Impossible to achieve high 1.20s sixties

My point is that if an engine makes some tq, you can use it. If you have to shift 1st gear in 30 ft there isn't much you can adjust, because it happens way to fast. The clutch mostlikely doesn't matter in something like that.
I should have stayed out of this to be honest. There is as much point me commenting, as what he is trying to do with that car. I have enough problems with my own program, without trying to solve another.
Keep pulling gears and try to keep it out of the ditch.

[Rory McNeil]

It seems you have quite a bit more power than my 3100 lb Ford FE powered Fairmont, but its not working as well. My Fairmont weighs 3100 with me in it, and also has ladder bars, albeit with Art Morrisons budget coil springs setup, which uses normal Gabrial Strider 3 position shocks. My car normally runs low 10s at 132mph (best of 9.972), but it has gone a few 1.29 60 foots, normally in the low 1.3s. My best 1/8th mile numbers are a 6.291@ 107.65 Since my Ford 427/428s are not high revvers, I only use 4.56-4.88 gears, but I do have a 3.19 low gear in the Jerico. I also have a McLeod Soft Lok clutch. So it seems like you are certainly leaving some on the table, either in the clutch, chassis, or driving. Your car is not much ighter, and you go much quicker and faster, so I agree, your 60 ft times should be better too.What kind of RPM are you leaving at? I normally dump the clutch at around 6000-6200 RPM, and shift at the same.

[Jeff Lee]

I'm with Todd, there's typically not much gained in these discussions. I just wanted to point out the possibility of gaining something by adjusting the driving method. The clutch & shock adjustments should follow next.
I'm betting there is more reductions in 60' times without having to go through the expense of a 4-link.
And 330' times are more relevant with a stick car.

[Brad Zaskowski]

After watching the two videos I am sure your biggest gain in 60' would be to get the car to stop rolling after you are staged, the car probably rolled a good 6" after your were staged before the actual launch. I see that as a major consistency issue the way the car never stops rolling after you are staged. The shallower you stage the quicker your 60' time will be to and your reaction time will be slower also. Just ask the great Chuck Downing about how much staging slow and shallow has changed his reaction times this year.
Try a little more air gap and staging with some brake pressure using the line lock.

[joespanova]

I like the feedback and how some of you dont pull any punches ( LOL ).
Well , the "creeping" of the car thru air gap or ? is an anomaly......that in itself is unusual and about to be corrected.
If the car sits in the water during the burn out it just doesn't work as well........hasn't in the past anyway , and thats why that "tradition" has carried over to this day........perhaps I can re- think that.
As I have stated previously , as I have had this car for a long time,MOST of the suggestions have been tried in the past...... HOWEVER , the results are the same. I will be freshening the clutch ........at that point I will have a new disc and fresh heat shield. If taking out base and adding c'weight is the answer ..so be it. The suggestion to use a taller first gear ( or is it lower, LOL ) is a consideration ( a 2.xx )........
I am still listening.............and thanks for the suggestions.

BTW , that video was added to answer Bigleys question.....not to be evaluated in the presumption that thats typical of the cars behavior.

[Jeff Lee]

Originally Posted by joespanova

I like the feedback and how some of you dont pull any punches ( LOL ).
Well , the "creeping" of the car thru air gap or ? is an anomaly......that in itself is unusual and about to be corrected.
If the car sits in the water during the burn out it just doesn't work as well........hasn't in the past anyway , and thats why that "tradition" has carried over to this day........perhaps I can re- think that.
As I have stated previously , as I have had this car for a long time,MOST of the suggestions have been tried in the past...... HOWEVER , the results are the same. I will be freshening the clutch ........at that point I will have a new disc and fresh heat shield. If taking out base and adding c'weight is the answer ..so be it. The suggestion to use a taller first gear ( or is it lower, LOL ) is a consideration ( a 2.xx )........
I am still listening.............and thanks for the suggestions.

BTW , that video was added to answer Bigleys question.....not to be evaluated in the presumption that thats typical of the cars behavior.

Nobody said anything about doing a burnout IN the water.
What's the pinion angle and whatever that # is, are you 110% sure you have measured it correctly?

[joespanova]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lee

Nobody said anything about doing a burnout IN the water.
What's the pinion angle and whatever that # is, are you 110% sure you have measured it correctly?

So , whats your suggestion on pinion angle?
BTW , what are the best 60's from the AMX? For comparison.....do tell.......

[Jeff Lee]

Originally Posted by joespanova

So , whats your suggestion on pinion angle?
BTW , what are the best 60's from the AMX? For comparison.....do tell.......

There is no comparison as my car has a Cal-Track (bars & springs) set-up with AFCO shocks and 9" wide slicks. But with a 634 HP SS engine it had consistent 1.38 60' times, best ET was 10.02 @ 133 in SS/H @ 3160 minimum. Pinion angle was 5*. And then we found out what was wrong with the chassis and it's been parked since.

I have run ladder bar cars with coil-over shocks and 11.5 wide slicks and would suggest a minimum of 5* to 6* pinion angle. Yes I know, that's 1* to 2* more than most would say. But I've never had a car with traction problems.
But that means I've never had enough HP...

There's a video of my car on YouTube. Rob Youngblood saw it and noticed I had too much line-lock pressure as I was having to force the car to the final stage light. I was running 250#'s. He suggested 100-150#'s as bumping it in like I was tears up the clutch. I took his suggestion and it worked a lot better.
There's a lot of good advice here and just like building a S/SS engine and car, all those little things do ad up. It's the guy's that poo-poo little ideas that never really have a lot to show in the end. And wonder why the guy in the other lane is so much faster.