Spencerforhire's NEW drag car project

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Spencerforhire's NEW drag car project

Postby spencerforhire » Thu Dec 03, 2009 4:17 pm

Putting the 76 GT on the "Jegster " chassis is now officially on the back burner; I have bought a partially completed 72 Vega that will not only be a whole lot less work, but end up substantially lighter due to the fact that it's all round tube construction with a Mustang II/Pinto front end, instead of 2"x3" rectangular with H-body front suspension.
The guys I bought this thing from have a whole bunch of H-bodies and parts; they are aware of this board but are not members. I found the car on Racing Junk, and it's never been down the track; it's somebody's unfinished project.
I am stoked like you wouldn't believe :D , BUT the car is in Ohio and I won't have it in my possession until mid January :( . So now I'm in the middle of a shopping spree trying to gather parts for completion; other than a body on a chassis(with no rear suspension) I don't have much besides wheels & tires, basic motor, trans and rear end so first I need to build myself a drive train.
The master plan is for a 400SBC based 421" (4.155x3.875) stump puller backed by a 'Glide and a 9" Ford. I want to keep things simple; even a bit "old school". Building something that will go mid to low 10's on pump gas shouldn't be too difficult if I can keep it light enough(under 2000lbs.). Sensible compression, aluminum heads, roller cam, NO NITROUS, nothing exotic.
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The "fleet"-
72 Vega HB Drag Car -383/'Glide/9"(9.35@146.19)(5.94@117.28 1/8th)
77 Vega Estate wagon- project(someday)will have TPI305/T-5, S-10 spindles/axles
76 Vega GT- 400/4spd/9" retired from active duty(rusty)
06 Silverado 2WD ex.cab daily
03 Silverado 2WD ex.cab (retired)
06 Haulin' 20ft enclosed car transporter
06 GMC Canyon Shop truck
07 Colorado project( 5.3 4L60e swap)
99 Saturn SL1- wife's car
01 Saturn SC2- son's project
07 Saturn Ion Redline project
and 4 more Saturn "parts cars"
Note- the very act of listing all of these has made me realize I have some kind of problem.....

Visit http://www.spencerforhire.ca
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1972 Chevrolet Vega Hatchback


Re: Spencerforhire's NEW drag car project

Postby 72 SS PNL » Thu Dec 03, 2009 4:21 pm

sweet diamond plate floor :shock: :bang:

LOL , yes i know its the trailer

looks like a good project to start with
first and best car owned 72 GT(changed to SS) panel wagon

pictures of the car from 86 - http://www.myrideisme.com/Garage/06_IBM_GOAT/955
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Re: Spencerforhire's NEW drag car project

Postby Yenkoboy » Thu Dec 03, 2009 4:30 pm

Congragulations on your score there Spence. I already bought a new complete rolling Vega "Jegster Chassis" from that same guy just like yours. He is good to deal with, he has tons of Vega parts and cars. When I saw that car on Racing Junk and it was his, I was mad because I would rather have that setup also. I live in Ohio and he delievered to me on a 4 hour drive for free. Good luck with the new toy.

Mark
Last edited by Yenkoboy on Fri Dec 04, 2009 3:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
72 GT Vega aka "Little Evel" 22K Miles V6 3.8 T5 5 speed and 7.5 4.10 Posi
72 GT Vega aka " Little Evel II (Jegster Chassis)
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Re: Spencerforhire's NEW drag car project

Postby spencerforhire » Thu Dec 03, 2009 4:58 pm

Mark- I wondered if you (or any other members from Ohio) might recognize the car or know Tim & his son Matt. I agree that he's good to deal with; I offered him extra bucks because he has to store the car for 5 or 6 weeks and he wouldn't take it! I also bought from him a brand new set of Hooker 2135's for my wagon project.
The "fleet"-
72 Vega HB Drag Car -383/'Glide/9"(9.35@146.19)(5.94@117.28 1/8th)
77 Vega Estate wagon- project(someday)will have TPI305/T-5, S-10 spindles/axles
76 Vega GT- 400/4spd/9" retired from active duty(rusty)
06 Silverado 2WD ex.cab daily
03 Silverado 2WD ex.cab (retired)
06 Haulin' 20ft enclosed car transporter
06 GMC Canyon Shop truck
07 Colorado project( 5.3 4L60e swap)
99 Saturn SL1- wife's car
01 Saturn SC2- son's project
07 Saturn Ion Redline project
and 4 more Saturn "parts cars"
Note- the very act of listing all of these has made me realize I have some kind of problem.....

