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

[carbuff]

Originally Posted by FETorino

Congratulations. What a great feeling to make a long road trip with no issues.

Thanx!

Originally Posted by FETorino

Is tomorrow the first time you've really gotten to drive it like you stole it?

Good luck tomorrow.

It is... I left Austin with just under 400 miles on the speedo, I'm around 630 now. So I'm just past all of my break-ins. I was going to do a driving school at one of the local tracks (not COTA) 2 weeks ago, but it rained all weekend, so I didn't go. I will be doing that soon though, some big-track time!

[carbuff]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Tuning EFI is a black art....

Agreed, but I actually enjoy it. Getting the main/cruise and WOT sections inline really isn't that hard, but as you allude to, the tip-in type issues are a bit of a chore. It's fun to learn though!

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Why haven't you done a dyno with a good tuner like bringing in Mike Morris??

Apparently I missed the memo that this was an option? Does Mike travel 'on-demand' so to speak? I need to investigate this!

[Flash68]

Bryan, that is impressive for first time out in the new ride! Nice job and good luck tmrw.

[carbuff]

Originally Posted by Flash68

Bryan, that is impressive for first time out in the new ride! Nice job and good luck tmrw.

Thanx! I look forward to better understanding the dynamics / issues with suspension setup now that I have a car I can play with!

BTW, I briefly met Brett today also. He was standing in line in front of me at the food counter at lunch time. His car is pretty darned fast on the course as well!

[carbuff]

Day two is all wrapped up now. We managed to avoid rain all day, until 6:00 when I was at dinner at least, so the auto-x went off without a hitch.

It was MUCH cooler today, and most cars reflected that with slower times. I got in 4 runs again today, and none were faster than my 70.8 with the blown stop yesterday, but my last run of the day was a 71.6, which was good enough for 6th place out of the group of 45 or so (that's what the announcer said) in the Street Machine class.

Again, TOW did great, but I do have a small problem. It looks like I may have lost a seal in the steering rack, although that's not confirmed yet. I think that the boots on each end of the rack are not supposed to have fluid in there, but for some reason, there is a crossover tube that came out which has some kind of oil (which must be PS fluid) coming out of it. It looks like that tube just connects the 2 boots, and my guess would be that it is there to equalize the air in the boots side to side so that as one compresses and the other expands, the air just moves side to side. Anyway, my pump is losing fluid, so this must be the issue. I'm glad I threw the extra quart I had into the trunk before I left on the trip!

I've had a blast driving this weekend, and I'm looking forward to doing a lot more. I need to spend some time driving the car to get used to it and then I can start experimenting with the setup. I have a lot to learn, but based on my results, I have a good base from which to start!

The Fort Worth GG was a great show. The turnout today was great given the weather projection. I was able to check out several of the cars which made the Road Trip from California to Austin as well as spend some time looking over the 'pro' cars. Some serious work on those cars!

[Flash68]

Great weekend! Only minor issues... always a good thing... will be anxious to see how your steering deal plays out.

Originally Posted by carbuff

as well as spend some time looking over the 'pro' cars. Some serious work on those cars!

As much work as on your shaker project?

[GrabberGT]

Originally Posted by carbuff

Day two is all wrapped up now. We managed to avoid rain all day, until 6:00 when I was at dinner at least, so the auto-x went off without a hitch.

It was MUCH cooler today, and most cars reflected that with slower times. I got in 4 runs again today, and none were faster than my 70.8 with the blown stop yesterday, but my last run of the day was a 71.6, which was good enough for 6th place out of the group of 45 or so (that's what the announcer said) in the Street Machine class.

Again, TOW did great, but I do have a small problem. It looks like I may have lost a seal in the steering rack, although that's not confirmed yet. I think that the boots on each end of the rack are not supposed to have fluid in there, but for some reason, there is a crossover tube that came out which has some kind of oil (which must be PS fluid) coming out of it. It looks like that tube just connects the 2 boots, and my guess would be that it is there to equalize the air in the boots side to side so that as one compresses and the other expands, the air just moves side to side. Anyway, my pump is losing fluid, so this must be the issue. I'm glad I threw the extra quart I had into the trunk before I left on the trip!

I've had a blast driving this weekend, and I'm looking forward to doing a lot more. I need to spend some time driving the car to get used to it and then I can start experimenting with the setup. I have a lot to learn, but based on my results, I have a good base from which to start!

The Fort Worth GG was a great show. The turnout today was great given the weather projection. I was able to check out several of the cars which made the Road Trip from California to Austin as well as spend some time looking over the 'pro' cars. Some serious work on those cars!

I didnt realize that was you over there. I did take note of the serious machinery you brought to the event. Very nice car. Your last run had me sweating. I had been in 5th place for most of the event and you almost knocked me off the board at the end of the day. In the spring, get there by 8 and come park up with the rest of us.

Hope you come out in the morning. You'll get more runs in.

[carbuff]

Originally Posted by Flash68

As much work as on your shaker project?

There was no vehicle there with that much work on it!

Funny enough, someone with a T/A project actually commented to me that he liked how I did the shaker, with the 'retro' look from the drilled holes that we then closed back off. I hated to admit that was an experiment that didn't work out...

[carbuff]

Originally Posted by GrabberGT

I didnt realize that was you over there. I did take note of the serious machinery you brought to the event. Very nice car. Your last run had me sweating. I had been in 5th place for most of the event and you almost knocked me off the board at the end of the day. In the spring, get there by 8 and come park up with the rest of us.

Hope you come out in the morning. You'll get more runs in.

Chris,

I actually walked over to your car a couple of times, I recognized it from here. One time I didn't see you, and the other you were talking to someone, so I never got to catch you. I did actually put down a better time yesterday, but I blew the stop so the time didn't count. Never was able to match it again, but that last run was a definite improvement for me today! Next time...

I've heard mixed accounts of what tomorrow morning will be like since it's an open day. At this point I'm thinking I may not push my luck on the steering rack, but I may stop by for a little while anyway before leaving town. If so, I'll make sure to say Hi.

I also heard mixed stories on the 'parking' situation. I was there early enough today that there were several empty slots closer to you, but it was my understanding that we were supposed to set back up where we were on Friday so I did. I guess some people didn't come back today, as there were a number of different cars in front of me. Next time I'll know better...

[Ron in SoCal]

Hey Bry...glad you had fun and hope the rack holds up! Did you get a chance to make any adjustments to your set up and if so how'd that work out?

Cheers,