Graphite car faster than oil car??? Advice please!

[Ballistic Racing]

Ok, so I finished up both cars, my son is prepped for graphite, mine is prepped for oil (unlimited class)
I have them both tuned at 4" over 4' & noticed the graphite car seems a bit faster on the tuning board.
So I ran them side by side & the graphite car has 2 lengths on the other at 4 feet! Remember, these are the wheels with the raised tread I posted earlier so not sure if that has anything to do with it. We turn in the cars tomorrow night. SO, do I reprep my car with graphite or...
My first thought is to reprep for graphite but, does the oil work differently on the track versus the tuning board?

 

[BulldogRacing]

My first thought is are the wheels rubbing the car body? Listen to the car as it rolls, is it smooth? watch the wheels and see if there is a reason it's slow.

 

[Vitamin K]

Some questions:

- Is the oil car prepped with the full "oil process" as detailed in DD4H's DVD and elsewhere on this forum?

- How much oil did you use? I am of the understanding that too much oil will be slower.

- Have you tried 'breaking in' the oil car? I am told that oil likes to have about the equivalent of one or two runs down the track before it hits its stride.

Some musings:

- I wonder if there is any possibility that graphite is actually faster for shorter runs? Graphited cars feel 'springier' to me, like they get up and moving quicker, but then I guess they fall off? Oil seems not so lively, but much more consistent down the stretch (and possibly improves performance at higher velocities?) This is just idle musing, so don't read too much into it.

 

[pony express]

The graphite cars will be slightly faster at the start and on the tuning board due to lack of speed needed to achieve hydrodynamic lubrication. Once that speed is achieved the oiled car will smoke the graphite cars.

 

[Vitamin K]

The graphite cars will be slightly faster at the start and on the tuning board due to lack of speed needed to achieve hydrodynamic lubrication. Once that speed is achieved the oiled car will smoke the graphite cars.

Thanks Pony. That kind of confirms some of my suspicions.

 

[DerbyDad4Hire]

The oil will win on the track.

 

[Ballistic Racing]

Ok, Bulldog- nothing rubbing car is smooth, thanks for the tip.
Yes, I followed the dd4h oil process, have the DVD & watched countless times.
Just double checking on spraying the axles, I shook off the excess & let dry per the video, do you leave the light film on the axles or lightly wipe a little off? I just left it. I spun the wheels a few times to work the oil in, they spin nicely. .020 on the wheel gaps. & the wheels migrate out perfect. COG is actually 3/4" on my son's car, 1" on mine, can I go with a little less steer?
If you guys think it'll fly like this, then maybe I'll do just that. There's a lot at stake here... Bragging rights for a year!

 

[Quicktimederby]

What spray are you using?

 

[Ballistic Racing]

DuPont chain saver, w/Teflon, the one John suggested

 

[DerbyDad4Hire]

It will get faster as it runs. It is not fast down the tuning board.

 

[ngyoung]

My son's car was consistently behind on the hill and then shot out ahead after the transition. I am thinking the force from the curve kills the speed more on graphite where the oil is superior. The flat his also pulled away even more. There also seems to be more initial rolling resistance in oil but once it starts rolling it accelerates quickly.

 

[Vitamin K]

My son's car was consistently behind on the hill and then shot out ahead after the transition. I am thinking the force from the curve kills the speed more on graphite where the oil is superior. The flat his also pulled away even more. There also seems to be more initial rolling resistance in oil but once it starts rolling it accelerates quickly.

Two thoughts here:

- Is there any possibility that graphite might be superior (or maybe less inferior) on a shorter track? Most benchmarks I see are on 42 footers, but our Pack owns a 32 foot track.

- Is there any possibility that graphite might likewise benefit from a track with a gentler curve? (e.g. Microwizard)

 

[ngyoung]

Can't say 100% but I think the oil allows for greater acceleration by the end of the hill even if it starts off behind. For my anecdotal experience with my son against graphite the starting performance could have just as likely been from his staging. He can barely see over the track at the start gate.

 

[Crash Enburn]

And don't forget the longevity of oil. Graphite hits top speed on about the third run, then starts dropping off. Oil is the Energizer bunny of PWD lubes. It just keeps going, and going, and going.

 

[Kinser Racing]

It's not unheard of to get over 100 runs on oil without any drop off. The drop off you do get can be attributed to dirty wheels. Clean your wheels and your right back on time.