Gonna check out a dragster for sale, need tips

Hnasko Racing · 04-02-2008, 02:18 PM

Hey guys.I'm suppose to go check out a local dragster for sale.

Need some tips of what to look for to try to make sure its a solid car.

Any general things to look for? Test? Etc? Ask?

Need some advice from you veteran dragster racers.

Thanks guys.

Hnasko Racing · 04-02-2008, 03:57 PM

bunch of views but no advice? =[

Charlie Yannetti · 04-02-2008, 05:08 PM

First step would be to check the chassis certification tag to see when it was inspected by NHRA and when it expires....... if it's close to expiration, you might want to ask if NHRA advised the owner of any necessary updates prior to re-certification....... if the updates haven't been done, then you would have to do them to get the car re-certified........ this could become an additional expense if the car needs a few updates at a chassis shop....

I would then see if the guy kept run records to try to determine how many runs are actually on the car..... if you're buying it turn key, see if there are receipts for engne and trans rebuilds..... if you're on a tight budget and you're pieces are tired, you could be in trouble.....

Of course there will be stuff that you will automatically replace when you get the car.... tires, brakes and stuff like that...... but if it's advertised as race ready...... IT SHOULD BE..... so check wear marks and pads........

I could go on forever here........ best thing is if you have someone that's been around chassis, bring him along.......

Bob Verwold · 04-02-2008, 05:43 PM

Do ya want some good advice ............

BUY A DOOR CAR> their a lot more fun !

Hnasko Racing · 04-02-2008, 05:59 PM

Thanks Charlie for the tips.

Anyone else have tips related to Dragsters?

Rob Petrie E395 · 04-02-2008, 08:28 PM

Go take a good look at the car. If it seems too good a deal to be true look harder and you might find out why. After you look at the car the first time come back on here and tell us what chassis it is (spitzer, S&W, Gebhardt, ect) same info for the engine and transmission and electronics. Much like people have different oponions of the brand of cars we drive to work they have the same oponions both good and bad about race car / race parts / race trailers ect.. As an example I use MSD ignition and have never had a problem with it but the one time I tried another ingnition company I had nothing but troubles with the ignition box and would never recomend them. Most people like to talk about their experiences both good and bad. If its a dragster built by Joe Shmoo dragster builder you will find out the good and the bad by asking for oponions and comments about that particular car/part from people who own one or have worked on one before. You will most likely get a buch of ideas of things that may go wrong. Then on your second trip to look at the car you will have a better idea of areas to look at closer. I have always had the oponion that an informed consumer is the best consumer and least likely to get screwd.

Hnasko Racing · 04-05-2008, 01:26 PM

Update went to see the dragster, looks pretty solid.
Askin is 12.5k - bbc460 on alky w/ rons toilet, pglide trans w/ electric shift both are re-freshed
4:11 gears, currently out of cert but owner will re-cert for us if we buy, horton 225

Thoughts or any other questions i can ask the guy?

Here are pics and w/ me in it:

04-02-2008, 02:18 PM	#1
Hnasko Racing Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 33 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Gonna check out a dragster for sale, need tips Hey guys.I'm suppose to go check out a local dragster for sale. Need some tips of what to look for to try to make sure its a solid car. Any general things to look for? Test? Etc? Ask? Need some advice from you veteran dragster racers. Thanks guys.

04-02-2008, 03:57 PM	#2
Hnasko Racing Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 33 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Gonna check out a dragster for sale, need tips bunch of views but no advice? =[

04-02-2008, 05:08 PM	#3
Charlie Yannetti Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alpine, NJ Posts: 557 Likes: 178 Liked 179 Times in 77 Posts	Re: Gonna check out a dragster for sale, need tips First step would be to check the chassis certification tag to see when it was inspected by NHRA and when it expires....... if it's close to expiration, you might want to ask if NHRA advised the owner of any necessary updates prior to re-certification....... if the updates haven't been done, then you would have to do them to get the car re-certified........ this could become an additional expense if the car needs a few updates at a chassis shop.... I would then see if the guy kept run records to try to determine how many runs are actually on the car..... if you're buying it turn key, see if there are receipts for engne and trans rebuilds..... if you're on a tight budget and you're pieces are tired, you could be in trouble..... Of course there will be stuff that you will automatically replace when you get the car.... tires, brakes and stuff like that...... but if it's advertised as race ready...... IT SHOULD BE..... so check wear marks and pads........ I could go on forever here........ best thing is if you have someone that's been around chassis, bring him along.......

04-02-2008, 05:43 PM	#4
Bob Verwold Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fayetteville Ohio Posts: 656 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Gonna check out a dragster for sale, need tips Do ya want some good advice ............ BUY A DOOR CAR> their a lot more fun !

04-02-2008, 05:59 PM	#5
Hnasko Racing Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 33 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Gonna check out a dragster for sale, need tips Thanks Charlie for the tips. Anyone else have tips related to Dragsters?

04-02-2008, 08:28 PM	#6
Rob Petrie E395 VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Woodlawn IL Posts: 1,093 Likes: 162 Liked 220 Times in 79 Posts	Re: Gonna check out a dragster for sale, need tips Go take a good look at the car. If it seems too good a deal to be true look harder and you might find out why. After you look at the car the first time come back on here and tell us what chassis it is (spitzer, S&W, Gebhardt, ect) same info for the engine and transmission and electronics. Much like people have different oponions of the brand of cars we drive to work they have the same oponions both good and bad about race car / race parts / race trailers ect.. As an example I use MSD ignition and have never had a problem with it but the one time I tried another ingnition company I had nothing but troubles with the ignition box and would never recomend them. Most people like to talk about their experiences both good and bad. If its a dragster built by Joe Shmoo dragster builder you will find out the good and the bad by asking for oponions and comments about that particular car/part from people who own one or have worked on one before. You will most likely get a buch of ideas of things that may go wrong. Then on your second trip to look at the car you will have a better idea of areas to look at closer. I have always had the oponion that an informed consumer is the best consumer and least likely to get screwd.

04-05-2008, 01:26 PM	#7
Hnasko Racing Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 33 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Gonna check out a dragster for sale, need tips Update went to see the dragster, looks pretty solid. Askin is 12.5k - bbc460 on alky w/ rons toilet, pglide trans w/ electric shift both are re-freshed 4:11 gears, currently out of cert but owner will re-cert for us if we buy, horton 225 Thoughts or any other questions i can ask the guy? Here are pics and w/ me in it: