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Here is the current build-up on my gold, '87
Turbo T. I have titled the build-up, "A Recipe for High 10's on Drag Radials."
Last year the car ran a best of 10.94 @124.37 with 30 psi showing
on the boost gauge (see the 1996 Nov./Dec. issue of the GS X-tra). My goal for 1997
was to put the car solidly In the high 10's on drag radials with less boost pressure.
This meant producing more horsepower. The motor was removed and freshened and the
only change made was to move up to a 210/205 camshaft. This addition alone was worth
2-3 mph. Also, a six-point roll cage was added to comply with track safety regulations.
In Bowling Green this year, the best pass on the drag radials was an 11.19@124.65
with a 1.75 60' time at 24 psi. The engine was producing more horsepower, but getting
it to the pavement was the tricky part. After getting back from Bowling Green, I
did some suspension tweaking. Some minor shock adjustments and the addition of a
set of Moroso rear trick coils did the job. I headed to the local drag strip several
times and was able to click off several 10.90's at 125+ mph with 60' times in the
low 1.60's.
Prior to the East Coast GSCA Regional at Cecil Co. Dragway in October meet , I purchased
a HEMCO Machine plenum cover. I removed the stock plenum and bolted the new unit
on the motor and headed to the track on Friday night for a test-n-tune. The car
ran the low 11's on Friday with trap speeds over 127 mph, but the 60' times were
way off at 1.84. It appeared that the engine was making more horsepower with the
HEMCO Racing plenum cover. The engine was always running leaner with higher EGT's,
so additional fuel was added to the fuel map. But, it also became apparent that
the 1-2 shift was getting sloppy with the engine revs hitting 5800rpm. The next
morning I left the car untouched, heated the drag radials and headed down the track.
The launch felt better than the previous night. I was pretty excited when I read
my time slip of 10.87 @127.31 mph with a 1.67 60' time with the boost pressure
of 26 psi. After this run, I was told to have the car re-inspected. The tech inspector
told me I needed a crotch strap on my safety harness. I did not have one, so needless
to say, I was not allowed to try and back up the pass.
A couple of weeks later, I headed to my local drag strip to try and better my new
low ET. With the engine bouncing off the rev limiter on the 1-2 shift, the car still
managed a 10.98 @125.68 mph with a 1.63 60' time at 26 psi. Modifications for next
year, include upgrading to a Mark Jackson 20 row intercooler, and replacing the
TA-61 with a John Craig TE-45 turbo, upgrading to larger fuel injectors and freshening
up the transmission. These upgrades along with some suspension tweaking should put
the car in the 10.60-70 range at 130+ mph on the drag radials. If any members have
questions, please feel free to contact me.
We really enjoy build-ups like this one for several reasons: First of all, Steven
sent us a documented (With time slips) and well-edited, typed copy with all the
essential data and facts. Secondly, this provides another "recipe" for
club members that obviously works without any hidden secrets. Thirdly, Steven was
gracious enough to offer his assistance via phone # to his fellow club members.
And last, but certainly not least, this is another Buick that personifies our club
motto of: "Going Fast with Class" - and In this case with a real haulin
ass ultra-sleeper!
A Recipe for High 10's on Drag Radials
Car: '87 Turbo-T with no fiberglass, no swaybars,
and a 6-point roll cage. Weight w/driver: 3,600 lbs
Engine Shortblock: Stock Block 231"; stock
crank, rods and main caps; TRW forged pistons w/Total Seal rings; ARP head and main
studs.
Heads/Valvetrain: H210-205 cam w/Federal Mogul
lifters; factory iron heads w/ radiused intake and exhaust bowls; Manley 1.77"
intake and 1.55" exhaust valves; T&D 1.65 roller rockers.
Turbo: John Craig TA-61 w/Garrett stock wastegate
actuator.
Intercooler: Mark Jackson 17 row stretch intercooler.
Exhaust: Stock headers; Terry Houston downpipe;
ATR 2.5" stainless steel exhaust w/Pitbull mufflers.
Fuel System: 55 lb. injectors; stock fuel lines;
dual in-tank fuel pumps. VP C-16 fuel.
Intake System: Stock intake and throttle body;
Hemco Machine plenum; 14" K&N air filter.
Ignition: Stock; Quad Air voltage booster and
plug wires; Autolite 23 plugs @ .035 gap.
Engine Management: Accel Programmable DFI;
programmed by myself with help from White Racing.
Transmission: Stock 200-R4 by Joe Schilling
w/Del Trans 2800 stall lockup converter.
Rear End: 8.5" 10-bolt, 3.42 gears on
stock posi Unit; Moser stock replacement axles; Koni SPA-1 drag shocks; Global West
lower control arms; stock upper control arms w/poly bushings; one air bag on right
rear at 25 psi.
Tires/Wheels: Stock 15"x7" Turbo-T
rims with 275/50-15 BF Goodrich Drag Radials in rear and P235/60-15 in front.
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Date
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Place
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Time (Seconds)
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Speed (MPH)
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60' Time
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Nov 1996
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75-80 Dragway
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10.92
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124.70
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1.54
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May 1997
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Beech Bend
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11.19
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124.65
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1.75
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July 1997
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75-80 Dragway
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10.94
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123.80
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1.60
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Oct 1997
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Cecil Co. Dragway
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10.87
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127.31
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1.67
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Best MPH 127.31
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Note: above runs made on BF Goodrich
Drag Radials and through full exhaust.
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