GeorgeC

Well, maybe I pre-judged the powerglide a little. The car seemed to start coming around last night despite the few issues I'm still having. I think with all things being equal, a 3-speed would be quicker. However, all things aren't equal, and I don't think I'd ever get a 3-speed to hook with any consistency.

Here's my best pass from last night. This is without using the transbrake or 2-step, as I was doing some footbrake ET racing...

60' 1.395
330' 4.244
1/8th 6.675
1/8mph 100.56
1000' 8.774
1/4 10.544
mph 127.60

I had a best 60' of 1.37 last night as well. I can't believe the power this motor seems like it wants to make once I get everything right, and I can't believe the way the car launches with a 1.82 1st gear! I ran with the mufflers on all night as well. In fact, I've yet to run the new motor with open exhaust. Maybe I'll try that Wednesday. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

So far so good on the coolant issue. I am running a 7lb. radiator cap, and running the radiator just a little low (because of the low pressure cap). It didn't seem to use much coolant at all last night. I am still somewhat concerned about it, though.

I still need to dyno the car and see if I can tweak a few more hp out of it.

GeorgeC

Might as well update my sig... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

PaiN

Incredible man! What is your converter flashing up to on the footbrake when you come off the line? What gear/tire combo you running now? Keep up the good work man, your gonna make it very hard for me to keep saying "no" to a solid roller setup <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

Terry Burger

iTrader: (4)

Nice!

JP98SS

Sounds like it is making some pretty good power. MPH is right in line with Terry's car. It outlaunches his car really badly though. You seem to be cutting pretty damn good 60 ft times.

GeorgeC

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by PaiN:
<strong>Incredible man! What is your converter flashing up to on the footbrake when you come off the line? What gear/tire combo you running now? Keep up the good work man, your gonna make it very hard for me to keep saying "no" to a solid roller setup <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Well, it's a 10" JW converter that's rated at 4500rpm. It goes to ~5800rpm on the transbrake w/o the 2-step on. I don't really pay attention to where it flashes to off a footbrake launch, since I'm concentrating on where the car is going <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> . I love the converter, but I think a change is needed to optimize the powerglide and keep the car more in the powerband.

Gears are 4.33's w/ 28x10.5 MT ET Drags @ 15psi cold.

GeorgeC

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by JP98SS:
<strong>Sounds like it is making some pretty good power. MPH is right in line with Terry's car. It outlaunches his car really badly though. You seem to be cutting pretty damn good 60 ft times.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Thanks... The mph numbers on my car are somewhat deceptive with the 2-speed tranny and non-lock up converter. I lost ~3mph in the 1/8th mile when I swapped to the 'glide.

I think the car would easily run ~130mph with the TH350 back in it, but I don't think I'd get it off the starting line.

zturbo

Wow congrats George Car is really humpin down the track.

Steven <img border="0" alt="[Burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" />

CHRISPY

Congrats man that is AWESOME! <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

What was the weather like? Wait till you get some more tuning in, gearing and converter figured out hehehe!

I think with everything dialed in bottom tens high 9's are possible in the fall on the brake!

I think that 1.37 sixty might be a record? Not sure

Cheers,
Chris

<small>[ August 11, 2002, 01:51 PM: Message edited by: Chris ARE 360 ]</small>

JP98SS

If you are already cutting a 1.37 60' will the transbrake really help?

KTamez

I would assume your raceweight is still well over ~3200lbs, and all things being equal, you should go faster yet with the TH350.

Not sure what ya mean by "getting it off the starting line (w/ the TH350)"? Regardless, I don't think you're at the point where you should be trying to soften the launch to get traction, rather then find more traction for harder launches. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

Definetly motivating though! Congrats!

<small>[ August 11, 2002, 02:31 PM: Message edited by: KTamez ]</small>

GeorgeC

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by KTamez:
<strong>I would assume your raceweight is still well over ~3200lbs, and all things being equal, you should go faster yet with the TH350.

Not sure what ya mean by "getting it off the starting line (w/ the TH350)"? </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I haven't weighed the car in quite a long time and have made quite a few changes since then. I estimate raceweight to be in the 3050lb range or so.

