Penny is done and on the road!

[Steve1968LS2]

http://picsorban.com/upload/moneyshot.jpg

Today was the day, the first drive.

The dyno tuner in Claremont, CA, called me up to say she was all tuned and ready to go home. They are located about 40 miles away and there’s no easy way from there to here. Usually when I start “breaking in” a newly done car I take a spiral approach. This is where I drive around the block, then around two blocks, then a little farther until I feel the car is officially “road worthy”.

However it was Friday night and I couldn’t arrange a flatbed tow. Screw it, I decided to drive her home. At first it was strange, but as I drove I got more confident with the way she shifted and felt.

She’s fast, smooth silky speed…

On the mustang-style dyno she put down 440rwhp and 390 rwtq. That’s right around where a new Z06 comes in on his dyno.

My max torque is at 4500 and at 6500 I’m still at 90% of that. Gotta love a flat torque curve. At 6500 rpm the car still accelerates to the tune of 7.4 feet per second. A bit above a new Z06. She would pull to 7000 but we decided to set the rev limiter to 6700 to save the rods.

She idles very nice. During the drive home she never went over 190 degrees. The brakes worked great. The car road like a new car. It was firm but didn’t fell like an old car. I still need an alignment, but the car tracked well and was rock solid stable.

I got a ton of thumbs ups from people. Several shouts and three times I caught people taking pictures. On the 91 fwy the people in one car were video taping me, so I dropped a gear and hit it. :)

Oh, and several people tried to race, I declined.

When I got home my wife loved the car. It’s the first time she’s seen it in over a year and she very much liked how it turned out. That was nice and I’m a lucky guy.

Ok, the bad..

On the way home I guess I went too fast. In my driveway there was a small nick in my door, no dent just a scratch like a knife hit the door. I couldn’t figure it out until my noticed the passengers side (vertical) stainless window trim was gone.. poof. I guess it came off and nicked the door on the way to the great unknown. Lol. Maybe I need to safety wire my trim.

Anyways, I will fix that and BOS will fix the nick. Just part of the sorting out process. Saturday we shoot the car in an old machine shop, should be cool and I’m almost done writing the story for Super Chevy.

After driving her I’m hooked, it was such a blast. The suspension felt great, it felt stable and it felt reliable. All this without tuning or even an alignment.

It’s going to be a fun fun summer…

Here’s the missing trim and nick..could have been worse.

http://picsorban.com/upload/done2.jpg

Here’s her new license plate :D

http://picsorban.com/upload/done1.jpg

And best of all, here’s a vid of the max effort pull on the dyno.

Thanks to all those who have helped make this happen. Best of Show, Lateral-Dynamics, Marquez design, Rick’s hot rods, DSE, American Autowire, Classic Chevy 5-speed, Optima, Stewart Warner, ATS, Modo Innovations, 21st Century Street Machine, AFCO, COMP, Varishock, Inland Empire Driveline and everyone that helped give me opinions, ideas and encouragement.

This community is family and this family has a new, and soon to be very active, member.

[Steve1968LS2]

Also,

I drove her 40 miles today and 40 miles yesterday. Tomorrow we are taking her to the mountains to shoot action shots for Super Chevy. So far she is working well although the oil pressure guage (elec) reads lower than the mech guage I have mounted on the engine. Damn elec gauge. :lol:


I have a very nice "max effort" dyno vid to share but nowhere to host it and it's in some strange format (quicktime I think). I shot Scott a copy last night and I'm sure he will be able to size it down and convert it (it's 18mb)

Anyways, the shoot we did tonight at the factory was WAY cool. Look for the full feature in the August Super Chevy Magazine. It's going to be a LSx issue.

[customcam]

Thats awsome! That pic is just awsome, portrait i think :yes:
Congrats mate :thumbsup:

[awr68]

Very cool stuff!! I love that car...congrats on another great build!! Oh, and it's always nice when the wife likes the end product too!! :thumbsup:

[Bowtieracing]

Great news Steve!! Its been a long trip and now you are there:thumbsup:

Shame at you trim flew away. Sorry for OT but is there any magazine feature of how to install trim correctly? I have looked those trim clips from parts book and service manual but still dont get it.

