As much as I hate to admit it, my black no stripes GT has spent much of her time with me as a garage queen. That doesn’t mean I didn’t take it out, just not often enough and most of the time not very far from the house. Generally, this would mean a short trip around town almost always ending up on the 4 lane for a quick trip between interchanges, after which I’d run home and hide it before our finest made the scene. Damn, it does go fast!
Tuesday of this week my GT and I became much more intimate than we’ve been in the past. A close friend coordinated the leasing of Blackhawk Farms Raceway, a 1.95 mile road track near Beloit, WI. We only took four cars and five drivers.
Eric, who coordinated the day, raced for 13 years and provided the rest of us newbies to this fun with instruction and tips. We had 7 hours of the most fun on wheels I’ve had in a very long time.
I know that many of you are very experienced and have upgraded everything from tires to suspension, to who knows what else. But for a virgin to this fun I couldn’t believe how much I could rely on the stock tires and brakes to take me from 120-130 on the straightaway down to whatever it was that I took the 90 degree turn 1 without putting it into the brush and trees. And for me, I couldn’t believe how the car held to the track through the carousel and chicane, hell, all of it.
I’ll definitely do this again … not sure, but I might be starting to understand the recurring need that an addict feels.
Couple of things that occurred though. In the morning it the engine temp seemed to be rather high, but within limits. The afternoon, however, was a different story as the temp crept up to 240 and into the red (245+). I assume this was due to the air temperature getting into the low 80’s and my expanding confidence as I had more seat time on the track. Unfortunately after 3-5 laps I could get it hot and had to take a couple of cool down laps. Later in the day, it seemed like it took even less to get it hot.
Eric took it out (good lord could he make it sing) and within two laps came in coasting after he shut it down due to temp readings which resulted in a boil over.
The second issue I had was after getting it pretty warm, coming into the pits and letting the engine idle the oil pressure would gage would read about 25 lbs and then drop to zero. A very light, brief touch of the accelerator, maybe as little as several hundred more rpms, and the gage would jump back up to the 25 lb range. Unnerving to say the least.
I called Rich of the GT Guys and we talked through it. Rich indicated they’ve replaced a number of oil gages/sending units and after talking with him he felt it was OK (but hopefully he’ll be changing it in Vegas). Also talked to him about the boil over as well and the expected levels of coolant, etc. Rich will be checking that out as well in Vegas. The only current thing he mentioned was removing the front air scoop screen, although he did indicate someone working on a solution. Any other suggestions?
Ok, this getting to be a long entry, but I do want to put in a plug for the GT Guys. Not only did Rich graciously and patiently answer my questions, he also called back to check on things.
Earlier this year (MAY?) Rich coordinated transportation of my GT from SW WI to their shop to do a few tweaks and regular maintenance, including an oil and filter change, halfshaft bolt replacement/upgrade (used the “Customer Satisfaction” Kit from Ford), Ford Racing transmission cooler, Heffner pulley upgrade and tune, Accufab clean air tube insert to prevent collapsing, Ford Racing muffler, CDC bumper delete kit, and installed Ventureshield on the front fascia and leading edges (air inlet of the front hood, side scoops, mirrors, rear quarter panels, and on the rear fascia behind the rear tires).
They didn’t put it on the dyno, but Rich estimated an increase of up to 80 hp. Damn, it’s even more fun now!
These guys are great. They did fantastic work, they made sure I was kept abreast of the progress (sent pictures and commentary throughout the process), and coordinated the transport to and from their shop.
So, in short, more track time in my future (may use this as an excuse to pick up a second baby), and many, many thanks to The GT Guys.
Jim
Tuesday of this week my GT and I became much more intimate than we’ve been in the past. A close friend coordinated the leasing of Blackhawk Farms Raceway, a 1.95 mile road track near Beloit, WI. We only took four cars and five drivers.
Eric, who coordinated the day, raced for 13 years and provided the rest of us newbies to this fun with instruction and tips. We had 7 hours of the most fun on wheels I’ve had in a very long time.
I know that many of you are very experienced and have upgraded everything from tires to suspension, to who knows what else. But for a virgin to this fun I couldn’t believe how much I could rely on the stock tires and brakes to take me from 120-130 on the straightaway down to whatever it was that I took the 90 degree turn 1 without putting it into the brush and trees. And for me, I couldn’t believe how the car held to the track through the carousel and chicane, hell, all of it.
I’ll definitely do this again … not sure, but I might be starting to understand the recurring need that an addict feels.
Couple of things that occurred though. In the morning it the engine temp seemed to be rather high, but within limits. The afternoon, however, was a different story as the temp crept up to 240 and into the red (245+). I assume this was due to the air temperature getting into the low 80’s and my expanding confidence as I had more seat time on the track. Unfortunately after 3-5 laps I could get it hot and had to take a couple of cool down laps. Later in the day, it seemed like it took even less to get it hot.
Eric took it out (good lord could he make it sing) and within two laps came in coasting after he shut it down due to temp readings which resulted in a boil over.
The second issue I had was after getting it pretty warm, coming into the pits and letting the engine idle the oil pressure would gage would read about 25 lbs and then drop to zero. A very light, brief touch of the accelerator, maybe as little as several hundred more rpms, and the gage would jump back up to the 25 lb range. Unnerving to say the least.
I called Rich of the GT Guys and we talked through it. Rich indicated they’ve replaced a number of oil gages/sending units and after talking with him he felt it was OK (but hopefully he’ll be changing it in Vegas). Also talked to him about the boil over as well and the expected levels of coolant, etc. Rich will be checking that out as well in Vegas. The only current thing he mentioned was removing the front air scoop screen, although he did indicate someone working on a solution. Any other suggestions?
Ok, this getting to be a long entry, but I do want to put in a plug for the GT Guys. Not only did Rich graciously and patiently answer my questions, he also called back to check on things.
Earlier this year (MAY?) Rich coordinated transportation of my GT from SW WI to their shop to do a few tweaks and regular maintenance, including an oil and filter change, halfshaft bolt replacement/upgrade (used the “Customer Satisfaction” Kit from Ford), Ford Racing transmission cooler, Heffner pulley upgrade and tune, Accufab clean air tube insert to prevent collapsing, Ford Racing muffler, CDC bumper delete kit, and installed Ventureshield on the front fascia and leading edges (air inlet of the front hood, side scoops, mirrors, rear quarter panels, and on the rear fascia behind the rear tires).
They didn’t put it on the dyno, but Rich estimated an increase of up to 80 hp. Damn, it’s even more fun now!
These guys are great. They did fantastic work, they made sure I was kept abreast of the progress (sent pictures and commentary throughout the process), and coordinated the transport to and from their shop.
So, in short, more track time in my future (may use this as an excuse to pick up a second baby), and many, many thanks to The GT Guys.
Jim
