Dragster maintenance

Chris Williams · 07-16-2010, 10:27 AM

For us:

- Motor: really depends on what they find. This past winter was an easy one, the bill was under $2k. Previous year it was almost $10k, but we also added the better part of 100hp doing it.

- Tranny: got tired of being nervous so I bought a complete spare setup (tranny and converter) this winter. Ouch... the better part of $5k. But I too run converters until there is a problem. Can be several years. Tranny, I have my guy look at it when I suspect a problem. New pump $450, new clutches and bands, something similar.

- Rear end: change the fluid every year, running till it dies, we're at well over 300 passes, got a long way to go.

- Brakes: inspect them every 20 or so passes, have a spare set of pads in the trailer to pop in when needed. That can be 200, 300 passes. Just top off the fluid once year.

- Tires: I think 100 is plenty on a set, but I know people who agree that you can get somewhere close to 200. They go until their 60's start to go away. Since I can't store my car in a heated space up off the concrete (lives in my trailer all winter), I buy a new set of slicks every spring, a new set of fronts every other. Slicks: $650, fronts: $350.

- Fluids: keep a lot around. Change oil and filter every 20-25 passes: 6 qts + filter. Tranny, drain and refill a lot it seems: ~7 qts. Rear ends: ~2-3 qts. Fuel: use about a drum and a half every year, ~$1500. Lucas Oil Slick Mist polish: about 3 bottles a year

Single biggest expense to drag racing: diesel fuel for the truck. Probably spend the better part of $6k a year on that.

HTH,
Chris

07-16-2010, 10:27 AM	#17
Chris Williams Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 401 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Dragster maintenance For us: - Motor: really depends on what they find. This past winter was an easy one, the bill was under $2k. Previous year it was almost $10k, but we also added the better part of 100hp doing it. - Tranny: got tired of being nervous so I bought a complete spare setup (tranny and converter) this winter. Ouch... the better part of $5k. But I too run converters until there is a problem. Can be several years. Tranny, I have my guy look at it when I suspect a problem. New pump $450, new clutches and bands, something similar. - Rear end: change the fluid every year, running till it dies, we're at well over 300 passes, got a long way to go. - Brakes: inspect them every 20 or so passes, have a spare set of pads in the trailer to pop in when needed. That can be 200, 300 passes. Just top off the fluid once year. - Tires: I think 100 is plenty on a set, but I know people who agree that you can get somewhere close to 200. They go until their 60's start to go away. Since I can't store my car in a heated space up off the concrete (lives in my trailer all winter), I buy a new set of slicks every spring, a new set of fronts every other. Slicks: $650, fronts: $350. - Fluids: keep a lot around. Change oil and filter every 20-25 passes: 6 qts + filter. Tranny, drain and refill a lot it seems: ~7 qts. Rear ends: ~2-3 qts. Fuel: use about a drum and a half every year, ~$1500. Lucas Oil Slick Mist polish: about 3 bottles a year Single biggest expense to drag racing: diesel fuel for the truck. Probably spend the better part of $6k a year on that. HTH, Chris __________________ Chris Williams 6304 SC, TD, ET