9.999 Time Slip (Goal)

[Mike Gaines]

I have begun my quest for a 9.999 time slip.

My personal best so far is 10.15 (@131.54)
The Wallace Racing Site (which I think is pretty accurate) says I have to have about 750HP to push my 3800lb Coronet to a 10.158 ET.
I do not want to try to make more horsepower with my 2 bolt 440 block. Although I have a steel billet girdle plus steel billet main caps I am afraid to go over that 750HP and blow out my bottom end...so...
Weight Reduction is the answer.
Trunk Lid: I currently have a steel deck lid. I have on order a 8lb pin on fiberglass deck lid and will install it with hood pins.
Batteries: In the heat of the summer I run Two (2) Optima Batteries to make sure I have plenty of juice to run my electric water pump and electric fans in the staging lanes between runs to cool down the motor...I am removing 1 of the batteries for racing this Oct thru Dec when it will only be around 75 (or less) during the heat of the day.
Driver's Seat: I have already removed the passenger seat and I have bought a lightweight fiberglass race set to replace my very heavy Recaro type upholstered seat.
Padding and Heat Insulation under the carpeting: I am removing all of the "padding" and all of the silver "heat shield" under the carpeting to get rid of that weight.
Front and Rear Bumper Brackets: I have trimmed almost 75% of the weight out of my stock steel bumper brackets.
Fuel Cell: I have replaced my 10 gallon Harwood Plastic Fuel Cell with a 4 gallon Aluminum Fuel Cell. I always ran 5 gallons of fuel in that 10 gallon fuel cell because I didn't want the gas sloshing around and uncovering the pickup.
Now, the much small Aluminum fuel cell ( it is lighter PLUS it is only 10" square in measurement) I can run 3 gallons of gas and not worry about it sloshing away from the pickup. ( I use one gallon of gas on each run, including driving up to the staging lanes, pulling forward, etc, doing the water box, making the run and returning to my pit.
I already have fiberglass front fenders, hood & scoop, front and rear bumpers. The back seat is already out (of course). No heater or defroster. aluminum heads. No exhaust.
For the time being I am going to leave my alternator in the car. I do have a 5" pulley on it. I don't want to worry about the "juice" to run the MSD, fans and water and fuel pumps.
I am doing all I can do without "gutting" the car. I want to leave it so I can easily put stuff back in and have it 100% practical for street use. I still have regular crank up glass windows, full dash, headlites, turn signals, brake lites, etc. I is currently licensed with the State of California and insured with Hagerty and I can drive it to a car show if I want (after I hang on the exhaust system.
I figure I have to lose about 160lbs and have "good air" in the range of 500' to 1000" feet adjusted altitude to hit my 9.999 time slip come this Oct, Nov and or Dec.
I will then put about 20lbs back in the car to slow it down to 10.00+ET so I don't have to do all the necessary stuff to certify the car (and me) to go faster than 10.00 on a regular basis.
My first outing to test out all this stuff will of Sept 15-16 Summit Series race at Famoso.
The air will probably be in the 2000' to 2500' range so I won't hit 9.999 then but I will then know if I can do in in Oct with better air...
Wish Me Luck.

 

[JB400]

Don't forget the driver. It hardly ever hurts for the driver to lose a pound or two.

 

[Cranky]

How often do you roll down the back windows? Never? Get rid of the mechanisms. How bout punching the doors? I posted pics some time back of mine. Trimming the K frame and solid welding it helps lighten it up plus adds strength. Bumper brackets? Trim flush all bolts that protrude though the nuts? The list is long and so many many things will come to you when you sit down and start looking at everything. Man, just can't fathom how a 66 Coronet can weigh so much lol

 

[oldbee]

Lol, is the radio gone!

 

[383man]

Good luck Mike ! Ron

 

[malex]

Good luck Mike. I hope your quest for the 10.0 works better than mine with the traction issues that came with my changes.

 

[oldbee]

A lot of times we get in a rush, instead of one thing at a time.Totally understand, did it myself.Fiberglass bumpers &&& a 2.77 low gear ,etc. for Malek might have been too much all together? Ya try & try!!!!

 

[malex]

A lot of times we get in a rush, instead of one thing at a time.Totally understand, did it myself.Fiberglass bumpers &&& a 2.77 low gear ,etc. for Malek might have been too much all together? Ya try & try!!!!

——
Sure seems like it for me. I’ve been struggling to get off the line all year. BUT. Not an hour ago I found my rear spring perches have crushed somewhat. Pinion angle looks a couple / three degrees up as well. The perches were not boxed. So will fix that up before next time out. And they will be boxed.

