I hate to admit it but my rant applies to a lot of T owners. There is no other automotive group that I know of that builds an engine to look fast and not be fast. I've been to enough T events that this isn't a casual observation. I'm thinking that since the engine is exposed for all to see on our rides, the builder/owner wants bling over substance. Tunnel rams are a good example of this mindset, while this sort of induction will enhance output in the 6000~8000 rpm range, it does at the detriment of the useful powerband, off idle to 6000 rpm. If this isn't bad enough, they have selected a cam profile that insures a lumpy, mean sounding idle and again giving up the street powerband. Then of course the valve train and other components aren't addressed so the engine isn't even capable of the rpm that these visual mods might help. To drive this home, at a T event in Arizona a couple of years back, Chris was kind enough to bring out his mobile chassis dyno for free pulls. About 50 planned to make a pull but after a dozen turned in numbers from 119 hp to just shy of 200 hp, that line disappeared.
I know its different strokes for different folks, and I don't have a problem with the T-Bucket Show and Shine crowd, but come on guys, our rides due to their light weight have tremendous performance potential. When I quote on this forum my 1/4 times, it is met from certain members with a resounding "BS". I've been in the hot rod game for over 40 years and nothing, I mean nothing, enhances performance as low mass. If set up properly, low mass and a CG at or below spindle height will insure stellar performance in all regimes, acceleration, cornering, and stopping. This is the only reason that for the owners that have goobered up their engines to look badassed, the car still performs somewhat, it isn't having to propel much weight.
Of course there are fine examples of folks taking positive advantage of the T platform and have assembled some serious rides. Andy Fadster and his street driven T has installed all the safety stuff that allows him to run on the strip. He started in the 9's years ago and keeps improving to where he is running in the 7's. Again this is a street legal and driven T that has the typical T short WB, not conducive for easy launches or running straight but Andy pulls it off.
My ride is what we called in the 60's a sleeper. Hidden exhaust with mufflers, and covered engine.
The engine, even though covered, is modest looking compared to the tall, tunnel rammed engines of the show & shine crowd but lays down 526 hp at the reasonable rpm of 5700.
I know its different strokes for different folks, and I don't have a problem with the T-Bucket Show and Shine crowd, but come on guys, our rides due to their light weight have tremendous performance potential. When I quote on this forum my 1/4 times, it is met from certain members with a resounding "BS". I've been in the hot rod game for over 40 years and nothing, I mean nothing, enhances performance as low mass. If set up properly, low mass and a CG at or below spindle height will insure stellar performance in all regimes, acceleration, cornering, and stopping. This is the only reason that for the owners that have goobered up their engines to look badassed, the car still performs somewhat, it isn't having to propel much weight.
Of course there are fine examples of folks taking positive advantage of the T platform and have assembled some serious rides. Andy Fadster and his street driven T has installed all the safety stuff that allows him to run on the strip. He started in the 9's years ago and keeps improving to where he is running in the 7's. Again this is a street legal and driven T that has the typical T short WB, not conducive for easy launches or running straight but Andy pulls it off.
My ride is what we called in the 60's a sleeper. Hidden exhaust with mufflers, and covered engine.
The engine, even though covered, is modest looking compared to the tall, tunnel rammed engines of the show & shine crowd but lays down 526 hp at the reasonable rpm of 5700.