Sorry for asking a dumb question but, again, I'm new here... "Who is Stephen, and how do I reach him?"
Look... ...at the top of the page under 'members' and search for 'COMETGT1974' That is his username. There are other racers here as well. Seth
First thing I would like to know is are you running 1/8th or 1/4 mile? Is it bracket or heads up racing? There is much differance on setting up a car for the two. The rule book is going to dictate much of it, tire size, engine mods etc. From what I can guess at, you will probably have to keep things pretty much stock appearing with no front end swaps and such. This is the setup we started with in a 74Mav: full interior, 302 with ported iron heads, 1:94 intakes and screw in studs and guide plates. Rpm intake with Holley 600, Erson hyd. cam 294 duration and .512 lift. Flat top pistons with good valve reliefs. Cam installed 4deg advanced. C4 with pro stick shifter. 8in rear with 4:62 gear ratio and 3 leaf springs (6cyl ones) new stock rear shocks and traction master bars. 90/10 front shocks with the sway bar removed(not good for street driving). MT 28x9 slicks on 8in wheels and drum brakes all around. Hedman headers without mufflers. 3000 convertor. This was our basic setup 14 yrs ago and see no problem with running the numbers your after. Many things learned and changed over the years, get a good mini starter and high amperage battery, upgraded to aluminum heads and 650 Holley on a rpm air gap manifold. Full manual valve body and 4200 stall 9in convertor, picked up a full second and a half on the et. Since then many other changes in the quest to go faster and quicker, roller cam light weight high compression pistons , good rods etc. Mavman(my son) won many races in pro/no/e class and very nice chunk of money plus track championships, over the years. As always we must improve every season because the compitition and cars get better. The problem is to gain a tenth of second, now costs lots of green stuff and the latest parts etc. He went to a stroked 351 and full roll cage with 9in rear and 4:86. Found out real quick that the 28x9's were not handling all the hp and torque off the line(Reaction time and 60ft et's are one of the most important factors in our type of drag racing) spun like crazy. Tried cal trac bars which helped but eventually had to break down and rebuild the Mav from front to back with back half frame, four link suspension. Tubs and 31.5 x 14 tires, MII front end and also previously had gone to a 1:76 glide to try and stop wheel spin. The car is still under construction but should be on the strip in a month to see how all this works out. I built a 78 Fairmont using left over parts from his Mav with a 302, runs high six's in the 1/8th with ancient driver behind the wheel. Sorry for the long post but just wanted to help you determine which way to go by comparing some ideas. I am an ex circle tracker too, karts, midgets, stock cars(old and late model) but straight line racing is still fun and the "G" forces off the line plus accelleration to speed is still a thrill for anybody. Small blocks shifting at 7000rpm and headers screaming powerful tones!! It don't get no better thqn that. Good luck and never let the dream die out.
