ICU Racing



Jason and Brad Terrell’s 1979 Chevy Malibu, affectionately named “Charlie Brown,” needed an upgrade to remain competitive in outlaw racing. Initially equipped with a nitrous engine, Charlie Brown struggled against faster competitors. To enhance performance, the Terrell brothers replaced the nitrous setup with a supercharged powerplant featuring an F-3 ProCharger.

Jason handled driving duties while Brad focused on tuning. They realized that with the existing nitrous combination, they could only push the performance so far, especially given the car’s factory-style setup, which included a steel body and conventional front suspension. Despite its 744 cubic inch engine, the configuration wasn’t competitive against more advanced vehicles in their class.

The team’s decision to switch to a 565 cubic inch boosted engine was facilitated by trades, leading to a significant performance boost. The Malibu is now outfitted with high-quality suspension components from Tin Soldier Racecars, TRZ, and Menscer Motorsports, alongside a robust three-speed transmission from Extreme Automatics. Controlled by a Haltech VCU system, the new setup positions Charlie Brown as a serious contender in horsepower battles.

This upgrade also prepares the Terrells for a new car they are developing, allowing them to transfer parts swiftly for immediate competitiveness. Jason notes the evolving standards in racing times—once needing 4.90 seconds to be competitive, now racers strive for 4.50 seconds. With these changes, they are optimistic about returning Charlie Brown to the winner’s circle soon.



Source: www.dragzine.com