I've never raced a car before Saturday.

About a month ago I had collected a giant pile of parts and started frantically building a car to take to the Pittsburgh Chrysler Classic. I didn't think I could have a car ready, but I didn't like the idea of missing the first ever slant six points race in Pittsburgh.

Here's what was in the pile:

A solid but ugly 2 door 1980 dodge aspen body. well-used stock '71 block with solid lifters, a bbd super six (aluminum intake), fresh mildly ported head with .060 off, stock cam, stock exhaust manifold with 2" pipe and turbo muffler. stock EI at 12 btdc and 28 total advance. Fresh timing chain. Power steering has to go, but was running during race time. Stock '71 904 trans. Stock 2.76 7-1/4 rear. Cheap rolling tires and steel rims. Couldn't get a working speedo between the '71 trans and '80 cable.

Anything I didn't mention is still bone stock.

On friday (july 23) I worked from 10am till 2:30 the next morning to get my car ready, and I even had to wake up extra early Saturday to re-install a steering pump.

The first real test drive was making it to the track ( about 45 minutes at highway speed ), but we had no notable problems.

The car was sluggish and not looking very pretty compared to the other cars at the event, but no one even seemed to notice. I think I was one of the slowest cars, but I still had fun. Everyone was helpful and fun to talk with. My car got better every run, thanks to lots of hands on suggestions from other slanters.

19.475 sec at 69.9 mph (first run ever, what a rush!!)
Reaction time was .56 ( I guessed )
19.634 sec at 70.1 mph (timing and carb adjustments made the motor run better, but the shifts were now waaaay too early)
Better Reaction .544
18.96 sec at 73.75 mph (fixed the kickdown)
Reaction was .75, because I was waiting for the guy next to me. (oops)

I actually let off the gas on my elemination race, thinking I was going way faster than my last time trial.
19.3 sec at 71.5 mph (dialed in at 18.90, I might have been closer if I knew how to drive )
Reaction was .83, because I was sunburnt and worn out.
I lost by about .3 sec to a car running 11.53 (wow!!!)

I have a whole new respect for what it takes to run in the 17 sec range and below. These slant6 racing guys are dedicated!!!

After my elimination, the long hours and late nights set in, I skipped the sportsman eliminations on Sunday and got some much deserved R&R.

Thanks to everyone!!!

Eventually I plan,
727 low geared trans, higher stall converter
Some type of cam upgrade
3.23 posi rear and "short" low profile rear tires
Manual steering box
Overall Weight reduction (goodbye to anything not required by law)
Aluminum Bumpers
Carb rebuild / rejet

I hope to get into the 16-17 second range and stay street legal by next years race, but we'll see what my tax refund looks like.

_________________
1980 Aspen 225 super six

nice job, you can definitely go 16's and be street legal..! why the 727? i would shoot for a low gear 904, the 904 will take less power to spin it.

for sure, go with a cam upgrade, head flow, carb, exhaust etc.... it all has to work together!

At this stage of the game, I'm willing to trade a little quickness for rock solid reliable. I can't afford to tow the car home from most of the races I hope to attend next year, so I'll gladly tow around a little more weight knowing it should take a few years of hard use and still get me home. Plus, I'm getting a great price on the 727 and don't know how to build a low gear 904 yet.

In a few years if I've got a bigger truck and a racing trailer, I'll be dropping a 904 back in. I might also put a light 7 1/4 back in as well. I'm being overly careful many will say.

I won't be the fastest car on the track, but with some luck, I'll be at races all over the eastern U.S. next year. ( If dreams really do come true )

_________________
1980 Aspen 225 super six

I got only a moment to look at my car over the holiday weekend. First time it's started in over a month. I quickly realized the choke pull off was non-functional and leaking vacuum badly. Now Fixed! The idle really smoothed out, but I'm sure some re-tuning will be required to fix the fuel mix.

I also got a dedicated battery. I can start it more often and fiddle with the fine tuning that I didn't have time to do before it's first and only race.

I'm still flirting with the idea of making it a daily driver, because my truck is only getting about 12 m.p.g I also have to see what the exhaust shop gives me for a price, plus inspection/emissions.

_________________
1980 Aspen 225 super six

Amazing how the little things can really screw up your day. Slant six pickups get worse gas mileage than V-8s. Probably because the engine is working so hard to move the pickup.

_________________
82 D150-225/727
02 Dakota-3.9/5 speed
87 GMC C7000-8.2 Detroit Diesel/5+2

Not to mention it's a high mileage oil burning workhorse of a slant, and I can't resist feeling the WOT pull every chance I get.

I doubt a V-8's mileage would fair much better under my heavy foot.

_________________
1980 Aspen 225 super six

Got a PM from Greg O that he was going to hit the tuesday test and tune.

My wife said "Go!"

After the 45 minute drive, they rushed me through tech and out into the staging lane alone. I was very nervous again. (wow, what a rush)
Hit a .58 light , OK
Pulling really good,
forgot to shift manually, but, Oh well, we're off.
But wait, the 2-3 shift held both gears at the same time.
My heart dropped!
I let off and rolled through the traps for a weak 19.50 1/4 mile.

I added a little trans fluid, and we had a good wait in the staging lanes to cool off and mill around talking to people. I had added full exhaust since last year, maybe it was part of the slow down. What would happen next?

Second run was better!
.48 light, better
Pulling nice,
Held first gear till the speedo said 38 (it's not very accurate due to gears and tires)
Held second till right before the traps and it was happy to comply.

Wait for it.

18.48 1/4 mile,:D a whole second faster, and nearly a half second faster than my personal best of 18.96.

