully it's something simple and inexpensive.

Jody

[BLACKJACK]

THAT SUCK'S....HOPE ITS SOMETHING SMALL...GOOD LUCK

[V8TV]

Although it does suck, sometimes you have to push 'em to find out what they're made of. Anything can be fixed, we just hope it's not a lot of time and cash! Glad you got it out on the track and had some fun! Good luck and keep us posted!

[wiedemab]

Sorry to hear about the issues, but I'm glad to see you're putting the car to good use!

[Vegas69]

Sorry to hear it man....I hope it's as simple a lifter or valve spring. Must of been nice to open her up on the track though! I can't wait to do it with mine.

[vinz68]

Sorry to hear about the problem. Hope you had a good time otherwise.

[awr68]

Sorry for the sad news.

But the important thing is that you were using it like you should...that car was built to be driven hard!!

[HRBS]

I've had a similar questionable sound / problem last year. Total lack of power and bad crack / tap sound under hard acceleration. Same thing... let the engine cool down and started fine, then after a few minutes it was back and worse. Seemed to be worse when driving hard.
My issue was exactly (kinda) what Vegas69 said.
The lifters were starving for oil due to a low oil level.
When the oil was cold and thick there was no problems. Once the oil temp increased and the oil was thinner (plus the low level to begin with) the lifters were starving under acceleration because the oil pump couldnt suck any oil and what it did suck was as thin as water.
We did a fresh oil change and ran a heavier weight oil to help save the lifters and it worked. The problem hasnt come back and luckily the lifters werent badly damaged from being hammered. The fact that they were hydraulic helped too. Had they been solid lifters, they'd be toast.
I hope for you that its that simple.
Good Luck and let us know.

[Datsbad]

Dave , sounds like fun !
How fast did you get up to ?