MODS vs. GEAR RATIO? HELP!
69NovaKid
10-15-2007, 01:50 AM
hey fella's -im looking to get as much speed as i can out of a small amount of money and some advice on lightening my 1969 Chevy Nova - i was hoping you could give me some good idea's on what to take out of the car for lightening and what i could swap out or spend about 500$ on this winter for more speed without slicks or traction bars.:banghead:
Heres what i got so far - 355Ci Edelbrock Alum. Perf RPM. heads -Edelbcok air gap dual plane intake - 850 holley race carb -ACCEL HEI distributor - Lunati hydraulic cam Duration @.050 IN/EX: 230/230
Gross Valve Lift IN/EX: .480"/.480" Lobe Sep Angle / Intake Ctr Line: 109/107 and 9:5:1 compression pistons - 10 bolt rear 8.5 ring gear 3.42 final ratio - TH350 3 speed trans 2,500 stall
Im trapped between picking up a few parts for the motor like Roller Rockers and a Gear Drive, or changing my gear Ratio to 4.11's - dont know which would make more of a difference or if anyone has any ideas as to what i can pop on this thing to make it go. PLEASE help - THANK YOU
Heres what i got so far - 355Ci Edelbrock Alum. Perf RPM. heads -Edelbcok air gap dual plane intake - 850 holley race carb -ACCEL HEI distributor - Lunati hydraulic cam Duration @.050 IN/EX: 230/230
Gross Valve Lift IN/EX: .480"/.480" Lobe Sep Angle / Intake Ctr Line: 109/107 and 9:5:1 compression pistons - 10 bolt rear 8.5 ring gear 3.42 final ratio - TH350 3 speed trans 2,500 stall
Im trapped between picking up a few parts for the motor like Roller Rockers and a Gear Drive, or changing my gear Ratio to 4.11's - dont know which would make more of a difference or if anyone has any ideas as to what i can pop on this thing to make it go. PLEASE help - THANK YOU
kmdracer
11-21-2007, 12:05 PM
I have some questions, then some suggestions for you.
1. How does the car run now? Any times? With out times, it's really a guessing game as far as making the car faster.
2. Why do you not want slicks or bars?
3. What is the primary duty of the car? street, strip, or both?
The best way I know of to decrease et, and increase trap speed, is to first optimize what you have. If your 60' times aren't sub 2 seconds, you definitly need to work on traction issues. That means suspension, tires, pressures, etc. If you are on street tires, and do not want slicks, try some drag radials, very good traction, decent street manners. Try adjusting pressures in your tires. Keep a log book on all the info you can collect for each pass at the track. MAKE 1 CHANGE AT A TIME!!!!!! run 2-3 passes and document results.
I keep track of staging (shallow or deep) launch rpm, reaction time, 60' time 1000' et/speed, 1/8 mile et/speed, 1/4 mile et/speed, time of day, humidity, wind speed and direction, and tire pressure. I always run with water and oil temps the same (normal operating temps)
That may seem like alot to keep track of, but it's really not. With out that info I wouldn't know how to optimize the power my car makes.
For instance, suppose you make two back to back runs, one at 13.8 @102mph, another at 13.8@ 103 mph. How did you pick up 1 mph?
Asa for lightening your car, again is it strip or street? What can you do without? Carpet, rear seats, HVAC system, etc, etc.
Just trying to get an idea what you want to do, then can give more specific advice.
Hope this helps you!
KevinD
1. How does the car run now? Any times? With out times, it's really a guessing game as far as making the car faster.
2. Why do you not want slicks or bars?
3. What is the primary duty of the car? street, strip, or both?
The best way I know of to decrease et, and increase trap speed, is to first optimize what you have. If your 60' times aren't sub 2 seconds, you definitly need to work on traction issues. That means suspension, tires, pressures, etc. If you are on street tires, and do not want slicks, try some drag radials, very good traction, decent street manners. Try adjusting pressures in your tires. Keep a log book on all the info you can collect for each pass at the track. MAKE 1 CHANGE AT A TIME!!!!!! run 2-3 passes and document results.
I keep track of staging (shallow or deep) launch rpm, reaction time, 60' time 1000' et/speed, 1/8 mile et/speed, 1/4 mile et/speed, time of day, humidity, wind speed and direction, and tire pressure. I always run with water and oil temps the same (normal operating temps)
That may seem like alot to keep track of, but it's really not. With out that info I wouldn't know how to optimize the power my car makes.
For instance, suppose you make two back to back runs, one at 13.8 @102mph, another at 13.8@ 103 mph. How did you pick up 1 mph?
Asa for lightening your car, again is it strip or street? What can you do without? Carpet, rear seats, HVAC system, etc, etc.
Just trying to get an idea what you want to do, then can give more specific advice.
Hope this helps you!
KevinD
maxwedge
11-21-2007, 04:42 PM
Correct for sure, ET's for the most part are lowered by hard launches, even in a lower horsepower car, tires, suspension and gearing are your best investments at this point.
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