New to the game what should I run?
 

I just was given a 1980 Camaro by my dad who is to sick to race any longer. The car is a full street weight car, probably 3500-3800lbs. It was set up for 1/8th mile and was running mid 7's at 91-92 mph.

I was wondering what I could expect to run on the 1/4 mile with it and what would need to be changed..

It has a worked SBC .40 over should be making around 400hp, with Lunati Cams (278/288), Powerglide trans, solid spool 12bolt rear 456 gear I think, tires are 255/60/15 MT's plan on going taller)

Any inputs or suggestions? My dad thinks it may go 11.60's in the 1/4, Im thinking 12.20's...

i would go with some different gears like 370 to 390 range. if u want to drive it on the street go with a posi slug. id say in the low 12s is probly right unless u rev the crap out of it and take the chance of blowin a valve or rod. could also go with a 700r4 built up to handle the hp.

Well I dont plan on driving on the street much, just the 3 miles I am from the local track..

I do have a built TH400 out of my Nissan I can use, it has an internal transbrake,but I have heard Glides at the way to go if you can..

The motor should rev to 6600-6700 no problem, there is a bunch of headwork done also, i forgot to add..

the bottom end is completely built also..10.3:1 compression, runs on 91 octane..


Also would running race gas or even 100 octane do anything for me or is there some adjustments I need to make..

Forgive me, Im new to the domestic game..

Does anyone know if going to my TH400 would be better for the 1/4 or will bigger tires get me through on the glide??

if its a race only car then keep the glide. to do the 1/4 i still think the gears are to high,,, or is it low. lol. 411 could do it with a little more tire hight. run it and see what happens. im thinkin ull hit redline way before the line.

Thats what Im thinking is gonna happen..My dad would run it on the 1/8 and shift at 6200 and cross the trap at 6200-6300 in 2nd. He says the motor will rev to 7000rpms, and thinks shifting at 6400-6500 would make it through the traps at 6500...

Im gonna have to see for myself, but have to wait another 6 weeks for our local track to open..:icon_shrug:

Im not used to domestics, my Nissan would go 10.0@138 with the TH400, that motor revved to 7500-8000 safely..Problem is if i use my TH400 from that, it was built for a 3.55 final drive ratio..The import guys would always just make more power to go faster, and never looked into proper tire size vs gear ratio...

I know the domestics are set up to optimize the power they make and put it down the track..

Ok,

Decided to lighten up the car quite a bit. Removed the hood, which weighs about 70lbs, removed fender wheels and all metal supports up front. I had to shave off about 300lbs from the nose.

Im adding a 6 point cage and gonna run 29" MT Drag Radials. Everyone told me I should run about 11.50's with the set up I have..

is it going to keep the front down? :) u lose time when it comes up to far. its cool but not efficient. let us know how it goes.

Here are some pictures of the progress of what I have done..Keep in mind I have no plans on restoring this car, but simply using it as a bracket car, so looks are not my big concern. I did manage to remove ALOT of weight from the front bumper and hood. The hood alone weighs about 70lbs, and there is a front bumper support within the front bumper cover that adds about another 60lbs to the nose. All in all I would say I managed to remove about 200-250lbs from the car.

I also relocated the battery to the trunk with a kill switch that cuts the engine and fuel pump from the outside of the car in the event of a rollover or accident. I am adding a 6 point cage and harness within the next week or two.

As far as tires, Mickey Thomson makes a new Radial slick called the ET radial.Its a full slick, with a radial design to compete in radial classes. They come in weird sizes which is what I needed, I opted for a 29.5"x9" tire..


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Well I got 2 runs today, first run wound up deep staging by accident and ran a 12.065@113 with 1.87 60ft.

Second run I staged normally and ran 11.87@114 with a 1.74 60ft..

These were my first 2 times driving the car...