128 replies to this topic

[LarryKing]

In the recent "14 year old" thread concern was raised about the lack of NASA compliance tech at the event.

My personal 10 year experience/observation is that with the exception of the Nationals I have never witnessed invasive tech at a NASA event. Mostly just weight and a cursory peak under the hood.

Am I wrong?

[Steve D]

I can only speak for what's been teched at NASA Southeast races. Since I've been series director (13 months), a few specific things we've checked are:

- cam lobe dimensions
- absence of adjustable cam gears
- weights
- plates
- rotor diameters
- sway bar diameters
- exhaust diameter & routing
- airboxes
- ballast location
- wheel spacers
- unmolested shock towers
- ferrous driveshafts

... and a few other things that I'd rather not give some of you ideas about.

The feedback I've gotten from racers in my region has been universally positive. I think that the proof is in the pudding - our races have been close enough that the consensus is everyone is compliant. We can -- and will if necessary -- get more invasive with tech but for now the general once-over seems to be working.

I routinely solicit and receive recommended tech items from guys in and out of my region. I'm all ears (and not just physically).

[dtfastbear]

At NorCal NASA, we've checked the following over the last couple seasons:
- restrictor plates (of course!)
- final drive ratio
- clutch and flywheel (visual inspection only with starter removed and boroscope through clutch lever boot hole)
- track and wheel spacers
- compression (whistled)
- dyno'd top 5 cars to look for anomolies
- we have access to a shock dyno but haven't used it... yet.

This list is just off the top of my head that I remember going through.

Cheers,

Dean

[Armando Ramirez]

NASA Southeast tech is very inclusive - I like.

[JRHille]

Great Lakes tech has never been anything but weight and restrictors for the newer cars ( i think ). Every now and then they will look for adjustable sway bars and restrictor plates on my 1.6 . The last few events have included a dyno run for the top few guys from the session.

[LarryKing]

Only been to one SE event so clearly not the definitive opinion, but weight only.

[CruzanTom]

I can only speak for what's been teched at NASA Southeast races. Since I've been series director (13 months),

Steve forgot to mention the NASA-SE tested the 10 second exit, too.

Since Steve races in SM this year, he has offered to let any other SM racer pick Tech items on his car. He still wins!

[Jaime Florence]

Also in NorCal NASA we have been tested for:
- Alternator Test
- Wheel minimum weight
- Visual inspection of ECU's

[LarryKing]

Visual inspection of ECU's

I don't care who you are - that there is funny!

[dtfastbear]

Why is that funny? Breaking open an ECU to see if it has been tampered with isn't going to catch every cheat, but it might catch some. Just like dyno pulls on the top 5 cars, you aren't going to DQ someone based on the result of that specific test, but it might be the indicator to look deeper.

Visual inspection of ECU's was something they did at the NASA Nationals in 2009 and 2010.

Dean

[LarryKing]

I guess I'm ignorant. I did not know you can visually tell a re-flashed chip.

Who knew?!

[dtfastbear]

No one said you could. Reflashing is one way to cheat an ECU but not necessarily the only way. Every tech item doesn't have to be an absolutely definitive test to be useful.

Dean

[dstevens]

Why is that funny? Breaking open an ECU to see if it has been tampered with isn't going to catch every cheat, but it might catch some.

The one's that are good at flashing chips are good enough to be able to get the assembly back together so you couldn't tell.

I'm still trying to figure out how to get a stock 1.6 to rev to 7400 rpm or so using only drafting, reducing drag and rolling resistance.....

The local Hornet class goes through more tech than many club sports car events.

[dtfastbear]

It's all in the hub grease. I'm experimenting with this...

http://www.netmercur...pacegrease.aspx

Sure it's $1600 a pound, but if I no longer need the draft and can rev to 7500, it's worth it!

[john mueller]

I'm still trying to figure out how to get a stock 1.6 to rev to 7400 rpm or so using only drafting, reducing drag and rolling resistance.....

NOW I don't care who you are - that THERE is funny!

[john mueller]

No one said you could. Reflashing is one way to cheat an ECU but not necessarily the only way. Every tech item doesn't have to be an absolutely definitive test to be useful.

A few yes ago in SoCal (when Angela was the SoCal Dir) after qualifying the top two NB's had their ECU's swap'ed for that days race... Post race one was confiscated (based on feedback from one of the drivers) and was sent to Mazda to test. That ECU was found to be altered, resulting in a DQ for the original owner... There are a few ways to skin that cat.

[Keith Andrews]

A few yes ago in SoCal (when Angela was the SoCal Dir) after qualifying the top two NB's had their ECU's swap'ed for that days race... Post race one was confiscated (based on feedback from one of the drivers) and was sent to Mazda to test. That ECU was found to be altered, resulting in a DQ for the original owner... There are a few ways to skin that cat.

Feedback like "He can keep my ECU, I want his"

[High Chair]

I don't care who you are - that there is funny!

Yep! Thats an ECU

[High Chair]

NOW I don't care who you are - that THERE is funny!

Im not all that happy that I could not go to Atlanta tis weekend but I must say this forum is really cheering me up.

[Mike Collins]

As always if NASA will have me, I will be back at the National Championships again. I think the competitors have enjoyed the level of tech that bring to this exciting event.