Saturday night (4-24) I took my Sprint to Portland International Raceway to see just what it could do. I ended up finding that I have more problems than I thought. The number one problem I have is traction. Problem number two is that at the top of second gear and all through third gear the fuel pump cannot supply enough fuel for the demands of the enging. On both runs it was just after the 1/8th mile where I started running out of fuel. My first run of the night I was expecting traction to be terrible so I slowly rolled into the throttle off the line. Well, that was too slow giving me a terrible 60' and zero tire spin.

Run number one looked like:

R/T...... .267
60'....... 2.348
330'..... 6.435
1/8th.... 9.903
1/8mph. 69.50mph
1000'.... 13.066
1/4....... 15.880
1/4mph. 78.72mph

Notice there was only an 9mph gain between the 1/8th mile and 1/4 mile mark. I also forgot to turn the electric fan off during this run, and forgot to turn the G-tech on.

Run number 2:

R/T...... .323
60'....... 2.505
330'..... 6.853
1/8th.... 10.430
1/8mph. 68.13
1000'.... 13.630
1/4....... 16.402
1/4mph. 80.65

Instead of rolling into the throttle on this run I simply put my foot to the floor rather quickly. This gave me wheel spin all through first gear, I shifted at 45mph still spinning and at about 55mph the ass end straightened out and stopped spinning. Again on this run just after the 1/8th mile I started running out of fuel. I forgot to turn the electric fan off, but I did remember to turn the G-tech on. The G-tech showed a time of 16.42@84.5mph.

My next upgrade before I head to the track next time will be a larger fuel pump. I will be using a Holley "blue" fuel pump. This fuel pump is factory preset at 14psi and comes with a regulator that will be set at 6psi. After the fuel pump upgrade I will be installing a PowerTrax ratcheting locker. Also by the next time I make a trip to the drags I will have installed a Stage 2 shift kit in the TH-400.

I feel that once I upgrade the fuel system, traction, and transmission I should be pulling mid-low 14 second 1/4 mile times.

Just figured I'd share my experiences with everybody. Oh, I didn't see any other El Camino's, or clones, at the strip but there could have been some hidden by all the cars that were there.

Charles

PS... I guess I should have stated a little bit about the set up as I raced it. The engine is a stock Buick 455 from a '70 Riviera. The only changes made to the engine is dual 3" Flowmasters turned down at the axle. I chose 3" as I will be adding headers in the future and didn't feel like upgrading the complete exhaust. This uses stock exhaust manifolds. Stock points distributor with MSD Blaster II coil. Edelbrock 750cfm vacuum secondary carb on stock cast iron intake manifold. The TH-400 trans only has an upgraded external trans cooler and 2000RPM stall converter. The rear end is stock 8.5" 10bolt with 2.56 gears. The rims are 15x7's from an '86 Z28 Camaro with 215/65/15's up front(26" tall) and 255/60/15's on the rear(27" tall).

Hey Vega, Sounds like you had a good time even if it turned into a learning experience. My guess is there are more than a few rodders out there running without adequate fuel pump flow. Your upgrades should be as much fun as well, but I was wondering about putting that locker in. If you still plan to "street" your Elky, I feel a good quality posi unit can better serve both the street as well as the strip. I run an Auburn unit in my '80 and have no complaint traction wise or "streeting".

Good luck and keep it straight and the shiny side up! :D

This here is the actual unit I will be using: Click Here. (http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=PWT%2D92%2D0785%2D2805)
It is designed for street use. Here is a small clip from the description:

"It combines the smooth operation of a limited-slip differential with the traction performance of a locking differential. A precise synchronization mechanism eliminates the ratcheting sounds typical of other locking differentials."

This here is the #1 reason for me choosing this over a conventional 'posi':

"Installation is simple because no ring and pinion set-up is required. In addition, no special tools or oils are needed. Step-by-step, model-specific instructions are provided with every kit."

Charles

Hey Vega Guy,

Sounds like it was a blast - let us know how your upgrades work out.

If you are going int the rear - you may want to look into a gear set that will work better than 2.56. Those had to be the worst "off the line" gears that were ever put into a production car during the "gas years" of the mid-seventies.

Even if you went to 3.08 or 3.30, you will not sacrifice much in terms of gas mileage or top end RPM's and you will shave at least a second (or more) off your 1/4 mi. times (and the car will still be driveable on the highway).

You will also find that tuning your carb will work better for mid-hi range RPM's better without the steep gears you are running - also better for 1/4 mi. times.

Good luck

Dan