71 chevelle+Ly6+T56- Protouring Texas
 

I'm late to the party over here on lateral-g.net but my build up to this point is here- http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversion...e-ly6-t56.html .. Ill add some photos and info to catch everyone up when I have a bit more time. For now lets get this update started!


This 1971 chevelle started as a straight 6/ powerglide roller, I traded for motorcycle about 4 years go. Frame off build but wasn't sold on the frame mods and general awesomeness of the protouring style. Well.. here I am today still upgrading and beating the car like I stole it. Follow along, let me know if you think it sucks or if you like it. Either way, I'm just a guy with a wrench and carport..





Wow this thread needs an update!! Since the seat upgrade we did some autox at goodguys, that was a blast! the car is a beast with the blower on it and the cam I spec'd brings on the torque way down low. You really have to watch it getting on the power. I spun out more than once, the officials didn't like it but I was having fun!!


http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...psit7hallu.jpg

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Broke 18k on the car during our AutoX adventure


http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...psu3p0tshv.jpg


Then on the way home.. Sh!t got real.. A friend pulled up next to me on the highway. And like any red blooded Americans, we punched it!
I was gaining ground like I was cool and BOOM something let go and antifreeze blew up on the windshield.... We pull to take a look, the dorman plastic pulley that clears the steering box exploded and took out the belt and glass radiator hose I found in the junk yard...


http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps40yz2qsb.jpg


But no worries!! I was with friends, and we made a party out of it!! Played cards against humanity and drank two cases of beer waiting on my father n law with the trailer.

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Here are few videos from the AutoX shenanigans.


http://s101.photobucket.com/user/low...6m6ge.mp4.html

http://s101.photobucket.com/user/low...oenyv.mp4.html


http://s101.photobucket.com/user/low...ufjsw.mp4.html


http://s101.photobucket.com/user/low...7xgf3.mp4.html

After the pulley fiasco, I get all that fixed and came up with the perfect pulley made of steel for steering box clearance in abody's. After we get the car back together we start prepping for the "Wanna Go Fast" 1/2 mile shootout. Do some more tuning and make adjustments for long full throttle pulls. Since I only have lap belts in the car, it was freaking me out a little to really push the car, so I thought up a cool way to have a removable harness bar. It worked out great and I managed just over 146 mph in the standing half mile. I really wanted 150 mph but first and second gear had NO traction, but lesson learned, I'll have drag radials for next time.


http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...pssebx2z32.jpg


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Had to show them how to do a proper burn out .. American muscle FTW!


http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps4glqb44x.jpg


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I remember you from LS1Tech. I started my build thread over there, and finished it up on this site. Good to see you enjoying one of your cars! Very nicely done, by the way!

Thank you sir! being able to enjoy the car has been a blessing. Your car has turned out amazing since last time I looked at the thread. Good job sir!!

Really great job putting this together and it's really cool seeing it get abused!

That last picture is great! Glad you're out enjoying the car. Have fun!

WHAT UP E?!! almost didn't recognize the car last I saw it was black and its looking good now!! we need a Redneck GTG again soon before HRPT!

Nice car how did you finish your bumpers I like them.

Bad ass! Car looks great. Did you take any videos at the track, or from the dyno?

Thank you! its a lot of fun to beat on them, compared to sitting next to them in a parking lot!

now that Im well over 600hp Im finding the newest weak links... like belt issues.. but hey that's hotrodding.

Whats up Rich!! and I agree we need to GTG again, your doing PT this year correct?

The bumpers and stripe are matte metallic gunmetal vinyl wrap from avery. The stainless trim is painted to match.

I have some video of autoX, half mile, and the dyno. I can post them here or you can check it out on instagram @protouringtexas

first half I am, bringing it back home. no time off left to do it all!

Mmm Emily Williams.

Car looks really good. I wanna see this thing up close at some point.

We'll be in Baytown the second day of powertour!

Sounds good. If my car is functional by then I'll be bringing it down as well. Was hoping to do the whole thing, but car delays and now work picking up again, I think I'll be required to be around the office that week.

