Messages

1

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Aircooled VW powered Slingshot

« on: July 12, 2014, 09:31:46 AM »

Steve at Wolfgang is running nitro! Chatted a bit with him on memorial day, hoping we can line up on labor day so he can kick my butt. I'll have the best seat in the house to watch him run!

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Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Aircooled VW powered Slingshot

« on: June 29, 2014, 09:44:06 AM »

I won't touch the nail! That thing is badass. Even if I could make the power (which I can't), my cert is only good to 7.50)

Kris scrubbed the wall a few years back and retired it. But it was announced they will be bringing it back out this year! I'm stoked, it is my favorite of all the VW's that compete in Top Eliminator at the BRS races

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Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Aircooled VW powered Slingshot

« on: June 25, 2014, 04:42:04 PM »

I ground the starter waaaaaay down to clear the flexplate shield. It just barely fits now, but it's "not modified" so should pass tech now

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Front Engine Dragsters / Aircooled VW powered Slingshot

« on: June 25, 2014, 04:34:24 PM »

Hey all,

Ongoing project here, but almost done with my VW powered slingshot. Just have to do a cam swap, drop the compression, change ring and pinion, and then tune and she'll be ready to go for some license passes

2332cc
50x38 Strip Dominator Heads
T4 turbo
2 to 2 1/8" stainless stepped merged header
Home built intake and turbo setup
Powerglide
Olds 9.3" rear end
MegaSquirt 3 Pro ECU
Crank fired and EFI

Haven't put it on the scales since re-doing it, but it should be in the ball park of about 1100-1150 lbs with driver now
If the stock case will hold together it should support about 700HP (going for the stock VW case record before swapping out the magnesium case for aluminum)
Chassis will only cert to 7.50, and I think this should have enough power to get it down to that. On paper anyway. Time will tell!

It's a late 60's chassis built by Bernie Schacker on the east coast. From what I can dig up, it was originally motivated by a 392 fuel motor. At some point the chassis was front halfed (wrecked?) and I suspect that is when the VW conversion was done. I can trace ownership back to three other guys besides me, but then the trail stops. Will continue to look for info on it.

Love this site, and am excited to show the progress I've made on it over the winter/spring. Plan to dial it in during the rest of this season, then run it in a series next year (hopefully)








Painted Red Firethorn Pearl, then a healthy dose of Roths "Ruined Retina" red flake. Local pin stripers tag teamed it and went overboard on striping it. New wheels/tires, chassis updates, etc. She's looking good now, can't wait to run it! Looks a lot different than when I first bought it!

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Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Flexplate shield - need blanket style

« on: April 13, 2014, 08:35:49 PM »

I'll have to get it on the scales, but I believe is between 800 to 850 lbs without driver.

I have found Deist makes an SFI wrap. Local track says it will work (as long as it will fit). They said if I modify a steel one at all the SFI tag is void.

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Front Engine Dragsters / Flexplate shield - need blanket style

« on: April 12, 2014, 10:07:51 AM »

Hey all,

I'm working on chassis cert and tech inspection on my FED that I bought last fall. I need a new flexplate shield because my current one is so old there is no date on it, and it has been modified to clear the top mounted starter on my powerglide.

So buying another new one and modifying it is out, as that will void the SFI rating. The local tech inspector said a blanket style will work as long as it's SFI rated. That should work just fine wrapping around the starter.

Anyone else run into this issue? Who makes a blanket style flexplate shield that can work (universally?)?

Any help appreciated!

7

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: rims and tires from the 60's

« on: April 12, 2014, 10:01:06 AM »

Yes, a VW engine runs clockwise when looking at it, so no problem there.

Corvair engines rotated counter-clockwise.

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Front Engine Dragsters / Re: rims and tires from the 60's

« on: April 09, 2014, 10:16:15 AM »

Eaallred - one of kind fed (?), nicely done.  DF

Thanks, still digging into the history on it. Have traced it back to three previous owners going back to 1990's. Chassis originally built by Bernie Schacker. It was an east coast car until I brought it to Utah. I haven't found when it was converted to VW power, or if it always was. Or even what year it was built. Powerglide and Pontiac 9.3" Thompson rear end in it screams vintage, but who really knows. Not me. Yet.

9

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: rims and tires from the 60's

« on: April 07, 2014, 07:11:05 PM »

I just put these on my VW powered FED:



$230 each at Summit.

Really love the look on my VW powered FED:

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Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Fire suit requirements?

« on: January 18, 2014, 08:36:48 AM »

Thanks guys, I'll get some more pics and info on the cars posted this weekend.

I had the black car catch fire and burn to the ground at the track on Labor Day 2012. So fire safety is in the back of my mind these days. With the engine and fuel system ahead of me I do see the added danger. Stuff happens sometimes and it is best to be prepared.

Do you guys run a head sock, nomex long johns, etc?  What would you guys do for a nine second FED?

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Front Engine Dragsters / Fire suit requirements?

« on: January 16, 2014, 06:56:53 PM »

Hi everyone,

New here, working on my first FED. It's an old slingshot built in the late 60's/early 70's, driven by Bill Edwards. At the time I was told it ran a 392 fuel motor. From what i'm told anyway. Pretty cool old car, can't wait to get it going again.

But now it has an aircooled VW engine in it. Not sure how many years it's had this setup, but it's been a while.  I'm an air-cooled VW guy, so it's right up my alley. I have a street legal low 10-second VW bug, so this should be a lot of fun for me.

As I'm still putting this car together (sold to me as a roller) I am wondering what I need for a fire suit. As of now for the street VW I have SFI 3.2A/5 pants and jacket, and SFI 3.3/5 gloves and shoes. I have a neck collar, but will probably pick up something like a HANS device before I make any real hits in this thing.

Just running gasoline, no methanol, and it's still naturally aspirated. No turbo, blower, or nitrous. It should run high 8's at sea level

Is my current gear good for this second car, or do I need to get a second set of gear for this car? I've looked online till blue in the face, but can't find the info.

I'm getting it ready for a chassis cert and am going to start process of licensing shortly after that. I just don't want to waste anyone's time at the track if I show up with safety gear that is not acceptable for use in a FED.

Any advice appreciated, here's a pic of the car before any fuel system, electrical, or other work got done on it: