budget drag car

Old 05-25-2009, 07:05 PM
  #1  
happyfast
Junior Member
SHOW GUEST
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 7
Default budget drag car

I'd like some advise. Thanks in advance for any help. My son bought a 73 nova for 800 bucks and wants to go drag racing. It has an aftermarket cam, intake manafold, carb, forged pistons, and headers, on a 307ci motor, I'm guessing it has maybe 250hp and he plans to add a 100hp shot of nitrous to it, with hopes of getting the car into the 12's. The motor peak touque is at 4000, peak hp at 5000 rpm. Does it need a converter that stalls near peak touque, or is that too loose? Any other ideas that dont cost much? I'm hoping that someone here has had some experience with a mild car like this. Thanks.
happyfast is offline  
Old 05-25-2009, 07:16 PM
  #2  
mopar1968
Senior Member
RACING JUNKIE
 
mopar1968's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Abingdon,Virginia
Posts: 3,578
Default

Just my opinion i have found for a low hp engine, a TCI street fighter convertor works good.


JUST MY TWO CENT'S WORTH''

http://www.racingjunk.com/profile/163312
mopar1968 is offline  
Old 05-25-2009, 07:33 PM
  #3  
TheYellaBrick
Senior Member
RACING JUNKIE
 
TheYellaBrick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Emmett, Idaho
Posts: 7,334
Default

I highly recommend he learns HOW to drag race BEFORE adding squeeze. It's not all about 'going fast' but more about consistency, and consistency requires LOTS of seat time one quarter mile at a time. That seat time will teach how to set up the car(suspension - engine tune - safety systems), how to maintain the car for that type of abuse( it IS abuse cuz stuff will be breakin' !), and teach driver reaction and most important of all, SAFETY !

Remember, the ONLY stupid questions are the unasked ones.
TheYellaBrick is offline  
Old 05-25-2009, 09:01 PM
  #4  
dragonmaster093
Senior Member
RACING JUNKIE
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: kingsport tn
Posts: 1,729
Default

after he gets the feel for car and gets seat time and consistant you may want to build bigger better motor from everything ive ever known about 307s is no matter how much money you throw at it at the end of the day its still a boat ancore you add 100 shot and itll be a somer engine ( some parts here somer there ) but thats my opinion
dragonmaster093 is offline  
Old 05-25-2009, 09:03 PM
  #5  
happyfast
Junior Member
SHOW GUEST
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 7
Default

hey, thanks for the input.
happyfast is offline  
Old 05-25-2009, 09:48 PM
  #6  
cepx111
Senior Member
RACING JUNKIE
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 2,044
Default

A stock OEM converteor will probably work fine with the engine you described, if you want for $hits and giggles you could go up to a B/M holeshot 3000 or 3500rpm unit.

I also agree with earlier replies.

You need to get him some seat time, go to a coulple test and tune sessions and then go racing.

Guys at the track just love lining up to newbie(s).

Hate to see him get his butt whooped first few times out and lose interest.

Get the tree down pact, depending on how he reacts to the tree, he may need to deep stage (top light off)
Either way you look at it, it doesn't matter how fast the car is but how consistent he is on the tree and how consistent the car is.

Heres some consistency tips, for a gas burner.

A well tuned engine and a carb that isnt too rich, a shift light or shift light tach, line lock (burn outs) and slicks, are a must.

Leave on the last yellow bulb and pedal it if your ahead at the last stripe.

And always remember to be safe and have fun.




Goodluck, Cp
cepx111 is offline  
Old 05-26-2009, 05:50 AM
  #7  
oldandtired
Senior Member
RACING JUNKIE
 
oldandtired's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Sugar Hill, GA
Posts: 1,365
Default

I back all the comments left already. The desire to go fast is what hurts too many individuals entering into competition. Leave the combo as is for now.
Seat time is the key. Work to get the car and driver being one unit. Ignore the other lane for now, let him hone his skill to run his own race. The win lights will come in time.

Good luck, Dave
oldandtired is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service - Do Not Sell My Personal Information -