For this first run I set the boost low; I put on my Simpson helmet, turned on XFI's data logging, and rolled to the water box. With the Drags wet I did a quick spin, pulled ahead, and did a massive burnout. Up at the line, I bumped the pre-stage light and started to build boost-or attempted to, anyway. At the first hint of power, the vacuum booster/front disc/rear drum setup gave way, pushing the T ahead and nearly out of the stage beams. I was able to keep from fouling, and left with no launch boost. But even with a soft launch, 1.96 60-foot and only 20 pounds of total boost, I wasn't ready for the violent Buick torque being channeled through the rear wheels. My entire upper body was sucked into the grey bucket seat as First wound out, Second engaged, and the Buford-induced whiplash receded enough for me to focus on the track, madly correcting the wheel to make up for the uneven launch. Once the T was straight, Third gear came and I flew through the traps. With the brakes applied, everything except my heart rate began to slow. Once on the return road, I saw an 11.71/121. Oof. That was the most intense high-11-second run I've ever made-and it was already more than half a second quicker than my best run with the previous bolt-on combo.
Once parked, I reviewed the data log. The air/fuel ratio looked fine, but due to the fact that the IAT sensor hadn't been moved to the intake and so was reading underhood air (as opposed to intercooled intake air), the O2 correction was working a bit. I twisted the wastegate rod to get a few more pounds of boost, let it cool for an hour, and pulled into the water again. I hadn't been able to install a line lock yet, and I spun one wheel a couple of times before both caught and heated up. As I rolled toward the beams, I threw it in Neutral, revved, and shifted into Third. Once pre-staged, I stood on the brake pedal and gently brought the boost gauge up to 2. It started to roll, so I held it until it was staged and the lights dropped, and then I nailed it. The T lost a little traction, but hissed to a 1.72 60-foot time, and two gears later I could feel the 24-psi boost. The run was over before I knew it, and I was looking at an 11.26 at 124.
Mickey Thompson has a great looking set of rims for its tires: the ET Drag wheels. These forged aluminum rims are light, and available in many popular sizes and backspacings. For this Buick, I chose a 15X3.5-inch setup for the front (PN 75355071), and a15X10-inch rim with 5.5-inch backspacing for the rear (PN 65105075). | 
Here is the Hartline Performance (www.hartlineperformance.com) Flash Selector Switch Module for the XFI box (PN 105083). |
The FSSM works by connecting into the Casper's ECU adapter module, which in turn connects to the XFI. Once in, you flip the display to "4" to flash in tunes: street, race, alcohol, no-start, and valet are all popular. When this is finished, all you need to do is go key-off, flip the switch, and go key-on to have a brand-new program ready! | |