Here it is winter, and I can't deside if I want to push my Elcamino into the 11's. My best time to date has been a 12.16 with only 6 passes on the re-built motor. I'm sure with a manifold and gear change I'll run in the mid 11's. A few people I know have suggested to keep the car as is and if I want to go faster buy a roller or build something else. I'm not sure if I could be that paticent.

I'm a welder by trade and wont have any problem installing a bar. In fact I kind of look forward to it because I've thought that I might want to start installing them on the side, and it would be a good way to show case my talent.

I'd enjoy hearing what you all have to say.

getting into the 11s was my goal for this last summer..went 11.7 on my last pass of the year...just like the summer b4 my goal was 12s..just like in a couple of years 10s will be the goal...yes..IMO its worth trying to go faster...thats what its all about for me smile.gif

i guess the big issue here is to get both feet on one side of the fence. do you want 11s bad enough to put up with the compromises that it takes to get there. an intake swap is not to large of an issue. gear swap is a different story. i got 4.11s and its a bit grulling. the freeway is a pita. are you sure you have milked it for all its worth? there could be a few tenths left in tuning. tuning seems to be the hardest part of getting et. you could do the changes and still find you need to spend tuning time to reach your goals. just my 02. Dave

Thanks Dave, I considered tunning as a way of getting into the 11's. The reason I brought up the gears and intake is because if I make the 11's I wanna make sure I'm in the 11's, instead of 11.90-12.10 depending on weather and track conditions. I did dyno this motor so I'm not sure if I can tune the motor for much more. Although a new intake would change that and require some more tunning, because the combo has changed.

Keep it comming

Aaron, I'd like to give you my.02 worth.

1. Getting back in the elevens was just as exciting as my first 10 second pass over 20 years ago. See "New low ET" post.

2. You ran a 12.16. If your upside down at 12.16 or 11.99 do you think there's a difference? Put a bar in the car or don't go to the track. I've been upside down in the wall before. I promised myself and FAMILY I will not race without a rollbar. I don't want to start a debate here its just my policy/opinion.

3. GO FOR IT! See #1 graemlins/thumbsup.gif

WOW thanks for that advice HVY70SS, upside down would be pretty scary. I guess safety should always be number 1 priority.

I was in the same boat with my El Camino running 12.10 on motor with 3.73 gears. I figured that if I changed my gear ratio to 4.10s I would surely go into the 11's. I was wrong, it slowed me down a tenth, and highway driving was not fun. Luckily my neighbor let me have some new 29" diameter Hoosier Quick Time Pros. This helped to bring my rpms down into the engines power range- crossing the line at 5900 rpm as opposed to 6400 rpms with the 26" tires. My Uncle also sold me a pair of Firestone street tires which helped keep my rpms down while driving on the highway. I now run an easy 11.70 with a 50 shot of nitrous. I bought the Edelbrock system and it has been very consistant. It has helped me achieve a first place points lead in the 11.90 index Street Rod class that I run. I would recommend keeping your gear ratio and shooting a 50 hp hit of nitrous. You will definitely be in the 11's and a 50 shot is safe for your engine. Our track is an IHRA sanctioned track, so we can run as fast as 11.50 with out needing a roll bar.
Daniel graemlins/thumbsup.gif

djgalena I've pretty much ruled N2o out of the question. Although congratulations with success you've had with it. That is outstanding being #1 in your respective class.

The 350 has a dual plane on top right now, I believe that the gear change and single plane will compliment each other, and make the 11's. But then again who really knows for sure.

A local racer has a saying "just keep throwing money at it." ;)

Hey Aaron, you might consider putting DOT tires on and staying in the 12's. That will put you at the fast end of the street class. You should be able to win a lot of bracket races. If you're in the 11's, you get to face cars faster than your's with generally more experenced drivers.

