Took the 69 Camaro to the 1/8th mile last night

[69MyWay]

Went with a buddy that has a pro-street 68 chevelle. Thought it would be fun to see what the 69 would do.

I have a philosophy when I run at the track. I like to run the car on street tires with the exact air pressure that I run on the street and full street gear. I think it is silly to lighten the car, run funny fuel, etc. because then it is apples to oranges when you are taking it out for a Friday night cruise.

With that said I had fun and improved on each of my 4 runs. I decided not to run in the actual race.

I had two problems. One, is obviously the Goodyear EMT 18" rubber on the rear that has serious traction issues. Two, when I leave the 4L60E in Drive, it shifts really mushy and dumps into the next gear pre-mature. When I shift manually, the trans will stick in gear for a second or two and cause the engine to bounce off the rev limiter. All we did to the trans is install a stall converter, the rest of it is bone stock put together from left over parts out of my buddies tool box (I am not kidding here). I need to put a wake up kit in it for more positive shifting, etc.

My best run:

.570 Reaction
2.012 60'
89.64 mph
8.204 ET

I am pretty postive that a bit more practice and squeezing that down to a 1.8 60' and getting the trans to shift right would have dropped me in the 7s with 90 plus mph.

With only four runs and the trans hanging on street tires...that aint too bad.

[Bill Howell]

NO NO NO
You NEED to talk with Steveo about the tranny. 15 minutes with a laptop he can cure all your shifting woes if you have the right controller. He worked his majic on the goat recently and it shifts like it should, when it should and just like I like it. That is the beauty of the electronic trannys, you fix them with a laptop, not a kit. In fact, you do not even need a rag to wipe your hands when you are finished, just a napkin to wipe the drool.....lol

I love to hear you took it to the strip though. Go ahead and slip a pair of drag radials on the back next time, heck you can run them on the street too and they would help some of the traction issues, yet still be an apple/apple comparision.

[Speedster]

Good Job !!

Glad to see that you took it to the strip and drove it. People here have some pretty awesome cars and they are made to be driven. Bill probably would agree, if you don't want to drive it, buy a house.

Go pirate some drag radials next time.

Your dad would be proud. :)

[Bill Howell]

Good Job !!

Bill probably would agree, if you don't want to drive it, buy a house.


LOL, I always say if you want a piece of art, buy a painting, they take up a lot less room. Drive it like you will never get to again.

[radrambler]

Went with a buddy that has a pro-street 68 chevelle. Thought it would be fun to see what the 69 would do.

I have a philosophy when I run at the track. I like to run the car on street tires with the exact air pressure that I run on the street and full street gear. I think it is silly to lighten the car, run funny fuel, etc. because then it is apples to oranges when you are taking it out for a Friday night cruise.

With that said I had fun and improved on each of my 4 runs. I decided not to run in the actual race.

I had two problems. One, is obviously the Goodyear EMT 18" rubber on the rear that has serious traction issues. Two, when I leave the 4L60E in Drive, it shifts really mushy and dumps into the next gear pre-mature. When I shift manually, the trans will stick in gear for a second or two and cause the engine to bounce off the rev limiter. All we did to the trans is install a stall converter, the rest of it is bone stock put together from left over parts out of my buddies tool box (I am not kidding here). I need to put a wake up kit in it for more positive shifting, etc.

My best run:

.570 Reaction
2.012 60'
89.64 mph
8.204 ET

I am pretty postive that a bit more practice and squeezing that down to a 1.8 60' and getting the trans to shift right would have dropped me in the 7s with 90 plus mph.

With only four runs and the trans hanging on street tires...that aint too bad.

so ya run the crap out of it..very cool.....fun huh....did ya compare with your past vehicles time slips?
thanks for getting me in touch with your mother-in-law ...

later
radrambler

[Diognes56]

:cool: :thumbsup: :yes:

David

[Steve Chryssos]

Your ECU is calibrated for an entirely different car: Different converter, different gear, different tire diameter different vehicle weight. So you can get LS1Edit, find a local LS1Edit tuner, or get an aftermarket transmission controller. All of those options have pros and cons. Regardless of which path you choose, you will find that a properly calibrated transmission will function and feel like an entirely different car (a much better car). In the case of Bill Howell's transmission, it was so far off, the difference was like going from a 307 2bbl (before) to his blown LS1 (after). A traditional shift kit can still be beneficial for improving mechanical line pressure, but the calibration might still be way off. An effective digital calibration is the key.

