Keeping the office Chevelle in check.

There's a guy at work with a Chevelle that I've managed to keep in the rear view mirror so far, but now he's planning for us to meet at the track; and he's all eager about having put headers on his car, saying that it's quicker now.



It feels like the Cat pulls him out of the gate and he can't make up the ground. But I'm not sure if the nailhead can keep up pumping once we get further down the road with more speed and higher revs. He's got a 327 with aluminum heads, mild cam, posi, 200R4, and now these headers. The Cat is stock with an open 3.08 rear, and no real performance mods on it.

Since we have some time before this next meet would happen, I'm trying to figure out some modifications that could be done without too much effort and cost, to ensure the Chevelle stays where it needs to stay.

Any thoughts on these:

1. Modifying the distributor.
We actually have a distributor tuning machine here at work, but the only problem is that no one knows how to use it. Alan here on the board pointed me to where the instructions online were located, so maybe it can be figured out, it just didn't seem real clear. I'd probably get a second stock distributor and some springs, adjustable vacuum canister etc. and try to sort it out that way, or should I try one of these, and modify?

• http://www.ebay.com/itm/Buick-Nailhead-HEI-Conversion-Distributor-NEW-/370316832075
• http://www.ebay.com/itm/Buick-Nailh...Parts_Accessories&hash=item27dcd1cfb1&vxp=mtr
• http://www.msdignition.com/Products..._Buick_Nailhead_Ready_to_Run_Distributor.aspx


2. Nitrous
Getting a basic 100hp kit. But would this also include having to get an electric fuel pump to ensure fuel pressure? How would the nailhead respond to something like that?

• http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nitrous-Sni...Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e845e6a4c&vxp=mtr


Any other ideas?


Thanks!

K.

 

Id spray it. Just a little shot. You could go with a dri system and not worry about the pump or a wet system and t off the fuel line into a regulator. I know the smallest jet I have makes a 1/2 second difference in a 1/8 mile race. Thinking its under a 50 shot. From memory, I think you back off the timing 1 degree for each 10HP you spray. I might off a bit on that.

 

guys chevy is a sharp car

 

pretty. I like a simple looking CA black plate car

 

Sneak in a 4.56 rear end before the run. You will scare him coming off the line so hard he will probably let off the gas. You can change the rear end back after you get home.

 

I've been working on getting the 3.42:1 posi gears I have into the car for like five years, but I need a housing that can take the carrier. The one in the car is from the wrong side of a split year design.

The nitrous seems like guaranteed results for not too much $, hmmm...

The white car is nice, and he just installed new door panels so it looks mint in there (blue interior).

We've (mostly I) been talking smack back and forth for a couple of years, and he's always blamed some cable adjustment for the transmission, and I've always asked how it feels to be behind the Cat. A while back I printed out some weight #s I found on the net comparing the cars and left on his chair, just to stir the pot. I think I'm getting to to him lol.

 

Your Cat has the 3.08 open rear. What does his car have?

 

Just make sure you don't pick on that SRT/8.

 

Wait a minute why mess with the cat just to be sure you continue to embarrass a Chevelle you've already won -He's the one that has to proof it self and He's got a 327 with aluminum heads, mild cam, posi, 200R4, and now these headers. had to do all that and still comes up short with his bonified fairly high dollar muscle car with the big weight advantage. -- The Cat is stock with an open 3.08 rear, and no real performance mods on it - its heavy a personal luxury car that beats a fairly modified what many think is a super car. - plus who gets the coffy ride to and from the track - Go out on road circuit and watch how far behind the Chevelle ends up.

No matter how many times you beat them chevelles are always the faster car.

I used to go shows and be parked besides a friends modded chromed up 69 SS 396 with my 69 GS 400 vert - people would glance at the Buick maybe say "nice car" - then take a couple steps to be in front of the chevelle an you hear "wow now theres fast car, those are worth lot of money, super rare car, etc" and of course they or some relative had one just like it - it never beat the 68 350 2bbl lark, 0r 67 340 lark parked close by let alone come close to catching the GS.

