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Re: Chevelle updates
Very Cool [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif[/img]
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Re: Chevelle updates
Looks Great Eric!
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Re: Chevelle updates
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: VintageMusclecar</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Bruce;
LOL...somehow I think this would be lost on them...besides, I doubt they even remember the car. OTOH, maybe they can use it on one of their upcoming episodes?!?...oh, wait, nevermind... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif[/img] </div></div> Eric, I think that you are right [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img] |
Re: Chevelle updates
Looks Great Eric!
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Re: Chevelle updates
Thanks again guys [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
Just got off the horn with the alignment shop, the car goes in Monday morning, should have it back mid-week! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] |
Re: Chevelle updates
Those L60's look sweet!!!!! I want to see what kind of signature you can leave with those bad boys!!!!!!!
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Re: Chevelle updates
Proof that the car actually runs & drives...short sucky video taken by Rachel's brother a few days ago when I finally got to take Rachel for a short drive.
(click the pic) http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...hevelle1-1.jpg More eventually... |
Re: Chevelle updates
Nice Eric!
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Re: Chevelle updates
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: VintageMusclecar</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Quick update;
Working on cleaning up some of the underhood mess, decided to pop the intake off to give it a quick trip through the blast cabinet to remove some oxidation...was getting ready to reinstall the intake when an overwhelming urge came over me..... Repeat to myself!: <span style="font-style: italic">.....must....not....install....now!.....</span> [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/crazy.gif[/img] http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/VMCP777/TR.jpg Don't worry though....it will be installed sooner than later. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img] </div></div> Getting dangerously close with this project... http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...ps5f010cfc.jpg http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...psf0be664e.jpg Numerous updates coming soon. |
Re: Chevelle updates
Looks great Eric!!
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Re: Chevelle updates
Oh baby!
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Re: Chevelle updates
Not much of an update, but FWIW;
It's been almost two years since I last had the Chevelle out. A few weeks ago I drained the stale fuel and added ~10 gallons of fresh fuel. I also finally diagnosed a mystery charging issue that turned out to be a new (well, new when I was building the car) but toast voltage regulator. After numerous failed attempts (for a variety of reasons which I'll spare you from reading) to get the car out since then, I finally managed to get the car out yesterday for a short drive. I made it all of two blocks before the shifter jammed in neutral with the trans stuck in 2nd. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img] I limped it back home and waited for the exhaust to cool down enough to crawl under the car. Once I'm under the car, I jiggle the shifter arms and pop the box back into neutral. I grab my trusty HURST 1/4" shifter alignment pin and with minimal coercion it slid right in. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img] Back out of the garage and down the road again for attempt #2. I only had time to drive a couple of miles, but it sure felt good being behind the wheel again. I have numerous updates awaiting for the Chevelle and several other projects to announce as well, but right now, "free" time is a commodity I have precious little of. I'm trying to find a way to make things happen, but for now I'm at the mercy of others. More eventually. |
Re: Chevelle updates
Eric, I would be happy to fly in and exercise the Chevelle for you.
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Re: Chevelle updates
A few weeks ago I managed to find the time to get some work done again on the Chevelle.
When I built the 496 back in 2008, I tried something I'd never done before with the ring package that didn't quite pan out as I'd hoped. After the last drive I decided it was past time to do something about it, so the 496 came back out. (note: this is why I test these things out on my own stuff, not a customers engine) Side-note: I also REALLY wanted to get that 621 bellhousing out of the car. In it's place will be a Quicktime scattershield and block plate. The engine came down and was re-honed, and while I was at it I swapped in a set of new custom Autotec pistons to drop the compression down from 11.2-1 to 10.5-1. (The Autotec pistons also feature a much nicer modern ring package) This will give me a bigger tuning "window" so I can see what (if anything) there is to be had with more aggressive tuning. Everything else remains the same from the previous build, noting the addition of the Stef's oil pan I installed after the engine came off the dyno the first time. I dropped the engine & peripherals off @ Kammers today, the tentative plan is to test some time next week if/when this heat breaks a little (hoping for Wednesday/Thursday). I was planning a pretty extensive series of tests this time around, but the situation on the home front dictates otherwise--even with my now abbreviated itinerary, I'm still probably looking at two days on the dyno to cover the bases I can. Note that I'll be using 100 octane LL Avgas as the baseline fuel. Here's some of the planned tests (in no particular order): 1) Re-establish a new baseline with the engine as it was last in the car/on the dyno save for the change in pistons/rings and the Stef's oil pan. 2) Header test: The existing headers are Hedmans with a 2" primary and 3" collector. Once the new baseline has been established, I will remove the 3" collectors and install a pair of 3 1/2" Schoenfeld collectors. If time allows, I'm also looking to test with a set of 2 1/8" and 2 1/4" headers if Kammers has suitable pipes available. 3) Lash, timing & Jetting loops: I wanted to do this when I had the engine on the dyno the first time, but we ran out of time to get it done. Depending on the outcome of the timing loop testing, I *may* test between 100 octane LL (Avgas) and premium unleaded pump fuel. If the engine wants 38°-40°+ for total timing, I'm not going to bother as I know it won't tolerate the pump gas with that much timing. 4) Spark plug test between non-projected tip and projected tip. (same heat range NGK's) 5) Carburetor test between the 3418 OEM vacuum secondary 855 cfm carb and a conventional Holley LIST 4781 850 cfm double pumper. 6) Ignition test: The engine will be baselined with the OEM points distributor and coil and will NOT utilize the MSD box on the dyno. Afterwards I will install a MSD billet distributor and we will hook up the 7AL unit on the dyno to see what (if anything) is there. 7) Air cleaner test, with and w/o. 8) Intake manifold test: The engine will be re-baselined with the 163 intake with the cut plenum divider. Afterwards I will install a heavily modified Holley Strip Dominator intake (which is destined for another project to be announced later). Next, I will install my Edelbrock UR2X tunnel ram intake and 4779 750 cfm double pumper carbs. Some of the other things I'd planned to test if time allowed: A: Move the cam from a 105° ICL to 109° in an attempt to trade some low/mid power for upper rpm power B: Oil pan test between the Stef's unit and a Milodon 31188 pan. C: Rocker arm test between 1.7 and 1.8 ratios D: Testing the baseline 163 with the cut plenum against a <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">heavily</span></span> ported 163 I have. FWIW, this will most likely be the "last hurrah" for the Chevelle, at least while it's in my possession. I'll post the results in a new thread in my forum and link to it in this thread. |
Re: Chevelle updates
Can't wait Eric!!!!
