Back on (the) Track!

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71 Nova
Posts: 257
Joined: Thu Dec 14, 2006 10:07 pm
Location: Santa Maria, CA

Back on (the) Track!

#1 Post by 71 Nova » Thu Mar 20, 2014 3:11 pm

Well, I haven’t posted anything for a while because, frankly, I haven’t really been racing much (none) in the last year or so. For those of you that remember, I started out with a 71 Nova with a warmed over 350 and 150 HP shot of N2O and was running 11.40’s. I added a roll cage and picked up a 640 HP 408 SBC crate motor that got me down to 11.20’s. I found a 68 Camaro with a nitroused 540 BBC that I acquired but never raced. I sold it after taking the 540 out and installing the 350. I then came across a complete (less engine) white 69 Nova that I bought that was just what I was looking for. I installed the 408 in it and finally got to the track last Saturday.
Details on the Nova:
All steel except for hood, and lexan windows (front and rear)
NHRA certified 14 point roll cage
Martz front clip w/ R&P steering and coil overs
Back halfed with 4 link and a Fab 9 rear end
Weld Pro Stars / Strange disc brakes
TH 400 w/ transbrake
1 7/8” headers
MSD 7 ignition with 2 step limiter

So we finally make it to the strip (my son and I) and to start, I rip off the best pass of the day which was a 10.24 @ 128.36 mph! I was so excited, I was expecting mid 10’s at best. First time for me launching off the transbrake, man that is fun! My son started out runnning 11.00’s (footbraking) and eventually got down to 10.29. Not bad for his first time drag racing! The track got a bit slippery as the day wore on, and we tried messing with tire pressure and TB launch RPM, but didn’t get much better. We were having too much fun launching off the TB and running tens all day (15 passes)! The engine performed flawlessly, running 128-129 mph every pass. There’s a lot more to be wrung out of this combination, but we’re already knocking on the door of having to get our competition licenses! Plus I have a 200 HP N2O plate system waiting. Then there’s the 540. More to come!

Here is a link to a video of my son’s 10.29 pass: http://youtu.be/u-45uQyqtfc

There’s some nice pictures at http://www.maxcacklephotos.com .Hit “recent galleries” and scroll to bottom to 2014 Famosa Test & tune, March 14/15. We are driving the white Nova that you see on the link!

Here are some otherpictures from the day:
Attachments
IMG_3014a.jpg
IMG_3016a.jpg
IMG_3017a.jpg
69 Nova 408 SBC
Best to date: 10.241 @ 128.36 mph 1.404 60ft.

waterdog
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Location: Tampa Bay, FL

Re: Back on (the) Track!

#2 Post by waterdog » Thu Mar 20, 2014 8:21 pm

Sounds all good, the other day I was think about the thread about your yellow car, the new ride looks badass. Walt
1970 Nova SS 3580lb, Shafiroff 434 na, 9.94@135.8

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71 Nova
Posts: 257
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Location: Santa Maria, CA

Re: Back on (the) Track!

#3 Post by 71 Nova » Thu Mar 20, 2014 9:56 pm

waterdog wrote: Sounds all good, the other day I was think about the thread about your yellow car, the new ride looks badass. Walt
Thanks, I'm real excited at the potential of this car. I still have the yellow Nova, although it doesn't have an engine in it at this time.
69 Nova 408 SBC
Best to date: 10.241 @ 128.36 mph 1.404 60ft.

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wikd69
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Re: Back on (the) Track!

#4 Post by wikd69 » Fri Mar 21, 2014 12:49 am

Congrats on the low 10's ! :thumb:

Launching off a brake is pretty awesome, isn't it ? Wait, wait, noise, noise, LAUNCH YEEHAW !!!!!!

