This is my pinto a few weeks ago

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=JytjxYwTyV4

It has a transbrake in the C4 and a bump box built into the ECU

this is the quickest I have ever been in this car

I hoping the new combo does way better but for now this is pretty respectable.

Thanks
Dave

Very nice.  I believe my favorite car of all times is a Pinto, your's looks great.

I had a V8 Pinto many decades ago, and then joked for many years that if I became independently wealthy would get another (not because the car is expensive) just because.  Then my grown kids pitched in and got me one for my birthday, but it remains 1973, 2.0 4 spd at this moment.

14" performance tires might be more popular than 15".

If you can live with the sidewall look that is suited for Miata autocross duty. 

There are high performance 14" tires now available, but very low profile for the Miata autocross guys.  Not tall enough but wide.

I think the hobby has been hurt by the search for perfection among other things.  Years ago a backyard paintjob was great and nobody saw or paid much attention to the defects.  Now you will be criticized for less than an $8-15K paint job.

Similar criteria applies to drive trains etc.  Things got SO GOOD (and expensive) that anything less is considered a failure: what fun is that.  A large part of the hobby that has lost intrigue for me personally is the creativity: If there is only one definition of paintjob, drivetrain, upholstery etc that is deemed acceptable, there is not much opportunity for personal expression except to write the checks.

Same criteria applies to performance standards. It used to be fun to mix a bunch of used parts and come up with a combination that could challenge new cars costing 4X as much. Now there are new cars running 12's, and guys on line saying an 8 second street car is normal. I have no interest in driving an 8 second street car protected by 1960's sheet metal and crumple zones. But anything less than such heroic accomplishments is considered failure.

Another thing hurting the hobby is the overabundance of information, entertainment and generally "choices" available electronically these days.  Nobody has anywhere near as much passion for anything they personally own, as was the case decades ago, because it is so overshadowed by all else. 

I can tell you guys feel sorry for me 

yes, that is quite a problem to have 

Sorry to see that happen to your friend.  It sounds like he was on it a lot farther than the 60' mark.   How bad was the damage?

Ean,

what you are hearing might be conventional approaches, however; amongst some of the FE experts there are so many exceptions that with enough tuning and practice anything seems possible. 

Time to hear from some of the BC (Canada) and other guys who run faster that thought possible with solid lifter cams, iron heads etc.  If getting stuff in Australia is a challenge, their approach might be worth considering.

Thanks for the great write up Jay.  I enjoy Tommy T's tongue in cheek response that you are merely mortal, and regarding being 56 years old, would say you are smarter now than before (that's my story and I sticking to it). 

Best wishes on the tear-down.  Another great adventure for us armchair participants, even if a little shorter than wished for.