Power Tour lessons learned

[Blaster11]

For us guys who went on Power Tour this year what lessons did you learn while they are still fresh? Things like amount of cash needed, tools, hotels, really anything good or bad that would help us to plan for next year.

Thanks,

Bruce

[69Nova]

You need a passanger. Its hard trying to drive 80mph and use a camera. Plus you probly will want to take it easy and let that person drive at some point.

[toxicz28]

Bring a bigger car! Me, the wife, two kids, luggage, souveniers, plus cameras, toys, a stroller, and all the free swag does not make riding in an '02 Camaro SS very comfortable!

[Neil B]

I learned that you can go the distance in a car that most people think is unstreetable. I drove over 1,700 miles with a full manual valve body TH350, drag radials, skinnies up front, no sway bars, no air/HVAC, 4" flowmaster, and 2.5" of ground clearance. It drove like a dream, even on the curvy Blue Ridge Parkway, and ran 11's at E-town.

I used only basic hand tools on the tour - a screwdriver, a few small sockets, and a timing light.

The GM Performance trailer has misc. items for quick fixes such as nuts/bolts/clamps, rubber hose, jacks, stands, etc.

I spent $300 cash (does not include gas or hotels).

Directions from the venue to your hotel are very important.

Sunblock and bottled water are your best friends.

Leaving each morning from my hotel to start the tour worked best for me, I did not go back to the venue.

You WILL get caught in traffic so make sure your cooling system is top notch.

[Matt@RFR]

4" exhaust and 11's?? Most cars I know of running four inch exhaust are in the bottom 9's to mid 8's. What's the deal?

[Neil B]

4" exhaust and 11's?? Most cars I know of running four inch exhaust are in the bottom 9's to mid 8's. What's the deal?

Single 4" exhaust. It's a 3rd Gen Camaro. It went 11.91 at 115 normally aspirated with a lackluster 1.73 60'. I did not use the bottle.

[Mike Holleman]

This was my fifth long haul, but my first without a co driver. This years tour was the shortest for me at slightly under 3,000 miles. The 02 tour was over 5,000 miles for me. A co driver is good for the body and mind.
Mike Holleman

[Blaster11]

Did you guys run solo, meaning lone car or did you have friends with other cars or did you meet people to drive with?

Bruce

[Bob Johnson]

This was my fifth long haul, but my first without a co driver. This years tour was the shortest for me at slightly under 3,000 miles. The 02 tour was over 5,000 miles for me. A co driver is good for the body and mind.
Mike Holleman
I must be missing something..I ran the long haul in 2003 with The Battle Axe 69 Camaro..that was enough for me..I made 3 stops in the Cuda this time..I enjoy the association with friends, but the hustle and bustle is more than I can enjoy. It's like work to me. I did it this year just to show everyone that the Cuda will drive and not have problems. Mission accomplished..

[dhardison]

This was my 2nd Power Tour, but my first long haul (3517 miles total). I've found that it can be hectic, but only if you make it that way. Freiburger said the three most important words at the Kissimmee morning meeting, "it's a vacation".


Have a co-driver
Take it easy - No need to kill yourself to get to the next venue - There are more cars than you can see in one afternoon anyway and the same vendors are at each stop
See a few sites along the way
Follow the pre-planned route ONLY if you want to
In the mornings don't leave with the other 500 cars from the venue, get up, have a nice sit-down breakfast and leave from your hotel
Take time to sit out in the hotel parking lots in the evenings - Talk with as many folks as you can, most everyone has a story - If you don't believe it, just ask them about their car

[Mike Holleman]

Dan, We must have missed running into each other at every venue. I saw your car at several stops, but never face to face.
Blaster, I have a crew that generally travels together. And my son has done the last three with me. This year I drove it solo but a good friend and I hooked up. He in his 63 Nova SS conv. and me in my 64 Tempest Conv.
Yes Bob it is a lot like work, but damn don't I love driving the hell out of my car. The PT is just an excuse to drive an old car for more miles than one is likely to do at any other time for any other reason. To me driving em is what this hobby is all about.

