Shooks, Speed and Desert Dreams

We're planning. Planning for the great white open surface at the Bonneville Salt Flats. To be more specific, we're planning for Bonneville Speed Week 2022. What we know; Our Landspeed racer, the 449 Amazon has got the power to go really fast. The boost pressure is there to support our need for Speed. If not confirmed, it's very likely that we can go really fast.  Not so surprising since we so far primarily focused on power, gear ratio and vehicle drag.

But a race car needs a good chassis too. At this point I think it's appropriate to a quote a good friend, who happen to be a chassis engineer: 

- There's a lot of things going on at the rear shook absorbers already at 250km/h...on perfect flat asphalt surface...at +300km/h spring and shooks really need to work perfectly...to say the least.

When Magnus and I test drove our Amazon at El Mirage a couple of month ago we felt a strange rhythm from the rear end already at really low speed like 100mph. 

 

Action required. So we did what we had to do and got in contact with Ohlins. Since we're squeezed in time and in the search for reasonable safety at serious speeds only the best will do.

Yes, the Ohlins rear end shooks are now displayed on our a dinner table. With no objections. Öhlins shooks are like EFR Turbos or Swiss watches. A mechanical piece of art.  

Next step: Contact The Ohlins Guy (Dough Brenner) and let him to tune our shooks to perfection. 

As stated before, we now have a bi weekly radio program. 

It's a radio show (motortimmen) for car guys and girls with hearts that beats for cars, motorbikes and music.

Yes, it's in Swedish. 

Theme for June 27th 19.00 (7pm): Speed!

How to find it?

 https://radio88.se/program

 

In 6 weeks from now, we'll be here again. At Erik's and Ruth's place under blue skies with palm trees softly waving in the warm Californian wind. Just before it all begins.

Can't wait.

 

Broadcasting & Bonneville. We're preparing!

Why try? Why engage yourself? Why not just relax and calm down?  Could it be because it's fun and keeps you awake? We don't know, but here's what; As we're busy planning for Bonneville Speed Week 2022 and all the associated issues like flights, hotels and technical issues like trying to figure out a new rear shock configuration remotely...we got the brilliant idea do some broadcasting too. Oh I forgot, we're providing turbos and superchargers to the car community as well. 

But what about our Radio ambition? When will what happen?  Here's what; we have committed to a radio show (in Sweden, in Swedish) every second week starting tomorrow (Monday) at 19.00 on a station called Radio 88. It's called Motortimmen and it's all about cars, bikes and music. Our ambition is to have a show that deals with all technical, social och cultural sides of the car and bike community. The theme of our first show; Music about Cars.

We're tooling our way to Bonneville Speed Week 2022. Step by step. 

Picture: Test drive at El Mirage this Easter.

Our broadcast inspiration: Car Talk at NPR. 

 

 Stay Tuned!

Bold Bees Buzzing

This is how we like it. To have the honey and have busy racing bees buzzing around our shop in the search of nectar. No, it's not about selling turbos and superchargers for those in need of speed. It's about getting in contact with and take part of other car guys dreams and schemes. It's all about giving and taking energy. 

We can of course advice when it come to turbos and supercharger, but we need energy too and besides we're story junkies. Consequently, we love when car guys & girls come by on any Sunday to tell about their latest possibilities, potentials and problems.

If they arrive is something appropriate, our attention span will expand. A lot.

  

This Sunny Sunday a Super Bee swarmed out side the Salt Slush Shop.

 

A Lock-up-your-daughters kind of vehicle. This Jawn dropping ride made things unclear. Who's represent the sweetness and who's the bee?

Here's what; when a ride such as this arrives, we drop our tools and move toward the energetic sound. 

No matter who arrives in what ride, we're there to talk and support. 

Because we're car guys twenty-four seven.

 

Modern Old School Rocket Science

What's old, what's new and what's cool? Some people want new stuff because it's new, others want old stuff because it's old, while some others study what's in front of them and try figure out how a certain machine can be used, updated, and raced.

 

If you need serious power in your ride, an LS engine with turbo or supercharger is an obvious alternative. We've done that journey. Our 6 cylinder, 3 liter Landspeed Race Amazon produce 850-900hp (crank) (183 cubic inch) which means 300hp/l. Only a slightly modified (new conrods) modern engine structure can support that. 

But if you want modern driveability and reliability from an old engine, consider an upgrade of fuel and ignition. It's really amazing to experience how an old engine characteristic changes when these systems are modernized. 

 

Here's what; We took our old 303 Oldsmobile Rocket engine apart, cleaned it, measured all parts and renewed what was worn. Then we added a Holley EFI Sniper (2 barrel TBI) and a Ignitor, (breaker point replacement kit) to the engine.

 

In order to debug the engine and transmission we borrowed a home made trolley from Magnus and fired it up. Result? Well, it started in 3 seconds and were running at reasonable Air-Fuel Ratio at once with almost perfect throttle response. When the coolant temperature reached a threshold the engine idle was stabilized at 850rpm and it started it's self learning journey and soon the engine was running at a Air-Fuel Ratio of 13,5. 

  

The 73 year old Rocket engine matched with a reasonably modern TBI. Suddenly the engine felt at least 50 years younger.

But that's just a golden carburetor isn't it? Nope it's a Holly two port TBI that looks old school. The only thing we needed to add was a oxygen sensor (closed loop lambda control) a coolant sensor and a high pressure fuel pump.

 

 First cold start.

As the coolant temperature reaches working temperature and the fuel starts to evaporate in a good way, the warm idle is stabilized on preset values and the engine sounds and acts more like a much more modern engine.

