Question on top speed

I know this is a autoX/road course site but I though some of you might have some insight on this question so I decided to throw this out. I'm thinking about running my car at Maxton N.C. at the E.C.T.A. 1 mile event. I'm putting down around 540RWHP and right now I'm running a 4.10 gear which should max out somewhere around 165 or so. I should get to that which is cool by me since my tech speed should be 175mph. To go over that, I will need a real cage which I'm not willing to do right now.

Later, I would like to replace the gear so I can get some more mph but I'm a bit confused. I've heard that you really should do your best to run 4th gear {1:1} for top speed events because that is the most efficient but my my set-up would really be doggy with something like a 2.73 in the rear. I'm really thinking of running a good dose of nitrous in an effort to get to 200mph {one of my goals} and I think I should have the power to do it but just how much will running 5th gear hurt me? Sure would like to run a 3.42 or 3.73 so I wouldn't have to swap out axles all the time.

Also, I will be carrying a trailer with extra wheels, tools and possibly a bike so I really would like to keep a low gear.

WTB,,, SFI 5 suit and a fire system

Anyone got a SFI 5 fire suit {I'm looking for a 1 piece European style} or a fire extinguisher system that they no longer need?

LS1 for sale

Engine was from my Firehawk. I finally got around to picking it up and discovered what happened to it, it spun a rod bearing. Engine had 60K miles on it and it appears that all is good except the crank and the rod {probably the rod next to it too}. It has a TSP 231 cam, Crane double springs good for .650 lift, titanium retainers and cro-molly push rods. That stuff has around 20K miles on it. Heads are stock and in good shape. It comes with a LS1 intake and a stock ported throttle body. Engine is missing the water pump, the oil pan and the valve covers. Engine is partially apart so inspection will be no problem.

I'm asking 700 hundred for everything and I would really like to sell it all at once. If after a few weeks the engine has not sold I will part it out but the best deal will be buying the whole thing.

You could either replace the crank and two rods with stock stuff and have a 400 HP engine or you could buy a stroker rotating assy. and have a fairly cheap set-up that should make around 440hp. That TSP 231 should be a good match for a 383 or so stroker. Heck, throw a 5 angle valve job on the heads and do some light porting and pick up some more cheap HP.

BTW, for those that do not know me I spun the rod bearing at Road Atlanta. I do alot of autoX and open track stuff. I think I might have had some oil starvation issues during braking and cornering and that is what led to the spun bearing, just a guess though. Engine was well taken care of {M1 and German Syntech at around 5K miles it's whole life}. Cylinders look great and should only need some honing. I live in Cumming Ga. and do not want to ship but I will meet up to 50 miles away.

Popped the engine in my Firebird

I think I pretty well futzed up the engine in my Firebird at the Friday Open track session at Road Atlanta. It layed down on me coming down the back straight and I let off of it at the crest of the hill. Got back into it right after the crest and it started making a bit of noise. I checked the temp and oil pressure and both were good so I once again got back into the gas after 10B and that's when I decided that since I was right at the pits I would go ahead and pull in. Good thing too, I let off the gas as I was coming into the pits and it shut off. At first I thought it was a broken rocker or a push rod or something but I'm pretty sure it's a terminal condition. Gonna go get it Sunday. O-well, not that let down because I have had alot of fun with it and beat on it pretty well. It had over 250 1/4 mile passes, bout the same amount of AutoX passes, well over 100 miles of track time at Road Atlanta and around 55K hard street miles that includes a crapload of play up in the mountains.

I think it's time to get a big engine now,,, I'm thinking I want something like 500-550RWHP! I want a dead reliable bottom end,, any opinions on a 400cid+ short block?

Talladega GPR rental on May the 22nd.

The GAFBA website is down for construction. The GAFBA site had a post with all the particulars so if anyone wants to go please send me a check for 240$ {right now, may get a refund if more people show up} to-

John McCutcheon
5680 Burruss Rd.
Cumming Ga. 30040

I really need the money by the end of the week or our reserved date will be given away. If we miss it, the checks will be returned. Remember, we will be getting alot of track time {something like 6-8 hours!} for not alot of money. We are basing the price on 5 people right now so the price is 240$ but as I said before,,, if more people show up the price could drop to as low as 120$ for ten or more people. At this time I do not think we will have more than 5-10 people show up {if it comes off at all} so everyone will get more track time than they can probably use. Folks, this is cheap for the track time you will get.