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I have an 85 I want to start racing. I hear the rear end is a major weak point. I think mine is pretty stock, I just got it. What is your opinions? I’m looking at street/strip tires. I know at this point it is the 5.7 TPI ( maybe cammed) ,cold air intake , smog pump delete, and probably stock 700r4. It shifts late and hard though. From a dead stop, I can floor it in OD and it will run up to 6,000+ before it shifts. The stall seems to be 1600-1800, so probably stock.
Welcome to the drag racing section. There are several on here that drag race their C4s. They are not too active here, but they do visit from time to time.
Be patient and you’ll get some solid advice from them.
Lots of C4s out there drag racing and plenty of parts available! How fast do you want to go? The rears start failing when you have big power and try to dead hook it. I've been racing my C4s since the early '90s in various configurations from totally stock to mid 9s in the quarter. Currently downsizing my racing hobby so lots of parts have to go.
Well, it is probably all stock at this point and as the saying goes, you can go as fast as you can afford. So, I guess I’m walking. Probably without a cage I’ll need to be in the 12-13 for some time.
I ran my ‘93 Z07 6 speed a few weeks ago in Gulf Port, MS. It’s all stock with 42,000. Ran a best ET of 13.97 and a fastest speed of 101.5. It was hot and humid, nothing unusual for July on the Gulf Coast. Tires were 275’s on factory 9-1/2” saw blades. Left the line around 2700 with tires spinning a tad when shifting into second for each of the passes.
Beat a blown 350Z and a C5 manual with some mods. OK, the C5 was slow leaving and had a faster speed and quicker ET but I went through the lights first
But the fun was short lived as now the clutch shudders violently. Time to replace it, again. Just replaced it last Sept. This time I’ll ditch the DMF, one less thing to go wrong.
The C4’s were fast in their day. Today ST Explorers are much are quicker. And the Camaros and Mustangs with their 10 speed automatics, low to mid 12’s around 115 mph was a common site.
I’d be interested to know how quick a 383 or a mild LT1 with an Elliot cam and heads. I’m thinking of doing something, really want that old school cammed idle.
Last edited by 66_Soloracer; Aug 19, 2025 at 10:15 AM.
I've been bracket racing my '84 since I bought it new. Been through a number of motors and blew many rear ends. Now have a 406 with a Rossler 4l60e and a 12 bolt rear end. It's been bullet proof for years. Runs mid 10s.
I've got an 85 that i've been bracket racing for about 25 years. The car currently runs low 11s and is very consistent and reliable. It has a forged 406 with Brodix heads and custom intake, a built 700R and chevy 10 bolt 4-link rear end. Still has all the creature comforts including A/C and too many other upgrades to list. I rarely race anymore and would be willing to sell it. Believe me, it would cost you a fortune to update your stockish 85 to match this car. Let me know if your interested. I'm in NY if that matters.
I ran my 96 GS quite a few times at Texas motorplex. Hard to leave with the 6 speed and lite weight aluminum flywheel. I was leaving at idle and running consistent 11.60 @122 mph. The first time I tried to leave @ 2500-3000 It broke the driver outer spindle. No more drag racing my c4. I know what it will run now and have my c3 vette to race with a solid rear axle. It's fun and addicting but can be $$$$$
Wow @GS977 , what mods do you have? That’s incredible.
I was thinking of a 383 or 392 but then I was wondering if it would still be able to hang with the modern muscle cars that have bolt one. Then I thought just heads, cam, and long tube headers to get a little more power and that old school cam lope with maybe low 13’s or high 12’s and enjoy it for what it is. I like the C4’s, do not see many today on the road let alone at local Saturday car shows.
383, Lt4 heads I ported myself, 58mm tb, 12.18:1 comp, gm847 cam, 1.6 RR, electric wp, delteq ignition (Opti eliminated) 42lb injectors, 373 gears, 3in dual exhaust with x pipe, car is heavy. Weights 3375 without me in it.
My 84 which I have been racing for about 15yrs. Started with a stock car that was swapped to a pump gas 427 SBC, TH350 and D44 IRS. 10.40s N/A and 9.00s on nitrous. Eventually I built the 427 into a high compression 434 and went 8.30s@162mph in the 1/4 on the stock IRS suspension with 1.24 60ft best. There were failures of ujoints and outer stub axels but not as bad as you think. Tq converter, power management and suspension setup makes a world of difference drag racing these cars. Also weight... getting light helps alot.... I had to weight 3150lbs back when I still raced with the stock IRS.
Currently it has a 440 SBC on nitrous with a close ratio TH400, 9" rear with S197 3 Link rear suspension for "stock suspension" class racing. I only run 1/8th mile now and have been 4.94@140MPH (that well into the 7s in 1/4) with a best 1.08 60ft on a tiny MT 255 60R15 R drag radial tire. Its been een 1.11 60 on the MT 275 SS street tire..... Currently weight 2950lbs. Still street legal.. heck even the power windows still work.
I haven’t been paying much attention to the heads up classes lately, but is MPC Real Street still running strong? I remember thinking I might fit into that class.
I haven’t been paying much attention to the heads up classes lately, but is MPC Real Street still running strong? I remember thinking I might fit into that class.
Best to you!
Those guys have gotten really fast the past few years. Running basically Ultra rules and 4.60s. And as such they are struggling with 8-10 cars at any given race. I enjoyed the class when I raced it but I was under prepared and perpetually behind the curve when rule changes happend which were too frequently for the level of effort I could do.... It just became too much, so I parked the car until DXP Street came along..... The combo was a more natural fit there and we ran up front in DXP from the second race to the last race for the 3yrs it lasted... We have run up front in Limited Street/235 for the past few years now. My engine is just used up and really outdated- So I've taken the year off to finally finish a new engine..... we'll be good for 2026.
The MPC promotor is trying to get his guys rolled into Limited Street/235 now. I don't know where that's going as Sears probably has way too much on his plate already managing everything else. He's floated the idea a couple of times to the racers and waited months to follow up.... I think it'll be pretty tough slowing 4.60 guys down to 4.80s.... Hes had trouble just keeping the current Limited Street/235 rules in check. Supposedly changes are coming and one of the turbos has already been banned, which surprised me... I'll say from where I've been sitting in racing my entire life- You just never know until it happens.
Will
Any c4s drag?
