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My plans for the Formula are simple, yet complicated. I want to make the Formula go as fast as it can, without sacrificing too much fuel economy and drivability. Also, I want to spend as little cash as possible. In order for me to see exactly what I need to do to achieve this goal, I had to see exactly what this car could do... bone stock. So on February 7, 2004 I made the 75-mile drive to Greenville Raceway Park to make a run down a drag strip for the very first time in my life, and to get some valuable data to decide exactly what mods I need to do. Click here to see the timeslip.
First set of mods include:2000-2600 Stall Lock-up Torque Converter and Transmission Cooler Converter Installed March 3, 2004 by National Transmission Co. in Greenville, MS; Cooler Installed March 6, 2004 According to the timeslip, my 60' time can be improved alot. I know I could get higher gears, but then I'd sacrifice fuel economy. A medium-stall torque converter should give me enough Umph off the line without burning alot of gas on the highway to and from the drag strip. Hypertech Power Tuning Module (PTM) Installed March 6, 2004 Why not the Power Programmer III? I'm talking about more bang for my hard-earned buck - cost per horsepower, plus I'm not making any other mods such as tire/gear ratio changes that require the Power Programmer. As a matter of fact, since I'm not doing any mods to the engine (headers, cam, throttle body, etc.), the PTM is my best choice, and it should give me enough pep to knock a couple of tenths or more off my quarter-mile elapsed time. According to Hypertech, the PTM will work best on an un-modified engine or a setup with a lightly modified intake and exhaust. The PTM should improve my mid-range and I should see my eighth-mile time drop. K&N Air Filter Installed March 16, 2004 Need I say more? A K&N filter with this Ram Air package should give me an edge at the top end. Results should be a quicker MPH at the quarter. 160-degree Thermostat Installed March 17, 2004 Cooler temp = better performance!!! 
MSD Blaster Ignition Coil
Installed May 14, 2004When I first planned to make modifications to the Formula, the formula I was going to use was simple: More air and more fire = better performance. I figured that the Ram Air took care of the "air" part of the equation, even though I could've gone with a larger throttle body, but that would've affected the performance of the Hypertech PTM. The "fire" part of the equation would come from a more powerful ignition coil, better spark plugs and bigger spark plug wires. SLP Fan Control Switch Installed May 17, 2004 Looking back at my track time made me realize just how important cooler temperatures are to engine performance. The fan switch should be a cheap and effective tool to beat the heat, both on and off the track. Taylor 8mm Spiro Pro Spark Plug Wires and NGK TR-55 Spark Plugs Installed August 6, 2004 The rest of my "fire" equation was a major pain in the butt to install, but it was worth it once I took the car for a check drive, plus I saved at least $420. Can't be mad about that! Click on the button below to see the results for the second set of mods, and to see if my "formula" worked for the Formula. My goal was to knock one tenth of a second off my best time of 14.066. Let's see if I made a 13.966 or better quarter-mile time! April 2, 2005 It took a whole year and another $400 worth of equipment, mainly, the Nittos Extreme Drag Radials and 2 extra rims, to finally break into the 13's - a 13.917 to be exact. Overall, I'm satisfied with the results, and the overall cost associated with this mission. I spent about $1300 in over a year's span, which averages out to be about $100 a month. Not bad at all! Also, keep in mind that I didn't want to sacrifice too much economy, and that's why I chose the modification route I took. Considering the soaring cost of gas prices, I'm very glad I didn't go with the engine mods such as camshaft and headers, plus the cost would have surpassed what I've spent just on parts alone - I'd have to upgrade my valve springs and lifters - more money; I'd probably have to get my computer reprogrammed - more money; and getting a good shop to install these parts - you get the picture. What's next for the Formula? These modifications are probably it - at least for now. The good thing about most of the mods is that they will actually extend the life of the car: the transmission cooler, the 160-degree thermostat and the fan control switch, the spark plugs and wires tune-up, and also the use of Mobil 1 synthetic motor oil, which has helped this car in more ways than one. Remember, this car is only a couple of blocks away from 100,000 miles! As for drag racing, I'll just try to work on my reaction times and maybe I'll consider doing a little bracket racing in my very spare time. All in all, it was a very fun experience for me. I am not a mechanic, and I don't consider myself a true drag racer, but I've learned so much over the past year about the LT1 and the drag racing sport, and how the weather plays a part in your car's performance and such, and how to save money on installing parts by doing it yourself, and even how to improvise when you can't install a part exactly how it needs to go. I know I don't have the fastest car in the city, but I can safely say that I have a strong runner, and when I tell people I have a 13-second car (even though it's a 13.9), I'm telling people the truth. 
Magnaflow Performance Muffler
Installed January 7, 2006 by Delta Muffler in Clarksdale, MSI should have made this modification a long time ago: The Magnaflow Performance Muffler really improves exhaust flow, which equals improved performance. I did not expect such an improvement in performance from this relatively cheap modification. You can actually feel the difference when you stomp on the gas. The tone of the muffler is not loud at all, but it stills sounds better than stock. As for a 1/4-mile elasped time prediction, I'm going to dream big and say I can knock one tenth of a second off, based on the way the car felt when I stomped the gas after the muffler was installed. I'm looking for a 13.8 from my next drag race with my current setup. |