Do you have a timing light? It's extremely simple and might even drop a tenth or so off your ET.
Since it's an automatic, i'd say you're doing pretty good (i thought that was 5 speed times). How do you shift? Do you know about the "1-2-1 shuffle"?
I wouldn't just jump in and say do a 5 speed swap, but i am biased towards 5 speeds, i just think they're more fun. However, with a shift kit and the right torque converter an auto can be lots of fun.
Basically you start off in 1st, and just when you're ready to shift into 2nd, you slip it into 2nd and then immediately back into 1st. The trans will shift into 2nd but it'll hold in 2nd gear instead of going into 3rd/OD. Then when you're ready for 3rd you just shift it up into 2nd and it'll go into 3rd. It helps if you have an aftermarket shifter. (the B&M Hammer is a great AOD shifter).
As for timing, there's a plug that hangs off the distributor that has a little plastic plug that goes into it, that's called the spout plug. When you set the timing, you just hook the light to the battery and then clip the other wire onto the #1 spark plug wire, unplug the spout and start the car. Then aim the light at the balancer and read what the timing is. Then (either before you start the car or shut it off) you loosen the distributor bolt and adjust the timing while holding/reading the light. Most 5.0s are happy with 14* but some go as high as 16*. I personally run mine at 14* but i have mechanical advance so it's a little different. Some people also say you don't need to run 93 octane, but mine runs like crap on anything less.
Basically you start off in 1st, and just when you're ready to shift into 2nd, you slip it into 2nd and then immediately back into 1st. The trans will shift into 2nd but it'll hold in 2nd gear instead of going into 3rd/OD. Then when you're ready for 3rd you just shift it up into 2nd and it'll go into 3rd. It helps if you have an aftermarket shifter. (the B&M Hammer is a great AOD shifter).
As for timing, there's a plug that hangs off the distributor that has a little plastic plug that goes into it, that's called the spout plug. When you set the timing, you just hook the light to the battery and then clip the other wire onto the #1 spark plug wire, unplug the spout and start the car. Then aim the light at the balancer and read what the timing is. Then (either before you start the car or shut it off) you loosen the distributor bolt and adjust the timing while holding/reading the light. Most 5.0s are happy with 14* but some go as high as 16*. I personally run mine at 14* but i have mechanical advance so it's a little different. Some people also say you don't need to run 93 octane, but mine runs like crap on anything less.
and the little plastic plug your reffering to is on the wire connected to the distributer??
Me, a well built auto is a blast to drive! And it's the only way to race in bracket racing.your drunk, who the hell wants a auto street car?
nah,, i forgot to mention that it's an automatic
Me, a well built auto is a blast to drive! And it's the only way to race in bracket racing.
A good high speed torque converter (With traction) will shave 7 tenths off that time. A few bolts and gears will get you into the 13's.
As for modding an auto, i personally would focus on building the engine first, then get a custom converter that matches my build, instead of possibly ending up needing a tighter or looser converter to match the engine.
What sucks about that scenario is... in street form you have a 14 second car most likely, maybe high 13s, even though you have 12 second timeslips. Now granted if you have the bottle always in, always open, and always at the right temp sure its the 12 second car from the track, but what are the chances there?
Thats my useless .02 on this matter.
...This is really my DD so what it runs on a track is ok with me..and yes the bottle is in the car at all times its on when im driving i will have a bottle heater that shuts on and off at the desired PSI i set it for..so if i need to spray..lol..on the street it should be good to go....I hope....Good point...But i really dont street race...really only drive like 60-65 mph on the highway...LOL im getting old......I just like to know that the car can run in the 12's need be..plus its fun taking a mostly stock car and running decent times for cheap....Plus with the bolt ons and the Trans done the car should be fun on the street..No?
Also i wouldn't be surprised if you drop a couple tenths doing the shift trick thing...if it's like most AODs and it jumps into 3rd or overdrive shortly after you shift into 2nd, then you're leaving a lot on the table
Thats why im getting the Lentech valve body to cure all the AOD blues....lol
Me, a well built auto is a blast to drive! And it's the only way to race in bracket racing.
A good high speed torque converter (With traction) will shave 7 tenths off that time. A few bolts and gears will get you into the 13's.
I'd consider an auto if i ever built a nasty turbo car. I just think (and no disrespect intended) that a fast 5 speed shows more of how well a person can drive vs. the point and shoot driving with an automatic. I like a challenge, and i like to see how consistant i can be with a stick.
As for modding an auto, i personally would focus on building the engine first, then get a custom converter that matches my build, instead of possibly ending up needing a tighter or looser converter to match the engine.
...This is really my DD so what it runs on a track is ok with me..and yes the bottle is in the car at all times its on when im driving i will have a bottle heater that shuts on and off at the desired PSI i set it for..so if i need to spray..lol..on the street it should be good to go....I hope....
Good point...But i really dont street race...really only drive like 60-65 mph on the highway...LOL im getting old......I just like to know that the car can run in the 12's need be..plus its fun taking a mostly stock car and running decent times for cheap....Plus with the bolt ons and the Trans done the car should be fun on the street..No?
I don't street race myself either, but I have had both a low 14 second car in street trim, and a high 12 second car in street trim... Amazing the difference just when you want to have a little fun with noone around. I guess if you have the bottle on, armed and ready for anytime you want to have fun it's nice...
I used to do the AOD shuffle, and the tranny never went (120K mile tranny with a converter) but thats not to say it doesn't do any internal damage.
I wouldnt do the AOD shuffle to much tho..it isnt good for the trans......Just get the Lentech valve body then you will have 1st..2nd and 3rd on the shifter then you have an electric switch to put it in and out of OD at will....thats wht im getting..The valve alone is a little over $500 dollars but i think its worth it!!!!!!
Yeah i heard that is isnt too good for the trans...My trans shifts nice so i will wait until i get the Lentech valve body...And yeah when i have a bottle in my car its always ready...lol......In every car i had or have they were always full and up to PSI and ready to go...just in case.... ..with todays stuff its easy to get everything ready while driving on the street...they have bottle openers..heaters that are PSI controlled..its nice what they came out with over the yrs...My friend did alot of street racing when we were younger he used to have his bottle in a gym Bag in the back seat no one was the wiser...he had everything hiden under the hood..so if you looked you wouldnt even knew it had a bottle that was funny....
i didn't know that. so when you buy a lentech valve body it comes with a switch to put it into OD? and when i shift the car i can actually go 1,2,3??
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