While living in California I decided to order personalized plates for my '93 Mustang.  I went through many different titles and sayings until I came up with this one that was unique.  WILWAXU means, " I will wax (as in outrun) you".  The Plate would have looked good under my "Porsche's for Breakfast, Ferrari's for Lunch" license plate ring, but unfortunately the car was totaled before the plate arrived.  When I went online for the first time "John Brown" in just about ANY form was taken, so I opted to use WILWAXU as a log-on name.  The rest is history...lol

My Formula

2001 Pontiac Firebird Formula Pewter, Automatic

26 January 2001:  After my beloved SS was considered a total loss, I found a replacement for it.  I purchased my brand new 2001 Firebird Formula from Hampton Pontiac in Hampton, VA.  It has a grand total of two options, 1SB (which is a option group) and GU5, which is the performance axle (3.23).  The car is optioned nearly like the SS, but it has cloth interior.  Should be fun!

5 March 2001:  Had a little fun with the new car today.  Keith Moore and myself went to Abacus Racing here in Virginia Beach for some dyno action.  I've never been a big fan of the dyno, I like to show my performance where it counts, The Track!  I left today with a new respect for the dyno and learned allot about my new LS1.  Keith started the day with his killer 98 Camaro SS.  He went 371.6hp/396.6tq naturally aspirated and 506.3hp/486.3tq on a 150 wet shot.  After all the excitement with his car came my bone stock Formula.  Check out the number below.  I gain a total of  35.1hp needless to say, I'm very happy with the results.  I'm glad to see that the proven LS1 mods show up so well on the dyno.  Now I need to get to the track :).  

9 March 2001:  Tracking all the HP gains with the Whisper products, I installed the Whisper Cat-back and Ram-Air and headed back to the Dyno.  My previous capped best was 303.2hp/325.2tq.  I knew the Cat-back would show an improvement, but figure the Ram-Air wouldn't get enough air to show and improvement.  To make a long story short when I installed the Whisper Cat-back I couldn't reuse the cut-out again, it was the one off the SS, and reused too many times and wasn't worth cutting up my new Cat-back for.  I plan to order a new one ASAP!  I also installed the Whisper Ram-Air and inserted the block off plate for the first pass.   I also got in 5 other runs, trying the Timing Tricker and removing the filter, unlike Monday they didn't show a gain.  All in all I'm Very happy the Cat-back and Ram-Air brought the capped HP numbers up to match the uncapped run on Monday.  Figure 282.9hp/305.72tq to 318.1hp/334.2tq or 35.2hp and 28.48tq gain with the addition of the Whisper Motor sports Parts!  Should be headed to Richmond Sunday!

11 March 2001:  Richmond was worthless today for street tired cars. But, fortunately I was able to make the best of it, and make a great pass. I got a whopping 2 passes for my time and money. First pass was scary!, car spun to the 1/8 mile marker! Still it ran a 14.76@107.09. Comically, My SS's first pass was very similar!  The next pass was eliminations, I dialed a 13.10, hoping I could at least "pedal it" to that. I stalled the converter to 1000rpm's hoping to hit the tires softer and it worked good, the tires spun over a couple of times and kept moving, and yielded a 12.741@109.99  Holy MPH, I was AMAZED by this time slip!  I was looking for a descent 12.9 before I install the Thruster Pro... but I'll take the 12.7.

