FrontEngineDragsters.Org Forum
Drag Racing Discussions => Front Engine Dragsters => Topic started by: jason29a on February 23, 2015, 05:24:43 PM
-
Hi.. I'm 43 years old and I have been racing circle track for 22 years. Sprints, late models, dirt and pavement etc. I've said for years that maybe I'd like to do a little drag racing, but I just kinda put it in the back of my mind and thought it would go away. But after seeing some FED videos its not going away at all. So I'm here looking for some insight on where to get started. I have a complete fabrication and engine background building cars and components. But totally new to this and need a little help, such as chassis companies etc?
Thank you,
Jason
-
Hi Jason:
Welcome, you have friends here that share your sickness.. ;)
Larry you have a com padre.. 8)
I have a fever. and the only prescription, is more Cowbell Front Engine Dragster.
Luke
-
Welcome to the club Jason. I got my first FED at 49, wish I would have done this 20 years ago. Your in the right place there is a lot of good info on here.
-
Please check out www.donrossfab.com I have several components for feds.
Don Ross
-
Make good use of Roo Man as a resource.
-
Welcome !!
And you should checkout Neil & Parks . http://neilparks.com/
-
The biggest difference you will notice, is that the car you load up to go home with after a day of racing will usually look the same as when you got to the track with it.
-
Jason Im 49 and have a very similar background I race dirt modifieds most of my life there was no drag racing in my area growing up but several things happened to switch my interest as I got older most of my crew had kids and family interest ,my father passed away 7 years ago him and I did everything together and I have to admit the 7 day a week every night race all summer took its tole on my marriage. But a chance trip to a nostalgia drag event and meeting a few interesting people on line led me down this vintage FED road a few years ago and I have never looked back lot of great helpful people im from ny and now make the pilgramige to the west cost every year the California hot rod reunion is off the hook more front engine dragsters in one place anywhere on earth imgoing to the mach meet next week and have a friend racing there. Keep in touch if you building or buying a car I have made lots of contacts. I now have two cars and cant wait for this racing season. Good luck you are hooked again.
-
David Beard at dragstersupply.com Has become a great friend and build some fantastic nostalgia cars , sells chassis kits and dragster componants. Take a look at his site .
-
That FED on Ebay this week that is advertised with two bodies--One of our club members--killer car needs nothing but engine--Mr Beal--call him--it is a great car ready to rock--he is an older gentleman and his Ebay ad skills are not so hot but that car is a peach for the $$ He is super honest and has driven one of these ever since the start--will be very helpful.
I built my car from scratch--very rewarding but starting with a roller is lot quicker
These are the most fun you will ever have--Good Luck!
-
Welcome to the crazy folks club. You will be told how crazy it is to build a FED mostly by cookie cutter guys. Hopefully will be driving my first FED at 49(as of JAN). completely built by me and Daves right rewarding but long process. Hoping to be making shots mjd season or sooner and I started 4 years ago.
-
I to raced dirt for almost 25 years,again L.M. ,mod and sprint car. The expense and amount of help you need,I decided to do some drag racing. My very first drag car was a 125" Altered with a 505 BB Chevy. Holy cow that was a ride. Now I have a FED and very excited to feel that ride. I just love it and not tearing up a bunch of stuff. One thing that help is I was use to speed,but the acceleration is serious stuff.
Good luck and just have fun. Also do not have to worry about fights in the pits .
-
Wait! They have racing that is not dragracing?
-
Thank you to everyone for the help and making me feel welcome.
-
Welcome as well Jason,
sounds like we have similar roots (age as well). I have been burning dirt circles since 2001, Street stock, modified and late model. I had the same fire of running a front engine dragster. I built mine as well, same base chassis and DusterDave. absolutely love it. Albeit it is not the same as circles but in the fed it is a blast, I don't think I would say the same with a door car (done that as well). I think the sweetest part is the fact the these dragster are not cookie cutters and can be done anyway you want to. always keep safety in mind but don't get buffaloed by "experts" in the only way to do it is the way I say.
-
many of us rookies that have built door cars/ circle trackers etc looked and went how hard can that be? Well they Look simple but there is much to learn--buying a quality roller gets you to the track much faster. Staring with a kit is super rewarding but you will find it takes a long time to get her finished and buying every little giblet one item at a time sure adds up $$$
A PLAIN SBC will fly in one of these--no need to plan on any big fancy power to start for sure!
If I live to be 100 I will never forget my first pass--I raced for over 20 years before and never experienced anything as thrilling as an FED.
The nostalgia deal is growing every year and is starting to have some very good events nationwide. There are clubs everywhere now as well.
Good Luck!
-
You guy's are just a bunch of kids at 49 ! I had my first FED at 19 and I am still at it at 64 ! Have fun !
-
Wow ,that is amazing. I have had so many types of race cars,but this is the last one.
-
So of the ones that built car, what designs did you use?....... And has anyone used the Mark Williams plans?
-
My design with alot of research.Looked at cpl thousand pics of chassis,lots measurements a calculations and even scaled a cpl of 1/16 models of old FEDS.May seem stupid but those things are very accurate reproductions and scaled to be almost exact copy. Half dozen or so full scale drawings also.
Will I change a few things on next car yes,will it be a lot of things nope. How well did I do? Looks good ,omly some runs will tell. Would using someone elses design drawing and modifing to suit my wants have been better idea,heck probably. If you order a SFI spec you get very detailed drawing of whats acceptable and safe. Very well spent $35.
You are already off to good start researching it. If you do build be prepared for long hours in shop(a plus),changes will be made, cost of tubing and tooling to be more than expect.Price of satisfaction of having done it yourself is hard to place on it.
-
So of the ones that built car, what designs did you use?....... And has anyone used the Mark Williams plans?
Building your own car is a very rewarding experience, just don't forget to take into consideration the actual amount of time and tools involved. It takes a lot of determination and follow through to finish a car that you've built from scratch. Lot's of people lose interest before their car is finished. You might come out ahead to buy a pre-welded chassis and do the finish work yourself. DragsterSupply.com offers several different stages of kits, check them out.
-
I really think I'd like to try building own. I believe it would be a lot of fun. I have welders, bender, notcher, sheet metal break etc. The one thing I have noticed right away is how helpful and friendly everyone is.
-
Welcome- you will love it here. Everyone has the same disease - and there is no cure.Wait I have just what the doctor ordered.
I have a brand new( as in never made a pass straight out of paint) - S and W FED, and enclosed trailer for sale for the the price of materials.Its NHRA cert also. Look at the pics here on the site. Got to many cars not enough shop space and am short one engine? 8)I hate to but time is not on my side.
lmd
-
S&W KITS are popular and very reasonable for the quality
Worm or Cenpen kits are everywhere in all forms of finish usually cheap--one right now on Egay for $3900 asking price--it will sell for less when he gets ready to really sell it-- fully welded with body--would not be bad deal if you can work on him some--they pop up all the time
It takes a Lot of $$ and a ton of hours to finish one from scratch--I easy doubled my original budget and it took me 2 1/2 years for example
Lots of cars out there in different stages of build where guy has bailed --on those the big mistake to watch for is crappy welding--they can be had if you are patient
-
Building an entire car from scratch is a dream many have and a few finish. There is plenty for sale out there in various stages of completion and a much more affordable way to get started. One just needs to educate themselves with SFI and go from there.
-
When I look back now--I was driving home with a bare tack welded chassis in two pieces in back of the truck--I was SOOO Happy! I was nuts to start that way--it has turned out to be one of the most rewarding efforts i have ever done but--was it the smart way? Nope--was it cheaper? NO WAY
The good part is even though it cost more......you can do it a little at the time as you have the $$
The big hurdles are tougher to swallow but it was fun doing the scavenger hunt for everything .
If you do buy a roller have someone that knows these cars look at it so you don't buy a pile of regret--or buy a known car like one from a clubmember that has been active with it --GasserX on here bought one from a Southern Slingshots member so we were able to say we knew the car and the seller--in that case seller was a great guy so...makes it all better for everyone.
-
SO far building fed has been awsome/.f I ever get to make a pass ,I am hoping it will be second to the ride. Figure somewhat mild combo will not be super quick but hopefully mid to upper 4's in 1/8 mile. Old RED was T/AD and ran upper 3's,but couldn't see the motor and almost always going straight.Yea BORING.
If you decide to build and sounds like you have equipment and experiance to do it. I can almost guarnatee you will enjoy the heck out of it.
-
When I look back now--I was driving home with a bare tack welded chassis in two pieces in back of the truck--I was SOOO Happy! I was nuts to start that way--it has turned out to be one of the most rewarding efforts i have ever done but--was it the smart way? Nope--was it cheaper? NO WAY
The good part is even though it cost more......you can do it a little at the time as you have the $$
The big hurdles are tougher to swallow but it was fun doing the scavenger hunt for everything .
If you do buy a roller have someone that knows these cars look at it so you don't buy a pile of regret--or buy a known car like one from a clubmember that has been active with it --GasserX on here bought one from a Southern Slingshots member so we were able to say we knew the car and the seller--in that case seller was a great guy so...makes it all better for everyone.
I believe the above to be wise comments.
-
There are all kinds of things to consider when starting on a dragster, but, the first thing is to get a copy of the NHRA rule book and study it every time you think of something new or see something unusual. Even though our cars have that great old school look doesn't mean they don't have be safe. If the car you are buying or building is certified by NHRA you'll find it easy to run anywhere. Don't let the certify word scare you, they are there to help get your car right so it'll be fun instead of tragedy. Mark Midler