wrong but fast enough

[IAE Racing]

Wow guys, wrong but fast enough. Always used axels from box, filed burs, used emry cloth to "polish". Always used wrong end of block as front. always used generic graphite. always ran straight-no steer or cant. Always have won pack two years running. wonder what would happen if did things right? So districts is in two weeks, just ordered graphite and axle polish kit from dd4h. Other things I had always done was to coat axles with teflon (rem oil) spray and let dry before installing. and coating sides of car where wheel rubs with graphite spray. I think my COM has always been good, between 5/8 and 7/8 depending on which car. So is the teflon good or bad? We also talked about coating axle with graphite spray but not sure if could get it even. I know there used to be axles on line that were grahpite coated, don't plan on using but does anyone have any experience? Also since we don't have a test track, we would set car on belt sander with belt turned inside out to 'break in.' Good idea or Bad?

 

[Quicktimederby]

Do not use any sprays. All you need is the polish kit and graphite. Do not roll you car on a tread mill or belt sander. Just get as much graphite in the bores as possible.

 

[IAE Racing]

Thanks.

 

[topspin.d]

Just a thought, but I would stick with what you know.

We easily won pack last year and had a respectable showing at districts, but with a "sub-optimal" car (no rail rider, mediocre bore/axel prep). This year we're trying to do it "right" and the new cars are trash compared to our simple car last year. Way too many variables that we' have to sort out at once... and they're compounding in bad ways.

Try one or two improvements each year rather than all at once!

 

[Kinser Racing]

My son and I went for the whole shabang in one single year. With less help than you'll find here. It's not as hard as you're making it out to be topspin.d.

We also did a lot better than the year before, as for car speed. We came in first the last 3 years.

 

[topspin.d]

I get you. It's just that most Dad's have a limited amount of time (and son's have limited attention span)... so it's easier to get good one of two new things each year like axel/bore prep than to worry about mastering really complex things (like also learning to accurately deal with drilling canted or tuning rear bent axels). You can buy a great pre-drilled block and machined wheels and do the rest fairly easily.

Definitely doable to do it all at once, but potentially requires time/commitment.

 

[Kinser Racing]

It does require time and commitment. But, that's some quality time with your son and a good time to teach him some life lessons on hard work and paying attention to detail. But you're right./images/boards/smilies/smile.gif