Indy 500 Carb Question

Dear Ralph:
I have a 1992 Indy 500 and I recently bought a PSI pipe. When I had the stock pipe in the needles were dropped one setting in the carbs to get rid of a nasty hesitation at half throttle. If I leave it where it is now will I burn it up with the PSI pipe on it? Thanks!

David “500” Meier

David:
The best advice in this situation is to start with the carb calibration recommendations of the pipe supplier. Their recommendations are based on the assumption that the rest of your engine is stock – and their specs are going to be a good starting point. You may very well end up with the needles where they are right now, but I would raise them back up a notch or two just to be safe, and work your way back down if needed. If you have made any additional mods to the engine it would also be wise to increase the size of the main jets and work your way back down. Better safe than sorry.