Well, no final round this week, got knocked out in hte 2nd round but I did manage to lay down my best E.T. to date. Prior to this week the best my car has ever ran was a 12.06 @ 111 MPH. This week, however, I decided to go racing one more time for this season, and in order to try to get a little more out of the car I made up an air-pan with a foam seal to try to force some of this cold dense air directly down my carb. Well, all I can say about this addition is WOW, What a difference!!! The very first pass I made, on a very cold morning track, was a 12.07 @ 112. After this the time slips just kept dropping and dropping. Eventually I ran a best of 11.89 at 113 MPH. Needless to say, even though I was eliminated early on, I left the track that day grinning from ear to ear.:bananaman Now I can't wait to go out next year, once I finally break down and buy a set of drag slicks.
Exellent! I enjoy hearing race stories. Fordman has a real nice set-up on a cold-air or ram-air on his maverick.
Thanks for the encuraging words guys. It's nice to finally have a car that runs this well. Unfortunately I've had a few other cars that I sunk a ton of money in, and then was sadly disappointed when I took them to the track. The fastest car I ever had before this was a 1971 Buick GS-Stage 1 with a 455. That car ran a best of 12.30 @ 107 on slicks, therefore it's very exciting now to be running 11.80s with street tires With regard to the inquiry about my 60 foot times; they are typically around 1.650. However, this is where I really hope to improve next year. Through the winter I plan pick up my slicks as well as install a trans-brake. I've told myself right along I'm not going to strip this car down into a race car. It's simply too clean for that, plus I still like to drive it on the street, but I have to tell you SPEED is ADDICTIVE. I thought as soon as I got in the high 11's I would be satisfied, but now all I can think about is 11.50's, and then 11.00, and then.....STOP IT!!!!!!!!
You're gonna absolutely love the transbrake, though you had better have good axles, center section in a 9" minimum, and an excellent pinion support. Some think releasing a transbrake is like dumping the clutch...wrong. It's more violent (with the right converter.) A good 2-step will also help save the converter and trans, as well as help the 60' times. Just running flat out on the 'brake isn't going to help 60's as much as running a 2-step and setting it about 1000 rpm below what the converter will stall. Just some words from some of us who have been there. That's one great running maverick! Yes, speed is addictive. At first, running low 11's is a blast, but as time goes on, you get bored with it and therefore have to go faster. At first, I thought a 1.65 60' was WAAAY fast, but all this past season, mid-high 1.40's were the norm and just another walk in the park. I did achieve a 1.390 on the last raceday though...wish someone would've taken a vid or pic of the car on that launch. Sure felt good, and judging from the comments that day, it must've looked pretty decent, too. Anyway, keep up the good work, and perhaps I'll see you in the final round some day!
What kind of set up are you running Mavman? It sounds pretty wicked whatever it is. Thanks for the advice on the trans-brake. I do have a 9 inch with Strang axles, so I think I've got that part covered, but I have to admit I don't really know that much about how a trans-brake works. I've been told they're pretty violent, but not quite as distructive and an outright neutral drop. I'm a little confused by your statement about "coming in 1000 RPM below the converter stall". I had planned to run a two-step, but I assumed I would actually have to come in above my 3800 stall in order to get the full hit. Currently the car leaves hard and straight, so I can typically hop the front tires about a 1/2" on take-off, but my true goal is to hang those balonies about 6 inches in the air, even if my times don't get that much quicker. (I do have a nick name to uphold you know)
Trans-brakes are awesome! I have never used one.(I guess I am a old footbrake junkie) but they really make for a cool show at the starting line. A couple things, besides the good rear-end. You need to make sure you have a "up to snuff" driveshaft and u-joints. When you put the slicks on, NHRA/IHRA require a drive shaft loop. Make sure you have quality motor mounts and tranny mount. Get some subframe connectors(If you do not have them already) Also, you might want to put a engine limiter on it. I have seen guys use chains, turn-buckles and custom fit pieces of steel. When you use the trans-brake it is going to put ALOT of torque on parts that normally do not have to put up with that type of abuse. I am sure there is more, just drawing a blank right now. Also, if its not already done, you might as well go ahead and put atleast a 6 point in it. Good luck, keep us posted and have fun!
