To ensure that the drivetrain was up to the task, the Moser-based Ford 9-inch rear under the car was inspected. Equipped with 35-spline Moser custom alloy axles, a set of 4.30 Pro Street gears, and an aluminum center section with spool, a routine fluid change was all that was necessary to pronounce the rear fit for severe duty. Since the 4L60E was previously rebuilt and wouldn't be up to the massive power without extensive modifications and expense, Tim procured a used Turbo 400 transmission. Together with Keith Schmidt of Smith's Transmission in De Ridder, a racing specification unit was built featuring a hardened input shaft, billet drum, Kevlar clutches, and a B&M transbrake and manual valvebody. A B&M SuperCooler transmission cooler keeps the fluids from boiling, while a TCI flywheel and transmission scatter shield provide peace of mind. A used Vigilante 5200 stall converter for a Turbo 400 was purchased from fellow racer Coleman Roddy, and a Spohn crossmember and PST steel driveshaft round out the drivetrain.
When completed, the car ran a 10.75 on the first pass with a 60-foot time of 1.34. Right out of the box, without any further suspension adjustments, the car lifted the front end high up into the air, matching the goal of 10.50 by the night's end. According to Tim, "The sensation of never being in a car that pulled the wheels that high was quite a treat the first time it was launched with the new setup. Having seen Madman-prepared race cars at the track many times, I was ready for the car to lift, but it was still a trip. It probably would have been a lot less stressful had I listened to Brian to begin with, and properly secured the tachometer to the dash bezel. As it was, as the car was lifting into the air, the bezel and tach launched into my lap. Nothing deterred me, as the worst thing that I could have done was to completely shut her down mid-flight. I managed to stay in it, and as the front end touched down just before reaching the 60-foot mark, all that was left to do was to drive her out. The car was definitely fun with the previous setup, but the new one is even more enjoyable. Knocking on the door of 9-second times is thrilling, but just as important is the repeatability and durability of the current setup. Although I don't get the opportunity to bracket race as much as I would like, the car runs 10.12 to 10.16 in a wide range of weather conditions, and never fails to draw a crowd."
As the car has progressed through a set of evolutionary steps to reach its current performance level, planned changes like a Madman Outlaw torque arm and AFCO shocks in the front should allow the car to bust into the 9s. So confident are they in achieving this goal, that a custom eight-point rollcage meeting sanctioning requirements is in the works. Obsessed with speed? You bet. Fortunately, with age comes patience, as well as the realization that anticipation is an accelerant best left to simmer for a while before boiling over.
The Pewter TA launches off of a transbrake and line lock,... | 
...and when the Vigilante 5200 torque converter flashes and power explodes to the driveshaft and rearend, the car leaps into the air. | 
In just a few feet, the 'Bird is taking flight, and will not put the wheels down until right before the 60-foot mark after shifting into Second Gear. |