[PeteRR]

Turn up the stereo and ignore all of the little noises that sound like catastrophe in the making. As long as you have good oil pressure and the coolant temps stay nominal you're good to go.

Traveling with a group makes everything easier.

Find out where the good strip clubs are before the Tour. It was really hit and miss for us at each stop.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Sorry we missed ya Dan. Saw your car a few nights in the parking lot, but did not see you.

Toxic, your kids were the best, you should be proud.

[toxicz28]

Toxic, your kids were the best, you should be proud.
Thanks Frank! I appreciate that. Once I get the pics toned down, I'll post some of Bill feeding the baby lemons. :rotfl:

edit: check the pics section, they're there.

Steve, I got another lesson you learned: Don't forget to turn off the air conditioning when they're calling for rain.

[Steve Chryssos]

Did you guys run solo, meaning lone car or did you have friends with other cars or did you meet people to drive with?
Bruce

Driving in a group is a big plus. Try to coordinate hotels, routes, and start times. It helps if your group includes the G-Force Cuda, Fuel, the Billy Goat, a trick AMX and a selection of nice late model cars.

Try to map out some hot rod shops along the way in case you need access to some real tools. Just in case, I had access to Prodigy Customs in FL, DSE in NC and G-Force in PA.

Another thought: Drive your car as much as possible before Power Tour. Don't "finish" it the night before. My car is almost five years old, but I made a number of changes prior to Power Tour. I drove it for 6 weeks before leaving and then drove 1220 miles from NY to Orlando. So I had the chance to really sort the car before Power Tour. 300 miles from Orlando, I lost an axle bearing, barbecued the CD player, and the wiper motor failed. I was able to replace the axle bearing and CD player at Prodigy before leaving for Power Tour. RainX took care of the wipers.

During Power Tour, I continuously "Nut & Bolted" my car to avoid problems. Turns out the pumpkin hardware on my new 9" Ford rear had worked loose. I tightened the nuts in the parking lot of a hotel. Likewise, I tightened the oil pan bolts while checking the car at G-Force Design in PA. Check for telltale signs (i.e. leaks) at the beginning of each day and at fuel stops. Use a flashlight--even during daylight.

I had just enough little issues to make Power Tour interesting and challenging without ruining the trip. 2720 miles later, I feel that I can now hop in my car and drive it anywhere, anytime. Anybody can Power Tour a 2006 Mustang or Magnum wagon. I would rather have a few gremlins to chase.

In the end, I think that is a big part of what Power Tour is about--making your car the best it can be.

[Charley Lillard]

I was in the middle of nowhere at a gas station and who pulls up next to me for gas ???? Neil... Pretty cool meeting people for the first time in the middle of nowhere. I watched him at Englishtown also.

[Steve Chryssos]

Steve, I got another lesson you learned: Don't forget to turn off the air conditioning when they're calling for rain.

You mean this? Here it is in the ON position: (OFF is covered with duct tape.)

[toxicz28]

You mean this? Here it is in the ON position: (OFF is covered with duct tape.)
Exactly! :smoke:

[dhardison]

Dan, We must have missed running into each other at every venue. I saw your car at several stops, but never face to face.
Same here Mike, I saw your sweet ride many times. Sorry we didn't meet up.

Dan

[dhardison]

Sorry we missed ya Dan. Saw your car a few nights in the parking lot, but did not see you.
I kept looking for Prodigy and Jangarag's bird, but then a few days in to the Tour heard you guys ran out of time. Sorry to I didn't get to meet you and Lisa.

Dan

[Steve Chryssos]

Dan,
Your Nova is one sweet ride.:twothumbs

[Neil B]

I was in the middle of nowhere at a gas station and who pulls up next to me for gas ???? Neil... Pretty cool meeting people for the first time in the middle of nowhere. I watched him at Englishtown also.