[Camaro4Life]

Awesome Steve, awesome!

I can't wait to check this car out in person! Did a great job.... :thumbsup:

[slck6t9]

WAY cool Steve!! Now the fun begins and I'm sure there will be more scratches and nicks as you thrash on it. Congradulations....

[radrambler]

steven

sounds like a fun trip home from the dyno...:drive:
im sure your thrilled to have a car to drive again...
looking to know that feeling again myself...check your email and pm please...


radrambler

[Alex396ss]

Beautiful car man!

Alex

[PTAddict]

That's just an awesome looking car, and even better it sounds like it will drive as well as it looks.

Every time I see pics of Penny, I'm struck by the color. What color is that?

Maybe you should leave the nick, perfection will just discourage you from putting that car on the track where it belongs!

[MODO Innovations]

I can't wait to see the feature in Super Chevy. Man, this is one awesome car. You should be very proud of the great job you did.:hail:

[Steve1968LS2]

Great news Steve!! Its been a long trip and now you are there:thumbsup:

Shame at you trim flew away. Sorry for OT but is there any magazine feature of how to install trim correctly? I have looked those trim clips from parts book and service manual but still dont get it.

I think the clips on that piece are the wrong ones. We stole a replacement of Mark's car (lateral dynamics).. I wonder if he will notice? lol -- thanks Mark!

That's just an awesome looking car, and even better it sounds like it will drive as well as it looks.

Every time I see pics of Penny, I'm struck by the color. What color is that?

Maybe you should leave the nick, perfection will just discourage you from putting that car on the track where it belongs!

I don't mind rock chips but this is in a wierd place. The color is 2002 Prowler Orange. At night, out of direct white light, the car looks like a dirty copper or bronze. When the light hits it the color really comes to life.


Oh, and that "official" shots came out much better than that quicky I took. We had light going off everywhere and a welder in the back making sparks. I think it might be cool enough for a poster. :yes:

Trying to work the video, it bounced from Mark since it's 18mb...

[Mean 69]

Just outstanding news, Steve, glad to hear she's running and that you are able to enjoy driving instead of wrenching (not that wrenching is bad, mind you). Strange to hear about the molding, it's always something, but the guys can fix that scratch no sweat. Hope that trim piece fit, but I will need it back!!! I owe you a call, but go out and enjoy yourself this weekend! Get some more miles on her, then we'll nut and bolt/inspect everything to make sure it's all happy. Then it's whoopin' time.

Mark

P.S. And by the way, that is PLENTY of power for the car, especially out of such a small-ish package, great job.

[Steve1968LS2]

Just outstanding news, Steve, glad to hear she's running and that you are able to enjoy driving instead of wrenching (not that wrenching is bad, mind you). Strange to hear about the molding, it's always something, but the guys can fix that scratch no sweat. Hope that trim piece fit, but I will need it back!!! I owe you a call, but go out and enjoy yourself this weekend! Get some more miles on her, then we'll nut and bolt/inspect everything to make sure it's all happy. Then it's whoopin' time.

Mark

P.S. And by the way, that is PLENTY of power for the car, especially out of such a small-ish package, great job.

The piece fit great. I think the clips are the wrong type.. anyways, nothing that can't be fixed.

I will get her aligned and weighed this week. I will at BOS next saturday for the trim and nick repair. Stop by and we can check all the bolts for the happy factor. lol

Thanks again for all your help Mark, your suspension rocks so far! :woot:

[chicane]

"...My car is so fast I need to saftey wire the trim to it..."

Hopefully, I too will get to use that line soon.

BTW... how'd the wiring come out ??

[Bandit Ls-1]

ive been following ur car since i joined the board, its absolutly amazing cant wait to check out the magazine.

[roddr1968]

very nice car, can't wait to see it in person.

great job

[mazspeed]

Car looks great Steve, I can't wait too see it in the magazine.

[Steve1968LS2]

Gotta run to the shoot. Just wanted to post a quick low-res vid of the dyno pull.

http://www.dailymotion.com/jm350/video/x1ujve_redcam/1


Has a distinct sound. I think he barely bounced of the rev-limiter in this one.

