Mods For 2002
I'll kick off the 2002 mod page with an update from the last time I raced.
After looking at the 60 ft times, the overheating, and sluggishness down low, we decided to give the idea of locking up the dizzy advance another go. Previous attempts had the car driving like an absolute piece of poop, but this time, she was a gem. Alot crisper, better throttle response, temperature was definitely better but still not that crash hot, and down low she drives real well. Not to mention that now if you cruise along in top gear and just stab the throttle, the rear tyres ark up in a haze of smoke. Lovely!!
So I've just been enjoying how the car's been going and planning what's up next.
February
After working solid for a few months, the acquired funds have enabled me to begin with the plans that have been brewing in my ugly noggen for a while. First up was a new bonnet scoop off a VL Walkinshaw. Engine temp was still being a pain in the proverbial so we thought that the vents in the scoop that would locate over the turbos, as well as the large opening at the rear of the scoop would help get the hot air out, thus aiding the matter.
I'll have a couple of better shots soon.
After what happened the last time I went to the track, I decided it was time to get some decent slicks and some front runners. My mate Garbs organised a pair of Nankang nylon front tyres, 5.6x15 and I had my front rims cut down and modified to a nice narrow 15x4". Should help to keep me straight up top.
March
I've also begun the intercooler installation. Go to the Intercooler page to read about it.
April
After talking to my mate Todd, I decided that if the car is going to run the mph it's supposed to this year, that maybe a set of bonnet pins would be a good idea. He had a few dramas with his VC's bonnet bouncing around when he was doing 120mph, I'm hoping for 140+mph so I splashed out.
The pins have a 5/8" stud and because of the Commodore's design, is secured through a 1" double skin in the radiator support, and a 1" double skin through the bonnet. I can't see the thing coming off.
***
Yippee!! ***
After 2 years of worry, panick and spending hundreds of dollars to solve an overheating problem, it turns out the guage was buggered. One night while testing the new walky scoop and timing combo, the needle on the guage put on a bit of a show bouncing around all over the place before settling down on a nice hot 220 degrees F. Knew that J.R had the same problem with his DiPricol guage and decided to splash out on a proper Autometer Ultra-Lite guage. Now my only problem is getting enough heat into the engine. I can drive around all day in 30 degree C heat and not have to turn the fan on. Sweet.
Here are a couple of better pics of the new Walkinshaw scoop. It will be re-sprayed some time in the future.
The rear of the scoop is 2 1/2" high and you can feel the hot air escaping while sitting at the lights.
You can see the vent at the front of the scoop which sits right above the turbos. Perfect for this car, I reckon.
July
After getting the car going again with the intercooler pumping heaps of cold air, one night during final testing on the M1 before the next week's trip to the track the tranny finally decided to let go. Previous to this we throught she was going pretty good after the rear end kicking out sideways at about 180km/h. This was with 17psi, 34* timing and half throttle! My mate Mick wanted to get out and catch a cab home.
Anyways, she decided nailing it hard in top gear (to observe launch capabilities) wasn't a good idea and the convertor let go and threw metal through the box, turing it into a throw away job. We were surprised that it lasted this long and decided it was time to get serious, so after a few calls, sourced a new aluminium powerglide with all the good gear (check spec sheet), except a trans-brake, which didn't bother me as I knew my axles wouldn't survive one at the moment. It came with a Dominator Top Eliminator 3800rpm convertor also unused and with a few mods to the shifter bracket and bellhousing went in quite easily.
Convertor had to be modified to fit a SBC as it was originally made to go behind a Hemi
Big fan of how light the alloy box is. Top picture shows the tuff after-market input shaft. Bottom image shows the trans-brake solenoid.
Unfortunately, after firing her up, topping up fluids etc, it was discovered there was no reverse, which after investigation was put down to the reverse gear case being drilled to accept a trans-brake setup, which this box did not have. After a few more calls, a trans-brake valve body is on it's way and will be swapped for the current one giving me a box which i hope will last forever (touch wood).
December
Finally got myself a set of wheels. After a lot of mucking a round because a Commodore's front rear spacing doesn't allow a lot of strip alloy race wheels to fit, I settled for a nice set of Centerline Convo Pros with a skinny 4" front rim and 8 1/2" on the back. The fats and thins look pretty good, but has added to the difficulty of making this thing go around corners.
I also decided, after a lot of badgering from WogDave that the paint could do with a tidy up and something different. So one Friday morning, my trusted mate Scotty and I took the old girl down to Dave's panel shop and after hours of sanding and smoothing, Dave layered on a few more coats of Chev Yellow with the addition of a couple of top coats of gold pearl and clear. Needless to say, the new paint looks sensational and in the right angle of sunlight looks like a totally different car. A big cheers to Scotty for his help and Dave for his panel painting skills.
