Drag Chassis

[MachoPoncho]

ok i have a 1975 Pontiac Astre and i want to build a high 8 low 9 sec drag car out of it.
i was wondering what exactly i need to have to do to the chassis to make it hook
and and go safely. I am willing to go as far as a full chassis if i have to but i dont want
to do more than i have to.... so any suggestions on what you guys have seen or did.


Thank You

[flowerz489]

take a look at this.



http://www.angelfire.com/wa2/storminnormin/index4.html

[MachoPoncho]

do you know if the front end can handle 130 to 150 mph.

[spencerforhire]

150 mph with a stock H-body front end? It's been done, but I guarantee it's not a lot of fun; brakes are a larger problem than high speed stability. If you really want to build an 8sec. car, I seriously recommend the first thing to do is consult the rule book for whatever sanctioning body your local track uses.

[cosvega76]

If you want to run 8 or 9 seconds, you'll need a Certified chassis and roll cage. Check the NHRA rulebook for info, but your best bet may be to talk to a chassis builder/supplier like S&W or Alston for recommendations.

Chuck

[MachoPoncho]

ok well lets throw out the nhra rule book if i told you guys to build me a 8 sec chassis for a h body what would you do.

[Fasterthansome]

do you know if the front end can handle 130 to 150 mph.

Yes

[spencerforhire]

If you "throw out the rule book" and build an 8 sec. car, I certainly wouldn't want to be in the other lane next to you! But then again, I probably wouldn't be racing at a track with a blind tech inspector(because a sighted one would have tossed you out IF YOU DIDN'T USE THE RULE BOOK TO BUILD YOUR CAR.)

[72 SS PNL]

full tube chassis and cage , essentially a prostock car

[MachoPoncho]

If you "throw out the rule book" and build an 8 sec. car, I certainly wouldn't want to be in the other lane next to you! But then again, I probably wouldn't be racing at a track with a blind tech inspector(because a sighted one would have tossed you out IF YOU DIDN'T USE THE RULE BOOK TO BUILD YOUR CAR.)

i ment like building a safe 8 sec car but not nhra safe they we all know they have very strict rules

[73Sedan]

i ment like building a safe 8 sec car but not nhra safe they we all know they have very strict rules

A "safe" 8s car is any car built following the rule book.
Thousand foot oil downs and cars slamming into barriers is more like a rednecks gone wild with horsepower show. I can say that, being a redneck by nature.

I am a proponent of "build it safer than it needs to be for the class you choose to run". That also gives you the option later for some power adders.

[72 SS PNL]

only thing i could see leaving out are the down bars for the doors , or using really low bars , that stay at or below the seat level

gotta to be able to get in them easy(harder the older ya get , lol)

[spencerforhire]

Glad to see that I'm not alone in my "build it by the book" opinion. I can however relate to the issue of door bar placement for ease of entry and exit; I must admit that I am on the high side of both 50(years) and 250(pounds)

[3258]

depending on what engine setup you have, i would go with the jegs front clip (a-arm) or a strut front suspension, the stock suspension could get a little scary on the top end. i think the jegs front clip is a good value and have seen it work good in monzas and vegas. you will get good tunability and high speed stability if set up right. This is what i am planning to do with my car.

http://www.jegs.com/p/Jegster/Jegster-F ... 1/10002/-1

[3258]

If you "throw out the rule book" and build an 8 sec. car, I certainly wouldn't want to be in the other lane next to you! But then again, I probably wouldn't be racing at a track with a blind tech inspector(because a sighted one would have tossed you out IF YOU DIDN'T USE THE RULE BOOK TO BUILD YOUR CAR.)

LOL, I agree!! then again, if you run 10.0 or slower you just have to have a cage, not certified. I plan to run my car in the low 12's for the class i am running as 12.0 is the quickest for the foot brake class, The 8.X second passes are for my dragster