Congrats to Bob Armstrong - 8.86@156...

[J Banning]

I just wanted to say congratulations to a good friend and fellow board member, Bob Armstrong (strongman), on his quickest & fastest run this past Sunday at Englishtown. In the Quick 16 finals he ran a 8.86 @ 156mph. That was almost a tenth quicker than his previous best at Bowling Green back in May. Nothing on the car (not even plugs) had been changed since.

Bob has been racing Turbo Buicks since the late 80's, and has been an inspiration and mentor to myself and several other close friends and board members as well.

8.86 @ 156MPH

Congrats Bob!!

 

[GN SBS]

Congrats!

I'll second Banning's description of Bob as an inspiration; I'm always proud just to be pitted nearby!

And let's not neglect another important aspect of this car-- it is beautiful. Straight as an arrow and incredibly clean; if it doesn't exemplify "Going Fast with Class" I don't know what does.

Congrats!
Scott

 

[Nick Micale]

Glad to see you doing so well Bob, the car and you are certainly capable of those times and better. Just keep it together until next May in BG so we can again enjoy seeing you and the car!

 

[Mr. Tee]

his car is gorgeous...you know I like a clean car and his is definately one...seems like a cool guy too

 

[turbot2112]

damn, where the heck was i for that run.would have loved to see it.

 

[John Wilde]

That is great!!!!

Can someone give us some info on his car/ combination?

 

[Bens87tr]

That car is mint too. Some of the faster cars don't get to look as pretty as Bob's. Congrats!

 

[J Banning]

I'm sure Bob will chime in, but for the time being I believe the basics are...

- Stage II
- Turbo 400 w/brake
- PTE88 4 bolt

Pretty conservative tune I believe.

 

[strongman]

Thanks to everyone for their interest in my car's performance Sunday at Englishtown. I'm new to the forum but will try to answer the question Wilde posted about my combination. The engine is a Stage II off-center block with Stage II heads and a 4-barrel intake. I am using a Buick Motorsports 3.625 crankshaft, Carrillo 6.5" rods and Wiseco pistons. Compression ratio is 8.6-1. The camshaft is a Precision T&E 258 solid roller with Comp lifters. Headers are ATR with my rework on right side header to gain clearance for tightening header bolts. Turbo is also Precision T&E, 4-bolt 88 with a 4" downpipe I fabricated in my shop. Oiling system consists of an aluminum oil pan and a Duttweiler oil pump conversion. Transmission is a Turbo 400 with Hipster transbrake and a Turbo Action shifter with Dedenbear air shift; rear end is a 9" with 4.10 gears. Slicks are 13.5 - 31x15" MTs. The car was back-halved by John Moten Racecars -- including chute and wheelie bars. The Englishtown run was my personal best to date (8.86 @ 156.17) -- still running conservative at 26 lbs. boost, 7600 rpm shifts and 10 lb. launch. have to give credit to "Shine Girl" -- my wife, Paula, for the car's clean appearance.

 

[XxDarkSidexX]

ur the REAL AMERICAN IDOL....at least mine

 

[Intercooler]

Bob,

This is Jesse....just wanted to say congrats! You got me started on the right path with my first GN (RIP) with a Scanmaster and set of 40 lb. 008's. Now look at what I did

 

[KendallF]

Originally posted by strongman
Thanks to everyone for their interest in my car's performance Sunday at Englishtown. I'm new to the forum but will try to answer the question Wilde posted about my combination.

The Englishtown run was my personal best to date (8.86 @ 156.17) -- still running conservative at 26 lbs. boost, 7600 rpm shifts and 10 lb. launch. have to give credit to "Shine Girl" -- my wife, Paula, for the car's clean appearance.

Bob,

Good to see you posting on here.

To everybody else, Bob's one of the nicest guys you could ever meet; I still remember having dinner with him and his wife along with Dave Fiscus year before last at the Nats. His car is clean enough to be a show car.

 

[frankg]

I've stared at your engine parts at the local machine shop a few times. Sounds like you have your stuff together. Impressive, I like your street car too NICE!!! Frank

 

[John Wilde]

Bob,

Congratulations and thanks for the reply.
What does your car weigh?
What is you car SFI Legal to run ET wise?
What are your ultimate goals for your combination?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Boost]

Congratulations to the Armstrongs...

on your personal best ! Have been admiring that car for years, one word, GORGEOUS ! fast and pretty. I must say you have the Mrs. well trained, you are not even pitted and she comes out with the "duster".
Had the honor of pitting next to the Armstrongs at the Nationals this year, wonderfull people, impecable husband and wife operation and true example of our Buick slogan, "Going Fast With Class".

Good Job !

 

[strongman]

Reply to John Wilde -- My GN weighs 3200 lbs. with driver. As for my goals, I try to get the most out of each combination I've built while learning to drive the car more consistently. My times for various combinations over the last 5 years are: 9.78 @138 with M&A heads and 72 turbo, 9.47 @142 with Stage II heads and 76 turbo and the latest change, 8.86 @156 with 88 turbo and 4" downpipe. All runs are typically in the 25-27 lb. boost range with 10 lb. launches @5000 rpm on the MSD two-step. The car will run quicker just by leaving at 5500 rpm but I am striving for more consistent times, since I always seem to line up against Jim Dotson (UNDERDOG) at the Buick Nats.

 

[6APPEAL]

Hey Bob, Congrats on your new best . It's always great to see ya'll every year at Nats. The Last Supper is also one of the things I always look forward to. Nothing like good friends and good food. Dave, Patty and Ken are trying real hard to get me to move to Ohio, but I'm not quite ready to leave Mississippi. Ya'll get to meet the newest member to the family next Nats (she should be about 6 months old by then). Maybe I'll finally bring a car to run (HA, HA, HA, ).
Johnny