The E.T. Reduction Project
Heres what the car had when I bought it:
Cat-Back Dual Exhaust, a 'Sys-Ko-Kal' Shift kit, thats all!
In order, as well as I can remember tham.. Here is the work I've done so far...
I've done more, just havent remembered it all yet.. I'll insert it as I work on the page.
Replaced the Silicone hose between the turbocharger and the intercooler - It had a 3" gash in the bottom.
Applied GM Top-Engine Cleaner, twice.
Removed ONE MAF screen.
Replaced MAF after a tap-test produced stutter. Replaced Ignition coil pack after two of the modules
showed open circuit or high resistance readings.. This repaired a major stumbling,stuttering, and
misfiring problem
Replaced Spark plugs with AC R-43-TS
Replaced Oxygen sensor
Blocked Throttle body coolant lines.
Capped the PVC intake to the turbo inlet bell, and ran a hose from the breather to below the engine.
Cleaned the Intercooler, Inside and out.
Filed down the little seam in the turbo inlet bel.
Replaced the 1800 stall convertor that came with the car (wrong one) with a 2500 stall.
Added a trans-pan plug.
Replaced the stock fuel pump (was 43 psi @ WOT) with a supercharged Park-Ave pump.. Now it has 60 PSI at 20# of boost.
Removed the plastic screen from the intercooler scoop.
Purchased EFI Performance 'Street Thrasher' chip.
Installed 160 degree thermostat
Repaired a sagging intercooler scoop.
With a poorer than expected best ET of 13.84 @ 97 on street 65 series tires, I then had the tranny professionally
rebuilt and strengthened, w/ reworked convertor too. It was taking a second and a half to get from 2nd to 3rd and
in the end it wouldn't go into OD.
Added a ported inlet bell and a hard MAF pipe (bought at E-town Buicks V/S Mustangs event in early 97)
Moved the K & N to a position in front of the drivers front wheel and ducted the cool air to the MAF thru a 5" plastic drainpipe.
I ran a best of 13.351 @ 101.7 at this point.. while still experiencing 'Boost Waiver' on the guage...
Come to finally investigate it and I had reversed the 'Y' connecter a few months earlier. oops :-(
Also, The factory version of an adjustable wastegate rod was too long and at the track I could not squeeze
it in far enough to get any more than 15-16 pounds of boost. The next drag run should be a bit more fun.
Ground out a bit of the inside of the intercooler inlet neck. Filed the first 1/4" to a sharp edge.
Repaired a leaking radiator inlet neck. going to have to get a new radiator soon.
Shined up the inside of the last inch and a half of the turbocharger exit port. It just looks better, probably no gains at all.
Attempted to get the allignment between the intercooler and the turbocharger perfect. Need a new set of metal reinforced silicone hoses to do better.
Later found a reinforced pipe clamp to allign the intercooler with the turbocharger - perfect.
Installed fan switch and made the fuel(volts)-booster switch perminant in the ashtray.
Installed a heavy-duty Plate-type Transmission Cooler.
Repaired radiator leak that I caused during cooler installation. grr.
Installed Rear Air Bags.
Went to the track again - hoping for 12's..
FINALLY! a few runs on all good equipment - first run: 13.18 @ 104 w/ 2.06 60' time.
I knew with a better launch I was in the 12's. Next run: 13.25. poor launch again,
and the car was hot. Someone dumped their oil pan onto the track - track shutdown
for 45 minutes.. Just what I needed (really) the car cooled a bit and I turned the
boost up another half click. BAAM! a perfect launch - 1.999 60' time and I'm off.
The cam'd up street nova next to me saw nothing but rear the whole way. 12.92 @ 105.6.
Whew! not a bad 60' time for stock 215-65's I'm told. I launched with 4 psi!
Note: The treadwear rating on the general xp-2000's is 380. they are nearly bald at this point.
We'll see what cooler weather brings.. It was 77f during my 12 second run.
Bought New rear tires - BFG Comp-T/A 235-60-15's. 340 treadwear rating. Compared with the BFG Radial
T/A's 400 rating. about 140% the cost of the Radial T/A so I hope the 60' times are worth it.
The next trip to the drags was not as good as I had hoped.. the theory is that the BRAND NEW TIRES need a
little breaking in. I cannot launch with 4 psi like on the old tires - I have to launch with 0-1 psi.
60' was 2.10 and best ET was 13.26 @ 103.
Ported the intercooler inlet neck a little more and shined it up to a mirror glaze.
Alligned my hood finally.
Removed the other muffler and tailpipe. She's loud now! - I'm preparing for a new exhaust system.
.. Also I Will reduce tire pressure to 25 psi at next race.
Updated 12/5/97
Installed ENGINE TIE DOWN strap
Installed super-duty silicone turbo hose clamp kit(Thanks Jason!)
Finally put on 2 1/2" tailpipes (no mufflers). Quieted the car down a bit and improved cold start.
The tire slippage theory turned out to be true. I took the car out and made some clouds with the rear rubber and
presto! a 1.802 60' time! Heres the entire time slip from that run. Amazing I can get a 12.80 at just over 103 mph.
Temp: 64, RH: 54 Baro: 30.73
R/T: .457 oops
60' 1.802
330: 5.178
1/8: 8.094
MPH: 83.85
1000: 10.638
1/4: 12.805
MPH: 103.42
My best time has been 12.74 @ 105.6.. I used 110 octane and turned boost up to 21#. The 12.80 run above was in cool
wether with 94 octane plus booster. Pretty good for stock turbo/injectors/heads/cam. The car is now solidly in the 12's,
which is exactly what I was after. I'm going to try trophy racing next season. should be a blast.
Things on the list to do:
1. Pinion Snubber
2. Lighter 'Stealth' parts...Aluminum Driveshaft??? Fibreglass hood?
3. Turbo?! Still debating whether to go beyond "stock"
Put your setup on my Feedback form! |
YOU ARE VISITOR Number
SINCE May 15 1997
This page was last updated on
12/5/97