Criteria used for picking car
 

What criteria do you guys use in picking a new car.

Example: 71 duster with a 318 @ 15lbs natural O/SA vs
74 Camaro with a 350 @ 15lbs natural O/SA

Only preference is make or is there a secret formula that makes one better than another?

Re: Criteria used for picking car
 

Dan,

in no special order, a list of some things to consider, all are small in consideration but add up when combined

*is one body more aerodynamic than the other
*does the combination have a wide range of available parts
*does one package have a proven winning record over the other
*does the chosen body allow several engine combinations, thus allowing options for other classes
*consider the suspension, "generally" a leaf spring rear, a-arm front is well worked out with the older cars
*is the chosen engine a package you are familiar with
*does it have a carb you can work on
*do you fit well in the car, will it be easy for you to drive
*and of valid consideration, can you find a good core body and the required class specific engine parts
*do you like the appearance

All just food for thought

Re: Criteria used for picking car
 

There is no formula that I know of. You have to analyze and compare all the data.
You might want to contact people here that have run similar combos.
Not sure if you realize this, but these are 2bbl combinations,
If you really want to run a 2bbl Camaro, you would want to look at all the different years.
(Take a look at 1970 first)

Re: Criteria used for picking car
 

Don't overlook the non-race car attributes of the car. You will have to look at it in the garage/trailer and it never hurts to buy a car with street value too.

For example, tons of 6 banger novas out there converted into v8's, but an original Nova SS, has more value and flexibility. And may not cost a dime more, so why not look for a collectible race car too?

If you end up with a car that is so ugly that it could wear the name "caught in the zipper" then you should probably pass, unless you are getting sponsored by wrangler.

And many books could be written over the cost delta of running a mopar versus a chevy, and buy complete versus ready to race.

Take your time, wise man once said: "nothing harder than selling a race car"

Eric

Re: Criteria used for picking car
 

OR


You could just go out and subscribe to Nitro Joes Stats and see what the fast combos are..........

Look at national records.......

If you want to run a combo that nobody runs, you will have to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince.....

Re: Criteria used for picking car
 

[QUOTE=Bob Mulry;If you want to run a combo that nobody runs, you will have to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince.....[/QUOTE]

Man Bob, if that's the case, then my stuff must be covered with warts!

Re: Criteria used for picking car
 

x2

Re: Criteria used for picking car
 

x3

Re: Criteria used for picking c
 

Don't build a class car. Build a bracket car that is legal for class racing. You will get far more bang for your buck. Don't spend all your money trying to build the fastest car in the class. There will always be someone else with an agenda and more money than you. Build a car that will hook in the mud and it's cheap to race.. Something that you can bracket race on $3.00 a gallon pump gas. Forget about the 69 Camaro with the rat. Pick something that is in the second half of the alphabet. Much cheaper, more durable. Something that you are not afraid to hot lap and race every weekend at your local track. Forget about the little trophy on Friday. Build something that will land the big trophy on Sunday. Your race car is a tool that you use to turn on a win light. Your mileage may vary. Best of luck to you with whatever you choose.

Re: Criteria used for picking c
 

Now THAT.....makes sense!

Re: Criteria used for picking c
 

X2 - Great Point

Re: Criteria used for picking car
 

Must be the end of the world coming! People agreeing with charlie!

Re: Criteria used for picking car
 

x4

Re: Criteria used for picking car
 

BUT BUT BUT

You're Billy and he's not..........

Bob


PS:
We all luv ya warts and all............................

Re: Criteria used for picking car
 

For me it's building a car I like !
Much easier to spend money and time on a car that you really want to have.
I don't care how fast it is a long as it's under the index, heck I could always bracket race it.
Why do you think there are so many '69 Camaros, no Plymouth Valiants or AMC Hornets for me

Re: Criteria used for picking car
 

I liked this comment...

Build a car you can fit in!
The number of drivers that manage to slip behind the wheel.
Getting gracefully past the roll bar..wow!

Fwiw never seen a over sized NASCAR Driver !
All seem to slip through the window just fine!

Not going to see that in a doorslammer drag race car!

Re: Criteria used for picking car
 

Guys, Thanks for all the positive feedback and even the not so.
Billy, I don't do frogs, and Dan, stop the fat jokes, I'm not that fat, just a little overweight. LOL

Re: Criteria used for picking car
 

To begin go to the track to spectate walk the pits stop and talk to racers befriend a few over time.
If possible get involved with a car. What you will learn is invaluable will speed up the learning curve many years.

Pick the brand you prefer, pick a few bodies, years and engines you like. Study the Classification Guide and Engine Blueprint Specs.
Ask questions and look over these cars/combinations at the track. Be a sponge not a brain picker. Subscribe to Nitro Joe's Stats.

