Stick a LS in it and run this.

 

Unless you have a ton of money it will take time. I was young and dumber and I thought that I would drag race my Vette in the local division 7 NHRA bracket ET series. IMO everything in a Vette is the weak link. Everything behind my motor got torn up and then replaced with HD parts. I had some winning years where I got overall runner up, but with all the money I won and contingency pay. All it really meant is I lost less money overall each year.

The Vette IRS stock and drag racing don't go together unless you install thousands of dollars in parts

Road racing. Big difference between competition SCCA, non competition SCCA, and High Performance driving experience.

I spent a lot of money on my vette to have the best cheater car. Big wilwood brakes, coil overs, 5 speed, 7500 rpm 434 ci small block solid roller cam. I even have a spare engine so I would not miss a points race during the season. I won the SCCA vintage production VP3 class in 2007 and then kind of gave up racing my Vette.

I like faster open wheel winged road race cars that were purpose built.

You didn't say what tranny and motor you have?

 

Thats the problem when you own a automatic and drive a manual at the track. Not enough track time driving using a manual gear box. I do get better each visit. Its hard to get the foot off the gas. With my own car I use paddle shifters and can only drive a corvette 5 months of the year. I hope maybe this summer to convert one of my corvette's from a auto to manual to get in some practice. In the mean time it is what it is, just plain fun.

 

Hey guys, thanks for all the helpful tips and advice so far! I apologize for the late response. I'll try to respond to everyone. Didn't think I'd get so many responses To help answer some of the posts. I am running a built TH350. Yes, I know a manual is the way to go, I "might" put a manual in it. As I said, I'm just trying to go a direction.


I was thinking the same thing. But like I said I heard good and bad things about turning these cars into track cars. I do realize that it would be an expensive route, but performance isn't cheap, so I don't think I can avoid spending a pretty penny . I guess I just want to know whether I can do some "decent" upgrades. Like some vb&P suspension, or sharkbite stuff. Just looked at those sites awhile back which gave me the idea maybe it was possible to have a great handling car.

I understand I'll be spending a lot. I guess a budget for me would be around $7-8,000 for just suspension.

Appreciate your opinion! Thanks

 

True, but with any car, if you want to win all the time, it's going to cost a bit of money. I'd just figure I'd like to go to one or two events and not be dead last , if I can get it to handle better than my 2000 Camaro SS, I'd be happy. I thought it'd be cool to modernize the C3. I do plan on putting a roll cage in it, as well as suspension and brake goodies. Just looking for a good time, so long as it puts a smile on my face.

 

Very good write up! I do agree about if I want to win events I'd be better off with a later model vette. But honestly, I just want to have fun, most likely I might ask the guys at the track to put me last so I don't get in peoples way . Considering I'm a newbie and all.

My car is an Auto as well. Haven't decided if I want a manual or not. Kinda want a cruise car that I can just drive and if I want to push the limits I can without killing myself. lol

I plan on flaring the car with some L88 flares, not only for bigger tires but for appearance reasons as well. Looks aggressive to me. But any more tips man would be much appreciated! always good to hear from someone with experience.

 

I agree with you completely. I think that would be wise in my case. First I just want to get my new engine in and enjoy it and start saving money as well as research and learn. But you hit the nail on the head as to what I plan on doing. I just want to race for me, nothing serious, just want to put my Vette to it's limits. Appreciate the advice! Thanks!

 

Well Previous owner made my 74 a car for the track, roll bar, decided to do away with headlights, and fiberglass-ed the whole body.
Actually handles pretty well plenty of power. I have done some stuff to it and made it crazy.
then Now

 

I have 11inch wheels on the back of 68 they hardly stick out, oh I did pass a C6 on the track last summer and 1 supercharged C5zo6. HP + suspension+ brakes= fast+ fun.

 

Well, where is your location and where is the closest track? Maybe someone on here knows the folks that go there and can help you out?

These sites can help locate what is near you and anyone else.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_auto_racing_tracks_in_the_United_States


http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Main_Page

Don't forget to check youtube for views of rides around your track of choice. See how it is done.

 

Great fun and you don't have to go crazy with the modifications. Spend and modify what you are comfortable with. You can always set it up for road race tracks and still bracket race too.

I've run 12.8 @ 108 mph in the 1/4 mile using same setup as I use for road courses, even including good DOT performance tires. Nothing blindingly fast, but not too shabby.

Having done bracket racing and HPDE's (open track events), I prefer road courses. You get to spend about 2 hours on the track in a day versus a few minutes. Drag racing is still fun for me, but I tend to do more track days lately.

