I just want to say "thank you" to Tim, Andy, and Rhonda once again for the outstanding support this weekend at FFW - Atlanta. Friday was "test and tune" and 1st round of qualifying. Tim took it upon himself to come up to Commerce and support me and the car. Some of you know I have had some belt issues, and sure enough, we shredded a belt on the first run. Tim changed the belt just in time to make the first round of qualifying. I qualified #1 in Mod Motor running at 10.4. After that run, we noticed the blower had a blown seal. Well guess what? Saturday morning, Andy shows up with his wife and kids in tow, and rebuilds my blower in time for round 2 of qualifying. Tim, Rhonda, and their kids also came back. During the reinstall of the blower, Andy and Tim noticed that the idler pulley was flexing and making contact with the alternator. They put a washer behind the pulley and (hopefully) resolved all my belt issues. I was able to make the 2nd and 3rd qualifying runs with no belt issues and finished 2nd in both of those rounds running 10.5's. On the third qualifying run, I accidently rolled through the lights and fully staged before the other lane was prestaged. For some reason, I had trouble shifting into reverse, but finally backed out and staged again. On the start, I released the transbrake button and the car just sat there for about a second, under full throttle, before the transbrake released. After the run, I discovered that the transbrake would lock-up in first gear, without me pushing the button. Tim climbed under the car and disconnected the transbrake wireing, but it still locks by itself. Obviously, the PA transbrake valvebody is fubarred, so my weekend was done. Once again, I want to thank Tim, Andy, and Rhonda (and their families) for giving up their weekend to come to Commerce and support me and my car. I have never received this kind of support from any other shop I have ever dealt with. Some of you may remember that Tim hauled me and the car to FFW - Orlando using his truck, trailer, and fuel for the first track outing since the MPH rebuild of my car. It looks like the car is finally where it needs to be and I am looking forward to running consistent low 10's the rest of this season. We just need to get a new valve body from PA and I need a new pair of slicks. Although I still have plenty of rubber, my slicks are 3 years old and relatively dried out. My 60's were up to 1.5's which is not good. We are also waiting on a new Barry Grant fuel pump that will stand up to the continueous street duty to drive to all the FFW and NMRA events. The car is still detuned to low 600 rwhp, so there is plenty of power available when and if we need it.
Wow Jim your car has come a long way. I remember the first time you fried your engine with that dry kit.
You've done a really good job on your car Congratulations. Me, My Stang is still stock, but I have a kick ass basement and my wife is now on her 2nd Luxury SUV in 2 years
For all the trouble with belts, and seals, associated with blowers normally, why not switch to the darkside... Turbocharged! I did, along with many others and will never look back! IMO, alot of extra trouble, not worth the hassle
If I ever do anything serious to my car...it will be at his shop. I'll have to drive from Olathe, KS to Georgia..but it sounds like it's worth it. JM
