Better performance.......
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Better performance.......
Hey everybody, love this site. I have a 77 with a freshly built 383 stroker/auto transmission. It cruises great, but am looking for more get up and go. It has a new Edelbrock 1407 carb, Performer RPM intake, timing is set at 10deg. initial and 34deg. total. Everything on top is new, plugs, wires etc. Was wondering what I can do to get more power at take off? It has stock distributor with 50,000 volt coil.......anything I can do to make it a light to light rocket ship?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: PA
you can make a mark on the tire and driveshaft, rotate the tire one full turn and count the revolutions of the driveshaft. I saw a thread once that they were saying about a formula while cruising at 70 mph to look at the rpm and divide it by something or #@%%^$%^& whatever.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: PA
you can put a 50 inch tire on and one rotation is still one rotation, no it won't affect you getting the ratio, but it will affect the final drive on the street, sounds weird right. If you rotate the tire once and the shaft spins 3 times, your around 3:08 if the shaft spins 3.5 times, 3:55 and so on, you only need to rotate the tire once.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: NE PA PA
Tire size will not make any difference when trying to determine your rear ratio. Example 3.55 rear end = 1 full rotation of your tire will be 3.55 rotations of the drive shaft (imput shaft to your rear).
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Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
Probably the gears. I've got a 3.36 rear, and it is a dog on the launch. However, I've got a strong, high winding motor that more than makes up for it after 3000rpm. Considering you've got a lower revving stroker, new gears are probably in your future.
Also, make sure you are holding your gear until you get up to just past max power for your engine. Mine will shift way too soon unless I drop the gears myself.
Also, make sure you are holding your gear until you get up to just past max power for your engine. Mine will shift way too soon unless I drop the gears myself.
Last edited by WhichVette?; Sep 20, 2005 at 03:15 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 0
From: pr, frederick md.
back to your original question, how to make it light like a rocket? you failed to mention what type of heads and cam your using in this fresh engine. heads and cam selection are the heart of every engine, and will determine how well/fast/strong, or bad it will perform
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
In additon to the above comments on gears, heads and cam, a properly curved distributor will make a huge difference.
Your current initial and total look a bit low to me.
The most effiecient way to do this is to find a shop with a distributor machine and have them recurve your distributor with proper weights, springs, bushings and vacuum advance can.
Better induction (KN) and exhaust (ceramic coated headers, 2.5" pipes, x crossover, magnaflows or Super turbos) will certainly help.
Your current initial and total look a bit low to me.
The most effiecient way to do this is to find a shop with a distributor machine and have them recurve your distributor with proper weights, springs, bushings and vacuum advance can.
Better induction (KN) and exhaust (ceramic coated headers, 2.5" pipes, x crossover, magnaflows or Super turbos) will certainly help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 3
From: Moon Twp. PA USA
Originally Posted by vette64772
Would the fact that tire size has changed from 225/70/15 to now 255/60/15 make a difference in this approach? How do i get the ratio by turning the tire/shaft?
With my 26" tires and 3.36 rear end, this works out to the equivalent of a 3.55 rear end with stock +/- 27" tires.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,665
Likes: 1
From: Ontario
Originally Posted by Fevre
also could look at your torq conv, if it is stock a higher one like 2600-3000 rpm's will get you into the powerband a lot quicker.
Fuzzy dice hanging from the rearview mirror are good for another 10hp or so.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,971
Likes: 7
From: Longwood Florida
I BELIEVE 77 ONLY HAD THE 3.36 GEAR WITH AUTO...
With an auto... YOU NEED A STALL CONVERTER !!!!!
that will increase you 60ft times... which gives you better performance light to light.
Yes the gear ratio will help also... but with an auto you will not be in the meat of your power band. The stall allows a Flash in RPM before TAKE OFF!!
That is why a stick shift is nice... you can hold the revs up to say 3000rpm and let the clutch fly(or ride it out)... if your tires stick and you dont burn to much rubber you will get a hole shot on the guy in the other lane...
The stall converter will get you more ET over all than the gears alone...the combination with an AUTOMATIC will usually leave the stick shift guy in the dust at a red light.
Your auto will be consistant performer... YOUR stick shift guy will need to be a pro to keep up with a 3.70 gear and 3000-3500 10in stall converter... YOU WILL KILL HIM!!
PS... yes tire diameter effects the gear ratio and your speedo... short tire better gear ratio (but usually less traction) taller tire hurts your gear ratio but can improve traction (better high MPG not that we care
)
With an auto... YOU NEED A STALL CONVERTER !!!!!
that will increase you 60ft times... which gives you better performance light to light.
Yes the gear ratio will help also... but with an auto you will not be in the meat of your power band. The stall allows a Flash in RPM before TAKE OFF!!
That is why a stick shift is nice... you can hold the revs up to say 3000rpm and let the clutch fly(or ride it out)... if your tires stick and you dont burn to much rubber you will get a hole shot on the guy in the other lane...
The stall converter will get you more ET over all than the gears alone...the combination with an AUTOMATIC will usually leave the stick shift guy in the dust at a red light.
Your auto will be consistant performer... YOUR stick shift guy will need to be a pro to keep up with a 3.70 gear and 3000-3500 10in stall converter... YOU WILL KILL HIM!!
PS... yes tire diameter effects the gear ratio and your speedo... short tire better gear ratio (but usually less traction) taller tire hurts your gear ratio but can improve traction (better high MPG not that we care
)
Last edited by holley505; Sep 22, 2005 at 03:23 PM.
