Went racing last night

[vega_guy_76]

Last night I decided it was time to take my Monza to the dragstrip to see just what it would do. Other than finding out the electric fan I JUST installed has quit working, it was an easy night. The electric fan is the only fan I am running. Well was, this afternoon I put a mechanical fan back on.

Between all runs the hood was removed (held on with pins) and the engine allowed to cool down as much as possible. All shifts were made at 6,000 RPM's, I probably could have gone higher, but didn't want to. I was crossing the traps between 5,000 and 5,500 RPM's in second gear.

The first run of the night:
Went full throttle and the engine just lugged and slowly pulled up to 3,000 RPM's where it finally took off

7:07PM
R/T .550 (.000 would have been a perfect light at this particular track)
60' 2.598
1/8th 10.104
MPH 76.64
1/4 15.166
MPH 97.81

Second run:
Other than a lane change, nothing different from previous. Again, no wheelspin; Not even a chirp.

7:29PM
R/T .189
60' 2.743
1/8th 10.360
MPH 76.27
1/4 15.446
MPH 97.47

Third run:
While in the staging lanes I grabbed the distributor and rotated it ever so slightly to advance the timing. The car gained some low end power, but still no wheelspin.

8:17PM
R/T .220
60' 2.534
1/8th 9.951
MPH 77.35
1/4 14.972
MPH 98.68

Fourth run:
Again I advanced the timing by rotating the distributor. Gained more low end, and a very slight chirp from the tires on start.

9:10PM
R/T .110
60' 2.491
1/8th 9.864
MPH 77.91
1/4 14.850
MPH 99.10

Fifth run:
Timing was advanced even more. Gained more low end, no wheelspin.

10:03PM
R/T .181
60' 2.370
1/8th 9.708
MPH 78.02
1/4 14.693
MPH 99.04

Six run:
No changes made, minimal cool down time, no wheelspin.

10:21PM
R/T .214
60' 2.452
1/8th 9.847
MPH 77.47
1/4 14.865
MPH 98.56

The car has 2.56 gears in the rear and no posi turning 255/60/15 tires (27" tall). A TH350 transmission with a heavy shift kit. The engine is a .040" over 350 with stock-style dished pistons, stock Monza exhaust manifolds with true-dual 2" exhaust and old burned out glasspack mufflers in the stock location, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake with Carter 600cfm carb, stock HEI distributor, the camshaft is a Summit brand measuring 0.488 int./0.510 exh. lift Advertised Duration: 292 int./302 exh. and Duration at 050 inch Lift: 234 int./244 exh. with a lobe seperation angle of 114 degrees. The heads are from a '73 350 with 76cc chamber, 2.02/1.60 valves and are gasket matched on the intake side. I'm guessing the compression is around 8:1.

I was hoping for at least a 14 second time, and I made that without a problem. I set the timing before I left the track at 10 degrees initial (with vacuum advance plugged), and 36 degrees total. I have no idea what it's at now as I have yet to check it.

Charlie

[2lucke4u]

Charlie
Sounds like you had some fun,and lots of runs,I loved reading the blow by blow account with the changes and conditions I'll try that with my next report,,its awsome how much you can knock off with just timing,,way to go,,I'll bet the car is great on the street,,got rained out friday at the drags but this friday looks good for Cordova,,we'll hit the nos for the first time and watch the et fall,,keep you posted,,
Charles

[vega_guy_76]

Wow, I just checked the timing and I'm amazed this thing runs as well as it does. It goes against the usual "maximum 36 degrees total timing" standard. All of this was done with the vacuum advance plugged. It is running 20 degrees of initial timing and 46 degrees of total timing. It doesn't ping or anything like that, but then again it's also around 8:1 compression ratio. I think I could cut even more off my ET if I could limit the total advance back down to around 36 degrees without taking away from the initial. Any suggestions?

Charlie

[2lucke4u]

Charlie
Whatever you do, go slow,,I would drop 4 degrees at a time and check the results,when you go slower go up 2 degrees and check again,then one at a time,,that should get you close,,let us know,,
Charles

[spencerforhire]

Man you need some gears in a bad way! With trap speeds nearing 100 mph you could be running 13's if you had some more multiplication. Even 3.08's or 3.23's(and/or some shorter tires) would be a big help. Unfortunately, switching to a better gear will hurt traction, but maybe you can score a posi with the gears. With better gears AND traction, I would guess you could knock a half second off your 60' times alone,not to mention the 1320'!

[vega_guy_76]

Now I'm debating whether or not to install 3.42/3.73 gears or a 2,800 RPM stall converter. I'm leaning more towards the converter because with the current gears and tire size downshifting into second gear at highway speeds puts the engine in it's sweet spot for passing. But then again the converter is going to hurt me at highway speeds. Currently at 60mph the engine is turning 2,100RPM. What would you guys do? I'm also getting 17mpg right now, which is really nice.

Charlie

[2lucke4u]

Charlie
my bet is on both,,2200 stall and a set of 3.42 gears will really wake that puppy up,,low thirteens will be no problem,,
Charles