Finally!!

Most likely the last post for my senior year and overall a great year. Finished senior project on drag racing which really helped me get  into upgrading cars. I hope in the future to build  my own cars and eventually go to school become an engineer and build the worlds cars. Starting my journey at Citrus Community College where I will later transfer to Cal Poly Pomona to study Mechanical Engineering whit an emphasis on Automotive Engineering. Also as of this summer I will begin to build one of my many dream cars to make a name for myself in the automotive industry. Within a few years I hope to have a recognizable car that will catch the attention of very experienced automotive builders and engineers.

Blog 23: Final Lesson Reflection

(1) Positive Statement

What are you most proud of in your block presentation and/or 

your senior project? Why?

Most Proud of the unique topic I choose, it really was interesting to people.

(2) Questions to Consider
a.     What assessment would you give yourself on your block presentation (self-assessment)?

AE

b.     What assessment would you give yourself on your overall senior project (self-assessment)?

AE

(3) What worked for you in your senior project?

Activity really made people talk to each other and really analyze what it takes to modify a car.

(4) (What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your senior project if you could go back in time?

Maybe would have shortened up my lecture, since it was 1 hour I could have had time for extra activities rather than having such a long lecture.

(5) Finding Value
How has the senior project been helpful to you in your future endeavors?   Be specific and use examples.


Really opened up opportunities I have so much more kowledge about cars and the new technology and in the future i want to integrate these things into future cars. I want to be an automotive engineer and design future cars and by knowing everything that is out there I can design future cars at a better quality. 

Blog 22: Mentorship

    Literal

Complete.

Greg Peterson, Peterson Piping Racing

    Interpretive

Gained important knowledge and hands on experience, basically learning how to prepare a drag car from fueling up, charging batteries, to airing tires. Very important because it's something that you can read about but reading about it does not insure you do it right. 

   Applied

What iv'e done helped me answer my EQ because it is something that lets you see cars perform and  fail at the track. It allows you to see the cars that are well put together and the ones that do not run so smoothly. With this you can see what works well in a car, helping you build your car.

Blog 21: Exit Interview

1. What is your essential question and what are your 

answers? What is your best answer and why?

EQ: What is the best way to build a drag racing car, that can consistently win races?

A1: Using power adders and modifications with proper studies and testing.

A2: Power adders, testing and modifying of the weaker components.

A3: Complete engine rebuild with modifications, powerglide transmission swap and differential gear change.

Answer one is my best answer because the biggest part of building a car is studying and knowing what you are doing, it is important to choose the right parts for a car although they may seem simple they can really impact the final outcome.

2. What process did you take to arrive at this answer?

Extensive research, videos, books, and interviews. Importance of automotive knowledge was included in most of my sources.

3. What problems did you face?  How did you resolve them?

Had problems researching since their is only so much that can be done to a car. To solve the problem I began searching for the small parts that don't seem important but can be crucial for success such as bolts and engine oils.

4. What are the two most significant sources you used to 

answer your essential question and why?

The two more significant sources are articles from Hot Rod Magazine and Dragzine. My two most significant sources since they are a very trusted source which is well developed, both companies have tv shows testing facilities, scientists, and mechanics all devoted to the automobile. For basic drag racing knowledge my most significant source was a book "The Fast Lane" by Wally Parks which was published by NHRA, the leader in all things related to drag racing.

Future Plans

Now that I am getting to a bigger better part of my life I have decided the car that I would like to build. It is a Lexus is300 with a 2jz which is a 3.0 engine and I would like to add aftermarket turbos from precision turbo, most likely 88mm. I'd pretty much add all the little features but I basically I want a turbo 2jz.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g5kxH9yG-U

The car in the video is a 2jz is300 with a 94mm turbo with a Powerglide transmission and runs seven seconds on the track and if i build my car right i should be in the 9 second range.

Blog 19: Independent Component 2

LITERAL
(a) “I, student name Victor Gamboa, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 34 hours of work.”
(b) Mentor: Victor M. Gamboa basic mechanic and transmission builder for 18+ years for Young's Transmissions and DPA Transmissions. 
(d) Over the past months I have practiced doing hands on work learning and doing things on my own. Lots of basic maintenance like tune ups and part replacements. Getting familiar with more tools and boosting confidence working on  car. 
INTERPRETIVE  
Learned skills that no book can teach, hands on experience on real cars. Learning tricks and how components work, fail and why they fail. Observing what parts look like when they do fail and knowing how to prevent them from failing again. Basically get a car that is failing or to some people completely worthless and make it perfect again.  
APPLIED
Helped answer EQ because the "constantly win races" used in my EQ can only be solve by basic maintenance and constant inspection, and the only way to inspect and be able to maintain a car is to know what a good and bad part looks like. Also learn to replace parts that will be crucial in racing, and knowing how to substitute them is something very useful for the future.

Blog 18: Fourth Interview Questions

1. What car do you drive and what have you done to it?
2. Do you have any other goals for the car, if so how will you accomplish them?
3. What car or type of car would you recommend for someone to turn into a drag car?
4. Tube chassis or stock chassis and why?
5. Would you recommend fabricating a roll cage as an owner or is it better to get it made?
6.  In you’re opinion would you recommend a turbo, twin turbo, blower, or nitrous oxide system for a car?
7. What brand Turbo, Blower or Nitrous System would you recommend? Why? 
8. With the previous decision what other upgrades would you recommend adding with the Turbo, Blower, or Nitrous Oxide system?
9. Also for a potential drag build what engine would you recommend and, why?
10. What types of engine component upgrades would you recommend? Or for the beginning of a build which upgrades would you recommend first?
11. What ignition system and spark plugs are the most reliable on the track?
12. In your experience what transmission would you say works the best with this?
13. Their is also option of clutch-less transmissions and regular 2 speeds do you think the difference is really worth the money?
14. What do you recommend for rims and tires?why?
15. What size tires would you say work best? Is the biggest tire possible really the best bet for hooking better?
16. Rear end gear ratio that you would say works best?
17. Do you recommend any specific brand gauges or specific style that have worked better for you?
18. Do shifter brands matter or are all shifters similar for the most part?
19. Are racing shoes better to use or are they just a luxury some racers like to have?
20. What are the best options for weight reduction on a track car?
21.  Are their any other upgrades a drag car needs that a first time builder wouldn't regularly know?