66 Fairlane GT 390

[Nightmist66]

Performance Summary:
      1/4 mile ET:   11.229            1/4 mile MPH:  123.29
      1/8 mile ET:    7.237           1/8 mile MPH:  97.15
      60 foot time:  1.659
      Track: Byron Dragway  Byron, IL
      Weather Conditions:

Vehicle Use: Street n Strip

Vehicle Specifications:

Model Year:  1966

Model:  Fairlane GT

Style:  Fastback

Engine Details (link to post in Dyno Results board if available:  .035" over 390, 397"

Link to engine build: http://fepower.net/simplemachinesforum/index.php?topic=7851.0

Transmission:  Factory wide ratio Toploader pro-shifted by Liberty

Torque converter details (if automatic):  N/A

Clutch details (if manual):  Ford Racing billet steel flywheel, McLeod single disc 6 puck sprung hub, Ram long style pressure plate, Quick Time SFI bellhousing

Driveshaft:  Custom 3" steel with Strange chromoly ends

U-joints:  Spicer 1350 non-greasable

Rear end type:  Ford 9" custom housing from Strange Engineering

Differential type:  Spool

Gear Ratio:  4.71

Axles:  Strange 35 spline

Front tires:  M/T Sportsman

Front wheels:  American Racing Torq Thrust D 15×4.5"

Rear tires:  M/T ET Drag 28×9" bias ply "stiff" sidewall

Rear wheels:  American Racing Torq Thrust D 15×8"

Front suspension information:  Stock replacement springs(trimmed), roller bearing kit on upper arms with Shelby drop, Opentracker roller perches, stock spindles, Global West tubular lower control arms, homemade adjustable strut rods with heim joints, KYB 50/50 shocks(not by choice), roller steering idler arm, tubular tie rod adjusting sleeves, camber lock out kit from Opentracker

Rear suspension information:  Calvert split-mono leafs(-1 drop height) in stock location, double adjustable Caltracs, Viking double adjustable shocks

Ready-to-race vehicle weight, including driver:  3650lbs





I was still fighting traction on the launch today. I know the front shocks were not helping matters. I had a set of 90/10's on it that lasted 30mi on the street before one just went bad, so I threw these shocks on for now. Not how I wanted to end the year, but the potential is there for any easy 10 sec pass and it made it home in one piece again.

[6667fan]

I was keeping my fingers crossed when I went to read this post that a 10 second slip would appear. Still awesome and great that you got another crack at it. Anyone get a video so you can critique the launch? Experiment with tire pressures? I see your 60’ was the same but you picked up some mph and shaved off a tenth. I imagine you will be itching for the Spring to get back at it. I know I am.

[Nightmist66]

Thanks JB!

Yes, I do have a video. I need to look it over, but I feel it is what I already expect. The front end does not move at all with the current shocks and the rear may not be doing much either. I will study it. The tires did wrinkle and yes, I did play with the pressure from 13.5-15psi. Last pass I decided to leave at 4000, since every other pass it just sat there spinning and this time it decided to hook and well, it bogged HARD. 60' went up to a 1.9 but mph still went 123. Oh well, maybe next year...

[Posi67]

Pretty impressive considering the combo and street/strip limitations. Sounds like you have all the right parts in the front except for the shocks. I ran 90/10's for years on the street with no problem but given the money you already have into this, I'd suggest a set of single adjustable shocks like a QA-1 or now called Viking I think. Just make sure the adjustment is for rebound (extension ) only and use 1 click at the track and go up on the street.

The other issue I see is your clutch will be aggressive and it's a fine line between hooking and a bog as you've found out. SoftLok in my car and 4800 is about as high as I can leave. 1.40 60' is a pretty good launch for me. Of course, burnout, start line prep and other factors can ruin your day. Thanks for the update.

[Nightmist66]

Thanks Dale!

I am kicking around the Vikings for the front as well. The clutch is in or out. Not much slipping. After a handful of passes, the stoplights on the way home become somewhat of a spectacle when the disc wants to grab nice and hard, and the big cam bucking doesn't help matters. Yeah, "street car". I would like to be in your neighborhood ET wise, but that isn't going to happen any time soon. 

[Nightmist66]

The only video I have of the first two runs from yesterday. A friend tried to send them to me and they are not super clear, sorry. First run off the street was 11.30. Second run I dropped the exhaust and ran my best, 11.22.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sLnfqhMOShM

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-76yZeq5j-k

[cjshaker]

Definitely no front end rise is hurting you, although you're starting out much better than I did. I couldn't even get my 60' down under 2 seconds the first few times down the strip, or get into the 11's. I was having the same issues with launch until I went from 3.89 to 4.30 gears and from 2.78 1st gear toploader to a 3.08 1st in the Jerico. The clutch was killing me at the strip, and was almost impossible to find the 'sweet spot' until those changes. It would either blow the tires off or bog hard. Changing my launch RPM up or down only resulted in more spin or bog, and playing with the CalTracs and tire pressure seemed to be getting me nowhere, except for making me a bit nervous on the top end when I dropped pressure down to 12 and the car was wiggling its ass at speed. I didn't care for that..lol

My starting line ratio is 13.24, yours is 13.09, not a huge difference. Your weight is nearly identical to mine (3600 with driver), clutch is about identical (same pressure plate, different disc), and we have the same tires. Better weight transfer should help you recover better from tire spin, which you sorta want on the launch. I leave at about 5000, and with the gearing changes, the tires now spin just a bit and then hook. My ET and 60' started dropping pretty quick. I think shocks will make a difference, but I also think we're both just trying to find the best compromise that works with a less than ideal clutch for the strip, like Dale said.

Either way, that's a good showing for your first couple times out. You're MPH is better than mine (119 here), so you might make it into the 10's with some practice, better shocks, and playing with the CalTracs and tire pressure...and some luck..lol.

I'm curious what your trap RPM is? 4.71 gearing is pretty steep, and I'd guess you're at 6200+ at the line?

[gt350hr]

  Probably more like 7,000. I run 122 @ 8,000 with a 5.29 and 28" Goodyear. ( 331 SB with 3100 lbs) ET and 60 is a little quicker because of less weight. I have less power but the Mustang is a bit more aerodynamic than the Fairlane so the MPHs are close.

  Those are GREAT numbers Jared for "only" 397 CI. Your car is awesome!
   Randy

[Nightmist66]

Thank you Doug and Randy for the kind words.

I'm curious what your trap RPM is? 4.71 gearing is pretty steep, and I'd guess you're at 6200+ at the line?

Randy was pretty close, it's going 7100 out the back door.

[gt350hr]

    Jared ,
       A friend of mine here in So Cal has had a nightmist blue '66 GT since the '70s. His has a 496 ci tunnelport and a C6. It ran 11 flat at 125 on motor alone 40 years ago with a 4.30 gear and a 9" Firestone. He added two ( dual four engine) and got thrown out of the track for going 9.96 with a five point bar only , not a cage. This was before the parachute deal. It was a money maker on the street. He still has it though it has a 428CJ in it and runs 11.50s. He won't sell it to me. LOL He has polished Americans instead of natural finish like yours.
    Hope you hit the 10s next time!
      Randy

[Stangman]

A beast for a 390 street car. Congrats