Visit http://www.spencerforhire.ca
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spencerforhire
 
Posts: 2442
Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:02 pm
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia

1972 Chevrolet Vega Hatchback

Re: Spencerforhire's NEW drag car project

Postby spencerforhire » Thu Dec 03, 2009 5:01 pm

And yes, 72 SS PNL is correct; at first glance it sure looks like the floor is diamond plate(until you realize there is NO FLOOR) :wink:
The "fleet"-
72 Vega HB Drag Car -383/'Glide/9"(9.35@146.19)(5.94@117.28 1/8th)
77 Vega Estate wagon- project(someday)will have TPI305/T-5, S-10 spindles/axles
76 Vega GT- 400/4spd/9" retired from active duty(rusty)
06 Silverado 2WD ex.cab daily
03 Silverado 2WD ex.cab (retired)
06 Haulin' 20ft enclosed car transporter
06 GMC Canyon Shop truck
07 Colorado project( 5.3 4L60e swap)
99 Saturn SL1- wife's car
01 Saturn SC2- son's project
07 Saturn Ion Redline project
and 4 more Saturn "parts cars"
Note- the very act of listing all of these has made me realize I have some kind of problem.....

Visit http://www.spencerforhire.ca
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Posts: 2442
Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:02 pm
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia

1972 Chevrolet Vega Hatchback

Re: Spencerforhire's NEW drag car project

Postby NixVegaGT » Fri Dec 04, 2009 3:00 pm

There is really nothing better than dealing with a stand up guy for stuff like this. I like your 421 idea. Since you're in the planning/buying spree stage I thought I'd prod you for info. SO are you planning on shorter piston height to improve the rod ratio of the SBC 400? (something like 1.48 :o not great).

I'm looking forward to watching your progress. Hey do you ever get up north to see the Targa in NewFoundland? I'm hoping to enter my car when it's ready.
- Nic '73 Vega GT "DogBoxx" Batwing LS1
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2357894
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Re: Spencerforhire's NEW drag car project

Postby Yenkoboy » Fri Dec 04, 2009 3:49 pm

Spencer
I just looked up where you live, you got a hell off a drive to pick that Vega up. Plus in the Middle of January you must have Big Ones :lol: . You will be driving through our SNOW belt. Good Luck

Down here in Ohio we call your Diamond plate floor a " Obstacle Illusion"

Mark
72 GT Vega aka "Little Evel" 22K Miles V6 3.8 T5 5 speed and 7.5 4.10 Posi
72 GT Vega aka " Little Evel II (Jegster Chassis)
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Re: Spencerforhire's NEW drag car project

Postby spencerforhire » Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:44 pm

Nic- I already have some of the parts to put together a 421; a block, crank and an old set of 327 rods. all I should have to buy is a set of pistons. The companies that sell stroker kits make pistons for the 400(4.125+030") for a bunch of different rod lengths and strokes, including 5.7". By offset grinding the stock 400 crank(3.75") down to fit the old 283/327 small journal(2.00") rods, we come up with the extra .125" of stroke. Apparently 421 is just about the limit for a stock block; cranks are available as big as 4.125"(!!!!), but the stroker companies "strongly suggest" an aftermarket block like the Dart "little M". I need to check with the local machinist if they think this will work; I should be ok as long as I don't try to rev it past about 6000rpm.
I've worked on a few Targa Nfld. entries, and I know a couple of guys who've raced in it; in fact my better half and I are planning on entering some year in the future! Sadly we'll probably be driving a Saturn not an H-body. But you never know; the TPI305/T5 combo in my 77 wagon should be a pretty bulletproof daily driver! It's only a 4 hour drive to the other end of Nova Scotia to catch the ferry to Newfoundland. Someday.......

