Discussion
We met up at Santa Pod today for the Mopar Euro Nationals and run the car four times. Clive managed the following times.
60ft-------quarter-------terminal-------reaction
2.360--------12.7--------122.86---------.582
1.773--------11.6--------124.25---------.592
2.074--------11.3--------122.19---------.571
1.779--------11.5--------122.02---------.626
Well happy with that considering the car does not have the limited slip diff and we were running standard tyres without tire softener.
The car was spinning and jumping about all over the place for runs 1 and 2 so we turned the adjusters right off on the shocks to soften it up, and on run 3 - the fastest run, it sat down and did what it was told and prouduced an 11.3 with no tramping.
Only 0.2 seconds away from the holy grail Macca F1, and I think late 10's should be possible with a good launch and a slipper - the biggest factor.
The first run was done pullling off in 2nd gear, but the best and rest times were done using 1st to 5th. No problems with the car, and no overheating whatsoever, on what was surely one of the hottest days of the year.
A bloody good day out
60ft-------quarter-------terminal-------reaction
2.360--------12.7--------122.86---------.582
1.773--------11.6--------124.25---------.592
2.074--------11.3--------122.19---------.571
1.779--------11.5--------122.02---------.626
Well happy with that considering the car does not have the limited slip diff and we were running standard tyres without tire softener.
The car was spinning and jumping about all over the place for runs 1 and 2 so we turned the adjusters right off on the shocks to soften it up, and on run 3 - the fastest run, it sat down and did what it was told and prouduced an 11.3 with no tramping.
Only 0.2 seconds away from the holy grail Macca F1, and I think late 10's should be possible with a good launch and a slipper - the biggest factor.
The first run was done pullling off in 2nd gear, but the best and rest times were done using 1st to 5th. No problems with the car, and no overheating whatsoever, on what was surely one of the hottest days of the year.
A bloody good day out
We were running the standard pressures - I didn't want to take the chance of damaging the tyres or rims as they are only 35 profile and although we possibly could have dropped a few psi (like the dragsters do) we were worried about the effect on the handling on the top end of the run - you don't really want to be pushing 120mph and above on partially inflated tyres as the sidewalls would probably incur some damage, and possibly ground out the centre sections of tyre on the rims.
All runs were without NOS fitted, and to be honest, until an LSD is fitted I think it would be a pointless excercise. When we first installed it, it had a microswitch on the gearbox selector so that the 'gas' could only be activated in 3rd gear and above. As it was it was evident that wheel spin was very hard to combat even through 3rd gear when flat out. We could not have asked for better traction conditions, the first 100 ft was totally black from rubber laid down by the pro's, and the running commentary was very comlimentary explaining to the crowd that the car was running low 11's on street tyres.
Another factor is the gear linkage, which is still a bit clonky and takes time to change and get the gear in a timely manner. A sequential box would take a large chunk out of the times as we went through 5 cogs to get terminal speed. I am running a 6 speed G50/20.
Between the three of us (AndyCanam, CliveGTR) Clive had done a 11.6, and Andy an 11.4, so I was pleased with the result as Andy has the early Porsche 4 speed box, which we think is better suited to the torque curve of the Chevy engine.
With a genuine 550hp, and LSD and proper tyres (sticky soft compound) I see no reason why a fairly 'normal' Ultima could not produce low 10's.
I believe that Jeff's yellow GTR has been close to that, so it would be interesting to see what other people have got, and with what setups. Once the traction had started, the car munched past any rod that was on the next lane
All runs were without NOS fitted, and to be honest, until an LSD is fitted I think it would be a pointless excercise. When we first installed it, it had a microswitch on the gearbox selector so that the 'gas' could only be activated in 3rd gear and above. As it was it was evident that wheel spin was very hard to combat even through 3rd gear when flat out. We could not have asked for better traction conditions, the first 100 ft was totally black from rubber laid down by the pro's, and the running commentary was very comlimentary explaining to the crowd that the car was running low 11's on street tyres.
Another factor is the gear linkage, which is still a bit clonky and takes time to change and get the gear in a timely manner. A sequential box would take a large chunk out of the times as we went through 5 cogs to get terminal speed. I am running a 6 speed G50/20.
Between the three of us (AndyCanam, CliveGTR) Clive had done a 11.6, and Andy an 11.4, so I was pleased with the result as Andy has the early Porsche 4 speed box, which we think is better suited to the torque curve of the Chevy engine.
With a genuine 550hp, and LSD and proper tyres (sticky soft compound) I see no reason why a fairly 'normal' Ultima could not produce low 10's.
