Mild 79 Z

[Gscherer78ta]

Originally Posted by Dirtmod08

That brings us up to speed with my new toy. I don't know how far I'll go with this car. I would like to do a couple amateur autocross events, but the car has an automatic. Is it even worth trying? Or should I just cruise the car and watch autocross?

I too have a 2nd gen Fbody and it has an auto as well, while its not ideal, I have had a blast with it so far and don't think the automatic has held me back. I have learned a lot already that I will need to know no matter what transmission I have. Most events I shift into 2nd and leave it there and concentrate on driving

I say go have fun!

[Dirtmod08]

Originally Posted by Gscherer78ta

I too have a 2nd gen Fbody and it has an auto as well, while its not ideal, I have had a blast with it so far and don't think the automatic has held me back. I have learned a lot already that I will need to know no matter what transmission I have. Most events I shift into 2nd and leave it there and concentrate on driving

I say go have fun!

Thanks for the info. On dirt, the car is set up for direct drive with a low gear to get up to speed - essentially a two speed manual trans. Anyway, I quit driving a few years ago, and think it would be fun to autocross. I just don't want to look like a Dip**** showing up in an auto car if it is totally useless to try. Sounds like I stand a chance at having some fun.

[grendel]

Why not a manual valve body in this auto then?

[Dirtmod08]

Originally Posted by grendel

Why not a manual valve body in this auto then?

That's a good idea. The trans is a 200R4 from bowtie performance, but, actually, I have a few other transmissions laying around that I could do that to. I have a good 400 turbo, 4L60e, and a 700r4 that I would consider doing that to. Not a big deal to swap one into the car for a while. I would assume the 400 turbo would be the best candidate.

[grendel]

Originally Posted by Dirtmod08

That's a good idea. The trans is a 200R4 from bowtie performance, but, actually, I have a few other transmissions laying around that I could do that to. I have a good 400 turbo, 4L60e, and a 700r4 that I would consider doing that to. Not a big deal to swap one into the car for a while. I would assume the 400 turbo would be the best candidate.

700R4 has a better first gear than a th400. TransGo shift kits are cheap.

Run a big cooler.

[WSSix]

Nice looking car. You can autox an auto. As suggested, shift into 2nd manually and leave it there. Knew a guy who did this with his LT1 4th gen.

[Justin@EntropyRad]

Originally Posted by Dirtmod08

That brings us up to speed with my new toy. I don't know how far I'll go with this car. I would like to do a couple amateur autocross events, but the car has an automatic. Is it even worth trying? Or should I just cruise the car and watch autocross?

Best way to get some seat time where you can feel how it rotates so you dont lose it next time you're getting froggy with it.

[Dirtmod08]

Originally Posted by Justin@EntropyRad

Best way to get some seat time where you can feel how it rotates so you dont lose it next time you're getting froggy with it.

I have a four speed Camaro with very poor suspension that actually has a much better seat-of-the-pants feel to it than this car does. It will take a little getting used to this car as it feels like the threshold may be a finer line with it's setup. Maybe it's just the automatic that is driving me crazy about the feel of it.

[SSLance]

I like the rubber bumper cars, seems to be more and more of them making it into this type of arena. I say take it out and let er eat and see what happens.

I autocrossed for a year and a half with my 200R4, it worked fine. It would tend to puke fluid out the vent line if I got real frogy with it but it never let me down.

One trick to autocrosssing with an auto trans is to learn to left foot brake and modulate between the brake and gas smoothly to help with the transitions between the two.

[Dirtmod08]

Little update: I've been working on a gauge panel to replace the plastic factory gauges.
I'm not too content with the way my gauge panel is at this point. I've done everything I could to salvage the stock bezel so far, but the holes are all breaking out and the thing is shaky.
I've decided to put a set of aftermarket gauges in the car. I don't want to put the gauges on a flat plate, I want to make them look like they may have been stock - I really like the way the stock gauges are in a tunnel.
So - I've decided to fabricate my own panel from steel. I'd like to make tunnels to countersink the gauges, mount the vents and switches in the stock locations - as if they were meant to be.
It's going to be something to get things looking correct. I'm sure I'll have to bodywork and paint the thing, but I might as well start sometime. If any of you have noticed, the small gauge holes in the stock bezel are egg shaped and not just circles cut out (to accomplish the angle the gauge faces) - this should be a real treat, lol.
Not too sure I want the lighter, and have no idea what the light panel above that is. Not too fond of the light switch knob either. But I think the bezel needs that raised edge to look right.
Any examples of some higher end work? I don't want it to end up looking like a sheetmetal drag car panel.