sportsman question

JL89

JL89

Member
I was curious, does anyone run an electric fuel pump, elec water pump, elec fan(s) in the sportsman class at pevely or another track that uses the same rules as pevely? In the rules it doesnt state that you can not. Maybe im out in left field on this one, who knows. Also why do most every sportsman I look at not run an alt? Is it to save weight on the nose? Like I said I may just be out in left field but I am also curious to see if anyone does.
 
Electric fuel pumps are dangerous. In the event of a wreck it still keeps pumping and could easily fuel a fire. Plus not to mention the electrical hazard. Most dont run alternators due to it robs horsepower and its 1 more thing that could likely go out at the track. Plus the heat and vibration are hard on them. Todays deep cycle batteries or optima dry cells provide enough energy to power a car through the night no problem.
 
as racin90 said elec fuel pumps on a race car are dangerous. and in most rules it will say you cant run one. i have been running a alt for many years and never had a problem. they do pull 1 horsepower from the motor. but i run the smaller GM type but you have to take the rollor bearing out of the back and put the older needle bearing type. a alt shop can do this and they can make it into a one wire type alt and it works fine. i have read and have been told that if you run a elec ign or even a msd it is good to run a alt cause towards the end of the nite when the batt starts getting low it will rob you of more than one horsepower cause the batt dont have full power to fire the ign fully. so the cost of one HP is worth the gains. and alot of guys dont run them good batts. so they go dead alot faster. how many guys do you see at the track with a charger on their car between races. but what works for me may not work for others.
 
racin90 said:
Electric fuel pumps are dangerous. In the event of a wreck it still keeps pumping and could easily fuel a fire. Plus not to mention the electrical hazard. Most dont run alternators due to it robs horsepower and its 1 more thing that could likely go out at the track. Plus the heat and vibration are hard on them. Todays deep cycle batteries or optima dry cells provide enough energy to power a car through the night no problem.
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the heat is hard on them what u mean by that.We run our car bout 200 degrees we never had a problem with the alternator from the heat.Most tracks Electric fuel pumps are illegal anyways.and alot more ppl run a alternator then u relize.a alternator takes more abuse on a passenger car then a racecar anyways.
 
Sorry..more specific. The heat will make a stock alternator fail. Get a shop to put the better bearings in it..and it should be ok. Sorry for not being more specific. Most just dont want to spend the extra money. But if you do...running and alt with work done works good also
 
Plus personally...and its just me. I like to not add anything unless its absolutely needed. Just 1 more thing to worry about. If i am there...and relying on an alternator and it fails...then you are kind of done. Belt flies off..takes the water pump belt with it..trust me ive had this happen. Dirt clogs are very bad for getting in there and flipping belts off. Ive had people i know run alternators and quit. Others do..yes i know. Just personally not my bag. I buy good batteries and never ever have had an issue with electrical power. Dry cells are the way to go but if you want to run an alternator that is anyones deal to do so. Just personally..i never needed one
 
doublecluch said:
i have read and have been told that if you run a elec ign or even a msd it is good to run a alt cause towards the end of the nite when the batt starts getting low it will rob you of more than one horsepower cause the batt dont have full power to fire the ign fully.
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What I was told is battery voltage will drop below 12 as it discharges, were as an alt. will produce around 13.7/14 volts. Makes a difference with electronic ignitions.

01fan
 
All very good points. Thanks for the answers. I see your point about the elec. fuel pump being a fire hazzard, never really crossed my mind about it not shutting off and feeding a fire. The alt question was really brought on by reading about elec ignitions and the need for a constant and reliable power to utilize the full potential of the ignition system. Just seems in the sportsman class to run up front you have to get all the power you can get to run with the big guns at pevely. No one has really said anything about elec water pumps or electric fans. Anyone have pros or cons on that question? Has anyone ever tried to run either of these with any luck.
 
I have heard of a couple people years ago that tried it and didn't cool it good at all. Stick with a regular belt driven fan, it is the only way to go.

As far as the electric water pump. I am not even sure if they are legal but no use on spending too much money on something that isn't necessary. Put the money elsewhere that will really help. I have ran many styles of water pumps in my years of racing. All the way from stock to high flow aluminum water pumps. The things you need to look at the most for cooling aspects are:

* Make sure you put a big enough radiator in it. 27 1/2" minumum in my eyes

* A good steel fan, don't use a flew fan because at high rpm the blades will straighten out and not pull air. I run a 4 blade GM fan but have seen people run all the other types too.

* Last but not least, a GOOD fan schroud ( sp?? ). Nothing cools a car like a good fan schroud. Make sure it fits tight around the radiator and comes back to about half the thickness of the fan. Don't bring the schroud totally past the fan.

In my sportsman car i run a steel 4 blade GM fan, 27 1/2" radiator, and a $70.00 aluminum water pump. Also a well built schroud. I don't have to cut holes in my nose for air flow and run max. of 210 degrees in the dead of summer. On a average night anywhere between 180-190 degrees.

