Took the Track-T out for a little romp, hwy 50 halfway to Tahoe so I could experience the passing lanes. All I can say is this kind of hp in a car so light, it is just too much fun. Traction for most all of my spirited driving has been excellent. First off, the blown '55 Ford could NEVER pull this hard, and even with a fraction of the pulling, traction was hit or miss. 1st gear still need to soft pedal, but 2nd gear is seeing some full throttle if I go into 2nd at 30 mph, then the engine is at 2200 rpm and doesn't produce enough in that low rpm to be a problem, so can be full throttle. As I hit 60 mph in 2nd, depending on road surface, I have 3 choices, if really good surface, keep my foot in it at 4400 rpm and accept some tire spin, if not an outstanding surface either roll off some or short shift. 3rd gear is good on most all surfaces except a road peak type undulation that causes un-weighing of the rear wheels, and that spin is has the highest pucker factor because of a much larger speed differential between road speed and tire speed. I know my local mountain roads well, and know where every un-weighing peak is, so no surprises.
Filled with gas again so I could check mileage. Maybe 10 full throttle romps on this tank, the rest was highway cruising pulling the grade to Tahoe and the grade from the valley back home. Drum roll................
12.9 mpg, almost broke into the teens. As the engine seats, and I've mellowed out on pushing deep on the loud pedal, mid teens should be easy. I know the engine is still tight because when starting hot it grunts a slow 1/2 of a crank and lights off. When cold, the starter spins the engine and it quickly lights, much quicker than the 383, but that is probably from the ignition upgrade more than anything else.
Rolla Hessel wrote:Sounds to me like your having WAAAAY to much fun Bob
I really am Rolla. Had grown so used to the 383 and its 320 hp, I had forgotten what yours, Lee's, Chris's and a few other rides do so well, and that is lightning romps from 30 mph to 100 mph in around 5 seconds. Which brings up an idea for Carson City. South of town is the junction for 4 lane hwy 50 going to Lake Tahoe and right after the turn is a large car pool parking lot at the base of a 6* grade. Combine this grade with the 5000' elevation, and I believe we have a safe venue for somewhat legal 30 mph to 65 mph romps, side by side using both lanes as we stage and come out of the car pool lot. Two cars would leave the lot, each take a lane, easy acceleration to 30 mph staying head to head, then open it up till the speed limit is reached. For some of us that would be less than 2 seconds, for others a bit more, but starting at a speed of 30 mph might be high enough that the guys with automatics that don't have manual valve body won't hit 1st gear. The idea is for controlled acceleration without tire spin. With me in 2nd, my rpms are too low for the engine to produce enough power to spin, and only when nearing 60 will there be enough to just start to spin, but the small speed differential between road speed and tire speed insures that for at least for my car I'll still be pointing straight.
Hitec,
I sure wish you would reconsider Carson City this year. I'm not bragging but this setting is going to be a high benchmark for all future Nats, you have to experience the scenic beauty and dry air of this region, could not be more perfect for open air cruising in Ts.
Not really Harry. That car pool lot is big, can handle all the Ts going for the Lake Tahoe loop cruise. Just gather there and take off in two's for the cruise. The winners can figure out the next couple of runs as it will be easier with 1/2 the numbers for round 2, and 1/2 again for round 3, etc., till one car is left standing.
Scott Shafiroff made good on the repair bill. My hopes are that the rest of the build was up to his standards and gives me years of trouble free service and no more leaks.
I know we have a video section but I'm on a roll here, and this was where I posted the first firing of the 427. I have now driven it enough to know what it is capable of, so these videos are just mellow cruising in my back yard.