Getting closer........

[Jim Nilsen]

Had a really good day. I got to meet Shaun (subtlez28) and we put one of his wheels on the back of the Cormaro to see how 11" wheels would fit and they seem to be able to work. They sure look good and would really add some traction. The offset was what I was worried about and this answered my questions about 50mm offsets,it won't be a good idea.

I got back and had a friend drive while I tuned some and even in the rain we made progress. I really had to fatten up the whole full throttle areas and was able to put a lot more timing in everywhere and still might be able to go more.

I blended the program to be smooth and am now waiting for the next nice day which won't be tommorow, snow is in the forecast.

I have plenty to do on other things and will be busy doing them.

I can hardly wait to get it out to see how the new blended progrm will be. My friend said he could really tell the difference in the throttle as I made adjustments. It was getting too cold and wet for me to want to go out and see how it went.

The amazing thing was how much traction there was with the Comp T/A's. Acceleration was still very impressive before it broke loose.

I am going to have to keep practicing on my launches out of the hole because it really comes out spinning with just a bit of pedal. I always figured I would roll into it easy and that is what it will take to keep it from spinning and hitting the rev limiter. I did raise the rev limit up to 6500 rpm and have my shift lights at 6000 rpm to give me time to know when to shift without hitting the limiter. The engine was built to go to 7000 rpm so I shouldn't have to worry about it. The cam seems to pull all the way to 6200 rpm with power still on tap.

I am getting excited about the track days coming up and have a lot to do to have the car like I want it to be when I get there. I am guessing at least another 100 hours to get to where I want to be, but I could go just like it is and be a happy guy.

[Jim Nilsen]

Thanks to Jeff VanBuren for selling me his spot.Things are looking good and the weekend is booked for Road America.

I have a few little issues to take care of and I will be ready to go. I am getting excited and nervous. I keep telling myself the car is ready and then find something to worry about that is nothing to worry about really. I wish the car was perfect but then they never really are, Right?

I got my wink mirror in yesterday and stopped the header gasket leak. It sounds much better without that pesky ticking/pufft sound at accelleration.

I am going thru a checklist and making sure it is all good to go.

If anyone has any advice about Road America and what I should be really thinking about let me know, I don't want to forget anything.

[wmhjr]

Jim, I hope you have a great time! I'm jealous of you. I'm sure that car of yours will give you loads of fun on that track!

Take pics!

[Jim Nilsen]

Jim, I hope you have a great time! I'm jealous of you. I'm sure that car of yours will give you loads of fun on that track!

Take pics!

I am going to have as much fun as possible. It will be an experience for sure.

I have not had one problem with my cooling system until I had to pull my radiator out to change the cam and I think my temp probe got damaged pulling it out. The fan isn't working now and I have a manual switch running the fan wich is not as good at keeping it steady on the temp but it does work very well.

I went out and beddied my brakes some more and found the threshhold of the rear brakes finally. I had to take a little bias off of the rear to keep them from locking up. I checked the rotors with a heat gun and they are all within 10 degrees of each other after hard braking , the rears are 10 degrees warmer than the fronts. Repeated hard stops left me with some fade by the forth time which is why I need to bed them in more from what I have been told. The brakes do stop much better when warmed up and so far are getting better each time.

I am really nervous and hope things hold together. I keep trying to be positive about the little things and the setbacks they cause. I have been through so many problems that I just figure they will always show up.


Get the plates that make your life the easiest and keep you out of trouble, you don't want them to impound your car even though the reason they should be illegal in itself.

So much to get ready and not enough experience but I am getting it now!!!!!

[Bow Tie 67]

Jim,
I've been very busy thanks again for the ride. His Camaro is coming along very nice. It's drivablility seems very close to spot on. The power is great and very linear, the black marks I kept seeing in the rear-view can attest to that. As far as stick, it has it, and I feel it will be very competetive.

For RA, you will have butterflies. Just start out learning the track, its markers, the line and dont worry about your times. As the day goes on you will start to relax. Take every advantage you can get to have an instructor ride along, this will be worth their weight in gold.

As far as things to bring, extra oil / fluids, glass cleaner, approved helmet, long sleeve shirt and pants, comfortable shoes, lots of fluids, make sure you hydrate. Tools, tire psi guage, jack, torque wrench, rags, something to kneel on or lay on. ty-wraps, duct tape serious, the + battery post will need to be covered and tape is acceptable. Something to check tire temps if you choose.

Have fun, and remember baby steps at first.

Matt

[Jim Nilsen]

Jim,
I've been very busy thanks again for the ride. His Camaro is coming along very nice. It's drivablility seems very close to spot on. The power is great and very linear, the black marks I kept seeing in the rear-view can attest to that. As far as stick, it has it, and I feel it will be very competetive.

For RA, you will have butterflies. Just start out learning the track, its markers, the line and dont worry about your times. As the day goes on you will start to relax. Take every advantage you can get to have an instructor ride along, this will be worth their weight in gold.

As far as things to bring, extra oil / fluids, glass cleaner, approved helmet, long sleeve shirt and pants, comfortable shoes, lots of fluids, make sure you hydrate. Tools, tire psi guage, jack, torque wrench, rags, something to kneel on or lay on. ty-wraps, duct tape serious, the + battery post will need to be covered and tape is acceptable. Something to check tire temps if you choose.

Have fun, and remember baby steps at first.

Matt

Thanks Matt, glad you think it is doing as good as it is. I will follow the tips and hopefully an instructor will come for the ride.

I am making a checklist so I don't forget everything cause I know I will forget something.

I just got done hooking up the cooling fan to all time power at low, the engine is getting less air now that I blocked off the the area up front to force it through the radiator. Evidently it needs the extra flow of air all the time. I think I still need to have a new temp probe because I pulled on it too hard getting it out. It did however stay at 165 degrees +- 5 the last ride and it is getting warm out.

I am going to be doing everything I can to get it prepped to hold together.

Talk to you later, now get out and get your car back together.

[Van B]

Thanks Matt, glad you think it is doing as good as it is. I will follow the tips and hopefully an instructor will come for the ride.

I am making a checklist so I don't forget everything cause I know I will forget something.

I just got done hooking up the cooling fan to all time power at low, the engine is getting less air now that I blocked off the the area up front to force it through the radiator. Evidently it needs the extra flow of air all the time. I think I still need to have a new temp probe because I pulled on it too hard getting it out. It did however stay at 165 degrees +- 5 the last ride and it is getting warm out.

I am going to be doing everything I can to get it prepped to hold together.

Talk to you later, now get out and get your car back together.

Jim,

See if you can get Dave or Mitch to ride along with you. They are usually the ones that give the kick off talk in the morning. They are both real good guys. Tell them you took my spot.

Have fun.

Jeff