Hey guys, I thought my car would do better than it did. I raced my cousin, he has a 95 Z28 camaro. It has 3.23 posi rear and the LT1 engine, in other words, STOCK. My 82 Z28 has the Ramjet 350 motor, TH350 TRANNY, shift kit, med stall, B&M shifter, Headers, 3" exhaust. When we launched, My car just was spinning the tire and it then gripped, the time I got to 3rd gear, he was 15 car lengths in front of me. This is really frustrating since engine to engine my car outperforms his. Im at 350hp with 380ft. Can posi rear with 3.23 gears make that much of a difference when racing? I know my stock gears in my 82 suck terribly, but I would of thought it would of at least gave him some what of a race. Do you think if i go to 3.42 posi I would take him? Would I notice that huge of a acceleration difference? What do you guys think, its very frustrating, if you have any questions let me know also.. thanks guys.

Nate

 

I would think with that motor you would at least at the worst be 14 flat. And 15 car lengths equals about 1.5 seconds quicker and I doubt the LT1 is running 12.5 . Gears would definately help you but I think you need to find out what is hurting your performance.

 

This is the thing, this motor has 2000miles on it, everything was professional done, shift kit, stall, tranny, engine, etc. This car has some amazing power, and does not hesitate at all, I just plane got wasted by my cousins. As far as performance, I dont think my car is slacking on that side, the only thing I can think of is traction and gear ratio. What gear ratio you recommend me going? Im in the process of trying to find a rear to put on my car.. I was thinking 3.73 or 3.42 posi. I will also get the traction bar and sub frame connectors for it too. Do you think I will take it when I do these? It just was unreal how much faster this car was, thanks for the reply, keep them coming !! I just think that it really isnt engine performance, just because my engine is running minto. Thanks

Nate

 

You should have had no trouble with that car if your car makes 350hp/380tq.


The engine you stated above should run a mid 12 with good traction. Around 109-111 trap speed.

While the LT1 turns high 13s-low 14s at around 99-100 trap speed.


But if it's only traction, do the posi as you said. And I'd probably stick with a 3.42 unless you just want to spin more then go with a 3.73


You sure he didn't have a large bottle of something in that car????

 

Spinning more with gears is a common misconseption you can actually hook up better with steeper gears (in my experance) if you know how to drive. I would say look at your drivetrain tranny and rear to find out were your loss is comming from. A posi would definately help you with your spinning problem.

 

Just nailing the throttle and spinning the tires is a great way to loose. I have timed my car and if I start to spin at the start I can easily loose 1 second.

Yes, you need to do mods to help in traction (posi, higher stall TC, suspension, better tires), but if you have enough power you STILL will just spin (not as bad) when you launch it.

With automatics, the trick is to load up the TC just to the stall point while also stepping on the brake. Then when you take off, remove your foot from the brake while easing into the throttle so you DON'T SPIN. Practice it enough times and you will eventually find the point where you can get into the throttle as quickly as possible without causing tire spin. That is when you get your quickest launches out of the hole.

This is the "better driver" component referred to in racing.

 

If your main goal is 1/4 mile time or street racing, then I'd go with 3:73s. Your motor has 350hp @5200 rpms. And with 3:73s your motor would still be in it's power band. But you say you have traction problems now, then you'll definately need to address that issue if you go w/ 3:73s.

 

Posi definitely. If you plan on running on the street as a daily driver with a 3 speed automatic I would go with 3.42 gears. But the posi will give you a MUCH better launch. Then you will need to learn to roll into full throttle instead of just stomping on it. You now have way to much hp to just stomp on it. What size tires are you running on that car?

 

work on weight transfer man.


And in general, I would imagine a ramjet 350 is probably about the same as a ZZ4 performance wise. High 13s normally.. low 13s under the best conditions.

 

something definetly isnt right...sounds like your not using half the power your making because ive raced a lt1 and he didnt get 15 car lengths on my lo3

 

Sounds like you need to keep the back end planted, have you thought about a after market tubular toque arm mounted to the frame? The stock ones have a lot of flex that allows the rear end to "climb" if you will. Just a suggestion from my understanding.

 

Hey Nate. I live in the same area as you. I was going to suggest that you go to A-One auto salvage on West 17th in Ogden to find a rearend for your car. They have probably close to a dozen thirdgens out there, and most of them had either a four or six cylinder in them, which means there should be one that has at least 3.42's in it. As I seen some of the other guys suggest, getting one of these rears, and then picking up a take off posi unit from SLP for $99 would be probably the cheapest route for getting a decent rearend in your car. I also just noticed an 84 L69 Z/28 in their yard last week. It might have a good rearend under it as well. They'll probably sell you an entire rearend for about $150. If you need someone to help you set up a carrier and gears, I can point you in the right direction. I know a local guy who's really good at doing them. Email me if you need a hand.

 

the clutches went out of my rear end like a week ago. and I wanted to see what difference a posi made in the 1/4 I was running about 97mph in the quarter before. the best I could get with my clutches bad was about 87. I couldn't put the throttle to the floor without spinning the whells until I was in third gear and high enought rpms that it wouldn't shift down. I also got beat by a grandprix 4d gtp the other night. I would have had him, but when I nailed it going 30mph even I had alot of wheel spin. so I would say that a posi would make a big difference, even since you have that motor too!

