Advice for new bracket racer
 

I want to bracket race in a series in the Chicago area. I am new to drag racing and would like some advice on a series and racing class. I would like to run a Big block with a world block. Thanks

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

First off ..... Welcome

Secondly, the best advice I can give is to research your combination to ge the most performance out of it for the least ammount of $$$... Other than that dont get caught up in the trick of the week stuff, and dont get discoureged when you loose by .001, keep thinking positive, and you will do fine. Just remember out of all the cars that show up to race only one wins, I have found racing is more fun when we go just to hang out with friends, and if we go a few rounds it was a good day... If we get into the $$$ rounds it was a great day.

Build what you can afford, and have fun...

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

Shock me 668

Well if you want to run Pro (No electronics) a door car with large enough (the bigger the better) slicks a powerglide and a big block are a good way to go. I wouldn't recommend steet tires you need to be capable of running with in +/_.01 of your dial.
If you want to run 'Super Pro" (electronics/delay box)I would recommend a dragster. dollar for dollar they are cheaper performance wise, and the have a couple of advantages you can see better and therefore drive the finish line better, they usually leave last which gives your opponent the opportunity to redlight first and since they are light they are easier on parts. Plus most big block dragsters can race super comp at the NHRA divisional and National events Plus in the northern Illinois area there is a local series " Midwest Super Comp Series" Obviously the cost and safety /license requirements make going faster than 9.99 more expensive. And it's a bit more hassel to run a dragster by your self.

My machiniest has had some problems with world small block blocks and he claims that it's worth the money to spend a little more on a dart block.

If you have any questions you can e-mail me at Greatbaer@sbc global.net or look me up in the phone book, I live in Braidwood, IL :)

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

Oh you poor thing, think about it, you what to do something that makes you mad,sad,cry,laugh,all in 11,00 sec. Or less?? Well ok...

Its your budget, stay inside your budget and have fun !!!
Dont spend alot, learn and listen, others have been there be for you.
Talk to the old guys with fast cars, but make sure hes on the up & up, around Chicago you dont know....
.......................
LISTEN AND LEARN

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

Thank you for your advice,I know my question was vague but I am so new I don't know what questions to ask.Bill thanks for your E-mail be looking for one soon.

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

"slicks a powerglide and a big block are a good way to go"

If you want to WIN bracket races I swear by a powerglide 2 speed trans. NOT very exciting but hard to beat. I used to run 13.60 - 13.67 all day long. Back in 1980. Street car.

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

Thanks for all the help. I am going to look at a 70 chevelle roller. Strange rear axle and spool 4:56, 400 trans,reverse valve body, shfter, trans break and 5500 stall. All I need is the motor and go racing. With a title.

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

Don't forget if you want to have fun with a big body such as a 1970Chevelle make sure you have a 8 points and more cage, having a rigid cage will stop any body twisting which will make your et more consistent but will stop you from having to replace crack transmission casing from excessive twisting(I know I sure cracked enough of them to last me a life time) if your budget allows it sell the turbo 400 and buy a powerglide. Good luck

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

Would a powerglide work with a 70 Chevelle. Its a heavy car.. Guess it would depend on hp of engine? Probally would need at least 650 hp and with the 4:56 and 5500 stall it could work...

More people with better experience will know better then me on this one.

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

I had a 1969 Chevelle former super stock 427 30 0ver approximately 525hp ran the quarter in 1095 et to 1105 et depending of track, elevation and so on.

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

I has a 8 point cage,The body is rust free so I don't have to replace the floor and weighs about 3300 lbs. I will probably keep the 400 for now. My goal is to get the car on the track by spring so if it not broke I am going to keep it. I am looking for a Big block for it to run.

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

Yes that combination will work. I agree that you will need a high stall speed, 5500 shoud be about right.

Remember the key to bracket racing is consistancy, not speed. The car being heavy will actually help you, because you should not have any traction issues.
In bracket racing a big block and a powerglie are the way to go.
Main thing is to remember to have FUN!!!!!!!

