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Originally Posted by ROUSHAC
Bernie,
One of the best written advice comments on drag racing that I have seen. A big help!
Thanks!
Cheers!
Dave
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Hi Dave:
Thanks for the acknowledgement. It's kind of hard to give meaningful suggestions without knowing the vehicles specs, and I only touched on the tip of the iceberg. You make a lot of adjustments based on the time slips; they're like reading plugs. Carbs, jetting, plugs, manifolds, fuel pressure, fuel, shock dial in, tire pressure, track temp, air density, etc. It's a bottomless pit too, if you really get into it. But some basic stuff gets you into the ball park and then you get into serious tweaking.
As Ernie said; most Cobra's run in the 12.00's and a reasonable percentage will run in the 11.00's with some adjustments. 10 second club is serious. The Cobra problem is predominently "wheel base", followed by suspension. BB or SB doesn't matter. A high winding SB with the right cam, gears and weight can get there just as easily. However, the average Cobra is a 90" wheel base (+or- an ") which is too short to be conducive to stellar weight transfer in a standing start, hot launch. 12" in wheel base makes a HUGE difference. Plus the chassis is low and the transfer tends to push parallel to the deck instead of down on the rear wheels. Path of least resistance is for the tires to spin, instead of bite (unless tubbed with huge rubber). That's why a lot of "mid size" body cars with wheel bases in the 110/115" range are the most efficient at the drags, regardless of whether it's 60's Falcons, Fairlanes, Chevelles, etc. or 2006 body styles. The altered class with a tube chassis have short wheel bases like a Cobra but they set the engine back to compensate and assist the weight transfer. They also see the sky line on launch. We're building a tube chassis 64 Falcon, naturally aspirated 427 powered for "race only" for next year. It will be a 9 second car. Some guys knock the drags VS track but going in that straight line for 440 yds as fast as you can get there, isn't as simplistic as some think. As Ernie noted; the driver factor is in the equation too. There is just as much technicality involved, as in road racing and they are both a hell of a lot of fun. I'm running at Mt. Pocono Speedway next month on a banked oval track which I'm also looking forward too. I just like to go fast, stay within my physical limitations and not kill myself in the process. Anyway; if anyone else is interested in D-strip opinions, don't hesitate to email me if they would like a sounding board. I've made my share of mistakes chippin away at the 10 second club in a Cobra. No point in someone else making them too. I'll get there; hopefully before the snow arrives this year.
Bernie