Thread: best car to strip?
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05-21-2007 07:26 PM #1
best car to strip?
Just wondering what you guys think the best car to strip out for drag race use is. I was thinking about getting a 80's camaro theres alot of them around here with trashed motors for dirt cheap, or should i go with something else for less weight?
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05-21-2007 07:31 PM #2
With a 283 you will want the lightest body you can find. Vega comes to mind.
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05-21-2007 07:44 PM #3
No Mercedes or Beemer's in your neigbor hood?... just kidding. Anything can can be done. Remember, Your chassis will have huge modifications so think about a body only: glass and steel mix kind of a build.What if the "Hokey Pokey" is what it's really all about?
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05-21-2007 07:52 PM #4
Hah i was thinking about a gremlin with a 283. (joking) Yeah im starting to think otherwise about the 283 build. A guy wants to sell me a 396. Dont know much about it i think his came out of a chevelle he said.
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05-21-2007 10:41 PM #5
A Gremlin with a 396 would be a hoot.
Pat McCarthy or Eric, please step up and tell this young man how to build a 396.PLANET EARTH, INSANE ASYLUM FOR THE UNIVERSE.
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05-22-2007 02:32 AM #6
I'm in the process of building an '82 Camaro, should come in right at 3,000 pounds or (hopefully) a bit under... They are cheap, got this one for $80 with only a couple small dents and a small rust hole in one quarter!!! One consideration on building one of that era is the torque link from the rear end to the trans.... There are some aftermarket ones that attach to the crossmember instead of the transmission. On mine I'm using a 4 link setup on a 9" Ford rear... Just a few things for you to consider...Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, Live for Today!
Carroll Shelby
Learning must be difficult for those who already know it all!!!!
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05-22-2007 02:32 PM #7
I'm a fan of the Vegas and Monzas as a good drag platform... very lightweight and little effort for chassis modification. I guess they are getting harder to find these days though... a mid 80's camaro is good and much easier to find but more difficult to get the weight out. The mid-80's mustang especially notch back are also very popular... I think the notch is sturdier... I see many of these at the strip.
It's still heavy, but I love my Firebird...
Chris
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05-22-2007 08:42 PM #8
Vega, S-10, JeepObjects in the mirror are losing
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05-22-2007 08:46 PM #9
And a Chevette if you can find one.Ken Thomas
NoT FaDe AwaY and the music didn't die
The simplest road is usually the last one sought
Wild Willie & AA/FA's The greatest show in drag racing
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05-23-2007 12:19 AM #10
No one mentioned a box Nova yet? C'mon guys? 2700 lbs. with interior is pretty dang light, and they are not as ugly as vegas or monza's.
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05-23-2007 08:56 AM #11
Originally Posted by 69elko
My vote is for an S-10. Tons of parts for them especially suspension, and they are a dime a dozen for the striped old 4 cylinder 2wd, manual window work truck models. If Im not mistaken quite a bit of fibergalss available for them to cut pounds too. JMO
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05-23-2007 06:17 AM #12
Fox Body Mustangs are light and plentiful. Amazing how many of them are out there with Chevy power too.
PatOf course, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong!
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05-23-2007 06:36 AM #13
Take a look at the Chris Alston 27 looking drag race roadster.
Tube frame, glass body etc.
Makes a very nice drag race car and would probably click off high 10, low 11 second ET's with a moderately built 283.
Running 10 and 11 second ET's doesn't sound like a whole lot, but it's an excellent ET range to learn to drive well not to mention it's fast enough to be fun . . . and get away from you if you don't watch it.
Later on, a bigger engine.
Since you're running SBC, a stout 383 would serve you well.
Or do like one guy I met . . . stuff a stock parts oriented, rebuilt 455 Olds in it, T-400 trans, 280 degree or so hydraulic cam, Holley - or Edelbrock - large street oriented carb, beefed up ignition, headers and crank off low 9's.
Pretty much a change the oil and go racing car.
I've never seen this car being wrenched on at the races.
In fact, he uses it to cruise around the pits now and then to visit his pals.
A bit expensive to start with, but in the end it'll cost about the same as building a ten second door slammer.
The big secret in drag racing at the amateur level; little car, big engine.
Goes fast, hardly ever breaks parts....C9
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06-28-2007 04:44 PM #14
Originally Posted by Stu Cool
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05-23-2007 01:09 PM #15
Only problem with S-10 or any other small truck is getting them to plant the tires, but many have tackled this problem successfully. I've seen a number of small trucks (Chevy 'Luv anyone?) cranking off 9's-10's at high altitude (Denver). Just keep in mind getting it to hook is a bit more challenging...
Old box Nova (Chevy II?) are also very good platform (I know several in 8's and 9's) but less available and more costly...
Agree 100% --> small car + big motor is the best way to go...
-Chris
The main function of your little toe is to make sure all the furniture in the house is in the right place.
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