cheap and easy drag car??

[bmxmon]

Im considering trying to build, with my brother and step-dad, a "cheap" drag car. My inspiration is a 87 stang i found for $250. Right now its the standard 4cly auto thing. What do you all think would be the cost of a 351w from a junkyard,(ALL PARTS POSSIBLE FROM THE JUNKYARD!!) a AOD(?) or c-4 trans, and an 8.8rear. (im figuring that these are the major parts, radiators and stuff i could also get from the junkyards) Any thoughts? Maybe i would tear down the 351, stick a cam in it from ebay. But probably not, just stick it in there are have fun until it breaks, then fix it, repeat the process. Anybody think it could be done for, say $2500-$3000??? Ive been hunting around for 351 prices on the net with no avail. Is this a complete waste of money and wouldnt get me down the track in any sort of fun factor?? Or is it a worthwhile experiment?? thanks all.

[Ieatcamaros]

All cheap drag cars turn into high dollar ones. Everyone starts out trying to get by with what they can. I am not saying it is a waste of money and time. A junkyard 351w would cost about $4-600. Then you have to get all the parts to make the 351 work in the fox chassis. Which some of the stuff you will have to buy anyway like headers, h or x pipe, and after cat exhaust. I am assuming you would go the carbed route. Either way, when you get a motor, get one that is set up the way you want to run it. I'd say you could do this for $2500 easy, if you are doing every bit of the work. BTW, I'd go with the c4 trans, but it's gonna be hard to find one in good shape for cheap.

[nastyn8]

i bought 351w out of a 72 torino for $150

[nastyn8]

speed cost money, how fast do you wanna go?

[bmxmon]

so which would get me more fun factor, buying that car and building a drag car, or spending the cash on my 65(street car)?? The drag strip is a ways away, about an hour, so i would imagine the "drag" car would get alot of blasts down the road from my house, testing and whatnot. (i live in the boonies, nobody cares!) The more i think about it the more i lean towards my 65, even though i really want a drag car!!

[nastyn8]

theres nothin wrong with working with what you already have

[Ieatcamaros]

Originally Posted by nastyn8

i bought 351w out of a 72 torino for $150

I have bought motors that cheap too, but you can't always count on finding that deal. And then when you do, you can pretty much count on giving it a good overhaul. Good $150 motors are few and far between.

bmxmon, IMO, a fast street car is more fun than a drag only car. Of course, the ideal situation would be to have both. But if it were me in your shoes, I'd keep building the 65.

[~The Jester~]

Originally Posted by Ieatcamaros

bmxmon, IMO, a fast street car is more fun than a drag only car. Of course, the ideal situation would be to have both. But if it were me in your shoes, I'd keep building the 65.

I agree! Street/Strip cars are tons-o-fun. Nothing like seeing a 10 sec blast down the strip, then driving home.

[bmxmon]

alright guys, thanks for the input. Im going to stick to what i got, which is fun to drive already. I think i will do the 5spd swap and some gears, right after i get my steering fixed.(i have all the parts, just need some time) Then probably try to rig up a turbo, or giggle juice. THANKS!!

[~The Jester~]

Just thought of this when I read this post this morning.

"Cheap" and "Easy" are usually not used in the same sentance as "Drag Car" hehehehehehe

[bmxmon]

haha, ok, how about more like "ghetto"??

[~The Jester~]

Ghetto that '65 up, and go have yourself some pavement rippin fun!!!!!

[nastyn8]

i think you could prolly get more poon in 65 rather than the 87. put some spinners on dat ride fool. bling bling

[eddielugnutz]

I wouldn't chop a 65 for anything, I'd leave it stock and enjoy car shows and cruises, I'd get the four banger, you won't feel bad chopping it up, and take your time in the thing and make a weekend thrasher for the street, who cares about the strip when you live that far away, any serious drag car would need to be towed to the track with lots of tools and equipment for tuning at the track between runs anyway, guys who just drive it their and have fun are fine, but you can't make many adjustments in the car you drove there, and what if something breaks? it can be very costly for a tow home from an hour away, and making a cheap drag car is an oxymoron, because if it's cheap, it WILL break, many times. I don't live near a track, I have to judge performance by street racing and dynoes. Drag racing is never cheap, unless it's a rice rocket, then a Fear This sticker is all you need.

[tmoss]

Cheap power = max cubic inches and a carb. Put a 460 in the car and rip.

[~The Jester~]

Originally Posted by eddielugnutz

any serious drag car would need to be towed to the track with lots of tools and equipment for tuning at the track between runs anyway, guys who just drive it their and have fun are fine, but you can't make many adjustments in the car you drove there, and what if something breaks? it can be very costly for a tow home from an hour away, and making a cheap drag car is an oxymoron, because if it's cheap, it WILL break, many times. I don't live near a track, I have to judge performance by street racing and dynoes. Drag racing is never cheap, unless it's a rice rocket, then a Fear This sticker is all you need.

I'm gonna argue with you on this one, well not ARGUE more of a disagree. I don't consider my car a SERIOUS drag car, but 10.99 is no slouch either. I drive to the track, as well as car shows, cruise spots, etc etc. Only thing I have to do between rounds is add fuel (ARGGGH!) check tire pressure, and yank a plug once in awhile, MAYBE rejet the carb.

Like you said, if you build it CHEAP it WILL break. But if you build it right (read as spend the $$$ for the good stuff) you're chances are ALOT better.

LMAO at the Fear This sticker!!!

[rwhite65]

I would not put a cage and all that in my 65. If I dont have to cut it, I have no problems putting it in the car. When I want some serious speed, I will build a fox body.
Ryan