Been racing all season and I may have forgotten to stop by and update how the Malibu has been running this season since the rebuild was completed.
The car has been running consistently in the 5.3x range at 129-130 mph in the summer heat. Tried to make some tweaks, but it was stuck at that ET level. I decided to switch to Q16 fuel with another carb built specifically for the fuel and while changing the carb I saw the intake gaskets slide down and blocking the top 1/4" of the port roof in every cylinder. Replaced the gaskets and Q16 and the car was back running consistent 5.2x passes like it did back in May. Here I thought the weather caused the car to slow like it did.
Anyhow, we went testing at MIR this past Sunday Sept 23rd. I had made a lexan grill blockoff as well as working on a carb air pan (not 100% complete).
The air was better than we've run in all season, 518' D/a on our first hit, 960' on the last.
pass #1, 518' D/A
1.163 60'
3.355 330'
5.204 660'
132.56 mph
Pass #2, 718' D/A (front end climbed, had to pedal and hit the rev limiter)
1.182 60'
3.400 330'
5.280 660'
131.48 mph
pass #3, 812' D/A
1.160 60'
3.343 330'
5.183 660'
133.26 mph
pass #4, 960' D/A
1.138 60'
3.319 330'
5.162 660'
133.22 mph
Spent all season working on a bad air/track setup, yesterday I had to work on a good air setup really tightening the front end up a good amount.
![Image](http://i676.photobucket.com/albums/vv124/10secBu/mir_516resize_zpsfd79d677.jpg)
Here's the new air pan I threw together. Still need finishing by closing off some areas by the rear of the hood.
![Image](http://i676.photobucket.com/albums/vv124/10secBu/airpan.jpg)