It was great meeting you too Charley. I also enjoyed meeting Jeff S and Frank at SGMP and quickly meeting Steve at Englishtown.

[Steve Chryssos]

Nice meeting you as well. You brought your IROC? Let's see some pictures.

[Neil B]

Nice meeting you as well. You brought your IROC? Let's see some pictures.

I took this one on the Tour for some dragstrip fun at the stops....

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif


This one stayed at home but is probably of more interest to folks here....

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[dhardison]

Dan,
Your Nova is one sweet ride.:twothumbs Thanks Steve, I drooled on your Camaro more than once on the Tour. It's hard core!

[Steve Chryssos]

Very hot cars. I saw the 3rd gen in Roanoke. I was sure that it was a car that a friend built here on Long Island. I was hoping that was your car so that I could ask if you bought it from my homie. Build it or buy it?

And your words ring true. all of the internet nitpicking about what does and does not work goes out the window once your ride has completed Power Tour.

[Neil B]

Very hot cars. I saw the 3rd gen in Roanoke. I was sure that it was a car that a friend built here on Long Island. I was hoping that was your car so that I could ask if you bought it from my homie. Build it or buy it?

And your words ring true. all of the internet nitpicking about what does and does not work goes out the window once your ride has completed Power Tour.

I purchased the 3rd Gen last year from a guy in the Tampa, FL area. I believe the car was originally built in the early 90's by a guy who lived in Ohio (secondhand info). I have only done some minor engine/exhaust/driveline work and some TLC. I'm going to try for 10's with a small nitrous kit this summer and then I have a 13.5:1 solid roller 372ci motor for this car.

Steve, your car is one of my all-time favorites. It's the perfect blend of road race/street car.

[MarkM66]

I drove it for 6 weeks before leaving and then drove 1220 miles from NY to Orlando.

Damn that's some miles. Lots of these too I bet, :smoke: . lol

[Steve Chryssos]

Oh yeah. Most nerve-racking was the first 75 miles. Crossing thru Brooklyn is an absolute nightmare. Might as well be driving on the surface of the moon. I pulled off in NJ and softened up my shocks. After that, it was all downhill.

[Steve Chryssos]

.....Steve, your car is one of my all-time favorites. It's the perfect blend of road race/street car.

Thanks. That car's never been to a show. I was blown away by the positive response on Power Tour. Who knew?

[syborg tt]

here is what i've learned.

1. Make sure your AC work
2. Make sure you Radio Works
3. Convertable's may be cool but they are not fun on the Power Tour
4. Duct Tape can really be your Friend
5. Compact Floor Jack is really nice.
6. Order back up Ignition stuff from Summit just in case.
7. Check your nuts and bolts
8. Spare tires are really important when you parked on the Side of the Road.
9. Mapquest from Hotel to Venue
10. If you are not sure you are going to make the entire tour reserve your hotel rooms on your credit card instead of thru the event cordinator.
11. Be open to anything as stuff really happens quick.
12. It's only a scratch and a new Paint Chip.
13. When doing the Tour in a Pick Up it's really hard to Sleep
14. Pick Ups are great for carrying all of your stuff and new Swag
15. Take a few Extra Batteries for your Digital Camera.
16. Take soft side luggage (large gym bag) instead of hard luggage it's doesn't dent when you bump your car (it may scratch)
17. Don't think buying a case of Water is a great idea if you plan to leave it in your car without a cooler in 100 degree weather.
18. Cell Phones are your best Friend
19. Get important numbers for your cell phone.
20. Don't worry it's insured

I have more but i should stop now.

[76Stingray]

It was nice meeting everyone on the tour. It was my first and I was riding in a 02 Camaro SS. We made 3872 miles start to finish and had a blast despite the issues we were fighting on the trip.

