These characteristic korytopodobnye road shape in the 90-ies in the United States was associated exclusively with taxis and police cars, as the personification of an ordinary sedan, is not popular with civilians. It is this stereotype and Rick Weatherby prompted to create his black monster.
A native of Tennessee, like most fans of drag racing, Rick managed to build and take part in races on the Camaro and Mustang. It is not surprising. Relatively small rear-wheel drive, platform GM'ovskaya F, hold out on a conveyor belt in record time from 1967 to 2002, and the «Fordist» FOX, who was born in 1978 and thanks to third-generation Mustang was produced until 2004, are the most popular in polulyubitelsky drag. However, as is often the case, to roll in the «Classic» and reaching a certain age, an enthusiast of the business begins to think about something less predictable.
Choosing Rica fell, seemingly one of the most not suitable for drag racing cars in the world — Chevrolet Impala SS in 1996.
Its shape like many, to this day, she is very popular among low-riders. However, as has been said, in real life, these sedans will not find acceptance with customers, but it became a real personification of 90 for a taxi and police patrol cars.
In order to somehow improve the attractiveness of the forms of korytopodobnoy barges, the company released the Impala SS, where this is literally the acronym stands for «SuperSport». It was osportivlennoy version of the Caprice. But here you should not be deceived, for the sport in the realities of this car was very far.
First, let's say a few words about the Caprice. Along with its main rival Ford Crown Victoria, we are talking about the latest this classic American full-size rear wheel drive sedan.
These machines are designed for a comfortable journey to 6 adults and their luggage. In the same old Europe car of this class simply did not exist — compared with full-size sedan can only premium cars like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class or the BMW 7-series. However, this is a completely different car pricing policy...
Moreover, the body Impala, like her donor Caprice, rested on the classic frame, which led to its pedigree since the mid 70's! It must also be said that in fact Impala SS, produces only a couple of years, is no more than a restyled version of the police Caprice 9C1.
Yes, Impala was installed several deforsirovan model LT1 V8 engine from the Corvette. However, when the length of 5.5 meters and a wheelbase of almost three meters and a weight of two tons of sports car that was difficult to name...
To say that the image was saved Impala Caprice, originally designed for the average American family can not. Moreover, by the end of the 90s, this market segment is completely transformed and similar vehicles simply disappeared like the dinosaurs, and in America. They survived only police and taxis...
But it is this and attracted Impala SS Rica Weatherby. And from the beginning he had planned to paint it in the aggressive black, as if to emphasize certain status podryvatelya traditions. But painting — this is a small fraction of the titanic work that has been done in the construction of the car before he appeared on the drag strip. And there, among the usual Camaro and Mustang (do not dare call them mediocre), the Impala has caused not only interest and created a furor. And not without reason, because we really true to the same competitive dregovy car!
Rick leaves unanswered two questions, «How much?» — How much time and how much money is spent on the creation of a vehicle to DREG racing on the rules Outlaw Drag Radial. (technical requirements for them are given below). So let's go through the «stuffing» this black monster.
The main unit of this «is not a taxi» built the company Performance Racing Engines from Cleveland and it is a «big block» from Chevrolette working volume of nearly 9 liters (540 cubic inches).
The basic components for creating this monster served as an all-aluminum crankcase driven Brodix, inside of which are now run by forged pistons Wiseco. By means of aluminum rods from Bill Miller, they drive the crankshaft Callies. Top buried aluminum cylinder head from the Dart Big Chief, who were machined known in some circles as a mechanic Gene Fulton.
The valves are driven by pushrods and rocker arms, respectively, of Smith Brothers and Jesel, who work in «partnership» with fully custom camshaft from Steve Petty. Habitual intake of Brodix epic proportions has been seriously modified. However, it has been mounted completely homemade duct that supplies much needed «oxygen» in the 105-mm choke.
Injectors customary for similar cars from BigStuff3. Indispensable «mates» this is already not a small and powerful engine were two 91-millimeter turbine Garrett GT55. The outlet valve from Precision, while a set of aluminum pipes have been manufactured specifically for this engine.
