Quote Originally Posted by drofdar View Post
After many setbacks and rebuilds, we have finally got that big heavy 55 Chevy to break through the 12 second barrier.
The new cam gave us a much higher torque curve, so the old converter was too tight, and the rear gear ratio too high. A new 4500 stall converter, 4.56 gears, and a two step rev module really helped the launch and 60 foot times.

After some throttle adjustments, it ran 11.99, then 11.86 and qualifications were over. For eliminations the next morning, I dialed an 11.75 to compensate for the cooler air. We lost anyway.... by running an 11.615!! I have never been so happy to lose!

If anyone ever thinks building and dialing in a drag car is easy, just PM me. But, oh man, what a great feeling when it all comes together!
Way to go! Got that old barn door flyin' now!!!

Usually the one's who bad mouth dial in's, running brackets, and breakouts have never dealt with the science of dialing in a car to make it perform consistently (+ or - a couple hundredths or less) round after round. I suppose it's just the nature of man to bad mouth and berate what they've never been involved in or just flat don't understand!!!

About the best way we've found to analyze what weather changes are going to do to the car is to have a good weather station and copious notes from previous sessions. Been running the "Super" classes since the early 80's and it gets tougher to be at the top of the ladder every year. Even locally now your "package" better be within hundredths of .000 if you're going to win consistently..

Keep at it, take lots and lots of notes and soon you'll be going rounds!