 

From my experiences, the Nailhead, even in a big heavy fullsize car, preforms really well stop light to stop light because of the low end torque. However, I know that some of the stop light races I've won, likely wouldn't have had the same outcome in a 1/4mi.

Recurving the distributor is a good step. Mr. Gasket sells a kit with a bushing to limit the mechanical advance, as well as new springs. I'd shoot for 32-34* all in by about 2000-2500rpms. That should really wake it up.

In terms of nitrous, I'd be leary of spraying more than a 75 shot with the factory pistons. Maybe that's just me being overly cautious, but they aren't known for being super stout. With a 50 or 75 shot, the factory fuel pump SHOULD be capable of providing adequate fuel. An auxiliary electric fuel pump would be a safer choice though. Besides closing up the spark plug gap, you should pull about 2* of timing for every 50hp increase.

 

That's in a different league, I'm fighting in the "bottom of the Barrel" class, lol. The SRT does have some traction issues off the line, but then it comes like a train.

---------- Post added at 09:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:28 AM ----------

The Chevelle would probably put some distance on the Cat, it has some performance Bilstein shock setup on it, that makes it pretty tight.

---------- Post added at 09:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:30 AM ----------

That's what I'm thinking also. I don't see the Cat running better numbers in a quarter. On paper, he should be 2 sec ahead I would think. He'll probably reel it in past the half way mark, but so far the Cat has jumped out, and he gets stuck behind.

I did this before on the Centurion, and it helped. I'd like to use this nice machine we have here, and know exactly what's going on. I just need to get a second distributor, the kits, and go in there and mess with it.

I don't think I need much at all, just as long as it stays ahead - 50hp would probably be fine. I read up on the subject a bit more yesterday, and it seems like you need a few more ingredients to make a better setup than just a basic kit. http://www.go-fast.org/z28/new_to_nitrous.html

 

You can get more advanced with a nitrous system, adding a lot of the precautionary systems that the article outlined, but for your purposes I don't think they would be necessary. All you'd need would be an arming switch, and a push button to activate the solenoids. Once you hookup and get out of the gate, spray away!

Also I see you posted a link to an NOS Sniper kit. I would look at the 05001 kit from NOS. It comes with a better plate, and a normal nitrous bottle valve. The Sniper kit comes with a "medical grade" valve, and some places don't always have the proper connections to fill the bottle. Or so I've heard.

Where do you work by the way? The row of cars in the parking lot looks pretty impressive!

 

We used to arrange something called "The Payday Friday Lunch Cruise", where people would bring their cars in and we'd go and have lunch somewhere, hence the lineup. It's where some car mags are made.

 

Just remember, it's the body (human) behind the engine that makes all the difference in the world. :beer As was previously posted, you have nothing to prove, you're not the one making modifications to try and beat someone that has kicked your a$$ multiple times stock.

 

Wouldn't happen to be Source Interlink, would it?

Another option, if you want to be "stealth" about it, would be a concealed nitrous setup. Edelbrock makes a good kit, which should provide about 30rwhp. You'd just have to jet your secondaries richer, since its a dry kit. The kits are available for ~$235 shipped if you know where to look. The 12oz bottle would probably only be enough for one full 1/4mi pass though.

And Joe's got a point. I've whooped up on a big block Chevelle simply because the owner couldn't drive. ou:

 

There is a NOS system called "Top Shot". The NOS nozzles slide right on the carb stud under the air cleaner. It's a real easy system to hide. I believe it's good for 75 hp. That should be more than enough to offset for headers on a SBC. Good luck.

 

You've been dusting off a "hipo" Chevelle with your Wildcat? That guy should just shut his gob.

 

Yep.

I just need a small, can we call it "guarantee", just in case it's needed, he he..

 

you should just switch cars and beat him in his own car. be like dude you suck.

 

So did you run him yet? What was the outcome?