With the calibration done, you will probably need to shift manually to compensate for wheelspin. A quick, low rpm 1-2 shift can help.

[69MyWay]

Your ECU is calibrated for an entirely different car: Different converter, different gear, different tire diameter different vehicle weight. So you can get LS1Edit, find a local LS1Edit tuner, or get an aftermarket transmission controller. All of those options have pros and cons. Regardless of which path you choose, you will find that a properly calibrated transmission will function and feel like an entirely different car (a much better car). In the case of Bill Howell's transmission, it was so far off, the difference was like going from a 307 2bbl (before) to his blown LS1 (after). A traditional shift kit can still be beneficial for improving mechanical line pressure, but the calibration might still be way off. An effective digital calibration is the key.

With the calibration done, you will probably need to shift manually to compensate for wheelspin. A quick, low rpm 1-2 shift can help.

I had the ECM tuned for the engine mods, tire size, and gear ratio. My buddy hooked up his tech II a while back and monitored the functions. He seems to think it is a mechanical issue, but I can't rule out the tune as it was a mail order job (from a very reputable tuner).

Bill....did yours ever hang in gear and bounce off the rev limiter? We were listening to the video of the track run last night and MAN...it is like the car went on pause for a full second plus between shifts on a couple of runs.

For whatever reason, even after you manually move it into the next gear, it still shifts on its own when it feels like it ONLY after hanging up at the rev limiter and bouncing back a few times.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Thayt pretty cool, looks like she has 12s in her. I assume you went to Lakeland? Interesting little track huh? I can wear out some brakes trying to get stopped there.

[69MyWay]

Thayt pretty cool, looks like she has 12s in her. I assume you went to Lakeland? Interesting little track huh? I can wear out some brakes trying to get stopped there.

THat track is a trip. There is a big sign when you come in "Warning-No Insurance!" They didn't tech check anything...just kinda run what you brung....

There were some motorcycles turning 140 plus in the 1/8th. I have no idea how they were able to stop in time.

Right next door is the mud bog track...only in Central Florida!

[Steve Chryssos]

Or perhaps the engine was tuned but the transmission calibration was left stock. Double check that first.

[Bill Howell]

I see Steveo replied. I do not have much to add to what he said. My car has a stand alone TCI controller, and I am telling you is was night and day difference once Steve "adjusted" things. Mine does not hang up on shifts. Of course for the real fun stuff I use the paddle shifter. It is just bam,bam bam and you are gone. The shifting then is instant. I have a pos floor shifter, so I never use it for playing. I am telling you, think about the stand alone deal, you tune the tranny for you and your car, not some preset deal from a out of state tuner. :thumbsup:

[69MyWay]

I had looked into the paddle shifter at one time. My issue was multi-fold. One, I am running a tilt/tele column from an 81 Vette and I don't think that will fit on my wheel. Second, the stand along computer system to run it is way out of reach (financially speaking). I would love to do it, I just can't find a way to squeeze that kind of cash together and haven't come up with a steering wheel configuration that would work.

Don't think I wasn't running that through my mind Saturday night. I was wishing I could paddle shift through and snap the gears on command.

I really need to knuckle down on the tuning and come up with a decision. I either need to find a local programmer, buy EFI Live/LS1 edit, etc, or go with a manual control of the trans. The ONLY problem I have had with the car is the trans. I have an issue where it comes and goes from lock up because it is reading a false missfire condition (head/cam swap issue) and the hit/miss shifting on wide open throttle. Other than that, the tuner that did my programming nailed it.