17 March 2001:  Keith Moore (98 SS 877) and I headed over to VMP today for some 1/4 mile action... Keith got in one motor pass (11.40@117.08) and is now banned from every track in our area (no roll bar :D) and I came home with a new best!  No changes from last week, just a few more miles and MUCH better traction the Formula went 12.67@108.83 (1.888) (on GSC's!).  I love this car! Once again amazed by the time slips this car pulls, and the 1.88 is freakish!  Also, Got a chance to weigh the 'Bird today too... 3475 w/me!  Time install the TP-4400, ET streets and skinnies :)

25 March 2001:  Headed up to Maryland International Raceway (MIR) looking for some killer times out of my converter and wheel swap.  Bob Cosby and drove up together, unfortunately Bob had some trouble and had to head back home.  I went ahead to the track.  Once again my trusty Formula was hauling!  My very first pass with the new combination was a 12.12@111 (1.62) :).  This converter is AWESOME!  I played with launch RPM's all day and managed to run a 12.074@111.42 (1.622) as my new best!  Needless to say, I love this converter!!  I also got to meet up with a bunch of the EFA guys and have some great food at Berts... It was a good time!

14 April 2001:  Got a chance to see what the Thruster Pro did to my Dyno numbers.  It was interesting.  I lost nearly 4rwhp, but gained 50ftlbs of torque :).  Of course a the car ran 6 tenths better with less horsepower :)  I love it :)    

15 April 2001:  Went back up to MIR for the Eastern F-Body (EFA) Track day.  It was killer, well over the 100 F-bodies expected.   Had a great time and got see how the new Formula ran in warmer weather.  No new best, but ran a bunch of 12.1's including a 12.174@110.23 (1.627) best.  I also got a new best 60ft 1.618, to bad I had my hand on the shifter.... and pulled it into 2nd... needless to say it didn't shift.  I made the Naturally Aspirated Quick Eight, with my slowest time of the day.. 12.22@110.04 (1.655).  Then in round one I won with a 12.176@110.08 (1.625).  Then lost round two because of a red light... but still ran a 12.19@110.34 (1.642).  Keith Moore ran a killer 11.20@119 (1.50) on the motor and an awesome 10.48@127 (1.49) on the gas!  There were allot of neat cars there, and most of them headed over to Bert's, for some good food and fun after the track, it was a ZOO!:) 

24 August 2001:  Added #1 Whisper Headers, #2 HPP3 (Power Tuning, 6600 limiter only), #3 Ported TB, #4 Trans Cooler over the summer.  Went out to VMP to see how the new mods would help out the car, and to start testing & tuning for some deep 11's.  I ran six passes, 4 of which were 12.0's including the heartbreaking 12.001 @ 111.73 (1.62).  The disgusting part... the car weigh 3401 with me and over a F'ing quarter tank of gas. O well, guess my first 11 second pass will have to wait just a little longer.

26 August 2001:  Ever seen a flex plate come apart .......... it's not pretty.  The Formula's first pass in the 11 second pass came with a driver with no helmet.  I was so excited at the starting line that I forgot put my helmet on.  On launch, I remembered REAL quickly.   The helmet flew back and hit the rear window!  wonder it didn't break something.  Rolled around to the ticket booth.  11.95@113.27 (1.64) :)  I knew that I didn't get the best launch, so I quickly came back around for another run.  Staged, launched and about the 330 I hear that nasty bang and a bunch of stuff coming out from under the car.  Verdict.  00 & up flex plates are build lighter than earlier models.  This one came apart.  Took out the entire bottom half of the bell housing and tore up the starter.  Shrapnel created dents in the floor plan and headers.  It was a general mess.

15 September 2001:  Got a new combo, and it needs some work! I was able to get a new best 11.93 @ 112.96 (1.56), but the weather today was allot better than my results.  Since my 11.95 run I've added a Yank Ultra Thruster 4600 converter and Yank Pro 4l60e tranny.  

