So I'm looking to get back to Drag Week, hopefully next year, and want to race in the Street Race BB/NA class. This class does not allow body modifications, and suspension mods have to be bolt on replacements that attach to the factory mounting points on the chassis. The class also has a 3200 pound minimum weight with driver, and an ET limit of 8.50 or slower.
I want to go with a wedge engine that has my cylinder head package on it, and I want to be competitive. That means I need to hit or be very close to the minimum 3200 pound weight. Especially in light of my own ~240 pound weight, no way I can get my Mach 1 close to the minimum. Not sure I'd want to strip out the stock interior and do other lightening tricks on that car anyway. My Galaxie and my Shelby clone both have modifications that would prevent them from running in the class. So, if I'm going to do this, I need a new race car
The wife may not be pleased, but oh well...
A Fox body Mustang is an obvious choice, but I just don't want to be like everybody else. At the FERR, I was talking to Rory McNeil and he suggested a 78-83 Fairmont or Mercury Zephyr, which is also a Fox body platform. They are kind of plain Jane and boxy, but they are light, something like 2700-2800 pounds curb weight. So with some work I think I could get one ready to race right at the 3200 pound limit. They also have that trunk overhang, that the Mustangs don't, which should make it easier to hook the car with the smaller tires that will fit inside the stock rear wheel opening. The cars are a little difficult to find, apparently the LS crowd is snapping them up, but they made a lot of them so I think I could probably find one if I looked hard enough.
My problem with these cars is that I don't know anything about them. So if anyone could help with the following questions I'd appreciate it. Most of these questions are just about where to source the components that I need:
- Is one year in that 78-83 model run preferable from a racing standpoint? I know the 2 door sedans are probably lightest, but I'm leaning towards a 2 door Futura.
- I'd be looking at a tubular K member to save some weight, and run aftermarket front suspension components. I've looked at quite a few K members online, but haven't seen any that are set up for an FE. Is there such a thing? If not, can one for a small block Ford be modified to work?
- I would plan to run subframe connectors along with a full cage. All the subframe connectors I've come across are for Mustangs, which are too short to fit a Fairmont. Does anyone know of a source for Fairmont subframe connectors, or do I have to fabricate those?
- How about fiberglass hoods and bumpers for those cars (which are legal in the class), are they available?
- Where can I get a 9" rear end housing that has the proper suspension attachment brackets already welded on? I don't want to try that myself on this rear suspension, and all the rear ends I've seen online are complete units. I prefer Mark Williams axles and their aluminum case, and I happen to have a case already, so I don't want to buy a complete rear end.
- Is there a preferred source for the front suspension components, given a drag race application?
- The class allows minor welding to the chassis for strengthening purposes. Are there some points on the chassis that could or should be reinforced for a drag application? Perhaps around the factory rear suspension arm mounting points?
I'm sure more questions will come up. Thanks in advance for any info - Jay