2016 HRPT update
 

So tell us about your trip! curious to see what happened in Baytown

We survived another Powertour. Rain, autoX, drag racing, high speed shenanigans, epic back roads, break downs, road side partys.. Best vacation ever!

The week before powertour we called up Detailingarage.com to take care of some paint correction and prep the car for decals. This years adventures were amazing to say the least. With the Tvs 2300 Magnuson supercharger, new heads, cam combo we knew it was time to get serious about a clutch that could take the abuse. Lucky for us, Centerforce clutch has their DYAD offering capable of holding 1300 ft-lbs of torque. Rather than pulling one from inventory, we called Centerforce to discuss what the car is and its purpose. Thankfully, after some details were discussed. Will Baty (the Centerforce guru) made adjustments to a custom DYAD and had it on the way to our shop. Here are some detail and clutch install pics.


http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...psfjp2erux.jpg

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http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...psvk6hj5jz.jpg


http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...psnuezlmz5.jpg

Out with the Ls7 clutch!!

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...psl5vkibjy.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...psxkb6pndl.jpg

The Ls7 was ok, but after two to three hard pulls it would let go under boost.
the material itself looked ok but the flywheel/pressure plate told another story


http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...psxjpvxgji.jpg

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So we started the clutch install Thursday morning, it was a blessing we got started early because we found a crack on the tail housing of our T56, which explains the small bit of fluid on the cross member. That set us into a rush to get it fixed, we were scheduled to leave for Gonzales, LA early the next morning.. Thankfully my good friend Jason at Texas Drivetrain Performance isn't far from our shop. I gave him a call and we were on our way to his shop for a last minute T56 refresh!!

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...psprnx4b60.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...psb753dkgu.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...psogsswusm.jpg


That debacle used up 4 hours of day light but we were determined to get it finished and ready for our Louisiana to Kansas Powertour trip.


http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...pshnx4nrzl.jpg

In all its glory!! The Centerforce DYAD is a serious piece of billet man jewelry..

Flywheel
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...psgizz4sn4.jpg

Clutch 1
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...pseknaj4kb.jpg

Floater
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...psnt2d5f7a.jpg

Clutch 2
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps9egaqrlc.jpg

Pressure plate with custom weights for increased holding capability.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...psg5sj9clu.jpg

Installed
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...psfctbmros.jpg

We wrestled the T56 back into the car, after some choice words and few beers, we had everything together and ready to break-in. It was late, but victory was ours!

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...psdsotrhnx.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...psfdwvci7j.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...psn0jni2uj.jpg



The following morning we met several people at Buccee's on our way LA. The chevelle isn't very happy at 60-65 mph, so I teamed up with Gregg from continental tire in his brand new ATS-V cadillac. We ran 80-85mph all the way to Gonzales, with only a few stops for fuel and photo ops.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...psjzw8zndt.jpg

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Some quick math says we averaged 17.3 mpg on this stretch. I'm more than happy with that since we ran it hard here and there. I mean.. It is open road! So why not?!

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps11i4fibi.jpg

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The next day, we registered and met up with the guys from Magnuson Superchargers. Visited a few friends and vendors and made our way to the autoX before the hurricane like rains set in again. We had a blast regardless! the first run was horrible learning the track, second time out was a huge improvement. Dropping over a second off my previous time. Then came the rain, so we headed to grab lunch and get ready to head to Baytown the next morning.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps5if8p3wb.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...psgzhhi83j.jpg

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Cool stuff in the parking lot at lunch
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...psungjefyu.jpg

My better half and I.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...pssnk6grit.jpg

Here's a direct link to a video of the second autoX run in Gonzales,LA.

http://s101.photobucket.com/user/low...jenl5.mp4.html

Here's where things get interesting... On the way to Baytown, I "thought" I heard some thing "different" about the car. But it was driving fine with no obvious signs of distress. Now I'm lined up, do a burn out, hammer the throttle to the end of the 1/4 mile, let off the gas and OH NOOOOO the car is grinding from the rear!! My initial thoughts are 'posi let go' worst case.. I get slowed down the grinding becomes a squeal.. ok I'm thinking brake problem now. So I park the car, grab a beer and walk away, because that fixes everything, right?? By the time I finish my beer the wind was picking up and starts to get crazy.. In comes mother nature, the wind picks up the Pilot Transport display and firmly plants it into my driver quarter panel. DANG IT!!

