Pikes Peak hillclimbing mods?

[Ratch]

I heard someone has won awards with a Ranger when all the previous winners in that class were in bigger trucks. At that time I had not yet owned any type of truck. I figured the mod work would be a short list: more power, lower stance, and a rollcage, on a 2WD model. Are there better years of models for such a project, and what would be the favorite mods?

(I don't plan to build one. My motorsport viewing preference is long challenging courses, such as Pikes Peak, instead of repetition on ovals, but I don't have the cable channels to be a devoted fan of unpopular sports.)

 

[adsm08]

For those of us who aren't familiar with this event......

wha....?

 

[kolton]

There's a race? I took an 89 pontiac grandam up pikes peak. It wasent what anyone had made it out to be. The break check stations were confused when my breaks were still cool when commin down the mountain. All I said was "5 speed" and kept on goin lol. If there's a race, it would be pretty cool to see.

 

[cammeddrz]

If there's a race, it would be pretty cool to see.

http://www.usacracing.com/ppihc

i ran it last year, i blew my motor. there is a pre-runner/trophy truck class, and about 15 other classes for cars, and about 15 classes for motorcycle/atv's,

power, power power, v8's are a must (168 turns in 12 miles), low to the ground is another must and fuel injection is crucial as you are rising something like 6,000 vertical feet in 12 miles, so the fuel/ignition curves that work at mile 1 are so rich that you machine barely runs at mile 11

 

[adsm08]

MAF is probably a good idea too. I can't see a speed/density system fairing much better than a carb if you are rising that fast.

 

[cammeddrz]

MAF is probably a good idea too. I can't see a speed/density system fairing much better than a carb if you are rising that fast.

actually a map does much better, but a stand-alone computer with a timer for changing curves is what a lot of guys use. (sounds odd but it works) because most stock computers don't respond with changing the maps fast enough despite changing input from the sensors, by the time it actually changes you are already another 1,000' up

and also varying fuel pressure regulators make a huge difference too......i didn't have one and leaned out too much and burned 4 valves

 

[adsm08]

A programmer might be a good idea too. The computers probably don't adjust enough because they are programmed to assume you are not actually moving up that fast and that the changes from the senors are a malfunction to be ignored and compensated for.

 

[cammeddrz]

A programmer might be a good idea too. The computers probably don't adjust enough because they are programmed to assume you are not actually moving up that fast and that the changes from the senors are a malfunction to be ignored and compensated for.

that's exactly why the ecm doesn't change that fast, and why a stand alone system is a must, because it can be programmed to respond in any way you want. a stock computer has it's limitations to what it can be programmed to do, its like trying to "program" your 1990 D.O.S. operating computer to play world of warcraft. no amount of programming can make it work.

thats not to say that guys don't use stock ecm's it can be done but offers its own challenges, the slower you go up the mountain the less necesarry a stand alone is

 

[ES894x4]

id say a custom tube frame, composite body, and sponsors to pay for it all. and of course a 1000+ hp 503e motor never hurts anything

 

[Ratch]

I didn't know it's a 6000 ft. climb. I wonder where the diesels place in the results.

 

[cammeddrz]

I wonder where the diesels place in the results.

the year i was there (2009) all the diesels either broke or crashed before crossing the finish line

 

[adsm08]

the year i was there (2009) all the diesels either broke or crashed before crossing the finish line

hahaha.

 

[kolton]

Man, thats some sweet stuff, thanks for the link. Sounds like a blast!