BlackbirdWS6's Blown 1997 Firebird TA WS6 Convertible 6spd - Page 8 - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

Blackbirdws6 · 03-18-2018, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Bishop

Those are sharp looking. What's diameter vs. the stockers?

Thanks! 2.3" larger than stock LT1, 1" larger than LS.

The_Bishop · 03-18-2018, 09:49 PM

That should definitely help with the 'Whoa' after the 'Go.'

Blackbirdws6 · 04-30-2018, 02:30 PM

Well just a quick (maybe) update on where I am with the car. I was able to make the Slipstream event at Pocono last weekend but I didn't have a good day.

On my intended last run, I went for a 3-4 shift and the car decided to shake itself sideways at about 100+. I thankfully recovered but noticed two things. 1) My trans doesn't seem to want to go into any gear and 2) my steering wheel is no longer straight.

I eventually was able to get the car into 6th and cruise off the track. At slower speeds, the car needed a nice throttle blip to slide into a gear and if I tried to put it into 2nd, it would pop out unless I held it there. Reverse is a two hand job. Thankfully I was able to get the car onto the trailer.

Later I thought about what could have happened to cause the issue. I was very confident I didn't miss a shift so the only thought (among other things wrong) is I have a bent shift fork. The trans probably locked itself up which caused the massive wheel hop. I'm sure at this point too the synchros are trashed as well.

As for the crooked steering wheel, that was caused by a bent rear lower control arm relocation bracket. That appears to be the only thing wrong with the rear suspension so that's not terrible. It's a good thing every component has been upgraded as I'd hate to think how much worse it could have been should something have completely let go.

So for now, I'm debating on what I want to do. The car will stay a manual but the upgrade to a stronger trans (T56 Magnum/Tranzilla) is a very expensive proposition. Rebuilding the trans seems like a waste of a couple grand to deal with this again in a couple years. Unfortunately going T56 magnum requires going to a new clutch, slave setup so the cost keeps climbing.

So while I understand this is a first world problem, the car is going to sit for a little bit until I'm confident in the next step.

At least she looked kinda pretty..... (thanks for the pic Mike)

wretched73 · 04-30-2018, 02:55 PM

Time to upgrade to a Lenco or a Jerico!

Jersey Mike · 04-30-2018, 03:14 PM

Should've let dad drive.

Blackbirdws6 · 04-30-2018, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wretched73

Time to upgrade to a Lenco or a Jerico!

Nope!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jersey Mike

Should've let dad drive my car.

Fixed that for you.

wretched73 · 04-30-2018, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackbirdws6

Nope!

But why not? Probably be cheaper, and I don't think those magnums are rated for the HP you're putting down anyway

DirtyBird · 04-30-2018, 04:55 PM

Tranzilla t56

sweetbmxrider · 04-30-2018, 05:39 PM

Wait, you did this with the top down? So awesome!

edpontiac91 · 04-30-2018, 06:31 PM

Glad you pulled through that experience. When you watch those STREET OUTLAWS on Velocity, once you start sliding, it's usually the guard rails that modify your ENTIRE CAR

. You might be coming to a point when you have to decide whether to have a VERY SHARP street car, or a VERY SAFE RACE CAR. I lost my FORMULA going around some tight corners and once it started sliding left and right, ONLY a guard rail finally made it stop. Your story sounds like fresh underwear

was needed after that trip. Plus, NO INSURANCE is going to cover what you lose at a RACE TRACK, so it may become a HUGE TOTAL LOSS.

Maybe going to an automatic trans might be a choice, but I think the way you walked away this incident, might make you look at just how LUCKY you were!

MDSheds_SS · 04-30-2018, 06:48 PM

Get one of those 27 speed transmissions from Harry’s speed shop. Put it on Dom’s tab and pay it off by working at his shop. We need to get you back out there racing.

Featherburner · 04-30-2018, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edpontiac91

Plus, NO INSURANCE is going to cover what you lose at a RACE TRACK, so it may become a HUGE TOTAL LOSS.

Not true. Track day insurance policies can be purchased.

LTb1ow · 04-30-2018, 08:08 PM

Built 80e with a GV OD behind it.

You would still have all the gears.

Blackbirdws6 · 04-30-2018, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtyBird

Tranzilla t56

Seems to be that or T56 magnum.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

Wait, you did this with the top down? So awesome!

