The new robot hauler is ready

[ctt956]

Nice! I want to convert one of these(or really any car) to electric. Have you done a quarter mile with it yet? I can understand upgrading the engine, but why replace the manual tranny with an automatic? Is there not one that can handle the torque of the V8(I'm assuming) you swapped in?

[Sperkowsky]

Awesome meeting your team! Wish we got to play a Qual or Elim match together. Hope your trip back home goes alright.

[Brian C]

Originally Posted by ctt956

Nice! I want to convert one of these(or really any car) to electric. Have you done a quarter mile with it yet? I can understand upgrading the engine, but why replace the manual tranny with an automatic? Is there not one that can handle the torque of the V8(I'm assuming) you swapped in?

My educated guess is that he's looking more for ease of driving as opposed to the issues of a manual transmission not holding up to the torque.

I think you will find that in fact a manual transmission will hold up far better than an automatic when placed behind a high torque engine application.

Hope you get to try your vehicle modification at some point in the future.

[marshall]

This is a very cool robot ride!

[MrForbes]

Thanks!

On the transmission... It is usually easier and less expensive to swap in an automatic transmission. I can rebuild them myself.

I also have a pretty fast Cbevy II drag car, that is street driven. It had run a 9 second quarter mile. It has a blown 427, close to 700 HP. I have a manually shifted automatic transmission in it. I spent less than $1000 building the transmission. It would cost 3 or 4 grand for a manual transmission and clutch that would hold up.

I'm about half way home from NYC.... the suburban is still doing OK.

[ctt956]

Originally Posted by MrForbes

Thanks!

On the transmission... It is usually easier and less expensive to swap in an automatic transmission. I can rebuild them myself.

I also have a pretty fast Cbevy II drag car, that is street driven. It had run a 9 second quarter mile. It has a blown 427, close to 700 HP. I have a manually shifted automatic transmission in it. I spent less than $1000 building the transmission. It would cost 3 or 4 grand for a manual transmission and clutch that would hold up.

I'm about half way home from NYC.... the suburban is still doing OK.

That makes sense. I thought it would be the other way around(manual would be less expensive an easier to rebuild, since they're simpler). I can see how a manual could slow down a drag car with shift times, so I guess there aren't many for that high torque. Amazing that your Suburban is almost 60 years old and still making trips that far without issues. Just shows how well things were built back then.

[MrForbes]

To be fair, the Suburban has a newer drivetrain and suspension in it. And I did a lot of work to restore the body. But it made the trip, I'm home...5050 miles, and I never had to open my tool box. I can't complain!

[Bob Steele]

This is a beautiful vehicle. I love the color and all of it.
Brings back memories...

Thanks for sharing it on CD

Love to see it in person sometime....

Super job....

[RoboDawg]

Nice ride Jim! I'm glad your journey went well. Lots of miles and memories on long haul rides like yours, but I've never done it in such style and class. Kudos on the ride and the great use of such a nice machine!