The tach is not real accurate yet, and the speedo isn't even hooked up. However, I found a great web site that will calculate MPH at any RPM if you punch in the correct ratios and tire size. Using a 5000 RPM red line I get 41 in first, 63 in second, 91 in third, 122 in fourth, and some obscene speed in fifth that I know the engine couldn't even pull. (as if I would even want to go that fast!) The good news is that I can run with the pack all day in fourth, have third for killer passing power, and have 78 MPH at two grand in fifth if I need it.
I'm not sure how quick it is yet, but I know I give up a lot of acceleration with a 3.0 rear. Something in the 3.30 to 3.70 range would make it a lot faster off the line, but would put me in "never never land" between 4th and 5th on the highway. Be that as it may, no one has kept me from a lane change when I see a hole. I guess with about 220 HP and 2500 pounds, something good is going to happen.
The absolutely best and most addicting aspect of the car is the ease in which it goes quickly. You don't have to have your foot in it every second to keep ahead of traffic. A whiff of throttle, and you are off. Every time I get out of the GT and into the Bugeye or TR-6, I think the hand brake must be on. The great race between Rover power and BMW power can't be far
off. When you get on the gas the power comes on right away, (lightened flywheel) and just keeps pulling. With the steering not yet dialed in, and the fear of being arrested in my mind, I just haven't let it run wild yet. The big problem is no good place to stretch those long legged gears!
As with any project, there are a zillion details yet to work out. But so far, the car has met just about every expectation I ever had. Hats off to Terry at Absolute Body And Paint, and the many other folks who had a hand in the conversion. Is it time for Heartland Regional Yet?
Things That Take
Years to Learn
- The badness of a movie is directly proportional to the number of helicopters in it.
- You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests you think she's pregnant unless you can see an actual baby emerging from her at that moment.
- The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above-average drivers.
- There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
- People who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share yours with them.
- If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be "meetings."
- The main accomplishment of almost all organized protests is to annoy people who are not in them.
- You should not confuse your career with your life.
- A person who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter/janitor, is not a nice person.
- When trouble arises and things look bad, there is always one individual who perceives a solution and is willing to take command. Very often, that individual is crazy.
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