Firm Chris Terry Racing manufactured from scratch exhaust system stainless steel, as it is responsible for the entire hydraulic system intercooler that weight saving has been made of aluminum. All connections are made so that the front passenger seat remains functional, see below.
Intercooler become a considerable size unit is in place behind the back of the sofa! At the same time Rick did not overclock the engine to the maximum, at least not yet. The realities in the construction of this engine all components were designed for a gigantic boost pressure of 2.8 bar...
Used to be that the «charm» of the motor and transmission engineering. Its basic components as the torque converter were produced such skilled in the art as PTC. It was set up specifically for the needs of the machine owner, and is managed through the usual shifter from B & M Pro Bandit.
The same Chris Terry Racing has produced a completely new rear axle, which were established 40 semi-axis of the spline Strange. Gear ratio of 4.10-to-1 differential of no less interest in this creation is suspension. She was severely refined and strengthened where it was permitted by the rules, using completely new aftermarketovye nodes where the usual silent blocks have replaced the real racing AL.
The chassis of the Impala were also produced by Chris Terry Racing. They then designed and put into practice front and rear suspension, where the level improvements allowed a lot more than the front.
The suspension is tuned so that from a standing start to shift the maximum load on the rear wheels, which in turn were supplied with a proprietary anti-roll bar, firmly holding the grip on asphalt two wheels...
The front springs were installed, designed so as to maximize ease the load on the driven wheels. The classic rack and pinion steering has also been completely made from scratch.
Naturally, all round disc brakes are used, in this case facilitated by the well-known and popular manufacturer Wilwood. Rear mounted dual caliper. Wheels from the company Weld Racing have been specially darkened in tone throughout the car.
This front used forged alloy wheels, which are shod usual for drag racing tires from Mickey Thompson, and the rear wheels used gigantic size dimension 315 / 60R15 or 275 when the car competes according to the rules Outlaw 275.
One of the main pieces of this Impala is its body, which has been recreated as close to the original batch that in general, the rules dictated by the Outlaw Drag Radial. It reinforces the impression of an aggressive matte color. But the main difficulty was just in the «automotive body.»
The fact is that in contrast to all sorts sportkupe on aftermarket there lightweight panels on a car body. Simply anyone and would never dream of doing dregovy car based on the heaviest two-ton sedan!
In view of this circumstance, Rick was extremely difficult to put on a diet machine. So we had to resort to tricks. In this he was helped considerably Scott Davis from Signal Mountain, which eased some of the details, and then became the author of the most aggressive color. The hood, trunk and front fenders were made from scratch and are attached to the body by means of fastening latches DZUS, who came from the world of aviation.
According to the rules of the competitions on the Impala has been kept all the necessary lighting for the SDA. Moreover, the Rick plans to register his Impala as a normal road car to be able to move on it in everyday life! And that's not it.
Building seems to be exclusively a sports car, Rick wanted to have the opportunity to ride with the wind on the passengers' Weeks drag ", which are often held on public roads! In view of this second feature of this car lies in the interior. It is with these thoughts to be able to mount the passenger seat, it was designed "safety cage", very different from the usual for such machines designs.
It is similar to the frame around a single drag of the pilot, which has been integrated in more traditional sports «cell.» All this life-saving tangle of pipes manufactured to order the master of these cases Chris Ter.
During the processing of the interior is also one of the dominant thought was a relief, so many details to be replaced even if costly, but is much more lightweight and durable carbon fiber.
The instrument panel has also been made from scratch lightweight, it had mounted devices from Racepak, the display which displays all the necessary information.
It is noteworthy that even in the production of new lightweight materials used in wiring. But what Rick has flatly refused to sacrifice, so it catabatic door panels, steering wheel, electric windows and leaving, to paraphrase the famous advertising «Comfort — it's everything.»
As for the main — indicators on the «one-eighth», soon after the construction of this black monster Rick had serious health problems, and he was forced to hang a hat on a nail until better times. Nevertheless, he managed to bring a couple of times at the start of his Impala 200 metrovke.
