Saturday, August 30, 2014

SCCA Camaro GT-2 GTA LS 1 Motor Will Not Start



We recently ran into an electrical issue with our Lingenfelter preped LS-1 engine, that would come and go at random.  The engine would start to miss, then quit completely at the track.  On another occasion at the races, the engine ran, then died when we pulled into the pits for a flat tire, and would not refire.  Later back at the shop, it started with no problem.  We ended up tracing and checking all the grounds, and found a loose connection, at the positive side of the battery terminal.  The lock nut holding the cable had vibrated loose.  It was covered with  a plastic terminal cover, and could not be seen until we removed the Optima AGM design battery to check it's status.  The cable was still connected, but with no positive force.  Always check the basic battery and ground connections with these cars.  There is a ground on the back of the right side cylinder head.  There are also a series of fuses in the electrical system.  Our car has an eight fuse box, located by the driver.  Very close to the OBD 2 port.   Make sure the battery is on a trickle charger all the time, and stays fully charged, when the car is not in use.  For a battery charger, we prefer the C TEK micro processor controled unit, shown below.   It is compact, and simple to use,  with a easy to read level of charge indicator.

http://gearheadzproducts.com/ctekbatterychargermus4.3.aspx

Thursday, August 7, 2014

GT-2 Howe Port City Road Race Camaro


This blog is all about the work and set up involved with running a Howe type chassis, in road race compeition.  Our base car for discussion purposes can run in the GTA, and GT-2 classes of SCCA.  It would most likely make the grade for TA-2, in the Trans Am series as well.  It is a former ASA race car, with the LS-1 motor which came from Lingenfeher, down in Indiana.  The car was built at Port City Racing, using the Howe ASA spec center section.  It has a Jerrico four speed transmission, Winters quick change reat end, Wilwood brakes, Sweet power steering, Cool Shirt system, and Pro Shocks.  We worked with Schwanke up in Minnesota to get the ECU reflased.  Mike Cope down in Florida did the AR Camaro body conversion, which involved lowering the roll cage to get it to fit.  Mike has also helped us with the basic set up on the car, since this is our first tube frame road racer.  We will make reference to some of the products used on the car, that come from our own business, Gear Headz Products  

http://gearheadzproducts.com/