Easy you two! You both have wicked cool cars. Why? Because they're black!
Good morning my fellow Roadster owners!!!
I've stopped driving long enough to top off the tank so I thought I'd post a couple of comments and observations.
1.) Holy Mackerel!!!!!!! I can drive in the fast lane!!!
2.) Why doesn't everyone do this?!?!
(I know that comment will bring us into a seething cauldron of debate so remember these are just my observations)
3.) Wow guys and gals... just Wow!!!
Arrived early and met up with Greg at Retro Rods. He backed the car out of the shop and popped the hood with the car running. Now I've seen the motor up close but never out in the natural light. Man it looks SO COOL!! Red and black!!! Kinda funny painting a S14 red, it may cause some confusion with the redtop S13 group. The engine bay has been touched up with a little rattle can
for now. That will be part of the next go around. The mix of red and black along with the aluminum radiator makes me grin. Greg showed me some details about this and that, starting procedure was explained. We installed some really cool safety/anti-theft devices. He would start the car, shut it off and start it again. Lets quote Alvin from the engine swap threads...
"To this day, I still giggle when I stand next to the drivers door, reach in with one hand and turn the key to fire it up. No choke cable to pull in the morning. No gas pedal to pump before cranking over. To me, it was exactly what I imagined and wanted."
Yep, that's exactly how mine goes too. No crazy choke starting procedure (ie; choke all the way out, two kicks of the pedal, turn the key and let engine rotate a couple of times, STOP!, choke back in to half position, one kick of the pedal, try it now!, Nothing! Do you smell gas? Crap! Start over)
Ok, we climbed in. Greg took the first pass so he could show me a thing or two. I havent sat in or smelled my car in 10 months. She smells good and I was reminded of the "shoulder to shoulder" driving position. Down the driveway, turned right onto the tree lined roads of Monroe WA., horse country!!! Time to rock.
He ran her up through the gears. Holy Mackeral!!!!! I... I can't... I can't describe what it was like. Christmas morning? No. Birth of a child? Close. First time in the back seat of my Fathers Chevy?? Getting closer. It was just such an eye opening experience. The power band was smooth. He climbed the motor up to 7000RPM without as much as a hickup. We talked about the way the SR likes high RPM's but I had no idea. He shifted from 4th to 3rd at high speeds and she seemed to like it even more. My ear would tell me "it's time to shift" but the little SR wants to go higher. Crazy madness!!!
Greg showed me how the new comp. suspension package from Dean was working. Even he was whooping it up as he sent her through a series of turns with no body lean or sway. Now remember Greg is a big custom car, hot rod, final 8 Ridler award winning builder guy. Chevy's, Ford's, wicked show car stuff. His comment was simply... "I want one."
He pulled her over, MY TURN!!! Lap belt on. Note to self, I might want to look into some better restraints. After a couple of lessons on the shift pattern, I was driving as if the car and I had never parted. Throttle has great response, clutch feels about the same because we re-used the recently installed clutch master. Brakes are "right now" because of the addition of the new 240Z master as suggested from Michael at Spriso. His front disk brakes package also performed magnificently. I forgot about the steering on our cars. We've installed all new ball joints, boots, tie rods etc. This thing is now a race car minus the roll bar and fire extinguisher. But enough about the extras.
We drove and talked, all the while listening to the roar of that motor. Greg had to custom build a muffler for her and he was a little worried that it might be too loud. Nope, it's perfect. She purrs and growls. No Folgers "coffee can" splatter. Like a Harley, I want folks to know that I'm close. Our little cars seem to disappear in people mirrors. Um, btw... they now disappear in mine.
We arrived back at the shop. After a few details, instructions and final payment I was off on my first solo flight. Down the driveway with a final instruction of "take it easy on her!" Left turn this time and ran her up through the gears grinning all the way. Then I experienced the next cool thing. I departed the country roads and turned south onto Hwy 522. Up through the power band and I was finally able to find 5th gear!!! Holy Mackerel!!!!! There's just so much power with room to spare. 70mph in 4th!!! Then into 5th!!! Yes, I pushed her faster. I backed off the throttle at 90mph. Yes, I typed that correctly... 90 M. P. H!!!! Bugs really make a huge splat at 90mph. Remember that my only experience with this car was when she had a 1600 with a 4 speed. It use to feel like it was coming apart at 70mph. Not now! The car is just so different. It's just so much better. It's just so crazy fun to drive!!! Again, note to self... seat belt upgrade is due.
Back home. Garage has been cleaned and organized in anticipation of her arrival. Clothes changed and back out I go. I aimed her north to Lake Stevens to attend a wedding of some amazing friends. I was running a little late, or so I thought. Nope! With the help of the newly installed SR20 I arrived on time. I idled her onto the grass parking area as the parking attendant commented, "wow, don't see those very often." You have no idea buddy, you have no idea. The wedding was fun but I had that thought in the back of my mind that there was SPL311 in the parking lot just waiting to be driven! I did find a little time in between dances to take a couple of the girls down for a little ego filled show and shine. I finally departed the wedding, minus any brides maids in the passenger seat, and pointed her for home. It was dark now and the headlight issue has been resolved. What an incredible day. My baby's home. She's strong and in amazing health. There's still some bits to sort but I'll address that on the next go around. I really need to let wallet recover. Rear end and wiring harness for sure. It's like doing a heart transplant. You put a new heart into an old body there's going to be some issues, some rejection. My car's wiring really needs a complete overhaul.
Some thoughts and acknowledgements...
The SR20 is THE perfect upgrade to the 311 platform. I could not be happier with my car. Greg and crew at Retro Rods Inc. did an amazing job. This was not your everyday 55 Chevy restoration. This install would have taken forever if was not for Michael at Spriso. His pioneering efforts with this car and motor combo are priceless. I can't imagine the trial and error process of just the motor mount location! Thanks for everything you've done for us! Also a shout out to all at 311s.org for your continuing input and encouragement.
Tanks full, time to go. Thanks for taking the time to read. Enjoy the pics.
