[Jim Hand]

69 HO Firebird,
Yes, I did understand your post and do appreciate your comments. The information I posted was to clarify what we have actually done and accomplished over the past several years, and to try to indicate that nothing is easy when trying to improve performance. Jim Hand

[Larry Navarro]

ahh...its great that we're all finally coming to agreement on the general consensus of this topic.
Thanks Jim!!!!!
Skip...yes i've been a round-port guy for awhile, but hey, why not try something a little different.
who knows...after we get that match race...you'll be wanting to do the same!!!
(wink-wink)

[Scott Misus]

Sure thing, Larry.

As long as you're stepping BACKWARDS technology-wise, how about trying six Stromberg 97's and lakes pipes, too?

sheesh.

[71 T/A]

Scott, sometimes, the D-ports are all you need. Yeah sure, if you're going for 9s or better, you have to get better heads. It's hard to run 10s with Ds, but it's been done many times. If you run 11s or worse (like I'm going to do with my 69 GTO), well ported Ds will get the job done.

[Skip Fix]

Larry,
Sounds good. I'll help you(or Jeff) get the new stuff/project going anytime you need an extra wrench turner. Heck maybe build a "stocker" 400 for my 78 with D ports and run faster than my E head motor! If you're really nice I'll let you try my Doug Nash Drag/Road Race 5 speed I have in the garage (2.88,2.22,1.77,1.33,1.0).

I've still got the M/T cross ram I want to put on a D port motor just for looks, even if the intake flows about what a plain Performer does. It has some "cool factor".

[Scott Misus]

Skip:

Aren't the Nash road race boxes and the drag race boxes two different animals?

The road race box has snychros and bevel-cut gears. The race box has straight gears and no synchros.

[This message has been edited by Scott Misus (edited 09-30-2001).]

[Brian Baker]

How does Misus know this about the Nash, you ask? Why he has two of them in his front yard as planters, one on either side of his porch.

[Skip Fix]

The Drag and road race both have straight cut gears and no typical synchros as do the street boxes. An option on the road race box is a longer counter shaft/torsion bar(that's what I think they call it) that is supposed to take out some of the harmonics. Richmond continues to carry the parts for these but may have discontinued them new due to demand, I think Jerico and Liberty have overtaken the demand.

One of the guys in the local TA club in the late 80s went through 2-3 of the "street" boxes behind a 455 so I have been looking for a "race box" for years.They do use some parts like bearings interchangeablly though.

This box originally was a box for a "stocker" and 4th and 5th had to be 1:00 (no additional number of forward gears per NHRA) I picked it up and rebuilt it and changed the gear ratios in it to have a fairly even spread using as many of the existing ratios as possible. Alos changed the old Mopar splined input shaft to a fine spline GM. These are EASY to rebuild as long as you have a HEAVY DUTY snap ring pliers. It could easily be rebuilt at the track.

Not sure what project it'll go into. No speedo output though. Have a "stick" SBC Camaro built from extra TA parts that may be a candidate.

For those of you not from Houston, Larry likes "stick" cars as well as round ports.It is fun "rowing" the gears I agree.

[Larry Navarro]

gee...wanting to use D-ports AND a "stick"!!
i mean...instead of using E's and an automatic...
well i guess that makes it a real challenge...eh skip??
i'll have to get back with ya on that Nash.

[69 HO FIREBIRD]

Hey Larry - I`m running stock DPORTS & stick on my 350 firebird & I`m spanking the 400 hydralic roller guys up here. Wish I had a posi in that car though!! (LOL)!!!!!!!

[Skip Fix]

Yep that is a little more challenge than I'l take for my car, but sure something that woul dmake a fun driver. My first two hot rods were stick cars and used to get 6000 side steps all the time. Broke about everything there was to break in a 64 Impala except the tranny.

Just seen too many of those stick cars at the track adjusting or totally changing clutches or trannies for me.

Those centrifical assist clutches (Long or Ford style)seem to be the way to go for a fast cat and can even be adjusted at the track. I have a asphault type Late Model that has a hydraulic throw out bearing that can be adjusted to time some of the release to. I think McLeod makes both of these for GM products Larry and may be worth looking at.

Also just got a new clutch linkage for this "beater" Camaro that can be adjusted at the top and bottom section. Haven't put it on yet but it looks like a good deal.This car has an old VertiGate shifter if you want to try it Larry.