Hope all this helps some. Have a good one.

Tom
 
smaldirt28 thank you for the reply. So stay away from the electric water pump. I agree in running the largest radiator that you can possibly fit and a good shroud to draw all the air through the radiator that you can. Here is another question, when building a sportsman motor what do you build it for? Torque, or top end HP? What are some popular engine builders. Who builds their own engine? I walk around the pits at pevely when ever I get the chance to see what type of intake people run, carbs people use ( jim evans, CSU, CNS) etc. and misc. other items but its hard to tell most of the time because hoods are closed. I have a ton of questions. Any responses are appreciated, Jeremy.
 
JL89 said:
smaldirt28 thank you for the reply. So stay away from the electric water pump. I agree in running the largest radiator that you can possibly fit and a good shroud to draw all the air through the radiator that you can. Here is another question, when building a sportsman motor what do you build it for? Torque, or top end HP? What are some popular engine builders. Who builds their own engine? I walk around the pits at pevely when ever I get the chance to see what type of intake people run, carbs people use ( jim evans, CSU, CNS) etc. and misc. other items but its hard to tell most of the time because hoods are closed. I have a ton of questions. Any responses are appreciated, Jeremy.
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build for torque with as heavy as these cars are.

these are the only intakes you can run with allied
FORD: Holley/Weiand Part numbers 7515, 7516, 8011. Edelbrock Part numbers 5021, 5081. GM: Holley/Weiand Part numbers 7546, 7547, 7547-1. Edelbrock Part numbers 5001, 5416, 5056. Chrysler: Holley/Weiand Part numbers 7545. Edelbrock Part numbers 5076. AMC: Edelbrock Part numbers 2935, 2930. - Manifold must bolt directly to heads with no modification.

stealth carbs are really good. pm me if you want more info on them
 
as far as engines builders thats a loaded question.
Randys performance machine shop in New Athens
Hovis race engines st peters Mo
SCP racing engines High ridge mo
M3 racing engines-Mittler Bros.
Partstop Bethatlo IL
Belleville Automotive belleville il
Pro Craft grantie city IL
now i would rank then on what i no
1st M3 2nd Hovis 3rd SCP 4th Randys 5th partstop 6th pro craft 7th Belleville automotive these are just a few and the rank is jmo thanks
 
simpson54 said:
build for torque with as heavy as these cars are.

these are the only intakes you can run with allied
FORD: Holley/Weiand Part numbers 7515, 7516, 8011. Edelbrock Part numbers 5021, 5081. GM: Holley/Weiand Part numbers 7546, 7547, 7547-1. Edelbrock Part numbers 5001, 5416, 5056. Chrysler: Holley/Weiand Part numbers 7545. Edelbrock Part numbers 5076. AMC: Edelbrock Part numbers 2935, 2930. - Manifold must bolt directly to heads with no modification.

stealth carbs are really good. pm me if you want more info on them
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Ok, so build for torque. I thought that may be the answer. So what would you say the most popular intake for a small block chevy would be? Is there an intake that is better than another or are they all about the same?
 
Invader said:
as far as engines builders thats a loaded question.
Randys performance machine shop in New Athens
Hovis race engines st peters Mo
SCP racing engines High ridge mo
M3 racing engines-Mittler Bros.
Partstop Bethatlo IL
Belleville Automotive belleville il
Pro Craft grantie city IL
now i would rank then on what i no
1st M3 2nd Hovis 3rd SCP 4th Randys 5th partstop 6th pro craft 7th Belleville automotive these are just a few and the rank is jmo thanks
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Ok, I did not know there were that many shops around. I know of SCP I live across the HWY from them basically, been in there alot. Hovis I know of from Bryan Collins and I think Bittle runs them also. So does anyone build their own motors anymore or have any success at winning? Seems that being somewhat of an entry level class some people would still do their own engine. To run up front do you need the professional built engine to even have a chance? Another question, who uses a custom ground camshaft, im betting alot of people but thats why im asking.
 
D & M Performance builds some of the best engines in the business. I ran my sportsman motor all year with no problems at all. Good motor maintenance is key to keeping a motor healthy. I won the Godfrey and Tricity speedway championships in 06 with a D&M motor. Call them and talk to Dennis or Joe and they can help you out..You won't be dissapointed, just ask Mike Harrison as he has run them for years...
 
JL89 said:
Another question, who uses a custom ground camshaft, im betting alot of people but thats why im asking.
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We've had a couple motors done with a reputable engine builder that he put custom grinds in. Both are top of the line motors, but we never were impressed with the cams. We didn't feel they worked as well as the off the shelf comp cam we always ran. They have since be removed and replaced. I personally don't think you need to spend the money on them to get what you need in a sportsman. Others may use them and like them. But, like I said, it not a neccesary exspense.
 
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