What kind of times mikght I expect?

[joshs78sleeper]

What kind of times do you think i can expect?

Im putting in a 400 hp (Desktop dyno) 350 into my 78. Im also gettting the tranny rebuilt with a 3000 stall to match my cam. What kind of times (Estimate of course) do you think i can expect to get with this much power? Am i looking at possible 12's or far from it? Im shooting for 12's as I want to be able to beat new $35,000 SS's Anyways, Im not sure if this is gonna get me there, but i sure hope its close at least. If not, Im sure ill be throwing on a nice little 150 shot

Anyways...let me know your opinions or experiences with a similar setup. See my sig for most of the engine specs.

 

[hotrodd]

What is your rear end ratio? Get advice if you put it on the jug,a high gear ratio seem's to me to tear up alot part's fast on nitrous.Just my opinoin. Guessing just guessing 13.50 without nitrous and 3.55 gear? I gaurantee it will be alot of fun!

 

[l98vette1986]

if you havent built the motor yet, it would help a little to have the block decked for zero deck cleareance (larger cams tend to like higher compression, and increase power a little. Any vette that has 400 hp sounds good, and should whip the snot out of a stock ss. One thing to look at, you should compare the torque curve of the LS1 w/ the one on your desk top dyno. Make sure that yours is a little higher, and pray that it is accurate. Another thing about a vette is that it has better weght distribution that an f-body (you should hook up good if you go easy at first) your car probably weighs less. (my 86 weighed in at 3,130 after some reductions) the stock ss weighs around 3,400-3,500. I dont think your car is gonna weigh that much. Bottom line. A 400hp vette sounds good, but just make sure that you have a near flat torque curve so you can pull through the gears quickly. You shouldn't have to worry about an SS, unless their brakes go out, and they are about to rear end you after you smoke him.
Good Luck w/ the motor, watch your RPM range where you shift, compare it to your engines peak power range.. just shift a little past the peak. There is a lot involved in beating another car, not just HP numbers.

 

[sscam69]

ss weighs around 3,400-3,500

More like 3,300lbs w/o driver, I have been researching these things for a while.

There is a lot involved in beating another car, not just HP numbers.

I agree!!

400hp should put you in the high twelves for sure, thats at sea level of course.

 

[sscam69]

And another thing, you might want to look into AFR's (Air Flow Research) heads. You are going to be able to go with a smaller more streetable cam and make just as much power. Actually I think your cam might be overkill!!

 

[l98vette1986]

I personally think just about everyones cam is overkill, simply based on the fact that people look at duration, and the want something that "CAMS", and cams hard. The sound may be intimidating, and sound good, but i like the sound of inertia better. (when i hear the other guys car screaming as i blow by him the sound gets more, and more faint.. hehe) It is not always good, as this dramitically reduces low end torque in a street motor. High Lift is another thing...it is just shy of not meaning anything unless your motor loves to stay at 5,500 or above. A cam w/ 220 duration at 50 withe .520 lift will actually be a little less torquey than a cam that has the same duration w/ .450 lift.. Its a lot to grasp at first glance, but it will fall togather for you. The performer RPM heads are decent heads for mid to upper range, i probably wouldnt change them, that would cost a lot. (not saying that i wouldnt go w/ AFR's as they are outstanding) but the RPMs should easily support 12's.
also look on the bright side, if you get beat by a stock ss, and only lose by a car or two, you are still beating the stock mustang GT's by 6 car lengths... :BOW

 

[JHL]

Hi,

I ran a best of 13.8 and had a best of 104mph with a clutch that was on it`s way out and my combo is similar to yours. I would have thought that with the good clutch low 13`s should be no problem without gas and 12`s with gas would be easy money.

J.

 

[Ken]

I posted this in the tech forum but then realized it may be more suitable here...

Josh, I merged the posts. You have the power to delete one of your posts if you so desire.

 

[joshs78sleeper]

JHL, I see youre running 295's for your back tires. I have another post actually asking if this is possible. Im getting new rims and tires next week and I want to get 295's on. What year is your c3? Did you have to get offset trailing arms? or did they fit stock?

Do you hook up good with those on there? Have you done anything else to help hook up? Also...if you did go with offset trailing arms, how much did it cost and what goes into installing them? Anything else i need to keep in consideration?

 

[JHL]

Hi Josh,

The 295`s went straight on the original wheels without any mods and the standard trailing arms. No problem and although they are a tight fit no rubbing either. They are BFG`s and my only concern is the low speed rating they have, they are also 400 tread wear so I will never use them up however they are useless in the wet even before I built the engine you had to be gentle on the gas if it was even slightly damp. I had intended to buy a pair of Hoozier drag radials which can be had in the same size but they are not road legal over here in the UK so I didn`t bother, not worth all the hassle for a couple of trips to the drag strip.

I am confident the car will easily run into the low 13`s with the new clutch fitted even with the BFG`s. For whatever reason traction in the dry has never been a problem it just digs in and goes so much so that it wrecked the clutch. I can`t explain this as I have a friend who recently sold an auto S/A and it was terrible absolutely no traction whatsoever wet or dry and it nowhere near as powerfull as mine. On one "give it everthing and then some" blast at the track I recorded a 1.77 second 60` time.

J.

 

[joshs78sleeper]

Badass! Thats what i wanted to hear...now just so I know for sure...there are no difference in the 78 and 82 right? I think 78 up had more room for bigger tires. Cool....Im getting new torque thrust II 17" wheels next week and new rubber...so ill probably be going with 295's now. Thanks for the info...i was hoping i could fit 295's so i can hook up. Although with 17 inch rims ill most likely be going with the best rubber i can. Ive always liked yokohomas ...

 

[JHL]

The guy who had the 78 S/A had 17 billet Centrelines and on the rear he had 275/40 Dunlop`s which fitted again with no problems. You might want to carefully check out the offset of your intended purchase to be a 100% sure before you buy. Yokohama are good tyres in the dry but depending on which ones you buy wet weather grip can be poor as some of them are no more than cut slicks and borderline road legal. The best I have tried are Bridgestone but they wore out very quickly. They sell some that have a duel compound, soft on the edges for cornering grip and slightly harder compound in the middle for better life. Don`t know if they are available in the US but worth a try if you can get them. Another friend of mine has them on his 944 Turbo, they make the car a bit nervous in a straight line compared to some Continetals he was running but outright grip is superb.

You have to be a bit carefull with tyres over here as there are large fines and points on your licence for out of spec tyres, like a maximum of $3500 !!!!

J.