1. Being a co-pilot is BORING.....
2. Make sure to have camera batteries and a large memory card when you’re a co-pilot
3. Who said driving a new model is easy...we worked on this thing every day
4. It makes the cruise much better if your running with allot of bad ars cars.
5. When your riding you sure can dream up allot of stuff to do to your cars sitting at home
6. Your everyday ride height and your power tour ride height are totally different....adjust BEFORE leaving at 3 am and having to turn around and go back home.
7. Rims bend when they hit curbs and it’s very hard to find a shop you trust to fix them.
8. Mich. tires and their new bead lock technology rocks..not 1 lb lost after 2000+ miles on severely bent rims.
9. Function before bling. That shiny broke stuff will not get you home.
10. I would suggest more than 290 break in miles on a car with everything new except the body before you leave for the tour.
11. Garmin Streetmate really makes finding places easier..I just need an address.
12. Garmin streetmate has a problem differentiating between XXXXX road and XXXXX lane. Ended up in someones driveway instead of hotel one night.
13. No doze and energy drinks on the 24 hour ride home make your skin crawl.
14. A broken shock(top mount snapped) after a curb incident will still make it home..but you have to be careful taking it off.
15. and last but not least. The people you meet will go out of their way to help you..even if you are driving some new fangled crap instead of classic. The people on the tour are second to none.

[Steve Chryssos]

You guys definitely get the perseverence award. You rock. New fangled or not, that 4th gen is bad ass!! Post a picture of the pulley.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Oh yeah. Most nerve-racking was the first 75 miles. Crossing thru Brooklyn is an absolute nightmare. Might as well be driving on the surface of the moon. I pulled off in NJ and softened up my shocks. After that, it was all downhill.

One of the best analogies I've ever heard, lmao. Did you take the Belt or BQE?

[Bill Howell]

1. Mount a camcorder mount on the car somewhere and never turn it off.

2.No car has a big enough trunk.
3.Jack Jack loves lemons.
4.Jenn loves to talk.
5.If you hit a bump hard enough in N.J. you will lose your P/S cap.
6.Be sure A/C is working right before you leave on the tour.
7.Check fuses very closely if the car will not start.
8.Damn, it is hot in Florida this time of year. Wear shorts next time.
9.Damn, it is cold in NYC at 7am this time of year.Wear long pants next time.
10.Take a notebook next time to keep up with all the forum members you meet so you will remember their real names, not screen names.

[Steve68]

Steevo, remember insulation,! even if it's just for your foot area, and damn the souths hot!! It was good meeting all of you, had fun with Kevin and Frank trying to assemble the Bird, Talking to Steevo over the subject of how hot your feet can get with no insulation, wish I could have gone farther but at least I got to go this time!!!!

[Steve Chryssos]

Thank you so much for the insulation and NASA goo. We plugged up all the holes in the firewall and put as much insulation down as possible without pulling the seats. It made a huge difference. I'll finish the job over the weekend.

Unfortunately, the insulation prevented me from hitting WFO o the dragstrip. Gotta re-adjust my linkage. Only ran a 13.68@104 at E-Town. Left at idle and spun the tires anyway.

[Steve Chryssos]

One of the best analogies I've ever heard, lmao. Did you take the Belt or BQE?

Took the Belt Parkway. By far the most nerve-racking part of the entire trip--twice! Next time I'll go thru the city, dodge some potholes but only drive 35 mph.

Picture the nastiest, too-tall speed bump in your town and then drive over it at 60 mph in a lowered car full of fuel and luggage. That's what the Brooklyn section of the Belt Parkway is like--over and over and over.......BANG!! SCRAPE!! GRIND!!

[Steve68]

Yea, but it kept your feet cool, well cooler, I can't say it was 100% better , what you got left of the roll pass along to you friends that need it, if you need more, I'm just a PM away..........

