We finally get the Laguna running great with the 408-ci small-block and the Phoenix 700-R4 trans.

It’s been a long time coming, but we finally got the engine and trans installed, the Dr. Gas exhaust installed, and everything is running fine. As I reported last week, the exhaust is really loud, and yes, it didn’t take long to get pulled by the po-po. In fact, it only took about two minutes.

I was at Don Lee Auto Service, working out the final bugs with Tim Lee. We had to adjust the throttle valve cable so that the trans would shift at the right rpm at full throttle and provide the right line pressure to keep the trans running healthy. The only way to test this and ascertain whether it’s adjusted correctly is to take it out on the street, and bring it up to redline at full throttle, and see if it shifts where you want it.

Up until then, I had only driven it at part throttle to get it transported. During that time, it had been shifting way too early because the TV cable was too long/loose. I looked both ways, the coast was clear, I pulled out, and rolled into it. The Nitto Drag Radials broke loose, the Phoenix 700-R4 shifted hard at 5,800 rpm, and the Laguna rearend stepped out to the left. Meanwhile, the Dr. Gas NASCAR side-exit exhaust is making dogs vomit two blocks away.

Then I realized I’m rolling up on a motorcycle cop directly in front of me, who witnessed the entire thing. He was psychic, and headed straight for Don Lee Auto at the next corner. He lit me up as I pulled into the parking lot. Man, was he pissed. He asked me what I was doing, and I told him straight up about the TV cable adjustment. He handed back my paperwork, and said, “Have a nice day,” and rolled off into the sunset. Between the headlight covers, the exhaust, the huge burnout, speeding, and the car getting sideways, he just figured it would be too much paperwork!

The Laguna is a complete beast on the street, and it can be heard for miles around. I just hope I can make the hour and a half drive home tonight without getting pulled by the CHP. Big kudos to T&L Engines (www.tandlengines.com), Phoenix Transmissions (www.phoenixtrans.com), Tim Lee (www.donleeauto.com), Heath Elmer (www.heathelmer.com), Keith Kanak, David Vizard, Lang Paciulli of LP Racing (909-932-0044), Summit Racing (www.summitracing.com), Holley Performance (www.holley.com), Nitto Tires (www.nittotire.com), Sherwin Williams Automotive Finishes (www.sherwin-automotive.com), and Global West (www.globalwest.net) for making Project Talladega a reality.

Stay tuned for upcoming stories on the front brakes, Dr. Gas side-exit exhaust fabrication, steering box, engine/trans install, interior renovation, and track testing.