[Steve Chryssos]

You don't need an aftermarket controller or a paddle shifter. Just call or email LS1Edit and get info on your closest tuner. The only disadvantage to getting it tuned as opposed to buying the software is that you will not be able to fine tune the calibration over numerous attempts. But you should be able to get waaaay closer than you are now in about 15 minutes. Better to invest in calibration than to pay for repairs.

Paddle shifter and controller for your fuel injected engine runs about $1200 less the 5% Lateral-g Club discount. It's a lot of coin, but it will completely transform your vehicle. Bill Howell's car felt like it had a 307 2bbl with one missing plug wire when I got into it. When I got out, it felt like the bad ass blown LS1 that it is. And we never touched the engine calibration.

I've tuned a bunch of these things over the phone. The record tune-up was with a guy in Denmark. But Bill's car was the first housecall I ever made. It was really cool to see the look on Bill's face each time I made a big change.

[69MyWay]

I talked to my programmer this week. We both agree there may be a broken part in the trans that is causing it to hang up, and it needs more programming.

He suggested dropping the pan and looking at the servos/springs/pistons, etc.

He also suggested going with a Transgo HD2 shift kit.

Has anybody adapted a tilt/tele wheel yet to a paddle shifter?

[Steve Chryssos]

Sounds good. I wouldn't beat on it till you get it straightened out. I'm sure you already know that, but some people (Bill Howell) just can't resist the urge. A shift kit is not a bad idea since it will help build mechanical pressure. But for sure, your calibration sounds like it is all over the place.
We've done a couple of tilt/tele columns. Both were Ididit columns though. Both were a pain in the neck. One guy just set his preferred tele setting and locked it for good. It should work with our universal model. In fact, I'll give you a smokin deal if you help us confirm the install and/or develop the part further if necessary. What make model car donated the column? If that interests you, email or PM contact info and I'll give you a call.

Paddle shifter or not, feel free to give me a yell if I can help with calibration input.

[Payton King]

This is not my thread or my discussion, but I have to say Steve I applaude your willingness to help. I hope that I am not the only one here that understands you are offering free advice and help that is in direct connection with your business and that most would say "I can tune that for you for $150."

Next time I run an automatic I am coming to you no questions asked. I am contemplating an LS1 swap in to a BMW 850 with an automatic...but that is still a few years away.

Now if you can locate Jay Bruno in Ronkonkoma, NY I would be forever in your debt.

[Steve Chryssos]

That was a while ago. I went there. He either did not work there or they were covering for him. More than likely, they were covering for him. It was as though I was not the first to ask. I sent you an email. I guess you no gotz.

Thanks for the praise. These electronic autos are really awesome. Long term, it's better for me to get that message across.

[Payton King]

I think the auto has come a long ways and in any turbo or supercharged application I would think it is ideal. What do I base my opinion on...driving a friends 550 hp twin turbo 911, as soon as it got fun it was time to shift. Hard to make yourself subject the driveline to that much shock of a full on power shift...and what if I missed?

Got you message on the investigation. My butt is still stinging and everytime I think about it...well it makes me want to buy a plane ticket for a little payback.

[69MyWay]

Sounds good. I wouldn't beat on it till you get it straightened out. I'm sure you already know that, but some people (Bill Howell) just can't resist the urge. A shift kit is not a bad idea since it will help build mechanical pressure. But for sure, your calibration sounds like it is all over the place.
We've done a couple of tilt/tele columns. Both were Ididit columns though. Both were a pain in the neck. One guy just set his preferred tele setting and locked it for good. It should work with our universal model. In fact, I'll give you a smokin deal if you help us confirm the install and/or develop the part further if necessary. What make model car donated the column? If that interests you, email or PM contact info and I'll give you a call.

Paddle shifter or not, feel free to give me a yell if I can help with calibration input.

Dropping you a pm.

For the record though it is a tilt tele from an 81 Vette. They are basically the same from 69 - 82 and even share the same basic design through 89.

[Steve Chryssos]

......They are basically the same from 69 - 82 and even share the same basic design through 89.


That's good news. Variation is the enemy. Got your pm.