 

Get some sticky tires, lca's, and poly torque arm bushing. That is all I have done to the suspension. I also have 3.73's and an Auburn posi. This setup HOOKS hard. I am very pleased with this setup.

I have some of Spohn's lca relocation brackets but haven't put them on yet. I can't wait! Hope this helps.

 

Thanks guys, and thats Pat for the info in Ogden, I will check them out, its just frustrating, my car has the med stall, and my car has alot of power. I am currently running Cobra GT tires on it. 15x7 , nothing too fancy. I really think a posi rear, 3.42 or 3.73 with traction bars and subframe connectors will really help my acceleration.. my cousin has nothing but stuck on his Z28, no bottles or nothing. I know not to punch the gas, I play with the stall A little bit, and then get it going, my car starts out great, and then just starts smoking the tires down the street. I have as much power as I need to make a damn fast car, I just need to work on sticking to the ground, keep the replies coming, thanks guys your awesome!!! keep in touch pat, since you live local to me!! by the way pat, how old are you?

Nate

 

I learned something years ago. You can have 500 HP and if it doesn't get to the ground you got nothing. I would look at tires,maybe a little wieght in the back and above all practice driving. Years ago when I first went to the drag strip I had a 428 Mustang and ran 15 seconds. By the end of the summer and without alot of changes to the car I ran 13 seconds. Bottom line I learned how to drive the car. hang in there it will get better.

 

You are right, I mean I am not experienced in racing at all. My cousin in other hand has been racing Camaros, Chevelles, Mustangs, etc for as long as I can remember. He is definately a better driver, but I think I need to get traction and gears more than anything, and then I will have one fast third gen :-) What do you guys think of the SSM kit on Jegs? It has lift bars, traction bars, subframe connectors, etc in it. Any place to buy that stuff used., or is it just worth buying new? Also on my rear end, I think im going to go with 3.73 posi instead of 3.42, just because my car is not a daily driver, and I will be racing it 1/4 mile or less. Where in the heck would I find a 373 rear? I have been looking for a rear for about 9 months now, and still nothing.. Also, what do you guys recommend on springs? I have the stock springs, and I heard getting new ones will help, can you emphasize on this? BY the way PAT HALL, I called the place down in Ogden for a rear, and they were total jerks, they pretty much said we have a couple thirdgens, but were not going to take the time to see whats in them. They were not helpful at all, so sometime ill have to get down there and see, but in the mean time, anyone here know where a good 373 posi is?

Nate

 

I was told by many guys 3.73 is not out there even in the aftermarket place. There are alot of guys pulling 12's with 3.27 gears. That all bar room talk of coarse.

 

Get the slp-zexel unit [$99] and gears,342/373 can be found easily in S10 rearends. You can't even begin to get traction without these mods,then work from there,maybe caltracts or good traction bars made for your car not universal fit bars. Proper driving tech. is required,practice.

 

I have a 9-bolt, disc brake, 3:27 gear posi if your looking .

 

like i said, i have that 3.73 richmond, auburn pro, disc rear, with less than 2000 miles on it. It is just the shipping that has me baffled...... All be it i have to ask a little more for this one , having as much wrapped up in it as there is. Let me know. SHAGGY.

 

you need chasis work my friend. as stated before all the power in the world is no good untill you can get it to the ground. my 2nd gen went 12.4 after i put the 383 i built in it, spinning 13 in wide tires 3/4 of the way down the track. after i got it to hoook (and broke a lot of parts ) it went 10.2 @127 with only a little spinn off the line. you need a posi, a one legger just wont cut it. 3.42 would be my bet without overdrive. beef it up though or it wont last long when you start hooking up. LCA's and subframe connectors will help a LOT too (should be mandatory). just my .02

 

Thanks much again guys! Keep em coming.. I have heard 3.27 3.42 and 3.73 is the gears to get.. I definately need the traction, i was wondering... If i got a dang good driver that has raced for years with 3.42 posi rear, traction bars and subframe connectors, what do you think my car could do in the 1/4? Just for a rough estimate? Thansk guys.. what is the fastest third gen you guys has seen with a SBC? what did he have in it?

Nate

 

It's hard to say what a car will run. It depends on the overall condition of the car. I have seen third gen street cars run sub 10 sec. they are far from stock and have every worked. I good street car in my mind is 12-13 sec. stock third gens can run high 13's depending on temp and sea level. Most any that are in good shape will run high 14's low 15's Thats my take.

 

So we have pretty much all agreed that I need some traction bars, subframe connectors and a decent rear, 3.27, 3.42 or 3.73 right? then I will be able to take on my cousin and should win? I know I need some more racing experience, but still, do you think with me doing those changes I should without a problem overtake the car? I mean you guys know my mods now, and what is a guestimate that my car can do in the 1/4? What other suggestions you have for me to make my car faster? just suspension, rear and traction? and if you know of yourself or someone with a posi rear for a good price just email me. 3.27 3.42 or 3.73.. thanks again, keep em comin!

Nate