Got A Few Things Handled at Dragway 42

[fullmetaljacket]

Padam. Are you running an aluminum 833 box or iron case? Just curious. I know that the iron case boxes are super strong, but kind of iffy with an aluminum type. I could be wrong.

 

[padam]

Padam. Are you running an aluminum 833 box or iron case? Just curious. I know that the iron case boxes are super strong, but kind of iffy with an aluminum type. I could be wrong.

It’s iron and it’s heavy. It has been super reliable though.

I had an NOS overdrive in my possession at one point that would have been a good starting point for a light weight unit, but I ended up selling it.

Tough decisions when racing, since if I had more power I would probably go with a G-Force transmission.

 

[fullmetaljacket]

It’s iron and it’s heavy. It has been super reliable though.

I had an NOS overdrive in my possession at one point that would have been a good starting point for a light weight unit, but I ended up selling it.

Tough decisions when racing, since if I had more power I would probably go with a G-Force transmission.

Gotcha. Figured it was Iron. Those pups are tough, but heavy as you say.
Yeah, if I ever return to rowing a row boat again, I'd also go G Force.

 

[33 IMP]

More horsepower makes it faster. Less weight makes it faster, handle better, stop better, get better mileage. I'm not saying anything new here, anybody following this thread knows this.
I thank FMJ for his work on b-bodies. I've gone a different way. My cars start out light, and I make em heavier. (Tiny foreign cars, with American V8's swapped in).

 

[33 IMP]

Imo, you need weight where it equates to strength, if you are gonna campaign a stick car. Peace of mind that it won't break can be more valuable than 20, 30, 50 lbs of weight.
I'd rather have an iron case 4sp and Dana60, than an aluminum case and an 8 3/4..... and look for weight elsewhere!

 

[fullmetaljacket]

Imo, you need weight where it equates to strength, if you are gonna campaign a stick car. Peace of mind that it won't break can be more valuable than 20, 30, 50 lbs of weight.
I'd rather have an iron case 4sp and Dana60, than an aluminum case and an 8 3/4..... and look for weight elsewhere!

Can't be more correct and in agreement with you 33. I would stay with the sturdier and dirtier iron then an aluminum case that is doomed to take a beating. I'm sure Padam's car has a lot left to shed, but then again, it is a good running piece already.

I once almost splurged for an entire aluminum Dana rear end after they would not sponsor the car by donating one for testing. I bailed rather than fail after they would not answer critical questions about its durability.

Speaking of small cars with little to no weight, The Hemi Colts come into mind. I would think that a Colt with a very nice 360 based small block would be motoring.

 

[33 IMP]

@fullmetaljacket, I'm SURE the info is on here somewhere, but I'm too lazy to look.
Do you have a Dana 60, or a nine in your 65? (I'll tell you my guess after your answer, lol.)

 

[padam]

The changes to the chassis and suspension added weight but the improved traction was well worth it.

A lot of the 4 speed guys would have traction issues, even cars that weren’t faster than mine. There are plenty of guys running 10s on leaf springs, but with a clutch they might hook up on one pass and spin the next.

 

[33 IMP]

Can't be more correct and in agreement with you 33. I would stay with the sturdier and dirtier iron then an aluminum case that is doomed to take a beating. I'm sure Padam's car has a lot left to shed, but then again, it is a good running piece already.

I once almost splurged for an entire aluminum Dana rear end after they would not sponsor the car by donating one for testing. I bailed rather than fail after they would not answer critical questions about its durability.

Speaking of small cars with little to no weight, The Hemi Colts come into mind. I would think that a Colt with a very nice 360 based small block would be motoring.

Mine is a Ford Cortina with a sbc that an intelligent chimpanzee could have put together. 400whp gets me low 10s/high 9s. But it weighs under 2500 with me in it. I think it's about 400 lbs heavier than a stock Tina.

 

[fullmetaljacket]

Lightweight Dr. Diff Dana 60 with lightened ring gear and an anodized stamped aluminum rear cover. Suregrip power-lok. No spool.
Dr Diff specked out the lighter of the two recent available units, Strange S-60 and Moser's. It's detailed somewhere within the bowels of the long, long ELEPHANT thread. I think it was only a few pounds difference, but I took the lighter option of course.

 

[33 IMP]

Lightweight Dr. Diff Dana 60 with lightened ring gear and an anodized stamped aluminum rear cover. Suregrip power-lok. No spool.
Dr Diff specked out the lighter of the two recent available units, Strange S-60 and Moser's. It's detailed somewhere within the bowels of the long, long ELEPHANT thread. I think it was only a few pounds difference, but I took the lighter option of course.

Of course, lol! I was wrong. I guessed an aluminum center for a nine inch.
I bought an aluminum center with 4.10s/spool for my nine. I was surprised how light it wasn't! If memory serves, it was about ten pounds lighter than an iron open 8 3/4 center. Of course, a clutch 8 3/4 is a bit heavier than an open.
Thanks for the answer, FMJ!

 

[fullmetaljacket]

Of course, lol! I was wrong. I guessed an aluminum center for a nine inch.
I bought an aluminum center with 4.10s/spool for my nine. I was surprised how light it wasn't! If memory serves, it was about ten pounds lighter than an iron open 8 3/4 center. Of course, a clutch 8 3/4 is a bit heavier than an open.
Thanks for the answer, FMJ!

Yes of course. I was going to stay with a 8-3/4 and an aluminum center section, but the units got pretty expensive and rare quickly right out of the box, so I opted for the no brainer Dana. Plus I was making some real torque numbers and that in itself spooked me even with my lightweight package.
RMCHRGR here has gone with a 8-3/4 aluminum section setup. His Duster is light right out of the gate.

 

[fullmetaljacket]

Padam. Keep us posted on your break throughs, no pun intended. Show them pampered automatics how it's really done. I love when a clutch clinches.

 

[fourgearsavoy]

Lightweight Dr. Diff Dana 60 with lightened ring gear and an anodized stamped aluminum rear cover. Suregrip power-lok. No spool.
Dr Diff specked out the lighter of the two recent available units, Strange S-60 and Moser's. It's detailed somewhere within the bowels of the long, long ELEPHANT thread. I think it was only a few pounds difference, but I took the lighter option of course.

Big difference in weight between the shur-grip and spool. I hate changing gears with the coffee can versus a spool.

 

[padam]

I’ll be surprised if the below video plays.
This wi in Columbus, guy taking videos put a GoPro in my car for one pass.

 

[33 IMP]

It played for me. Looks FUN!

 

[padam]

It played for me. Looks FUN!

Yes, even though I lost this one I still have a blast every time.

 

[fourgearsavoy]

Yes, even though I lost this one I still have a blast every time.

Everyone needs to go stick racing at least once. That feeling when you release the clutch and the slicks bite then you start pulling gears is more fun than you imagine.
Gus

 

[padam]

THis should play for those without facebook

 

[Budnicks]

Looks like you were pulling on him hard, at the end...