lonsal

I took 13 samples of my "e/t Improver Plates" with me to the track Saturday. The initial results are promising. The test plates were 1/8" thick. They mount on the driver’s side between the sway bar bushing and the frame. Adding these plates puts more load onto the right rear tire. The same thing could be done with weight jackers (if our cars had them like race cars do). An air bag in the right rear spring works similarly to keep more down force on the that tire, which wants to break loose when launching. I installed 2 plates (totaling 1/4" thickness) after my first run (which was a best to date). First run (9:45 AM): 60' 2.425, 330' 6.494, 1/8 9.935 @71.95 mph, 1000' 12.883, 1/4 15.385 @90.31. After (12:05 PM): 60' 2.394, 330' 6.461, 1/8 9.880 @72.18, 1000' 12.797, 1/4 15.276 @91.12. Then I installed another plate bringing the total thickness to 3/8", mixed results on that run: 60' 2.317, 330' 6.443, 1/8 9.878 @71.13, 1000' 12.832, 1/4 15.325 @89.57. (this was my 2nd run against Mike P). My next run I bogged at the line. For my 1st match against Mike I stalled after the tee went green, (first time I've ever done that). I installed two plates on a 87 IROC-Z w/stock suspension. Before: 60' 2.293 330' 6.185, 1/8 9.410 @77.13, 1000' 12.235 1/4 14.639 mph @94.35. After: 60' 2.215, 330 6.126, 1/8 9.346 @75.84, 1000' 12.160, 1/4 14.541 @94.88 mph. I also installed it on the 92 RS 383 TBI, but he didn't come back with results. Hopefully I'll see him again at the track to get the results. This was the first round of testing, more to follow. I think the production version will be made from aluminum and supplied in a 2-piece kit with a 1/8" & 1/4" plate. It will be easier to machine and lighter. Also the 2 pieces will give all the same possible thickness combinations as three 1/8" pieces, but easier to install 2 pieces than 3. These trial samples were made from scrap steel from my Steering Brace project. It was easier to jack up the front to do the install, but even so installation took 15-20 minutes. Some suspensions were tougher to install on because the owner had never changed their OEM sway bar bushings and they kind of stuck to the frame. Also some of the bolts were troublesome to remove, a little WD40 to the rescue. I'll be back at CA Speedway in 2 weeks for more testing. Lon (aka Top-Down Solutions).

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90 RS Convertible "cruiser"
88 Firebird Formula "racer"
88 Iroc-Z Resto-Project car "paperweight"

Owner: Top-Down Solutions

web site: www.Top-DownSolutions.com

rezinn

The second set of numbers are mine, same with the owner never changing the sway bar bushings(maybe next week? :p ) By the numbers you can tell that it did help a little, almost identical r/ts. I was pretty dissapointed by my times, as I could keep up with my brothers LS1 from 0-65 on the street a week earlier. I started getting a code 13 and a lot of blue smoke out of my tailpipes at the track, so I think Im losing some rings and that affected my times. I can't notice the smoke anymore, so Im not sure yet. I need to perform some compression tests to be sure. If Don can hook me up I'll be putting a 350 in to remedy the situation :) Can I get a discount on a new chip if I buy that engine, Kevin? :p Hopefully I'll also be looking for some 24# injectors, we'll see. It was great meeting you guys, hopefully I'll see more of you later.

Edit: Oh yeah, thanks Lon! That was a great idea! And I know r/t has nothing to do with times :p