Well I took the car to an 1/8th mile track last week just to see what the new cam would do. The car had a much better "seat of the pants" feel to it. I had a real problem launching without going up in smoke. After the third run I had figured out how feather it nad got a 1.95 60' time on street tires.

The downside I was running a little slower (ET) in the 1/8th than with the old RPM cam. :confused:

I will say this, the track wasn't as prepared as the 1/4 at Bradenton was and I was fighting more low end and mid range than I had before. It was spinning for 50' on the 1-2 shift and I was letting the transmission shift itself (about 5200) instead of taking it to 5800 like I was at Bradenton. Down there I had a best 1/8th of 8.22 and this time I was at 8.30. I suppose the extra wheel spin would account for that.

I really wanted to compare the MPH but the 1/8 mile trap was broken when I was at Bradenton in Jan so I can't compare. My MPH at Sunshine was 85.6.

I varied the timing it seems to like 14º initial and 35 total the best. I haven't yet messed with the carb but will the next trip.

I should have my slicks mounted next week so maybe I'll see what she can do with some traction.

BTW - I ran last week with the original 5/16" fuel line and factory pump. I started installing the 1/2" Harold recommended last night along with the Carter 172 GPH. Hopefully I can do a comparison once the slicks are in place to see what the difference is.

Any ideas on things to try?

Troy.

Sounds like that first visit was a real mess, i wouldn't even worry about it, with worse traction, small fuel system, and not even shifting it right, i doubt you would see much of a difference. Sounds like you are on the right path though. Just make sure everything is dialed in and shift it where you think is right, with the slicks and fuel system you should see a good gain. also expect the carb to need some tweaking after puttin on slicks, it might want to bog with the new found traction

Thanks Cody for the morale boost. I hadn't thought about a bog but you are probably right. I have an assortment of springs and jets for the carb. I'll let everyone know how it goes.

Troy.

Hey Troy,
I'm sure the #'s will get better w/some fine tuning. I'm curious what type/size carb you are running??
Thanks,
Andy

Hey Andy,

I'm running a Holley 4160 750CFM vacuum sec carb with the next to lightest spring in the secondaries. I currently have 70 jets in the front and a 4.5 power valve. The rear has the metering block which I plan on changing over to a plate I can change the jetting in. I believe it's equivalent to 80's as it is.

BTW - my timing tape came off by balancer. I cleaned the thing very well before applying it. Any ideas on how to get one to stay on?

Troy.

Don't use a timing tape. Just mark TDC with some white paint in the grove. Then buy a dial-back timing light.

What converter are you using? Make note of where the tach hops up to once you get those slicks on and hooking well enough.

Where did you shift? Did you even hit 3rd gear?

Hey Mike - I know I can use a advance timing light but I don't necessarily trust them. I have had them give me erroneous readings when verified against a tape or marked balancer. I may have to anyway because this isn't working.

I did get into third about 3/4 track - I don't remember what my trap RPM was.

The converter is a 3000 stall hughes. Personally I think it's junk and I want to replace it but I have to accumulate some funds first.

Troy.

man that brings back memories...I lived in St.Pete for 30 years...used to race at Oldsmar..and 1/8 at sunshine...never could hook up at sunshine...of course this was way back when

Troy, 3000 stall Hughes convertors are notoriously loose. I had one in my 64 ElCamino best it run w/Hughes conv was 11.0's @ 120 I swapped to a 3000 ATI Treemaster with no other changes. I picked up 2 tenths, 1.5 mph at the 1/8 and 2.8 mph consistently overall. Don't get me wrong a Hughes conv will work their just made to cover a whole range of rpm unlike a convertor designed for a specific purpose/rpm. Guess my main point is that they are loose on the big end. With the cam swap you've effectively changed the airflow characteristics of your motor, meaning a new tune to optimize your combo. I think with more tuning your ride will pick up more then you think it will.

Thanks Geoff - I kinda suspected it was crap. Like I said, when I amass some funds it will go bye-bye.

Troy.