Yenkoboy- I'm not going to pick this car up in person; I have a friend and fellow racer who delivers motorhomes and trailers back and forth across the whole continent who happens to be going to Illinois in January to pick up a couple of race motors. He's made the trip in all kinds of weather and has no problem taking a little detour(it's only about 100 miles out of his way)through Ohio. I'm going to have to pay for his fuel costs over and above what he'd use without dragging a trailer.
Last edited by spencerforhire on Sat Dec 05, 2009 3:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
The "fleet"-
72 Vega HB Drag Car -383/'Glide/9"(9.35@146.19)(5.94@117.28 1/8th)
77 Vega Estate wagon- project(someday)will have TPI305/T-5, S-10 spindles/axles
76 Vega GT- 400/4spd/9" retired from active duty(rusty)
06 Silverado 2WD ex.cab daily
03 Silverado 2WD ex.cab (retired)
06 Haulin' 20ft enclosed car transporter
06 GMC Canyon Shop truck
07 Colorado project( 5.3 4L60e swap)
99 Saturn SL1- wife's car
01 Saturn SC2- son's project
07 Saturn Ion Redline project
and 4 more Saturn "parts cars"
Note- the very act of listing all of these has made me realize I have some kind of problem.....

Visit http://www.spencerforhire.ca
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spencerforhire
 
Posts: 2442
Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:02 pm
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia

1972 Chevrolet Vega Hatchback

Re: Spencerforhire's NEW drag car project

Postby greg72 » Sat Dec 05, 2009 12:16 pm

spencerforhire wrote:......................Yenkoboy- I'm not going to pick this car up in person; I have a friend and fellow racer who delivers motorhomes and trailers back and forth across the whole continent who happens to be going to Illinois in January to pick up a couple of race motors. He's made the trip in all kinds of weather and has no problem taking a little detour(it's only about 100 miles out of his way)through Ohio. I'm going to have to pay for his fuel costs over and above what he'd use without dragging a trailer.


Now that's a good friend!!
Greg
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Re: Spencerforhire's NEW drag car project

Postby spencerforhire » Sat Dec 05, 2009 3:53 pm

A good friend, yes; also it's his fault I bought a car 2000 miles away- he's the one who sent me the link for the car when it listed on Racing Junk! He offered to go get it before I even made an offer on it.
The "fleet"-
72 Vega HB Drag Car -383/'Glide/9"(9.35@146.19)(5.94@117.28 1/8th)
77 Vega Estate wagon- project(someday)will have TPI305/T-5, S-10 spindles/axles
76 Vega GT- 400/4spd/9" retired from active duty(rusty)
06 Silverado 2WD ex.cab daily
03 Silverado 2WD ex.cab (retired)
06 Haulin' 20ft enclosed car transporter
06 GMC Canyon Shop truck
07 Colorado project( 5.3 4L60e swap)
99 Saturn SL1- wife's car
01 Saturn SC2- son's project
07 Saturn Ion Redline project
and 4 more Saturn "parts cars"
Note- the very act of listing all of these has made me realize I have some kind of problem.....

Visit http://www.spencerforhire.ca
User avatar
spencerforhire
 
Posts: 2442
Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:02 pm
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia

1972 Chevrolet Vega Hatchback

Re: Spencerforhire's NEW drag car project

Postby 72 SS PNL » Sun Dec 06, 2009 1:08 am

spencerforhire wrote:A good friend, yes; also it's his fault I bought a car 2000 miles away- he's the one who sent me the link for the car when it listed on Racing Junk! He offered to go get it before I even made an offer on it.


lol , gotta love friends that feed your addictions !!!
first and best car owned 72 GT(changed to SS) panel wagon

pictures of the car from 86 - http://www.myrideisme.com/Garage/06_IBM_GOAT/955
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Location: phx az

1973 Chevrolet Vega Kammback GT

Re: Spencerforhire's NEW drag car project

Postby chevyart » Mon Dec 14, 2009 1:48 am

hey spence with that steering setup you should be able to use almost any type of pan, which will make it easier to clear your stroker crank chevy art
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Re: Spencerforhire's NEW drag car project

