From: chucko@kronos.arc.nasa.gov (Chuck Fry)
Subject: Re: Increasing power?
Organization: Recom Technologies, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1992 21:08:10 GMT

In article <1992Jul27.170616.21276@bnr.ca> Peon w/o Email priv (Eric Youngblood) writes:
>|> In article <1992Jul24.133816.20347@bnr.ca> Peon w/o Email priv (Eric Youngblood) writes:
>|> >Does anyone have any ideas on how to increase the power produced by a normally
>|> >aspirated V-8 engine?

>The power output builds pretty evenly up through 3200 RPM and then it really
>begins so pull hard up to the shift at about 5000 rpm. The 1-2 shift breaks the
>rear end loose and it will get squirrelly on you if you are not paying attention.
>It feels like its still pulling strong when it shifts and gives you a good kick-in
>-the-pants. Also the 1-2 shift puts the rpm in the 3000 range for 2nd gear. Bottom
>line is pulls best above 3000 rpm.

Sounds like you might want to do two things to the transmission.  You
can probably up the shift speed a little, say to 5200 or so.  (No
reason to go nuts with it.)  And it sounds like the torque curve is
wide enough to deal with a wide-ratio gear set, if you can find one
for that trans.  This would lower your 1st gear ratio while leaving
your high gear alone, making for better ETs without killing fuel
economy on the street.  This might be a better choice than changing
the rear end.

>Street driving is a breeze and this idle is smooth enough to leave in gear at
>stoplights. Allthough you can *definitely* tell there's some addition cam in the
>engine. I would consider it streetable.

Sounded like it from your initial description.  I wouldn't touch that
motor!!  You don't want to mess with success.

>|> >Traction is provided by Goodyear ST P235R15 radials. Track times
>|> >indicate an extreemly sluggish 60 foot times.

>|> Do you have problems getting traction?  These tires aren't known for
>|> their ability to grip the 'strip.  If you get serious about drag
>|> racing, get serious drag tires.  You may need other traction remedies
>|> as well.

>Traction off the line NOT! I cant get near full throttle until about 5-10 mph,
>otherwise I'll just sit and spin. I will brake torque the drive train and then
>apply about half throttle until after 5mph and then full throttle.

Yeah, you could probably use better tires.  I forget what's the hot
setup on the strip these days; look around and see what the quick guys
are using, then stuff as much tire under those fenders as you can.
But keep in mind that what's great on the strip doesn't work so well
on the street; you'll want to haul, not drive, your drag tires to the
track.

Once you start playing games with the suspension, you open a big can
of worms.  But if you have the patience, you can pick up a bunch of
time off the line.  Here again, what's best on the track may not be
ideal on the street.

Another approach that no one has mentioned is lightening the car by
removing anything non-essential.  You could also mount the battery
over the right rear wheel; this improves the weight on the rear tires
and keeps the right rear down under heavy torque.

>so far the most recommended change is to the rear-end ratio followed closely by
>alterations to the torque converter (higher stall) and tires (better traction). 

>All of these could improve the numbers.

Have fun, and keep it off the fences...

 -- Chuck Fry  Chucko@charon.arc.nasa.gov
    National bench-racing champion

From: wesf@hpdmd48.boi.hp.com (Wes Fujii)
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1992 14:03:54 GMT
Subject: Re: Questions about Headers
Organization: Hewlett Packard - Boise, ID