I started by posting to Goldboattails Electra 0-60 thread, but figured I ought to make my own. My first two "official" attempts, as I said on the other thread, yielded 9.3 seconds and 8.6 seconds, or so. The first one, at 9.3 seconds, was run by simply mashing the go peddle right out of the hole and riding along. This resulted in a lot of tire spin, which obviously hurt the time. The car shifts to third at about 60 mph. For the second run, I started by running maybe a little over half throttle for a second or so and then nailing it. This time of 8.6 seconds showed a definate improvement. The first two runs were done a week or two ago. I tried again the other day to see if I could repeat the times. The first run was done on the same stretch of road as the 8.6 second run from before. This time, I just slowly rolled into the throttle so that it the throttle was wide open in maybe 3/4 of a second. This was a bit too quick, as quite a bit of wheel spin resulted. Not as much as the other week, but still way too much. The time wasn't too bad, though, at about 8.8 seconds or so. I tried one more time that day, getting into the throttle maybe even a bit slower than the first time. This time, the engine bogged a bit getting into the secondaries, and there was a noticeable amount of spark knock. The time for this one was about 9.2 seconds (apparently, my memory is only good to within 0.1 seconds). It appears as though the warmer temperatures we're getting around here may require something less than the 8 initial timing I am currently running, as I have heard it ping pretty regularly lately. No sign of that earlier in the year. I'm also in the process of buying a posi rear end for this monster from Jake, which should help this quite a bit, or at least make it easier to get repeatable times. Has anyone else measured 0-60s for similar cars. There was some information on the other thread, but it would be interesting to see more times, and what was done to achieve them. Nick :3gears:
Probably you already know the site (http://www.buick-riviera.com) and this AVI-file: http://www.buick-riviera.com/pictures/avi/0to60riv.avi
While there are more accurate ways to do this, I simply found an open stretch of country road and used a stop watch. Pressed the start button at the same moment as my foot left the brake pedal and pressed the stop button when I saw the speedo pass 60 mph. My car shifts right before 60 mph, so the needle jumps past it pretty quick. I haven't tried putting the shifter in second so it'll stay in second, yet. We have plenty of straight, open country roads around here, so finding one that is relatively flat is the only real concern. I'm sure other areas are different. Having a buddy along to run the stop watch might not be a bad idea, just make it a skinny buddy, and put him/her in the back seat. That other site was pretty cool, but my dial up connection made it a bit of a pain to negotiate. I didn't realize there were that many boat tails in movies over the years. I did know of the Fletch one. Nick
Nope, but I want to. The nearest track is about 1.5 hours away, which shouldn't deter me if I really wanted to put my mind to it. I replaced the motor several months ago, and the motor that was in the car last summer was a dud, so running at the track would have been out of the question. We'll see how time and money look this summer. The body is in pretty rough shape, too. I'd almost be ashamed to take it in its current condition. I've got plans/dreams for that, too. I remember reading about your trip to the track last summer. Looked like you had a blast. That was fun reading. Are you in the quest for 16s this year. I've been to the track here (actually, just South of Eau Claire, WI) a few times as a spectator. They put on a great show. Lots of cars from northern Wisconsin and the Minneapolis/St. Paul area show up, so its a pretty big showing for this part of the state. Rock Falls Dragway (Raceway?) is the name. Nick
I'm actually in the quest for 16's tomorrow .. We'll see, last time the car didn't go below 18 so that was a let down and I was a bit put off. I think the timing was off, but this time I will bring the timing light, a posi rear and a different carb to help me along the way.. Pictures to come tomorrow night..
I ran 16.353 in My Riv. I know 71 is supposed to be the fastest year, but I figure you should be able to hit the sixteens.
I figured if I got around to going, 16s would be the target. I may also have a 3.42:1 posi in it by the time I actually make it to the track, which should help, too. Do you have a posi in your 71, Crazyjackcsa, or is that time with an open rear?
That time is an open rear 2.93 and a stock 455, at the track on my second ever run, and my reaction time was really high!
Boy, a posi has got to be good for something. That single tire breaks loose like its a P175 (it's actually a P235).
