well, after working on the new Dart race car for over 3 years I finally got it to the track yesterday. heres a little history on the car.
71 dart
408 w/ forged 12.1 Icon pistons
IMM prepped RHS heads (no porting)
comp solid roller .621/.589 lift, 258/[email protected], 113 LSA
Harland Sharp 1.5 ratio Roller Rockers
Mopar Performance timing chain w/tensioner
RPM Performer Air Gap Intake (gasket matched)
Dougs 1 5/8" ceramic headers
750 cfm AED carb ( jetted 74 front-78 rear, no valve.)
1 inch open spacer under carb
Powerglide transmission w/pro brake and 1.76 1st gear
5000 PTC converter
8 3/4 rear w/ 4.86 Strange pro gear, Axles, and Spool
29.5x9 Mickey Thompson slicks
first let me explain something. the way my run process was supposed to go is as follows. set line lock and do burn out, come out of the water and flip toggle switch that will let the line lock and 2 step engage when the trans brake button is pressed at the line, and then stage.
well, during the burnout the 2 step comes on at 3,000 rpm with the toggle switch off. ok, so I must have had a brain fart while wiring and need to get under the dash and fix it. no problem, just burnout the best I can without the line lock on, make a run, and rewire in the pits. well, first pass I spin badly and just let out before the 60' mark.
I get to the pits and fix my wiring issue. ok, time for another pass.
burnout goes great this time, and now we can get a clean pass.
I stage, 2-step, and the car leaves with the wheels in the air. as it left it darted to the left. I let up on the throttle a little and gently start pulling it back to the right. I finally get it somewhat straight at about half track and ease back into the throttle. the car is driving awful and feels like it is wanting to go all over the place! well, I hang in there with it and go across the stripe with a 7.10 @94.24mph.
I get to the pits and notice the camber on the car is WAY screwed up! I get under the car to take a look and find quite a sight. the new urethane bushings on the front of the strut rods are destroyed! the strut rod pulled the nut and washer through the bushings on both sides.
well, back to the drawing board. I think I am going to ditch the Firm Feel struts and bushings, and get a set of the QA1 solid struts with the heim joints.
on a good note my goal for the car is to run 6.80's or 90's in the 1/8th mile. It looks like once the car gets straightened out and makes a good striaght run at full throttle that it will run that with no problem.
no wonder the car was trying to go all over the place, eh?
71 dart
408 w/ forged 12.1 Icon pistons
IMM prepped RHS heads (no porting)
comp solid roller .621/.589 lift, 258/[email protected], 113 LSA
Harland Sharp 1.5 ratio Roller Rockers
Mopar Performance timing chain w/tensioner
RPM Performer Air Gap Intake (gasket matched)
Dougs 1 5/8" ceramic headers
750 cfm AED carb ( jetted 74 front-78 rear, no valve.)
1 inch open spacer under carb
Powerglide transmission w/pro brake and 1.76 1st gear
5000 PTC converter
8 3/4 rear w/ 4.86 Strange pro gear, Axles, and Spool
29.5x9 Mickey Thompson slicks
first let me explain something. the way my run process was supposed to go is as follows. set line lock and do burn out, come out of the water and flip toggle switch that will let the line lock and 2 step engage when the trans brake button is pressed at the line, and then stage.
well, during the burnout the 2 step comes on at 3,000 rpm with the toggle switch off. ok, so I must have had a brain fart while wiring and need to get under the dash and fix it. no problem, just burnout the best I can without the line lock on, make a run, and rewire in the pits. well, first pass I spin badly and just let out before the 60' mark.
I get to the pits and fix my wiring issue. ok, time for another pass.
burnout goes great this time, and now we can get a clean pass.
I stage, 2-step, and the car leaves with the wheels in the air. as it left it darted to the left. I let up on the throttle a little and gently start pulling it back to the right. I finally get it somewhat straight at about half track and ease back into the throttle. the car is driving awful and feels like it is wanting to go all over the place! well, I hang in there with it and go across the stripe with a 7.10 @94.24mph.
I get to the pits and notice the camber on the car is WAY screwed up! I get under the car to take a look and find quite a sight. the new urethane bushings on the front of the strut rods are destroyed! the strut rod pulled the nut and washer through the bushings on both sides.
well, back to the drawing board. I think I am going to ditch the Firm Feel struts and bushings, and get a set of the QA1 solid struts with the heim joints.
on a good note my goal for the car is to run 6.80's or 90's in the 1/8th mile. It looks like once the car gets straightened out and makes a good striaght run at full throttle that it will run that with no problem.
no wonder the car was trying to go all over the place, eh?
