I would have to see if I could get someone to do that for me. What do you think is more likely, me accomplishing that, or Big Red actually getting fixed and making the trip?:laugh:
Back in the 90's, my buddy Brian broke his rear axle running one of the bracket classes in BG. He found all the parts in the swap meet, fixed it and drove home. He only over an extra day. Also back then (late 80/early 90's) I always helped Norm and Ken Dihle drive their cars to BG, axle ratios varied from 3.73-4.10 depending on the car/combination, Norm lead the way and 3750 rpm was common to see on the tach. I think he won 3 or 4 classes over a few year span with the cars we drove! 450 miles each way...those were the days! So, yes it's a long way, yes things can happen but you'll get through them and sometimes that is most of the fun!
That's cool Larry, I can respect that. Isn't that a horseshoe shifter? If so I thought those can be slammed forward and only would go one notch until the forward pressure was let off then hit it again to get to 3rd and only needs the center pulled up to pull the shifter back? Not sure I haven't owned a horseshoe shifter car for over 30 years. Or does the center have to be lifted for each forward shift? I have seen aftermarket help for those style of shifters for Chevelles, it could probably help the Buick version of that shifter? I think the kit I seen keeps the shifter looking factory but changes the shifting mechanism to a ratchet style shifter?(I'll see if I can find it and post it for you) I like shifting an automatic even if I have to use a rigged column shifter that was made for a 2 speed that now has a 4 speed but if that's not your cup of tea, to each his own. Derek
Yes it is a horseshoe shifter, but far from any kind of ratcheting action. It is easy to move it too much and miss the gear you want. Has to be done relatively slow too so you would actually have to start moving it before you hit your target RPM. It is far from precise. I think there is a plate that has the actual detents for each gear. I remember reading somewhere about modifications to that plate that would make each gear position more precise. Right now, I can move it easily through all 3 gears into neutral. It will stop before reverse until you lift the trigger, but I could see myself going past 3 and hitting neutral while trying to go from 2-3.
I hear you Rob:TU:, I heard all kinds of stories from my clubmembers, engine swaps, rebuilding transmission in the rooms. I know somehow I'd get it home. You know what though, I love driving my GS, but 16 hours straight in one way, and I'd want to get as far away from it as possible. I can get good air much closer.:grin:
What?... Last I checked, your retired... so you could spend a week driving it there and another one driving it back, 2 hours a day.. Not like us working stiffs who have to drive there and back straight thru.. to go to work the next day.. --------------- I am surprised to say the least that you can't get that thing in the 1.5's in 60'. Was it spinning that hard? JW
Got a sweet little part time job just to keep me busy Jim. 2-4 hours in the morning that gives me play money.:grin: No, it definitely wasn't spinning hard. Just wouldn't 60' consistently. I managed to match my best 60' time from last year (1.62), but it wouldn't leave any harder. Maybe it is too tight, but it drives really great on the street and keeps up with the GV which is important to me. It is a heavy converter though at 37lbs. If I send it back to get re stalled, I'm afraid that it will be too loose during street driving. I know the 9.5 you sell is a lot lighter, but will it handle the GV? I'm not ready to give up on this converter yet. I'd like to try it a few more times. At least now I am fixed pitch and can try another converter if it comes to that.
A mid 11 second car that goes 1.62 60 ft. is doing just fine IMO. Especially a car that serves the majority of its time on the street. I wouldn't touch a thing.
Thanks guys. I am very pleased with the car. The quest continues for it to be all it can be. I won't compromise the street-ability though.
I know that car as well as Larry and have seen and experienced his mods over the years. That car is put together right with all the good stuff and runs like a Swiss watch. It is meticulously maintained and goes down the road smooth, knocks out 16mpg, never breaks down and will kick most modern muscle cars asses on the street. Larry wanted a reliable and usable street friendly mid 11 second car and has all that right now. Any faster and he will have to modify the car to meet NHRA safety rules. Just like GrandNasty was with me at the track without a bar....."You go any faster...you go home" !!! The heat and humidity we had in Cecil County was a factor for everyone racing. I didn't see anyone jumping up and down celebrating a new personal best this year. On a good day like Jim Rodgers said, that car will run a 40 or a 30, no problem. Enjoy your car the way you want to enjoy it. It was a thrill to ride in it for 3 hours each way and it runs like a champ !!!:TU::TU::TU:
Whats did the verter flash too on the 1.62 pass? The 258mm cores just dont hit as hard as a 9.5 no.matter who.builds it from what ive seen
Who knows, I can't look at the tach that long when it launches. I have to look up. Gonna have to get a small camera to focus on all my gauges. I try to scan my oil pressure and AFR, and then look at everything in the shut down area.
Yea its a challenge no doubt , but if you can video it or whatever and get an accurate number to.give the builder he'll be able to nail the flash rpm. Id want 4k, it may or may not be possible with a 258.core but if its only hitting 3200 or so I know you can get 3800 out of it and that will be a big difference. If you change your tires at the track and are running the old MT's get a pair of the 275 Pro MT's they will blow you away at the difference, just dont last long on the street
Yes on the video, gonna do that. Heard about the new MT's, definitely going to get them when I need new tires. Don't run them on the street anyway. Here in NY, there's no where to use them anyway, not without risking losing your carou: Not sure if the 9.5 can be built efficient enough to pull the GV. That would be my main concern.
I would keep running it Larry, get some good data on a good air day. My 9.5" is 26lbs. I would suspect that since I now have a 9.5" combo that works great at light throttle in a 70 Electra, we could put together something that would handle your GV, but it's too early here with that current converter to give up on it yet. Go out and get some good fall testing done. JW
Listen here Sonny .. I was making 2,000+ mile road trips and then running the tread off the tires on the drag strip while you were still in diapers .. and making it back home most of the time ou:
