The Process
What Stock Touring LLC (ST LLC) does is change your Muscle Car configuration to the top speed European Model instead of maximum acceleration. Another way to describe this is changing the “set up”, words used to describe what is changed on a race car from one track to a different one. Examples of this are downforce, ride height, and gearing.
A car reconfigured to Stock Touring specifications will reach top speed in less than a mile from a rolling start, and even from a standing start. This is typical for European GT’s of the era and every Porsche through the mid ‘90’s or early 2000’s. The newer Porsche’s from after 2010 or so will reach top speed just as quickly, but don’t use their top transmission gear to achieve it, e.g., like the Corvette C8, etc.
Pro Touring Muscle Car conversions use modern multi gear transmissions and a whole lot more, up to and including completely different chassis, to become the high speed GT tourers that they are. Stock Touring doesn’t do that because we want to retain the value of a stock configuration. Pro Tourers cost hundreds of thousands to build and sell for half the investment, if really well done. A Stock Rocket is essentially stock, and it’s value as stock should not be affected. Such reconfigured cars may be worth even more, that is a possibility. But, ST LLC can’t “just” change the gearing, although that is a key element.
The reconfiguration must address the inadequate brakes, the front end lift, the inadequate tire speed ratings, and improve handling as much as possible. A complete redress of the shortcomings is what makes a stock rocket out of a Muscle Car. The “taller” final drive is done through the differential, although Stock Rockets usually can retain the stock housing. Also, ST LLC must do suspension and drake modifications to get the air out from under the car, and make the brakes, tires, and handling equal to the task.
A Stock Rocket is a Pro Touring car with nearly stock components. Seriously, car manufacturers back then could have put different springs in or changed the spindles. Everything was available then, except maybe the tires.
After all is said and done it was those bias ply tires, obsolete even then, which probably put the last nail in the coffin of a maximum speed Muscle Car from the factory. This is historical guessing, but it had to be part of the equation.
Today, all tires are radial, unless they are antique remakes, and they are designed to different specs and standards from which speed ratings are derived. We want at least a V rated tire, certified for 149 mph as long as it is at its design deflection. Read that as inflated properly. You will end up with at least a V speed rated tire in a size which parallels the size of the original tire on your car. Some tire manufacturers still make 15 inch tires for modern vehicles. Saves money. We also might move to 17 inch tires, and obviously wheels. They fit bigger brakes which will stop better, but buying more new items costs more money and makes the car less stock even if it can be returned to stock easily.
Now, let us look at the downside, for “set up” of driveline or aerodynamics is always a compromise with a downside no matter what is chosen. Your Muscle Car’s current set up is biased towards maximum acceleration.
A Stock Rocket has less throttle response than before when in top gear. You may not like this, but it makes a lot of sense as a necessary feature to make your Muscle Car into a Grand Touring Stock Rocket. You don’t need “a lot” of throttle response in top gear. That’s not what top gear is for. Acceleration is maximized by dropping down a gear at highway speeds. This gets the motor back into the power band, or back “up on the cam”. Which is slang for having that valve overlap work for you rather than against you.
Though the car is a much better car as a Stock Rocket, the quarter mile will not be as quick as before, nor will time to 60 mph. You might lose a second on each, more or less, depending. The big upsides are the car will run to its maximum design speed, get much better fuel economy, have much less engine wear and noise, and be a much better car to drive at highway speeds. When you downshift to second at 70 with your 3 speed automatic you will understand.
You could even drive it at Autobahn speeds, if we had one, because above 100 mph your car will be completely transformed. Our prototype Stock Rocket 1969 GTO with a Ram Air 3 ran to 147 calibrated mph in 1974 at near redline. This engine made peak power at 5100 rpm from the factory.
Just keep in mind I am not advocating breaking the law. No, what we are doing is making a real Grand Touring car out of your Muscle Car.
One caution, a muscle motor set up more aggressively than the factory set up, a motor highly modified for even more power with the big cam, big overlap, peaky power set up, may have such poor drivability at low rpm that Stock Rocket gearing is not a good idea. OE motors work just fine as they are a compromise and have good low end drivability, even the “up power” ones like the RA3.
If you are still immersed in drag race culture then the Stock Touring configuration is probably not for you. Nowadays, drag racing an original Muscle Car is mostly embarrassing because low 14’s is the stuff of most sporty or luxurious modern vehicles. Plus, it’s now accepted science that Muscle Cars cars are not particularly suited to drag racing. Their front heavy weight distribution means they don’t get off the line very well, that is, they are traction limited by their driveline having a “motor in front” configuration. Which is why a C8 Corvette has the motor behind the driver.
After being reconfigured to be a Stock Rocket, Muscle Cars match the set up of European GT and sports cars from that era. Stock Rockets will usually top out at over 140 mph without much if any front end lift, stop from that speed reasonably well under braking, and get around 18 mpg at today’s highway speeds of 75 mph or so. They won’t go much faster than our setup achieves because of the aerodynamic “wall” which they hit in the 140’s, depending on their coefficient of drag, which is only a question of “how bad?”. Early Muscle Cars with “really” bad drag coefficients won’t make 140, but that can be addressed if necessary.
Most later muscle cars have cd’s in the mid .5’s. Knowing this, we gear the car so the final drive gives us power peak and redline (a few hundred rpm and a few mph apart) are in the 140’s. Gearing it even taller would result in it going slower. Remember these modern cars which use 6th gear or even 5th gear out of eight for their top speed? They won’t go as fast in the taller gears.
The process is as follows.
The reconfiguration will be executed at your favorite shop. It’s not rocket science(😉), but we do need co operation with the manager and owner to see the project through in its entirety. That might include steps like checking tire rub at full lock, fabricating a simple bracket for the lip spoiler to attach to, or other various small challenges. Mostly, it is a very straightforward install of suspension parts like spindles, springs, sway bars, brake calipers, and so forth.
I will make a plan for your car after I receive a check for $3300 of the $5000 fee. This is a careful engineering project done with your input. The plan is where the majority of the set up work I do is done, hence the fee up front. I will create a plan which addresses all aspects needed to make you car into a Stock Rocket. We will have options to discuss such as larger wheels, tires, and brakes, or not, etc.
ST LLC can do a Stock Rocket with 15 inch wheels, but it needs front disc brakes with calipers in good order, new rotors, and special pads. The brakes need to be in top shape if we are not changing them for better after market calipers, and will need new flex lines at a minimum, and maybe all the lines and a master, depending. The plan will most likely need to address possible front end lift with lowering springs, spindles, and more. When there is agreement on the specifics of the plan ST LLC will source the parts to make sure all is available, and then send the plan to you so you will have it in your hand.
Your decision to execute the plan will be made at this point. You can back out no harm, no worries. You keep the plan. Deciding to go forward means ST LLC will create purchase orders at the suppliers in case they have some supply issues or other things to tell me, though we will have checked in the process of making the plan. Then you will get your shop to agree to install the parts and execute all the parts of the plan, including coordinating with us.
That’s important, as is doing everything that is part of the plan.
All areas of the project have to be completed in order for your car to perform and handle as well and safely as it does in its stock configuration - or even better. Nothing can be left out. If you think it “looks funny that way” we may or may not be able to change the look. How it works is what we are primarily addressing, but it should look good. ST LLC will give you a sketch with the plan so you have an idea.
If you don’t like the front spoiler, or wheels, there may be alternative choices. If you don’t like the angle of attack there might not be an alternative. The rake front to back will be one to two degrees equating to 1.0 to 2.0 inches that the front is lower. The rear will stay stock height in most cases. So, be aware it will look the part of vehicle set up for stability at high speed. We think that is how they should look.
Concerning coordination, John, our founder, owned and ran several shops for 28 years, early on from the floor. He knows how to talk to owners with respect. They deserve it. ST LLC will consult with them on any challenges that arise. If we sense they have an issue with a directed project like this one you will be advised. Worst case we may have to move on. After all is in place, you will then purchase the plan parts by calling suppliers, referencing the ST LLC order, and ship them to your shop.
ST LLC does have some shops that can be recommended if yours can’t or won’t do the work, but that involves transport. So we encourage you to use your local favorite, high level, aftermarket shop. A restoration shop might be a better choice than a production repair shop. They are usually used to such storage, delays, and challenges.
Another thing you need to be aware of.
Your car’s differential will need to be removed and sent out for installation of a new positraction carrier and gear (other avenues such as sourcing a used unit to rebuild might be necessary), so your shop needs to be OK with interrupting work for days or weeks and they need to have a secure area to roll out and store your car while the rear is out. You may want to cover the car while it is outside.
Rolling out can be done with a car jack, and storing outside on cinder blocks with plywood tops for the rear of the vehicle, but you would hope for better. And if you have a manual close ratio transmission it will be removed and sent out for a new, lower (higher numerically) first gear to make it a wide ratio, and probably a rebuild or at least a reseal, at the same time the differential is removed. Again, the goal is to use your transmission rather than switch out to a Tremec, etc. The difference in a Muncie first gear is 2.20:1 versus 2.53:1 for a wide ratio first gear. We will need that ~15%.
ST LLC needs thorough pictures of your car’s underside as well as the top, including close ups of the suspension, but also including “square on” both sides and the front and back on level ground. We will need pictures and data/ id information off the differential and transmission. We will need the car to be in excellent condition suspension and driveline wise with the motor making full power.
If this sounds good to you and you don’t mind spending about ~$10,000 for parts and installation and paying $5000 to Stock Touring, sign the contract and return it to ST LLC with a check for $3300. The plan will be completed with your input and assistance on choosing the upgrades. Then the plan will be sent to you.
Coordinating and consulting with your shop remotely during the build will require the remaining fee of $1700 to be paid at this point. We strongly recommend it, though for ST LLC it will be more work for less money in most cases. We have make sure things go in the right direction without ruffling feathers of often ego centric, defensive, shop owners.
When your project is finished with ST LLC assistance we will send you a Stock Rocket certificate and logo magnets.
ST LLC does not anticipate having any problems, but in the real world they happen sometimes. Should we have to visit your location to sort out an issue, we will, but this will cost us both, as you will pay half our tech’s air fare and hotel up front. However, if there is an issue with a part you purchased ST LLC might be able to get the supplier’s assistance. The suppliers have warranties on their products.
Please see the bullet point sequence on the bottom for a quick reference on the process. This is the short take on how this whole process will work.
Stock Touring is a cool concept. This time the Europeans had the better idea. USA manufacturers did not have their act together or tech available for a useful GT. Stock Rockets are what Muscle cars should have been all along. And could have been with a different focus.
John “Chris” Willcox
Founder Stock Touring LLC
The Process
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