OK this is going to sound dumb but I've put a whole bunch of stuff into my car in the past year but it really doesn't feel as fast as it should. Here's what I've got:

Removed the fuel injected 305/5spd.
Installed a crate motor from Jasper (350 w/ 300HP). No emissions or fuel injection or anything. For exhaust, I've got Hedman Headers and straightpiped everything to flow into an 80 series flowmaster muffler. For ignition, Accel 8.8 wires, ACDELCO rapidfire plugs/Put on top of it an Edelbrock RPM Air Gap Manifold, with a 600cfm Performer carb (also Edelbrock). K&N air filter at the very top. The transmission was built at a race shop, using a 700R4 and adding a shift kit, super servo, and a 2500 stall converter. I hooked that up to the rear that has 4.11 gears and a new more aggressive posi unit with carbon fiber clutches. I swapped the stock axles for Moser axles and upgraded the shocks and struts to KYB gasajust. For fun threw in a B&M slapshift with a giant tach and shift light, then lightened stuff up with a fiberglass cowl induction IROC Z turbo hood.

So my question is, ideally, with traction, what should my estimated HP and 1/4 mile time be and why is it my car just doesnt really feel "fast"??

PS-anyone know where to find clear side markers??
Thanks in advance.

 

IMO the 411s are too big for that setup. It feels slow due your lack of hp.

 

To be honest...my Z28 doesnt feel all that fast either compared to my old 94 Z28 or 97 SS... but when I pull upto something and just totally walk away from it...thats how I know and i agree about the rear end.

 

Hmmm....well at this point I'm not ready to re-redo my rear end, but what else can I do to get this car to feel a little faster? Also, is there anyway to get the speedo to read right after swapping in gears?? Any idea on a guesstimate of a quarter mile time??

 

ive seen clear side markers on ebay

 

The gears are not hurting you except on the top end. Your car should still feel fast down low.

2 things:
1. What kind of total timing are you running?
2. Swap off that Edelbrock 600 for a Holley 650 double pumper or a Speed Demon if you have the cash. I picked up over a second ditching my Edelbrock.

Your horsepower at the moment is likely well under the 350 mark. Generally most crate engine manufacturers dyno their engines with open, long tube headers and in the case of your motor, most likely a 750 carb. You should be able to click off mid to low 13's no problem if your engine is like they advertised.

 

I'm with 12 3rdgen.Ditch your carb for the holley 650 2pumper.Did you get a dyno sheet with your motor or did you get a card telling you where your powerband is ie Torque 405@2750 horsepower 390@5600.Maybe at the track your not shifting high enough or to high.

 

Where does it feel slow to you? Coming outta the hole? Top end? Does it stumble? Does it "lay down" at a certain RPM?

 

I agree your carbs a little small,deffenitly go 650 or larger. with toughs 411's your not cocerned with gas milage.

T.

 

I would probably swap out the Jasper cam for a better known unit with matching springs. Also ditch the Edelbrock carb, nice for driving around, crap for going fast. Recommend a Holley or Demon 750. I would go more stall too.

 

Sorry I havent been able to check up, thanks for all the suggestions though....I suspect the carb is too blame for the trauma. I havent liked it since I got it and figured it must be something else, but even a couple of buddies of mine say this carb is kind of crappy when you wanna get on it. You don't think the Speed Demon would be overkill?? I'd gladly swap out the cam, but I'll void my 3 year/75000 mile warrenty. I'm a poor college kid so I need that warrenty if I wanna keep driving my car. What stall speed would you suggest?

 

No a speed demon 650 shouldnt be overkill. You never answered my question, what kind of total timing are you running?

 

Your combo sounds good, decent gas mileage, fun to cruise in with some power when you want it. The first thing I would do is find out the specs on your cam, lift duration and lobe sep. This will give you an idea of where your 'powerband' is. The 4.11s won't hurt you, with an overdrive transmission it will lower your top speed a little, but not as dramatically if it were a 3speed. The 4.11s will also help you get into your powerband quicker. A slightly larger carbitooter will also help. As long as you don't go too big you will notice more top end and better throttle response. With 300 horse, personally I would stick with shortie headers, but I don't know what you said you were running, the shorties will keep it "torquey" down low (i go mid 11s on shorties, all motor) I don't feel long tubes are necessary unless you do lots of top end driving or your over 350 / 375 HP mark. Of course, thats my opinion. Your stall and gears are good, don't go higher or it'll SUCK driving on the street with an OD tranny, you will heat up the converter because you will be cruising under your stall speed and eventually you will destroy your converter or tranny. If you keep it street / daily driven, I wouldnt go higher than 2700 on the stall and even thats a tad high. I agree with the others, try to get your hands on a 650, and then depending on your cam specs and compression ratio you can figure out whether or not you want to advance your timing. Your motor was probably built with the intention of 6-10 degrees of initial timing and 28-32 total but thats just a shot in the dark. Grab a timing light and check it out.

Oh ya, if you do get a new carb, get mechanical 2ndaries.