Pick a car you like or love because this takes a lot more time, work and money than you can ever estimate.
There are some benefits to just buying an existing race car so don't rule it out if not up to the monumental effort it takes to build a car from scratch.

As far as how fast it needs to be on the qualifying sheet is pretty much defined by the combination and your wallet plus work ethic: Wallet the most important.

You have to know why your doing this:
If you want to win races the car needs to be able to run 1 second under the index at tracks you will compete to be a threat in heads up races AND be consistent AND you have to be able to drive both ends of the track. You don't have to run the car a second under just be able to. The car must be a weapon and the driver has to know how to use it.
If you want to go fast meaning 10 seconds and under and qualify on the top of the sheet it takes deep pockets if you got it go for it. These faster cars tend to be more consistent and more easy to drive in the eliminator for several reasons including you'll chase a lot.
If you don't have the buck$ and just want to be part of the scene and have fun disregard the above buy a car you like and enjoy it.

Good Luck!

Re: Criteria used for picking car
 

You also have to build a car that you will enjoy working on. You can rationalize a good combination, but if you do not really "like" the car, you will not work on it. So, know yourself well.


If you do not feel that you have the desire or ability to be a maverick and go through the research to find good viable combinations that could be competitive but are untried, then by all means review Joe's publications, go to races to observe and watch the class winners at national events. On the other hand, if you are looking for a personal signature and want to follow your own path, be sure to research well what you are doing. There is a wealth of information available, but the answer will be yours.


Finally, be realistic about your time and money. If you are forced to shoestring the effort, your choices are many but limited. If you don't have budget or time, you will be better to attach yourself to a local racer and enjoy being that level of participation. If you have the budget, then you can do what you like about building, buying or having a car built.


The best advice is to figure out how to enjoy. The previous post about building a bracket car that can race classes is a great perspective this day and age. It increases your ability to race successfully at a class race and gives you a much bigger stage to learn to enjoy.

Re: Criteria used for picking car
 

Unless you are picking a copo, do not pick any GM combo. Only ford and mopar are doing anything to help sportsman racers. Take a look at the sponsors list and company programs ,its plain to see. Rick

Re: Criteria used for picking car
 

Lots of good advice so far. Let me add, when you decide your direction, write it down on paper and stick to your plan. Often the planning is the hardest part.

Re: Criteria used for picking car
 

Perfect. If I could afford to un mini-tub my 68 CJ, I would turn it into a stocker. Its the car I love. Racing a V-6 TBird would do nothing for me!

Re: Criteria used for picking car
 

This is one of the very best threads based upon the content i have read since following the class racer web site over 11 years ago.outstanding and accurate replies.regards ,the zinga.

Re: Criteria used for picking car
 

Also the cost of buying a car or body to build a race car is not like it was in the
80's. Back then you could and I did buy running Dusters and 67-69 Cuda's for
$100 - 400 and drive them home.

Now people want big money for junk bodies. The 1974 Duster 360 I bought in
2000 for $400 and drove home now goes for $5000- $7000.

Just my $0.02

Re: Criteria used for picking car
 

I was hoping that Dwight's website had a thing where I could look up a class (L/SA for me) and then see all the possible cars that fit in the class. I think that would be a lot of work, so maybe that is a dream? I wonder how many car/engine combinations are in the classification guide?

Re: Criteria used for picking car
 

Lew your too young to remember but this website built my U/SA back in 2001 and 2002 and I have a Wallly from the Gators to show for it. Listen to everyone and you will get some great advice.
Bill

Re: Criteria used for picking car
 

We found a nice looking car, decent factoring, and IN OUR PRICE RANGE. And it even came with delivery! Turned out pretty well for us. 2004 NHRA Stock Eliminator National Champion! 73 Buick Apollo, 350 4bbl. From Tommy Pettigrew. There was a well used chat room where some racers gave it thumbs up!
Do a little bit of homework and research. Go with what you like!

Re: Criteria used for picking car
 

Yeah, find something you like, turn key, in your price range. At today's prices it would be very difficult, if not impossible, for most, to buy a body and build from scratch, for what they can buy a decent turn key car for.

And I'm not talkin about the dime rockets, but a popular body style and engine you like.

For example: Since I'm a long time Pontiac guy, I'd prefer a Pontiac powered Bird or A-body, or even an X-body.

If I had the $$, I'd buy this '77 Bird tomorrow.

http://www.racingjunk.com/Stock-Supe...la-K-M-SA.html

I'd also like to have the Don Turk Grand Am.

http://classracer.com/classforum/showthread.php?t=64941