[Rybar]

Looks and sounds AMAZING Steve, great job. :thumbsup: Now go out and start enjoying it. :cheers:

[GHOSTDANCER]

:hail: :hail: :hail: Turned out PERFECT:hail: :hail:

[Roger Poirier]

It's about fuc&+^% time! Congrats Steve.. Looks awsome.. :thumbsup:

R.P.

[Datsbad]

Sorry to hear about the chrome peice and the nick . It does suck when something is just finished for that to happen ....Kinda like on the PT last year when Mr Howell bounced a shop broom off his bumper back to contact my bumper ,grille, fender , cowl and window chrome.

Left a nick in everything it touched.

But now after over 3,000 miles on it and the stone chips behind the tires from the 335's I say oh well....it adds some character to it . Not a trailer queen !!!

Sweet ride Steve, you did good picking the right parts. Give the guys a bonus who did the work .

[Steve1968LS2]

Looks and sounds AMAZING Steve, great job. :thumbsup: Now go out and start enjoying it. :cheers:


Have had the car 55 hours.. it has 300 miles on the odometer.

We nailed some KILLER shots today for the story... Harrington is a good camera jockey :)

[Harri-76]

love it! I would like to know what are those nice rims you are rolling on?

[Payton King]

It must be a really great feeling. I know it was worth all the stress and long nights. Can;t wait for a track report. Are you still running a 500 lbs spring in the front?

[mdprovee]

Steve,

It is an amazing car, and you did a great job with it. I hope to see it in person some day.

[Steve1968LS2]

Just a quick shot I took yesterday in the mountains.

http://picsorban.com/upload/done4.jpg


Here's the high-res version...

http://picsorban.com/upload/done3.jpg

[Steve1968LS2]

Bonus warehouse shot..

http://picsorban.com/upload/done6b.jpg

When this Super Chevy comes out could you do me a favor and buy a copy or two. I want to show a few people that Pro-Touring is a popular segment. Would go a long ways to proving the point if this issue did well.

Besides, the best shots (by Harrington) will be in the issue. Those will make these look amature.

[rockdogz]

Awesome!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Musclerodz]

Just a quick shot I took yesterday in the mountains.

http://picsorban.com/upload/done4.jpg


Here's the high-res version...

http://picsorban.com/upload/done3.jpg
My new background.:bow:

Mike

[melman109]

Thats a bad ride, I can't wait until my 68 Camaro is all done and on the road.....Good Job on the build :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[jack67rs]

It's a good thing I renewed my sub! Can't wait, the car looks awesome. any comparison to your other cars as far as handling, Oh I forgot you still need to align the front end.



Jack

[Steve1968LS2]

It's a good thing I renewed my sub! Can't wait, the car looks awesome. any comparison to your other cars as far as handling, Oh I forgot you still need to align the front end.

Jack

Yea, I need an f'ing alignment.. lol

I guess we got pretty close with the tape measure deal :D

Don't forget, this feature will be in Super Chevy and not PHR. Go figure...

[radrambler]

steve
your car looks great.....im sure its a blast to drive
one favor ..check my latest post on the rambler images please.
..let me know what you think.....

radrambler

[WicKeD_SS]

That is one WicKeD Ride steve!!! Grats :thumbsup:

[Steve1968LS2]

steve
your car looks great.....im sure its a blast to drive
one favor ..check my latest post on the rambler images please.
..let me know what you think.....

radrambler

Sorry man.. been swamped. Will do it first thing in the AM.

[T Bell]

Don't forget, this feature will be in Super Chevy and not PHR. Go figure...

doah!!!!!!! I guess I'll get it on the stands then :cheers:

[4mm]

Congratulations, she looks very nice. :thumbsup:

BTW, didn't you mount oversized rubber for the front? What size is it and do they rub at all?

[ItDoRun]

Steve,
Check you PM's. I need some information.

Thanks,
Chris

[buickfunnycar.com]

So glad you were able to get that photo shoot in before the accident.
Car is absolutely stunning...very,very sweet.I cringe when I see the "after' shots,you certainly seem to be handling it better than I Steve....:wow: