[will slow gto]

Originally Posted by SD455DJ

Dan and I finally had the opportunity to run the ’70 Tempest with the XV code 400 (330 hp/430 lb-ft torque) at the May 12 & 13th F.A.S.T. race at Martin US-131 Raceway Park. This is the first time it’s been out in public since I got the car 4 years ago (already!), also the first time on the dragstrip, so, we were pretty excited and nervous how it would perform. The engine was dyno’d over 2 ½ years ago, so, after a quick once over of the fluid levels, bolts, lugnuts, brakes, fuel lines, hose clamps, double checking the timing (36 degrees all in by 3200 rpm), and pumping up the G70’s to 40 lbs. all around, we were ready to race. Oh, we added 6 gal. of 110 leaded race gas ($72!!!) to the 14 gal. of Shell 93 E10 ($5.10/gal.) just to guard against any potential detonation as it was 88 degrees both days! We left the carb jetting alone from the dyno session (73 jets/43 rods primaries & CG (.0774M tip) secondary rods on a ‘K’ hanger) and never touched again over the next 2 days (plugs read great each day). The 3.42 gears are definitely not ideal for racing (went through the traps at around 4900 rpm), but it is a street car, not purpose built and/or optimized for the pure stock drags…however, 3.73’s or 3.90’s would be much better suited for the track.

The three best passes were 13.1843 @ 103.88 mph, 13.2045 @ 103.09 mph, and 13.2182 @ 102.90 mph in the oppressive heat with OK 1.92 – 1.97 sec. 60’ times. The worst times were in the 13.40’s when the line was slick and spun hard. It was fairly low humidity on Thursday, but shot up on Friday. I heard that the DA’s were 2200’ on Thursday afternoon and over 3500’ on Friday afternoon (unsubstantiated – maybe someone could verify?). Regardless, we are very happy with the cars performance, right where we were hoping it to run.

Another surprise was the weight…3815 lbs. with me in it…way heavier than I was expecting…by 150 lbs.! So the AMA weights are real close for this car as optioned (3643 lbs. + 165 lbs. (me) = 3808 lbs.) with a full tank of gas, no spare tire though (in the trunk that is…not my waist). It’s still 300 lbs. lighter than my ’70 RAIV/TH400 Judge (OPH – Roger – you were right on with the weight!).

We’re quite confident with some further sorting out of the suspension (pretty stiff and little to no front end lift) and cooler weather, it could run high 12’s. The lower mph is indicative of the small valves (lower air flow) of the heads, the log exhaust manifolds with the 2.1” outlets, and fighting the 3.42 gears. But, it was a blast getting back on the track as it’s been since 2007 (15 years) the last time I raced in the pure stocks (or anything for that matter!).

Dennis

Wow, 13.2 @ 103 is really moving for a car with logs, 3.42s and a 2800 cam. You guys sure know how to squeeze every last drop of performance out of these stockers. Bravo!