1979 Malibu

[TireSmoker]

Well, for the 2nd time in 8 days, I loaded Maliboost up on a u-haul autotransporter, this time headed for Dragway 42 to make my first passes! Not gonna lie, I was kinda nervous about what could/might go wrong. Once I get there I find out I have to go through tech inspection. Oh man, and there's a ton of cars in line.. im having Chumpcar visions and wondering if I'm gonna pass, what their gonna say about stuff like my zip-tied radiator, the overflow bottle was shady, etc. But I was advised to "go in the right lane, she's not looking at anything." In fact, her only question was if I had a preferred number. Tech passed.

The short version of today is that it was a LONG day to only make two passes. There was a crash, which I happened to see where a full-race car ended up in the wall, flipped, and slid on his roof to about the finish line. That took about an hour to clean up. Once they get going again, literally about 3 cars later, a guy blew coolant all over the track. That was another long clean up. For as little track action as I watched today, I happened to see both incidents.


The time slips:

The drivers side header did come loose after the first pass. I'll bet being on a 2-step will rattle things pretty good, including the several launches I did in the driveway. I got it tightened up in the staging lanes before my 2nd pass. I definitely am hearing some sort of noise on launch. It sounds like a knocking/binding. And I hear it once more on the shift. Nothing catstrophic, but you can hear it on the GoPro. I'll get it posted soon.

But I'm just relieved everything is basically working as it should with no major issues. Great way to go into the off season.

-Dave

[TireSmoker]

[TireSmoker]

Attaching the tune file and datalogs.

[MostMint]

Spectator view:

https://youtu.be/zKOPbhHPceU

[TireSmoker]

Pic from the Dragway 42 facebook page.

[TireSmoker]

It's finally happening!! Tomorrow after work, I'm taking the car out to McBride Racing Technologies for my turbo install! Malibuna (good one, Paul) will undergo the final transformation into MalibOOst!

I guess I never posted much about the trials and tribulations of finding a place to actually do it. I'm not here to knock anyone, but let's just say this is the 4th guy I've talked to, seriously, about doing this. One crazy high, but legitimate, estimate from a shop on the west side, and two others that just left me hanging. Paul sent me a facebook link for McBride Racing Technology.

Steve Sr has raced out at Thompson probably as long as any of us, although I didnt know him. I called their number and left them a message, I got called back the next day, and they were at my house looking at the car a few days after that. Him and his son, Steve Jr, are trying to get their race car business going. He had told me after Memorial Day, and to his word, he called me tonight. As we were finalizing the day to bring it out, I said "How about Thursday, I need to rent a trailer, so that gives me a day to get it rounded up." He replies, "Why don't you just come get my open trailer?"

It's Perfect Weather, so Gwen, the dogs, and I headed out with the Tiresmoke TurboTruck to bring it home. Saved a $75 trailer rental AND gets me there a day earlier.

Two little turbos pulling a bigger one.

[Basement Paul]

That was super cool of him to offer his trailer.

-BP

[TireSmoker]

The car has been delivered. He thinks he will be done with it in 2 weeks.

[TireSmoker]

A few progress pics from Steve today!

[Basement Paul]

It will be interesting to see how it turns out. It's good to see progress for sure. Should be exciting!

-BP

[TireSmoker]

Steve Jr was at the track last night and said I might be able to pick the car up next week! Woohoo!

[TireSmoker]

A few more pics.. looks like it is getting very close to done!

[VeeDub]

Very Cool

[TireSmoker]

Steve Jr. sent me a video last night of the car running as they moved it over to their lift! The last step is the rear gear swap, 4.10 --> 3.55. I believe I'll be picking it up this week!!

[TireSmoker]

Woohoo, it's back home! I picked it up on Thursday evening, was gone all day Friday, and started continuing with work on Saturday. I had to replace a few headers bolts that must've backed at at Dragway 42. I moved the Fan Relay, it was too close to the turbo. I'm waiting for a few more parts to finish plumbing the wastegates.

I made up a 'baseline' turbo tune and asked the guys at msextra.com to take a look for me.