Update on BA 409

[Tom Kochtanek]

I ran that bottom end in my SS for 12,000 miles over about 8-10 years. I always thought it was wasted in a driver car. But it did have a BW T-10 behind it for those miles .

I located a 1962 dated coded QB suffixed 409 that more closely fit the build date of the SS car, so the "stroker engine" went into the pile. Well, the bottom end did.

James has freshened it up for use in the BA409. I think she's about 460 CI with Ross pistons from CPG, BBC rods, and an very special crankshaft made by Raymond Lewis, James' mentor who passed recently. The ported 583s were from Dan, the used cam from Brian, the headers from Mark, and the intake from Carl. Thanks guys!

Now James gets to beat on another setup for a while as we figure out the next steps.

TomK

 

[La Hot Rods]

Dyno results are in.







This were just warm up pulls at varied launch rpm and shift points.
I will start on the track tuned by leadfoot next month at the Meltdown Drags.

 

[BRYAN FUGATE]

Some good runs James. You're doing something right! Congrats again on making it to the finals

 

[Iowa 409 Guy]

You've got enough red lights there to start your own Cat House James. Good job and congrats on getting to the finals. You'll squeak out a little more with some good air.

 

[La Hot Rods]

You know it's tough keepin sharp eye on the light, but the wrench, now that's a different story.
Dave, you never cease to amaze!
Bryan congrats on your win, you are just spot on every time you need to be.

 

[Tom Kochtanek]

Not bad for the first time out with the new engine build. We're all counting on your "track tuning" expertise to improve on those times.

As you've said, there's a bit left in that build .

 

[La Hot Rods]

New engine, I don't remember that part

 

[Tom Kochtanek]

I should have said "freshened up old truck block" and "vintage set of iron heads" .

I guess the only thing "new" is the intake and headers (and rings and bearings and gaskets and valves and springs and keepers)...

The crank, rods and pistons have been in play for some time now.

One neato thing is that the BBC crank was turned by James' now departed mentor Raymond Lewis some years back (it's more than 8 years so I've lost count!).

 

[La Hot Rods]

That's close Tom.
This old iron sure is fun to play with.
So is it the race car you thought it would be?
Tom gave me 20 day and now it's been almost 4 years.

 

[BRYAN FUGATE]

You know it's tough keepin sharp eye on the light, but the wrench, now that's a different story.
Dave, you never cease to amaze!
Bryan congrats on your win, you are just spot on every time you need to be.

Thanks James! a little luck goes a long ways

 

[Tom Kochtanek]

At some point we're gonna need a new car body platform to house a proper 409 set up. The BA409 car body is a bit whipped out (corrosion) but maybe that's why it's so light . Every time we haul or race it, it gets lighter as it deposits iron oxide in it's wake...

I know of a certain 1961 Biscayne that might be proper recipient .

 

[La Hot Rods]

This novel is far from over.
Trust me there will be more to come.

 

[Toms63SSQB]

It has been a pretty good book so far.

 

[La Hot Rods]

It has been a pretty good book so far.

Glad your enjoying it Tom.

 

[Dick MacKenzie]

At some point we're gonna need a new car body platform to house a proper 409 set up. The BA409 car body is a bit whipped out (corrosion) but maybe that's why it's so light . Every time we haul or race it, it gets lighter as it deposits iron oxide in it's wake...

I know of a certain 1961 Biscayne that might be proper recipient .

Let's talk!

 

[Phil Reed]

Tom.....you ought to buy James the DickieMac/Russ Campbell red 62 Belair!!!!!!!! I'm SURE Russ would meet you at MOKAN for some driving hints on the car!!!!!!

 

[RussC]

Tom.....you ought to buy James the DickieMac/Russ Campbell red 62 Belair!!!!!!!! I'm SURE Russ would meet you at MOKAN for some driving hints on the car!!!!!!

I've got the drive train...I can get you in the mid 8s

 

[Dick MacKenzie]

I've got the drive train...I can get you in the mid 8s

Car is built to a 7.50 Cert!

 

[Phil Reed]

I've got the drive train...I can get you in the mid 8s

Then I could buy DickieMac's 409!!!!!!!! Yeah right.....make a mail box out of it!!!!!

 

[La Hot Rods]

Happy 4th of July to all from the LA HOT ROD crew.