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

Either will work just fine it you change to a powerglide you will need a new (longer) driveshaft. But since the glide has a higher first gear ratio it should be more consistent. But it may be a little slower and you will need a good planetary to make it as reliable as the 400.
I'll see what my machinest has laying around. You might consider a GM crate 454 or 502 or if your budget permits a 572.

Billy Baer

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

Found a 502 going to pick it up next week....thanks Bill...I am going through the car cleaning things up and noticed that the car still has stamped rear controll arms... would it be worth the money to replace them now with after market or just keep them...If yes is ajustable the way to go..Trying to stay in a budget but my safety has no budget......

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

400 trans,reverse valve body, shfter, trans break and 5500 stall.

Remember, that's what everyone else has. Where is your edge?

The nice thing about a powerglide is, it doesn't try to MURDER the tires coming off the line like the 400 will.

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

Whatever you wind-up running, you should always remember it's just for fun... very few bracket racers make a living at it. That said, I always try to find something that went well... the car ran quicker, I cut a better light, went more rounds, helped a fellow racer, etc. If you don't look at it that way, you might get discouraged and give it up... after sinking a bunch of money into your car. Now, go have fun! :D

"By-Run"
'68 Barracuda 340-S 4-Speed
11.34 @ 118.6 mph

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

I raced for the fist time on aug 17 1986 3 days after I turned 16. It was very obivious that it was my first time and one of the local hitters came up to me and said "1st time" I said yes any advise

here is what he told me.

"Quit now and buy a boat LOL. You can fit more ladies in it, they will usually be wearing less clothes, they like it better than the racecars so you wont get as much complaining about it and unless you do something stupid you wont have to work on it very much to have fun but if you like it and are going to keep coming up here to the track make for dam sure you have fun because you can go from feeling like your on the top of the world to the dumpster in this sport in less than a few seconds if your having fun that dumpster does not feel so bad.

so just go have fun would be the best advise I could give you the rest will come as you get more seat time.

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

The first thing you need to do is get a mirror and a flash light and verify that the frame is not cracked where the upper control arms attach. It's pretty common for them to be cracked there. Then if that's OK you can box the stamped steel control arms repace the upper & front lower bushings with poly bushings and the rear lower bushings with Competion Engineering C3165 solid aluminum buishings. Get new grade 8 bolts with locknuts and verify that none of the mounting holes are elongated if they are you need to fix them as well. You also may need to install an air bag in the right rear spring if the car exibits body roll to the right when it launches.
In my experience the bolt on ladder bars and bolt onslapper bars don't work very well and just cover up other problems (slop) in the GM stuff.
Some time back Mr. Gasket and Genuine Suspension sold "no hop" bars that relocated the upper rear control are attachment points higher and improved the suspension geometry but in my experience they tended to loosen up after some use and I am therefore very leery of them.
You also as a minimum need to have the front end alignment checked to verify that you have as much positive caster as possible. You might also consider replacing the front A-arm bushings and coil springs with Moroso trick Springs and 90/10 or front drag shocks which will increase the travel of the front end which can help plant the rear tires.
If you consider the aftermarket control arms they till give you the ability to adjust the pinion angle which could be useful but I myself have no experience playing with pinion angle for chassis tuning
I have seen some very fast cars with the stock or near stock chevelle rear suspension.
All of this may be overkill but, I like you, don't trust those stock stamped steel control arms and I do know that any slop in the GM suspension will result in wheel hop and will break stuff.

Hope this helps

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

Thanks, I am going into this to have fun and hang with friends. I am going out to the garage to look at the mounting holes and start boxing them in. Thanks for all the advice keep it coming... Happy holidays to all....

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

Make sure your cooling system and battery charging system are up to snuff for hot laps !!!
Don't lose a race because your engine is hot or the battery is not charged enough !! :-)

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

It has a electric water pump...I looked at the rear control arms the rubber in the bushings are rotted the arms are stock stamped steel...I am looking at after market...I was thinking of non adjustable lower and adjustable uppers...Any advice...Thanks to all for the help and Happy Holidays.....

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

As long as you've got to replace the rotted stuff, you may as well go aftermarket and get the adjustables,,,also take the others' advice and check for cracks everywhere. Don't know if you said where your battery is, but get everything off the front end you can. As your budget allows you can eventually put a really nice suspension package together. I'd say go to a divisional or national event where there will be a good number of stockers attending and check out the 'A' body cars and look at their setups. Don't be afraid to ask those racers questions about their cars. There are plenty of wheelstanding Chevelles out there on only 9" tires, so with a little thought and work you should be able to hook it up. Also remember,, front tire diameter affects when you can leave and go red or not, also if you're footbraking or transbraking, but you'll pick this up in time.
By all means, get out there and have some fun,, get your butt kicked, and kick some yourself in return. Don't do something stupid to tick off the track officials, just follow the rules, and hope you pass tech the first time. They usually find something you'll have to fix until you make all the little corrections, but its usually minor, and sometimes they'll say "Get it fixed before the next time you come back".
Take care and have fun,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Danny Durham

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

get a practice tree!

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

Going to World drag racing expo next sat in Schaumburg..Looking for some deals and going to some seminars..I'm going to try and race in the True Street Drag Racing series and set my car up for hot street...

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

I am brand spanking new to this forum and was intrigued by your question. I think the best advice is to have fun. Second, since this is bracket racing we're talking about, you do not need the fastest car on the track. What you need is consistency above everything. Consistency in your burnout, consistency in your staging, consistency in your takeoff, and consistency in your shift points. I race at Wisconsin International Raceway near Kaukauna, Wisconsin, and one thing I can tell you is most bracket racers in Street Division are the nicest and most helpful guys and gals in the world. Welcome to the wonderful world of bracket racing. If you have the attitude that you're going to have fun, no matter what, then you're a winner. Good luck.

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

Thank you everyone for there advice..I went to the drag racing expo in Schaumburg this weekend and meet some racers that gave me advice..I know my question was very general but got some good info...just started my car and cant wait for the track to open...

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

Just a update...... I received some great advice from my general question. I jumped into a local racing series in August 2011 and they are all a great group of racers. I made it to the second round my first time out. Ran a 10.50 class and the 2nd round I broke out with a 10.21@ 131.5 MPH. Thanks to all for your input........http://ricksactionphotos.com/photos/..._0095.JPG.html

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

Remenber to get a log book and enter all temp, altitude,humidity,wind, which lane. Even though you have to have fun at the races, it doesn't mean to be a first round cupcake for the track champion either. A good friend of mine is a professional gambler and he always says not to go in a casino with the attitude that you're going to lose some money and than leave, you must get information and study the dealers and want to win to make some money. Drag Racing is the same, have fun but once you put your helmet on cut their throats attitude will help.lol Claude

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

That is so true. I went to the second round my first race and it felt great. The second race I participated in I was put on the trailer, I lost by .13 seconds. I had fun but was disappointed. I did get a log book and I'm going to take your advice and take notes on all conditions. I went back and looked at my slips and noticed whenever anyone races me in eliminations they brake out, but I brake out more.You are right I will study the competition more.Listening to other racers they have a couple racers that they expect to win,I don't want to be that cupcake. I still having fun, but fun is winning..Let the other guy be the cupcake...Thanks for the advice.

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

Your rear view mirror or if you have them, side mirrors will be your best friend...Also remember your only need to cross the finish line by a very little,,,,,,Not 1 or more car lengths..:rolleyes:

Re: Advice for new bracket racer
 

When you log your info into the logbook. Start with your timetickets now, break down the incremental times, 60'-330', 330'-660' etc. Look at these for consistantsy. I assume you manually shift your car, these times being the same from run to run will make you a better racer. I really paid attention to my times this year when racing my street car and I narrowed down allot of mistakes that I did not know I was making. Also, get a routine, getting in the car, strapping in, way you pull in the water, THE WAY YOU STAGE, etc...You will be way ahead of the curve. But most of all have fun!! I did..Best of luck.

Robert