I believe that Jeff's yellow GTR has been close to that, so it would be interesting to see what other people have got, and with what setups. Once the traction had started, the car munched past any rod that was on the next lane
I must take it next time... Hi Jeff. What colour was your car? We saw a really nice old 67' blue one and a new black one.. I would love to own either. The old 67 we think it was up for £14k, and was a one owner car and garaged for 9 years 
You know your getting old when you say stuff like "they don't make 'em like that anymore"
A 10.79 - very respectable
You know your getting old when you say stuff like "they don't make 'em like that anymore"
A 10.79 - very respectable
This is my one:
www.stangtuning.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=85&password=&sort=1&cat=998&page=1
I have driven it to Le Mans and back in a slightly milder state of tune. It goes around 11.8 on street tyres depending on traction. On slicks it cuts 1.55 60 foot times and ran 6.9 @ 101.5 in the eighth mile!
It's good to see a few Ultimas at the strip.
www.stangtuning.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=85&password=&sort=1&cat=998&page=1
I have driven it to Le Mans and back in a slightly milder state of tune. It goes around 11.8 on street tyres depending on traction. On slicks it cuts 1.55 60 foot times and ran 6.9 @ 101.5 in the eighth mile!
It's good to see a few Ultimas at the strip.
all three of our car/times are for non drag prepared cars..... I used exactly the same settings for the road and for circuit track days.
there is a car in the states with twin turbo's that I think can get into the 9's.... AND it was built for road racing not 1/4mile.
BTW Simon they are some very good times....
there is a car in the states with twin turbo's that I think can get into the 9's.... AND it was built for road racing not 1/4mile.
BTW Simon they are some very good times....
Simon was very kind(stupid) inasmuch as he let me drive this car last week. My wife is getting very fed up with the fits of giggles and cheesy grins that are still appearing occationally for no apparent reason. Without a doubt, and by a long way, the fastest car I've ever been in. Martin.
V6GTO said:
Pleased to see you ran faster than the other guys have, Simon, and with extra gear shifts to make, too...
Can't beat good old British power, eh?
Which part of Chevrolet is British?
I think P15TON's reference to 'British power' is more to do with where the engine was built rather the it's make.
If i'm not mistaken P15TON built Simons engine.
Steve
P15TON
Welcome to the forum Peter. Your presence here could result in you being buried in technical engine questions.
Maybe through this route I can get you to tell me how to stop my engine stalling under braking. The alternative is having to drive half the length of the country for you to turn some jet or other half a nats c*ck.
Steve
Steve, I wondered when that old chestnut would come up! I did cure this for a guy once; I have to say, I thought it wasn't possible to cure it due to the 'legendary status' of the problem, so I told him if I couldn't fix it in two hours, I wouldn't take any more money off him.
The trick was to set the float levels bang on the money, and to run the highest idle speed you can, without going off the idle circuit & on to the main circuit.
The trick was to set the float levels bang on the money, and to run the highest idle speed you can, without going off the idle circuit & on to the main circuit.
P15TON said:
Steve, I wondered when that old chestnut would come up! I did cure this for a guy once; I have to say, I thought it wasn't possible to cure it due to the 'legendary status' of the problem, so I told him if I couldn't fix it in two hours, I wouldn't take any more money off him.
The trick was to set the float levels bang on the money, and to run the highest idle speed you can, without going off the idle circuit & on to the main circuit.
So is that with both bowls just weeping or are they different front to back? Can I set these with just the pump running or does the engine need to be running?
How do I tell where the transition is between idle and main circuits?
See, told you there would be plenty of questions.
Steve
P15TON said:
Pleased to see you ran faster than the other guys have, Simon, and with extra gear shifts to make, too...
Can't beat good old British power, eh?
Ah, I have just figured out the charactor behind the name
The first run was done starting in second gear, and resulted in a 12.7. Using 1st gear, we shaved a second of the time with the extra gear change. Needless to say I am very very pleased with the engine you have built me it has been totally reliable, doesn't use excessive amounts of oil, nor leak and it hasn't missed a beat.
It is a welcome sight to see your engine builder on the forum.
Welcome to Pistonheads Peter
V6GTO said:
Pleased to see you ran faster than the other guys have, Simon, and with extra gear shifts to make, too...
Can't beat good old British power, eh?
Which part of Chevrolet is British?
Mr Knight...I appologise for being so flippant...had I known who you were at the time I would have understood (and showed a bit of respect), your reputation proceeds you. Martin.
PS - any chance of a 385 small block with twin turbos for my Noble?
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