Buttonwillow Gearing

**italcarguy** · #1 (**permalink**) 08-12-2003, 03:14 PM

I am running Buttonwillow in a few weeks with the Vintage 2.5 Challenge series and was wondering if i can get any input on gearing. The track configuration is clockwise race #1 which is the rull track with the bus stop in the middle of the back straight. also, it will use the mazda hairpin instead of the hairpin that spits you out onto the esses. i am debating to run my 5.12 or 5.37 with a .85 fifth. anyone have any kind of input, i'd hate to drag both rear ends to the track and do a possible rear end change.

Quickshoe · #2 (**permalink**) 08-13-2003, 11:24 PM

Anthony,

What gear do you normally run there with the AROSC regular #14CW?

Will you be running the same car and tires?

There is only about a 5% diff between the 2 gears. If you have run the 5.12's there before how close were you to max rpms at the fastest point?

Are there any long turns (riverside) where the lower gear may force you into a gear change in the corner?

I'd like the lower gear to get a better run off all the slower corners. But not if it meant I had to use 5th when I normally can stay in 4th. Or if it means that I have to shift at an inopportune time.

Give us some more to go on.

--Daryl DeArman

**italcarguy** · #3 (**permalink**) 08-14-2003, 12:00 PM

i usually run a 5.12 with arosc.

my main concern is going into the star mazda turn. the 5.37 with .85 fifth will work everywhere else. going into the hairpin which we usally use i wnd it out in 4th and sometimes i put it in fifth...depends on how fast i come off the hill and if there are cars around me or not. i was just curious to see what peoples rpms are in fifth gear going into the "star mazda" hairpini usually run 195-60 14
another corner i should think about is the last one. since i will be going into the esses at a much greater speed, my speeds will be a lot faster going into the last corner. with alfa club, i throw it into fifth as i come out of the esses. with next months configuration, will i have to throw her into fifth in the esses?

Quickshoe · #4 (**permalink**) 08-14-2003, 04:43 PM

Anthony,

Since you are already utilizing 5th with the 5.12's going to the 5.27's shouldn't require any additional shifts and will give you better acceleration. So that'd be my choice. It's also likely to be more favorable in slower, higher traffic congested beginning laps and the start.

The esses dilema: Lets say that you have to hold off a mph through the esses (about 250-300rpm diff between the 2 gears at the same speed) How likely is it that someone will be able to execute a pass in the esses? Coming out of the esses at the same speed, you'll have the advantage of the lower gear. If the guy behind you is smart and lays back a little entering the esses to get an unobscured-by-you, better run exiting the esses he/she may be able to overtake you going into the last turn, but your superior tallent and threshold braking abilities will get that position back into/through and exiting the last turn with a lower gear, winning the drag to s/f where position is paramount.

I really don't believe the speeds through the esses are going to be vastly different config 1 vs. config 14 (speculation as I haven't run config 1) In config 14 your speed through the first two esses is acceleration limited, I believe your speed through the first two in config 1 will be limited by handling limits. I think these two limits are close at this point on the track.

That's my .02

Have fun

**ECARRILLO** · #5 (**permalink**) 08-14-2003, 06:03 PM

Hey Anthony,

Where did you get a 5.37 RR End from? What R&P is that???

Regards,

**italcarguy** · #6 (**permalink**) 08-14-2003, 08:44 PM

it was in a box with a whole bunch of gta parts from that shop we bought out. its really cool, it has a hollowed shaft and lightened ring gear. i looked it up in my alfa competition parts manual and it is a racing part offered from the factory.

ps. its brand new and has never been used.

**ECARRILLO** · #7 (**permalink**) 08-14-2003, 10:51 PM

How much?
Could it fit a 101??

Thanks,

**italcarguy** · #8 (**permalink**) 08-14-2003, 11:15 PM

no way senior. this is not for sale. yeah, it's for 1600 axles. i can use it at las vegas and buttonwillow depending on the configuration.

**italcarguy** · #9 (**permalink**) 08-14-2003, 11:16 PM

no way senior. this is not for sale. yeah, it's for 1600 axles. i can use it at las vegas and buttonwillow depending on the configuration. in a little bit as soon as i can afford the world famous awesome schwitter box, i will throw a 4.56 back in the car and this ring/pinion might be for sale.