Still hoping video will surface soon. I can't imagine anyone NOT videoing a "stock" Vega Wagon amongst all those nice Pro-Touring cars! Really?
Observations:
-The lil' aluminum 215 cubic inch V8 provided adequate power to the car, enough to somewhat spin the LSD on a few corners. It's lightweight virtues "outweigh" the lack of power (pun intended) vs a traditional Vega SBC V8 swap (320lbs vs 600 lbs).
-The 2.56 R&P coupled with the 3.4 first gear and short 205/60 13s seemed to work well..... I couldn't run in 2nd gear, though.... 1st gear only. Maybe a deeper gear would help off the line starts and allow running in 2nd more.... but I like the economy of the 2.56 and 0.80 overdrive.
-Obviously, treadwear ratings of 420 hurt, but the car really seemed to track well. No assing around, although I did push quite a bit when my entry speeds were too fast (yeah, I'm no good). Thinking this would allow me to go a bit larger on the rear diameter anti-sway bar, to keep entry speeds up and better steer with the throttle. I currently have the upgraded, stock Monza Spyder F-41package front bar (1.125" vs stock Vega 7/8") and the stock Vega 3/4" rear bar (Spyder rear is 7/8" - been looking for one a while).
-The upgraded, stock Monza ventilated disc brakes up front worked well. My pedals are quite close, so I couldn't two-foot the pedals. There wasn't a lot of braking on this course for me, probably because I didn't have 600 hp like most out there.
-Quicker ratio steering would have helped, too. 4.4 turns kinda sucks on a tight course. I've heard of guys using power steering boxes (2.2 turns) with the high pressure port piped to the low pressure port (no pump)... but that would suck on the street, This is a street car.
Here's my runs (cut short by rain):
1st: 54.744 (DNF - off course
)... (without a walkdown of the course.... as I was a bit late getting there)2nd: 52.076
3rd: 50.939
4th: 50.558
5th: 51.338
6th: 52.314 (attempted in 2nd gear)
7th: 52.504 +1 cone (2 second penalty added)
8th: 51.039
9th: 49.218 (fastest time of day for me) - made myself look ahead more, really works!
Shaved about a second off my previous average times.38 cars in the streetcar class.... I placed 30th.
7 seconds behind the LS powered, DSE/Ridetech suspensioned, Wilwood/Baer braked, 335/315 BFG Rival wearin' cars.... I'll take it!
Most of those guys loaded their cars onto trailers for the ride home. I cruised the Smokies all day, up to Clingman's Dome and blasted down the interstate at a full 85 mph (2500 rpm) for 50+ miles each way. Oh yeah, and I hauled all my gear in the back! (Canopy, cooler, camping chairs, change of clothes, rain gear, tarps, tools, oil, etc....)
Loaded for the return trip home.... added some 26-spline S-10 axle shafts back there, too. (future 5-lug swap).
31 mph top speed?? and she was 4th, are you bull shitting?? 