9 sec combo's

[cjshaker]

But I think weight is a big deal also, given that it is not unusual to see a Fox body Mustang weigh under 3000 pounds with a big block and the driver.  That's 80% of what my Mach 1 weighs, and that car would have run 9s in 2005 if it weighed only 3000 pounds...

Absolutely, weight is a huge factor. If I remember correctly, I think the rule of thumb is for every 100 lbs, it equals .10 ET? I was just commenting about the newer cars vs. older ones. For instance, my car is currently 3460, and that's heavy for a Mustang (no roll bar). My 2009 GT is about 3600, stock. A NEW Mustang with IRS comes in at over 3800 lbs!

Shedding weight is probably the cheapest way to gain ET, unless you're buying fiberglass panels.

[CaptCobrajet]

I think Scott went 9.10 last drag week, and it's actually an 8-second car if they can hook it with the transbrake, but it sounds like you are describing a less complicated scenario.  The 502 incher that Scott Miller runs is a pretty serious piece.  It did two Drag Weeks without a freshen up, but still might be a little far out for a "driver".  I do also have several " 9 second" combos in service that you could drive to the grocery store.   One example I use often is in a 3400 lb. T-Bolt clone.... Cal Tracs, 275 drag radials, C4, 496 cubes...9.60's @  135, with no power adder.  A much less complicated build, with lower budget, but durable pieces....so yes, 9-second street FEs are no problem these days, with the right stuff.

[Russ67Scode]

And in about 3 months we will see if a very streetable 8 second car is possible
Big inch Blair Patrick FE with twin turbo's and EFI 

[fryedaddy]

i know the big inch FEs will do it but can you get a 390 or 428 in the nines without power adders on a 3000 pound car

[351crules]

I guess a lot depends on how one defines streetable. I have never driven my 78 Fairmont on the street since I finished it 30 years ago, but it has gone high 9`s, naturally aspirated with very little aftermaket equipment, no roller cam, no aftermarket stroker kit, no aftermarket heads etc. .030" over 427 Ford block, with cast 428 crank, solid flat tappet cam,stock unported  cast iron CJ heads (with original 2.09"/1.66" valves), a 780 vacuum secondary Holley on a 50 year old Ford dual plane intake, a Duraspark distributor from a 76 F250. Lighter than most at 3100 lbs, with a 4 speed trans. Best of 9.97@132mph, shifting at 6200 RPM.  If that too "fancy" the same car with a .030" 428 block, stock cast 428 crank, stock 3/8" rods, same flat tappet cam, intake & carb ran best of 10.03@132 MPH, also shifting at 6200 RPM. The 428 made 518 HP, the 427 a little under 550HP, I guess a fairly well sorted car helps to run OK without a big wallet or a bunch of aftermarket parts. Since my Fairmont only has a roll bar, it is only NHRA legal to run 10.00 ETs or slower, and I am still undecided if I want to make all the changes to make it 9 second compliant, I dropped in my flat top pistoned, pump gas, flat tappet cam 331 SB Ford, which made only 487 HP on the same dyno. Last Sat & Sunday, in 90 degree heat, it was running mid 10.2s @ 128MPH. Big HP numbers are nice, but i will take a well sorted out car with moderate power anyday. JMO

      this is kinda a what I was looking for... Care to share the cam specs?   

[james]

Look here under drag strip results. 64 falcon tube frame car. Clints car has a 482 that runs 9.60 leaving on a foot brake, c6 trans. Idles at 900 never, overheats, very streetable. Way more in it with a few different parts.

Can you please possibly give me a link for clint's car because I am in the process of doing the exact same thing. I need to know what headers he used and motor mounts etc. Anything would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[CaptCobrajet]

i know the big inch FEs will do it but can you get a 390 or 428 in the nines without power adders on a 3000 pound car

Yes.  We can get 390 legal Stockers to go 10.30 at 3000 lbs with a .481 lift camshaft,  so with no rules, 9's are no problem....but.....the car would have to be very good, not just the engine......

[fastback 427]

James, the info on clints falcon in on this forum in the drag strip results for fe vehicles. I'm pretty computer illiterate so maybe another member can add the link. The headers and motor mounts were custom made for the car.

[cjshaker]

And in about 3 months we will see if a very streetable 8 second car is possible
Big inch Blair Patrick FE with twin turbo's and EFI

 
Not to derail this thread, but....THIS would be interesting to hear more about! (but in another thread when the time comes)

[Falcon67]

i know the big inch FEs will do it but can you get a 390 or 428 in the nines without power adders on a 3000 pound car

Yes.  We can get 390 legal Stockers to go 10.30 at 3000 lbs with a .481 lift camshaft,  so with no rules, 9's are no problem....but.....the car would have to be very good, not just the engine......

Key notation.  Running an automatic in a bracket car, I can assure you that the converter can be worth 1/2 second or better in many cases.  And that's just one item. Suspension reaction, shocks, tires, gearing, HP/Torque curves, launch RPM, track condition, moon phase, track burger seasoning, etc all contribute to ET or lack there of.  Look at it this way, work backwards from your ET request - it'll take around 600 HP at the rear tires to put a 3000lb race weight (driver, fuel, etc) in the 9 second range under near optimum conditions.  That's over 135 MPH in 1/4 mile at least.  So you're looking for 750~800 HP at the motor more or less.  Reduce the weight, less power required to run the MPH goal.  The 351C in my dragster makes maybe 550 HP, but since the car is light  (unknown weight at this time - 1800 or so probably) it should run right in the top of the 8s in the 1/4.  Runs 5.6x @124 1/8, put it in my Falcon at 3250 lbs maybe 6.60s @ 100 or so.  To complicate your considerations, tests show that reducing rotating mass is as much as 5 times more effective in freeing up power than removing static mass.

[fryedaddy]

i understand the car needs to be set up right for a small inch fe to perform.i guess the original question meant in a well set up car.i guess a better question is how much power can you get out of a 390

[CaptCobrajet]

i understand the car needs to be set up right for a small inch fe to perform.i guess the original question meant in a well set up car.i guess a better question is how much power can you get out of a 390

Depends on how far you want to go....750 hp not out of the question, but certainly not "street-able".

[fryedaddy]

i understand the car needs to be set up right for a small inch fe to perform.i guess the original question meant in a well set up car.i guess a better question is how much power can you get out of a 390

Depends on how far you want to go....750 hp not out of the question, but certainly not "street-able".

where is the street-able cut off at 600,650?

[Russ67Scode]

And in about 3 months we will see if a very streetable 8 second car is possible
Big inch Blair Patrick FE with twin turbo's and EFI

 
Not to derail this thread, but....THIS would be interesting to hear more about! (but in another thread when the time comes)

Doug look at my thread   http://fepower.net/simplemachinesforum/index.php?topic=4285.0
It has a Dyno sheet of the engine with a carb on it NO turbos at 9 to 1 and using 93 octane

[Barry_R]

Making 1.27 pounds of torque per cubic inch from a large displacement, 9:1 compression, hydraulic roller FE with minimal tuning is indeed a very impressive number.