26 October 2001:  Bob Cosby and I made a last minute decision to head up to MIR. I got off work, loaded the ET Streets/Skinnies in the car and headed out on the 3 hour drive to the track.  Bob and I were both curious to how our "Street" setup's would run. I got to MIR, unloaded all the junk and headed to the track... thinking Spin City.  The Ultra Thruster kills the tires, I didn't think the Nitto's would be up to the task.  Here's a basic list of my street (daily driver) Different from race setup:  Tires:
Rear: 315/17 Nitto DR (14psi), Front: 275/17 Nitto Extreme.  Through full exhaust: Whisper Headers to Whisper Cat-back (Cut-out closed).  This is just like I drive the car on the street 40 miles a day.  Thinking the UT-4600 was going to kill the poor Nitto's, I pedaled the car out and ran a:  (1.692) 12.286 @ 110.23    My jaw dropped! Could believe that it hooked.. Figure I give it a little more on the next run... (1.655) 12.171 @ 111.16.  I still pedaled it, but was starting to have fun! Couldn't believe the track/Nitto's were holding that kind of power! Figured I'd see what opening the cutout would get me:  (1.634) 12.159 @ 111.08.  All the launch's on Nitto's were coming out at 1000rpm's and rolling into the throttle.  I almost had too much fun on the Nitto's... I didn't get to make any TnT run's on the ET Streets.  After a little debate, decided to throw the ET Streets on and hit qualifying.  Not knowing what to dial in at, I figure a 11.89 was good.. if I broke out I would at least have a new best.  I brought the launch rpm's to 2800, figuring the ET Streets would hold it... (I should have lower the air pressure in the ET Streets (15psi)..) it spun!  (1.540) <<-- Spun! 11.868 @ 112.67.  That was my one and only pass on the ET Streets... needless to says.. I broke out.  Even with only one pass on the ET Streets I had a blast!  

28 October 2001:  I went to a Richmond Drag way on Sunday and ran a 11.84 @ 114.06 (1.61) spinning my azz off.  Very disappointed with the traction and torque management issues, happy for the new best.. but know the car has A LOT more in it.

27 February 2002:  As many of you know, I have chased Torque Management issues for over 6 months. I finally bit the bullet and had the PCM tuned by Ed Wright.. of course I get the PCM back right as the tracks closed in the VA/MD area.  For the past week I have been "home" (Tampa Bay area of Florida).
I rolled into town last Wednesday only a couple of hours before Sunshine Drag way opened (1/8th mile). I had "packed" my trusty ET Streets & Skinnies .. so I quickly got them changed out, removed the rear speakers and hit the road for the track.  Once I got to the track I noticed there wasn't anyone there that I knew (not running), which meant I had to carry my trusty track bag in the car, also do to my "cross country" trip earlier that day.. the gas was still at about half tank, along with the passengers seat, and the track bag were additions to my normal race weight.  I roll out on the track for my first pass.. having never ran a 1/8th mile track before I wasn't sure what to expect. I heat the tires real good (they haven't been on the in awhile) stage and decide to come out full boogie:  (1.57) 1/8 7.537 @ 89.32.  Not bad for a first pass in about 4 months.  I rolled back around ran about 7 runs total, most in the 7.52-7 range. With best pass looking like this:  (1.569) 1/8 7.499 @ 89.36.  I was excited! No Torque Management and the car was running and 60ft'ing well. The next night was set for Bradenton Motor sports Park for some 1/4 mile action and I made sure to have the car at normal race weight approx: 3390.  

28 February 2002:  Rolled into BMP about 30 minutes prior to the lanes opening (normally VERY early) the place was already PACKED! Unfortunately, it was mostly rice or street tired cars. I quickly got the car ready... and rolled into the lanes. I did a good burn out, and staged.. launched and spun pretty good, the results:  (1.596) 1/4 11.847 @ 112.88.  I was happy thinking I could easily run faster with a little more traction.. It never came, I ran another 5 runs till the rice and the poor traction got the best of me. I managed to run a 11.90, 11.95, 11.99, 12.00, 12.07 all spinning badly. I have been going to BMP all my life. I had never seen a crowd that large there!

6 March 2002:  I had all but decided to leave the car in street trim until next Tuesday for the drive home.  But as the day went on yesterday, I couldn't take not being at the track if it's open .. so.. I pulled the car into my dads garage and had it back in strip mode in about 20 mins (got to love air tools). I headed off to Sunshine ready!  As I roll into the pits.. it starts to rain.. praying to rain god, I started "teching" in. (Rain stopped).  First pass I wasn't expecting the track to hook.. rain and two street tired cars in front of me.. I come off the light just mashing the throttle.. (1.567) 1/8 7.495 @ 89.66  Cool! It hooked!!  Ran another 3 runs, all in the 7.46-8's then came:  (1.548) 1/8 7.448 @ 90.09.  Ran one more pass.. 1.66, 7.59.. figured the track was done for the night so I packed up and went home.  After spending the last 6 months with the car running like $hit, it feels good to get some good runs under my belt.  Moral of the story: If you are experiencing TM, get programming NOW!  BTW: The car was carrying both front wheels.

23 March 2002:  more to come ;)

25 July 2002:  Back home at Bradenton Motor sports Park (BMP)  with my new converter.  The UT-4600 was just toooo much for my stock internals car.  Even with the 11.6 the car wasn't pulling after the 8th mile on... so it was time to scale it back.  Dropped a Yank TP-4200 in, and a week later headed to Florida for a little business trip and free weekend at home.  First night back I headed over to BMP with the car in full street mode, sway bar on and 17's all around (315 Nitto's on back).  I mainly went just to see how this new converter worked.  It was crazy hot!  I rolled up cracked off a 12.28 on the first pass.  The car didn't hook at all, so I drop the pressure in the tires and start "pedaling" out of the hole and ended up with a new "street setup" best of 12.08 @ 110.33 (1.641)  Considering the heat.. I was very happy!

27 July 2002:  Back at BMP, this time on "kill".  Even with the oppressive heat I couldn't wait to get to the track.... mostly want to see how the car did in "race" mode.  I wasn't disappointed.  Went 11.88@111.09 (1.583) in 90 degree weather!  DA was over +2000ft!  All I can think about is what it will run in -2000ft DA's we see around Maryland in the winter months... it should be a fun winter ;)  Just for kicks, I threw the Nitto's back on for another "blast"... went 11.94@111.49 (1.63) 17" Nitto's :D

3 November 2002:  FINALLY got back to the track!  No new best ET... but close.  I ran 3 11.7ooh's.  Best pass:  11.701@114.37 (1.554) also got a new best 60ft for the TP-4200 a 1.541 and a new 1/8th mile mph best: 92.11.  Unfortunately, the Race weight was 3425. The car.. and the driver have gotten heavier over the summer. Time for a diet for both of us :)

27 April 2003:  Headed out to the local track for some fun in the car... it's been setting since November.  A snowy winter plus a 7 week business trip really cut into my race time ;).   Mason Dixon is a fun little track, but not one for setting new best.  It's elevation and the weather this time of the year normally leave me to run for the fun of it.  Today was a little more fun..  ended up knocking off a killer new daily driver trim best: 12.00@111.8 (1.65).  Considering the DA was in the +2000 range.. I was very happy!  

30 May 2003:  FINALLY got back to the track in Kill Mode!  Sound like a broken record ;)  No new best.. the DA was +2200ft.  Best pass:  11.892@112.90 (1.614).  Installed the Yank Transmission Cross member.  This relocates the torque arm off the rear of the transmission, also got a Hawker lightweight battery.. trying to make up for some of the weight the car has gained.  All in all it was great getting back in the saddle.

3 June 2003:  New Best!!  That's right, a new best in this terrible weather!  Went to MIR tonight in FULL street trim, literally drove there from work! No lightweight battery, No short belt, No slicks, No skinnies.. and on big (heavy) 17's.  New "Street Mode" best 11.987 @ 111.22 (1.59).  Figure the race weight was ~3550+  How about a 11 second street car, heavy and in hot weather :).   No bad for a night I didn't plan on going to the track!

3 October 2003:  Went to Cecil County last night for a little "TnT" before the Shootout. Was able to click off a new best: 11.634 @ 115.14 (1.56).  Cecil was it's usually Friday night self.. slip 'n slide.

