Newbie with newbie question

Rick J · 08-12-2022, 07:07 PM

I'd just try to make sure you pick a combo with a V-8, weather swings affect lower hp engines more, which leads to inconsistency.

Eric_of_the_Desert · 08-12-2022, 10:01 PM

Cool... cool... thanks for all the responses... and ideas... and places to look for info too.

Thx guys!

-E

Mike Gray · 08-13-2022, 01:53 AM

Eric, if you can buy an existing class car or existing roller. I’m building one from scratch and it’s probably running 30% to 40% more that way. Everything is costing more than you think it should. The other BIG problem is supply chain, I can’t get parts in a timely manner nor can I get work that I can not do such as paint, done in a reasonable time.
A lot of guys on here mentioned not to build from scratch, maybe I should have listened!
I built a super-street car from scratch and a super-gas car from a roller so I thought I could tackle a class car. It’s become a humbling process.

Larry Hill · 08-13-2022, 07:35 AM

I have a C10 1986 Chevy truck I would part with. It runs well with a v6 or some racers use a V8 and both quality well with stick or auto. How ever you go have fun and good luck.

Eric_of_the_Desert · 08-13-2022, 10:05 PM

Cool... cool... will seriously consider buying instead of building.

Gonna get my ducks in a row and see what's what in the next couple months.

Thanks for the pointers and direction everyone.

Appreciated!

-E

Greg Reimer 7376 · 08-14-2022, 12:09 AM

Glad to see some new persons interested in our sport. Your experience bracket racing certainly won't hurt you at all. Probably the easiest way to start out is to buy a used race car as a roller. It can't be modified in some way to render it illegal as to the body or other things that would have to be changed back to a state of legality before you could start building it.Sometimes, the ideal situation is to start with a used race car that would fit a class you're comfortable with and could be obtained for the right price. Motors,transes,converters, gears.etc. are pretty readily available. Starting with a user-friendly combination will get you out there, and you can gain good seat time. It's also easier to start out in a not real populated class so that you don't have to worry about heads up races too often.Also, some combos are a lot more user friendly and can be tuned and sorted out to last a lot more rounds between re freshening and that helps you develop tuning skills and getting the hang of driving it.There's lots of cars out there, many show up for sale from time to time and you can choose one from a pool of race cars. Welcome to the fold, have fun, and enjoy the process.

garyc · 08-15-2022, 03:34 PM

HA, i wanted to build a stocker from a rolling chassis (junk yard free), sold the boat, had a $7000 dollar budget, $30,000 later hit the track this summer, started April 2021

FireSale · 08-17-2022, 12:05 PM

Stock and SuperStock cars are getting thin and scattered around the country especially with the high number of classes, so I wouldn't worry about building to avoid heads up class runs against hot cars/drivers. Learn to read the Stock Car Guide at the NHRA Competition link at this site. Find a car that has a competitive fit and appeals to you and start with Stock. Read the rule book carefully and ask question after question here. I tried to build right into SS with my first race car and stumbled over rule interpretations. I love my bracket car but it will never carry the SS flag.

Mark Yacavone · 08-14-2022, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JA.CK

I'd just try to make sure you pick a combo with a V-8, weather swings affect lower hp engines more, which leads to inconsistency.

(edit)
I'd just try to make sure you pick a combo with EFI , weather swings affect lower hp engines more, which leads to inconsistency.

Jack McCarthy · 08-14-2022, 08:51 PM

pm me i have a QRT/SA car id sell its in vegas now.

captain

08-12-2022, 07:07 PM	#1
Rick J Member Join Date: Jul 2022 Posts: 102 Likes: 31 Liked 73 Times in 37 Posts	Re: Newbie with newbie question I'd just try to make sure you pick a combo with a V-8, weather swings affect lower hp engines more, which leads to inconsistency.

08-12-2022, 10:01 PM	#2
Eric_of_the_Desert Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 5 Likes: 17 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Newbie with newbie question Cool... cool... thanks for all the responses... and ideas... and places to look for info too. Thx guys! -E

08-13-2022, 01:53 AM	#3
Mike Gray Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 615 Likes: 310 Liked 685 Times in 196 Posts	Re: Newbie with newbie question Eric, if you can buy an existing class car or existing roller. I’m building one from scratch and it’s probably running 30% to 40% more that way. Everything is costing more than you think it should. The other BIG problem is supply chain, I can’t get parts in a timely manner nor can I get work that I can not do such as paint, done in a reasonable time. A lot of guys on here mentioned not to build from scratch, maybe I should have listened! I built a super-street car from scratch and a super-gas car from a roller so I thought I could tackle a class car. It’s become a humbling process. __________________ Mike 7570 A/SA Last edited by Mike Gray; 08-13-2022 at 01:58 AM.

08-13-2022, 07:35 AM	#4
Larry Hill Live Reporter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hickory, Ky Posts: 10,629 Likes: 1,922 Liked 10,681 Times in 2,222 Posts	Re: Newbie with newbie question I have a C10 1986 Chevy truck I would part with. It runs well with a v6 or some racers use a V8 and both quality well with stick or auto. How ever you go have fun and good luck. __________________ IHM Used Parts https://ihmusedparts.com 888-821-1817

08-13-2022, 10:05 PM	#5
Eric_of_the_Desert Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 5 Likes: 17 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Newbie with newbie question Cool... cool... will seriously consider buying instead of building. Gonna get my ducks in a row and see what's what in the next couple months. Thanks for the pointers and direction everyone. Appreciated! -E

08-14-2022, 12:09 AM	#6
Greg Reimer 7376 VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendora,Calif. Posts: 1,135 Likes: 172 Liked 704 Times in 218 Posts	Re: Newbie with newbie question Glad to see some new persons interested in our sport. Your experience bracket racing certainly won't hurt you at all. Probably the easiest way to start out is to buy a used race car as a roller. It can't be modified in some way to render it illegal as to the body or other things that would have to be changed back to a state of legality before you could start building it.Sometimes, the ideal situation is to start with a used race car that would fit a class you're comfortable with and could be obtained for the right price. Motors,transes,converters, gears.etc. are pretty readily available. Starting with a user-friendly combination will get you out there, and you can gain good seat time. It's also easier to start out in a not real populated class so that you don't have to worry about heads up races too often.Also, some combos are a lot more user friendly and can be tuned and sorted out to last a lot more rounds between re freshening and that helps you develop tuning skills and getting the hang of driving it.There's lots of cars out there, many show up for sale from time to time and you can choose one from a pool of race cars. Welcome to the fold, have fun, and enjoy the process.

08-15-2022, 03:34 PM	#7
garyc Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 124 Likes: 0 Liked 51 Times in 30 Posts	Re: Newbie with newbie question HA, i wanted to build a stocker from a rolling chassis (junk yard free), sold the boat, had a $7000 dollar budget, $30,000 later hit the track this summer, started April 2021 Last edited by garyc; 08-15-2022 at 03:36 PM. Reason: junk

08-17-2022, 12:05 PM	#8
FireSale VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Lakewood Washington Posts: 1,407 Likes: 29 Liked 237 Times in 126 Posts	Re: Newbie with newbie question Stock and SuperStock cars are getting thin and scattered around the country especially with the high number of classes, so I wouldn't worry about building to avoid heads up class runs against hot cars/drivers. Learn to read the Stock Car Guide at the NHRA Competition link at this site. Find a car that has a competitive fit and appeals to you and start with Stock. Read the rule book carefully and ask question after question here. I tried to build right into SS with my first race car and stumbled over rule interpretations. I love my bracket car but it will never carry the SS flag. __________________ Dale Shearon 68 Mustang 6394

08-14-2022, 08:51 PM	#10
Jack McCarthy VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: lyndon ky. ... louisville area Posts: 1,318 Likes: 28 Liked 459 Times in 113 Posts	Re: Newbie with newbie question pm me i have a QRT/SA car id sell its in vegas now. captain __________________ Jack McCarthy 3609 STK "the Captain"