71 chevelle+Ly6+T56- Protouring Texas

[LowNfast]

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!!








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.




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

Flywheel


Clutch 1


Floater


Clutch 2


Pressure plate with custom weights for increased holding capability.


Installed

[LowNfast]

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!









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.










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?!

[LowNfast]

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.







Cool stuff in the parking lot at lunch


My better half and I.

[LowNfast]

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

[LowNfast]

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


no pdr for this.. Paints cracked





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!!






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




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




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!!




Cool bridge near the coast, looking for an axle.

[LowNfast]

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!







Victory whiskey shots!!



Filling up with fossil fuel to blast across Houston to Austin

[LowNfast]

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