Topics

1

Front Engine Dragsters / Opinions - API Transmission

« on: March 07, 2014, 02:21:10 AM »

Hi all.

Guy over here in Aust. has an API 350 VR4 trans for sale with lockup converter.

I've searched & found some pretty negative stuff about it but that was some years ago (trans brake wouldn't hold, fried forward clutches, manufacturer wouldn't put up anything to fix & was not at all helpful).

From what I read, I gather the one discussed was using a standard turbo 350 case.  The one for sale is as you see on the Website with aftermarket case.

Anyone had experience with these lately?

Thanks.


Adrian

2

Front Engine Dragsters / FED Aerodynamics

« on: February 28, 2014, 02:05:33 AM »

Hi all.

I've been wondering whether some small changes to bodywork on a FED might achieve some downforce at the rear without increasing wind resistance.  Not sure if anyone is doing this already.

Being that funny cars run low side skirts my thought was to run the side panels (from the engine plate back) down relatively low, say 3" from the ground, & maybe with a small lip folded outwards.

Added to that, seeing as blown cars need a tray under the engine, the tray could be part of a bellypan from the front of the engine to the rear of the car, with the bellypan sweeping maybe half way up the driver's back, or at least to the rear seat cross member.

And one more addition of a small spoiler at the front of the engine tray, down to the regulation 2" from the track.

Would this create a venturi (lower frame rails angled up slightly from the engine plate) & provide some down force, maybe requiring smaller wings resulting in less overall wind resistance?

Your thoughts?

Adrian

3

Front Engine Dragsters / Intro

« on: February 26, 2014, 05:20:03 AM »

Hi all.  Adrian Hicks here from Adelaide, Australia.

Along with my brother I built my first FED (the only car so far I've been owner of) back in 1978-80; took 2 years part time as I was living in Adelaide & was 100 miles from the family farm where we worked on it.  We used plans that were published in the drag magazine of the day (Drag News), & like so many back in those days we built it on the floor of the shed.  Neither of us had a lot of $ so it was fairly low key with a mild 302 Ford (mostly) and a 289 & 351 Windsor for short periods, and a Torqueflite 904 & 9 inch 28 spline diff, both of which we shortened.  My brother Brad did the welding with nickel bronze (mild steel pipework) & from memory, & with it carrying the wheels most runs, there never was a problem with the chassis.  The bodywork was steel sheet though the car weighed in at under 1,300 pounds.  Only small shortcoming was we didn't leave much butt room & with the shortened Torqueflite foot room was minimal also.

We'd both run Weber carb's on our street cars so two of those were fitted after the first few meetings, a 2 barrel carb being used initially just to get the car on the track.  With the fitting of decent slicks (the originals were 20 or so years old) my bro pulled the first wheelstand to 3 feet, brought it down nicely... & fitted wheelie bars before the next meeting :-)

She did service for 5 years or more though I pulled out of racing in '85 before she was retired.  Best times were in the low to mid 10's.  Brad went on to build two more cars almost entirely himself, an altered & a RED, took a break from 1995 & then bought a RED in '08 which I crew on at the moment.  The old frame is still on Brad's farm & I kinda like the idea of doing something with it down the track.  Got ideas for a blown flathead for when I'm too old to go quick LOL; we'll see.

Rooman will possibly remember the old FED as I live in Adelaide & we did most of our racing there.

I currently have plans on the way for a new FED which will be 225" & to 2.2c spec's, though no plans for nitro (running costs).  The chassis is greatly inspired by Rooman's work, with final planning & assembly by (Doug) Elsworthy's Chassis Shop here in Adelaide.  Looking to start the build in a month or three & bring the frame home around Christmas.

I've posted some photo's of the old girl below, plus one each of the two cars my bro' built.

Adrian