[ta man]

Originally Posted by Lee

Do you currently have rpm left in the powerband? If you aren't crossing the finish line at 400 or more RPM lower than your shiftpoint, I'd keep the 3.08's. Traction might become more of an issue as well.

You are already changing the shortblock, change too many variables and you might waste a lot of time chasing your tail in circles, dialing it back in.


BTW, your current combo is HEAVILY influencing what I'm planning on doing with my '73 ;-)

I'm around 700 rpm under the shiftpoint at the traps.Its not ideal for the qtr mile but it sure works on the highway.My car sounds different than a lot of cars I'm sure from the 1/8th mile where I basically go into topgear and to the finish.Instead of winding out back up to the shiftpoint and beyond my car just uses the torque it has and lumbers down the track.

On track days I like picking out 2 different types of cars to run..either newer cars that are quick or cars that launch hard with shorter gears,more stall,louder and more dragstrip oriented.Its fun running down the shortgear cars when they start to run out of gear.

[69FIREBIRD76MM]

TAMan, you defenetely influencing what I am doing with my car now too, the only difference will be my car's got a Dana 60 and tallest gear is 3.54's. I am almost done with it will be hitting the track 1/8 mile January.

[ta man]

Originally Posted by 69FIREBIRD76MM

TAMan, you defenetely influencing what I am doing with my car now too, the only difference will be my car's got a Dana 60 and tallest gear is 3.54's. I am almost done with it will be hitting the track 1/8 mile January.

Thanks,that's the best thing about this forum we influence and help each other.I honestly never thought the current combination would dip into the tens and 60 ft 1.56.

[455TA]

Ta Man, you said you are planning on going with a new converter, who are you going to use this go around since Continental is no longer? My car is down right now getting the Northwind intake with portwork, Race Pro mufflers to replace my flowmasters (full 3 inch system), Coilovers for the front, QA1 double adjustables for the rear, a new converter from PTC, ATI, or BTE - probably around a 3800 stall 10 inch unit, and 28 inch tires on a 15 inch wheel to replace my 26 inch radials.

[ta man]

That was one of the plans a while back to dip into the 10's when I was running low 11's.I figured I needed a bit more gear and a 3800 to 4000 stall to do it.I'm not directly familiar with any companies other than what guys here recommend.

Now I'm back to what has worked add power!Trying to achieve as much street friendly power out of the SD KRE's.

I'm always worried about overpowering the stock suspension on my car.Its a simple setup just CE 3 ways front and back.No traction aids at all.Its another part of the car that just puzzles people that have never seen the car.I know the day will come where I'm stuck at a certain et and I'm going to need the higher stall speed and a bit more gearing but at the same time a overhaul of the suspension will be needed.

[Lee]

I was really happy with the custom Hughes converter in my '67 Firebird. I believe it was a 10.5". It would flash to 35'ish off the line, but was VERY driveable around town and on the highway. I drove from Houston to Dallas, and Houston to Corpus Christi with it, and no problems.

I'd like to see you advance your cam 1 or 2 more degrees, and keep the 3.08's. I think it would knock your 60' a few hundredths, which virtually always lowers the e.t.. I think it would narrow your shift/trap spread, too.

[Skip Fix]

Lee I'm thinking it needs a 2.41 and run the Texas Mile in Beeville

[ta man]

Originally Posted by Skip Fix

Lee I'm thinking it needs a 2.41 and run the Texas Mile in Beeville

Must be some guys flying by the end!

[71 T/A]

ATI or other good brand 3800 stall converter could be your next ET gainer.

[Skip Fix]

Getting over 150mph starts getting to be a HP issue with our older non aero vehicles.

[Lee]

Originally Posted by Skip Fix

Lee I'm thinking it needs a 2.41 and run the Texas Mile in Beeville

That was the one goal I failed to complete with my old Falcon wagon, before I sold it. The transmission was built to allow overdrive and converter clutch lock-up under full throttle. If the Texas Mile had allowed the use of drag radials, I WOULD have ran it. I just could never bring myself to spend a grand on tires and wheels that I might only use once for that race :-/

Maybe I'll get to run it with the '73 Firebird :-)

It would be fun to have a GROUP of us show up and run it together!

[Skip Fix]

Lee I think as long as you have correct speed rated tires for your MPH anything goes for tires. And you need fireproof driving gloves regardless of speed. Traction is an issue also a balance of traction and gears to get there with a good speed. Interesting thing is by 1/2 mile most cars are within 20 mph in the full mile for many cars.

I've toyed with it in the '81 when I get the new 455 in it and the 3.08s -or tossing my 78's original 2.56 rear in one! It would only pull 130s @ 4000 at Texas World with the stock 180 HP 400 and 2.56s, most of the road course was in second!

[Lee]

Skip, none of the 1/2-mile or longer races allow drag radials - none of the races held in Texas in the last few years, anyways. I haven't re-checked since I sold the wagon (a bit over a year ago now) but doubt the rules have changed.

[Half-Inch Stud]

Originally Posted by 69FIREBIRD76MM

TAMan, you defenetely influencing what I am doing with my car now too, the only difference will be my car's got a Dana 60 and tallest gear is 3.54's. I am almost done with it will be hitting the track 1/8 mile January.

DITTO. Just opened the 3.54 posi dana60 to replace to 80/90 lube with RedLine shockproof: Should cause Pinion to run much cooler & free up shear & drag friction.

Question on the Strange Dana60 tapered axle bearings: are the outer races a slip-fit? and shouldn't they be a genuine press-fit?

4L80 should get my Street/Strip goals...if i ever REMOVE the TH400.

[69FIREBIRD76MM]

Half inch stud, the axle bearings are pressed fit green bearings RP400's, thanks for the tips on the gear oil.

[Skip Fix]

Lee I think street radials correctly speed rated are. there are many that have a 200 treadwear they allow at open road race track days and autocrossed that might work and be a little sticky.

4.6 TIRES: DOT-approved tires in good condition are required to be used. The tire speed rating must exceed the speed rating that the car is attempting to achieve. For more info on speed ratings: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=35
4.6.1 All tires must have an equal (or greater) Load Carrying Rating and Speed Rating than the original (OEM) manufacturer’s requirement.
4.6.2 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: The use of tires with better ratings than OEM is recommended.
4.6.3 Drag radials (DOT spec) are not approved. *Drag radials are approved ONLY at The Houston ½ Mile.
4.6.4 Drag racing (DOT-spec) “skinnies” or front runners are not approved.
4.6.5 Land Speed tires are NOT Approved without the approval of the Chief of Tech or The Race Director.

[400 Lemans]

Originally Posted by ta man

Most likely sticking with the current cam.We will see what happens or what dumb idea I might have.Things have a tendency to snowball.

Roadpaver to the front. I remember Darby picking up with it. With that low 1st gearset and adding 3.42's you got the same combo.

[ta man]

Just realized I never posted these pictures.Spring is approaching, soon time to start wrenching.No time bomb shortblock anymore.

[77 TRASHCAN]

Originally Posted by ta man

Just realized I never posted these pictures.Spring is approaching, soon time to start wrenching.No time bomb shortblock anymore.

I hope your new short block doesn't slow your car down any...

Looking forward to spring in Oklahoma, also. was 72 here, Monday!

[ta man]

Originally Posted by 77 TRASHCAN

I hope your new short block doesn't slow your car down any...

Looking forward to spring in Oklahoma, also. was 72 here, Monday!

Much lighter pistons and rods,balanced assembly,zero decked and compression is being increased as well as a few other minor tweaks.