What are the basics I need to look at before I even get to the track? I'd like to start setting it up to run 11's. It's a '66 Chevelle.

I have poly bushings front and rear, battery in the trunk, stock springs frt and rr, stock rear control arms, boxed lowers, front and rear sway bars, Competition Engineering front drag shocks (60/40-80/20-90/10 adjustable), cheap 50/50 rear shock, 15x5 and 15x8 Weld Draglites, Mickey Thompson 26x12.5 Sportsman Pros.

Do I need South Side Machine Bars or adjustable upper control arms?

Thanks

I've had good luck with the SSM lift bars,Metco adjustable uppers,,,stock bb non a/c front springs, front swaybar installed with worn out bushings. I've had pretty consistent 1.67-1.69 60ft. times with this setup with a best of 1.64 on drag radials. I'm not sure if the slicks I had were bad or what,but the best I had with them was 1.70-1.74. I've tried with and without a rear swaybar,it made no difference.

Sounds like I would go to the track 1st with what you have (with DOT or silcks of course) and see what it does 1st..I know people that have 60 ft'd in the high 1.6-up to mid 1.7X's using the stock F41 suspension and running high 11's

The first thing will be tires. I doubt the ones you have will hook at all. Next are front springs. You need to let the front rise quickly and stock springs won't do that even with drag shocks. Pull the front sway bar for racing, it seems to help. You may or may not need SSM type bars. Try what you have first. If you get wheel hop or can't hook, then consider them.

What would be a better tire? Keep in mind, I still like to drive on the street.

BFG drag radial has been the best all around tire for me...even had my best ever 60ft time with them. Won't get much mileage out of them if you drive around town and race much. I get half a season of mostly racing and a few laps around town. Your local walmart store can get them for you, or mine has.

Alot of the mustang crowd likes the nitto drag radials, saying they hold up for longer. I don't know how well they perform though. Might want to check some of the stang boards and see what they say, unless we have some nitto users here.
I just remember a younger kid pointing to my BFGs at super chevy (not drag radials) and asking his dad why it seems like we all use BFGs...

Matt

A buddy of mine with a 588ci w/nitrous Malibu that runs a heads up drag radial class tried M/T's last year and he's going back to BFG's