1971 Firebird Build ("The Other Woman", a.k.a. Project "T.O.W.")

[randy]

On your exhaust v band clamps what brand did you use? are they interlocking?

Originally Posted by carbuff

She's home! First drive this afternoon went perfectly. We fixed the vibration problem that was the initial goal for this work as best I can tell. The new rear gear brings the RPM down at highway speeds which felt great. The new rear springs make for a more comfortable ride. In the 2 or 3 turns I could do at all aggressively, the rear felt a touch more compliant. The engine is running great, given the limited tuning so far. All in all, things have come out great!



Here are some final shots of the assembled sway bar arms. Not sure I've taken/posted these yet...

[carbuff]

Originally Posted by GrabberGT

I have a fire extinguisher in my car but after this experience, have decided that due to how I have it mounted, its all but useless. After seeing how easily accessible your is, I'll be making some changes. I looked all over for it not knowing you had grabbed it already. Therefore... I'll also be adding a second F-E in my car so that the passenger can join in on the fun if needed.

Congrats on your second place. TOW performed very well both on and off the track and looked awesome doing it.

I debated installing it there originally, as it wasn't the most aesthetically pleasing solution. Looking back, that was a dumb thought on my part. Second one in my cart from Summit along with another mount and clamps...

Thanx again, and I'm glad you got to ride with me. I'm also glad you were able to repair and make it back out Saturday! Have a good road trip this week...

[carbuff]

Originally Posted by randy

On your exhaust v band clamps what brand did you use? are they interlocking?

As I recall, they are Summit brand pieces:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-694300/overview/

Define interlocking? When these are assembled, but not completely tightened, we can rotate the 2 pipes to get the angles just right. So there isn't anything to 'lock' them in rotation if that is what you were wondering. We have often needed the ability to rotate them just a little to help with clearances as things go back together.

Hope that helps...

[carbuff]

Here is the fastest run which I captured on my Garmin Virb. It was my 56.086 run, which I bested later in the day, but I was pretty excited to get this one as you can tell at the end...



It's interesting as I watch this, listening to the engine, thinking "man I could have accelerated harder here or there". In the car you think you are pushing as hard as you can, but then after it's easy to be an armchair quarterback.

[GrabberGT]

Originally Posted by carbuff

It's interesting as I watch this, listening to the engine, thinking "man I could have accelerated harder here or there". In the car you think you are pushing as hard as you can, but then after it's easy to be an armchair quarterback.

The same thoughts went through my mind while watching sideline video of my runs. Add to that, "I could have turned in a lot earlier there... I thought I was closer to those cones"

We should hire a cameraman and setup a replay viewing station NFL style. I think seeing what you are really doing vs what you think you are doing will really help.

[gerno]

From what I recall talking with you and Eric while it was being built, Eric did slide the clamp so one side has a tube sticking out while the other has it recessed so they do interlock in that way. This may be what is being asked. Correct me if I am wrong here since it is your car.

Overall your car looked really really good out there. You need to ride with Robby Unser to figure out what aggressive really is even though you were obviously more aggressive than me this weekend. I rode with Robby and have concluded I'm a complete pansy with a ton to learn. I do have to say we had a good conversation with Robby about car setup while waiting in line, he's a really nice guy as well as a crazy driver.

Originally Posted by carbuff

As I recall, they are Summit brand pieces:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-694300/overview/

Define interlocking? When these are assembled, but not completely tightened, we can rotate the 2 pipes to get the angles just right. So there isn't anything to 'lock' them in rotation if that is what you were wondering. We have often needed the ability to rotate them just a little to help with clearances as things go back together.

Hope that helps...

[Gscherer78ta]

While not in the same league as you guys I've felt the same way- I have always felt like I was on the very limit of grip only to watch the video from the safety of my chair and think "why didn't I brake later and harder, or turn in earlier or get closer to that cone"....

I had Dusold ride with me once and his suggestion afterwards was that I drive deeper before braking and then brake harder for a shorter period of time. He also told me that I could carry more speed through the hairpin by the start line. He was right.

I had a lot of fun talking with all you guys and look forward to doing it again!

Bryan- I loved seeing TOW back out there and I thought it sounded great!

[gerno]

Mike basically told me the same thing after he rode with me. I was not charging the corner hard enough and pretty much waiting for it. Also said I need to trust the car more. Using the brakes I should be on the verge of sliding every corner so I'm getting the most out of it. Sounds easy enough in discussion but I have a lot of practice needed

[carbuff]

Originally Posted by gerno

From what I recall talking with you and Eric while it was being built, Eric did slide the clamp so one side has a tube sticking out while the other has it recessed so they do interlock in that way. This may be what is being asked. Correct me if I am wrong here since it is your car.

As I recall, you are correct, although I'm not certain he did that on all of them. When we were reassembling the over-the-axle pipes last week, I don't remember those having that. But I think the main pipes do.

Overall your car looked really really good out there. You need to ride with Robby Unser to figure out what aggressive really is even though you were obviously more aggressive than me this weekend. I rode with Robby and have concluded I'm a complete pansy with a ton to learn. I do have to say we had a good conversation with Robby about car setup while waiting in line, he's a really nice guy as well as a crazy driver.

Watching him is unreal. That car looks like it's out of control all the time. I think for the first time, I got just a little taste of that in my last couple of runs on Sunday as I started to push myself more. That's hard to do when you've already had 3 runs in which you've slid off the course. As evidenced by:







I have to admit, that fence was coming towards my windshield awfully fast!

More throttle; Longer throttle; More brake; Later brake; More faith in steering.

[Flash68]

Nice to see you really getting to enjoy this thing Bryan.