It has been WAAAY too long since we have all talked, and I am truly sorry about that. Anyway - I thought you might be entertained by an update!
After the last posts here, I got a smaller pulley and went to ~13-14psi. The car felt faster...but not that much faster. I could never really figure it out.
Fast forward to Oct 2010 and a test-n-tune day at Beech Bend (1/4mile). Something was amiss from the very beginning. The car simply would NOT shift 1-2 while at WOT. If I lifted, it would shift, and then I could get back into it. With lifting (all the way off the gas) to get it to shift 1-2, it still ran a 12.7...a tenth faster than at 7psi. I really think the car had a low 12 in it.
Due to the shifting problems that I could not figure out at the track, I only made 2-3 passes and then took it home. The following Monday I drove it to/from work to data log and to try to learn something. In my attempts to get a good data log, I let it sit at the top of 1st gear for just a little too long...next thing I know oil is going everywhere.
The subsequent teardown shows I had serious blow-by on 4 of the 8 pistons. Probably ever since I upped the boost. That would explain the faster, but not as fast as expected. While taking the piston rings out, 3 of them had piston ring lands literally fall apart!!!
Since I was never really happy with this combination (constant electrical problems, drivability problems even with tuning, hard to build boost around the road course, etc), I decided to go a completely different route. I had been working with a friend on a 1999 Camaro SS with a rear-mount turbo. The GM OE computer capability is far superior to anything I had with my Holley setup.
So - the new chapter in the Chevelle's life: a LS1 & T56!
I purchased a wrecked 1998 Camaro Z28 and stole the motor & trans out of it. Sold the rest. I have just finished rebuilding the trans, and I am now about 1/2 way through the motor rebuild. Nothing crazy, just a freshening up.
Plus - and this is especially for Mark - I have finally swapped out the 2.73 rear gear for a 3.73.
Anyway - that is all of my updates! I hope all of you are doing great!
Troy
_________________ Troy
'71 Chevelle
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