4 October 2003:  This morning headed down to MIR for the Shootout. Was a great day of racing! Had a BLAST!!  I was low qualifier in LS1 Pure Street (LS1 Bolt-on class) with a 11.58 @ 115.84 (1.54) Then went on to win the class in a VERY close race with Hawkn01(Tim Jewel). Every pass today beat my old best. Best run of the day was: 11.574 @ 115.54 (1.53).  Thanks goes to East Side, Tbyrne, TSP, F-Body Central, Lethal EFI Performance and TMI Auto for sponsoring the event & class!!  My goal was to get a 11.5 without turning the car into a rolling shell and I got it today! Car is now at a approximate 3360 race weight. Addition of Year One carpet and BMR K member count for the recent weight loss. 

5 October 2003:  Weighed the car today at Mason Dixon (NHRA cert. scale). It's a little lighter than I though.  Weighed 3360. But, I had the passengers seat and a little more gas in it. So I figure the race weight yesterday was more like 3320.

26 October 2003:  New "Street Mode" best: 11.865 @ 112.93 (1.590) Race weight ~3460.  Stock Internals on 17" Nitto 555 275/40's (front) and 555R 315/35 Drag Radials (rear).  Those that were at Bristol, same setup that went 12.07 @ 109 (1.60) there.  Full interior minus rear seat (never in the car) Basically the way I drive the car to work everyday minus the rear speaker panels.  My previous best with this setup was 11.987 @ 111.22 (1.59) in the heat of the summer.  Wanted to see what I could pull off on the radials in decent weather. I believe it would go deeper in killer DA, but I'd rather run in full kill mode in those conditions.  Track wasn't hooking well early, but after some slick tire cars got out there, it came around nicely.

10 January 2004:  Drove 953 miles back home to Florida for the BADRAP track day (and a vacation)  Had a great time at the track day and got a new best Not a huge jump.. but not too bad: 11.544 @ 115.39 (1.538)  Ran a new best MPH on a earlier run: 115.97.  Changes since the last new best:  Bogart R/T's, 26x11.5 ET Streets and BMR Lower Control Arm Brackets.  UPDATE:  Found one of my traction problems. I had re-installed pan hard support. It's been off for nearly a year. The bolts on my LPW cover were hitting it. Last week I "clearanced" and put it back on the car... well, I didn't clearance it enough It was hitting pretty hard.  I did allot more clearancing today.. hopefully that will cure some of my traction problems.

29 March 2004:  Drove down to Capitol for some shakedown passes with the brand new motor. For those that don't know. I smoked the stock motor setup a couple weeks ago. Basically, the car got real lean and burnt a piston into the ring land. Very ugly! *Bonehead owner mistake. Anyway.. The New Setup:  New 2004 Z06 short block, MTI 2E heads, X1 cam & tuning. After a few TnT runs, re-gapping plugs.. etc.. I was finally able to get a clean pass off: 11.052 @ 123.01 (1.55). After seeing that.. I figure it was time to get a little more serious.. Put on the short belt and pulled the passengers seat Next pass was a nice one 10.925 @ 122.32 (1.49). That was the first elimination round.. Edgehawk beat me. I broke out a little... my dial in was a 10.99. Race weight was in the ~3390-3400 range. Added a roll bar, belts and a spohn rear sway bar since my 3320 SI days. I now have a legitimate 10-second street car and I'm very happy with the new combo. It has a ton more in it, not to mention it still only has 200 miles on it. HUGE thanks goes out to Jayson and all the guys at MTI. They burnt the midnight oil to get my parts turned around in an unbelievably short time. BTW.. For those keeping score, Capitol is 60 miles (each way) from my house ;).