Yes Pat we've had this conversation before, and you got to hear me complian this summer :D

But remember our classes in Divsion 6 are set up different. We don't have a street class for bracket racing. Our classes are broken down like this

Sportman 13.00- slower
Pro 13.99-7.50 (the class I'm in now)
Super Pro 11.99-7.50 electronics

So going any faster now wont hurt me any, but I guess fast don't really mater anyway because it's bracket racing.

The tracks in my area run street tire, no electronics and electronics. There is no et limits in any class. I run an 8 point bar in my low 12's car because I have people coming up on me at 150 mph sometimes. If its a drag only or limited street car, put a bar in it and run as fast as you can afford to go.

Oh yea, that's a different class setup. In that case going faster is to your advantage. You might lose weight by installing a roll bar. Chrome moly is pretty light. Put a racing seat in and drop 40-50 lbs. Changing the rear window to lexan is worth about 20 lbs. Even with a mild steel bar you'll probably not gain weight. Most of the bar kits are 8 point, NHRA requires only 5 points. You can save some weight there.

Why change the gear or intake to get into the 11's? I'm sure some tuning and a 60 ft. reduction will net you the .17 you need to get an 11.99 or better,then at the point,its up to you if you want to continue your quest for quickers et's and the obligatory roll bar,etc. that goes with the 11 second timeslips.JMHO

Originally posted by HVY70SS:

2. You ran a 12.16. If your upside down at 12.16 or 11.99 do you think there's a difference? Put a bar in the car or don't go to the track. I've been upside down in the wall before. I promised myself and FAMILY I will not race without a rollbar. I don't want to start a debate here its just my policy/opinion.
Thats a good point.
I bought the 72 in my sig. and it has already run mid 12s through the exhaust on Lee radials. I was hoping with 3" exhaust, and drag radials, to run twelve "point oh" .

The car had belonged to my brother, and he had a rollbar installed, hoping to run elevens before losing interest in the car.

I was debating cutting the rollbar out, or installing swing outs. Thinking as long as I don't go faster than 12.00 I wouldn't need to have the bar.

I figured to have a rollbar, and not run elevens would be like being a "poser". :rolleyes:

But 12 second cars can roll over too. And I am the father of two little kids who depend on me, and heck, a 100hp shot of juice would put me into the elevens anyway. ;)

Aaron,

I don't have the details on your combo but let me tell you what happened to me. I was running 12.20's @ 111.5 with a dual plane intake and a 1" 4-hole spacer. I swapped in a Team G single plane and slowed to 12.40's. 60's went from 1.85 to 2.05. Put the dual plane back on without the spacer and went 12.0's@112.76 with 60's dropping to 1.70 Swapped to 28" tires from 26" at the same time. So it looks like my combo actually likes a little LESS gear. Not saying you would have the same experience, but just something to consider.

Aaron we have a Real street 12.50 class here that I am told is a blast to race in. I am on the bump at the moment and my friend is trying to convince me to run it next season. Its a Northwest class between Pacific, Bremerton and Woodburn. The field is usually small so you get a better chance of winning and don't have to wait as long to get passes in like the 200 car fields of the pro classes.

Link: http://www.npsaracing.com/Rules_Regulations.htm

Class I - "REAL STREET" 12.50 index & 5-tenths Pro Light

Any Street legal cars, any size DOT tires. All cars in this class will have a 12.50 index.

Break out rules apply, NOS is legal.

Exhaust is to exit BEHIND the drivers seat - minimum.

Lane choice will be determined by a flip of a coin.

66chevy2 I'm giving some thought for that class. Have you raced in it much? It sounds like fun!

Fuji, mr 4 speed the reason I came up with the gears and intake is because the engime builder I go through says I'll pick up another 10-20 hp with the single plane intake. And he seems to be right all the time so I trust him. The gears is something I came up with because they would help me come out of the hole faster, and my acceleration should be quicker.

Thad after reading hvy70ss I don't think there is anything wrong with a 12 second car with a bar.

Thanks every one your suggestions...please keep them comming if you have something you want to add please do.