I made the following changes to this over last winter.

New TH400 with a 1-2 leave trans brake. Built it myself with ATI front drum and shaft, ATI alum direct drum and 36 element sprag kit, and an ATI main shaft. The brake is by Extreme Automatics.
Of course it’s RMVB, so shifts backwards now making me a spaz at times.

Added leaf Calvert leaf spring sliders.

Shock Sensors that I log with HP Tuners

Set up my EBoost 2 to do a ramp by time. (A nightmare and still doesn’t work correctly and never will)

At the end of last year I had added a Fud 9” with 3.5 gears.
And lowered the rear by replacing the rear leaf sections of the split monos.
I had also moved the rear shocks behind the axle eliminating the stock staggered setup. Shocks are Viking Berzeker.

So. The shock sensors told me immediately that my front Viking Warrior were too fast on full stiff. Full extension in 0.3 seconds. So I switched to Bezerkers there as well. Now it’s 0.9 seconds, on full stiff.


I did an early season TT session at Woodburn just relearning how to drive the car. Took 6 passes to make it past the 330 but ran 8.8@156. And promptly got scolded for no HANS device.

Did all the rest of my runs at my local **** track and never made a full pass. I even bought a pair of M/T no prep bias tires with no better luck.

Bought new 275 Pros and finally decided to just leave in 2nd. Slooowww 1.6 second 60 ft, but it went down! 9.4x @150 spinning the tires at the finish line.

Woodburn down south announced a last minute TNT last Sat so I went.

First pass at 21 psi I ran the 1/8 mile just to check it out. 0 drama, hooked and went 5.8@123
Strapped the HANS on and upped the boost to 23. 8.8@156. Added a psi 8.73@157. Added another psi and ran 8.68@158. 25 psi. The ramp was 2 seconds.

I pulled the chute on that one, it didn’t deploy properly, yanked the back of the car violently left, which pointed me straight at the wall at prob 160 as I was driving into the chute as you are supposed to.
I missed the wall by inches. Somehow I managed to react correctly and after many back and forths got it straight. Was very happy that I have a fast ratio box in the car!!!

The safety crew was right there after I pulled off the track. Asked if I was ok. Asked if I hit the wall. Then said “That was a hell of a driving job sir”!

I called it a day.

A buddy had packed my chute. I’ll be learning the process myself from now on.

I purchased a slightly used Holley Dominator system with a pro-dash from a buddy for less than half price that I’ll install this winter. I have to build the harnesses as his were custom for a Mercedes V8.
Not expecting more power, just a whole lot better boost and timing control. Bump two step etc. I believe in a good track I should be mid 1.2’s in 60’.



I wanted to add. It never even tried to turn a tire. And never had the front wheels more than a couple inches off the ground. 👍👍

Ron

 

Sounds like a well executed set of upgrades 🙂

 

Thanks Man!

 

an old picture of Ron's car hooking up!

 

As a drag racing spectator, I really want to see his car break 8.50!

Always a Nova fan Ron. Keep after it!

 

Thanks Steve!

 

Well done Ron! Congrats!

Some in car video of the driving job would be pretty cool… just sayin’…

 

Thanks Pete.
I’d like to see a vid too.
I’d love to get a GoPro someday. But I’d stick it under the car to watch the rear tires and suspension in action.

My buddy did video that pass. But when I got back he wasn’t aware I had issues at the finish line.

And because I have an iPhone and he doesn’t, the vid he sent me is just a blurry mess. Asked him to email it to me, but his email says the file is too big.

99% of my car guy buddies are not tech savvy.

 

If it's android and he uses Google photos, he can create a link to the video, which should get you full quality, without having to send it via email.

 

He wouldn’t have a clue how to do that. I’ll just see if he can bring his phone and I’ll connect it to the lap top and suck the video out.

I would at least like to see my own car launch. I might learn something.

 

Congrats on the PB and the save.

Your slip really has me thinking, I went 1.37 5.64@127 and left off. I was thinking it was an 8.75 run out.

 

Or quicker as I’m sure your aero is better than my flat nose Nova. 😂
Thanks

 

I'm glad to see you go quicker, I follow your updates closely lol. What is your raceweight?

 

It was right at 3400 with me in it when I built it.
But I’ve added weight since then. I’d guess 3450-3475 as it sits. It would be fun to put it back on race scales and see.

 

Nice how much you leaving on, about 12?

 

3000 rpm and 150kpa

 

Kudos on the new best! Doing it all with HP tuners is even more impressive! I think you’ll love the aftermarket ECU. All kinds of boost control and launch control, and traction control options to tweak.

Were your Vikings up front the crusader valving? I think mine are doing the same. Haven’t bit the bullet on travel sensors yet, but the nose comes up way to quick for my liking.

I feel ya on the home track and crappy prep jobs. If I can get out on a radial prep night at our decent track (hour away) I’ve been in the 1.2x’s with zero drama on the leave with a 275 DR. Same tune up on my home track (8 miles away) and I’m all over the place chasing traction all night.

 

Keep us posted Ron, your new PB is personally very inspiring.

Adam you should post a discussion on your T's progress, I have been watching your videos and thought it would be interesting to discuss your shock settings.

 

Will do. Slowly getting there. Figured once I make real progress and get it to hook well, I'll post what settings actually worked. Currently fighting tire shake with pressures down where they should be. I hook and spin a little with slick pressures too high (15psi) with pretty consistent 1.3x's.

 

Ron are you using a 2 second ramp because your local tracks suck?