Attn. FWD racers

Bench Racer · 03-22-2010, 09:01 PM

What FWD cars have the most bullet proof drivetrain? What FWD cars have the best potential to run the class index? Just hashing around the idea of a good bracket car that would have a chance running class at a points race, without breaking the bank lol.

Owen S Quirion · 03-24-2010, 02:12 PM

Ed is absolutely right on the cheapest way to run under the index being the FWD Turbo Mopars. I think that Dennis Chapman did a test once with one of his Sundances where he ran the car absolutely stock and the car ran near the index. He simply bolted in one of the Direct Connection computers and it ran a second under instantly. The problem with those cars is that they are a little bit on the inconsistent side when it comes to dialing the cars in during eliminations. The translation here is that you will be loading your Number 1 Qualifier on the trailer after quite a few first rounds. I have a GM FWD car and it cost a lot more money to build and although it has been an incredibly cheap car to run and own with no parts breakage at all, it has been hard to dial it as well. My last three losing rounds were big breakouts where I look at the number and wonder where the hell that came from. Eventually I'll collect enough data to dial the car but It might take another ten years! Good Luck

Dennis P Chapman · 03-24-2010, 02:22 PM

Owen is pretty close to what he said but first round blow head gasket.
But it still went .90 under on the old index will see this year. Even Billy Nees could beleve that one.

Billy Nees · 03-24-2010, 05:04 PM

The turbo Chryslers are pretty unbelievable but they are also pretty inconsistent. I think if I was going to try something new it would be a 2.8 or 3.1 GM something. I know that there are a few guys running around the Carolinas Bracket Racing those little critters and doing well. I think that if somebody had access to a good junkyard and a Hollinders manual he could make one of those things run under the index pretty cheap.

Bench Racer · 03-24-2010, 08:34 PM

Guys thanks for the replys. Billy you lost me on the Hollinders manual, what is that? Thanks in advance!

Mark Yacavone · 03-24-2010, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bench Racer

Guys thanks for the replys. Billy you lost me on the Hollinders manual, what is that? Thanks in advance!

That would be the interchange manual used by the auto recyclers (known as junkyards to the old guys here)

Billy's right about the 2.8 J cars , or even an X car if you could find one
You might look at the 95 Escort too, with a stick.

Jim Wahl · 03-24-2010, 10:13 PM

Yac and I both ran the GM J cars with the 2.8 in Stock for a while (18 years for me) and they are tough pieces for sure. I think with a more modern fuel management system the 2.8 and 3.1 should be much more consistent, something they never were for us! The Turbo Dodges are great cars! They seem to run well in just about any combo they come in. I loved my Spirit, much more consistent and fast than the Caddy. Jim

03-22-2010, 09:01 PM	#1
Bench Racer Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Green Creek (Tryon) North Carolina Posts: 331 Likes: 69 Liked 99 Times in 21 Posts	Attn. FWD racers What FWD cars have the most bullet proof drivetrain? What FWD cars have the best potential to run the class index? Just hashing around the idea of a good bracket car that would have a chance running class at a points race, without breaking the bank lol.

03-24-2010, 02:12 PM	#2
Owen S Quirion Junior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Captiol District of New York Posts: 71 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Attn. FWD racers Ed is absolutely right on the cheapest way to run under the index being the FWD Turbo Mopars. I think that Dennis Chapman did a test once with one of his Sundances where he ran the car absolutely stock and the car ran near the index. He simply bolted in one of the Direct Connection computers and it ran a second under instantly. The problem with those cars is that they are a little bit on the inconsistent side when it comes to dialing the cars in during eliminations. The translation here is that you will be loading your Number 1 Qualifier on the trailer after quite a few first rounds. I have a GM FWD car and it cost a lot more money to build and although it has been an incredibly cheap car to run and own with no parts breakage at all, it has been hard to dial it as well. My last three losing rounds were big breakouts where I look at the number and wonder where the hell that came from. Eventually I'll collect enough data to dial the car but It might take another ten years! Good Luck __________________ BF/S 1985 Grand Am 3.0 V6

03-24-2010, 02:22 PM	#3
Dennis P Chapman VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toms River NJ Posts: 1,594 Likes: 417 Liked 53 Times in 25 Posts	Re: Attn. FWD racers Owen is pretty close to what he said but first round blow head gasket. But it still went .90 under on the old index will see this year. Even Billy Nees could beleve that one. __________________ Dennis P Chapman 1904 STK NHRA National Record Holder Car Owner.

03-24-2010, 05:04 PM	#4
Billy Nees VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: On a hilltop in Pa. Posts: 4,494 Likes: 3,600 Liked 7,734 Times in 1,739 Posts	Re: Attn. FWD racers The turbo Chryslers are pretty unbelievable but they are also pretty inconsistent. I think if I was going to try something new it would be a 2.8 or 3.1 GM something. I know that there are a few guys running around the Carolinas Bracket Racing those little critters and doing well. I think that if somebody had access to a good junkyard and a Hollinders manual he could make one of those things run under the index pretty cheap. __________________ Billy Nees 1188 STK, SS I'm not spending 100K to win 2K

03-24-2010, 08:34 PM	#5
Bench Racer Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Green Creek (Tryon) North Carolina Posts: 331 Likes: 69 Liked 99 Times in 21 Posts	Re: Attn. FWD racers Guys thanks for the replys. Billy you lost me on the Hollinders manual, what is that? Thanks in advance!

03-24-2010, 10:13 PM	#7
Jim Wahl Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 5,844 Likes: 667 Liked 683 Times in 129 Posts	Re: Attn. FWD racers Yac and I both ran the GM J cars with the 2.8 in Stock for a while (18 years for me) and they are tough pieces for sure. I think with a more modern fuel management system the 2.8 and 3.1 should be much more consistent, something they never were for us! The Turbo Dodges are great cars! They seem to run well in just about any combo they come in. I loved my Spirit, much more consistent and fast than the Caddy. Jim __________________ Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess) 2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion 2009 NHRA D2 National Open Stock Champion 1982 NHRA D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association. Last edited by Jim Wahl; 03-24-2010 at 10:15 PM.