1969 Torino

[Panteracer]

Rob,
I did not really crack the Pantera any more at Optima
I had a blast at Optima and Sema
Wish I could have gone to the Lateral g evening
but my Pantera buddy showed up to help that night
at 8pm

I thought I would start out right away busting your chops
as I have a Firebird buddy constantly bugging me about the firechicken
and it is always the Pantera first.. hope to even that out this next year

I know what you are going through because everything you
buy for a Pantera does not fit or needs to be Modified... I cannot
tell you how many times I looked at the wiring and hoses trying
to figure out where to run and mount things.. it takes time and
for those doing it themselves I give them a lot of credit
In the Firebird I have moved the Alternator three times in the last
year... Our Pantera group visited Moals shop the last two years
and they had a build going and we all were trying to figure out
how the steering was going to get past the headers.. they said
they were working on it... so even the big boys have issues

As far as your car being a beast my Firebird weighed in at 3710 lbs
at the Goodguys event earlier this year.. I just changed out the rear
leafs to monoleaves- yes still running old school but lost 70 lbs.. need
to go after the hood, rear glass, get rid of the rear seats etc.. it
will take time but I need to get the weight down

I appreciate all of Rons advice on the handling issues
That is where I really want to learn how to tune a car
instead of just driving them after they are done.. It took a
long time to get the Pantera neutral but then just before Optima
I put shorter tires in the rear and taller in the front to get the 200 rating
That car has 245's in front and 315's out back so your stagger is nothing
Talk about messing with the geometry

Greg Weld... I was going to go to Laguna today but I had date night
at the Sharks tank with my wife.. it was supposed to be tonight but
someone scheduled the game for 1pm today and I could not get them to change it... so I was stuck
I used to run with the Norcal Shelby guys a lot when I had my mustang
but now run with Checkered flag more.. less cars on track and less
guys bending things up.. Norcal has had a lot of wrecks lately but a
great group of guys and very fast

Finally I hate to say I am still a closet Camero guy.. I had a 69 z28 when
I was a kid and bought a 69 shell a few years back thinking I was going
to build a Pt car.. it sat for 5 years with no work on it so I sold it and
went back to working on the Firebird.. love that car as it was a $300
piece of crap 23 years ago. it has won a lot of events and evolved over
the years but eats motors- #9 in it now

I will stay active here as like a few have said we like to see something
different.. love the stance on your car..
Wondering how low is the bellhousing?.. I just raised the firebird up
1 1/2" because I only had 1 1/2" clearence on the dougs 3 1/2" collectors
What really scared me was the bellhousing was slightly lower than the headers that would scrape on the ground 2-3 times when I took it for a spin

Panteracer- Norcal Bob

[FETorino]

Originally Posted by Panteracer

I will stay active here as like a few have said we like to see something
different.. love the stance on your car..
Wondering how low is the bellhousing?.. I just raised the firebird up
1 1/2" because I only had 1 1/2" clearence on the dougs 3 1/2" collectors
What really scared me was the bellhousing was slightly lower than the headers that would scrape on the ground 2-3 times when I took it for a spin

Panteracer- Norcal Bob

Bob

As of this afternoon the Quicktime is now exactly the same height as the frame rails from the ground.

Nothing will be lower than the frame rails.

[Panteracer]

Rob
Never thought of that one
My QuickTime may get the same Surgery
Now the damn headers still hang way too low
Might have to get a set made that tuck up

Panteracer NorCal Bob

[Panteracer]

Rob,
I think if you only have 12-13 quarts with the heat
exchanger you should be ok.. My pantera has 10 quarts
and my water to oil cooler actually helps warm things
up fairly quickly.. I was worried about it when I autocrossed
it a few times as oil temp does not get that hot on
your first runs.. but the gauge told me it works

Panteracer Norcal Bob

[INTMD8]

Originally Posted by FETorino

Bob

As of this afternoon the Quicktime is now exactly the same height as the frame rails from the ground.

Nothing will be lower than the frame rails.

You aren't making it easier to build headers! What size primaries, 2"?

[fleet]

Nice slicing Rob.

Reminds me of the Bass-O-Matic's slicing power.

[intocarss]

^^^^ Cosmo going old school

[Panteracer]

So wondering about your dry sump
I help my buddy with his Can Am car
and we heat the oil for 20 minutes before
we start it. So you have a smaller tank
Like the LS motors??? Not sure how it works
with a street car??

Panteracer. NorCal Bob

[FETorino]

Originally Posted by INTMD8

You aren't making it easier to build headers! What size primaries, 2"?

Jim You know nothing on these cars is easy. 2"/2.25 stepped primaries. I guarantee they will not be one piece units.

Originally Posted by compos mentis

Nice slicing Rob.

Reminds me of the Bass-O-Matic's slicing power.

Were you at the shop watching me cut it. Cuz you are probably spot on with that clip.

Originally Posted by Panteracer

So wondering about your dry sump
I help my buddy with his Can Am car
and we heat the oil for 20 minutes before
we start it. So you have a smaller tank
Like the LS motors??? Not sure how it works
with a street car??

Panteracer. NorCal Bob

Bob

My tank is a used Peterson ALMS unit, 4 gallon capacity. Here is one of GWs favorite blurry photos of it.



On the dyno 12 quarts got the oil level where we wanted it. In the car the lines will be longer so I'm sure I'll be adding a quart or more.

You can start it without pre heating. Warm up time with 12+ quarts of oil may be a little while. I'm going to run a C&R radiator with a heat exchanger for the oil. We'll see what the morning warm up time is like without pre heating. I will have a heat probe in the tank and will add an external heat band if needed.

So as of now I don't know any more about the oil warm up than you.

[Lenie]

Originally Posted by FETorino

Bob

As of this afternoon the Quicktime is now exactly the same height as the frame rails from the ground.

Nothing will be lower than the frame rails.

Been there done that!