Gt-1
 

So I decided instead of putting an SB-2 engine in my Firebird
I would just buy a racecar. Has a Hendricks SB-2 engine
G-force, winters rear.. Apex Racing built it. I bought it from
the second owner's wife. Won a Nasa event in 2016 but has
been sitting since... we fired it up Saturday so will now replace
the Valve springs and start sorting some things.. Lots of extras
including a Hutter Sb2 engine that has a broken rocker... might
be a lot more inside.. we will see

The Adventure begins

Panteracer... Bob

Heck yeah!!

Gt1
 

Car actually was run 2 years ago.. just won the race in 2016
Here is the extra SB-2 engine from Hutter... less Hp only
790 but again it has a broken rocker... intake was removed
and lifter valley still good but not sure why it broke.. will
pull the head when I get time..

Still searching valve spring options on the existing engine
then a few other things to clean up before I can run it

Bob

The aluminum rocker arms have a limited service life. They will fatigue and break on there own eventually. Just a guess, but could be what happened if there is no damage to the piston or valve.

Well this should be fun. :popcorn2:

Geez, who would want such a slouch? Lol
So what's the HP on the good motor?

Looks like it's gonna be so much fun to drive, have fun with it Bob.

Curious, what's the intended use of the car?

And where does one find an ex nascar race car?

Gt-1
 

Hendricks engine is supposed to be 830hp but no documentation
Lets say more than I will need in a 2700 lb car

I am going to use the car for track days.. Checked flag racing
has a race class that is small and will run it in that group
There are also others that run so looking into that
Car was run in SCCA and Nasa... not really interested in
doing that as there are way too many cars on track to deal with
I will modify this with a splitter etc and other things not allowed
in its sanctioned classes but don't care

I have won Scca Autocrossing championships and other road
race events in the past.. been there did that.. I want to go
and just have fun... I love an open track.. usually find someone
to dance with (driver about the same speed) and go have fun
Used to run my Pantera a lot with my Viper buddy

This car was on Racing junk.. It really is not an ex nascar it was
built for Gt-1/Trans am racing using a custom built Victory Circle chassis
They say Robby Gordan ran it at Sears one year but who knows
You can buy all different types of bodies for these cars
for like $2k to $5k. My buddy is looking at one and will
change it to a 1970 style Challenger body as he is a Mopar guy
These cars are relativity cheap if you look at all the work that
goes into them.... The owners usually cannot get rid of them
Weaver Trans am car will smoke this thing but $200k used
I paid $30k for car.. extra broken engine, 3 sets of wheels
extra brand new brakes, rotors, hats, quick change gear sets
and a ton of other things some are used but still good for me

Bob

That's a good way to wake things up!

Awesome.. Looking forward to seeing what you do with it

Gt1
 

The spare Sb2 Engine arrived yesterday. Not sure
what I am doing with it yet.... it may go in the Firebird
If I do not sell that car

Bob

Well, this looks fun. I completely missed that you started this post. Keep us updated on what you plan to do. Good luck, Bob

Gt-1
 

Thanks Trey
Been spending my time working on my two C10 trucks
Taking them to Good guys this weekend to sell... I am afraid
I might be selling the Firebird next... will see how much
time I have for it...Not sure how these guys have time to
play or work on all of them.. I have 5 now so thinning it down
Almost sold the Pantera but my wife talked me out of it

I have done some cleaning up of things on the Gt-1 and once one of the
trucks it out of the way I will get the engine springs replaced
in the Sb2 engine... It should be fun tracking

Bob

There's only so much time in a day for everything. Sometimes, you just have to make tough decisions or simply start new chapters in your life.

