Software Developer | Car Enthusiast | Amateur Photographer

A few of us decided to head to Dallas Raceway in Crandall, TX last weekend to get some seat time in preparation for the 2010 LTX Shootout. For me, it was the first time I would be driving a car on true slicks and I can say it was a learning experience. I made a few N/A passes to get a feel for the car and track and then followed up with 3 nitrous passes. I also scaled the car and was surprised to find that my race weight was 3650 lbs. Guess I need to get on a diet (me and the car).

I also got a new personal best that night as well. Here’s the time slip for the run and the video is below:

60 – 1.627
330 – 4.525
1/8 – 6.929
MPH – 103.25
1000 – 8.996
1/4 – 10.721
MPH – 129.49

Here’s another pass where I cut a 1.5x 60′ but missed the 2-3 shift.

Thanks to Ray (chopstix396) and Terri for the videos!

After about 10 months of downtime, the Formula is up and running again with what should be it’s fastest combo ever! Hopefully some 9′s are on the horizon. Here’s a brief list of the upgrades:

• AFR 210 Eliminator Competition Cylinder Heads – 1.055″ Dual Springs, 2.080/1.600 Valves
• AFR Rocker Arm Stud Girdles and Valve Lash Caps
• Custom Ground Solid Roller Camshaft from Lloyd Elliot at Elliot’s Port Works
• Edelbrock SBC Victor E Intake Manifold
• Nitrous Outlet LT1 Intake Elbow
• Nitrous Outlet Custom Direct Port Nitrous System
• LPP Stainless Steel 1-3/4to 1-/7/8 Stepped Long Tube Headers
• LT4 High Torque Starter

Here’s an idle video too.

Last Friday, I achieved a new personal best ET at Little River Dragway running a 10.93 @ 129.99 MPH with a 1.7 60 ft.  Running a 10-second 1/4-mile has been a goal of mine for as long as I’ve been going to the track (over 15 years) and it feels good to have finally achieved that goal.  Earlier that week I had ran wiring for the MSD Digital 6 2-step which I hooked up using a 5-pin relay with a TCI strtch cord button.  The wiring was done in such a way that when the 2-step is activated, the nitrous solenoids are deactivated.  This would allow me to work on more consistent launches with a 6-speed.

The first three runs of the night were motor-only runs. After each run, I tweaked the 2-step rev limit, front and rear suspension to help my 60 ft. times.  The best combo that night seemed to be the following settings:

• Front Shocks – #0 compression, #8 rebound
• Rear Shocks – #4 compression
• Rear Air Bags – 32 PSI passenger-side, 20 PSI driver-side
• Rear Tires (275/60 R15 M/T ET Street DR) – 12 PSI
• 2-step Rev Limit – 4K RPM

As the night progressed, I think the right lane conditions improved slightly and caused me to bog on the last run.  Regardless, I’m still happy with the results and there’s still room for improvement.

For more information about Little River Dragway, see http://www.littleriverdragway.net.

If you don’t have a subscription to GM High Tech Performance Magazine, swing by a news stand and grab one to see a 5-page feature on my 1995 Pontiac Formula in the November 2008 issue.  I’ve included JPG images of the entire article below but don’t let that stop you from getting your own copy.

Thanks to everyone at GM High Tech Performance for the great feature!
To see the entire article online, click here.