Postby spencerforhire » Sat Jan 23, 2010 1:40 pm

I am so pumped! my latest project is being loaded on the trailer in Ohio today, and heading out Monday on it's 2200km(1240mi.) journey home. The trip also has stops at both Summit and Jeg's retail stores to pick up lots of cool new parts. I wish I were there, but I'll just have to wait until Wedensday when my friends get back with by "new baby". Their turn around point on this crazy road trip is Nye's Automotive in Muncie, Indiana where they're picking up 2 motors; a 383 short block and a 555 cube BBC(to be dyno'ed Monday morning.) I still need to build a motor, but I intend to concentrate on getting the rest of the car together first.
The "fleet"-
72 Vega HB Drag Car -383/'Glide/9"(9.35@146.19)(5.94@117.28 1/8th)
77 Vega Estate wagon- project(someday)will have TPI305/T-5, S-10 spindles/axles
76 Vega GT- 400/4spd/9" retired from active duty(rusty)
06 Silverado 2WD ex.cab daily
03 Silverado 2WD ex.cab (retired)
06 Haulin' 20ft enclosed car transporter
06 GMC Canyon Shop truck
07 Colorado project( 5.3 4L60e swap)
99 Saturn SL1- wife's car
01 Saturn SC2- son's project
07 Saturn Ion Redline project
and 4 more Saturn "parts cars"
Note- the very act of listing all of these has made me realize I have some kind of problem.....

Visit http://www.spencerforhire.ca
User avatar
spencerforhire
 
Posts: 2442
Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:02 pm
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia

1972 Chevrolet Vega Hatchback

Re: Spencerforhire's NEW drag car project

Postby Yenkoboy » Sat Jan 23, 2010 3:56 pm

Spence
Glade to see all is well so far :th: . What parts are they picking up? Anything Cool? Did you buy their 1 piece front are are you using your own?

Mark
72 GT Vega aka "Little Evel" 22K Miles V6 3.8 T5 5 speed and 7.5 4.10 Posi
72 GT Vega aka " Little Evel II (Jegster Chassis)
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Location: Batavia, Ohio

Re: Spencerforhire's NEW drag car project

Postby spencerforhire » Sat Jan 23, 2010 5:50 pm

The "shopping carts" at Summit and Jeg's are full of the first wave of new parts necessary to get this project on it's wheels; 4-link bars & rod ends and coil-over springs so I can mock up the rear end, 5 bolt rotors and GM caliper brackets for the Pinto front end so I can use my Weld Draglites on the front, a racing bucket seat so I can figure out seating position(which will determine engine setback), and a Powerglide rebuild kit and an Ultrabell, plus some assorted stuff that I don't expect to find used or local. I have been on a buying spree locally, and have come up with a race prepped Powerglide, converter, shifter, fuel cell, monster tach, 5-point harness, 35-spline spool, MSD box, distributor and coil, Goodyear 14x32's and frontrunners on 12" and 3.5" Welds, rear coil-overs, electric water pump drive and some other used parts.
Also coming with the car is a newer style 'glass front end and 4" cowl hood that Tim found for me in Ohio; it needs work, but I think I'm up for the task. I've decided not to "stretch" the front end(for this year!) but I might get rid of the early tail lights that are in the car so as not to create confusion with the newer nose.
I still haven't decided exactly what I'm going to do for a motor; I need to weigh my options of buying only pistons, just a rotating assembly, a short block or ???? I could just freshen up a stock 400 to get the car dialed in and let the "big"(421? 434?) powerplant wait until next year.TOO MANY DECISIONS! MY BRAIN HURTS!
The "fleet"-
72 Vega HB Drag Car -383/'Glide/9"(9.35@146.19)(5.94@117.28 1/8th)
77 Vega Estate wagon- project(someday)will have TPI305/T-5, S-10 spindles/axles
76 Vega GT- 400/4spd/9" retired from active duty(rusty)
06 Silverado 2WD ex.cab daily
03 Silverado 2WD ex.cab (retired)
06 Haulin' 20ft enclosed car transporter
06 GMC Canyon Shop truck
07 Colorado project( 5.3 4L60e swap)
99 Saturn SL1- wife's car
01 Saturn SC2- son's project
07 Saturn Ion Redline project
and 4 more Saturn "parts cars"
Note- the very act of listing all of these has made me realize I have some kind of problem.....

Visit http://www.spencerforhire.ca
User avatar
spencerforhire
 
Posts: 2442
Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:02 pm
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia

1972 Chevrolet Vega Hatchback

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