Great video - keep em coming - we like watching fast cars :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
1969 ProStreet Camaro RS Best 9.75@139 1.46 60'
Blown 427 BBC, TH400 w/Brake, Back-Half Ladderbar
Narrowed 12-Bolt, 4.10 Gears, Spool, Moser 33 Spline

http://www.marsh-racing.com/harrys_camaro-1.htm

bracketchev1221
Posts: 158
Joined: Fri Oct 11, 2013 7:59 pm
Location: Mountville PA

Re: Back on (the) Track!

#5 Post by bracketchev1221 » Fri Mar 21, 2014 6:25 am

From the picture it looks like the wheelie bars are hitting early and unloading the tires. Raise them up until the front end gets too high.

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71 Nova
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Re: Back on (the) Track!

#6 Post by 71 Nova » Fri Mar 21, 2014 9:22 am

bracketchev1221 wrote: From the picture it looks like the wheelie bars are hitting early and unloading the tires. Raise them up until the front end gets too high.
Yea, I noticed that last night when I was looking at the video frame by frame. The bars seem to hit almost immediately. Is that from the car/rear end rotating on the tires, until the tires catch up, so to speak? And it looks like the back of the car is squating somewhat. I saw in another video the front wheels come off the ground about a foot at launch, then essentially come right back down in about 25-30 ft. or so. My yellow Nova has leaf springs and CE Slide-a-links, so I'm all new to the 4 link setup. Just trying to figure out what's happening, and how to optimize the 4 link. Thanks for the input!
Ken
69 Nova 408 SBC
Best to date: 10.241 @ 128.36 mph 1.404 60ft.

bracketchev1221
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Location: Mountville PA

Re: Back on (the) Track!

#7 Post by bracketchev1221 » Fri Mar 21, 2014 10:46 am

What tire pressure are you running and what is the weight of the car with the driver? And where are you as far as 60' right now?

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71 Nova
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Re: Back on (the) Track!

#8 Post by 71 Nova » Fri Mar 21, 2014 12:06 pm

bracketchev1221 wrote: What tire pressure are you running and what is the weight of the car with the driver? And where are you as far as 60' right now?
We started at 10 psi which gave the best time of the day (1st run of the day in the am). We tried lowering pressure to 9 psi with no improvement. We also played with the TB launch RPM because the tires seemed to be slipping off the line, which may have been caused by the wheelie bars. I would guess weight of car and driver is around 2900 lbs, but I haven't scaled the car yet (could be lighter). I attached a summary of our best runs. Best 60 ft time was 1.402.
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Capture.JPG
69 Nova 408 SBC
Best to date: 10.241 @ 128.36 mph 1.404 60ft.

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Bruce69Camaro
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Re: Back on (the) Track!

#9 Post by Bruce69Camaro » Mon Mar 24, 2014 4:55 am

Congrats!
Sounds like you guys had a fun first day out.
Those who think they know it all have no way of finding out they don't......... :scratch:

bracketchev1221
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Joined: Fri Oct 11, 2013 7:59 pm
Location: Mountville PA

Re: Back on (the) Track!

#10 Post by bracketchev1221 » Mon Mar 24, 2014 5:50 am

I wouldn't go throwing too many things at it yet. The car doesn't appear to be a wild wheelstander as it sits, so raise the bars up and get them out of the equation. Then you can play with tire pressures and look at the 4 link angles and shock setings then. I run mine at 8 1/4 psi on a 14.5WX32 at 3170 lbs. So you are not far off I think on the tire pressure.

Omega Dude
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Location: Orlando, Florida

Re: Back on (the) Track!

#11 Post by Omega Dude » Mon Mar 24, 2014 11:13 pm

My third car in life was a yellow 71 Nova SS with black interior. 327/360HP motor, 4 speed, 10bolt with 4.10s, was one of my favorite cars I have owned over the years.

Those wheelie bars might be set just right if you put a 150HP nitrous kit on it. :-)

Have fun. :thumb:

clutchdude
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Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2006 6:10 pm
Location: Lancaster CA.

Re: Back on (the) Track!

#12 Post by clutchdude » Tue Mar 25, 2014 4:16 pm

I was there that day and saw the car, it looked nice.

Congrats

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