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  • Rob_Mopar

    June 16, 2010 3:28 p.m. Rob_Mopar Reader

    pres589 wrote:

    In reply to Rob_Mopar:

    I like all this (save for the Thermoquad, what condition are these things in now? I think I'd rather find an all metal carb and rebuild that instead, maybe a Q-Jet?) but one thing I never liked about these cars in my very limited experience driving them was the slow, overboosted steering. What's the grassroots solution to that besides removing the pump belt?

    The 'Quads are a love 'em or hate 'em carb. But if you can find an unmolested one rebuild kits are available (even the plastic body) and they will run strong and cheap. The plastic body was intended to keep the fuel cooler. And in this case not look out of place on a $500 race car. A QuadraJet could work, as well as the Holley 4150's or a square bore Carter. Would depend on what intake you find.

    The power steering isn't too slow (15.7:1) but it is boosted like there's no tomorrow. Adding a longer pitman arm will give a better feel and not look too conspicuous. I've heard using a different pump (GM pump) or pressure spring in the pump will help improve feel, but I've never seen a car in person that has had that done. It's on my list to try at some point, but the good cars got spendy power steering boxes or a slow manual installed.

    One idea I had was to use the common 24:1 manual box and a circle track steering quickener to pick up the ratio. I might need to take another look at this option.

  • Appleseed

    June 16, 2010 4:00 p.m. Appleseed SuperDork

    Ooooh, the dreaded Thermo-bog. Bb-bb-b-bWAHHHHHH!

  • pres589

    June 16, 2010 4:19 p.m. pres589 Reader

    I thought all Thermoquad's were spread bore like the Q-Jet. If you're using the intake meant for one, the Q-Jet is the only other common junkyard carb I can think of to use on an intake originally meant for a Thermoquad.

    I guess rebuilding the existing for less output pressure would work but I've no experience there and it sounds fiddly. Maybe it's really easy, I don't know, but I remember being able to cruise through a parking lot with a Diplomat using just my pinky finger to execute lock to lock turns. I like the idea of dumping the power steering for a decent manual box but for daily use that might get tiring. For Chumpcar it's probably fine.

  • June 16, 2010 4:29 p.m. mndsm HalfDork

    69beeguy wrote:

    from what i hear, that 2.0 is a remarkable engine. so the reliability needs to be in the suspension. after going to the race at the beginning of june i found that the cars had DNF's were engine failure and clutch (they put a new one in and completed the second day). i saw a lot of brakes wore out and clutches burnt. other than that there was the electrical "bug" that got into somebodys ignition but thats about it. brainerd is a very flat track with from the exit of turn 10 to the entry to 3 you are flat out. that is why i think the BMW's cashed in. they had 10:1 weight to hp and used it to their advantage. i guess i should have asked "if you had $500 to spend on a 2g eagle talon for a road race, what would you buy?".

    You were at BIR? Some of my friends were racing up there.

    NOW- to rehash what has already been said, forget the 2g block. That thing is worthless. They can make TONS of power, but were prone to both oil starvation, and puking throwout bearings, leading to the infamous crankwalk. I have some friends that are looking to put a car together for that same race/s next year, and while we've found all manner of fun stuff (including a turbo 924) I keep having to explain that reliability is job#1. So, I think I have them convinced that a non drift-taxed 240, or perhaps a Ford Escort. Escort is boring as hell, but you CANNOT kill those things, without a sawzall and some fire.

  • Rob_Mopar

    June 16, 2010 5:52 p.m. Rob_Mopar Reader

    pres589 wrote:

    I thought all Thermoquad's were spread bore like the Q-Jet. If you're using the intake meant for one, the Q-Jet is the only other common junkyard carb I can think of to use on an intake originally meant for a Thermoquad.

    I guess rebuilding the existing for less output pressure would work but I've no experience there and it sounds fiddly. Maybe it's really easy, I don't know, but I remember being able to cruise through a parking lot with a Diplomat using just my pinky finger to execute lock to lock turns. I like the idea of dumping the power steering for a decent manual box but for daily use that might get tiring. For Chumpcar it's probably fine.

    Ironically when I got home tonight a new issue of one of the Mopar mags was in the mail. There's an article on modifying the Saginaw power steering pump to reduce the output pressure.

    I don't want to put a plug in for the other mag on the GRM site (at least not without their blessing) and don't want to give away the whole article, but it was even easier than I thought. A valve needs to be shimmed. That's all. I'll leave the rest of the meat in the article.

    And I was recommending the T-quad since the original poster's handle is 69BeeGuy. That increases the odds of already having one in the basement. Yes they all were spread bore carbs. So were all the stock Mopar small block intakes starting in '71 do they are cheap and plentiful. Square bore ones were used on 340's only and usually command a few more bucks. But a stock spread bore intake can be opened up to work with a square bore or use a cheap adapter.

    I'll stop spawning this mutant side thread now and let it get back to the original Talon concept.

  • June 16, 2010 8:03 p.m. 69beeguy New Reader

    well, i weighed out everything. with parts cost, availability and durability, i think i will shy away from the talon idea. it was kind of neat, but i still like my old school (not spelled with a k) idea of the valiant. i was on allpar.com and somebody suggested taking a complete magnum from a truck (efi and all) and dropping it in. it is the same weight at the LA 318, but with no oil starvation problem. this way i can apply all the circle track stuff i learned from way back when.

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