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This could be fun... building a drag race car?

Projected ET.....I think he hopes it will make it down the track......before the next race behind him starts. :lol :lol :lol
 
I can always count on Pete for constructive criticism!
Dave,
I did truly intend to make a trailer but the the event I wanted it for (Hot Rod Power Tour) came and went. That doesn't mean I won't still need a trailer. As pointed out I may need one more now.
I also agree a cheap western car may be better, it's just that this one is sitting in the garage and tempting me as it is already stripped. I keep looking at it thinking, I hate to cut it in half. I like the idea of keeping no interior and no window regulators. There was this club I read about that bought cheap cars and tried to make them faster by just taking a lot of weight out and simple mods. It got me thinking, this car would be fun to play with and not mess with my other 67.
I hate to take the parts from you Dave, you did all the work to take 'em off and were nice enough to donate the car. You should keep them. Plus that was a long long drive! The rust that it has is no worse than the Mustang I'm driving but for this project I'm considering, it won't be a show car for sure. I know a race car is not cheap, I have always wanted to race/compete. I had a "hobby" stock or street stock dirt car long ago and I know it gets expensive. I just don't want to take away from the reliability and drive-abilty of my current car but I go to the drags regularly and just thought I have the perfect shell since it was a 6 cyl coupe of no particular value. I can run pretty quick and still not need a certified chassis and cage. I like to build engines so it would be fun trying different cams, carbs, heads, whatever... I don't know what I'm gonna do. This car is missing a lot of stuff and does need some bodywork.
Ryan,
I hate to take stuff from you either. If I do this I will buy or trade for the parts it needs.
I just needed to hear from logical people (even Pete) to see if I was totally crazy for even thinking it.
 
here is the NHRA rules on roll cage:
11.49 1/4-mile (7.35 1/8-mile) or quicker:

-A 5-point minimum roll bar on a fixed roof car (t-tops okay as well if in place while racing) from 11.49 to 11.00 (7.00 1/8-mile). If the hardtop / t-top car has un-altered floors, firewall and frame rails (wheel tubs are okay), then the 5-point roll bar is good til 10.00 1/4 mile (6.40 1/8-mile). Convertibles require the 5-point bar from 13.49 (8.25 1/8-mile to 11.00 (7.00 1/8-mile).
The rollbar must be constructed of a minimum o.d. mild steel or chrome moly tubing (moly can be a smaller o.d and is lighter but more expensive), see diagram below for specs.
The roll bar can be bolted or welded to the floor, see diagram below for specs.
Roll bar must be padded anywhere the driver's helmet may contact it while in the driving position, see diagram below for specs.
The 5-points are:
Main hoop; 2 "down bars" (bars that go from the main hoop rearward to the trunk floor/hatch area. These can be straight or bent like a "package tray" style, search for photos); Welded crossbar for belts (can't be removable), see rulebook for exact location. Driver side door bar (can be a swing-out. Many put a passenger's side bar in as well (6-point) because it strengthens the car on both sides, but if you have subframe connectors the difference may be minimal).

9.99 1/4-mile (6.39 1/8-mile)/ 135 mph or quicker:

-Roll cage is required on all vehicles at 9.99 and quicker or any vehicle running 135 mph or faster (regardless of e.t.). The roll cage must be constructed of a minimum o.d. mild steel or chrome moly tubing (moly can be a smaller o.d and is lighter but more expensive), see diagram below for specs. Roll cage must be padded anywhere the driver's helmet may contact it while in the driving position, see diagram below for specs. [glow=red,2,300]Roll cage must also be certified by NHRA every 3 years and have a serialized sticker affixed prior to participation.[/glow] This style of cage is good til 8.50 1/4-mile times, then a funny car style cage is required.
Click to expand...
rollbar.gif

rollcage.gif

So if I keep it a 10 second 1/4 mile or 6.39 1/8 mile car or slower, the cage doesn't have to be certified. It would take a lot of $$$ to get it that quick. If I could get under 8 in the 1/8th I'd be happy (for a while)
 
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Even thou I have no extra parts, I would suggest a completely donated StangFix drag car. You do the work and parts come from anyone who can get them to you. Could be an interesting rig.
 
"AzPete" said:
Even thou I have no extra parts, I would suggest a completely donated StangFix drag car. You do the work and parts come from anyone who can get them to you. Could be an interesting rig.
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Cool Idea Pete, donations excepted but that isn't what I was after, just really "feel" like doing it and was looking for input. You know sometimes we do things based on the heart and not the head!
 
Plus that was a long long drive!
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Is anyone from East TN thinking of attending MBBIII? Might could shuttle some needed parts closer to you....

I have friends that occasionally head up to Bristol for the races. I'll keep my ear out for anyone heading your way that I can throw parts into the back of their truck for you. The only reason I removed the parts from the POS '67 was because you weren't going to use them for your trailer. I don't need any of these parts, they're just here for whoever may need them.



9.99 1/4-mile (6.39 1/8-mile)/ 135 mph or quicker:

-Roll cage is required on all vehicles at 9.99 and quicker or any vehicle running 135 mph or faster (regardless of e.t.). The roll cage must be constructed of a minimum o.d. mild steel or chrome moly tubing (moly can be a smaller o.d and is lighter but more expensive), see diagram below for specs. Roll cage must be padded anywhere the driver's helmet may contact it while in the driving position, see diagram below for specs. Roll cage must also be certified by NHRA every 3 years and have a serialized sticker affixed prior to participation.
This style of cage is good til 8.50 1/4-mile times, then a funny car style cage is required.
Click to expand...


