A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.

[Chuck Weissberg]

...... more than a few called me Lucky!

Ah, but you truly are LUCKY to have an understanding family, and so many racing friends willing to assist and help you, and the opportunity to re-engage old friendships made along the way....not all of us are blessed that way.....Great story

[Cglrcng]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

Hey Gary, ya know I've been wanting to respond to your build for a while but I've been concerned about the possibility of me going blind reading your response.
I actually have a little bit of experience with the mid-80s 2.2s and, if it were me, I would go in one of these two directions;

#1. Leave the engine combo as it is, get your Holley system up and running and commit to running E with the car.
My reasoning being that (from my experiences) the 2.2 makes good torque for a smallish engine and it doesn't like to see RPM. AND the .95 that you get in index.

#2. (What I would do) Change it to a Holley carb and IMMEDIATELY contact Pat and show him that your '84 combo is EXACTLY like the same engine that is in a '85 Plymouth Turismo (again EXACTLY!!!). The only difference being '84 combo, 107HP and the '85 combo, 102. Specs, part #s and all. And run it in E.
If you decide to do this ^^^^^^ then do it right away before the NHRA crew leaves for the holidays and before the new HP revisions come out.

Oh and spend a little more time wrenching and a little less time typing! ;-)

I just got this advice Billy (I was actually too busy wrenching over the winter to even read my own build thread responses. I will try not to blind you), I took you up on advice #1, dropping the car off in Lake Havasu City, AZ in 7 days to finish up the Holley Term. X install, get it dyno tuned after the finish up of the software. Car has been tested at DF/S weight as is in Vegas but is currently
altitude finicky on the stock efi system and it was right on the index there at lower weight (and that can be restored to DF/S wt. In about an hr).

But, I am going to also follow the advice you listed in number 2, and then start collecting the parts if Pat makes the allowance to run the 84 Daytona as a carbed edition and agree that is very valuable advice if possible and the argument seems more than reasonable to me...and agree that I present it just as you stated it without adding a single word to your explanation. Brevity is key.

I know your experience & advice is solid and that I could use another option. It is worth more than just a try. And I really appreciate the info big my brother.

I know the 2.2/135 usually does not like the higher rpm range, but something we did in building this one really likes it (albeit with a different 1 off cam with a ton of overlap and duration, but it needs the brakes converted to full manual and converter loosened up, along with a much needed transaxle rebuild (next winter scheduled changes).

TY for the #2 option to try! It will be easier w/ the Holley up and running soon...and yes....I am very 🍀 lucky to get this late life do-over and am having a blast doing it. Even after a race weekend that started with a 3:00 AM wakeup Saturday and not hitting a pillow again until Monday at 2:00 AM.

Today I feel much older than 67 from wrenching all night Saturday night in the pits instead of the garage, but I will recover and be back at it again after resting another 2 days before I get back at it again...CV axles just do not magically reboot themselves.

[Cglrcng]

Originally Posted by J.R. Haddad

Gary, the advice you received in the post above is 3-4 Thousand Dollars
worth of advice for free. The years of experience that went into that advice
boggles the mind. If I can be so bold, TAKE THE ADVICE!! Do not reply with
pages of questions, just TAKE THE ADVICE. When you contact NHRA, do not be wordy or lengthy. In fact, show them Billy's post. They know he has done all the research, and it will save them time. You also had Robin Lawrence offer to help you, you now have two fantastic resources in your
corner. I would suggest when either one gives you information, I would
TAKE THE ADVICE. If you can follow this, you will end up with one very bad
Hot Rod.

J.R.

That is the plan now J.R. and that is exactly what I intend to do. I know exactly how valuable that free advice is, and I really appreciate it too. And how lucky I am to receive it.