Need advise and coaching
 

I want to start racing again. Stock or bracket maybe both on weekends.

I had a 65 Mustang back in the 70s that I modified and got really good results with 410 gears, 320 duration cam, dual point plate, and 850 CFM carburetor...high 12s and lots of fun.

I want to have that fun again but I don't know anything about cars of today. Any recommendations on a car/truck to start with? Is there something that has really good performance from a weight to horsepower ratio? What has plenty of parts available that a working guy can afford?

Any recommendations on modifications that give you a good bang for you buck but keeps me in a class I can compete in as a new comer?

Is there a good place to look for a car?

Thanks for your help and hope to see you at the track soon,
Steve

Re: Need advise and coaching
 

if you do not mind buying a different car. do a search on "dime rocket"

Re: Need advise and coaching
 

Well Steve, good luck. My best advice is to pick any Chevy with a big carburetor. Parts are cheap compared to Ford and Mopar.

Re: Need advise and coaching
 

Hi Steve and welcome back. If you have the time and budget to do some class racing I say go for it. You don't have to spend a lot of money if you don't want to there are lots of cars put there they can be purchased at a reasonable cost, they might not be the fastest in the class but you will be in the game and will have just as much fun. I happen to see a car on Facebook a couple days ago that might interest you. I don't know much about the car but I know the seller and he's a good guy. Here's a link to the racingjunk add.

https://lm.facebook.com/l.php?u=http...qToOEA9JBQ&s=1

Good luck and have fun!

Re: Need advise and coaching
 

I know of a Ford Stocker,
http://classracer.com/classforum/showthread.php?t=65270

http://www.racingjunk.com/Stock-Supe...-SA-GREAT.html

Re: Need advise and coaching
 

Buy something after it goes down the track and crosses the scales, it will be a better value.

Re: Need advise and coaching
 

Now that right there is some good advice! If you're going to buy, go to a sanctioned event, let the owner qualify the car and race the event, and take the car home right from there.

Re: Need advise and coaching
 

Buy my car! I'll get you started.

http://classracer.com/classforum/showthread.php?t=65843

Re: Need advise and coaching
 

Hey Steve...just a few thoughts to add to your process...there are a good number of cars .5 -.7 under...reasonably priced...all brands...yeah-yeah...surely the GM cars on "surface" seem least expensive...not always true...if...your class choice varies from A-J or K-P...pretty significant cost difference for A-J car...so how fast U wish to go...budget...comes into play...AND...if...you have designs on "flying"...it won't matter much ($)...whether U go to the Tillburg (GM) or Kuntz & Co. (Ford) folks...just a sampling of two of very best..."hoss"...it's gonna' cost U...!!!...:D...dime rocket good to think about (based on your budget-whatever that is)...at the track/event...seeing is believing car/performance...good too...hope all works out for U...jump in the "pool"..:D...it's lots of fun...not EZ..for sure...but...fun indeed!-Drake

Re: Need advise and coaching
 

Drake, I can't keep from noticing that U seem to have a "hangup" with the letter U. U aren't building one of those nasty 302/2V FFFords are U?

Re: Need advise and coaching
 

Hey Billy...not quite smart enough...to build one...BUT...never know....maybe silly enough to purchase...a good one !!! ...only use U...'cause 3 letter words...(you)...could/can be a issue !!! with my computer guru one finger typing skills:):):)- Drake

Re: Need advise and coaching
 

I would be happy to offer reasonably priced consulting services - not internet opinions and advise. Fact based analysis and data (spreadsheets) to assist with your choices. Not on a website but through personal email exchanges and phone calls.

Information is worth what you pay for it. If it costs nothing - you can figure out what it is worth.

I do not have a car for sale - I would not recommend which one to buy but I would give you multiple options much like I do in business when there is a decision to be made.

You weigh the risk and reward to make your decision.

Everybody can give you an opinion. I can give you options.


Ron

Re: Need advise and coaching
 

Steve don't get fooled, there's lots of good advise from very talented people on this site and its free! All you have to do is sort through it and decide what's best for you, like I said earlier good luck and if I can be of assistance pm me.