Their best result was 4.816 seconds at a speed of 161 miles per hour. However, there is no doubt that this biturbo black monster, even though it weighs more than a ton and a half, you can get many more miles per hour, and seconds. And this will contribute squeezed from its 8.9 liters just did an incredible 2,500 horsepower!
Terms Outlaw Drag Radial (abbreviated)
Format: twin races 1/8 mile (201 meters). Start system with a reaction time of 0.4 seconds (.400 Pro Tree) — usually qualification system for the «eight». «Steydzhing» welcome, but in reality the system works «autostart». With a large number of participants (14 and more) is possible «field» 16.
Body: the machine must necessarily maintain its serial appearance, in particular, the outer contours and dimensions, as well as the factory roof and side panels. Permitted monolithic front, but it should be fully repeated appearance of the series and have working headlights. Allowed aftermarket lightweight fiberglass or carbon fiber panels to replace the bonnet, front wings, doors, trunk, upper roof covering and new bumper. However, the latter must be fully follow the shape of the originals.
Before the car (engine compartment) must use the default size, and can not be increased (extended). Maximum front overhang (from the center line of the front axle) must not exceed 45 inches (114 cm). Any change in the size or contours of the factory is prohibited. Allowed to use all kinds of custom spoilers and rear wings. Permitted looking forward air intake.
Interior: The dashboard is reminiscent of the factory, the door panels are required (any). The steering column is free.
Windscreen and side windows: Allowed facilitated, including Lexan.
Chassis: Front and rear load-bearing elements must be kept in their factory locations, but can be slightly modified to accommodate larger diameter wheels. Front power elements should remain the factory of the firewall to the center line of the front axle (steering knuckle). Double Pipe custom stretchers under the engine is prohibited. Fastening of the engine is allowed to completely change and enhance, but the point of attachment of the front shock absorbers must remain original.
Fully factory firewall must remain on its original site and is measured according to the specifications of the production car. It can not be changed to facilitate the installation of the new propulsion system, but may have recesses to improve exhaust distributor or the adaptation. The engine must be located entirely in front of the firewall.
Wheelbase must not deviate from the factory size of more than one inch (2.54 cm, according to some versions — 2 inches). The maximum camber in the front — 2 inches. The wheelbase is measured from the center line of the front axle (knuckle) to the center line of the rear axle.
Engine: Allowed any smoll- and big blocks, with any height.
Turbochargers: when a turbine — no restrictions, twin-turbo limited diameter of 94 mm.
Allowed all types of intercoolers. Prohibited combining turbocharged engine with nitrous oxide. The exception is 2-rotor, as well as 4- and 6-cylinder engines.
Mechanical blowers: Allowed all types of intercoolers.
Prohibited combination with nitrous oxide. Roots-type superchargers are permitted and centrifugal, but banned screw.
Nitrous oxide: Allowed all types of multi-stage injection. However, some organizers may prohibit its use.
Transmission allowed any type.
Injection: allow any type.
Type of Lubrication: dry sump allowed on all cars.
Exhaust system: mufflers or resonators are required on all vehicles except for turbocharged engines.
Exhaust can go under the car or out of the front wings. Hot rods Zoomies (short tubes of the cylinder) is prohibited.
Petrol or methanol are allowed on all machines (methanol engines without intercooler). Nitromethane is prohibited. It is forbidden to change and fuel to be used exclusively factory brand available on the open market.
The use of any fuel additive is prohibited. Fuel any participant can be checked on the selection at any time.
Road equipment: functional headlights, lights and brake lights are required.
Suspension: allow any type of back. Wheelie bars are prohibited. Allowed aftermarketovye direct substitutes for the following components: front levers, rear levers, front and rear shock absorbers with coil springs. Attachment points must be maintained by the factory. Permitted replacement steering. Permitted bolted or welded frame, on vehicles equipped with such standard, rear reinforcing rods.
Tires: the maximum size of 315/60/15 only radial type.
