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2009 24 Hours Of LeMons Event - Goin' For Broken
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We eventually learned why... We eventually learned why the Camaro was so cheap. Everything on this car had issues. Check out the hose clamp on the brake line. It was just a matter of time to get everything sorted, roller-bomb the exterior with house paint, and finally apply the vinyl stickers. With the introduction of GM's LS engine family, the Gen II LT1 and LT4 small-blocks have been all but forgotten. It's a shame, because they offer easy retrofitting into older cars originally equipped with a standard small-block (the mounts literally bolt right up), come stock with great-flowing aluminum heads, and offer lots of performance for the dollar. One of the hassles with getting these motors going in a car that didn't have an LT1 from the factory is the fuel injection system. While the systems are pretty advanced compared with the earlier TPI and TBI setups, simple performance upgrades or using a nonstock transmission can make the stock computer go nuts. Our $400 Craigslist-score '83 Z28 was originally a Crossfire Injection ride, but that lump was mercifully replaced at some point with the LT1 out of a '94 Camaro. Our initial excitement was short-lived, however, because when we hooked the laptop up to the car's PCM (power control module) we learned it was throwing just about every smog-related trouble code possible. No wonder the seller's ad said, "No smog shop will touch this car with a 10-foot pole!" Undeterred, we hopped on PCM for Less (pcmforless.com), a company that literally tunes hundreds of cars a year, both by mail-order and on the dyno. That volume allows the company not only to offer its product at a cheap price, but it ensures that you get the max performance out of your car. We opted for the email version of the tune. You just enter the modifications of your car, and in a few days you'll receive a new operating program. The only equipment needed to load it is a Windows PC, a cable ordered from one of the many sources on the Internet, and the ability to click a mouse. The performance gains and improvement in overall driveability are definitely noticeable. The PCM controls nearly everything in the drivetrain: fuel delivery, timing, even the automatic transmission line pressure. The new program optimizes these settings and also gives you the option of deleting the smog controls. Since our car has seen the street for the last time, we tossed the emissions stuff and never had to get greasy doing it!-Vince Stroud  A short four months and a...  A short four months and a 600-plus-mile tow later, we actually made it to the tech line in Reno. We weren't without issues, though. The LeMons tech crew didn't like the way the seat was mounted, so we had to find a welder and secure the seat to the rear crossbar, off the main hoop. A couple spare Grade 8 bolts, small steel plates, and a quick $40 later, we were good to go.  Even though the series celebrates...  Even though the series celebrates and has fun with "lemons" with the $500 cap on your vehicle, it also recognizes the importance of tires and puts no limit on spending, only on minimum treadwear rating (190). This allows everyone to choose tires that will perform best and be up for the endurance challenge. Our personal favorites from both a performance and economical standpoint were the P245/50ZR16 BFGoodrich g-Force Sports on all four corners. Suffice it to say, grip was never an issue. We're planning to use the same set at the upcoming event at Buttonwillow Raceway Park in Buttonwillow, California.  Before finishing tech, if...  Before finishing tech, if the judges think you're lying about the purchase price of your entry, they'll require penalty laps to be completed before any laps get credited for the actual race. For added measure, it's not a bad idea to bribe the judges. In fact, they suggest it. Of course, there's no guarantee that will help, but it definitely adds to the LeMons antics.  Another item the LeMons tech...  Another item the LeMons tech will look for is a third brake light. Should a mishap occur, they want to make sure you still have one light functioning so the competition doesn't turn into a game of bumper cars. We used a simple trailer light and tied it in directly to the taillamp harness.  There you have it. We earned...  There you have it. We earned the seal of approval, at least for this event.  You can expect a drivers meeting...  You can expect a drivers meeting before anyone gets on the track. If you're the least bit confused about anything, this is the time to listen up for the day's schedule. And yes, that guy in the green shirt is dressed up as Rambo.
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