The Banzai Runner Lives Again!

garth66"When speed is the only thing that counts"

After being off the road for 6 years, the Banzai Runner lives again!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...QlA&feature=youtu.be

I still have a bunch of details to finish up...
- Interior trim details on the reduced firewall bulkhead modification
- Install the deck lid shocks
- Install new Koni shocks
- Install new 7/8" rear sway bar
- Finish MSD cut-to-length wire set
- etc.

...but I'm driving again!

Special thanks to the PCNC crew for helping with the engine install, and especially to Bob Benson who loaned me his brand-new-in-the-box engine stand - he probably never expected that he wouldn't see it again for 5 years, and Rich Boschert who gave up his plans last Monday night to help me identify a couple of "extra" wires in my harness, adjust the carb, and re-set valve lash on a wayward roller rocker (and double check that all the rest were sufficiently torqued)!

I changed the oil Wednesday night and took the oil filter down to the machine shop yesterday where we cut it open and inspected it for any metal content - the verdict is "excellent!" The oil and filter are clean! I did this for peace of mind, as well as hoping to catch any potential problems early if anything was going wrong inside the engine.

Now I just need to drive it like I stole it!

9/6/1311:56 AM

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garth66"When speed is the only thing that counts"

The new 383 stroker Cleveland pulls like a freight train! Especially from 2500-6000! Still getting used to all the additional power, and how easily it will break the rear wheels free - took off from a red light the other day and just finished going through the intersection when I stepped on the gas (2nd gear I think) and the tires just broke free and began to sing. Never had that kind of power with the old engine.

The thing that will take the most getting used to is low RPM driveability. I can't idle smoothly through a parking lot in 2nd gear anymore because the car/engine gets 'jerky.' I now need to be in 1st gear and keep the RPMs a little higher. I think this is a product of the lightweight crank and aluminum flywheel.