Finally got my 78 to the track for the first time Friday. Haven't had anything to take to track for the last ten years. Got this one almost two years ago and finally got to track. Best run(1/8th) was 8.26 with a couple 8.40's. No where near all she's got. I ran off and left everything at home tools timing light etc.. Mph was 79 slowest 89 fastest. A little practice and tuning will get me to 7's. Rain threatened so I cut it short to make the trip home. drove it 67 miles one way to get there. It has a bad bog off the line and picks up big on the big end. Timing was at 34* so going to 36 should help. I will be getting 3000-3400 converter and replacing the 2.73's with 3.42's this year. Really only using first gear now shift about 100' before the line. Low 7's is what I am shooting for. That's about all I can ask for for an old street car. Anybody got any tricks for a few tenths? What should I expect going to a 3k-3400 stall over what feels like a 2k-2200? What about the 2.73 to 3.42 gear along with that? I figure getting the bog out alone will be worth .2 and either would help that. Want to keep it all motor for now. Next year or year after pro charger here I come. All forged or billet bottom end and dart platinums up top so she's ready when I get suspension done.

 

I think the biggest improvement will be from a much better rearend ratio. 3.42 will help a lot, and 3.73 wpuld be even better, but not as good on the freeway trips as the 3.42 gears.
I wouldn't even waste time tuning, or making other changes until you get better gears, as you'll just redo it all once you change gears later.

 

Yep went back this weekend. Going up two sizes on jets, two degrees of timing, blue pump cam and 3 gal 110 got me to best of night 8.06 @ 92. That's all the stock suspension and street tires will do. The next pass I broke loose about 25-30 and spun to about half track hit second and took a peek at other lane. Scary at 60-70 mph. The final two passes my nerves were racked and i couldnt roll into it just right to prevent bog or spin, makes me think a VS carb might be better. maybe not just upgrade suspension to keep from overpowering. Will be doing suspension before trying to go any faster. Anybody got anything on what works best for street/strip. Looking at four links would like to do away with leaf springs unless someone knows a good setup using them.

 

You're gonna keep spinning and having traction issues until you get good gearing. Hate to beat a dead horse.

 

I'm with BB427, Posi and 3.42 gears. I went to 3.42 and it made a big difference with my crappy motor just driving down the street.

 

Nobody has mentioned tires yet. Maybe a pair of drag radials or even slicks would help after the rear end change. Back in the day we used to throw the slicks in the back seat and put 'em on at the track. You also might want to check out Calvert Racing - The Leader in Leaf Spring Innovation We have their cal-trac bars on our car, along with their 9 way adjustable rear shocks and just put their 90/10 front shocks on this weekend. The front shocks might be unsuitable for the street, but stay away from the lakewood shocks.( they're junk). Best of Luck.

 

Yes, once the gearing gets changed, the next step is good rubber. Best change I ever made was my M&H DOT drag radials. They are a great daily driver tire, and fantastic traction quality. My car went from stepping sideways on launch and 1-2 shifts, to straight as an arrow all the way down the track.

 

Thanks. Looking at eaton limited slip. Buddy has a 3.73 ring and pinion unless its worth the couple hundred for 3.42. I was thinking it would spin a lot more on bottom with either gears than the 2.73. Was thinking of running 28" tire on street and 25" slick on strip. My dad owns a tire shop so i can get those. Looked at caltracs may go that route. Don't really need to go faster until I get suspension done though. It's stock '78 and 2.73's are great on the street.

 

After talking to several people, I opted for the 3.42 instead of the 3.73 for the 1/8 mile with my turbo 350.

 

I had 3.73 posi in my '79 Z-28. Highway trips were not too bad but then again gas was only $0.99 at that time...