How I spent my Memorial Day Vacation

[maveRick]

First off, my pod went to Sealy on Friday night and proceeded to run a personal best of 7.22 sec 1/8th mile (.01 faster than my fastest in the vert !! :mad: ).

That may not sound impressive to some - the kicker is, the vehicle is a 1999 Dakota R/T Extended Cab (a boat!).

Having run his personal best, we proceed to remove his Vortech SQ and intsall a larger charger on Saturday, a PAXTON NOVI 2000. :cool:

The installation instructions weren't that clear but between the two of us, we were able to figure out which way the wind blows!

We took it out earlier today and immediatley noticed the increase in boost and pleasantly surprised at the relatively low noise-level.

There's still tuning to be done (he has a F.A.S.T. EFI hooked to it also), but 99.99% of the wrench turning and fabbing is complete ('had to do a little 'PoMoFo' machining - but mission accomplished).

I'll have more pics later, and if you're in the Sealy area next Friday, be on the look-out for a big yellow 1999 Dakota R/T that goes by the name of "Big Bird".

/me had a great time this memorial day weekend!!! /me loves horsepower - no matter the brand !

Rick

[maveRick]

Another pic of "Big Bird"

[AGirlWithACoupe]

Ha ha ha! That friggin' rules!

I spent it getting ready to get hitched, I guess that's not tech related though. (:

[red95gts]

7.22 1/8-mi is moving for a truck! LOL Sounds like a sleeper!

Cristina...when is the big day?

[Blue91]

Hell, it's movin' for a car. I've never went that fast in the 1/8th.

Big day is June 1, Saturday.

[Neighbors]

LOL! Too freakin' funny!

The first CCB I went to I met up with Mark Garrett and Tony Skinner. We were there late shucking the jive, and 'Big Bird' leaves about four cars ahead of us. Mark, the proud owner of a 2000 Litening (with a few 'tweaks' :)) wanted to play with the Bird. He finally got next to BB on I-10 somewhere out there, where BB proceeds to walk off from him (with a HiPo behind me about five cars, LOL!).

Mark was impressed by the Bird, and should really stay away from it now!

Good job Rick! All I did was shuffle junk parts and kick things...

Nay!

[gt350mustang]

is this the same truck that blew a record number of head gaskets?

[maveRick]

Originally posted by gt350mustang
is this the same truck that blew a record number of head gaskets?

Yup. That'd be the one.

"One never knows his limitations until they are exceeded" :D

He and I have a collection from our trials and tribulations from last year. I've got my 'trophies' (blown gaskets) hanging on my garage wall.

Most of the blown gaskets on BB were on a different engine and set of heads (he still has the other engine - it's being freshened up right now). The main problem is, and Ron will attest, is the lack of MOPAR support 'in-numbers'. Ron had to learn a LOT on his own and through contacts on the web (poor mofo).

Most of my blows were on a different set of heads as well. We 'think' we've gotten passed the plague - for a while at least.

I'll see if I can get him to visit the board - AND.....he hasn't signed up with a car club at Sealy for this year .......(/me campaigns strongly for BB to join PMF).

He and his wife are good folk - worthy of hangin out with the "good-guys" gang.

If he joins PoMoFo at CCB, maybe he'll post some pics of his collection of blown engines/gaskets/trannies, etc.

His wife wants to join PMF just because of our cool shirts! (She races her 4-door Chrysler too).

[HoustonLX]

I remember seeing that truck at one of the CCB's well over a year or so ago. Not sure who he was racing with at the time. I just remember he was running no where near those times. I think I was only running some mid 8's and he was slower then me.

[maveRick]

That had to be on his other motor and running N/A.

Test and Tune sessions pay off! :razz:


R

[maveRick]

HERE (http://users3.ev1.net/~rickbook/ronshrprun.mpg) is Ron's run with that same (earlier) engine at HRP - letting off at the end (low mph).

http://users3.ev1.net/~rickbook/1999 DAKOTA RT 1.JPG

A close up of the recently installed NOVI 2000
http://users3.ev1.net/~rickbook/NOVI 2000 1 UPCLOSE.JPG

[Bubstang]

I saw one like this, but brand spanking new, early this year at HRP. Was talking to the guy and he said he just bolted up a 150 shot. I asked who tuned it for him and he said "didn't need to, the instructions were fabulous". I told my little girls "lets get to the stands, this is gonna be good..." He made one pass in the high 13's on motor, the next pass, he didn't hardly make the 60' and blew the lower intake off. It was something to behold. I felt sorry for the guy cause that is going to be one tough warranty pitch.