Did you ever call us for a couple more runs after you got the exhaust to quit banging off the floor? How is a guy to know if it's a exhaust banging, rod coming apart, other crazy stuff in 3 minutes of being around your car. Next time you are in the area, make sure to stop by for your other pull.

How would have it looked with a rod hanging out of the block if it had a rod coming apart. We do have a certain amount of responsibility when there is that many people around a strange to us car on the dyno.
Randy

 

This car runs kinda like my 1975 John Deere tractor before I rebuilt it. Cranking on it sounds like it is down on compression, burns oil like crazy. This car had the cam installed a tooth off and broke a piston. Plus many other problems. To bring a car in and make 460 to the wheels with a stalled auto, you better have your poop in a group. Because it's not that easy. Then handicap it without all the other parts to go with it, and you have problems.

Did the other shop hone the cylinder?
Did they lap the valves to make sure the seats were still good?
Is it some welded up head with a seat cocked in there? Did they heat treat the head after welding?
Are there more bent valves?
Cracked guide?
Is the cam installed right?
Pushrods right? Or are they hanging the valve open?
Valve springs close?
Is the cam worth a crap?
Is the 3 inch pretty much wide open exhaust helping?
is the stock un-ported t-body worth anything?

So many unknowns it's impossible to really know why it isn't some super fast internet hotrod. Hence the reason why we suggested a cam swap, because a smaller cam would still reach is goals. Then tear into the heads, double check all these other unknowns..

Randy

 

If someone wants and the Poker will let them try to make the missing 80 RWHP. Come on up, we will give our dyno free of charge. Buy the beer, lunch and etc. There is a few more horsepower and it could drive better, that is the case with anything that you spend more time on. But if anyone of these super tuners in the area want to take a stab at making the power . Be our guess, use our dyno, enjoy a free lunch. Anytime you guys want, I will be here for as long as you need the dyno. The only thing is don't run it past 6600 rpm, we don't feel like cleaning up more oil on the floor.

You guys are so good come on up

Randy

 

U tell em' randy!!!!!

How many tuners step up to the plate like that guys?

Aj

 

I totally understand that its a liability thing with a strange car and strange noises. I owned the car for about a month at that time. It was a club dyno day so the rate was cheap. I just would have liked to have the second pull motor only but before I could get dougs attention the straps were already off. Again, minor experience. No big deal. I havent been to any other speed shop with my car since.

Last fall I changed the exhaust and installed poly motor mounts. Another club dyno day is scheduled late april. Hopefully Ill have enough tuning time in by then to make it worth it.

 

Thanks for the PM randy. I will try and get the car up there sometimes soon and see if Doug can get that surging polished up and that check engine light. I usually run a busy schedule and stuff so it makes it tough

 

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. thats cool, i respect that. HOnestly, my car has been running fantastic since he rebuild the motor. doesn't eat oil, no smoking, runs like a champ, starts and idles just fine. (nothing like hitech though, they couldn't tune my car to save their lives, but thats a whole different story). though mine does not make the power (numbers) it runs great on the road course and on the drag strip. numbers don't matter, i proved that point down in TX last weekend.

The Atomic Orange Z was built purposely as a road racer. watch him on the road course and you'll see how that motor performs. it made something like 600rwhp on rippies dyno, but down there in TX, it was short ~20rwhp. different dynos, different conditions, etc, you should know this. More importantly, after his flogging of the motor (and mine for the last 3 yrs) i can safely say, this motor is stout and still runs strong. Thats a testament to how DRM can build cars! And even others noted, cars are sent in to him from around the US, thats gotta say something as well...


Thanks Jake, i appreciate the comments! And yes, you can try Boos, if you ever get in there! that man is BUSY!!!! LOL


I'll also note one more thing, my bud Nick's car was having big issues the couple days before we went to TX. my one phone call at 8-9pm on thursday night to Randy, and Nicks car was in the shop first thing friday morn. the problem was found and figured out around the afternoon time period. THATS how dedicated Randy, Doug and Todd are to those who come in!

 

haha-to show my confidence in DRM...Ill put my car out there-with one of them babysitting you of course (I already had the feeling of a $15k lawn ornament-and I dont want it back).... You guys are all talk-they are the only ones that know what kind of shape my car was in. If and when a professional touches my car-IT WILL BE DRM. period. PS-I dont know how tuning works-but WHEN whoever screws it up.... they will be paying Rippie to fix it, those are the terms.

 

 

Joe,
Can I clear up anything for you?

 

My offer still stands.

Randy

 

I want to see the freakin genius's come and fix this car with tuning rather then hide behind their keyboard and talk smart. So I think the super tuners should come for the free beer and lunch and fix this mans car.
I witnessed this car on the dyno and saw all the effort Doug Randy and Todd put into it fixing problems that were installed with the heads and cam (no offense intended to the owner). Tuning is not the problem there is at least one issue holding this engine back. That is why pokerfreak posted his question so why don't we focus on the problem and stop pointing fingers. The cam is on the large side for an automatic car I would almost bet money the valve springs are not up to the task of keeping things happy. The amount of blue smoke under power really should be addressed also ring seal is very important for power. Was the cam installed correctly? Are the springs matched to the cam?

 

to be honest...i cant verify any work was done properly before it was put into DRM's hands... My valve springs are Partriot Duals good to 650 lift... they were 255 bucks (if that helps). Like I said before... I stand behind DRM and any takers are welcome to step up to the plate with MY CAR!!! (given that if they mess anything up-they once again...pay DRM to fix it)

 

i like where this is going! good luck Poker. hope to meet you this summer! i believe you know that DRM will take care of you and your car.
Aj

 

I don't see any issue with the cam specs in an auto car my cam is 234/242 with .600.610 lift on a 110 lsa(G5x3), and it runs great, idles great and makes awesome power(400hp/400trq,A4, DanaS60, stalled). I don't know who put your cam and other stuff in the car, but if it wasn't done properly than that is the issue. No reason to change the cam IMO, unless you want to. Any capable tuner should be able to tune the car if everything with car is up to par.

There is a lot more info coming out in this thread than there was earlier. Thats why most people like myself jumped to the conclusion and put the blame on the shop because of the many who have had a bad experience with DRM.

 

yup, agree with you on that. that cam is NOT too big.

 

Interesting post.
Name the cars that we have blown up in the past lets say 10 years????? My 300 dollar LS1 engine doesn't count, in my personal car. Even that was a good experience, we found why the former west coast owner of the car popped 4 (NON DRM problems at all) of them in very short order. Wiring is very important...... I bought as a roller.

A4 tranny tunes are hard without a lot of on the road tuning. Are you going to pay for the speeding ticket? The insurance increase? If that were to happen? How about driving around POS cars that some kid worked on in his parent's cold garage? Other times they are spotless installs, with everything hooked up right and things go smoothly.

The former employee part is pretty funny also. We are friendly to all but one former employee dating back to the early 80s. Burning a bridge for yourself is one thing, you just brunt many of them. That is pretty adult like. Let me guess that person had something to gain by talking crap??? Unreal you use a former employee against us on a open forum. By the way what is your real name anyways?

Good call on selling off your old parts. That's just what he needs

Randy

 

well.. you're both wrong. I already said why on page 1. That cam belongs in a much lighter car with a much higher stall.

 

How do you measure hp at the crank while the motor is still in the car? Is there a way to do that?

 

We use a pretty univerisal math to reach some what of a Flywheel horsepower level. Not 100 percent perfect, but gets a rough idea of the power level of the engine.

Randy
PS Damn you are up early, heading to the NASA meeting down south?