10 April 2004:  Made the haul to Cecil County Drag way.  Since the weather looked good, I drove out on my ET Streets.  Got of a few passes before the track went away.  Funny enough I was able to nearly match my best ET in worst DA.  Ran a 10.925 @ 122.22 (1.52).  Ran a new best mph at spinning pass 11.074 @ 123.71 (1.63).  All in all it was a good day of racing.  After the last pass, I capped the cutout and took off the short belt and drove 101 miles back home :)  Love my street car :) 

26 September 2004: Good day at the track. New "Street Mode" best on the 17's. First time out on the 17's since doing the Heads & Cam. Car's best on this setup Stock Internals was 11.865 @ 112.93 (1.590) Race weight ~3460. Setup is: 17" Nitto 555 275/40's (front) and 555R 315/35 Drag Radials (rear). Full interior minus rear seat (never in the car) Basically the way I drive the car to work everyday minus the rear speaker panels. The new numbers: 11.341 @ 119.30 (1.58) backed up with a: 11.362 @ 119.32 (1.65). DA was ~ +1396. Figure the car was close to 3500lbs with the 17's. The 17's are fun.. but frustrating if they don't hook. Hopefully I'll get a chance to shoot for something deeper on the big rims when the weather gets real good around here.

3 October 2004:  LOL.. how about this: 11.14 @ 121.66 (1.55) on 17" drag radials! I cheated this time though... I had the skinnies on the front and a little better air. Guessing DA was ~ +500. Someone drove 100 miles one way to the track and forgot the lug nuts for their Bogart's. O well, had fun anyway.

6 October 2004:  Is this consistent? Made 4 passes at Cecil County last night, in the order they were done:  #1 - 5:57PM 10.99 @ 123.25 (1.52) #2 - 7:01PM 10.98 @ 123.27 (1.51) #3 - 8:38PM 10.97 @ 123.22 (1.50) #4 - 10:12PM 10.96 @ 123.10 (1.49)  Freaking like a clock.  Car had too much gas in it or I would have beat my best. As the gas burned off, it got quicker Needed a few more runs to burn it off. Brian (Fireball) and I had everyone at Cecil seeing double.. 2 10 second Pewter LS1 Firebirds, funniest part of the night was when we both ran 10.97's, one right after the other..

14 November 2004:  Finally got the MTI Stage 2E & X1 cam out in some good air and got a new best!  10.77 @ 125.35.  I'm betting the 10.77 pass was at least a 1.46 60ft, too bad the f'ing timer wasn't working on that pass.  Difference between this and my previous best 10.92 runs back in March-April is mileage on the combo (5K), Randum Tech TA and a SLP Dual/Dual catback.. but I run a cutout at the track, so that doesn't get much use there.  Weather was very good, track was hooking great!, what more could you ask for?!

21 January 2005:  Moving to San Diego, CA = Land of no dragstrips ;)

8 January 2006:  I've been daily driving and enjoying the car on the street all year.  Heading to Japan in a few months.  Car is currently "forsale" but only for the right offer.  If you are interested contact me at wilwaxu@yahoo.com 

Dynos

Quarter Mile Time Milestones

My SS

1999 Camaro SS #738 Pewter, Automatic

In November 1999, I finally found the "perfect" LS1 for me, I purchased a loaded 1999 Camaro SS, Automatic.   At this point I had spent a year trying to talk myself out of getting a 6spd.  I had became a active "reader" of LS1.com, and tried to learn as much as I could about the LS1 F-bodies.

12 November 1999:  A little over a week after buying the car, I drove "home" to Tampa, Florida.  My first priority was to get the SS to my old stomping grounds at Desoto Raceway.  I got into town a few hours early, and really wanted to ensure my new car did well at the track.  A few months earlier I had noticed Whisper Motorsports was in the Clearwater.  I gave them a call, and went over to the shop to pick up a lid and some port MAF ends.  While talking to the owner, he showed me one of the new carbon fiber Whisper lids.  The minute I saw it, I had to have it.  After a little persuading I was able to talk him into selling me one of the first two Carbon Fiber lids made:), one was on his car, and one on mine.

Now that I had the cards stacked in my favor, I went home and got ready for a night of racing.  I had never driven a automatic car at the track...boy was it different.  I did a burnout, staged.  Unfortunately I didn't notice the guy in front of me had poured VHT directly on the track...and of course I lined up right in it:(  The lights come down, I hit the gas, and it starts spinning....and spinning and spinning.  The whole time this is happening, I'm looking out my rearview mirror and not liking what I saw...white smoke..  The car ran a impressive 16.77@84.  To be honest, I was scared.  I thought I had broke my brand new car on it's first pass.  I pull around to the pits.  My dad walks up and asks what happened in mid sentence said "what in the world is that."  I get out of the car, there's black goo "spider webs" all over the back of the car.  That's when I figure out what happen.  I rolled back around immediately, the next pass was a 13.59@103 a little better, but I expected more.  I continued make run after run until the time fell to a 13.20@105.  At that point, I thought I make one more pass and go home.  It was a little better and made me proud..13.19@105.31 (2.01)

17 November 1999:  After driving back to Virginia, I still wanting to go faster,  I stop by a local performance shop and picked up a K&N filter and headed for Virginia Motorsports Park (VMP).  In the cooler air I made 7 passes, and clicked off a new best of 13.16@105.43 (2.01).  Two days later I was at it again, this time at Richmond Dragway.  I was able to get a 13.15@105.38 (1.94).  Looking back, that was a killer 60ft for F1's and a very stock car.  This is the same day that Keith Moore (98 SS)  ran 12.33@110 (1.66) on Nittos and all the bolt-ons.  I was very impressed with his car, and wanted mine to run like his!

A little after Christmas, I did all the free mods.  Cutting out the FRA in my kitchen:).  I drove home to Florida for New Years and hoping to get some good track times.  Before leaving to go home, I made one more assault on Desoto.  I was rewarded with a killer 12.96@106.67 (1.97):)  Total mods for that run: Whisper Lid; MAF ends; K&N; and !Free Mods.  Twelve's for around $300...can't beat it!

22 August 2000:  After returning from a 6 month Mediterranean deployment I had saved up some "Mod" money.  I ordered a HPPIII, thermostat, a set of Nitto Drag Extreme's and a Whisper Ram-Air.  I was in Florida again, so I headed to Desoto to see how the car would perform with the new mods and in the heat.  The car ran 13.20@104.78 in 93° weather.  I wasn't happy with it, but figure the weather was the biggest problem.  

I started hitting the track every weekend, running allot of 13.1 &13.0's in the heat running a new best mph with a 13.10@107.09. 

29 October 2000:  Looking for more HP and to see another 12 before installing the converter, I installed a cut-out.  The car responded well, running a new best of 12.94@107.91 on the stock converter!  The crazy thing almost ran a 108mph on an earlier run: 13.01@107.99 :)  

12 November 2000:  Finally after sitting on it for two months I installed the converter.  Finished the install just as the track was opening...I live 2 hours from there:(  I took the 2 hour trip to Richmond arriving in time to make one TnT run before eliminations.   With no "tuning" time I was only able to get in two runs with an UGLY best of 12.73@107.47.  The car was all over the rev limiter, and needed more adjusting to get it right.  I figure it's got a 12.5 in it, if I can get it to hook.  

First Mod I didn't like:  I tried the Poly Trans mount and didn't like it at all.  I transferred allot of drive train vibrations into the interior of the car.  I took it out immediately!  Maybe if I get a little more hardcore I'll put it back in, but I doubt it.

18 November 2000:  I was down in Florida for Thanksgiving Holidays, but had some unfinished business at the track.  I went to Desoto wanting to click off a few clean runs with the converter.  The temperature was a little warm for drag racing (75°), but not bad.  First pass and I was happy 12.69@108, I hot-lapped the car and the time fell, until I ran a 12.61@108.31.  Not stellar but I'm satisfied.  I know now that the car will easily run in the 12.5's, maybe high 12.4's.  Come on cold weather!

