Carl Fausett

Well, we almost made it to Bonneville this year.

We were at the dyno last night and the engine was well tuned and putting down 731 HP at the tire run after run. About 860 CHP.
On the last pull of the day, an intake valve spring failed and dropped a valve into the #8 cylinder.

We have looked at it this morning and we think its too much to repair in the time remaining - especially since this is Labor day weekend and I cannot even call in orders for replacement parts until Tuesday.

We were really close fellas, just a front air dam and a paint job away. Everything else was done. The calculations from our results had us at 238 MPH, and the World Record in our class is 231 (at present).

I think Ty, Myles and I will still take the road trip anyway. We just wont take the car or trailer, and we will go and enjoy and learn so we can come back in 2011 smarter than before. I might even be able to get Steve to go if I twist his arm hard enough.

Many, many thanks to Myles and Steve at the core and the rest of crew and friends that stopped in to help when they could. And my loving wife Connie - who allows me the time and freedom to be a fanatic. And to Gretchen my Office Manager who allows me the time and the funds to be nuts.

Carl Fausett

Here is the broken valve spring....



There is no dog to kick here.

No assembly error, no operator error either. We never over-heated or over-revved this new engine. Spring stack and pressures were checked before installation. Ferrea Titanium retainers, stainless steel valves, beryllium seats, micro-polished and inspected double springs, all first-rate stuff.

Just material failure. It happens. I'll fix it and we go again.

Leon Speed

Wow, looks like a very very very boosted engine. Is all this on a otherwise stock short block? Noticed the small tires, is that to decrease friction? Why is there no rear wing? Sorry you didn't make it, would very much like to see the video

Carl Fausett

Here's the dyno chart from the session.

Note the nice long, flat torque band - the composite intake runners were well tuned and performing nicely.

Boost fell off at 6100 rpm, and when I get that sorted, the HP and Torque will continue to climb from there.

Carl Fausett

No, there is nothing stock about this block. It is bored and steel sleeved, stroker crank, 6.54L in discplacement. Built-out in every way.

It showed great promise, and I'm sure it will be a beast when I get these valve springs sorted out.

atb

Carl,
Did the cylinder survive?
What was your remaining timeline?

andy-gts

skinny tires for salt flat high mph run....I didn't even know they were still setting records for 928's..what kind of a record or certifying body does this sort of stuff..????

You just don't hear about bonneville records anymore. More like the mile shootout, and all out top speed records but bonneville....I am out of it I guess. i would like to read more..

really cool stuff

andy

Carl Fausett

We are supposed to leave for Bonneville one week from today.

Being Labor Day weekend, I cannot even call for parts until Tuesday. I need a psiton, a valve, a seat and a guide for that bore. All of those are custom accept for the valve guide.

I dont know about the cylinder wall yet and wont until I get the head off. We have a bore scope and the piston crown looks pretty nasty. Its a sleeve, so it may have to be replaced too.

IcemanG17

WOW....super cool & such a bummer about the valve failure....very odd since you weren't turning high RPM or anything.....how much boost are you running?

Jadz928

You are operating on a whole 'nother level.

Git 'er done in 2011!

hacker-pschorr

Damn it.....so close!!!!! Dyno gremlins strike again.

You'll figure it out Carl, no doubt. Just why couldn't the spring have failed a week ago......

I say go for the new Veyron record of 267mph

GregBBRD

Everyone thinks this engine stuff is so easy....not always so.

Smile and be happy that it happened on the dyno and not at 200 miles per hour!

Lizard928

Greg,

you echoed my thought.....

blitz928

Better for it to have broke at home on the Dyno than at Bonneville.

svp928

Carl, I agree- good to happen on dyno, not at 230. Friend went this past week with a streamliner- got a new record at 332 ( blown gas 6 cyl), but was a little taken aback by seeing a few spin-and-blowover wrecks.....not fun.
Good luck with the repair- Bonneville seems to be great event for "real" racers, not corporate reps-... Hope to go myself, some day.

Steve