295 Nitros can they compete?

[Sticks]

I have a 295 Nitro and my kids want to start going to radar runs and some local drag races with it. (Sounds bad aready dosen't it)
I need help! It pulls around 6000 Rpms maybe tops out mid 50s. Is there any Potential in this sled or should I look else where? Thanks for the help! Sticks

[magnumforce]

Hi Sticks, my uncle oval raced a '72 295 and did well with it, he said the only thing he remembers doing was stuffing the crank case and cleaning up the exaust ports and some misc clutch tuning. I'll ask him again but it's been over 30 years since he raced it. It should rev at least to 7000 according to the spec sheet good luck and let us know how you do!!!

[wigman25]

Hey Sticks: As long as you stay in the stock class you should do fine. Don't expect to beat the fanatics right off the bat, but the 295's ran pretty well. You will learn the tricks over time, great learning experience for the kids, you will have a ball. Also, Mag is correct, you should be running 7000-7200 with that motor, maybe someone messed with the gearing or something at one time or another.

[Sticks]

Thanks for the uplifting news, the kids are really looking forward to it. Can you guys tell me if I should put more tesion or less tension on my secoundary clutch spring to get my RPMs up to that 7000 plus range? And does anyone know if theres different primary clutch springs and weights for a stock rupp clutch for sale any where? Thanks Sticks

[Sticks]

Hey Mag, I've been told to stuff it a few times in my life, but a crankcase, whats up with that?

[racingelvis]

sticks, i would be willing to bet that your clutch is sticking or somebody has changed it to a differnt rupp clutch at one time. if you get it to rev up you will be surpised on how torquey these 295's feel. you will do great drag racing this sled. they really go. i have all kind of weights and springs. i could set you up. i have got some great racing bullitons from ddi back in the day . i'll see what they say about the 295. i would put the secondary spring in the middle hole and fine tune it from there. THE RUPP SHOP, b.s.

[magnumforce]

Hi Sticks, I've been told to stuff it a few times myself lol.. Good one Wig ;D some of those "fan"atics are pretty fast...
they filled
every
nook and cranny with cork or epoxy or fiberglass resin,which he used to use, to fill in any wasted dead space in the case to have a smaller volume inside. It is supposed to speed up the fuel/air mixture in and through the transfer ports with more force . they also filled the balance holes in the crank cheeks with cork. i
don't know if anyone does this anymore or not, it's kind of a lost art in it's own right but they swear it worked and I never questioned or doubted any of them guys who raced back in the day with the stuffed sleds, it's interesting a few L/C's we pulled apart were jambed with cork but the rest was stock,
this was in the HP bulletin.
There should be springs around for the clutch,there are a few guys here that are racing Tohatsu's maybe they can chime in and give some advice . I'm still trying to figure out what kind of clutch is on my '73 Nitro it looks like a RUPP fixed sheave and some kind of Ski-Doo outer half, it engages at about 3800 rpm which i think is a little high for it, hopefully you get it to scream

[400magnum]

Hey Sticks. I used to grass drag 295's. I still have a couple of them. Bill is right, the clutch can stick. Good luck on your racing.

By the way, Cory or Bill, could you guys post some of them bulletins in here somehow so we could look at some of the old stuff on the 295's? It would be greatly appreciated.

[magnumforce]

:oI missed Bill's post earlier, Bill if you have DDI ones e-mail them to Dave or myself and we'll post them, hi 400 I don't have any HP bulletins for the 295 just the service bulletins I will scan them all and post them, my uncle raced a 295 and 440 and said the only one that gave him trouble was a 294 TNT but he won the Molson's Cup in '73 on a 295 nitro I think he did good because him and his machine had the stamina as he was only about 17 years old and had more nerve then brains and drag racing was rare here at the time but there was ovals all over.
It's going to take me a few hrs to scan these I'll try to get them done up this weekend if I get a chance

[MrPeabody]

Hey Sticks, I have drag raced a 73 295 stock and took a 1st and 3rd's. Got beat by 1/2 sled lenght by a 72 295 and a full sled lenght by a JD the first time I took it out, so I think it did well. I use a green spring in the primary and set my secondary at the number 2 hole if that helps. Haven't taken it out this year as I was too busy at work but put a 14 tooth sprocket in the top gear at the end of last year and got one more mph out of her.

Tom

[RuppParts]

Rupp performance tuning recommends for 72 models
white driver spring
weight cover off a 400s,440s
driven in 3rd hole
timing @ .130"-.150"
13 tooth for snow

my bone stock 73 295s-3 runs 6600 with a 13 tooth in loose pack

if you have a 73.....find a 72 muffler if your rules allow

[400magnum]

Thanks cory thats cool if you can post what you have.and Thanks Rupp parts that performance tuning info is neat if you can post more thanks you guys rock.I print it and it helps. TC Guys

[Sticks]

RuppParts, My sled is the 1973, whats the differents between the 72 & 73 exhaust systems? I know that in 72 the nitros were awesome sleds, We had a 340 that won just about every race we put it in. Awe those were the days!

[magnumforce]

Nice stuff you guys, Brandt that's good info, we can tie all these documents in one spot for future referance and if anyone has anymore tricks please feel free to post them ;D 400mag and MrPeabody I didn't know you raced the 295's, COOL!! I wished I had one now !!

[Sticks]

Mag, I know where theres one for sale in Mn. it even has electric start, if your getting along in your years this might be a benefit! ;D Sticks

[RuppParts]

the 73 mufflers were made quiet to fit the Canadian sound restrictions. The 72 is less restrictive and gives the 295 a much throatier sound

[snikr]

sticks said:

RuppParts, My sled is the 1973, whats the differents between the 72 & 73 exhaust systems? I know that in 72 the nitros were awesome sleds, We had a 340 that won just about every race we put it in. Awe those were the days!

The 72 exhaust system was more opened up. It had a sweet sound (a little on the loud side) compared to the 73. Plus the 72 motors had points and they ran good if you spent the time to get the timing right. My Dad was real good at this and could get a local 295 to RUN!

Tom

[MrPeabody]

Alot of the stock class drags require stock exhaust, however some of the tech's don't know the difference. You will also have to change out the muffler mounting bracket.

Tom

[Sticks]

OK! finding a complete 72 exhaust system with mounting hardware sounds like fun! What happens if there is some official that calls you for not having a stock setup? You pack up and go home? or! do we figure out how to make the 73 system work better? Has anyone ever cut an exhaust canister open are there baffles inside or is just a empty can?

[MrPeabody]

Remember, you have an older tac on that older machine and it may not read accurately. Mine bounces so I can't tell you what r's it's doing over 4000. My speedo I think is close, when next to a 06 4 wheeler the speeds read the same, around 53 mph in 4" snow.