Skip Pad (g's) It skids all over the damn place...
Miles Per Gallon Frequent fuelers club
Current Weight Distribution
Front
Rear
Performance Goals
(Yes, I'm crazy, but I'm not stupid)
13 Second Quarter Mile
My Plans (this color means I already have it)
Engine
Chevy 454 c.i. v8, 1978,
bored and honed .030 over.
R&R connecting rods, turn crank 10/10
Comp Cams Xtreme Energy hydraulic camshaft with 218/224 duration.
Comp Cams valvetrain components.
Speedpro Hypereutectic Pistons (approx 8.8:1 cr) with silkscreen coated skirts
Stainless steel valves
Holley Commander 950 TBI or Howell TBI FI system with Performer RPM Air Gap intake manifold.
Nice 8" truck rims.
275/60r15 BFG or Firestone Firehawk SS20 rubber.
3.23 gears in a Powertrax differential system.
200 4R or 700R4 auto trans with street/strip shift kit.
New radiator with electric fan
Hedman Hedders, Dual exhaust system with crossover. Exits just in front of the rear wheels.
New front and rear suspension components: High rate springs, KYB shocks, polyurethane or polygraphite bushings and large diameter anti-sway bar (rear). Box rear control arms (?).
Fabricate new dashboard, install new gauges. Fabricate new console (with cooling fan) for my radios, switches, and man-sized cups of coffee.
Replace front bench seat with 2 buckets from a 90's Cutlass Supreme or Grand Prix.
Lessons I'm Learning:
Common Sense Modifications
(that don't have a whole lot to do with going fast)
Yeah, the winters in Michigan can really suck some ass. What I know about driving in inclement weather comes from a tad bit of experience: 11 years, 5 countries, and two continents. However, it's a little different with a car that has a rear weight bias (a rare thing, to say the least). Add that to the fact that my car is old and a work-in-progress. Here's some ideas I've come up with to help my situation: (and some are just for kicks, alright?)
- My heating/cooling system needs some beefing up. With the bigger engine it'll need better cooling, and with any more winters like this it'll need a warmer interior. I need to look into a better and more efficient way of getting engine heat (or maybe even electrical heat) into the cabin. Wagons have alot of windows, too, so enough heat to defrost the whole car would be good.
- The rear window needs some kind of wiper. It'll have to be mounted in a way that the window could still be rolled down, and it has to accomodate the standard and "tailgate" opening of the door.
- Better washer/wiper system for the front windshield.
- I've already mentioned this above, but I really need new weatherstripping. A big part of my breeze problem is poor or missing seals. I also need to install the dynamat or some kind of sound deadening/insulating material under the carpet and in place of where the headliner was.
- In fact, I might even do away with the carpet, or as least cover it with a conforming mat that came stock in the 9C1s.
- I need to look into an airshock system that would allow me to combine the firm handling that I crave with the ability to raise the body of my car a few inches (3 to 4?) if necessary. Alot of my problems with the snow are coming from ground clearance. Just like anyone else, I guess.
