Drag car questions

[ss4825]

I'm building a drag car out of a 72 Skylark. I have a few questions?

First off here is what I have.

1970 "SF" code 455
1970 Stg 1 heads rebuilt and Street/Strip ported by Greg Gessler
Standard Hyperutetic 10-1 pistons purchased from the GSCA
Lunati hydraulic cam 230/240 @ .050 .496" lift w/1.55 ratio rockers
TA Performance SP-1 intake port matched and shot tumbled for appearance
1972 800 cfm Q-jet w/mods

Turbo 400 being rebuilt, I have not purchased a converter yet.
12 bolt posi rear being rebuilt with 3.73 gears.

What kind of shock and springs should I be running?
Should I buy one of those rear suspension pkg like HRPARTSNSTUFF sell?
What is the biggest slick and wheel I can run without cutting up anything?
I'm just looking to get in the low 13's or maybe even the high 12's this season. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

[71GS455]

What are your ultimate goals for the car, and if they're 'big', how long until you figure you'll be there?

If 12's are as fast as you see for the near future, you should save your money for now. Then when you plan to go really fast and have a motor in the works, you can put more attention to the rear suspension (and the rest of the chassis).

Lots of guys are going those ET's with basically stock parts.

I went 13.40's all day with a 71 GS455 that had original rear springs, original upper control arms, Hotchkis lower control arms, an original sway bar, and an air bag in the right rear. I ran Hoosier Quick Time Pro DOT drag tires (bias ply, not radials). Traction was never an issue for me with that setup. The shocks were whatever was on it when I bought it a few years earlier.

[ss4825]

Thanks for the info Steve. My long term goal is to get it in the low 10's in the next 5 years. I figure I can upgrade every winter and if I get to the point where I'm going as fast as I feel comfortable with I can just stop and run there. The local 1/8 mile track open March 1st. I guess we will get the drive train in and see where we stand with the stock stuff and then go from there.

[killrbuick66455]

WITH THE RIGHT CONVERTOR YOU SHOULD BE IN THE LOW 12S AND DEPENDING ON THE WEIGHT OF THE CAR

[ss4825]

I ended up getting the turbo 400 from Jim @ TSP I went for the level 2 with all the extra clutches and his stage1 converter should stall at 3000-3200.
I also sold the 12 bolt it was a 1970 "CCF" 3:31 posi and it was worth something to a chevelle SS guy. I had moser build me a 9" full spool 35 spline nodular case with 3:89 gears. I also got a set of MT slicks 30x9.

[70 gsconvt]

I would think if the car is 3400 lbs. or so, you should be in the low 12's.

As for shocks, for best launch on the cheap, put some air bags in the rear springs. Then air up the driver's side to about 5-7 lbs. and the passenger side to around 15 lbs. That will help with the torque twist of the rearend. Then I'd get some good drag shocks on the front to help transfer weight to the back for good traction at launch. The rearend control arm kit from HRpartsNstuff will also help. I have it in my car. I have my upper control arms adjusted so that I have about -3 pinion angle on the rearend.

I personally run a 26", 10" wide slick. There is more room in the back for larger. You can squeaze a 12" on in there. But I think you'd be OK with a 10". I've rarely had a problem spinning mine (happened when they had too much psi in them) And the 26" will help with the rpm's at the top end and at launch.

[455pev]

Here is my combination in my 65 Skylark.

stock springs on all 4 corners
sumit adjustable drag shocks
boxed in factory rear controle arms
air bags in both rear springs

the car has a ta113 cam in a 455 with ported stage1 heads(done at home) and sp1 intake. 3.73 gears. 400th tranny with trans break and 3200 stall. I wiegh in at 3600lbs

The car does 1.60's 60 foot times quarter times are 11.80's.

[ss4825]

I bought a used rear suspension setup from a friend that went with a 4 link this year. SSM lift bars, Edelbrock adjustable uppers, set of drag bags, front and rear CE adjustable shocks, SSM anti-roll bar and some rear springs that are suppose to be trick?? the passenger side is stiffer than the drivers side something like that. We can't wait to get it all together hopefully the rear will be in this weekend and the engine and tranny next week. I was hoping to have the car in BG this year but I don't think it will happen.

[BrunoD]

I had a car in early 90's.. I ran a best of 10.70's.All I had for suspension was no-hop bars and two air bags.The left about 10pd and the right about 27-to 30pd.Short time was in the 1.40's.The car was fairly light 3.575 pd with me in it.I would guess at that time I was around 160pd.Heads done by Gessler,TA 308 cam,11 -1 compression,10 inch tires by 29,1.60 roller rockers and a dominator 1050 cfm.BrunoD.

[gsjohnny]

I'm building a drag car out of a 72 Skylark. I have a few questions?

First off here is what I have.

1970 "SF" code 455
1970 Stg 1 heads rebuilt and Street/Strip ported by Greg Gessler
Standard Hyperutetic 10-1 pistons purchased from the GSCA
Lunati hydraulic cam 230/240 @ .050 .496" lift w/1.55 ratio rockers
TA Performance SP-1 intake port matched and shot tumbled for appearance
1972 800 cfm Q-jet w/mods

Turbo 400 being rebuilt, I have not purchased a converter yet.
12 bolt posi rear being rebuilt with 3.73 gears.

What kind of shock and springs should I be running?
Should I buy one of those rear suspension pkg like HRPARTSNSTUFF sell?
What is the biggest slick and wheel I can run without cutting up anything?
I'm just looking to get in the low 13's or maybe even the high 12's this season. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

if you plan on keeping the stock setup, contact russ rusinko on the nhra stock setup he bought. amazing setup

john

[ss4825]

The SSM lift bars don't fit the Moser 9" brackets so it looks like we are going to box the stock lowers for now.

[ss4825]

Here are some pics of this weeks progress.

First the body goes up.

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Engine and tranny go in.

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In the morning a little frame black and on Monday the body goes back on.

We won't make BG this year but maybe the BPG Nats this year and the GSCA Nats next year.

[Hector]

Hey Alan,I really would like to hook up with you this or next year,just to check your stuff out.I really like your take on hot rods and the projects that you have going.If you come to the Charlotte area for the Auto Fair or Goodguys or any of the races let me know,we'll have a good time.I may just have to take a trip to the Outer Banks myself,it's been a while since I've been out there.Keep up the good work.

[ss4825]

First coat of frame black.

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Hector, Are you going to BG next week? I'll be there.

[ss4825]

More paint and more paint. We'll put the body back on the frame in the morning and roll the car back into the warehouse cause we a leaving here Tuesday going to BG. Hopefully we will get the disc brake kit on the car sometime next week. I'll keep ya posted.

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