Six_Shooter's money pit and time vampire... v.240Z

[1QUICKHATCH]

Nice times! How much boost did it take to get you in the 12's?

[Guest]

Currently I'm running 10 PSIG, since that's the lowest I can run. My wastegate actuator is a 10 PSIG actuator. I plan to really dial up the boost, once I improve my fuel system and gears. I think better matched gears alone will make a noticeable improvement.

A picture from last night:

[Superdave]

Nice!

[Purple pit]

Dang nice to see the car and those now rare "headlight covers".

[Guest]

The headlight covers really aren't that rare, though these ones were bought back in the early '80's by the person I bought them from. They are an aftermarket item, not a factory head light cover.

They will soon be coming off, due to the weather cracking, and I don't think I'll put another set on. I liked them, but I think I just want to go without at this point.

[34blazer]

11's easy if the car can plant its foot. I demand the proper media

[Guest]

Yeah, I'm going for low 12's next time out. I have a set of 3.70 gears on their way to me, to use until I get my new rear end built. It'll also help to see if I will need to go to 3.55s with the new rear end as well...

I'm working on the proper media, but the expenditure of proper media recording devices, means less funds for go fast parts...

Also I MAY have a clutch problem starting. I was rolling along in 5th tonight at about 60 MPH in 5th and put my foot into it when the RPM flashed to 5000 RPM with little to no increase in vehicle velocity. :/ It was fine a few miles later, so I may need to take a look in the bellhousing and see what's up.

[Purple pit]

The headlight covers really aren't that rare, though these ones were bought back in the early '80's by the person I bought them from. They are an aftermarket item, not a factory head light cover.

They will soon be coming off, due to the weather cracking, and I don't think I'll put another set on. I liked them, but I think I just want to go without at this point.

I see, just like the louvers on the rear glass for the 3rd gen Camaros. People think they came with them. Still those covers should cut drag some. You should be getting toward the point where they would help with your mph. I know, it's only by a small amount.

[Guest]

Yeah, apparently they help quite a bit. There was some testing done on a Z car site, well the results were posted on that Z car site an actual wind tunnel was used for testing and I don't remember the actual numbers but the head light covers seemed to be a significant improvement in aero. Personally, I don't really care enough about that with how I use to the car to care. Maybe I'll add them again in the future.

[Purple pit]

Body shape is one thing, but I think you will miss them after a few runs. Not much input on this, just remember something about 130mph or close to it, then it becomes a major factor. Never had to worry about it much. Never had a car fast enough on the track.
Well there has been a lot of thought on this. Not much as these cars are more "set in stone"(not race cars). Thoughts of a solid grille on my car(like the egg crate for extra cooling). Then I did play and will again with the "gaskets" that go around the headlights. Which would be something good if used with the solid grille. This is all about MPG for me. Less cross wind drag that is or overall drag on the highway. Just another long term(not high on the list) project.

Back to yours: can you still get those covers?

[Guest]

Yes, the covers are still available, through a few places. Clear and smoked versions are available to boot.

On a semi-related note. I think, after 7 years of abuse it may finally be time to buy a new clutch. It's been behind 3 different engines, in front of 3 different transmissions attached to two different flywheels, and it's held up to more power than it was really rated for, so I have no complaints about needing a new clutch at this point, now just to decide what clutch to get...

[Purple pit]

The smoke seem to go with the color(s), really they do. Almost shocking that they are still available.

Hang that clutch on the wall!

[Guest]

So, finally have one of these:



But...

my car currently looks like this:












No idea what happened, but I saw over 30 PSIG on my boost gauge, and the engine sounded like a diesel, with the AFR showing straight air (99.99 AFR) at 1000 RPM as I was coming to a stop. It wouldn't re-fire, and now had a definite new knock when being turned over. It also backfired a few times through the intake. I have a suspicion that the engine might have actually started rotating in reverse with the symptoms.

At first I suspected a broken dowel pin on the cam, since it's not uncommon for them to break on these engines, but nope, that checked out fine.

So then I suspected a broken cam, but so far that doesn't seem to be the case.

A mechanic friend of mine suggested that the ignition module took a dump on me and either started firing the wrong cylinders or all of the cylinders at the same time. He said he's seen that before. Without finding any mechanical failures so far I might have to agree with him.

So out with this engine and will be rebuilding my previous short block to go back in.

[Purple pit]

Damn! Not sure if I understand all sparking at the same time. Total loss of waste spark do to what? Or is it a "boost thing"? Clueless.

[Guest]

No, definitely not a "boost thing" I was decelerating, RPM was about 1000 RPM. I think the module just out right failed and didn't know what cylinders (coil) to fire at what time.

I need to get my old block apart tonight and drop it off tomorrow, so that I can get it back on Friday, because my engine guy leaves for 10 to 14 days.

Hopefully I don't need to order anything while he's away. *crosses fingers*