Ok, I finally pick up the car back. After pummeling the guy verbally to
the point of spiritual abuse (but in a nice way), the car is running much
better. The Bassani muffler is a real winner. Barely louder than stock
till you open her wide, then a deep throaty roar. At idle and cruising
speed, whether 35 or 75, it is more or less stock sound. No rumble, no
resonance, no vibration. I'm sure the flex couplings play a role in this
result. The real cool thing is other than stainless, it is the exact
symmetry and layout as the OEM with the turn down tips at 49.5" end to end.
The name bassani is subtlety etched on the polished surface just below the
bumper. Base timing is set at about 25+, with a total of 40 peak using
mechanical advance only (vacuum is blocked). It idles smooth, and
accelerates with a kick without a stumble or flat spot, starting is no
problem (using blue spring in the MSD). Although it uses a Tilton starter,
so that may make a difference. The Holley is using the weakest spring for
the secondaries, and the primaries have been reduced (sorry, forgot what #).
The Holley 600cfm mech sec., true double pumper might have been a better
choice. Valve train still noisy due to steel roller rockers (stock ratio).
Maybe should have stuck with plain old stamped rockers. Accel plugs
replaced the Champions at a .45 gap. Fuel economy is still unknown, but a
great deal has to do with keeping the pedal away from the floor.
On the down side, enough hamfisted mechs have messed with it so the pass
door panel is shot, the drivers door cylinder is kaput (too many attempts to
close by hand), and the usual filth and grime from sitting in a shop with
the window DOWN. BTW, at least the pass window appears to be working fine
after a bracket was fabricated. The bill for the complete exhaust
including mod to 95 GT Mustang headers (some reworking), JET HOT, all new
2.5" pipe, Bassani muffler, Gibson tips, Flex couplings came to a whopping
$1400.00+. Dialing in the Holley, dialing in the MSD distributor,
compression check, valve adjust, plugs, pass window fix, yada, yada, a
little here, a little there came to an additional $700.00. No, I'm not
interested in any bridges! These guys are no bargain and they had NO idea
how to install the neutral safety switch "uhhh, I think you have to take the
transmission out". One call to Bob H straightened that crap out! Ah, then
there's the mysterious A/C leak. . . and much much more.......
It just gets scarier and scarier.
stephan (who can now replace wallet with diminutive change purse) #2821
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