BBR's 83GT - what's old is new... back to a BBF!!

[BBR]

We registered for Rocky Mountain Race Week this morning. So stressful!

RMRW does things differently from Drag Week. People that competed last year have the opportunity to register a day before those who did not. Not sure if I really like that or not, but I'm not the one driving the bus so.... So the previous year participants registered on Friday and from what I read, that left 39 places for other people to get in. I was one of the lucky ones that got in. Wheeeeeew.
So I was a winner of the race to get to the race.

[BBR]

So I guess I better start a check list of things to do before Raceweek.

1. Drive the car.
2. Race the car.
3. Change the oil.
4. Repeat 1-3

I just jinxed myself.

Actually the one thing I really need to fix is the windshield. It needs to be replaced.

So a real list is probably:

1. Replace windshield
2. Mess with 2-step to see if I can build footbrake boost
3. Drive the car on the highway and tune the cruise a bit.

[BBR]

Drug the car out today and took it for a drive on the highway. Looped around to a buddy's house and shut it off. Knocked on his door but no answer. Went back and the car wouldn't crank. Great. His cars were there so I knocked louder and hollered at him. He was napping. Lol. He drug out the charger/ booster and it lit off. I drove it home and gave it an SOS wash. If you don't know, I have probably only washed this car 2-3 times since I've owned it. Haha. It really doesn't look any different though.

Car really ran good on the highway. Coolant temp was steady at 168-170 and it was just happy running 2500 rpm on the highway which was around 75 mph. I datalogged the entire trip, but it all looked fine. Trans front seal weeps a bit and might need to be replaced before Raceweek even though that is a new seal.

[Russell]

SOS, the steal wool pads with the soap in them?

[BBR]

SOS, the steal wool pads with the soap in them?

Yep. The paint on this thing is a terrible repaint that occurred well before I bought the car. I just want it to be a uniformish color of ugly. The SOS wash helped a bit.

I am seriously considering moving the battery back to the front. It's one of the things I did that I have always wished I didn't do.

[DanStokes]

Yep. The paint on this thing is a terrible repaint that occurred well before I bought the car. I just want it to be a uniformish color of ugly. The SOS wash helped a bit.

I am seriously considering moving the battery back to the front. It's one of the things I did that I have always wished I didn't do.

I was having issues with my rear mount in my 'Stang. Solution! Somebody told me to do this and I was dubious but it fixed it - run a BIG ground cable (I think mine's an "0") from the battery negative to the block. I terminated mine on a starter bolt. No more issue. Something to think about. Since the Stang build I did the same thing to Mutt the Race Truck and that's trouble-free too.

[Russell]

My battery is still under the hood. I did switch it from driver's side to passenger when I put the turbo in. I have thought about putting the battery in the trunk for wight distribution. So far I have not wanted to spend the money or give up the trunk space.

Edit. More than likely I will get one of the lawn tractor batteries and try that. They make one that is 400+/- cranking amps iirc the internet says they are enough for a V8.

[SuperBuickGuy]

My battery is still under the hood. I did switch it from driver's side to passenger when I put the turbo in. I have thought about putting the battery in the trunk for wight distribution. So far I have not wanted to spend the money or give up the trunk space.

Edit. More than likely I will get one of the lawn tractor batteries and try that. They make one that is 400+/- cranking amps iirc the internet says they are enough for a V8.

it's what started the 427 in my Corvette for a couple years - from the back of the car

[BBR]

I probably will not do it, mainly because it would eat up space that I *might* need later...

The problem I have had is probably more related to it just being a old battery that has been ran completely dead several times.

[SuperBuickGuy]

I probably will not do it, mainly because it would eat up space that I *might* need later...

The problem I have had is probably more related to it just being a old battery that has been ran completely dead several times.

everything I own that sits has a kill switch - especially the EFI ones. On top of that most have a battery tender (Costco now sells them)

[BBR]

Well, it's better now. Not great but at least it is all sort of the same color red.

[BBR]

Picked up a catch can to install because the valve cover vent drools on the valve cover a little. Just dribbles a little oil and then runs down on the header after a while. This should fix that small problem.

I also bought a new 5 point harness just in case this thing goes sub 11.50. The current set is outdated by quite a few years.

[BBR]

Went to CoS this past weekend to visit my boys and Jake and I did some brainstorming about Raceweek. We both have concerns that this thing might not survive the week, so we *might* just swap the 552 back into this car. Motor might be ok for the week, it seems happy... for now. I am actually less concerned about it than I am the AOD we have in it. It was an unknown when we got it and the 2-3 shift under full power lacks confidence. I honestly have no interest in spending money on the small block turbo stuff any longer. lol

He will be home during Spring Break so we could whip it out in no time. I have 98% of the stuff to put it back. It would remain EFI as I can almost plug everything directly in on the big block. He jokingly suggested we put the turbos on it, but we don't have the time or the supporting hardware to do that.... yet. haha

No decision has been made, but we are leaning heavily toward swapping. The 552/C6 is just sitting in the shop floor all ready to plop in. My original plan was to swap after Raceweek, but I am thinking we might move that schedule up, because hey, my 22 y/o kid wants to come hang out in the shop for a few days and those opportunities are becoming more rare.

[BBR]

We chatted again. It's a go. We pulled the 552/C6 out on December 29, 2017. Can't believe it has been that long! It, albeit a milder version, will be going back in very shortly.



This project may all seem random to the casual observer, but nearly every version of this thing has been done to get it ready to participate in an event with one of my kids.

302/T5 - RMRW 2018
302/T5 + nitrous - Buick V Ford
302/T5 + blow thru turbo - RMRW 2020
302/AOD + blow thru turbo - Buick V Ford
302/AOD + turbo efi - Buick V Ford
Now 552/C6 - RMRW 2023

Quick 552 rundown:

This is the engine & trans I ran in the Yellow truck, it will just not have the the turbo. The short block is the same one I previously ran in this car when it ran bottom 10's. 4.5" cast RPM crank, RPM H-beams, Probe forged pistons. With these D3 heads it is right around 9.6:1. This intake will be the same efi converted Victor I used in the truck. The throttle body will be the same 1000 cfm Mass-Flo (Pro-M) 4bb one the 302 has on it now. The cam is a Lunati Barebones hydraulic cam.

Cam specs: 0.536” / 0.567” 224/233 @ 0.50” 293/293 advertised 112 LSA ICL 107

I would LOVE to swap the cam to something a bit more aggressive, but I think I will leave it alone for RMRW. I just don't want to mess with it right now. I guess if it is a total pooch, I can swap it after it is up and running.

Converter is a Hayes 2400-2800 that worked well in the truck. It may be a little tight in this car, but I think we will have more than enough torque to make it fun.

Speaking of making it fun, if it turns out to be a pooch, I still have a nitrous kit I can put back in this car. A 100 shot would probably make it faster than Jake needs to go anyway. Haha. ( I joke because Jake will be headed to AF pilot training later this year). lol

[Monster]

Jake will be headed to AF pilot training later this year.