When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have some more progress to share. I got all of the uprights in the rear section made and in. I am working on the diagonals for the uprights now. The mock up engine is now setting on the upper frame rails with no extra support. I also got the wing mounts made and incorporated the rear end anti rotation mount into the wing mounts to save weight. I had a small financial set back yesterday when I found this little truck. It was too cheap to pass up. Very nice condition with no rust. 4.8l auto. I see a turbo and 4l80e in its future! It will be a show piece for my shop with a custom stereo, and turbo set up.
Very awesome build and thanks for sharing it. Keep the pictures coming!
Thanks! It is nice to be encouraged. Sometimes this thing gets a little overwhelming. I have a lot of people that are wanting to see it done. Me included!
I got some time to work on it over the weekend. I got all of the diagonals in the rear section welded in. I still have a lot of welding to do! I was able to get the rear end out of the jig so I can finish welding up the brackets. I decided that I didn't like the rear wing mount so i cut it off. I will weld some tabs directly to the rear end housing. i also decided to move the spindles down a half inch and out 2" wider which required me to cut off the cross member that held the spindle jig to the frame jig. I will fab up a new spindle jig soon. i have to put in a floor x behind the seat and I will x the rear driver bay where the rear upper frame rail attaches to the driver compartment.
Thanks guys! Tonight I redid the spindle jig and got the upper a arms made and tacked into place. These were tough! Different angles and aero tubing don't mix. The lowers will be worse. I am happy with how they look so far. I built a 1 7/8" stagger into the wheel base. 2" is max and I didn't want to risk being over that. It is exactly 272" on the left side and 270 1/8" on the right side.
Last edited by elkydragger; 08-05-2015 at 02:13 AM.
Reason: pics didnt load the first time
How much caster do you build into something like this?
I have 14 degrees built into it, but the rear ride height will raise slightly with the rear tires on it. I don't see it getting any less than 12 degrees with tire growth.
Dad and I went to the division 3 race at Gateway yesterday. Top dragster was stout! They set the fastest 32 car field ever with a bump of 6.497! I have my work cut out for me for sure. I met a few really nice guys who were very helpful and excited to see my car get done. We had a great day. By the way, for those who may not know, top dragster has a 6.0 bottom cap. So those 32 cars were from around a 6.03-6.497 this was also in 90 degree heat with water grains sky high!
Qualifying is capped at 6.0 for the fastest run. Any 5.9x runs are thrown out. Eliminations are a bracket race with the drivers being able to dial in only a .10 slower than the qualifying bump. Most races are really close and fast. In a 32 car field with a bump of 6.497, it is some tight racing.
Dad and I went to the division 3 race at Gateway yesterday. Top dragster was stout! They set the fastest 32 car field ever with a bump of 6.497! I have my work cut out for me for sure. I met a few really nice guys who were very helpful and excited to see my car get done. We had a great day. By the way, for those who may not know, top dragster has a 6.0 bottom cap. So those 32 cars were from around a 6.03-6.497 this was also in 90 degree heat with water grains sky high!
Wow, that's a fast A$$ bump!!! LOL. I went to the NHRA national event in Charlotte last year and the TD bump was 7.0x. That was mostly BBC+n2o cars and a select few with blowers running deep in the 6's. What setup was the majority of the class running?
Wow, that's a fast A$$ bump!!! LOL. I went to the NHRA national event in Charlotte last year and the TD bump was 7.0x. That was mostly BBC+n2o cars and a select few with blowers running deep in the 6's. What setup was the majority of the class running?
Most were big inch n20 motors. The fastest were roots blown alky hemis. Mark Harmon was there with his procharged small block. He went a few rounds. The coolest was the schied diesel entry that went 6.42!
Most were big inch n20 motors. The fastest were roots blown alky hemis. Mark Harmon was there with his procharged small block. He went a few rounds. The coolest was the schied diesel entry that went 6.42!
I think I've seen that diesel dragster before lol there are only like 3-4 blown ones that I have seen run in div1 and they run right at the max et. Usually 6.0's or close to it
I got the cage mocked up and tacked in. I will need to remove it still for final welding in the drivers area. I am waiting for a few more brackets to arrive, then I can weld them on and remove the mock up engine and rear end. I can then roll the chassis over side to side and reclamp to finish welding. I am looking forward to getting it off of the jig!
What is the ruling on the min and max. height the cage bars can be from the top of the driver's helmet? Just curious so if I ever buy one of these I'll know the limits for TD,SC, QR etc., nice work thus far
What is the ruling on the min and max. height the cage bars can be from the top of the driver's helmet? Just curious so if I ever buy one of these I'll know the limits for TD,SC, QR etc., nice work thus far
There are some grey areas, but for the most part, the top of the cage can't be more than 18" above the top of the shoulder hoop. (unless bigger bars are used which can't be changed later as the shoulder hoop has to be a thicker wall) There has to be 2" between the drivers helmet and the bottom of the roll cage.(actual tube, not padding) There has to be 4" from the front of the helmet's forehead area to the front of the main hoop. Basically buy one that is certified for how fast you want to go and make sure you fit comfortably in it. Or just have me build you one custom for your needs.
Since you're mentioning it, and a serious question....
Would you entertain a custom built FED? If so, do you have any idea what it would cost for a complete roller with body panels? No wiring or power train parts needed, just the rearend obviously.
06-30-2015, 08:00 AM
