LS1 Dragster...why not?
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LS1 Dragster...why not? I am just curious, and just been throwing the idea around with my dad, why dont you see dragsters with built EFI/MPI motors with PCM's? i mean one would think it much cheaper but I can also see the fact of dealing with computer as opposed to a carbeurated setup, but there are also conversion kits for that, and it seems that for what you put into the newer LS age motors, that you get more out of it than you would an older style motor? I dont forsee a trans being a problem either, and there are TONS of ways of customizing an LS-Style motor, so why dont you see it? 
Alot of classes have restrictions against fuel injection. I'm sure that's mostly the reason.
If you're just doing it for fun, then who knows, some people just like carbs better I guess.
If you're just doing it for fun, then who knows, some people just like carbs better I guess.
Originally Posted by Z06kern
I just bought a 67 Pro-Street firebird that I will being putting a C5R 427 setup in. Going to run the Big Stuff 3 PCM with TH400 and 200-300 shot of nitrous. 
!!! 
Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Chicago, IL
NHRA is scared of fuel injection and it's allowed in very few classes. Yeah, you can do it for fun but a lot of guys want to make sure they're legal in case they want to go that direction eventually.
It doesn't help either that a lot of them are like my dad and don't have a clue how to tune something that doesn't have a carb.
It doesn't help either that a lot of them are like my dad and don't have a clue how to tune something that doesn't have a carb.
Well at least 10 years down the road maybe I will be to run the car in a NHRA class. By that time you would think they would start to allow EFI. Its not that important to me though. I just want to drag the car on fun nites at the strip. 
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Teching In
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14
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From: Indy
Carb=~$1000
EFI=$2000+
It's just not worth the extra expense on a NA race car, especially if you have to pay someone to tune the EFI. Carbs are plenty consistent for bracket and index racing.
On a street car, you can't beat the driveability and octane tolerance of EFI; but on a race car, who cares?
EFI=$2000+
It's just not worth the extra expense on a NA race car, especially if you have to pay someone to tune the EFI. Carbs are plenty consistent for bracket and index racing.
On a street car, you can't beat the driveability and octane tolerance of EFI; but on a race car, who cares?
I've actually been considering doing a LSx dragster. I'm not sure if you can have efi or not in Super Comp though. I'm acutually going to get my Super Comp license shortly in my cousins 540 Merlin car.
As far as cost goes it doesn't have to be to expensive.
Rolling chassis - $7500-$10000
H/C LS1 w/ harness & ECU - $2500
Powerglide - ~$2000
Jason
As far as cost goes it doesn't have to be to expensive.
Rolling chassis - $7500-$10000
H/C LS1 w/ harness & ECU - $2500
Powerglide - ~$2000
Jason
It is sad that many of the premier racing series in the US are so far behind as far as technology in what they allow. NASCAR and NHRA should allow fuel injection of some sort in its races, even if its mechanical, its a step. If you are goin for a EFI LS1 dragster, why not completely live outside of the rules and run those funny hairdryer things while ur at it.
10 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,471
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From: Berkeley, California
Originally Posted by thirteen20z28
Carb=~$1000 EFI=$2000+
It's just not worth the extra expense on a NA race car, especially if you have to pay someone to tune the EFI. Carbs are plenty consistent for bracket and index racing. On a street car, you can't beat the driveability and octane tolerance of EFI; but on a race car, who cares?
It's just not worth the extra expense on a NA race car, especially if you have to pay someone to tune the EFI. Carbs are plenty consistent for bracket and index racing. On a street car, you can't beat the driveability and octane tolerance of EFI; but on a race car, who cares?
-Gary
Last edited by Gary Z; Apr 18, 2006 at 01:45 PM.
I have a little different view. I have basically self taught myself everything I know. I only know EFI and GenIII/IV motors, so if I were to go to the big cube big block Chevy and carb I would have to pay someone to setup the car. Thats not fun or possible from an expense standpoint. 
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well i mean for fun, it would be one hell of a neat buildup, and its something that hasnt been done(dont think anyways?) and id just like to see what someone could come up with for it, especially with so many choices for these, and it just shows how much farther racing has yet to go as far as not only in the technology of the motors, but how they are built. so if you could build an LSX dragster, what would you use? what would your combo be to smack down the competition? discuss
I was at Route 66 speedway this past weekend and someone had a LSx dragster there. I don't remember it was fuel injected or not. I just caought a glimpse of it as I drove by. I don't know if he was running any specific class or not, it was just a test and tune session.
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Indy
I don't have an NHRA rulebook handy, but I believe the index "Super" classes are pretty much wide open, you just want the most consistent package that runs on the index. And, of course, you can bracket race anything, as long as it meets safety rules.
Wow, somebody called me "rational" Thanks Gary!
I agree that a Gen III EFI dragster would be different and cool (and maybe the light weight could help?). I'm just pointing out the reason why you don't see them.
Originally Posted by Gary Z
I’m an EFI enthusiast who has been surprised by the sometimes emotional reaction to my encouragment of abandoning carburators. This is the most rational defense of continued use of carburators I've yet run across. Thanks for a clearer view of “old school”
-Gary
-Gary
Thanks Gary!I agree that a Gen III EFI dragster would be different and cool (and maybe the light weight could help?). I'm just pointing out the reason why you don't see them.
Who says you can't put a carb on an LS1 and run it? You would still be taking advantage of the LS1 heads which we all know is far superior than the old design.
According to this article, the horsepower/torque output of the LS1 is about the same using a carburetor vs using EFI:
http://customrodderweb.com/tech/0510cr_carb/
According to this article, the horsepower/torque output of the LS1 is about the same using a carburetor vs using EFI:
http://customrodderweb.com/tech/0510cr_carb/
For a race car, a Victor Jr. intake would be the best design anyway, EFI or not.
I would say for the engine:
Victor Jr. intake
Stock computer/EFI system(very capable, as is the ignition)
Dart heads
Custom grind camshaft
Forged bottom end
Direct port nitrous injection
I would say for the engine:
Victor Jr. intake
Stock computer/EFI system(very capable, as is the ignition)
Dart heads
Custom grind camshaft
Forged bottom end
Direct port nitrous injection