As the title states Im getting what I would consider a lean condition. Here's the story:
Fri night I cleaned my MAF, and changed from some iridium plugs (7s), to BPR8es (coppers). I figured it needed some plugs, and a step colder would be okay...
Yesterday I ran at the Street Machine Shootout at Firebird Raceway outside of Boise, Id. Before the race I logged to make sure I was in good shape, with almost no knock (I cant log AFR, yet). Then got to the track and put in about 2.5 gallons of race "mix" (1 part 110, with 3 parts 95), with the 3-4 gallons of 91 that was in the tank.
The best ET I could get out of it was a 13.56, with a horrible lauch (2.1 60'). And the best mph I got was a 103.9. To say the least, I was a bit disapoionted. Especially since I was running in the 12.5 class (I figure if I had gotten a good launch, I would have seen low 13s, and would have broke out of the 13.5 class)
After my third run, I pulled the plugs, thinking I might put the 7s back in, for the "Trophy" (bracket) class, since I didnt get into the eliminations with the 12.5 class. They were extremely white, but the exhaust tip was black... I called it a night, and didnt run anymore, and turned the boost down to 15.
This morning (after my 200 mile drive last night) the exhaust tip is also white. I filled up with 91, before I left Boise.

Sorry for the long story....
Am I in fact seeing a lean condition? I had thought that a colder plug would create a richer condition, as well as the gas. Or did I screw up my MAF when I cleaned it with MAF cleaner? Im also assuming this is why the car ran so crappy. Even with a crappy launch, I was expecting low 13s, or better. Am I totally wrong in some of my assumptions with the gas and plugs? Or is it just residue from the gas? And should I be running these plugs w/ mods in sig?

Thanks
CB

Oh, and if it makes any difference, the elevation at Firebird is about 3000, and it was about 88 deg, with a track temp of about 100.

edit: corrected mph

 

race gas=white plugs and exhaust tip

 

Haha. Leaded gas does that...

 

lol

 

I forgot to tell you that those times are horrible.

 

Is it just me, or should I expect more out of it? And what kind of #s would this be at sea level?

edit: and it was my first time at the track with a AWD, 1st time for a turbo, and 1st pro tree. I gave up on my reaction time my second 2 runs. All that counted was the ET for qualifying. Id love to know if it is just the 1/8th that is killing me, I will post up my slips in a bit.

 

Yes, you should do much better, but you can't expect much with a 2.1 FWD 60'. The trap speed is also weak, but what do you expect with an M1 flash at altitude for 91oct while using a race gas mix without raising boost? Your mods are not very good, you were in poor racing conditions, and you're at altitude. Add those factors with pitiful driving, and that's what you get.

If you're going to run a race gas mix, then raise the boost to 24-25psi. That's the whole point. If you put in race gas when not tuned for it and stay at the same boost level, there's nothing to gain unless your current tune is already knocking on pump gas.

The numbers would be maybe 2-3mph better at sea level.

 

I guess I just figured that the change in elevation of where Im "tuned" at (6000') to 3000' and 10-15 deg hotter down there, I wanted some insurance.

 

Ah, being tuned at 6000 and running at 3000 then just randomly adding race gas = bleah.

 

So whats a guy to do? Drive 400 miles a weekend to tune his car? I know at some point I will have a couple maps, but right now what I got is what I got. I figure you (Warr) to be a pretty knowledgable guy, and Id like some input, and not the typical noob flaming session. So was it probably pig rich? Anyhow heres my slips (hanging myself with the ole noose here)

 

You didn't get the noob flaming treatment, believe me. What you can do is just learn to drive the car.