My Project VT Drag Car

[BlooHAT]

Some weeks ago i purchased a 99 VT LS1 sedan out of the local autotrader :)

Slowly been doing things as i have time with some help along the way.

This morning i got the car on the trailer and took some photos to see what im up against.

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/OUTAtheBloo/VTRacecar003.jpg
http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/OUTAtheBloo/VTRacecar005.jpg
http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/OUTAtheBloo/VTRacecar006.jpg
http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/OUTAtheBloo/VTRacecar009.jpg
http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/OUTAtheBloo/VTRacecar010.jpg

The 4.11's i picked up yesterday
http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/OUTAtheBloo/411jpg.jpg

The goal of the car is getting it running in super street here in Perth next season. Ive sold the VU and using the money i have to do this project. Its all on a budget, so i have to find as much second hand stuff i can to reach my goals.

To start with im going to run the current motor and gearbox until they fail, and replace as they break. I still have to find some extractors and stock fe2 shocks, as the car has pedders short body shocks at the moment.

I must add im getting a lot of help from Shane (saj), and my father has gone halves in the car trailer and bought some basic tools for me to start with.

Im looking forward to a lot of fun, and learning a lot.

[saj]

And it started off as such a nice car before we ruined it. :)


http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g24/saj_01/dan1.jpg

[BlooHAT]

Does nice single peggers in the shed too :lol:

[CRAIG 408]

Sounds like a good project i am sure you will be pointed in all the rite directions with saj on the team good luck with it will be a great thread to follow, will check my boxes of goodies pretty sure i will have some bits of interest to send for the project good luck....

[BlooHAT]

Thanks Craig :)

I appreciate any offers people may have :D

Things im chasing are

VS Diff
2.5/3inch cat back
manifold and t/b
20litre fuel cell and pump
race seat.

I should have extractors and stally coming

[Muncha]

Great project.

I wish i had the room to do something similar, good luck with it and i am looking forward to seeing updates as you go. :cheers:

[BlooHAT]

Muncha

Its something ive been slowly working towards the last few years, made some adjustments to the shed, bought the patrol etc etc. The thing is, im trying to do it all for less than 20 grand :)

[VYSHSV8]

84 starr and LS6 manifold is yours Dan


Cheers
Drew

[Muncha]

Are you taking absolutely every non necessary item out of this? All trims and sound deadener?

Any idea what it weighed to start with and how much it will weigh when done?

[BlooHAT]

Are you taking absolutely every non necessary item out of this? All trims and sound deadener?

Any idea what it weighed to start with and how much it will weigh when done?

Ill probably leave door trims and window mechanisms in. Im taking aircon and heater hoses and box out. Possibly carpets seat belts etc. Fuel tank is coming out and a cell and pump going in.

Really get it as light as i can be bothered for now, will get a weight of it when i get it to the track, then as im chasing times etc, i can be a bit more creative what else i can take out.

fun times ahead

[nirvana]

Dan i have a 2.5 inch sureflow catback you can have if you can arrange pickup and shipping, it's at my mates house.

[BlooHAT]

Dan i have a 2.5 inch sureflow catback you can have if you can arrange pickup and shipping, it's at my mates house.

That is very much appreciated Dennis, thanks a lot mate :)

Dan

[Josh]

Progress pictures?

[BlooHAT]

No more pics yet josh, got 5 days off at the moment, going to tackle the oil leak next, then start on removing stuff under the engine bay

I wouldnt mind talking to you at some stage about a otr like what shane has.

[Josh]

No worries mate, try and suss out a time to catch up. I'll be up that way around the same time shanes car goes to John's workshop.

[Muncha]

Updates?

Just wondering how this is going?

I am very interested to see how it runs and how it goes. :)

[BlooHAT]

So am i mate

Hopefully have it ready to go by the end of this month, im keen to get out there now, and see how much life is the the 190k motor :)

Dan

[BlooHAT]

I spent most of the day yesterday stripping more out of the car, and piecing the underbonnet stuff back together, with help from my sister and brother in law.