25 November 2000:  Bob Cosby (99 Cobra) and I Drove 300 miles (one way) up to Cecil County Raceway looking for a killer ET.  First pass was horrible, it was cold and so was the track, I spun to nearly half track to ugly 14.17@107:(   I was pissed, thinking "Damn, drove all the way up here for this..."  Very next pass was a 12.42@110.27, I cheered right up!  HELLO MPH:)  I pulled into the pits and removed the sway bar end links.  The next  4 runs were in the mid to low 12.3's then came the shocker! 12.305@110.80 (1.758)!!  I made a total of 18 passes, all but 5 were 110+mph and I ran 9 passes in the 12.3's :)  It was great!!  Well worth the trip!!  Bob was able to click off an amazing 12.31@110.2 (1.69) in his killer Cobra!

10 December 2000:  Did the long haul to Cecil again.  This time I went up with Keith Moore (98 SS).  Once again the track was cold and traction wasn't very good at first.  I ran a bunch of 12.4's and low 12.31's once the track warmed up.  Even, ran a 12.350@110.92 with the spare tire still in:)  The cool thing was the MPH, the SS was pulling out 111mph passes like it was nothing.  Not wanting to go home without a new best, and after some "encouragement" from Andy Wheeler (AzzKicker) and Keith, I decided to go all out.  I remove the passenger seat, upper rear seat back, and the rear speaker panels.  Race weight: 3500 (3315+Me)  Guess what happen!?! 12.252@111.68 (1.751)!!! followed by a 12.258@112.11 (1.783).  Keith spent the day trying to stay under a 12.0 (no roll bar, NHRA track), running some killer 1/8 mile passes including a 100mph pass on the bottle, of course beside me. (Bastard:))  After that pass, his rear end started making lots of noise.  Keith was upset...he hadn't been able to get a full 1/4 mile pass before the rear went south.  After a little debate he went out and made a full NA 1/4 mile pass running a 11.59@116, and getting warned to slow it down.  He now wanted to go for a full 1/4 mile N20 pass but broke the tranny and did more damage to the rear setting on the starting line.  Even with all the problems, Keith's car made it over a 150 mile back to his Dad's house!

29 December 2000:  Headed down to Florida for New Years, I wanted to get some test & tune time and try some new shift points.  The weather was cool, but the pressure and humidity was in the toilet.  After some practice I was able to pull out a 12.555@108.78 (1.775) on a very traction limited track.  Needless to say I didn't get to try my new shift points, the limited traction made the car VERY inconsistent.

30 December 2000:  I met up with the gang from BADRAP for some fun at the track.  The weather was good for Florida.  I decided to go full bore before getting to the track.  I removed the front sway bar, rear seat back and the rear speaker panels.  I decide to leave the passenger seat in.  The track was hooking well!  On nearly every pass I was running 1.75-1.74 60fts!  My previous best was a 1.75:).  I made about 5 passes, playing with launch rpms.  Then with a 1000rpm launch I cut a 12.32@110.42 (1.725)  I knew it came out hard, but was shocked at the time slip!  I went back to the pits and pulled the passenger seat, hoping to get into the 12.2's.  Unfortunately, I only made one more pass before the track got oiled down 12.349@110.42 (1.727).  The track never came back around after that.  I put the seat back in and called it a day.  It was great meeting up with all the "faces" from the internet.  The BADRAP guys were all pulling out new best.  It was a great time!

25 January 2001:  Well, the SS came to a sudden end last weekend.  On a wet road I spun out and hit a tree.  I found out today that it is Totaled.  I'm going to miss the SS, I plan on re-using as many performance parts as possible on my new 2001 Firebird Formula.

Heating the Nitto's	**1.758 60ft**	YES!!! 12.30@110.80