I dont want to hi-jack this thread, but how does that cam Idle? Im think about it in a 396 but Im also think of its smaller brother, the 272/282. IMO im not gaining enough lift to warrent the smaller cam verses the 223,231 hydralic.

Hi Geoff, when you going to do the new deal? Pops.

Monte - It idles about 700 and sounds pretty lumpy but it is steady. I couldn't get it to idle below 900 with my HEI setup. I changed to the MSD Pro Billet with the blaster 2 coil and now it will idle at 600 but it's a little too choppy for my comfort. 700 sounds mean. I'm getting about 8" of vacuum so don't think it will be real good with power brakes.

Troy.

Troy,
if you decide to use a tape again on your balancer,after you put it on spray several coats of clear laquer on it. I did it a few years ago and the tape stayed on till I blew up the motor!!!
well actually even after ;)
Andy

if you're getting 8" of vacuum at 700rpms i think that is pretty good. i had 9" of vacuum at 1000rpms with my 454 and i had no problems with power brakes unless i sat in traffic for a good while in gear. i couldn't get that thing to idle down under a 1000 in neutral with my HEI. it would drop down to about 700 in gear, not sure what the vacuum was there but pretty sure it would've been less than 8".
i think if you consider the circumstances you ran under this last time as compared to the rpm cam runs, i think you will definately be faster when you get traction and get your shift points right. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Originally posted by Troy70SS:
Monte - It idles about 700 and sounds pretty lumpy but it is steady. I couldn't get it to idle below 900 with my HEI setup. I changed to the MSD Pro Billet with the blaster 2 coil and now it will idle at 600 but it's a little too choppy for my comfort. 700 sounds mean. I'm getting about 8" of vacuum so don't think it will be real good with power brakes.

Troy. Hmmmm, That's very interesting.

Rod

What Rod? The fact that it wouldn't idle well with the HEI? I think it is because the timing was bouncing around a little (2to3º) at idle. Probably because the shaft on the HEI needs to be shimmed about .020 - too much end play. Could have been the punch from the Blaster 2 coil as well. I'm not sure but I was pleasantly surprised to some degree.

Troy.

I noticed you had a problem with the timing tape coming off. I have had good luck in the past by spraying the tape and balancer with clear coat after you put it on. It's the only way I have been able to keep them on.
Good Luck,
Roy

Thanks guys - I'm going to try the clear coat route this time and see if I can keep it on the balancer.

Just got my wheels to mount the slicks on Friday. Stay tuned.....

Troy.

I could never keep timing tape on. So I just punched the balancer at the marks. One punch every 2 deg, then a wide punch for 10 deg. Works really well.

Later
Steve

Originally posted by Troy70SS:
What Rod? The fact that it wouldn't idle well with the HEI? I think it is because the timing was bouncing around a little (2to3º) at idle. Probably because the shaft on the HEI needs to be shimmed about .020 - too much end play. Could have been the punch from the Blaster 2 coil as well. I'm not sure but I was pleasantly surprised to some degree.

Troy. Troy,

Sorry my comment was a little vague. I was intending to say that I find it very interesting that you got a better idle with the MSD distributor. I know of many combos that will not seem to idle very well below 900+ rpm. I wonder if some of them could be idled down with a better distributor now that you have made that discovery with yours.

I'll be watching for your continued progress.

Rod

Troy, it sounds like its making more power exactly where you want it, in the first 60'. Once you get a hook, then evaluate it.

Troy, in the event you dont have the clear lacquer, Im sure your wife or girlfriend has some clear nail polish around...Mine's been on for two years now with nothing but that over it.

BTW, I topcoated my shortblock with clear engine lacquer, including the timing tape, and the thing somehow frayed and I had to take it off. ( maybe its the 7000 redline?) Now I use one solid black permanent line which is the motor's known TDC, and a dial back light. Simple. NO BS, no frays. Kinda wish I had spend the extra $50 on a degreed Aussie balancer actually ( more for the SFI rating), rather than a new GM one.

My ride idled a lot better with the MSD pro-billet/6AL too.

My 383 idled rough at 900 in gear with an HEI, now idles smoother at 850 with the MSD setup. It was a noticeable difference.