Gt-1
 

So finally figured out a way to get the window
opening larger so I can access the car better
Originally I was going to lower the door panel
and support tube.. now I am just going to move
it out and narrow the sill... took a while staring at
it for some time now

Bob

Gt-1
 

Working on a flair for the front wheels as the
opening for some reason sits really High... also
going to install fender louvers

Bob

Gt-1
 

Finally tore into the Hendricks engine
Very cool stuff inside.. rockers are grooved
HMS sheetmetal deflector around the push rods
Most of the insides shaped to delflect oil towards
the valves.. Nothing like the Other Sb2 I got with the deal

Bob

Very cool! :thumbsup:

Gt-1
 

So I was going to check the valve lash before I removed
the springs as I have no data on the Hendrix engine
There is no valve lash.. never heard that before
Finally talked to someone who has a few of these engines
for sale and they are built with no valve lash... called soft
motors... eliminates a lot of heat, etc... only a few guys
build these type of engines I am told..shims on lifters, different
size hats on push rods.. a few rockers have .010 markings on them
A lot of time to get them right. Yes it is a flat tappet solid lifter

I can send it to North Carolina and have it redone but then when and
if the springs need changing again I would have to go thru the process
again... Thinking I might just change the cam, springs, rockers and pushrods
that way I can change the springs myself when needed. My other Sb2
engine has adjustable rockers

He also mentioned the rings in this Engine are like $2500 a set
A whole lot of cool but not for an average guy

Bob

:confused18::G-Dub:

Wow, that's an interesting look inside these engines. I know next to nothing about them.

Gt1
 

So found a local guy to help me with the Sb2 engine
Will pull and bring to him so we can see what we have
Solid roller new cam adjustable rockers etc. Big issue is
getting a cam for the lifters that were moved in the block
Might have to combine the two Sb2 engines to get one that works
Never a dull moment
Bob

Gt-1
 

So I spent some time looking at the two different valve trains
I have for the Sb2 engines.. looks like the Hendricks engine
just has the outer two rockers moved over about 1/4" so that
the pushrods are vertical like the rest... so no special cam
for each engine.. bores in same location ... again will see what the new engine builder says

Bob

Gt1
 

Pulled the Hendricks engine yesterday
Heading to the builder near me to see what
we have to work with

Bob

As far as camshafts go, if you haven't already, I'd place a call to Tim Goolsby at Bullet cams.. i think that man knows more than anyone on camshafts. Be forewarned, he loves to talk.. lol
https://www.bulletcams.com/

Gt-1
 

Thanks for the Cam tip...will see what my engine
builder says and like I always do get another opinion
Hoping to build this so it is fairly reliable.. thinking
8600-8800 rpm should be enough but who knows

Bob

Gt-1
 

I met with my engine builder and went over
the old Hutter Sb2 engine... cam was bad in several
areas.. lncorrect spacing on lobes ate it up... going
to use Bullet Cams to make a new one and a 4-7 swap
and he also mentioned 321... Crank is a nice piece, lightened
and journals narrowed.. rods just above a Honda rod..
Pins are a little small so might have to leave compression
at 11-1 but make up in cam timing.. parts are not cheap
but to go 8600-8800 you need to get the good stuff

Bob:G-Dub:

Good luck, Bob!

Gt-1
 

While waiting on the engine parts, etc I am installing a new
seat, moving pedals etc...I am 6'2 1/2" so need to open it up
I am also going to get the car wrapped to try and calm down
the yellow color so playing with paper etc to see what works

This is some progress

Bob

Gt-1
 

Bought a restored 70's Homelite Tractor to use when
I need to move the Race car in and out of the shop
Getting too old to push things around... my 6 year old
Grand nephew has a new toy

Bob

That's cool! :thumbsup:

Gt-1
 

Gt-1 is wrapped.. still waiting on pistons and valves
Due in a couple of weeks

Bob

Nose Bird!
 

Love the 70-73 nose bird on the hood!

Gt-1
 

I found the Nose Bird in a bunch of things
I had left over from my Firebird..... Sorry to say
I sold the Firebird so this will be my new Trans am even though
it is a Monte Carlo body:) GT-1 Trans am car

Bob

Gt-1
 

Bought a new aluminum trailer because the old
one was too short.. Gt-1 is really wide and long
but it works.. pretty cool having a light trailer as
you can move it around pretty easy. Winch installed
looking for tool boxes and then will build a tire rack

Bob

Gt-1
 

Spent a day putting support tubes for the new
front splitter.. last night worked on layout for
the new splitter... Hope to cut it tomorrow

Other news.. Sb2 engine pistons shipped last week
so I may see any engine in the next month

Bob

You're making good progress, Bob!

Gt-1
 

Splitter is installed.. ordered up some rod supports
Hopefully I will see an Engine soon

Bob

GT-1
 

Finished the Rear Diffuser
Still waiting on the Engine

Bob