I don't really know how I can find more traction short of tubbing the car and running steamroller slicks. I can fit a little more tire under it now, and I'm sure the Madman torque arm could be tuned for a little more traction. Still, I think the car will be very hard to hook with a 2.52 1st gear back in it.

Pro Stock John

iTrader: (34)

Looks great!

It would be interesting to compare your slip with Pain's more recent slip... Looks to me like your car would be faster at the 330 if you had more gear... I know that he runs on a 28W.

Keep us posted!!!!

I always dig your weekly updates even thought I sometimes think you rush stuff. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

I see a 29" tire in my future.
John
Takes forever to do anything <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

KTamez

Given your weiught then, yes I can see the glide in your car. Looks good then. One thing to think about is often times, people think a car will have a harder time getting traction with the transbrake, when in actuallity the harder hit will increase weight transfer and traction ability.

I don't know much about your own setup, but the car seems to be working well thus far (Congrats!) and I'd ASSume a solid sway, etc has already been implemented. From there You have shocks/springs (Just ASSuming you have HALs, and not the nicer double adjustable Afcos). More tire sidewall (as John noted). Spring Rates. Theres ALWAYS room fro improvement. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

Quite frankly if its not ready to stand on the bumper you've got room to work with. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

<small>[ August 11, 2002, 05:23 PM: Message edited by: KTamez ]</small>

Patman

That's great George, I know you've been patiently waiting to get back in the saddle again and what a great way to come out! It'll be interesting to see how it runs in cooler weather, you should be flying!

Street Racer

iTrader: (65)

Sweet, man it sounds like shes working out pretty good <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

GeorgeC

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Pro Stock John:
<strong>Looks great!</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Thanks John!

<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I always dig your weekly updates even thought I sometimes think you rush stuff. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The car has been down seven months!!! I don't think I rushed anything. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I see a 29" tire in my future.
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Mine too... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

GeorgeC

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by KTamez:
<strong>I don't know much about your own setup, but the car seems to be working well thus far (Congrats!) and I'd ASSume a solid sway, etc has already been implemented. From there You have shocks/springs (Just ASSuming you have HALs, and not the nicer double adjustable Afcos). More tire sidewall (as John noted). Spring Rates. Theres ALWAYS room fro improvement. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

Quite frankly if its not ready to stand on the bumper you've got room to work with. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The front suspension is your basic !swaybar, QA1 shocks & springs.

The rear consists of QA1 shocks, stock springs, Wolfe swaybar, Madman torque arm, Madman SFC's, LS1 Motorsports/Metco LCA's with the relocation brackets welded in. I'm sure the TA is not set up optimally, as it's really been untouched since I installed it (pinion angle is -3). I think I can fit a 29x11x15 Hoosier slick under the rear (29.3" tall) with the clearance I have now. I'd have to section the rear bumper cover again to fit a 30" tire. So yes, there is some room for improvement. The way the car 60's now, I'd have to speculate that it would want to go 1.33-1.35 with a 3-speed back in the car, if not a little better. IMHO, that's going to be hard for a ~3050lb stock-style suspensioned F-body to do consistently.

I am going to call Brian (Madman) and get some opinions on the suspension, and how far he thinks we can take it. I'm going to talk to JW about a possible converter change, also. If I could pick up some midrange acceleration, the 'glide might be perfect. Maybe, maybe not.

The powerglide is downright awesome as far as bracket racing goes... The car leaves a little softer, and I only have to make one shift (about ~400ft. down the track).

I have to make up my mind once and for all which way to go tranny wise soon. There are pros and cons to either choice.

All in all, I think the TH350 would be 2-3 tenths quicker if I can get the car to hook.

Nine Ball

iTrader: (38)

Damn good George! You and PaiN are making me want to throw a TH350 in my car and go pop some big wheelies. 1.3X 60' times are not even imaginable for me.

-Tony

PaiN

Keep us posted George. Your setup is rocking man! I'm anxious to see just how far you can take it... it's gonna be a FUN fall.