This super sleeper project (and unofficial husband of Project Grandma), Grandpa has already been modified well beyond its stock specifications, including a full Spohn Suspension to improve handling as well as a fully-built Dart 509 engine to replace the ancient 305 small block.
Drivetrain
Project Grandpa: Building a Custom 9-Inch with Currie
by
Chris Demorro
on
August 17, 2010
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Installation of TCI 6X Six-speed transmission in project “MaxStreet” Chevy II
by
Andrew Wolf
on
July 3, 2010
If four forward gears is good, six must be better, right? That is what TCI is thinking, with the release of their 4L80E-based 6X six-speed automatic high performance transmission. For our powerTV Project MaxStreet Nova II, the 6X was right up our alley. We needed a transmission that can handle 850hp+ that will be produced from our Edelbrock/Musi 555 big block Chevy and F2 Procharger, while cruising at low RPMs on the highway as well.
The Keisler Perfect Fit Kit provides an easy way to transplant a modern transmission into your classic musclecar, no matter your engine choice. We did a tech review on an install of this Tremec 5-speed into our LSA-powered ‘71 Nova
When we upgraded our ‘03 Mustang Cobra to 850hp we wanted to make sure we had a clutch that can handle that much power and also be easy to drive on the street. We decided to go with the RXT clutch because it can stand up to 1,000 horsepower and has a very reasonable pedal pressure. Read more to find out the details on the RXT clutch and watch how we installed it.
This week, we finished up 90% of the mini-tubs which were supplied by Chassis Engineering. In our ‘78 Malibu, we’ve already done segments on the narrowing of the frame rails, cutting out the stock wheel tubs, and boxing the frame rails back in. Now it was time to make sure we can fit the tire and wheel combination with our mini-tubs.
In order to fit the new tubes and supports in place for welding in our new cross-member on Project Grandma, the drive train needed to be mocked up, and we’ve just been dying to get the Edelbrock/Musi big block crate motor into the engine bay along with the TCI Pro-X Glide. Plus, we figured we’d show off a little bit of our new Lemon’s race headers.
We’ve been working with Currie Enterprises on a few different projects, and it just so happened that Project Grandma’s need for a new rear end intersected perfectly with a top-secret project at Currie.
We are on the home stretch with Project Grandma. This last week Mike Ryan has been working on some of the smaller details of the build, before taking on the major tasks like mounting the Currie F9 rear end and putting the fenders back on. Check out how far we’ve come this week below!
Depending on who you speak to, we lose 10- to 20-percent of our torque due to friction losses in the drivetrain. Naturally, no one likes losing torque after spending so much money and working so hard to create this rotating force. This is, after all, the force we use to move the car and no matter which class you run, the name of the game is to move the car. So if we’re going to be good racers, one of the many questions we must ask is, “What can I do to reduce torque loss due to friction in the drivetrain? In this article we show you a few ways.
Project 666 Mustang is moving along, with the hairy goal of putting down 666 horsepower and running 10s. With power comes great responsibility, and we knew the tired old T-5 stock transmission and wimpy clutch just wouldn’t be up for the job. So after 25 years of service, it was removed from our mighty four-eyed ’86 Mustang to make room for a fresh, durable TKO-600 transmission from Tremec and a fresh SPEC clutch.
Project All Air has been under the scalpel undergoing a series of internal organ transplants. It is well on its way to becoming a nine second wheels up drag car. To help harness that power, we are installing the latest Moser M9 package, complete with Moser’s F-Body Torque Arm – and are capping it off with ChassisWorks shocks. Check out the steps and photos to installing this package.
We all know that big power means big money. Making cars go fast isn’t just an issue of adding ‘go power,’ but making sure the car can withstand the beating. The axle always bears the brunt of the abuse, so let’s compare different aftermarket 9-inch bolt-in rear-ends available on today’s market – and no you don’t always have to break the bank.
When it comes to trying to run low 8’s, you can have all the horsepower in the world, but your rear end and transmission need to be bulletproof. So when it came time to select a transmission for Project Grandma – our infamous ‘78 Malibu – we made a call to the transmission experts over at TCI. They recommended one of their Pro-X Powerglide transmissions, and you’re about to learn more than you ever dreamed about what it takes to make a serious ‘Glide.
Selecting a bulletproof rear end for your car may seem easy, but there are a lot of different builders, and hundreds of options from wild to mild. A name that has always been at the top of the list is Currie, and they have released a new fully fabricated 9-inch housing – the F9 – for hardcore drag racing applications. We got a first hand look at the F9 as they build one for our Project Grandma.
