My Coupe Wants To Drag Race!!

[Spike!]

With all the changes I've done to my coupe, my next goal is to see what she'll run in the 1320. I have the Historic Cecil County Drag-O-Way about 45 mins away, as well as Maple Grove, Atco ETC.. Cecil is my favorite, and I consider it my "Home track". They have Friday night "Street Night" which has long been dominated by 5.0's and tuners for the last few years. I want to take my coupe down and show them the way it used to be done.

So.. what do you think the "Competition Coupe" will do?

Here are a few specs-

1) 402 Big Block Chevy
2) Auto Trans (350th)
3) 3:73 rear

Not too sure what my car weighs, but it isn't a lot.

Any ideas?
Would anyone like to go with me? Maybe make a real "showing"?

Spike

[plmczy]

Spike, your biggest problem will be wheel spin. I'm not sure what the rear suspension is on your coupe but I've always heard people mention about pre-loading the rear suspension. Maybe some of the vetran drag racers could give you more advice. later plmczy

[sawzall]

spike...


I dont know how the car will hook given those big tall tires and that crazy rear suspension setup back there.. the lack of a puke tank on the radiator may preclude you from competition.. however I think your biggest problem will be seeing the christmas tree out of the 6 inch tall windshield..
good luck sawzall

[Spike!]

I'm working on a puke tank. I still need safety belts as well. Although, I highly doubt I can fit out the windshield..Or the side windows for that matter.

The car hooks up very well. It has long rear ladder bars and coil over shocks. PLUS Cecil IS the "Traction capitol of the WORLD!"

So..any guesses (educated or otherwise) as to an ET?

Spike

[plmczy]

Big block, light car,and good traction, possibly low 13's to mid to high 12's. I'm not good at this so this is just a stab in the dark guess. Oh yeah don't forget to take a helmet along, you'll need it if you run those numbers. later plmczy

[Spike!]

I bought a sixties style metal flake helmet at a swap over the winter. Looks like it was never used. Actually, I traded it for 2 CKD mags.. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Spike

[motor mikey]

They wont let you use that helmet if your times require that you wear one. The helmet has to have a current date, yes helmets get stale. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif. I have raced my truck a bunch at the local 1/8 mile strip, and went through tech alot. Make sure you have a battery hold down, seat belts, overflow, and depending on your time you might need a driveshaft loop. Have fun.

[plmczy]

Damn that was a good trade. The best time I ran with my 383 RR was a 15.75. Now this was in street trim and a serios bog off the line.This car weighs about 4400 pounds maybe a little more. So it sounds like you have a chance at some good times. Just give her a good tune up and maybe a little good gas mixed in with high test. later plmczy

[AHotRod]

No picture of your car?
What is it?

[mytlo56]

Is the motor stock or built? Fresh or tired? Stock or higher stall speed converter?

K-Member's A runs solid low 13's all day long w/ a very mild (if not stock other than carb, intake, and headers) 460.

No doubt it could run low 12's w/ a little freshening and some slicks. Maybe even quicker w/ lower gearing and a loose converter. It could also spit an axle out too http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I predict low 13's w/ yer' car. Get that rear-end in good check, have your driveshaft balanced, and slap some slicks on and you'll be cranking.

[Fat Hack]

It'll come down to trying to balance weight vs traction...

My old nearly two ton 70 Chevelle ran a mild 402, four speed, and 3.90 gears, but with slicks it hooked up and WENT...12.40s.

(It was way slower on street tires, but alot of fun to drive!)

If you can hook it up, you oughtta be in the LOW 12s or into the 11s...if not, somethings WRONG!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[burger]

Spike,

Let me know when you're heading down. I'm always up for a little racing.


Ed

PS- I can lend you a legit helmet.

[SamIyam]

It all depends on how strong the 402 is and how well you can put that power to the pavement...

My guess is low 13's on radials... and mid to lower 12s' with slicks.

Sam.

[born2late]

Check the total length of any rubber fuel line. At one time you could only have a max of 6 inches. Rest had to be steel or aluminum. If you can get a set of slicks to use, take advantage of them. Its a hell of alot more fun when you don't have to nurse it out of the hole to keep from spinning. Make sure you have open end lug nuts if you run slicks, the tech guys look for them. If Cecil is like our local track (Numidia) the tech rules are pretty loose on Friday nights for the street drags. Sundays are more strict cuz its an NHRA event.

