This build has almost ended my interest in cars altogether. Today almost made it worthwhile. It was a nice surprise when everything (almost) came together.
Earlier in the day it couldn't peel the skin off tapioca. I regapped the plugs at 0.35 and took it for another spin. I punched it not expecting much of anything and saw smoke in my rearview. Success.(http://i736.photobucket.com/albums/xx9/vbprog225/cougar%20ls/IMG_1164.jpg)
I did one final run from a 5mph roll. I kept my foot in it this time and got lots more smoke. (http://i736.photobucket.com/albums/xx9/vbprog225/cougar%20ls/IMG_1165.jpg)
Now I just got to tune it up (plugs were covered in black carbon, rich im guessing) ,set the timing and put in the TC rear with 3.73's.
another view:(http://i736.photobucket.com/albums/xx9/vbprog225/cougar%20ls/IMG_1166.jpg)
why is there only 1 mark???? and a skinny mark at that.
It's probably because it was just about to take off the ground and couldn't quite make it all the way.
One wheel peel....LOL. Hey, once you get the 3.73's in, you'll really feel a difference. Glad you're making some progress. Now, a pic of the car doing it.
Yeah its a thin mark but after 4 years of waiting that's enough for me. Its got the stock 2.73 rear with no limited slip and sport wheels/tires. Now if I can get the TC rear in it before I either sell it or the next 4 years pass who knows.
Forgive my ignorance here, but what is the benefit of gapping the plugs to .35 instead of .50 (assuming you have a v8)?
It was running really rough. I had the same problem when the SO engine was still in the car. I tightened the gap in the plugs and voila. I don't know why other than maybe a problem with an engine ground wire?? I'm guessing there's not enough juice to jump the gap at .50 even though I replaced the coil, wires, plugs and cap. Its just another issue I've got to sort out. Oh yeah, its just an HO engine out of a 93 I believe.
I can smoke my tires with what I believe is a stock S.O.(firing order indicates S.O.). Then again I haven't looked for casting numbers on the heads or looked into the rear end to see if anything was changed though. But after years of having weak fwd cars that could only break the tires loose on wet roads or while turning it is quite a change. Don't give up man, I gave up on my first car after swapping engines only to find out the issue was an easy $60 fix.
Yeah its been a long road. Its pretty hard to get motivated to do anything anymore but I'm sure there plenty of guys here in the same boat. Now I'm inheriting my parent's car and have to make a decision to keep her or sell. Parent's car = very tired GN
What did you do to get the peg-leg skidmark?
I just floored it from a 5mph roll. I really want to know what the difference will be like with the 3.73s. Maybe the higher ratio will still have me spin'em even with the limited slip. And yes I plan to put wider tires on it. I knew the car would be sitting for a while and it made no sense to buy new tires and let them rot.
You sure you didnt slam on the brakes with a donut on the front wheel trying to fool us??? J/K-watch that mercedes next time you decide to do a smoke show!!. Put that rear in quick-Night and day difference with 3.73's-good luck with the install.
Thanks for the encouragement. I'm starting to see light at the end of the tunnel and its getting fun again. And that's the first time I saw that Mercedes on my block. The cat was just marking its territory that's all.
With the 3.73 rear, it adds no power at all, but, it allows it to get to the ground, and you'll swear you added 50 horsepower or more. That's why gears should always be the first mod done to our cars.
Feels like 50 horses?.....guess I know what I'm trying this weekend....assuming the wife doesn't already have plans for me :)
That is a whole lot of gap..............lol. (.035-.050 ?)
I use my fingers for feeler gauges! My bad. .035 it is.
Well, the tc rear swap is underway. Bending the new brake lines and having to route them from the passenger to driver's side is really taking up some time. But it feels so nice driving it up and down my street with the 2.73s and I'm determined to get it done :)
Just an update. TC rear is in and despite having to replace the pinion seal (after much leakage) all is well. Problem is when I get on it, I get good wheelspin until it shifts into second and the wheelspin abruptly stops like it shifted from 1st to 3rd. I haven't tried to manually shift it from a dig yet (I know when left to itself the trans shortshifts out of 2nd gear). I've always wanted a ratchet or gate shifter and I think I will do the conversion. Whether this fixes the problem or not it should make the car alot more fun to drive.
Two words. Lower stall.
I put in an aftermarket stall converter I got for $100 off craigslist. I'm not sure how to verify the true stall of this converter. The seller had it in his mildly modded fox stang and he said it was a 3k stall converter :dunno:
Well, I think the TC rear has issues or not putting in friction modifier the second time has did the clutches in ( leaking pinion seal!). Its staying this way for a while until I get some other projects done. Sorry for the late update. Oh, I put 10 holes with 225/60/15s on it to widen the track but it still looks too thin.
http://s736.photobucket.com/albums/xx9/vbprog225/cougar%20ls/?action=view¤t=87CougarLSBurnout.mp4