Family Software Newsletter #11 - December 4, 2000

Topics

1. Holley HP 950 Alcohol Carb - Update
2. New Quay 4-Link Dragster - Small Block Test
3. FREE Software Download
4. REAL World Technical Support
5. New Digital Altimeter


-- Holley HP 950 Alcohol Carb Update --
In the last newsletter we tested a new Holley HP 950 Alcohol carburetor. Somehow, Holley had squeezed 3 float springs on the float in the rear bowl causing the secondaries to run out of fuel. The carb was setup extremely rich, but when we leaned it out it ran even slower! After taking the carb completely apart, we found the extra springs and removed them. Then, on the next time run, we dropped an exhaust valve on the burnout. We removed the 433" BBC we had been testing and installed our trusty 406" small block to finish testing the carburetor.

We first made three baseline runs with the old carb in place and then installed the new HP carb. With .188 jets installed (power valves plugged) the car ran exactly the same ET and MPH as the old carb, 8.450 and the EGT was 1230 degrees. We then leaned the carb out from the .188 jets to .162 jets at each corner. The carb ran cleaner and the EGT came up to 1270 degrees and ran 8.448. There wasn't any difference in the MPH. Since the new carb has exactly the same size venturi and throttle plates as the old carb we really didn't expect much of a difference. The 950 CFM flowing rating may be exaggerated somewhat.

In our opinion, the old style carb is cheaper to buy and not much harder to put together. It runs cleaner in the pits and doesn't flood the engine out at the top end of the track. Overall, for the money, it runs just as good as the HP carb. The HP carb LOOKS better and it is simple enough for anyone to put together and make it work. So, it's just a matter of personal choice.

-- New Quay 4-Link Dragster - Small Block Test --
We were surprised to see that our 406" Small Block ran just as good in the four link car as the big block. We reset the ride height to the required spec and just ran it with no other changes. The 60' foot times were much better because of the reduction of weight but the acceleration tailed off at the 1000' and we ended up running the same ET. We lost about 1.5 MPH with the small block. The reaction times were stellar, as good, if not better than the heavy big block combo. The spring rate may be a little too stiff for the small block however. Our DataMaster computer graph showed that the bumps on the race track had returned. So, a change in springs may be required to let the suspension work a little better with the light weight combo. If we removed the heavy 17" rear tires in favor of a lighter 15" tire, the small block will be faster than the big block. So, the moral of the story is, if your are going to build a big block, build a real BIG one. You need a lot of cubic inches just to offset the weight difference between the two engines.

The four link dragster is about 100 pounds heavier than the solid car and runs about .1 slower in ET. So, a four link car isn't any slower than a solid car, it is only the weight difference. And the reaction times are no different either. I can go .380 red with .020 in the box, 4400 RPM with the small motor, and both front wheels planted solid on the ground.

-- FREE Software Download --
Our DataMaster Analyzer software, Version 2.0, is available to you as a FREE download on our web site. You don't need a data recorder to test the software and see exactly what a DataMaster Sportsman Computer does better than any other data logger system in the world! If you have any older version of this software, download this as a FREE update.

-- REAL World Technical Support --
With Family Software, you'll get better technical support than anywhere on the planet. Why? Because, I design and program all of Family Software's products and I use them all on my own very competitive Super Comp dragster. All of my 30+ years of experience and knowledge is available to you and our other customers. Try to find that kind of information at any one of our competitors. You won't be able to, I guarantee it! Family Software cares about the racer and his/her success as a racer. The other companies just want your money!

-- New Digital Altimeter/Barometer --
We also have in stock, the best electronic altimeter that I have ever seen. It has a resolution of just one (1) foot. We had previously sold a unit that had a resolution of three (3) feet and we thought that was good! The new unit is just $149.95. You just can't beat that! To read the specs on this unit, just go to the Products page on our web site and click on Digital Altimeter.

-- Secure Ordering --
You can safely order directly from our web site. All of your information is handled on our Secure Server. We have established a privacy policy and it is posted on the web site.

If you have questions or topics that you would like to see covered in this newsletter, please Email them to me. Or, start a new topic on the bulletin board located on our web site. I'll be glad to join in.

Bob Kodadek
SC 1596
Family Software - Drag Racing Computers and Software
http://www.iFamilySoftware.com - 610.497.5561(Voice/Fax)

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