Updating old dragster chassis for current NHRA tech?

[Kerry]

How dificult would it be to update an old Chassis Research dragster chassis to pass the current NHRA tech? Would it look but ugly? Here's the type of chassis I'm talking about.

[Ryan]

I want one of those chassis bad... You wouldn't happen to have an extra would ya?

[Unkl Ian]

[ QUOTE ]
How dificult would it be to update an old Chassis Research dragster chassis to pass the current NHRA tech?

[/ QUOTE ] I think the correct answer might depend on how fast you want to go.

[FEDER]

NHRA --NO VRA--maybe for exibition only and as Ian said depends how fast it goes.My Buddy has a T/A dragster from the mid 80s and cant afford to update it.Seems like NOTHING about the car will pass current tech rules.---FEDER

[Unkl Ian]

If it's not practical to update an existing car,would it be possible to make a new car to meet the current specs that would look identical to the old one ? Or is the basic cage design no longer acceptable?

[av8]

There's no way to update a skid-bar/dog-sled chassis and retain the original appearance. It's a cool old look but not a very safe car in a crash.

Against his better judgement, Kent Fuller built several skid-bar cars for Ivo because Ivo didn't want to pay CR for a chassis although he liked the look. Both the single and the double nailhead Ivo cars were skid-bar types.

Fuller observed that dragsters tended not to simply roll over and skid on their tops during a wreck but instead tend to roll and tumble and back into obstacles, situations in which the skid-bar design offered little protection and integrity.

Fuller intuited his classic design as the safest possible structure for weight vs strength, given the wide range of potential mischief a car could be subjected to during a crash. The scheme quickly revolutionized dragster design, with only a few builders not adopting the style. One of the key elements, the horizontal shoulder bar, persists in chassis design to this day.

[quickrod]

by the time you updated that car to NHRA specs{seriously doubt if you could and pass todays standards}thre really wouldnt be a class for you anyhow that you could be competetive in, maybe a few passes at some nostalgia races at local track events{we have a real cool one here in ohio in june at thompson}but seriously doubt any NHRA sanctions.besides,why saw it up its way to cool to touch take it to some nostalgia events,youd be surprized how gratly appreciated it would be,i do...

[Kerry]

Ryan, I don't have one but I think I know where one is. I sent you a PM.

[Rocket88]

No way, no how. There would be nothing left of it. Build a new chassis, use the old front axle, and the rest of the running gear. It all depends on how fast you want to go.

[SamIyam]

There was one on e-bay out in Kansas a while back... but it was a home made job that was probably worse off than a real Chassis Research rail... was it that rusty one?

Anyway, as much as I like the looks of those, I too think it wouyld be an uphil battle in the worse way... believe me, it would suck to put a bunch of work into something only to be able to just show it and not run it...

Sam.

[Kerry]

Yep Sam, That's the one. It's got aboout seven minutes left and it's up to $515. I'm starting to use my brain again and not emotion. I'm gonna pass. I can buy a lot of steel for that much $$$ and make it the way I want it. Wonder when I'll get around to that project.

I appreciate all the advice guys.

[Kerry]

Here's a picture of it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=6755&item=244 1013991

[Kerry]

It went for $800.89. Wow! That would buy a lot of steel.

[Creeper Larry]

Get an NHRA rule book. It shows exactly what you need to be able to run.Even shows pics (drawings) of where you gotta put the bars. Larry