[76Stingray]

You guys definitely get the perseverence award. You rock. New fangled or not, that 4th gen is bad ass!! Post a picture of the pulley.

It was a very interesting trip I will say that. But even with all the issues we both can't wait untill the next one. I plan on being in on of my cars this time though. Here is a picture of the broke pulley http://95formula.ls2.com/PowerTour2006/BrokePulley.jpg

Which lead to this

http://95formula.ls2.com/PowerTour2006/TowRide.jpg

YOu can see in the pic that all the pulley "spokes" broke..allowed it to wobble and cut into the PS. Oh well..we ran a shot belt and made it to Jasons shop where he had everthing we needed to get it back on the road.

[Charley Lillard]

Who's pulley was that ?

[Steve Chryssos]

Gary from Louisiana. Bad ass red SLP 4th gen with painted Torq Thrust II's and big hood scoop. That pulley design is downright flimsy.

[130fe]

Steve, I took a video of your run at E-town. Let me know if you want me to send it to you. I also have one of the green 69 camaro with z06 wheels (didn't meet them) and the "sleeper" green 69 nova that did the 10.01 run on Friday. If anyone would host them for me I will send them.

[76Stingray]

Who's pulley was that ?

that would be a Synister Motorsports Billet Power Steering Pulley and was on a 02 SS. It was put on right before the trip and made it about 1800 miles I guess.

[Steve68]

Gary, how did you bend the wheels?? they look bad in the pics,

Thais is Steve from Franks friday night and most of Saturday

[76Stingray]

This is Tim..I'm the guy that was riding with Gary. But we bent the rims on a curb on the way to Hooters somewhere in Georga on day 3..or night 3. They were bad and what you can see there has actually been bent back in some. We too a rubber mallet to em to get the bend back over the beat of the tire alittle. They did hold air for the rest of the trip

[Damn True]

Took the Belt Parkway. By far the most nerve-racking part of the entire trip--twice! Next time I'll go thru the city, dodge some potholes but only drive 35 mph.

Picture the nastiest, too-tall speed bump in your town and then drive over it at 60 mph in a lowered car full of fuel and luggage. That's what the Brooklyn section of the Belt Parkway is like--over and over and over.......BANG!! SCRAPE!! GRIND!!

Yer givin me the willies Steve-o.

I used to live in Sheepshead bay and had to take the stretch between there and Flatbush (only 2 exits) every morning to get to the Coast Guard Airstation (since closed, but the NYPD is still there) at Floyd Bennett Field. The Belt Parkway is the closest thing to a minefield this side of Cambodia.

[Steve Chryssos]

Steve, I took a video of your run at E-town. Let me know if you want me to send it to you. I also have one of the green 69 camaro with z06 wheels (didn't meet them) and the "sleeper" green 69 nova that did the 10.01 run on Friday. If anyone would host them for me I will send them.

Cool. Yeah Please send me the vid. Email me a phone number and we can talk about file transfer if it's too big to send. I want to piece it into a competition vid I'm putting together.

[Steve Chryssos]

.....The Belt Parkway is the closest thing to a minefield this side of Cambodia.


Yup. At least I had a chase vehicle for the ride home. I put all my luggage, supplies and even my co-pilot in the chase car (my wife met us in Harrisburg), then did the belt with a half tank. As soon as I hit the Long Island border, I let er rip to blow off some steam. Waved back at the chase car and said see ya! I was pissed. The conditions are downright negligent.

[vanzuuk1]

Any more photos of that green camaro?, it looked nice.

[Steve68]

Tim, that blows well aleast they held air,

[Bob Johnson]

This is Tim..I'm the guy that was riding with Gary. But we bent the rims on a curb on the way to Hooters somewhere in Georga on day 3..or night 3. They were bad and what you can see there has actually been bent back in some. We too a rubber mallet to em to get the bend back over the beat of the tire alittle. They did hold air for the rest of the trip
been there and done that..they just hobble some after that