I did the last run. I was trying to simulate my experience on 287

Quote:

Originally Posted by edpontiac91

Glad you pulled through that experience. When you watch those STREET OUTLAWS on Velocity, once you start sliding, it's usually the guard rails that modify your ENTIRE CAR

. You might be coming to a point when you have to decide whether to have a VERY SHARP street car, or a VERY SAFE RACE CAR. I lost my FORMULA going around some tight corners and once it started sliding left and right, ONLY a guard rail finally made it stop. Your story sounds like fresh underwear

was needed after that trip. Plus, NO INSURANCE is going to cover what you lose at a RACE TRACK, so it may become a HUGE TOTAL LOSS.

Maybe going to an automatic trans might be a choice, but I think the way you walked away this incident, might make you look at just how LUCKY you were!

The car makes enough power that anything can happen whether it be an auto or manual. As mentioned, track day insurance can be purchased or in some cases, the car just happened to hit a really big white painted deer. They just come out of nowhere....

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDSheds_SS

Get one of those 27 speed transmissions from Harry’s speed shop. Put it on Dom’s tab and pay it off by working at his shop. We need to get you back out there racing.

I hear Hector is going to be running spoon engines too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LTb1ow

Built 80e with a GV OD behind it.

You would still have all the gears.

Nah, I hear those things don't like a good trans brake launch.

ThoR294 · 05-01-2018, 06:29 AM

damn.

maybe try to source a used transzilla/magnum t56 to lower the costs?

Blackbirdws6 · 05-01-2018, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wretched73

But why not? Probably be cheaper, and I don't think those magnums are rated for the HP you're putting down anyway

The cheapest route that would work is a faceplated, refreshed T56 however, I am not interested in a clunky albeit functional transmission. This car is a street car and plays race car only a couple times a year. Sacrificing driveability for cheaper durability is just not worth it to me.

There are companies that further fortify the T56 magnum to supposedly handle 900-1200rwhp so that would work plus give me some room.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThoR294

damn.

maybe try to source a used transzilla/magnum t56 to lower the costs?

The reduced cost would be marginal and I'd prefer the piece of mind of a new unit. This is not a question of if I want to spend the money but when.

IROCZman15 · 05-01-2018, 07:59 AM

wow! that sounds like it could have been way worse. glad you were able to get it on hte trailer and home at least. I agree, you should keep that car with a manual trans. T56 magnum would be the route to go, but as you mentioned it will be expensive $$$

The_Bishop · 05-02-2018, 09:24 AM

Maybe give Bob Hanlon a call? He's in PA and might have some ideas.

Blackbirdws6 · 05-02-2018, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IROCZman15

wow! that sounds like it could have been way worse. glad you were able to get it on hte trailer and home at least. I agree, you should keep that car with a manual trans. T56 magnum would be the route to go, but as you mentioned it will be expensive $$$

The situation sounds more scary than it actually was at the time. Thinking back, I guess it could have gone much worse. I give credit to my prior "hooning" years to catch the sideways shennanigans.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Bishop

Maybe give Bob Hanlon a call? He's in PA and might have some ideas.

I sent him an email to see what his thoughts were. Not in a rush for an answer but I'm pinging a few companies for their recommendation.

TaKid455 · 05-02-2018, 05:07 PM

Brian

PM me/ call, I can setup with a T56 that will end all your issues.

Blackbirdws6 · 05-03-2018, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaKid455

Brian

PM me/ call, I can setup with a T56 that will end all your issues.

PM sent.

Blackbirdws6 · 05-17-2018, 08:09 AM

So it looks like a Tranzilla may be in my future. The idea is going with a LS-style version with a new bellhousing/clutch/slave so if an epic partout occurs or my LTx days are over, there will be a future for the driveline.

LS1ow · 05-17-2018, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackbirdws6

epic partout occurs or my LTx days are over, there will be a future for the driveline.

bruh.

Blackbirdws6 · 05-17-2018, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LS1ow

bruh.

Not being dramatic. If something happens to the car and it doesn't make sense to rebuild, better to have a LS based parts for resale vs LT. If my engine gives up the ghost big time and minimal is salvageable, it only makes sense to go LS.

WildBillyT · 05-17-2018, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackbirdws6

Not being dramatic. If something happens to the car and it doesn't make sense to rebuild, better to have a LS based parts for resale vs LT. If my engine gives up the ghost big time and minimal is salvageable, it only makes sense to go LS.

Might run in to some parts scarcity things as well (over time).