1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build

[Larry Hill]

I’m not sure I will measure and get back to you. They fit the metric trans.

[Lyn Smith]

Took the 55 to the Indy Fall Classic and it is running a little better with a string of consistent 13.65s at nearly 97 mph runs in testing and qualifying. The air was not that great, and an ever changing wind direction (head wind on sunday) was a pain. I really had to steer the silver brick when I passed the grandstands with the cross wind on friday. LOL. With the installation of a play back tach I can really see the lack of convertor flash stall in first gear. It jumps up to around 4800, then continues a seemingly slow rise to my 7200 shift point. I'm going to send the convertor back to ATI to see if they can get that initial stall to around 5400. On the dyno sheets the difference in horsepower between 4800 and 5400 is over 30 horsepower so a looser unit has got to help.This weekend I hope to try one of the 8 inch convertors Larry Hill has loaned me. I didn't last long in eliminations as I lifted a little to early against Robin Lawence's number 1 qualifying Mustang and gave him a early Christmas gift. Oh well there is always next year. More info next week if I get to test one of Larry's units behind the metric 200.

[Lyn Smith]

Well had the 55 back up on jack stands the week after the Fall Classic and installed one of Larry Hill's 8 inch convertors he was so very kind to loan me. I was pleasantly surprised on the first run as the car picked up over a tenth in the 60, and 2 tenth in the 1/4 over the Indy runs the week before as it ran a 13.44 at 98 mph on the 13.80 index.. Some of this had to be related to the better weather conditions and a nice little 10mph hour tail wind but as the playback tach showed it was the first convertor out of 5 units tried that flashed upwards of 5000 on the launch. After 4 runs or so trying a few different things with no gain I decided to take out the 200 lbs of ballast I carry to make the Q/SA weight to try to hit the magic 100 mph barrier. Got close in the next few runs with a runs of 13.22 at 99.57 mph but no cigar. LOL Earlier in the week I had a nice conversation with Charlie at ATI and he said he would attempt to loosen up my convertor so it has been sent back to them. One of the local tracks has some test and tunes listed in the first few weeks of November so i will try to make one of those to close out the season. I feel that if I can get the flash stall up to around 5400 it will help the car.

[MAURICE BLENDHEIM]

Lyn… I'm Very Interested in the results from your Convertor Thrash. Are you still running a 5.57 rear end ratio with a 2.75 first Turbo 350? Also do you still have the 1 5/8" Headers on the car? Did Charlie (ATI) mention anything about 7" convertors at all? MB

[Lyn Smith]

Originally Posted by MAURICE BLENDHEIM

Lyn… I'm Very Interested in the results from your Convertor Thrash. Are you still running a 5.57 rear end ratio with a 2.75 first Turbo 350? Also do you still have the 1 5/8" Headers on the car? Did Charlie (ATI) mention anything about 7" convertors at all? MB

Yes 5.57 rear gear, metric with 2.74 and the small fender well headers. Been told by a couple convertor people they do not think a 7 inch in the small engine stocker is worth messing with. A SS car yes.A stocker no.

[Paul Wong]

We tried a 7" converter in the 231 firebirds more than once and it just did not have the power to make it flash like it needs to. There may be something there but it will take a lot of adjustments for something with this little power.

[mtkawboy]

Got a question for you. What do you do about the piston to valve clearance with pistons that have no valve reliefs or are they allowed now? Just curious, no race car anymore, no plans for one, too old. If yould rather no answer Im ok with that too