As far as the frame stiffness go, I've done three things: (1) bolt-in support between front a-arms, (2) welded some extra stiffeners down the side frame rails, and (3) 4 point roll bar.

 

To be brutally honest, if you're unwilling to convert to a manual box then road course type tracking/performance may not be the best sector of the hobby on which to spend your time, effort and money. Yes, when it comes down to black and white it's that important of a decision.

Also, I'd suggest adjusting your perspective to that of building a trackable street car rather than the other way around. That way your learning curve and development of your car are more likley to progress at the same pace.

JMHO


TSW

 

Jason, I ran a track day at Putnam last fall sponsored by the Ohio Porsche guys. Just two Corvettes there (me and a new ZR1). Perhaps we'll run into each other at Putnam some day (probably could've phrased that differently ).

 

Yeah that would be fun ... just don't run into me . However, since that is my home track I joined the "Club" so I mainly run out at Putnam when they are not doing HPDE's (i.e. private sessions). It has it bonuses like almost unlimited track time and not hardly any traffic to deal with. However, I do miss running in groups ever once and a while with a bit more traffic, which can be fun also.

You intending on going to the NCM's track in the future? This year is a bit tight on cash because we are trying to find a new house with a bigger garage, but I might sign up for some HPDE's next year at NCM, Road America, or Gingerman. Haven't decided yet. Gingerman has been bad luck for me (break down ever time I go there ) so I'll need to find a trailer if I go there ... I'm getting superstitious.

How did you do at Putnam? There are so few C3's that run out there it is hard for me to make a decent comparison. I'm running 1:27's currently. The grey GrandSport in the first video, which was taking it quite easy that lap, usually runs about 1:22's I believe.

Prior to racing seat and roll bar ........................................ ....... Post seat and roll bar mod (dropped 2-3 seconds)

 

If you want to make a small fortune racing, start with a large one!

 

Thanks for the links, I'll be sure to check them out!

The track I want to go to is in Wampum PA, called Pittsburgh National Race Complex. I never been there before so any reviews from anyone here would be nice. Ot's the only one I know of that is closest to me. I live near Pittsburgh. The track is about 55 miles away from me. So it's a little far, but would be nice to go once or twice a year.

 

Yeah, I'm planning on getting my rear end completely replaced with Tom's rear end. Or anyone that upgrades our rear-ends. I have a few people in mind that I find on the forum. Just got to choose who when the time comes.

Anyway, I'm running a 383ci N/A with around 460hp at the crank with a TH350 with a 10" Torque Converter 2900-3300 Stall.

 

That will be a fun starting point. My advice is to not take little baby steps on improvements. It costs more in the long run.

If you are going drag racing just buy two cheap 10X15 rims and a set of slicks. It is very easy to install a line lock to the brake master cylinder. I removed my passenger seat and I would throw my slicks and a floor jack in and I would drive to the drag strip. I bought a practice tree and really worked on getting near perfect lights.

Don't go to events and try and learn. Get on line and find out when they have test and tunes or like here they have open track Fridays. I get there right when it opens because all the street racers show up later. Last year I did 10 runs basically right in a row. I went down the track and drove back around and right back up to the line.

I had the TCI roll control line lock. roll through so the rear tires were just past the water dip. You stomp on the brake and push the line lock. Then you let off the foot brake so your front tires are locked. I would put the shifter in second and bring the speedometer up to 90 mph and count to 3. About 3 seconds and let off the line lock so with the rear tires smoking the car would roll forward. I would let off the gas and go up and pre-stage.

Once you have done it 100 times it gets easy and it is just another sunday drive. The big thing is being able to change and adjust your dial in time with changing conditions to be within a few 1/100th of second from the car can really do. so you are always running hard to the end and only jumping on the brakes if you are out front. So you win with reaction time and being right on your dial in time without breaking out.

 

Now powered by a destroked LS7 as told to me by Danny himself at SEMA. I hear rumors of a certain 2nd place finishing Red 65 C2 Vette undergoing an LS swap right now......wonder who's car that could be

 

I agree, I find events to have to much pressure. I never ran at a strip either, and quite honestly I'm nervous to mess up . Was going to go at a test and tune day with my 2000 camaro ss. But was afraid to do terrible lol. I'll have to practice on a tree, sounds like a great idea. Hopefully eventually I get a line lock sometime in the future. Really appreciate the advice. Thanks! I'll be sure to try to get to my track early.