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03-06-2013, 06:54 PM
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How good of a driver are you? Lack of power can be a problem but if you're driving skills are on par with the guys you're loosing to, then more power is not your answer.
Here's a bell housing that will work for you. Maybe this will keep you from having to make any transmission changes beyond the flywheel and clutch. I don't know the Viper T56 though.
http://lakewoodindustries.com/drivet...dge-viper.html
Honestly, it sounds to me like you need to just go ahead and make the change to LSx. You have a lot of changes you're going to need to make to get an SBC competitive power wise. Many of these same changes will be needed with the LSx swap as well. I think you'd be wasting money to build the SBC and then swap to an LSx. The other thing to realize is you're scratching the surface of the LSx at those power levels. With the SBC, you're starting to get into very expensive territory to make even more power. Long term investment points towards LSx in my opinion.
For what it's worth, I'm telling you this as someone who intends to build an LTx motor. Call me crazy for not following my own advice but I'm not racing anyone either. Make the swap or buy Beach Cruiser's 377 he has for sale.
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Trey
Current rides: 2000 BMW 540i/6 and 86 C10.
Former ride: 1979 Trans Am WS6: LT1/T56, Kore 3 C5/6 brakes, BMW 18in rims
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03-07-2013, 01:20 AM
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As much as I would love to see you with an LS swap and back in my shop for some work  I would say hold off on the HP increase. Improve on your driving skills and zero in that suspension for more adjustability. Your car will tell you when you are ready for more HP and reliability. In other words, it may not be a neccesity at this time.
A far as the Viper T56, you can easily adapt it and use your clutch too.
Also what have you done as far as re gearing that diff?
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03-07-2013, 10:32 AM
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Hey guys, I appreciate your concern over my driving skills. I think I'm pretty good and my wife says I drive TOO fast, however I haven't won OUSCI or any ASCS event, so more seat-time can always be good thing
I found this article that Steve Rupp wrote in '09 and addressed my concerns about the flywheel and Quicktime Bellhousing, looks like I can re-use both.
Vince, you make goods points about suspension adjustability and re-gearing. Both are in the works. I couldn't put power to the ground with my 3.08, turbo 400 and skinny rear tires. The T56 is better, but I need more rear rubber and lower gears.
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Josh
Designing a '65 Chevelle with a StreetFighter theme, inspired by JP's II Much & Ron Schwarz's $5k Mustang
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03-07-2013, 11:35 AM
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Josh, what is that 350 making... maybe 350 hp tops? Yeah that ain't cuttin it any of these events short of a GoodGuys Peanut.
The road course requires decent power. The Speed Stop deal requires decent power. And from what I saw of the RTTC4 autoX course setup, that was a pretty straight layout with horsepower getting real advantage. So I certainly see your point.
You can get 500hp easily out of a 383 SBC and it will be not be some radical race motor. stroker rotating assemblies are dirt cheap, get some decent heads and top end and there ya go. 150+ more hp it appears.
Not saying an LS isn't cool, but everyone loves to recommend it so quickly.
And as far as the advice of buying that 377 (no offense to Beach Cruiser) from all the way across country (um, shipping costs?) but why on earth would that make any sense whatsoever? Did you see the parts list of that 377?
Josh, I saw your times... you seem to be doing very well with what you got. I'd want more power too.
Question: what is your ultimate power goal? 1 year? 3 years? 5 years?
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03-07-2013, 01:33 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BANKO
Vince, you make goods points about suspension adjustability and re-gearing. Both are in the works. I couldn't put power to the ground with my 3.08, turbo 400 and skinny rear tires. The T56 is better, but I need more rear rubber and lower gears.
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I'm sorry but I had a good chuckle with this statement... Not laughing AT you at all so please don't take my comments as an insult.
You want more power -- but you can't put down the power you already have?
Like most of these discussions ---- it's never ONE item or ONE change that fixes a cars ills.... it's a PACKAGE DEAL... it's the COMBINATION -- and all those things working together and working well. What good is a big brake upgrade if you have skinny little street tires.... etc.
Look at your entire project and see if you can't tweak EVERYTHING just a bit to become more competitive??
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03-07-2013, 01:44 PM
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Hey I'm really kicking myself for spending so much on my SBC as what I really want now is an LS and I haven't even installed my SBC yet. If you want a nice strong SBC because you can easily have 500hp with a SBC, I will gladly sell you mine as I haven't yet purchased all the stuff I need yet so I'm happy to go LS at this point.
I'm sure there are plenty of good speed shops that can build a strong small block for you but to be honest I'm $10K into building the one I have.
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03-07-2013, 02:49 PM
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Dave, thanks for the encouragement. I think my power goals would be:
1yr: 500HP NA
3yrs: 650HP NA
5yrs: 800HP Dry Sump & FI
GW, thanks for chiming in, I'm glad I gave you a chuckle! My statement was an over-generalization, but the reality is that with my engine / trans / rearend combo, I can easily spin the tires. While this was cool in High School, it doesn't make you faster. I agree it is a complex system with all things working together to make a fast car. What I have discovered in the ASCS events is power to weight ratio makes a big difference on the big track & speed stop. <300hp is hard to compete with ~600HP. Who doesn't want  !?!
My goal with the car is drive it and have fun (which I am doing), I tend to favor Pro-Touring over Pro-Jackstand. Here is a shot of the wider rubber I am working to fit.
Todd, sorry to hear about your experience. I don't want to be in the same place in 6 months.
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Josh
Designing a '65 Chevelle with a StreetFighter theme, inspired by JP's II Much & Ron Schwarz's $5k Mustang
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03-07-2013, 03:57 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Todd in vancouver
Hey I'm really kicking myself for spending so much on my SBC as what I really want now is an LS and I haven't even installed my SBC yet.
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Herein lies the problem though. We, as a group, tend to turn our attention the next greatest thing before we've even given our current setup a try. I have a feeling you (not you specifically Todd, but anyone in your position, including myself) might be thinking less about an LS if you were currently burning fuel and rubber with your SBC.
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03-07-2013, 05:08 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JKnight
Herein lies the problem though. We, as a group, tend to turn our attention the next greatest thing before we've even given our current setup a try. I have a feeling you (not you specifically Todd, but anyone in your position, including myself) might be thinking less about an LS if you were currently burning fuel and rubber with your SBC.
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You are so right and I think it's the evolution of where we are going and what our expectations are for these/our cars. I've had more powerful cars in the past and this project started out with a different goal. I think you are on the mark with building a car that will meet your needs not just for now but keeping in mind where you may end up.
The 350 I have is built for Nitros and quite frankly I have a lot of learning to do before I can out drive my present set-up. Scope creep is a real bugger and we all need to just appreciate what we have. Having said that I would really like to have 1000hp and I'm not apologizing for my childish side because it keeps me young and always striving for more.
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03-08-2013, 10:19 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BANKO
Hey guys, I appreciate your concern over my driving skills. I think I'm pretty good and my wife says I drive TOO fast, however I haven't won OUSCI or any ASCS event, so more seat-time can always be good thing
I found this article that Steve Rupp wrote in '09 and addressed my concerns about the flywheel and Quicktime Bellhousing, looks like I can re-use both.
Vince, you make goods points about suspension adjustability and re-gearing. Both are in the works. I couldn't put power to the ground with my 3.08, turbo 400 and skinny rear tires. The T56 is better, but I need more rear rubber and lower gears.
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Are you still running 3:08's? That must be a ton on fun in (.50) 6th gear.
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