Mellowing the Roadster

[spyder]

Last month I replaced the Isky Z-196 cam with the A cam. Today I swapped the 4.88 out for the 3.70 pumpkin. Went on a test drive and was quite suprised on how well it ran. It's nice to be able to go on the highway and not spin the engine a 4K. I'm getting some pinging lightly in higher gears so I an going to retard the cam before I change the ignition curve.

Bye Bye 4.88, hello 3.70...........

[rwmann]

Makes sense, though the 3.9 with 5-speed is a nice balance, too.

[spyder]

Makes sense, though the 3.9 with 5-speed is a nice balance, too.

I really didn't notice that much performance difference with the 3.90 or the 4.10. I suspect it was because the cam didn't do much until 4K plus rpm. The 4.88 got there quick. Now what to do with the oil pan and diff......

[theunz]

I suggest you keep all the performance parts because soon your son will be looking for more power and quicker acceleration.

[rwmann]

Makes sense, though the 3.9 with 5-speed is a nice balance, too.

I really didn't notice that much performance difference with the 3.90 or the 4.10. I suspect it was because the cam didn't do much until 4K plus rpm. The 4.88 got there quick. Now what to do with the oil pan and diff......

The U20 with B-cam lights up at ~3000, which works well with the 3.90 and 5-speed. Sounds like the Isky is a C+.

[spyder]

I suggest you keep all the performance parts because soon your son will be looking for more power and quicker acceleration.

Nope! Don't want him to be going fast in a 54 year old car without any of the safety stuff that is on todays cars. I managed to snap an axle with all the go fast stuff on it. Good thing it was in the differential. I plan to sell off the stuff I pulled. I won't need it and I don't want it on "his" car.

[spyder]

The process continues. the head was pulled and I found scratches in cylinder 4. The block will have to be replaced because it is allready bored .060 over.

[spyder]

A few days later and a "new" block almost done, now to transport it from San Antonio to West Virgina.

[spyder]

It's new home. Kids going to have to do some carb tuning, this engine doesn't need as much of an accelerator squirt so it will puff a bit of smoke.

I wonder how it will like the cold!

[theunz]

Sounds like a lucky Kid with a great dad. I understand your concerns about the dangers of driving a 50 plus year old car. I track my 2000 once a year and autocross it 5 or 6 times a year and metal fatigue is always on my mind. Funny isn’t it how we accept the dangers of something we enjoy but don’t want our children to be exposed to those same risks.

[Gregs672000]

Passing it on but not saying "Good bye"... exactly what I hope happens for my Roadster when the time comes. Celebrate and share all the memories because it was a part of your life, an expression, a smile, a challenge, a friend. Our time here is spent on things and relationships of all kinds. That "Love" never dies or ends, you carry it with you. The physical of course will return to where it came... mine shows it's wear more and more every year... it's the nature of things and everything, but your soul/being/self experienced it and it created something more than just a bunch of metal, plastic, rubber, glass and all sorts of parts. I get it. May it continue to do so in the new hands to whom it has been bequithed!

I have enjoyed, learned and appreciated your presence and posts here on 311s, so Spyder I hope you continue to stick around and pipe in on a regular basis... and certainly let your son know that he's always welcome here!

[spyder]

"I have enjoyed, learned and appreciated your presence and posts here on 311s, so Spyder I hope you continue to stick around and pipe in on a regular basis... and certainly let your son know that he's always welcome here!"

I gave to him my logon info, we will see. I have had this car since 1986 so I plan to stay to keep updating the registry and help all I can. Plus I want to offer my stash up to the folks here.