1/8” gap at front of spring perch. U bolts tight.

Can see some crush going on towards the rear.

 

[Fran Blacker]

Is the U-bolt bent front side or is it the picture?

 

[malex]

Is the U-bolt bent front side or is it the picture?

---
I think it's the picture Fran but I'll be checking them all.

 

[dvw]

It's hard to believe it weighs 3800. Though mine has lexan (except windshield) that saved 88lbs. It does have extensive cage, 2 batteries, all steel body (except hood), 275lb mega block, fire system, 2 carbs, old style heavy wheels. Ready to race it's 3340lbs. Where is that extra 370lbs?
Doug

 

[Mike Gaines]

Don't forget the driver. It hardly ever hurts for the driver to lose a pound or two.

I am doing that also.
In the last 4 months I have gone from 221 down to 208....nothing left undone. lol

 

[Mike Gaines]

How often do you roll down the back windows? Never? Get rid of the mechanisms. How bout punching the doors? I posted pics some time back of mine. Trimming the K frame and solid welding it helps lighten it up plus adds strength. Bumper brackets? Trim flush all bolts that protrude though the nuts? The list is long and so many many things will come to you when you sit down and start looking at everything. Man, just can't fathom how a 66 Coronet can weigh so much lol

I have already trimmed the bumper brackets … front and rear. I cut about 80% of the metal out of them.
I do not have the ability or resources to cut the K member in my home garage.

 

[Mike Gaines]

Lol, is the radio gone!

Radio, heater, defroster is GONE.

 

[Mike Gaines]

I agree. It is the heaviest 66 coronet on the planet.
I think I did add some weight with the DANA 60 over the puny 8 3/4... but.. a lot of guys have the heavier DANA

3520 Empty (before my recent weight saving efforts going into effect)
35 lbs 5 gallons of gas
225 lbs Me, before my personal weight reduction
3780 Total

In my weight reduction quest I did find 2 hidden weight areas...the fuel cell in the truck was actually recessed into a "well" that was fabricated out of plate steel. I cut that out and replaced it with an aluminum floor for the trunk. That "tub" that the fuel cell was inserted into weighed about 45lbs.

In removing the 1/2" of padding and the silver heat shielding under the carpet I did find a 2 1/2 X 4 1/2 foot steel "tray" that was riveted onto the rear floor where the back seat had been. They have done that to make this area "flat" rather than the having the drive shaft "hump" in the center. This steel tray, when I removed it, weighed about 40 lbs also..

Except for these two total 85lb items this is as far as I can see there were no other hidden weight in the car.

This makes it 3435 empty, with the DANA...now we will see how much it weighs EMPTY, the next time I go to the track.

 

[Cranky]

I am doing that also.
In the last 4 months I have gone from 221 down to 208....nothing left undone. lol

Cool! I hit 235 a couple of years ago and got down to 195 lately. looking to go at least another 10 lbs or so.

I have already trimmed the bumper brackets … front and rear. I cut about 80% of the metal out of them.
I do not have the ability or resources to cut the K member in my home garage.

Wanna buy one?

I agree. It is the heaviest 66 coronet on the planet.
I think I did add some weight with the DANA 60 over the puny 8 3/4... but.. a lot of guys have the heavier DANA

A buddy and I swapped out his 8 3/4 E body rear for a stock width B body Dana and with a spool in it, it was 50 lbs heavier....well worth the extra weight imo.

 

[NSS Guy]

I weighed my 64 Sunday it was 3350. All steel except fiberglass hood that's hinged with springs so its heavy. All factory glass, I have taken a lot of weight off the front with cm struts, steering shaft, drag link, and modified k member. I'd say try and get any weight off the front.

 

[dvw]

I weigh 182 after a 20 lb reduction this spring. Race weight was up to 3480 and throttle pulled back .350" to hit 9.25 Saturday
Doug

 

[malex]

I weighed my 64 Sunday it was 3350. All steel except fiberglass hood that's hinged with springs so its heavy. All factory glass, I have taken a lot of weight off the front with cm struts, steering shaft, drag link, and modified k member. I'd say try and get any weight off the front.

---
Doug posted your car in a vid NSS. It leaves real nice! You've got a very nice Plymouth!

 

[Mike Gaines]

My goal is 3300 lbs empty, no gas, no driver...I wont be able to weigh it until Oct when NHRA has the scales setup at the NHRA Hot Rod Reunion Race in October at Famoso (Bakersfield).
If I can get the car close to 3300lbs, empty, I am sure I can cut a 9.99, or less time slip if the adjusted altitude is in the range of 1000' in October, which it should be.