Drag Racing Discussions > Front Engine Dragsters

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amattsaintx:
I'm new here. My name is Alex. I've been doing a lot of research on front engine dragsters and it led me here. I was in contact with a builder to have a chassis built several years ago and then life got in the way (we got a surprise when we found out the wife was pregnant with our 2nd). We now have 3 which I never would have expected. I switched jobs last year and I'm finally to a point where I have the time and funds to build a dragster. Looking forward to researching ideas here. I have 2 drag strips within 30 min of me. Ohio Valley in Louisville Ky and US60 in Hardinsburg Ky. I've never owned a racecar but have always wanted one. FEDs seem like an affordable(not cheap) way to go fast and they're just a lot cooler than any other racecar. I am very mechanically inclined but do not know much about racing and racecars specifically.. I think it will be a fun adventure for me and the family.

So far ideas for a build are a roller from The Chassis Farm. I spoke to the Davin when I was first going to build a car and he was very helpful. I fully intend to give him my future business. I plan to build what I would consider a "convenient" racecar. As in it will run off pump gas, have a radiator, battery, onboard electric starter, and alternator. As of right now I'm leaning toward a 383 sbc with world motown 220 heads, a Dyers 6-71, carbs, and a powerglide. I don't intend on being super competitive but you never know once you get into it. Mainly looking to have fun and I just really enjoy projects. My oldest daughter is about to turn 4 and watches drag racing with me all the time so I know she will love it.

I'm working a lot of OT until the end of the year so that will give me a good jump start on funds. Looking to probably put the money down on the chassis in Jan/Feb 2021. I'll be researching until then.

I look forward to meeting everyone and learning a lot.

headslide:
                                                             
ALEX
   looks like we are from the same area i too race at us60 and the valley .i to am just building a fed 200 inch SBC with a glide .looking to have it done in the spring . good to have you on the page 

                                                                                                         Brian Reynolds             

amattsaintx:

--- Quote from: headslide on November 11, 2020, 07:13:26 AM ---                                                             
ALEX
   looks like we are from the same area i too race at us60 and the valley .i to am just building a fed 200 inch SBC with a glide .looking to have it done in the spring . good to have you on the page 

                                                                                                         Brian Reynolds           

--- End quote ---

Awesome. Once I get going and have some parts to keep me busy I may try to get together with you. I have a ton of questions. Mainly cockpit layout and a few other things.

Paul New:
Welcome as far as style there are a lot of thoughts out there of what is right.  First item is how fast do you want to go, how big of a crew do you have, then it comes down to what you want your car to look like such as low, mid, or high seat car.

Curly1:
I would recommend buying a nice rolling chassis with a good pedigree. There are many cars out there that are not safe or competitive and if you are not careful you could build another.
One of the things I have learned about mine is it takes longer to dial them in. I went through 5 different tire combinations and some major chassis changes to get mine working good. Also what works good on my car may not work as well on others because they are all so different. A Front Engine Dragster has a lot of chassis flex to get it to work good and there is no suspension. That makes tire selection and set up important. I have changed engine angle and then went back later and stiffened chassis. Now it works pretty good. I use weight up in the nose to tune it for wheelies. With 25 Lbs on the nose I can pick tires up 6 inches and carry it out 6 feet. By removing it I can pick up front tires 4 feet and carry it out 80 feet or more. Wheelbase, horsepower, torque converter, chassis stiffness, overall weight and weight distribution, tire size and compound all have to work together. 
these are some of the reasons few are the same.  If you have anyone of those off it may be hard to make it work. Once again I recommend buying a good known working car. If you do talk to them and look at their run logs. If they have a bunch of aborted runs then run don't walk.
With that said a front engine car an Altered or Front Engine Dragster are way more fun to drive than other cars. I have bought a new Altered and will be running it next year. Mainly because the 225 inch dragster is a pain to load and unload and with altered drive it in, strap it down and go and I can use my shorter trailer which is a huge plus where I live. After I get the new one ready my dragster may go up for sale.

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