I installed a new upgraded clutch into the Volvo the last couple days. The pressure plate is slightly stronger than a stock one, and I also upgraded to a bit more aggressive disk with just 4 paddles.. All the parts were supplied by SPEC. Hopefully this clutch will take the torque from the 16v turbo motor when i turn up the boost to about 20psi, though I am having my doubts after watching the last one go up in smoke..

Here is the dead clutch with a really worn center:

I also installed a set of larger fuel injectors. The 60# injectors that were in engine before were running at their maximum flow. The E85 tune really pours the fuel in, and the injectors were needing attention. So I installed a new set of 1000cc Rochestors. These are low impedence injectors, so I plugged the volvo factory resitor pack into the harness again. The car starts and seems to run OK even with the resistors wired up. COOL! These new injectors look HUGE compared to the old ones.

I’m ready for the drags again! I really want a 12 second pass out of Irene. I think I have the combination to do it now. Wednesday the 18th is looking like a good test day. Wish me luck.

I just got back from an epic night of drag racing at the local 1/4 pavement strip known as Bandimere Speedway. It was most excellent. Irene the draggin wagon got her party ON! I’ll explain shortly. Zach, Another local Volvo nut joined in on the fun too. Zach brought out his nitrous burning turbocharged 1987 Volvo 740 sedan.

If you are super visual and just can’t wait to finish the story, here is a link to some pictures:
http://www.denverspeed.com/gallery2/v/cars/car_gtgs/20080604_draggin/?g2_statusId=x50b54661

The night started out stormy and rainy. The track was closed for a little while. Alot of people went home. Then in normal Colorado fashion, the sun comes out, the clouds blow away, and they open the track. While the Bandimere crew dried the strip, I got the car unloaded and ready. There were only about 50 cars there, it was going to be a great night for racing. I had some support in the form of Volvomaics in the grand stands. Two of my friends with their pre-kidnergarten sons were there to show them a good time at the drag strip, and cheer for the RED CAR.

I got to make 4 runs, and had time for more. But, Irene was done after 4.

Run 1 - I launched at 3000rpm (guessing the tack stopped working), and bogged the motor badly. The tires were hooking good. I ran 13.6@111mph.

Run 2 - Launch 3500 and bogged again. I tried to recover and powershift, missed 3rd gear, missed 4th gear, and pissed I coasted through the traps at 14.4@88mph

Run 3 - Launch 4500rpm, she spun the tires slightly and left HARD! 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gear the the clutch goes up in SMOKE!. I pedal twice to let the clutch grip and half throttle across the line. 13.1@107mph, and my best 2.0 60′ time.

Run 4 - Launch 4500rpm, and either spun the tires or the clutch. I shift to 2nd, and the clutch slips again, this time the engine hits the rev limiter, repeat slippage in 3rd, coast across the line. i didnt’ even look at this one. 14 something I think. Irene is sad, its time to go home while the car still moves.

Here is the datalog from the first sign of clutch failure. Sorry if you don’t know how to read this mess. This is the output from megasquirt datalogs. Its bad.

Zach made a couple runs too. He was blowing pressure intake hoses apart though. Apparently the cheap pretty blue silicone you buy at Checker auto parts is not reinforced for turbo use. He ran some mid 13s though. His car is gonna fly when he gets the bugs sorted out and the juice flowin through it.

It was great to be the only 2 Volvos out there. I always attract some interesting fans. The older gentleman who was doing the technical inspections was rushing toward my car. He said he had never teched a Volvo station wagon in all his years. Funny. At the other end of the generational spectrum, some teenagers were asking all kinda questions. What turbo is that? You got NaWS?, REALLY? thats rear wheel drive? You can drift that!. My car is alot like the Swedish country it comes from. Not out to cause any trouble, just out to have a great time. And do it with super brick like style.