Race truck

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Mar 6, 2007 | 10:58 PM

BlueOvalfan85

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Race truck

Hello, y'all!

I want to build up a '73-'79 truck for drag racing.

What year is the best, lightest, and powerful?

Short bed or long bed?

What engine should I use?

What do you think I should do?

Give me your opinions and thoughts! They would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

Mar 6, 2007 | 11:02 PM

Torque1st

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Build a tube frame and use a fiberglass shell for a body. These trucks are ALL heavy and it does not matter what year, you will want max cubes with a FE or 385 series engine.

Mar 6, 2007 | 11:28 PM

BlueOvalfan85

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That's a bit extreme, going to a tube frame and fiberglass body. I want to keep it all steel.

I would like to at least get into the 12's or 13's.

Last edited by BlueOvalfan85; Mar 6, 2007 at 11:31 PM. Reason: Add more and delete a bit

Mar 7, 2007 | 04:32 AM

Dave Severson

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From: Madison, SD

You're going to have to put the truck on a serious diet....weight reduction is like free horsepower. I'm with Torque on the 385 series engine, the only thing better then big cubic inches is more cubic inches. I'd consider a stroker kit and concentrate on building some big torque numbers in the engine. For rear suspension, ladder bars and coilovers work great and on the front an IFS. As for the weight reduction, I always tell people that maybe I can't find a place to lose 100 pounds, but I bet I can find 100 places to save 1 pound.... Good luck with your project and have fun with the build...

Mar 7, 2007 | 05:45 AM

Torque1st

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Goooood luck!

Mar 7, 2007 | 06:00 AM

ford141

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From: Backwoods of western Pa

The 13s really aren't too hard for these trucks, just do a mild 429-460 buildup, a 3.73 rear with a good posi, a c6 with a shift kit, and a set of ladder bars or other device to control axle wrap. With good tuning and a good set of heads and a matched cam and intake package, you should be able to break into the 12s with traction.

Look for droppedf100 on this forum, he is running a mild 460 on spray and goes 11.40's, I think he said 13s on just the motor.

Mar 7, 2007 | 12:26 PM

Pro-Street/StateTK

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From: East Flat Rock NC

BlueOvalfan85

I think that if you are wanting a '' Drag racing "" Truck , and you do chose
to go with lots of ponys under the hood, at some point you will want a big
wide set of tires on the rear, granted you can race without them, But if you
really want the ''power to the pavement'' then you may want to think about
going "" Pro-Street "" moving the leaf springs inside the frame is a great way
to do it (without cuting your truck in ( HALF )!

P.S. I have an article on (fte) at the top click Articles/Specs, it can be
found under suspension/streering! Or at the bottom of my post in blue.

P.ss. If you do want to do it the way I have done a 77 and a 65, I would
help answer any questions I would be glad to help, I have some good pics in
my gallery of the leafs moved inboard on my 65! I would like to adds pics to
the article later.

Wally Womack

Last edited by Pro-Street/StateTK; Mar 7, 2007 at 12:37 PM.