Originally Posted by bsmooth
Hey Rich,
I think I hurt my engine at RAMS this past weekend. I'm either going to rebuild it (head button, piston, liner, rod), or I'll get another and leave this as a spare. What are your current thoughts on the Xenon-R? I don't want to drop another $650 on an engine, but the power is so ADDICTING!! Also, i used the frozen water trick on the pipe, and it kinda 'ballooned' on me. So what pipe do you recommend as well?
Last, thank you for pitting for me in my qualifier!
-Steve
Hi Steve,
Current, available, best pipe 9886. 2018 is good and get better milage. Headers - you can't beat the 5, 6 and 7 ring conicals (01351-04/05/06). Easy to figure out and all the tuning you will need for the RAMS track.
I saw your motor at the end of your event - it was lean (to be polite). I'm sure it hit 300ºF but, RB's are tough, I don't think you need a complete re-build. Have Kevin @ Ace re-rod and review the motor this weekend. Let me look at it at the next race.
Pick up a C6 from Ace they are $500 ish - RB dropped the price of the C6 (good news). It is always wise to have a spare ready. They are great motors. Scott was running a C6 this weekend, along with 6 or 7 other guys!
About the Xenon R. Powerful and best left to the more experienced. The C6 is close to the Xenon R in performance (so, given your experience level - I would strongly suggest the C6 only). The Xenon does make more power - no question. The Xenon R is a full race motor. Like a full size "full race" motor it is very sensitive to tuning and can be easily destroyed if run too hot.
In our experiences with it: 7, consistent, laps to stabilize temperature before attempting race tune. It will not survive running over 210ºF for any extended time. You better have a pretty good concept on needle work. Butt ass fast - with loads of bottom end. We can run a large 1 - 2nd gear split and it pull right through it - nice to have. Blistering bottom end and huge top end. Rody has been very careful not to "over-sell" the R - I think he is making a good choice.
To those of you thinking about these motors: Don't be afraid - just be very careful during break in and when you tune. Don't run "hero" laps and then tune the motor - it will bite you hard. When you master the motor - watch out...you are in for a surprise. Don't be afraid to ask questions - there will be much to learn. If we work together we can minimize the learning curve -- as Capt'n Jack Sparrow would say: "Savvy?"