Santa pod tomorrow 19th

[johnymd]

I thought that was why you had "drive thrus"

 

[jonbills]

How rich is it running at idle? I hear lots of people talking about fowling the plugs at idle but I would of thought once you rev the engine it should clear. Maybe run a hotter plug. Which are you running? 7?

Interesting what you say about advancing the idle ignition increasing the tip temp. The laws of physics with regard to ignition timing can be simplified to these statements when referring to where the energy goes when you ignite the fuel:

Retarded ignition: The burn process is started late in the compression cycle and the burn continues to when the exhaust valve starts to open causing the energy/heat to be waisted and comes out of the exhaust (seen as high exhaust gas temps)

Advanced ignition: The burn process is started early in the compression stroke and some of the energy is waiste by trying to slow down the piston before it reaches TDC. This will put a lot of force on the piston, conrod and into the crank and you will see your oil temps go up as the energy/heat is transferred into the engine components. The combustion temps will go up as you said.

Correct ignition: This is the perfect point between retarded and advanced. Exhaust gas temps reduced but not to the extent that the oil temp rises. Maximum power is achieved when 50% of the burn has occurred at around 15* after TDC.

It's not too rich at idle really (between AFR 16 & 13.5 depending on lots of things). I think it's just that the combustion temp is too low for the plug to be in the self cleaning range.

Here's what I read yesterday:
https://www.ngksparkplugs.com/about-ngk/tech-talk/spark-plug-basics

"Advancing ignition timing by 10° will cause the spark plug tip temperature to increase by approximately 70° to 100°C."

I'm running BCR8ES plugs - last year when I'd just finished the engine I had BPR7ES and I melted the tips so I figured I needed to go up one
Normally I have no problem with fouling - just when I idle it in the garage while I'm fiddling, or in the fire up lane!.
I could go back to 7s just for the drag strip, but getting the vacuum advance working would also improve the road performance so will try that first.

 

[jonbills]

I used to run the R888's at 11 psi
Brisk clutch release at around 4500, cross the line in 3rd at around 8000

Terminal speed is the biggest indicator of power and often paints a more realistic picture of the performance of the engine/car package as it is more consistent and doesn't get skewed (as much) by poorer gearshifts

In 3rd we were crossing the line at just under 112 for a 12.453 ET

when I apply that technique I tend to go nowhere, with the left wheel spinning and bouncing up and down violently. Hopefully Mike F is going to sort some new dampers to help the bouncing but some LSD is required, and then better tyres.
The spending is endless