I was glowing in the staging lanes!!!
Biggest reason for the improvement was a rear gear change from 2.76 to 2.94 and a set of super short tires.

Met up with a new guy running a stock 318 in a heavy 4 door and staged up next to him for the next run.
His et was 18.9, so I actually got to run ahead of someone.
backed up my run with an 18.45 and my reaction was .32

Now it was time to get serious, push the limits, and all that.
Pushed the timing a few degrees forward and removed the spare tire from the trunk.
.39 reaction time
1-2 shift at 45 mph

18.20 WOW!!
but, we'll have to wait till another day to back that up.

Final run was a beautiful
.07 light
late 1-2 shift at 50 mph and she didn't like it
18.43 1/4 mile

I learned a great deal about my car and improved my timing at the lights. Not to mention about the most fun you can have with a car for 15 bucks.

She isn't fast, but she's getting faster! I still have a long list of upgrades in the near future. Top of the list are electric fan and removing power steering. A motor with better compression is rolling around in the garage, so hopefull it will be ready to drop in soon. 17's here I come.

_________________
1980 Aspen 225 super six

Great job, Mr. Ram. Addictive ain't it? Best of luck on upgrades. Will you be at Columbus?

Lou

_________________
Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Schweeeettt!!!!

Working on the car and going faster is addicting. I finally accepted being hooked and just enjoying it.

_________________
Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

I actually have a ride to the TN race this weekend, but I will have to decline, and it would not be as much fun without my car anyway. Work is very busy and we have a lot of ground to cover on several important project.

The Columbus race is my best hope for a real slant six race this year. I think it is about a 3 1/2 hour drive. I have concerns that this is more than my engine block can handle at interstate speeds and there is no time to replace the engine between now and then.

I have the green light from my wife. , so......
(she's in a good mood because her tax refund just showed up)

Yes, I will be there or will die (figuratively) on the side of the interstate trying. Maybe this is a good time to spring for an oil pressure gauge.

I hope to meet you and some of the other established slant six racers that I have heard so much about. Lots to do and think about until then.

_________________
1980 Aspen 225 super six

Well, Columbus was great fun. Collectively I won 7 rounds (slant six and sportsman) Considering it was only my second attempt to compete, I think we did well. I was very happy to get home (about 3 1/2 hours) from the track without any problems after 3 days of racing in the hot sun, about 13 passes including time runs and races.

Car ran in the 18.62 - 18.99 range depending on track conditions and how much stuff I had loaded in the trunk.

Reading over last years posts I can see that my ideas have changed a little. Paint came up to the top of the list. My wife must have caught one too many comments from neighbors.

10 cans of white rustolium can do wonders! ( and 10 hours of sanding )


Oil pressure is low, (5-10lb at a hot idle) but I'm not sure if it's due to wear or heat. Pressure is 40-45 cold or at highway speed. Running 15w-40 oil with some STP oil additive. (looked like 90 weight gear lube) Looking at putting in a little bigger rad and adding some better airflow. Got a 5 blade fan, but I'd like to add an electric as well.

I've got 3 other motors and 2 other transmissions to pick from, but it's really hard to take the car off the road since my wifes car is DEAD. (Stupid KIA)

I'm building a RED motor and I'll get some pics up as soon as I can get all the yard sale boxes out of my workspace (next week they're either going to the church rummage sale or the trash)

_________________
1980 Aspen 225 super six

Nice work.
You need to change your signiture to "runs 18's"

_________________
"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."

I've been posting bits and pieces in random topics, but I think I'll make a quick update here as well.

Clay city was lots of fun, but sort not very easy on the car. 22 hours of driving in one weekend is one heck of a way to work an old car.

My best 1/4 mile pass was 18.55, but I couldn't get consistent with it. The 1/8 mile passes where better, but slow. 11.20

The trip home included more overheating and some sounds that made me wonder if I would even make it home under her own power. I did make it, but it's to pull this motor from service. She did good, real good.

(dramatically)
Now it's time for a new (er) motor!
A motor with compression and oil pressure!
A motor with red paint!
(end of drama)

I've got another transmission to go in as well. This transmission is a rebuilt 999 from a 1983 short bed pickup. The 999 is the same as a 904, but with a lower first gear, If I understand correctly. It should really help out my 1/8 mile performance.

The rear end is acting funny as well. I think one of the carrier bearings is toast because it's got a funny springy slop that isn't gear lash. Guess I'll have to spring for a rebuild kit. While i'm in there, does anyone have some better gears for an 8 1/4? I'd consider 3.23, 3.55, 3.73, 3.91 if the price is right.(my budget really is broke right now) Already have a working sure grip.

Planning on heading out to the Pittsburgh mopar race (not a slant six race) and checking out the swap meet and talking to some friends.

Anyhow, the motor is already out of the car and I just started swapping accesories over to the new block. Hope to have it buttoned up and installed with transmission by next weekend.

_________________
1980 Aspen 225 super six

Well, it isn't done yet, but the fresh engine/transmission is back in place. Still need the tailshaft mount and about a million other nuts and bolts, but the heavy lifting is complete. It may not be getting raced again this year, because my wifes 'new' 75 scamp is much more comfortable on the highway (quiet is nice on an 8 hour drive).

More on that scamp as time permits.

If I can get it all cleaned up by Wednesday morning, I'll have time to take something to the track on thursday night for the local test and tune. Still don't know which it will be. Wish it could be both!

_________________
1980 Aspen 225 super six

Go, Paul, Go! Good luck, buddy and keep up the thrashin'.

See you in NC,

Lou

_________________
Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988