A NW native, I've owned my '57 since May'72. Some of you NW folks may recognize this Chevy, especially if you frequent the drags. Since owning the car, it has always remained completely stock appearing with its whitewalls, full wheel covers, and column-shifted trans. The drivetrain is another story. In the summer of '73, it received an out-of-the-crate LT-1 (350ci, 11:1cr, 370hp) engine coupled to a built TH400. It ran mid-to-low 13's for quite awhile, but eventually improved to a best of 12.78 at 105+.
I was satisfied, but my two boys were not. They found a 400ci 4-bolt main small block and had Dale Green (DG Machine - Auburn, WA) build me a gorilla short block that ended up being a 408ci. Again, this was in June of 2000. The car immediately dipped into the 11's, going 11.78 at 114. Whoa! The track manager said "Cage it or else!" as the NHRA limit for no cage at the time was 12-flat. Had to short-shift and dialed 12-flat for my bracket racing until NHRA lowered the limit to 11.50. Ah ha!
I thought ... Hmmmm? Wouldn't it be nice to challenge that 11.50 limit? So, this past summer, on went some AFR "210 Comp. Pkg" heads to replace the AFR "Street 195's". I coupled those with some new Hooker SuperComp headers that tuck-up nicely and out of sight, plus a new 3" exhaust system with H-pipe. Go here for some install details and pics.
Did the new pieces help? YOU BET! ... as on 10/19/2008, the car recently clicked off an 11.433 at 117.59 mph! Again, the track manager said "Doug, you're gonna have to cage it!" The car will never receive a cage, as it will always remain my '57 "Sleeper".
Here's a photo taken on that day ...
Leaping '57 11-second "Sleeper" - 10/19/2008
For more stats, go here. While there, drop me a vote!
Nice to be aboard the TriFive forum! :tu
UPDATE: On 10/10/09 with excellent air, my '57 went 11.385 sec @ 118.66 mph!
I was satisfied, but my two boys were not. They found a 400ci 4-bolt main small block and had Dale Green (DG Machine - Auburn, WA) build me a gorilla short block that ended up being a 408ci. Again, this was in June of 2000. The car immediately dipped into the 11's, going 11.78 at 114. Whoa! The track manager said "Cage it or else!" as the NHRA limit for no cage at the time was 12-flat. Had to short-shift and dialed 12-flat for my bracket racing until NHRA lowered the limit to 11.50. Ah ha!
I thought ... Hmmmm? Wouldn't it be nice to challenge that 11.50 limit? So, this past summer, on went some AFR "210 Comp. Pkg" heads to replace the AFR "Street 195's". I coupled those with some new Hooker SuperComp headers that tuck-up nicely and out of sight, plus a new 3" exhaust system with H-pipe. Go here for some install details and pics.
Did the new pieces help? YOU BET! ... as on 10/19/2008, the car recently clicked off an 11.433 at 117.59 mph! Again, the track manager said "Doug, you're gonna have to cage it!" The car will never receive a cage, as it will always remain my '57 "Sleeper".
Here's a photo taken on that day ...
Leaping '57 11-second "Sleeper" - 10/19/2008
For more stats, go here. While there, drop me a vote!
Nice to be aboard the TriFive forum! :tu
UPDATE: On 10/10/09 with excellent air, my '57 went 11.385 sec @ 118.66 mph!