Get to the track yesterday and make two passes pretty much back to back.
First pass 11.94@ 110.71. Second pass 11.96@ 111.80. Just messed with launch rpm a little bit 1500 off the foot on first pass, 2000 on second.
As I am coming back to the pits after the second lap I hear something rattling around under the hood.
The long alternator bolt had backed itself out. Same thing happened 3 summers ago at the track the first time I ever had it out. We had shimmed from the head to the alternator with a stack of washers to line the belt up. I had actually forgotten about that cobble job and never chased down the spacer that belongs there.
Well, I am down. So call my brother who is on his way up to watch me, and have him grab a stack of washers.
Fortunately, the long bolt and the inside spacer were still there. Barely hanging on... Lol
So he shows up, shim it up, and I can't get the bolt started in the head. Almost seems like it's too short. This after about 15 washers sliding off it several times and me cussing about it.
Take a step back, Look at the end of the bolt and it doesn't look right, and there are only 6 or 8 threads on it....... The rest of it is broken off in the head......
I tell my brother that's it for the season, I am saddling up and getting out of here. He won't have any of that. He yanks the alternator out. Electrical tapes the leads around the heater hoses, and tears half the front of the motor off getting the belt off from around the power steering unit. Get the belt off, return the power steering to functionality, and he says go make a pass, I will push you up. Battery in the car isn't the best....
Make a lap and was rewarded by a personal best( by a tiny bit) with this car. 11.790@113.55. The previous best was two years ago at Norwalk at 1000 foot air
Well, that startling difference from the previous two passes( same DA 2350 feet) got me to think about some winter changes.
I have already convinced my wife this car is way Less safe going high 11's than my old car was going high 9's.
With the bench seat I am really crammed into the car both length and height wise. I am 6'5 and the top of my helmet rubs the headliner( barely) even slouched down. And my legs are so folded up, everything from my waist down would be a goner if I ever hit anything with the car. Even at 61 I still value some of the pieces and parts below the waist I have... Lol
So my thought is to make some improvements, get the car out, break 11.50 then have Bondo do me up a moly bar with swing outs because at that point it will be required.
Obviously with that ET difference an electric water pump will be first on the list, and with an electric fan.
Going to ditch the power steering( should have left that off too before that pass) I actually like being able to make bigger steering inputs and have less difference made.... If that makes sense.
Car even on that last pass is just barely getting to 6k at the stripe. Debating between going from current 4.10 gear to 4.30 or 4.56. With this hydralic cam, and little beehive springs, think 4.30 will be the ticket. Even with some new found power, that should keep me 6500 at the stripe or a hair less, which would be perfect.
I also am going to look around for a deal on a used set of the TTI 1 5/8 to 1 3/4 step headers. Car has Cheapo 1 5/8 headers on it and a couple of the plugs are buggers to get out. Maybe some body sooner or later will have a set laying around.
The car also has painted white( to match the color of the car) factory bumpers on it. Won't look any worse with white painted glass bumpers on it.
Couple of race seats and yanking the bench seat out should do it. Forgot..... Plan to upgrade the factory alt to that little 60 amp denso unit. With the water pump and fan, that will be very useful upgrade.
Hoping the above stuff will get it into the 11.40's range. Car will be safer with Bondo bending up a 6 point moly bar with swing outs. And the seats will give me tons of head and leg room. Been there done that with my old car.....
Anyhow, I think I can make this little 318 ET the car a good bit better and make it more safe and fun driving it
The question is....... How long will all the above make me happy...... Wife thinks not real long.... I think I agree with her. Lol