First time at the track.......

Great read, Dave.

Money and passion is all it takes.

 

Hey Rick, just a little update on the 331 explosion. Had to order two pistons and three rods, waiting for the pistons to come in and get the crank turned etc. In the meantime decided to help Jr. with his 84 stang. Put together a wore out .060 302 with KB pistons and Eagle rods with stock crank. Filled the block and honed the scratches out, ended up with .008 piston clearance. figured it would get by until he gets some money for a good one. He already had the Victor Jr. intake and Rpm heads which I thought was not a good combo but saved some bucks using them,

First time out this Sunday he had a .549 light and 1.59 60ft, ran a 9.28 in the 1000. Next two were 9.283 and 9.29 with almost same reaction and 60's. This was on new 28x9 M/T's with 4.86 gear. The Erson solid cam at .543 lift pulled hard on top but with the manifold had a slight bog off the line. Changed squirter and rpm launch on the converter and first elimination ran a 1.55 60 and 7.12 1/8th with 9.16 1000 @109mph. Made me wonder if maybe I had better build a not so good motor for me. (Started on it last night) lots of piston slap but it is reving 6800 on the shift lite and a bit more in the water box according to him(show time for the young un) Ended up going out in the quarter final with a bad 603 lite and broke out 9.22 on a 9.25. Got 50 for the effort and I was proud as could be of his driving and the puney motor.

Almost went crazy not being able to drive mine but the effort on his part was worth the 10 hour day. Todd's Mav is close to being finished and will post some more pic's later. Put a set of old Powerhouse 11.1 pistons in a old block with stock rods and crank for me to try, sometimes old is better.

 

Preston after you do get the car setup to get both tires turning at the same time you'll be in for an even bigger disappoinment if you don't put some Drag radials on also.
I learned that the hard way this weekend. The backend of my car was all over the place...scared the beegeezus out of me.
I could only part throttle on the rest of my passes.
I ordered some BFG drag radials today for Friday night...I'll let ya know how it goes.
Rick

 

Great story, Dave. That's hot-rodding! 1.5 60's!!! Good luck on your build and hope you can keep up!


Rick, I almost got the BFG DR's but opted for the cheaper, longer lasting (but not as sticky) Nitto's. Did you find a reasonable price for them, and where? Thx.

 

I vote this favorite thread of the month. Lots of good info here and I think everyone is learning much or at the least something from it.
Dan

 

All I know is that I have sure learned a lot from this thread, and it has really helped my feelings about my times. I really appreciate the good advice and helpful tips ya'll. I am soaking it all up, and I'm working on the issues one at a time. I'll be there.......Hoping for low 15's or high 14's next time, and then......LOOK OUT 12's!!!! But I'll be a little while getting there. Thanks ya'll!! And keep it coming, I can use all the help I can get! Ya'll take care.............Preston

 

Rick I priced Mickey Thompson ET's and the Nitto's. The Nittos were a little less expensive but there wasn't a dealer within 100 miles.
The Mt's and BFG's were $345.00 a pair tax included.
I went with the BFG's because of tread design and its more suitable for street than the MT's.
If you go to MT's website they tell you that the tire is not suited for high speed highway use, they don't tell you that at Summit or Jegs.
From my research the BFG is one of the best for both street and strip with a tread design that can channel water properly and some type of additive to the rubber that helps them hookup better.
I liked the tread design on the Nitto's the best but I woulda had to drive 230 miles round trip to getem.

 

Rick,

You DEFINETLY got the best tires!

I've driven to the track on the MT's before (40+ miles) and was VERY careful - they aren't radials for sure and it shows in turns.

WTG! Now let's hear about your 60's when you get back from the track.

 

Pretty ironic Country. I raced my 302 2bbl Mav for the first time at the High School Drags in 1980. My best pass was 16.32 @ 84MPH. I still have the timeslip.

I recently got another Mav that is nearly identical. It has a lot more done to it and my best so far is 11.89. However, heed the warnings regarding addiction. I was tickled pick back mid-summer when I ran low 12's, but then I got in the 11s and the sickness had me. Now all I can think about is how to get in the 10s without a divorce, or a second mortgage.

Good luck and keep working on your technique. These adjustments are by far the least expensive, and usually more productive.

See you at the drags!!!!

 

Yep......you can never go "fast enough".

I am ready to knock another "digit" off my time slip.

 

I think a "Getting started in Drag Racing" article is in order for the news letter. Anyone want to write it?

 

Maybe from someone who plans on going further than Street Class and knows the specs on there engine...that leaves me out

 

Dennis, sounds like a great idea! It would interesting to know more about each class etc.

 

Maybe this issue we can cover the basics for someone who has never gone. Then later get into the other classes.

 

great idea!

That's definately something I'd like to read.
I really need to join one of these days...