Stereo, glove box, carpet, rear speakers are now out. i have put the radiator back in with fresh hoses. I seemed to have lost a pipe that belongs to the bottom of the radiator, must be somewhere in my mess of a shed.

We relocated the pcm, and fixed it to the floor, still need to tidy it up around the firewall.

Very satisfying to get a lot of it done myself, also nice to have the help to keep me motivated to do it.

Hopefully we will have it back running tomorrow, give it a fresh oil change, get it hot again, and see if i have had a win with the oil leak, which seems to be coming from the front timing cover.

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/OUTAtheBloo/VTPCM.jpg

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/OUTAtheBloo/VTboot.jpg

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/OUTAtheBloo/VTinside.jpg

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/OUTAtheBloo/VTinside1.jpg

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/OUTAtheBloo/VTunderbonnet.jpg

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/OUTAtheBloo/OUTAtheBloo.jpg

Picking up a LS6 manifold and throttle body this afternoon. The car may get a run standard without the weight for some practice until i can get it into SQP for the mods when john is free. I don't mind that, wouldn't mind to see how see how she goes untuned with weight out :D

Dan

[VYSHSV8]

Looks great Dan see ya when you get here mate never know what's in the shed that you can use:)

[saj]

Its looking good Dan, you've done a great job with very limited tools and time mate. :)

[Muncha]

Good progress, what do you think it will do untuned?

[BlooHAT]

wouldn't have a clue mate.

hopefully we can get the ls6 manifold fitted up to the old airbox, and give it a burst. Conservatively, low 14, maybe high 13 ? would be interesting wouldn't it :)

Dan

[MoSqiToN]

is this going to be a circuit machine?

[BlooHAT]

is this going to be a circuit machine?

I'm only setting it up for drags.

Circuit would of been my preference, but too many factors stop me from making that possible. Drags is cheaper, closer to my home etc etc.

Dan

[BlooHAT]

Spent half the day putting the bumpers back on and giving it a dummy run on the trailer behind the new tow car. Did a oil change, and wiped and checked for loose nuts under the car. So far it looks i may of got on top of the oil leaks, but shall keep a close eye on it when it does get a run at the drags.

Still lots of fiddly stuff to do, but basically she is ready for a run :driving:

Dan

PS saj, i tidied up the work bench :lol:

[Josh]

Good stuff. Sounds like your getting there!

[35R]

interesting. Definitely will be keeping an eye on this, keep us posted :)

[saj]

PS saj, i tidied up the work bench :lol:

Thank christ for that, what about the rest of the shed. :stick:
Did you take it for a practice run up the street?

[BlooHAT]

You know, i never gave it any thought to do that.....

[RUN41T]

Door trims off asap

Looks good dude, will be following this

[saj]

Are you right for wednesday for its maiden run?

[BlooHAT]

Id love to, but i think by the time i get home, and then get there, ill be too late to get let in, unless you know how busy it has been down there Shane ?

[VYSHSV8]

Id love to, but i think by the time i get home, and then get there, ill be too late to get let in, unless you know how busy it has been down there Shane ?

Dan it was quiet last night down there took th missus car down and ran an easy 11.8 and then the dreaded knock sound came alive when I was giving it a decent run so looks like I have an engine to pull out this weekend :(

Bloody big ends

[Aeron]

This is cool! I love watching build-ups!! Nice work mate! :dance:

[MoSqiToN]

looking forward to pics and vids

[BlooHAT]

Gave the VT its first run tonight, nothing exciting to report, as i thought would be the case with a car i know very little about.

Firstly weighted the car, came in at 1530 kg's with me in it, im about 95kgs, so was really pleased with that.

First run, no burnout, took it easy 15.7@93mph 2.960ft. After the run i got the check engine light on, and stayed on all the way back to the bits. I checked the car over, and checked the oil levels.