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Re: Chevelle updates
[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]
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Re: Chevelle updates
Just got the call from Bob, the engine's on the dyno and ready to fire.
I'll be out there first thing tomorrow morning. |
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Re: Chevelle updates
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Re: Chevelle updates
I’ve been working out the last few bugs on the Chevelle and I have it pretty close to dialed in, there's still just a tiny bit of part-throttle carb tuning to reel in.
Yesterday I received a new Crane Xr-i ignition module to replace the one I popped back in `06 when I installed the engine in the car--it really helps if you wire them up correctly. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img] I've also been busy making a home-made advance limiter bushing for the distributor that would allow me to bump up the initial timing a bit w/o having too much total. Anyhow, yesterday I managed to get both items installed. The Crane module really cleaned up the idle (along with the extra few degrees of initial as well) and improved the throttle response. I also got my digital speedometer/e.t. calculator calibrated yesterday, and I made a slight adjustment to the tire pressure on the L60’s. I took it out today for a few laps around the block, and a brief “clear its throat out” romp (just through 1st gear and a quick shift into 2nd). Two things to note: 1) The reduced pressure made a major difference in traction—it didn’t roll them over anywhere nearly as bad as it did before—as a matter of fact, I thought my head was going to wind up in the package tray for a moment....) I can’t believe those things hooked as well as they did. I’m honestly impressed with those tires. 2) Putting it bluntly...this thing’s stupid. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img] This is w/o a doubt my all-time favorite build I’ve ever done for myself, and it almost scares me to think that there’s still quite a bit of un-tapped power still waiting in the wings. I really need to get that 4.56 gear out of there though, it’s total over-kill on this car. A 3.73-4.10 gear would be perfect for it. If I can somehow manage to pull it off, I'll try to get a ride-along video done before too long and post it up. |
Re: Chevelle updates
We like video`s [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif[/img]
Dan |
Re: Chevelle updates
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: VintageMusclecar</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> The Crane module really cleaned up the idle (along with the extra few degrees of initial as well) and improved the throttle response. </div></div>
Is this compared to points or to the "damaged" Crane module? I keep thinking of moving away from breaker points, but keep talking myself out of it and thinking that any "drop in" system won't outperform points. |
Re: Chevelle updates
That's compared to the old points. The original Crane module was toast as soon as I wired it backwards (oops).
The Crane system is nice. It has an adjustable built-in rev limiter, and best of all it looks damn near stock, only has one additional wire going to the coil. I have an MSD 6AL box for the car, and it runs so good now I don't think I'm going to bother installing it. |
Re: Chevelle updates
Sounds awesome Eric! Video of a launch????
Jason |
Re: Chevelle updates
Dunno...it depends on who I can get to go along with me and how long I can have the car out.
Probably just a ride-along video for now. |
Re: Chevelle updates
You're killing me Eric. I would love to be the camera guy!! I am headed back to AZ this weekend to bring my honey and two pups to OH! Good luck and have a <span style="font-size: 26pt"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'Arial Black'">BLAST!!!!</span></span></span>
[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif[/img] |
Re: Chevelle updates
Been slowly working out the bugs and have it pretty well dialed in now. I can again cruise through town in 4th gear @ 1500 rpm (27 mph) with only the slightest occasional hiccup.
I took Rachel for a leisurely cruise around town this evening...well, <span style="font-style: italic">sort'a</span> leisurely... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img] All I'm gonn'a say is this; 3rd gear in this car is stupid, plain & simple. I don't mean to sound like I'm bragging, but I honestly can not believe how hard this car pulls for no more than what it is. Rachel briefly covered her eyes...no sooner than I'd backed it down she held out a pair of shaking hands and implored me to do it again. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] In the interest of keeping my driver's license intact and staying <span style="font-style: italic">out</span> of the hoosegow, I politely declined and quickly tucked the car back in the garage. I've gott'a find a way to get this thing to the digs. I'm pretty sure it'll get booted after the first balls-out run though. More eventually. |
Re: Chevelle updates
Sounds like you had fun Eric!
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Re: Chevelle updates
Awesome! You should have done it again! But I think you know that :-)
Jason |
Re: Chevelle updates
I said I wasn't gonn'a do it....but I'm gonn'a do it. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/no.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif[/img]
I've been talking with an old friend who owns a pretty stout street `69 Nova. For years he's ran bias plies on it, and of course has fought with the lack of traction and wrestling with the car to keep it from following every rut and groove on the road that bias plies are so well-known for. But the car did look killer. Recently, he finally broke down and switched to radials...not just any radials, but M/T E.T. Street Radials along with a pair of M/T front street radials. To say he loves them would be an understatement. Yesterday evening he stopped by so I could check them out. Years ago he mini-tubbed the car, and as such now has room for 325/50/15 tires which are mounted on 15X10 Centerline Auto Drag wheels. He offered to take me for a quick ride (no pun intended) so I could see how they worked. Note that this Nova was a mid 11 second car 20 years ago, and is likely even quicker now with several recent engine refinements, but the car hasn't been to the track since these updates. Also to note, the car previously ran a 400 Turbo with a loose converter but now sports a Tremec 5 speed manual OD trans. The engine is a solid roller 468, and the rear is a 12 bolt with 4.10 gears. To get to the point, we hopped in the car and headed out for a brief run around town. As he turned onto a relatively quiet side road, he rolled into it hard in first gear, and much to my amazement, the tires stuck like bubblegum in a bouffont hair-do. A hearty slam into 2nd bounced my noggin off the seat back and failed to produce even the slightest whimper from the tires. 3rd gear came quickly and by then we were rolling along nicely, so he backed it down. This was repeated twice more, each with the same results--not even a <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="text-decoration: underline">chirp</span></span></span> from those tires. I'll have a set of 275/60/15 M/T Drag Radials here tomorrow afternoon. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/blush.gif[/img] In my defense: Simply put, while the Goodyears are aesthetically un-touchable on the car, I'm more concerned with making the car safe...and something that I can <span style="font-style: italic">still</span> put sideways in 3rd gear just isn't safe. I know the F.A.S.T. and the Pure Stock gang are hauling ass on these tires (skinnier ones than mine no less), but that's with shaved tires, a prepped track, and any number of other "tricks" (which we won't get into here) that just aren't feasible for something that I want to drive more often. So please forgive me for my transgressions from the school of "old" in this instance. Pics and a road report shortly. |
Re: Chevelle updates
No self respecting hot rodder has just 1 set of wheels and tires. No worries Eric. Look forward to seeing the new buns. Heck, the Nova with the 325 series rubber would be cool to see too!
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Re: Chevelle updates
I'll see what I can do.
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Re: Chevelle updates
It sounds like the its hard to say if the car will be more or less scary after the change. I think a before and after video is in order :-).
Jason |
Re: Chevelle updates
It will be more scary with traction...I can tell you that with 100% certainty. Eric, if I drive down to Ohio, will you give me a ride in this thing?
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Re: Chevelle updates
I have little doubt it'll be even more scary with a hook...but at least I'll be confident that the car's gonn'a go where I've got it pointed and not try to swap ends at 60+ MPH.
I just hope it doesn't start breaking sh*t now. I've got to be careful about turning loose too many Banzai passes around here. This is a small, (relatively) quiet town and there aren't many places to let the car stretch her legs without scowling eyes peering on...if you get my drift. However, if you can make it down here Tony, I'll be more than happy to take you for a ride. Just don't forget that 12 bolt...I might need it afterwards. |
Re: Chevelle updates
You go Eric...and I agree...we need some video [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]
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Re: Chevelle updates
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">In my defense: Simply put, while the Goodyears are aesthetically un-touchable on the car, I'm more concerned with making the car safe...and something that I can still put sideways in 3rd gear just isn't safe.
</div></div> Good plan. I just ordered drag radials for my '65 chevy II for the same reason. Running 215/70 thin-stripe whitewall all season radials now on 14x6 chrome OE-style wheels. With the muncie, I can nail it in first at 20 mph, slam second, and the tires are still screaming and the rear end dancing around until the top of second gear. Not ideal for "spirited" street driving. |
Re: Chevelle updates
Exactly.
I don't want to end up like this (putting aside the fact that this guy should've LIFTED as soon as the car got loose, but bad drivers is another topic for another discussion) <object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/93JhLRicARw"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="https://www.youtube.com/v/93JhLRicARw" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> </embed></object> |
Re: Chevelle updates
I have those on my Nova. From a 235/60/15 tire.................I am impressed!
I think they could hook in a car wash |
Re: Chevelle updates
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pxtx</div><div class="ubbcode-body">... Heck, the Nova with the 325 series rubber would be cool to see too! </div></div>
I emailed him and he's supposed to get some pics for me, I'll post them up as soon as I can. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] |
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