If you run street tires dont bother with the burnout. Most guys say it makes the traction worse. Just pull around the water box and move right to the line.

When you get to the beams, throw it in neutral and clean the cylinders with a good rip of the throttle. Then stage. If you have a low rpm stall converter, bring the motor up on the brakes and it will loosen the converter and load the rear suspension. It should launch decent with the rear setup you have. If you have adjustable coilovers, loosen the preload so the ride height comes down. This will get the weight transfered to the rear quicker at the hit of the throttle. If no posi, preload the right shock and it plant that tire better and help the launch. Try a launch with no "power brake" action and see which technique gives the better 60 ft time and the least amount of wheel spin. You should get plenty of runs on a Friday night to play around with things!!

I almost forgot, run the caps on the headers for the first run to see how it does. If it goes pretty quick, take the caps off. The times may go up or the open pipes could lean the motor and slow you down. Depends on your current jetting. We used to bust on the guys running high 15's with open headers trying to sound like Bob Glidden.

If you have never been down a real quarter, you will get so wound up your knees will be rubber when you get out in the pits. Its good shit...have fun.

[Junkyard Dog 32]

HAMB Drags... Be there.

[2tall2beahotrodder]

Im gona say low 12s, high 11s....

[plmczy]

Born2late,you've been to Numidia? I ran there once when they had the 50th ann. of NHRA. I threw a belt and couldn't run in the eliminations. later plmczy

I'll guess your first run will be in the 14s.
What do I win?
Clark

[46mopar]

That car should be pretty quick if it hooks-up sometime a track is alittle slicker then the street. These guy are right about the tech things you might run into but some Friday night races are more relaxed then normal the last time I went to 75-80's Friday night race they didn't even look at the car they just passed it by. The only two things I ever got nailed for was at South Mountian they didn't like my plastic line going to the oil pressure gauge and I had no battery disconect switch. Also I had no luck finding out about you motor yet I keep on the guy for ya. I have somethings to work you on the mopar but I want to get to a track this year. Humm maybe a little grudge match http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Broman]

I have to throw my hat into the ring.

I'll say th best run of the day will be 13.2

I am assuming you'll tinker with your launches and shift points, etc..

I think if you have anything around 350 HP you should be in that ball park. Anything more than that you'll fight traction.

Depends on your weight dist. and the temp, etc. too


No reason that you'd do worse than a 300 HP flattie....

[Broman]

P.S.

I think you've been challenged.....

/\


http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[Junkyard Dog 32]

[ QUOTE ]
P.S.

I think you've been challenged.....



[/ QUOTE ]

To be honest...
When HOTRODPHOTOS said, "Would anyone like to go with me? Maybe make a real "showing"? I took that as a challenge. After reading it, again, I think it was an invitation to join him for a race not to race him...

but, I'll race ya... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

JOEhttp://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Broman]

I'm just trying to start a fight....I'd love to see two old coupes hash it out. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Cadillacin Marcus]

Puling out that low ET.... ah yes...Its like when all the planets are in line and everything is in balance with the universe..mother nature,mechanics,skill,and good ole fashion Luck... and when that happens I'd say you'll be in the 11's someplace..May the force be with you...

[quickrod]

13.85@102 mph.give or take two tenths http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Smokin Joe]

LOL Marcus. I remember when I first cut a perfect light.
I was shittin in tall cotton! Planets were aligned, birds were singing instead of crapping on my car. All was right with the world...

Then my buddy says: "Yup, just means you came so close to beating yourself they couldn't measure it!"

[Spike!]

Challenge? Sure, why not? Grudge matches used to be the shizzle back in the day.. But I have to warn you, I have raced before. Nothing professional, mind you. But I can cut a mean light, and I know just what it means to have all the planets and birds ETC.... Its additcting.

My last street/strip car ran 11.85 @ 115mph. The car was a '68 El Camino with a normally aspirated, single four barrel, four speed, small block. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Helps when your former employer was Grumpy Jenkins http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Spike

[Jkustom]

[ QUOTE ]

K-Member's A runs solid low 13's all day long w/ a very mild (if not stock other than carb, intake, and headers) 460.

No doubt it could run low 12's w/ a little freshening and some slicks.

[/ QUOTE ]

K's car has ran 12.3... not sure what tires that was on, though I think it was whats on it now.... I believe it was at bremerton, and he drove it all the way around the sound to get there.... if he sees this, maybe he'll straighten the story out... -J.