427ci LS2 sleeved, dry sump oil pump, engine build & install, 69 Camaro

[redefined]

Awesome decision on the safety upgrades! Your thoughts in your last post relating to what you enjoy doing with your car is almost spot on as myself! Good looking car!

I'm thinking of doing the Heidts front and rear full kits on mine before even doing an LS swap. Can't decide though since the suspension is already started with other arms and upgraded parts!

Heck of a build, stay warm in that garage!

[GregWeld]

Good stuff and good thoughts Dale!



#1 --- I have a couple fire suits -- Go with a lightweight version (summer driving) if you are only going to get one. My heavier duty (more fireproof) version is just a sweat box in the summer.


#2 --- I like your top speed limiting thoughts. It's good that you've felt that and know to pay attention to it. A car can get real ugly once that air gets up the car.


I think the rear end gears in the Mustang are my limiter... and as you rightly pointed out - these speeds are plenty.


I'm running a Tilton in the Mustang -- it took them three times to get it right so it doesn't squeal like a pig...

[71RS/SS396]

Dale, just a heads up, we've had some problems with the bearing in that Cloyes timing set failing. The bearing is not a good match with the oem thrust plate, the hole in the thrust plate needs to be chamfered to clear the lip/ridge on the bearing, we don't use the bearing anymore, we custom machine a bronze bushing for each engine so we can get the chain tension we want.

[DaleTx]

Originally Posted by redefined

Awesome decision on the safety upgrades! Your thoughts in your last post relating to what you enjoy doing with your car is almost spot on as myself! Good looking car!

I'm thinking of doing the Heidts front and rear full kits on mine before even doing an LS swap. Can't decide though since the suspension is already started with other arms and upgraded parts!

Heck of a build, stay warm in that garage!

Thanks for the compliments! I was struggling to figure out what to do... but feel good about the choices now. I think your making the right decision to do the chassis upgrades before adding more power...good luck with your build.

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Good stuff and good thoughts Dale!



#1 --- I have a couple fire suits -- Go with a lightweight version (summer driving) if you are only going to get one. My heavier duty (more fireproof) version is just a sweat box in the summer.


#2 --- I like your top speed limiting thoughts. It's good that you've felt that and know to pay attention to it. A car can get real ugly once that air gets up the car.


I think the rear end gears in the Mustang are my limiter... and as you rightly pointed out - these speeds are plenty.


I'm running a Tilton in the Mustang -- it took them three times to get it right so it doesn't squeal like a pig...

Thanks Greg... I just now noticed you changed the location in your sig to "Sun Valley", should be some awesome skiing about now. Sounds like a great place to be for Christmas

Appreciate the advice on the fire suits... right now I don't have a clue. Do you have the two piece, or one piece driver suit? After doing some online shopping I'm thinking one piece... Nomex material... either one layer or two. Not sure which brand yet.

Originally Posted by 71RS/SS396

Dale, just a heads up, we've had some problems with the bearing in that Cloyes timing set failing. The bearing is not a good match with the oem thrust plate, the hole in the thrust plate needs to be chamfered to clear the lip/ridge on the bearing, we don't use the bearing anymore, we custom machine a bronze bushing for each engine so we can get the chain tension we want.

Hey Tim...thanks for the heads up. I will pass this info along to my engine builder... I think he just purchased a couple of the sets of the Z racing stuff.

[GregWeld]

Both my driving suits are the one piece "jump suit style". At track days you tend to be in them all day long -- I have one that is thicker and heavier material (more fire retardant) than the other - but I can't go look since they're hanging in the trailer.


Yeah -- here (Sun Valley) for the winter.... and maybe spring and summer -- they should break ground on the house about the time ski season ends. I've got 5 days in already and it's not even Xmas yet! I pretty much ski every other day - but never on weekends... and the "tourists" will descend like locusts this week - so will skip this period between Xmas and New Years.

[DaleTx]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Both my driving suits are the one piece "jump suit style". At track days you tend to be in them all day long -- I have one that is thicker and heavier material (more fire retardant) than the other - but I can't go look since they're hanging in the trailer.

Thanks for the info Greg.





Wanted to share this here. I got my Christmas wish today.... my son made it safely back to the states on Sunday from his second deployment to Afghanistan! He won't be home for Christmas...but I will see him soon.

I am a happy Dad right now

God bless our troops still there and I pray for their safety.

My son is the one on the right with sun glasses


Back to base on Sunday after several days of travel

[Lenie]

Congrats Dale, great Christmas gift as the most important things in life are our families. Have a Merry Christmas.

[DaleTx]

Thanks Lenie... Merry Christmas to you and you family!

[tmadden]

That's the best gift of all! God bless the troops.

[Flash68]

Awesome Dale (regarding your son coming home!) and also awesome on the Camaro plans. I like your well thought out plan. Everyone has their own goals and agenda and you have thought hard on yours and are putting a plan together to execute.

Originally Posted by DaleTx

Appreciate the advice on the fire suits... right now I don't have a clue. Do you have the two piece, or one piece driver suit? After doing some online shopping I'm thinking one piece... Nomex material... either one layer or two. Not sure which brand yet.

First, I would suggest going somewhere you can try them on. Not all brands fit the same apples to apples regarding sizes (like the helmets too). I first bought a "budget" suit (Sparco Jade) for about $300 (sight unseen) and it was HEAVY. I thought I was hot standing in my house with it on - I was imagining near death at Thunderhill or somewhere in the summer. So I sold it and went to the shop up at Sonoma (Infineon) and tried on several when they were having a big end of year sale. Spent quite a bit more money but got a good 3 piece (the Jade was a thick 3 piece) with MORE protection (better rating) and it felt 1/3 the size and thickness. Night and day difference. Depends on your budget of course, but as many have said, safety items are probably not the best things to skimp on.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents.