Had a first-time transmission failure and took both trans and converter to the builder June 30. The main guy is on vacation along with another. There’s 15+ trans on the loading dock floor waiting for service when dropping mine at the back of the pile. I don’t have spares.
A racer at the track messages me July 1st wanting to know my problem and asked if I use a glide. Nope, th400 with a 1+2 and need a second gear leave. This guy has one and his BBC is down withs a hole in the piston from a broken valve. Says he can loan it to me if interested. Heck yea! Now I need a converter.
Thinking of who could make a converter, get close to the needed stall and asap. So, first time calling Abruzzi that afternoon, explain my situation and she says he’s backlogged for 2 weeks. Marco pics up and says, send me all the pertinent info on the engine, car, what stall needed and if I think I can do something I’ll call you. I put together full data, dyno sheet and DA photo of launch and run. He calls back an hour later. Says he can build it tomorrow the 2nd and ship on July 3rd. I give him my cc. It arrives July 8th.
The planetary 2nd gear leave in the borrowed trans is different than what I presently use but have used that ratio prior. I requested 6400+ Flash Stall in 2000’ – 3000’ DA. Below is the pic of the first run leaving 100 rpm less than normal with DA of 3100’. Look at the flash stall number in Cur2 (red) Engine RPM. Yea… he missed by 33 rpm. Given slightly better weather and another 100 rpm of launch it’ll be Dead ON.
I was beyond surprised when I saw the DA results. Marco is a converter building Master. Much Thanks to Marco and his company getting me back on track in record time.