Re: Need advise and coaching
 

:):):)Hey James...like your thinking too...!!!...imagine that...plenty of longtime/successful racers right here on Class Racer...without getting involved with some broker "deal"...at my advanced age...I don't get offended too easily...long ago graduate cum laude of anger management...lol...however...readily willing to compare experience(s),success,accomplishments (verifiable stuff),"credentials"...since 1958...with pretty much any "broker" "cat"...not speaking for Billy Nees (he likes my U's...too)...BUT he has been at this drag racing adventure...a very long time...on this level...has forgotten more than I'll ever know about Stock/Super-Stock racing...'nuff said-:):):)Drake

Re: Need advise and coaching
 

I second what Mr. Hill said: go to a sanctioned event, buy the car, and take it home from there. Only way that you'll know, beyond a reasonable doubt (sorry...the lawyer in me), that you're going to get what you think you paid for.

Too many stories floating around about "good cars" that get into the hands of a new owner without the same stuff it'd had prior.

As for recommended combo's? Depends on your budget. Going fast costs $ and, as much as I admire the "dime rockets," there don't seem to be too many of those winning races on the regular.

My $.02.

Re: Need advise and coaching
 

Very good advice. I've heard some of those same stories over the years...engines being changed, carburetors, etc. See it go down the track, buy it and take it home.

Re: Need advise and coaching
 

Steve, Only you can say what you're comfortable driving.. 10 seconds? 15 seconds?
Stick shift? Automatic only?
Brand?
Build your own? Buy turnkey?
As you can see , there are plenty of guys here that are willing to help.
You should probably give us more to work with.
I would be glad to advise you with good advice.

Re: Need advise and coaching
 

Hey Mark...notice that Steve responded to Bob Don...with regard to his good N/SA Caprice for sale...that 10k exceeded his budget...fully respect/regard & understood...Bob or Don Turk (also has good N/SA Grand Am car for sale here on Class Racer )...both @ 10k price level turn-key...SO...budget surely dictates...lower class level effort...which again is a-ok...however frankly...a good quality turn-key car (which both of these certainly are) @ 10k...per Steve exceeds his budget of 8k...at his front door in Texas !!!...I wholeheartedly wish Steve well...not much at all I can perceive within that "budget"...for competitive car...other than "dime rocket"...style...car...but..hey..."wot" do I know...???!!!...a fool like me...ALWAYS has paid "up"...lol...never got any "smarter" either lol !!! :):):)Drake

Re: Need advise and coaching
 

Drake, What can I say?
https://s18.postimg.org/y29m90jbt/untitled.png

Re: Need advise and coaching
 

10K is a great price for a NHRA legal stocker. I have almost 3 times that in my K-L stocker. You can get some great deals on crate motor stockers, didn't work for me cause not enough IHRA tracks around here.

Re: Need advise and coaching
 

Mark...INDEED...not much else you can say...UNLESS...of course...you have further thought/idea on cost of engagement on virtually any competitive stock eliminator car within "realm" of 8k delivered to/in Texas...know you have been a "master" of the "unusual" over the years...and certainly have made 'em all competitive...just a "guess"...think they would all qualify as dime rockets (?)...sure (think so) you look at current calendar...it's 2017...not the '70-80's...the playing field...rulebook...dollar (value) expenditure requirement...just a bit "different"...I wish Steve ALL the best...in all ways...we have not one but two lower class stock eliminator cars (fox body Mustang M/SA)...the 8k "figure"...wouldn't pay 1/2 Kuntz & Company cost of engine...or a bunch of other engine builders...for sure there are good,reputable,engine people all over the country...for less per 'se...BUT...already told you...I ain't the smartest guy !!! lol...in my humble opinion...Bob Don's or Don Turk's cars are GRR-EAT buys @ 10k...don't need to "see" find" a broker...see a friend/family...banker....if one must...borrow a couple thousand...get good,real race car @ outset !!! imagine that !!! lol...'nuff said...Drake p.s.always liked Ricardo "corinthian leather" cat...exuded class...!!! but Tatoo...my "real" favorite...had ALL the hot babes !!! lol