Following some last minute changes at Tune Time Performance in Toms River, NJ (before its chariot ride down the coast to our new home base in Tampa, FL), our LT1 Formula project car got a little help in the sixty-foot department thanks to Circle D Specialties. Chris Sehorn at Circle D custom-designed a Stage I Billet Series 4C converter for the Formula's 355 cubic-inch mill and powerband. A single disc, 245mm diameter converter was plenty strong enough for the little Gen II with headroom to withstand a healthy shot of nitrous (hint, hint). Meanwhile its 3600-3800-stall speed and torque multiplication would easily compensate for the Formula's modest 3.42 rear gears. We weren't expecting the greatest gas mileage around town, but on the highway it should do nicely.
The Circle D Specialties Stage...
The Circle D Specialties Stage I Billet 4C converter offered a 3600-3800 stall speed and was of the 245mm diameter, single disc variety at reasonable $725. This hand-built and TIG-welded piece, made with a billet front and piston to exact tolerances, provides not only excellent performance, but great street feel as well. Multi-disc and larger diameter converters (with other stall speeds) are also available to suit a variety of combinations and power levels. Thankfully Circle D takes the guesswork out of converter selection by simply doing it for you-a handy form on its website has you fill in all of the specs of your build, and voila! A custom-designed converter is ready to be shipped to your door.
Tune Time Performance in Toms...
Tune Time Performance in Toms River, NJ was happy to do the wrenching, just in time for our '94 Formula to catch a ride with Intercity Lines, Inc (www.intercitylines.com). I couldn't have been happier dealing with both companies. Tune Time provided a quality and thorough install, and Intercity guarded this beauty with the utmost care. I was surprised when the drivers remarked how much they adored the Formula despite the hauler filled with Ferraris.
During its maiden voyage down...
During its maiden voyage down Gainesville Raceway, on the very first run, the Formula picked up both front tires and screamed to a 1.63 sixty-foot time on its way to 12.172 at 109.65mph using our Summit-sourced Hoosier drag radials (stock size). Despite the small tire and 3.42 gear, the Formula had no trouble getting out of the hole. In the future we hope to weld on some subframe connectors, upgrade the shocks and springs, and maybe even add a little more gear to push the new converter even further-at the risk of annihilating the 10-bolt. But so far, we like what we see and we are not far off from our initial goal of running 11s in daily driver trim.