Hard to see the damage in the rain
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...psqaoxlgvc.jpg

no pdr for this.. Paints cracked

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps4yxxbdtx.jpg



I make my way out of royal purple raceway to the hotel, that attempt was futile. I end up pulling into the closest gas station to investigate all the ungood noise coming from the rear axle. Turns out the bearing had let go and was eating the axle shaft!!

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...psax8yqek8.jpg


http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps5qrcga0i.jpg

I had to buy a slide hammer to get the axle shaft out.. Knarly stuff!!


http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...psiizier2o.jpg

These are quality aftermarket axles, hard to find late at night..


http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...psjkegfklm.jpg

We drove every where in the wagon, meeting people from Facebook that thought they had a stock axle I could make work, but no luck. We had to give up and wait till morning, luckily a fellow powertour participant lived close and had a trailer and gave us a ride to our hotel!!

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...psllry047w.jpg


Cool bridge near the coast, looking for an axle.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...psdpqbt0ja.jpg

The next morning I was back at it. Took everything apart again and headed for a shop recommended by locals. Pyle Bros. had exactly what I needed. All the fluids and an aftermarket axle that worked with my 1/2 in ARP studs. Huge thanks to Mike and Brandon for all the help the night before, I told them to go ahead and I had it all handled. The next stop was Circuit of the America's and I didn't want anyone to miss out on my account!

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...pscfdt1get.jpg

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Victory whiskey shots!!

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...pse4patfuv.jpg

Filling up with fossil fuel to blast across Houston to Austin

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...psigfoeknv.jpg

Now what does any red blooded American do, after a parking lot repair victory on Powertour ???? Test for stress factors of course!!!


Victory burnout in Baytown Powertour 2016 - YouTube

"We came, we saw, we conquered"

Lots of great folks on PT. One of the best ways to meet them is break down.

Great write up, thanks for sharing your experience with us! Looks like that despite the issues, you guys had a great time. Spending it with the family makes everything better! Epic burnout, by the way...

I agree. Great writeup. Damn that flask is huge!!! Whats' that saying.....? "Everything is BIG in Texas" I guess its true. LOL

The car looks great out there on the course! We're glad we could be part of such an awesome build. :cheers:

Looking good man, glad you got the car fixed while you were on the road for the power tour.

Looking good!.. way to have a good time~!

Awesome Power Tour writeup - you guys do it the right way! I followed you on Instagram a while back, been enjoying the car and shenanigans you post on there.

We've been looking at the DYAD clutch, glad to see you've had good luck with it so far.

DANG Eric that was no fun!! glad you got her rolling again and made the rest of the tour - thats exactly why I dont race on tour I wanna make it all the way with clean fingernails! on a side note on my way towards oklahoma I had some good fun with a white Ford GT and his buddy in a Panoz with my loaner car :innocent:
thats EXACTLY why I keep doing HRPT!! ... Priceless

I couldn't agree more! It's all about the journey!!

Thank you sir! powertour has become a yearly family trip for us.

Thank you, and the flask is much more durable than a glass bottle being thrown around lol.

Your DYAD clutch made this trip much more enjoyable and man.... it took a beating like a champ!!

Thank you sir, I hope to see you out here one day!

thank you!

Hey thanks for following the adventure! If you haven't already, I can help with your DYAD. email me your setup [email protected]

its all in good fun Rich! We can't spend this kinda money and not use it!

I need to finish up on the powertour story but check this out! What an honor to have Tim King shoot the Protouringtexas Chevelle known as #Bigbootyjudy !! https://lateral-g.net/eric-pierces-19...ig-booty-judy/

We're glad to hear that! :cheers: