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Posted by: campbellcj Sep 6 2003, 09:34 PM

Went to a wedding reception today and it turned out the groom is one of those middle-aged "reformed bachelor" types...the house decor was kind of a crackup. Anyways, he is a serious NHRA drag racer of some sorts. Car is a Pro Stock Pontiac with an alum-head 583(?) CI Chebby, MSD crankfire ignition, large alloy radiator, and a bunch of other electronics and stuff I didn't really recognize. The carb was about the size of a dinner plate, and he is thinking about going to duals. The header collectors were like 4-5". I think they said it runs mid-8's or so.

What a trip. I have never really been around this "crowd" before. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.

Posted by: ChrisReale Sep 6 2003, 09:37 PM

Yea, its pretty cool, and I like to go fast and all, but I need to make turns and have handling come into play. To me, thats what its all about. Powerful engines are nice, but a well driven sports car really excites me

Posted by: seanery Sep 6 2003, 09:38 PM

I like that crowd!

I'm a street rodder (who doesn't have one) as well as a P-car guy!

I'd love a 426 Hemi powered deuce!
or a 29 roadster on 32 rails with a buick finned drums, a flatty, lakes pipes......

Posted by: campbellcj Sep 6 2003, 09:50 PM

Amen to the turning thing. I'm sure that an 8-sec quarter mile is a total RUSH...but it's over in 8 seconds, LOL. These things have essentially no suspensions; super stiff springs and small shocks up front, but very little wheel travel from what I could tell.

Posted by: seanery Sep 6 2003, 10:53 PM

The rear tires are essentially the moving point in the suspension.

Posted by: Brad Roberts Sep 6 2003, 10:58 PM

It wasnt a Pro-Stock car.. they are running in the 6.90's at over 205 mph on 500ci's with twin 1300CFM Holley dominators. He is probably running NHRA competition elminator (probably the 7.99 index class)

Can you tell I have a clue about drag racing ?? LOL.


Actually.. I think its harder to launch a car on 15 inch wide slicks with 1300HP and keep it pointed straight for 1/4 mile than it is to go around a corner. Lots of chassis tuning in a Comp car or a Pro-Stock car. The rear ends have at least 9 different adjustment points..plus adjustable Koni's coil overs. 1 degree of pinion angle change can decide if you win or lose.

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Posted by: Brad Roberts Sep 6 2003, 11:00 PM

Actually they limit the front wheel travel on purpose. If the suspension "droops" during launch.. its considered wasted motion... so they limit it to a small amount. They would rather the wheels lift off the ground slightly to reduce roll resistance during launch and have the car sit on the wheelie bars for the first 60-80 feet.


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Posted by: ChrisReale Sep 6 2003, 11:02 PM

I like how they wrinkle the rear tires during launch. That is horsepower

Posted by: campbellcj Sep 6 2003, 11:32 PM

I dunno for sure that it is a ProStock car; the owner was too busy doing the "groom" thing to talk about it much, but that's what somebody told me. It is an old(er) car. The stickers went back to the 90s (at least) and thru 2001. He is doing some major work on it right now to get it back out.

Unfortunately I couldn't get a look at the rear end / suspension because the rear bodywork was on.

I'd like to experience a high-G launch like that once before I get too old. Stopping must be interesting too...

Posted by: ChrisReale Sep 6 2003, 11:47 PM

Posted by: Brad Roberts Sep 6 2003, 11:51 PM

The negative G's are almost as much as the launch G's. They launch HARD. Up to 3 G's in a Pro Stock car.

We should go take the Frank Hawley drag racing school at Pomona one day when I have money.


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Posted by: campbellcj Sep 7 2003, 01:01 AM

Wow. The car I saw today looked "similar" but there happened to just be an IHRA event on Speed and the ProStock winner did a 6:06 @ 209 (approx). Holy cubic inches, batman.

Next time we see these people, I'll learn more about the guy and his car.

Posted by: Brad Roberts Sep 7 2003, 01:05 AM

IHRA Pro Stock is completely different from NHRA Pro Stock. IHRA can run "Mountain Motors" with tons of cubic inches (638Ci) NHRA has had a 500CI limit for almost 30 years now...and they still run 6.90's.

Its a blast. I wish I had more time for it...



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