Second, Burnout, 15.7@90mph 2.6 60, noticed the shifts flaring, engine light came on again after i lifted off. Checked the tranny fluid it was low again. Silly me hadn't used enough oil after i put in the trans cooler, and i didnt bring anything more than 500ml.

Last run 15.5@92mph 2.7 60, no flaring of the shift, Spun the one rear tyre (no LSD) but decided good enough for tonight.

Yes there's no magic time, buts its what i expected, gave me a chance to see what was right and wrong, and certainly gives me heaps of room for improvement.

I also had a big help from my Dad, he towed the car to the track for me, so i could come straight from work. Its brilliant to have him involved as motorsport has been a big part of his life. I had great support from my sister too, she hasn't been well, so great to see her smiling.

Also thanks to SAJ for the lend of 2 rear tyres !

Im so hooked, i can't wait to get into learning about racing !

Dan

PS any tips on what maybe the cause of the check engine light, i tried more oil, but that made no difference, and only came on at the end of the track, after i lifted off.

[Josh]

If the light came on it's an error code. If you hook it up to a laptop or a tech 2 it should have logged the code and go from there.

Josh

[Delft Maloo]

Josh is spot on, find somone with hptuners or efilive to plug in and read the fault for you.
I would have expected a little more mph, my vx calais a4 +1700kg's with dual 2.25" exhaust and no airfilter ran 98-99mph and low 14's with a best of 13.99et on factory bridgestone 16" rubber.

Good job though, you now have set a bench mark to beat.

[BlooHAT]

I'm sure Ive lost a lot of time with the box shifting incorrectly.

Also its running 91, that was in the car when i bought it, so not the greatest im sure. Ill give it a run on the 18th at the test and tune, practice my R/T's.

Delft, can you remember what 60's you where doing, i think i may struggle with a single pegger.

Dan

[Delft Maloo]

i think it was between 2.0-2.2 sec, iv still got the timeslips so ill chase them up.

[BrettSS]

Good work getting out there and having a crack, atleast now you have your baseline so you'll see improvements from here. :)

What mods are next to be done?

[BlooHAT]

I have on my to do list

1) OTR from Josh at MetalCraft

2) Difillipo Extractors and twin 3's with dumps.

3) Fuel System with swirl and fuel cell

4) 4.11 gears

5) Stally

6) Tune from John at Street Quick

John will do all the serious mods to the car in the next few weeks, when ever he is free to fit me in :)

I have Drag radials for this season, id like to have slicks and light weight wheels, but that will have to wait awhile. Hopefully all goes well when the mods are completed, then ill just get out there and practice :)

Dan

[BrettSS]

Good to hear you've got good plans for it in the works, if it was me i would leave the fuel system until later on as while you're running bolt on or even cam only etc the standard fuel system will be fine and spend that money on other things for now. What size stall are you going for as I like doing things once so I'd be going a 4500rpm one like I have currently. ;)

Also running on drag radials will be fine for quite some time as I ran 10.79@132mph on them last weekend on a track no where near as good as yours. :)

[BlooHAT]

Good to hear you've got good plans for it in the works, if it was me i would leave the fuel system until later on as while you're running bolt on or even cam only etc the standard fuel system will be fine and spend that money on other things for now. What size stall are you going for as I like doing things once so I'd be going a 4500rpm one like I have currently. ;)

Also running on drag radials will be fine for quite some time as I ran 10.79@132mph on them last weekend on a track no where near as good as yours. :)

The stall should be somewhere in the 3500 range.

The VT has been at Street Quick the last two days, and John just about has it ready for me to pick up. Ill go grab it Thursday and get cracking on getting some loose ends tidied up.

Friday ill take it Metthams in Kelmscott for some twin 3's, and then hopefully i can get everything else done by Friday the 20th for Fast Friday.

Dan

[BlooHAT]

Saj dropped the car off to me tonight, looks awesome all the work SQP did for me :)

Sounds awesome running straight off the extractors, makes me feel like im REALLY doing it now. Real keen to get it finished and down the track.

Dan

[VYSHSV8]

Great to hear Dan that all is going well:):):)

I have just about got Kays engine back in at long last:):)

So hopefully wont be long till I amk down there again :)

[BlooHAT]

Another Update

The car now has level one GForce Half shafts, Thanks to Shane (saj) for his help getting them from the US for me and fitting them.

http://www.shop.gforce1320.com/produ...6&categoryId=3

Car has been tuned today by John (Howquick) got a nice result (234rwkw), we shall see how it comes together at the track, im sure it will have a few more things to sort out when i get that far.

I thought the result was pretty good considering its still stock T/B and LS1 manifold. admittedly the car has no cats, and 3 inch exhaust all the way through, but im very happy with the result. Very please to see the motor still seems strong, and the auto may have some life in it yet :D

I'll get a few more pic's together when i have time.

Dan

[BlooHAT]

I took some pics today...

Fuel Cell
http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/OUTAtheBloo/VTFuelCell.jpg

Swirl Pot
http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/OUTAtheBloo/VTSwirl.jpg

Gforce Half Shafts
http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/OUTAtheBloo/VTGforceL1.jpg

MetalCraft OTR
http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/OUTAtheBloo/VTOTR.jpg

Im starting to feel happier that its edging that bit closer :)

Dan

[BlooHAT]

Most of you may of seen my result on the LS1 forum. If not here is my 12.50@108 run last Wednesday the 23rd at the motorplex. Car is suffering from soft valve springs, will need to get the replaced before the next run.

Im very much keen on seeing this cars potential from 346 cubes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evcU2K02zyU

Dan

[Delft Maloo]

Great work there dan, some more practice and setup changes and you'll be in the 11's in no time.

[BlooHAT]

Im hoping it will go close with fresh valve springs. car should go close to 112mph i hope. I have some time off in Jan so ill find some more weight to come out yet.

I wouldnt mind a 11 on the drag radials.. Dam these auto things make life easier lol

[SSUte01]

Im hoping it will go close with fresh valve springs. car should go close to 112mph i hope. I have some time off in Jan so ill find some more weight to come out yet.

I wouldnt mind a 11 on the drag radials.. Dam these auto things make life easier lol

Good effort, I have been following this one with interest since the beginning, well done :)

What valve springs are you going with whilst bolt-on, LS6 or similar??

[DaveHAT]

Wow ... you've been busy Dan.

VERY clean looking machine and just a little bit fast since last I checked on things.

Keep the updates coming ... :)

PS. Faster than the ute already. ;) :hide:

[BlooHAT]

Ive looked at the LS6 manifold and injector upgrade, but i figure ill see how far i can push the old LS1 and stock throttle body for now :)

Valve springs i haven't looked into what type, ill leave that in the trusty hands of John (SQP).

Dave its a massive relief that it is faster than the ute already, even with dodgey springs.

2010 should be interesting !

Dan

[BlooHAT]

Small update

Wiper motor is out, and have taken door trims and speakers out, not sure if i want to go as far as taking the winding mechanisms out, as id be unsure how much weight would be saved, or how to keep the glass up if i do.

I'm looking at getting a heat gun next to get all the sound deadening off the floor, anyone with a better suggestion, id appreciate it :)

valve springs will hopefully be done sometime soon, then give it another go at the track.

I'm very keen to improve.

Dan

[SirNemesis]

Dry ice works better at getting sound deadening off the floor than a heatgun. Keep up the good work :)

[firebug]

Dry ice works better at getting sound deadening off the floor than a heatgun. Keep up the good work :)

Might be a stupid question, but where does one obtain dry ice? Do I need to visit BOC or can we get it elsewhere...?

[10sec_rx7]

you will need 3kg of dry ice pellets from BOC.. just cover the tar on the floor for about 15min and it will crack off itself..

[BlooHAT]

you will need 3kg of dry ice pellets from BOC.. just cover the tar on the floor for about 15min and it will crack off itself..

awesome, thats what i needed to know !

I wonder how much weight is in it, two door skins are 7kg's....

Dan

[10sec_rx7]

there was 12kg of it in my vt..

[BlooHAT]

The car was very consistent last night running 12.4's to 12.5's all night. Had a bit of luck on the first pass cutting a .019 light, which i was happy with. I think the car should be very consistent, im looking forward to having a go at a super street event next

Fastest pass of the night was my first, 12.464@109.48

Dan

[BlooHAT]

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/OUTAtheBloo/1227.jpg

Another New PB for me, at last im very happy how the old girl is performing. Not sure how long the box will live, doesn't cope with run after run. Something ill have to replace in the near future id say.

Dan

[SIG-054]

Well done, thats quick for the mods :)

I need to strip some weight out of mine i think lol

[BlooHAT]

The 29th and 30th The car gets its first run at a big meet. Saturday from 11am will be my first qualifier. Will be interesting to see what times it will do on a proper 1320 feet :)

Dan

[BlooHAT]

First Race

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/OUTAtheBloo/FirstRace.jpg

Lucky to make that one !!

Second

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/OUTAtheBloo/FirstLoss.jpg

Good race, was about a quarter of a car in it at the top of the track. Racing sure beats trying to run times, and its cool having a car chaise you down too :)

Dan

[Muncha]

Good job, looked like it would have been really close in the last race. Did the other guy go on to win the meeting? He would have been very hard to beat if he kept running like that.

[BlooHAT]

he red lit in round 3 a -0.059.

Nice bloke for a copper :)

Results here ----> http://d2869.mysite.westnethosting.com.au/dr_results/dr_300110/elim.html

Dan

[BlooHAT]

I haven't updated races for a while.

At the western nationals i red lit first race, which is a horrible feeling.

Last meeting (Nitro Funny cars) i got through the first race with a 0.023 light..

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/OUTAtheBloo/VTRacecar012.jpg

Second race was against Solich from Tango1. Unfortunately i Red Lit, but really enjoy racing these guys. I feel like i have to do my best to win. Really happy with how close the car ran to its dial in...

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/OUTAtheBloo/VTRacecar013.jpg

On the 31st of March I thought i would go down to practice my lights and try to stop red lighting. First pass was a .1. Second pass well can't get a better light than this one...

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/OUTAtheBloo/0000.jpg

Can't say i have felt any better than this, the bonus being i picked up the jackpot in the competition being $700 which is going to my gearbox for next season.

Dan

[Muncha]

Congrats, but you know what they say, a .000 is just a bad red light. :D

If you can constantly keep around the .02-.03 range and the car is consistent you will be very hard to beat. A total package of .04 or less should get you a big trophy eventually. :)

How does the car react to the weather conditions? Is the much of a difference?

[BlooHAT]

How does the car react to the weather conditions? Is the much of a difference?

Seems to still run 12.30-12.31 but really hard as the box isn't healthy. Hopefully next year i can make it more consistent. Im feeling more confident in the car as well so im sure that will help a little bit as well.

Dan

[Delft Maloo]

good stuff dan, the times will keep ticking away. The consistency is great.

[BlooHAT]

Thanks Mate

The last open meet is next Saturday the 10th of April, and im not ready for it to end !!

Been a great experience so far, better than i ever hoped drag racing could ever be. I had always thought circuit was the only sort of racing.

Dan

[BlooHAT]

Didn't have a bad meeting, was hoping to make it to the 3rd round, but i made it through the first at least.

First qualifier the old girl ran a 12.222@110.83mph 0.066 light
Second 12.248@110.56mph 0.064 light

1st race snuck through on a bad light (0.111) and a 12.24 on a 12.21 dial in.

2nd race...

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/OUTAtheBloo/12179.jpg

Happy with the PB really annoyed with the red light. Somehow need to learn to focus better.

Dan