Take a look at this, New Converter, New Confidence: How Survivor Finally Cracked the 3.70s at Bradenton!
The Florida sun might have been scorching, but nothing burned hotter than the determination behind Justin Swanstrom’s team as they returned for Day Two of testing at Bradenton Motorsports Park. After a frustrating first day spent battling tire shake, leaks, and a stubborn setup, the crew rolled out with one mission: prove the converter change worked. What followed was a full day of progress, problem-solving, and a 3.70s run that showed the new Survivor is finally waking up.
Dialing In the Pro Mod: The Converter Change That Changed Everything
The team started the morning knowing exactly what needed to be done. The air was hotter, the track was glossy with sun, and conditions were demanding. But this was precisely the environment where the new converter needed to prove its worth.
Justin fired up the car, dropped it onto the ground, and eased toward the first test hit with a mix of caution and hope. His philosophy has always been simple and brutally honest:
“It takes a solid 50 runs to iron out a car.”
That first pass delivered the breakthrough they were waiting for:
no tire shake, clean power delivery, and a solid A-to-B test hit. The car responded exactly the way the team hoped after the converter swap.
First Hit Numbers: A Baseline That Finally Made Sense
The numbers from the first pass told the story:
-
0.046 light
-
0.980 sixty-foot
-
2.58 to the 330
-
3.87 at 169 mph
Not world-beating yet, but finally something usable, something worth tuning on.
Even better? The car drove straight and behaved itself, prompting Justin’s celebration:
“Yesterday I was on suicide watch. Today, we’re ready to go.”
That’s the emotional rollercoaster of big-tire Pro Mod racing in one sentence.
Second Pass Problems: Fuel Tank Breaks, Heat Builds, Track Changes
With momentum on their side, the team prepped for pass number two — only to discover the brutal truth of big-tire shake:
the fuel tank cracked at the weld.
A quick call to Cleetus McFarland’s shop down the road solved the problem. Weld repaired. Tank reinstalled. Back to work.
But the Florida heat was becoming a factor. The team made notes on:
-
Reinforcing supports for the carbon-fiber body
-
Adding absorption padding under the fuel tank
-
Improving stability to handle shake
This is why testing days matter — every weakness reveals itself before race day.
Third Pass: A 3.77 and a Scary Throttle Hang
Pass three was the moment. The data from the run confirmed it:
-
0.972 sixty-foot
-
2.56 to the 330
-
3.77 at 203 mph (despite lifting at 400 ft!)
But something went wrong at shutdown.
The throttle stuck open.
The culprit?
Ice forming between the blower hat’s throttle blades.
The blower was getting so cold during staging that condensation was freezing the blades slightly open.
The fix: good old de-icing spray, the stuff northerners use on windshields. Not exactly exotic, but effective.
End of Testing: Track Spill, Loading Up, and Eyes on Orlando
Just as the team prepared to make a fourth pass, another Prom Mod put transmission fluid all over the track. With repairs delayed and Orlando testing just ahead, Justin made the call:
Load up. Protect the car. Head to the next test session at Orlando Speed World.
The team left with:
-
A proven converter setup
-
Real data in 100-degree weather
-
A 3.77 early shutoff pass
-
Confidence heading into qualifying weekend
The Survivor is finally starting to look like the contender they hoped for.
Bonus: Trans Brake R&D and Insanely Quick Reactions
While dialing in the car, Justin also tested his new prototype trans-brake button. The results?
-
0.046
-
0.026
-
0.024
-
And a red 0.006
Once tested and finalized, these will roll out across all JSR cars — and eventually, to the public.
Final Thoughts: Survivor Is Coming Alive
This was the kind of test session racers dream about — setbacks that teach lessons, small victories that build confidence, and a final run that proves the combination is close.
The changes they made?
They’re showing results. Real results.
Now the team heads to Orlando armed with data, momentum, and a Pro Mod that’s finally ready to stretch its legs.
