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Road Racing in a TTA?

T

TRANSAM-DUDE

Active Member
Last year there was an F-Body Event at Memphis Motorsports Park. I drag raced my TTA and my 73 455 TA. I wish I had Road Raced, and will at the next event. Which car should I run on the longish road course? Both cars are automatics, and I'm a little concerned about overheating and turbo lag in the TTA. Has anyone run their TTA hard, and at high speed for 20 minutes?

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Lee Rich
#1242
73 TA (looks like a 72)
 
(in conclusion) State Classic in Nevada.
He blew a intercooler hose and had to use
his nomex sock as a quick fix to finish the
race. So having good hoses and clamps might
be a must. Just a thought.


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Frank Wolinski
TTA #1416
 
Lee,

If I had one to pick I would have to say the TTA, without a doubt. This is comparing stock to stock. The weakest link with either car would not be the power but the brakes. Unless you've done some extensive upgrades to the braking system on the '73 you would find yourself at the end of a straigt haulin' the mail and not being able to slow down. I've road raced my TTA a couple of times, 20 minute sessions. Many of the German cars (BMW, Audi, Porsche) were surprised at being passed by a TA! The brakes are the weakest link, followed by the automatic trans. If you leave the car in 3rd (D) your brakes take a beating. If you downshift to 2nd for engine braking and corners you might back out your flywheel bolts like I did.
cwm3.gif
All in all, the TTA is a blast on the track. I just think the brakes on the '73 would leave you high and dry.

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Ron Kristin
[email protected]
Cloth & T-tops
 
Ron,
Funny you should mention flywheel bolts. I just had to tighten mine, they had loosened just enough to scare the sh*t out of me, I thought I had blown the bottom end out of the car the knock was so bad. Luckily, my mechanic buddy calmed me down when he reminded me that the knock was intermittent, not constant or rhythmic, or rpm dependent.
I HAVE upgraded the brakes on the 73, with 4 wheel discs, but the TTA definately will outbrake it.
I guess I'll make sure I have good (and tight) intercooler , etc. clamps and run the TTA.
Thanks for the input. BTW, this event will be open to all F-Bodies, but you have to get on the list by Feb. If anyone is interested, let me know. Most of the cars last year were 4th gen cars, many were s-charged.

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Lee Rich
#1242
73 TA (looks like a 72)
 
Just a thought here, but a bigger more efficient intercooler may help the turbo spool become more consistant and easier to time for coming out of corners!



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Rebuilt 89 TTA
DJ
 
A bigger intercooler would always help but coming out of the corners did not seem like the biggest problem with the car (at least from my experience). The weakest part is going into the corners, i.e. braking. There's only so much engine braking you can do with the automatic before things like flywheel bolts come loose.
cwm4.gif
After doing all your braking in a straight line you should be back on the throttle before entering the corner for "maintenance" throttle. The real trick there with the TTA is learning the feel for squeezing the power on once you've passed the apex.

Rich, could you send me some more info on the F-body event privately. I'd like to attend this year if possible. TIA.

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Ron Kristin
[email protected]
Cloth & T-tops
 
Ron,

I agree with you 100%, I had thought you would have already addressed the brake problem by now! Also, a ceramic ball bearing turbo with less blades (say 10 instead of 11) and more aggressive trim on the turbine would help considerably for road racing a TTA. First, it would reduce spool up time, making the speed maintainance of a corner easier. Second, it would help stop the engine from "pumping" the exhaust gases thru the turbo; you would free up more non-turbo power from your car. Lastly, and the most important for constantly being into the throttle is the reduction of heat going to the exhaust valves and valve seals! This is the turbo that I plan to get when the time comes to replace it. I won't be road racing, but I would like to be able to make back to back quarter mile passes all day long, without worrying about reliability!



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Rebuilt 89 TTA
DJ
 
Ron,
I think you will need to get on the list first. Send an email to: [email protected] . This is part of the F-body.org lists. Funny thing is I'm on the "classic list" which is for 1st and 2nd gen f-bodies!!
I'm not on the 3rd gen list, because the TTA is soo much not a Poncho, or even chevy(ok ok) for that matter.
The event which consists of autocross, road racing and drag racing is tentively set for May 10,11,12 at memphis Motorsports Park.
Memphis 2000 was pretty fun, but is mostly 4th gen cars. They are spending a ton of money getting these cars FAST!!vortech s'chargers, big brakes, tires/wheels.
It was fun having a TTA there, many guys said that they had "never seen one before!"

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Lee Rich
#1242
73 TA (looks like a 72)
 
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