 

Conclusion? Give the old engine a second chance. Stay conservative. But apply new technology to make it usable, driveable and reliable. 

I'm still thinking about how a low boost (AirWerks S300SX-E equipped) 454 big block engine with...let's say 0.7 bar/ 10psi boost pressure would behave. Should provide 750hp without too much modification. 

Anyhow, a test report will follow. Full of Rocket Science. For real.

Pomona

The early bird gets the worm. I hate that sentence. To start with I'm a night owl not an early bird. Secondly, the vast majority of car swap meets start too early. For no obvious reason. But ok, I admit. There's an exception; The Pomona Swap meet. In this part of the world the early morning torture make sense. Especially in August, when it's 95deg F/35degC already around lunch time.

Actually I'm even happy to raise to this occasion, because Pomona swap meet is fun. Yes, it's a bit gloomy in December and yes there's too much non automotive kitsch for sale too. But still it's one hell of a swap meet /car show /car event.

The entrance. At this point, the bed is forgotten. The legs are not hurting yet and you're full of anticipation.

Too much to see in too few hours. How to cope with that?`Drink water, walk fast and try to determine what's available from each seller based on what's on display. 

  

There are cars for sale too. Of all kinds. Loved this 1949 Chevy Suburban...

...and this Mazda Wankel pick up truck!

 

I'm not a VW man, but if you happen like air cooled engines, there's a big section of cars and parts for you.

I tried to stop it, but Cina still found this old lawnmower.

A non digital search for essential stuff.

 

1948 Cadillac pick-up. Really liked this project car too.

Many square meters of exotic Inlet manifolds.

A Porsche 914 on parade. A car you don't meet every day.

Care for an all original 1964 Lincoln with suicide doors? Available.

No matter if you looking for that special part or just want a day in the sun,  most of car guys and girls will love this swap meet. Because of it's variety of cars, parts and people.

We'll be back soon.

Billet & Boost. Can you get Too high psi?

Some people have a lot of energy. Others have even more. There are those who need more power. Then there are those how have a need for serious power, way beyond what any OEM can provide. Ever.

Let me explain. If your sporty ride feels slow and sloppy, while you still need a reliable daily driver, Magnuson Supercharger have solutions that does not jeopardizes reliability (or emissions). When installed correctly, you can still take a long Gran Tourismo tour and enjoy speed and durability.

But if you want super serious power and transform your daily track sport car to a hardcore race machine there are plenty of solutions from Toohighpsi.

Toohighpsi? Just a creative team with enthusiasm and energy that most of us can only dream about.  

 

Let's assume that you have a Corvette C7 and you've bought a Magnuson Supercharger kit, but your DI injectors cannot deliver more fuel and you don't want to modify the hood. Here's how to solve it; a billet (!) supercharger top cover from Toohighppsi and...

...and this Toohighpsi PFI adapter. An additional set of port injectors that will add the extra fuel that is needed to reach +1200hp in your TVS 2650 equipped Corvette or Camaro.

 

Looks so good!

    

But what's this? Well, this is what happens when you combine creativity, engineering, CAD/CAM, CNC milling machine, a Eaton TVS 900 with an old MG roadster. Love it.

The moral of this post; Everything gets better with some boost pressure and when you're ready for a Rocket Ride far from what's reasonable, Mike and his team are there to support. 

 

Salt Slush can support a lucky launch!

Salt Slush Vacation...a way to get in shape.

Some sleep. Some drink. Some want excitement. Some other are just socializing softly. Magnus, Carina and I felt that all of the above was appropriate when we relaxed from testing, travelling, shipping and shopping.

But more rewarding than anything else is to meet all, literary, amazing people that we meet when we were not alone with the tumble weed, the wind and our howling Amazon at El Mirage. 

Here's what;

 

I was in need of a haircut. So I went to a Barber. Found an amazing guy that I'll never will forget. Ever. Yes, he had prepared most of the people attending The Tonight Show. Including John Wayne. 

Carina, Erik Hansson and Magnus sipping beer and wine while waiting for the T-Bone steaks to get ready.

We took the opportunity to visit Maureen Magnuson too. She showed us the Magnuson Supercharger history and heritage with enviable energy. Yes, she has a Corvette C7 as her daily driver. I mean, what to expect from car girl like Maureen. She and Jerry was a true team. 

Another evening, Ruth suggested a hot rod ride. Consequently, Carina and Ruth took the rod for a late night spin.

Next day, Magnus and I drove the famous track nose roadster under the trees. Palm Trees.

No reverse camera, but all the grace and pace you could every wish for. 

Carina and Ruth drove the hot rod along winding road in a beautiful next door valley. Next door valley i SoCal, not in Gothenburg.

A proper vacation should include some shopping too. So we left Magnus at the airport and went to Pomona Swap Meet to look for treasures.

...we will dedicate a separate blog post to the Pomona Swap meet. Let's just conclude that there's a lot of stuff there... 

...and a rolling car show of epic proportions.

Negative: we killed a +700dollar Good Year Eagle Land speed race tire. 

Positive: as a consequence, we got to meet Nate Jones Jr. at Cowboy Tire. A really nice man, who could crank up hard-to-get race tires in no time. Strong too.

At Nate Jones place we met Hot Rod Chavik, who built this immaculate Buick Straight 8 Indy Car Roadster. What a car and what a man!

Classic vacation? Yes, Carina and I spent an evening at Paolo Verdes. Took these vacation photos to remember the occasion.

Me and the lighthouse. I'm here trying to not look for rattle snakes. Because as always, there are snakes in the close a proximity to paradise.