I just received the Southern California Region race schedule for 2007 for those of you interested in making plans to come out and see the #431 compete, or join in on the fun by running your car in driving classes with the HPDE division.

Feb 10/11- Willow Springs
March 16-18- California Speedway
April 14/15- Buttonwillow
May 5/6- Willow Springs
June 9/10- Buttonwillow
July 7/8- Willow Springs
Aug 11/12- Willow Springs
Sept 13-16- Mid Ohio *National Championship Event*
Oct 13/14- Buttonwillow
Nov 10/11- Buttonwillow

This year I had the pleasure of having MMZ-Timelord and SRTSIX visit at Willow Springs and Buttonwillow. I look forward to seeing more of you out there next year...

 

We will be trying to make the february event, funds permitting.

 

No sneaking down to the So. Cal. events... You have your own up there... Here's the schedule for the No. Cal Division.

January 7, Laguna Seca (HPDE only)
February 10-11, Infineon Raceway
March 10-11, Thunderhill Raceway
March 21, Laguna Seca (HPDE 2-4 Only)
April 14-15, Thunderhill Raceway
May 5-6, Infineon Raceway
June 2-3 Thunderhill Raceway
June 30-1 OR July 7-8, Location TBA
August 11-12, Thunderhill Raceway
September 13-16, Mid Ohio (Championships)
September 22-23, Infineon Raceway
October 13-14, Thunderhill Raceway
October 27-28, Infineon Raceway
November 9-10, Infineon Raceway (Legends)
November 10-11, Thunderhill Raceway
December 1-2, Thunderhill Raceway (25 Hour)

I might try to make it up to Laguna Seca or Infineon...

 

Again, it will probably have to wait until february either way... I'll keep you posted.

 

For me as well, the car is getting some much needed maintenance during the off season, new suspension bushings, ball joints, plugs, wires, cleaned injectors, brake pads, and hopefully the new custom headers from Morse, Schrick cam shaft and a custom ECU map from SDS Racing...

I'll keep you posted... PS: I bought a rebuilt long block SRT6 (SLK32) engine from Metric Motors that I'm going to start working on when I have the time... I'm trying to see if I can run it with my naturally aspirated configuration... We're still not sure if it will work with the manual tranny... I took the engine down to Extrude Hone in Long Beach CA to have it all ported and polished...

I just have to wait for the 2007 TT rules to come out before I do any other mods., so I make sure that I'm still classed in TTD...

 

If you use the injectors off the SLK32 engine and leave everything else (engine management, intake, sensors, etc) alone on the long block and just integrate the mechanicals, then you should be fine.

If you start introducing computer boxes, main sensors, etc. then you may get into compatibility problems.

Good luck... and keep us posted!

 

So SDS Racing can modify the stock ecu mapping? What's their phone number?

I'm slowly plotting the build of a S/C system for my Limited, and if they can tune the fuel and timing maps, that will save me big $$$ on a stand alone ecu.

 

That long block is definitely made of good stuff. I'm wondering if the lower compression will actually cost you a little power. Durability should definitely be up.

I'd love to run Infineon and Laguna Seca but they're a wee bit of a drive from Dallas.

 

SDS Racing is a guy by the name of Stewart who works out of his shop in Santa Monica. He is a former Bosch engineer and is going to experiment on my ECU as soon as I send it to him. I'll give you his phone # and contact information as soon as I find out if he can actually do what he is claiming. Unless you want to be the first guinea pig ?

 

I'll pass on being the test dummy for now, but eventually yes I'd like to get to know them for future modifications.

Good luck with your experiment!

 

what's the compression vs a stock 320 engine?

 

If I remember correctly, the Limited is around 10.5:1 and the AMG motor is either 9.0 or 9.5:1.

 

Yeah... The base engine is 10:1 and the SRT is 9:1, but there are many other major differences as well... crank lift / lobe, piston material, valve material, oil pump, fuel pump, and a laundry list of other stuff that are internal engine parts. That's not my biggest issue at this point, I'm going over to Metric Motors to take a look at the new engine on Tuesday and see if the bell housing is even remotely the same as the base engine to be able to match it up with the manual transmission. Electronics aside, I think that will be the "Deal Breaker or Maker". Thankfully he has both engines at the shop to compare...

 

Too bad you can't pump up the compression to around 11:1 or 11.5:1 on the SRT long block. That would probably get you some hefty ponies without the Super Charger.

 

The internals on the AMG motor are MUCH nicer than the standard stuff. That's why you're paying the money. AMG = Add More Green.

The bell housing pattern should be the same. The only concern I'd have is whether the crank will accept the pilot bearing. I'd have to check with the techs to see if that's an issue.

NEWS FLASH... the pilot bearing should be the same size as the hub on the torque converter. Drop your pilot bearing in and have fun.