You've got a long way to go before you drop under 10/6.40. My buddy John's FG bodied tube chassied 540 cu.in. 600HP car is in the 6.70 range. He's getting ready to add a 150 shot of NOZ in hopes of getting down to 6.50.
 
this would be awesome. I think I would have to help on this if i can..plus you could stop by my house in clarksville since I only live down the street from it lol
 
Do it X 100!
You have the itch now...if you don't build a purpose built drag car you'll just end up going with your good car and tearing it up. Ask me how I know.
 
Thanks Dave, if it works out to get some parts from you great!
I know it takes a lot HP to go fast so I think I'll be okay on roll cage for now.
I think my plan will be to repair the rust in the rear because whether I use it for a trailer or a Drag car I need to repair that stuff. If I can accumulate enough parts to make it a car (and I'm already getting a lot) it could become a reality!
 
"buening" said:
Yeah until you get into boost, you won't have to worry about breaking the 10sec quarter.
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Yeah, 10's are tough, especially with a little engine. Took us a lot of work and a lot of weight reduction to get a 289 in the 10's; of course, this was back in the 1970's...... I remember racing my '65 fastback/auto regularly against one of our other cars, a '65 coupe with a four speed and, clearly, the difference between my car (11-teens) and his (10.90's) was in the first 100' or so. His car left so hard, all 2165 pounds of it. I had 100lbs more and an automatic, which sucked HP, especially with the early 8" converters of the day. Sure was impressive to listen to those little engines scream and Chris power-shift that old toploader. Yahoo...

Hope you have fun. I still have the car if you want to rent it...
 
"RyanG85" said:
Speaking of drag cars......... Doug, have you had the badass Mustang II out??
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LOL...short answer, no.
It's been the longest project I've ever had. I back-halved it and started on a "real drag car" build over 10 years ago and then went through a divorce. It's been on the back burner since. Some day I really need to finish it, I'm really not that far from it.
 
This is a pretty cool idea Craig although I was looking to do some manly trailer comparisons when we were both done with them a drag only car sure sounds fun! I'd be happy to run my little 289 against it for comparison or tweaking once I'm running....

If you put a big 'StangFix' banner down the side I guess my car will have to be the :fbomb car with banner pic!

My job may be changing soon but I'm hoping to get another position traveling so if I can pick anything up for you on my driving trips my flat tilt trailer doesn't weigh anything to tow and handles 600+lbs. so I could collect parts for you as I come back, we're close enough. Don't forget the MusicCityMustangClub event is coming up mid Sept.

If anyone needs to send him small stuff I can fit in my suitcase I'll be in Cleveland OH next week and Ft. Worth a week after that.

When is MBBIII? I'd like to make it if I can swing it by the boss....
Jon
 
THANKS Jon,
I'm looking forward to MusicCityMustangClub show (and the laps around Nashville Speedway again!). The POS may still become a trailer, but the votes toward a purpose built drag car are stacking up. It is starting to seem like less of a bad idea.
 
I was cleaning the garage and trying to get organized so I can actually work in there. I decided to neatly arrange the pile of crap that was accumulating on the POS. In the process I took some time to look her over real good. The A pillars and where they mount have a lot of rust, not to mention the cowl is completely gone. The drip rails are shot but I was gonna cut those off anyway. I'm thinking this one is better off as a trailer. But I still like the idea of building a race car. J is making me sick with his rat rod, I really want one of those too, I'm not talented enough to build one like his. I think I will be on the look out for a a decent low cost shell/parts car...
 
When is MBBIII? I'd like to make it if I can swing it by the boss....
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It's normally the first weekend in October. It's Ron's (BeachPony) show and knowing Ron I'm sure he's already working on some of the details.
 
"tarafied1" said:
I was cleaning the garage and trying to get organized so I can actually work in there. I decided to neatly arrange the pile of crap that was accumulating on the POS. In the process I took some time to look her over real good. The A pillars and where they mount have a lot of rust, not to mention the cowl is completely gone. The drip rails are shot but I was gonna cut those off anyway. I'm thinking this one is better off as a trailer. But I still like the idea of building a race car. J is making me sick with his rat rod, I really want one of those too, I'm not talented enough to build one like his. I think I will be on the look out for a a decent low cost shell/parts car...
Click to expand...

I think it's a smart move to look for a solid body. You could easily spend more money purchasing new metal to fix the rust issues, not to mention all the time and effort it takes to make the repairs. You'll be much further ahead by finding a solid rolling chassis.
 
If you take the path of finding another car might I suggest a different direction and steer you to consider something like a Falcon, Comet or Galaxie. You'll have a much easier time finding a good deal on a solid body of something other than a classic mustang. If you go Falcon it's basically the same thing anyway. I've always been a big fan of '64's. As long as you stay Ford you can't go wrong. If you find an old Galaxie you can plop in a BB and make some good power fairly cheaply as compared to building up a SB.

If you are really looking just to experience the fun of drag racing on the cheap you can't do any better than an old Fox body.
 
"daveSanborn" said:
It's normally the first weekend in October. It's Ron's (BeachPony) show and knowing Ron I'm sure he's already working on some of the details.
Click to expand...

Thanks Dave, I got to meet Ron in SC on a business trip and talk over coffee, we had a lot in common, hope to be able to attend. I'll put it on my calendar.

Craig, if you end up doing the trailer we need to brainstorm while looking at one of our shells, I bet together we might be able to make half a brain :weas
I've got some ideas to make it more useful both parked and as a parade tow along but need to run them by someone with SOME intelligence...
Jon
 
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