Thread: Need help to push vega down the track,sbc

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I have a vega I want to run on the 1/8 mile. I am starting to piece the engine together on a budget (heard that a million times). I was looking at doing a 400 sbc but anything worth doing for the drag strip will have to be a aftermarket block and that kinda blows the budget. Next best thing would be to stroke a 350sbc. Would you guys mind giving your thoughts on a sbc build that will be strictly for the 1/8 mile/no street? I currently have a set of Dart Pro 1 heads , 215 intake runners and 64 cc's. I also plan to eventually run nitrous .Also what would I need to spin it to? Thanks

If for nothing else then the reliablity factor, I'd say sell the small block stuff and put in a big block and a glide.... You will make waaaaaaay more torque at a much lower RPM making the consistency of the car much better..... It's much easier to dial in a big, fat, lazy, low revving big block then it is a peaky small block....

If you have to stay with a small block, then build the biggest stroker you can afford, like a 406, and select the cam, intake, and carb for getting all the torque in at a low rpm, balance the entire rotating assembly, and shift the glide at 6200 rpm.

1/8 mile or quarter mile it doesn't matter.... It is far more important to have a consistent car then it is to have the fastest car..... Consistency and good lights coupled with a low maintenance easy on parts engine will win a whole lot more rounds then a car that will give you your fastest time ever this round.....then be a tenth slower next round!!!!!

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

If for nothing else then the reliablity factor, I'd say sell the small block stuff and put in a big block and a glide.... You will make waaaaaaay more torque at a much lower RPM making the consistency of the car much better..... It's much easier to dial in a big, fat, lazy, low revving big block then it is a peaky small block....

If you have to stay with a small block, then build the biggest stroker you can afford, like a 406, and select the cam, intake, and carb for getting all the torque in at a low rpm, balance the entire rotating assembly, and shift the glide at 6200 rpm.

1/8 mile or quarter mile it doesn't matter.... It is far more important to have a consistent car then it is to have the fastest car..... Consistency and good lights coupled with a low maintenance easy on parts engine will win a whole lot more rounds then a car that will give you your fastest time ever this round.....then be a tenth slower next round!!!!!

I remember you saying that but I think a big block is a little much for the vega. Maybe a little to much for me at this time,I have other high dollar projects,LOL. I am looking for dependabilty of course, but for now just something I can beat the living hell out of at the track More of a learning tool for me and my boys. With your experience how much HP could a stock (509) 400 block handle, filled to the gills of course? Not trying to start a whole 400 sbc are junk thread again....... I have heard 5-600 HP filled no heavy power adders....

Originally Posted by BigTruckDriver

I remember you saying that but I think a big block is a little much for the vega. Maybe a little to much for me at this time. I am looking for dependabilty of course, but for now just something I can beat the living hell out of at the track More of a learning tool for me and my boys. With your experience how much HP could a stock (509) 400 block handle, filled to the gills of course? Not trying to start a whole 400 sbc are junk thread again.......

If you're going there to learn, then don't worry about the horsepower. Go with flat top pistons, dual plane intake, mild hydraulic cam, and shift at 6,000 rpm....
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How fast doesn't matter.... What matters is being consistently good on the lights, and learning to adjust the tune up to the weather conditions to keep the car consistent....

Big horsepower and going fast will teach you absolutely nothing about drag racing competively if you go out first round every week!!!!! Ya gotta go rounds to learn..... Or, the old line "In order to finish first you must first finish" is also relevant...l.....

Once you learn this and the rest of the basics, then build the big horse, low et engine.....

Thats is very true.... Thanks for the knowledge and patience...

Ok back to the build i have the dart heads and would like to use them. To get full use I need to spin the motor to 6000-7000? Still want to go fast,lol

Ya know what???? The best "hired gun" I ever had in any of my drag cars was a 17 year old kid who used to clean the shop after school, and wash cars all day Sunday for the "privilige" of driving my '70 Torino with a Windsor and a c-4.... he spent his first two years of racing in this 15 second bracket car..... Then went on to be Divisional Champ in Super Comp after 3 years of very successfully driving a Super Gas car.....


with the 15 second bracket car, if he was out on the guy, then still ahead at the 1000' mark he would flip on the A/C to keep from breaking out!!!!!!!!

I have had 4 Vegas, 1-panel, 3 hatchbacks, 1 with a 427 (ordered a 454, they deliverd a 427 ), other 3 with sbc, I won't do another bbc, it was nose heavy, & had to make a custom streeing shaft to clear thru the headers. Fun car, full frame. My sbc ones were alot more fun anytime, track or street.
V8 Vega = Leave for work late, get there early.

Pat

Probably being to nose heavy and just to much for the small vega keeps me from doing a BBC. If you guys still have some sugestions for running a sbc with the heads I have I am still open for ideas.....

Originally Posted by BigTruckDriver

I have a vega I want to run on the 1/8 mile. I am starting to piece the engine together on a budget (heard that a million times). I was looking at doing a 400 sbc but anything worth doing for the drag strip will have to be a aftermarket block and that kinda blows the budget. Next best thing would be to stroke a 350sbc. Would you guys mind giving your thoughts on a sbc build that will be strictly for the 1/8 mile/no street? I currently have a set of Dart Pro 1 heads , 215 intake runners and 64 cc's. I also plan to eventually run nitrous .Also what would I need to spin it to? Thanks

If you have a 350 block why not build a 383 with splayed 4-bolt caps.
Because of your head port volume I would look at mech. roller cams with a small base circle that pulls to 7,500 rpm's, 265 at .050,also with a cam this size you will need to run the comp. ratio at 12.0 to 12.5 to 1.
I would look at a 4,000 to 4,500 stall,tans. brake,4.56 gear.

Here a pic for inspiration. Its just for set up though.... As soon as i get my power glide crossmember from Don Hardy I will drop it in. In about a week..... Easier said then done I also have the Transdapt motor mount kit and the Hooker Super Comp headers.

i work in lubbock TX for a very short time .i was told don hardy was building pumps for water wells??

Originally Posted by pat mccarthy

i work in lubbock TX for a very short time .i was told don hardy was building pumps for water wells??

He is , but apperently still has a little passion for vegas. He still sells some parts but his main work is huge irrigation systems.

I bet this guy surprises a lot of people with the little tires

now thats cool

Done a one for a guy several years ago with a bbc rodded 406 small blockwith Brodix aluminun 10X raised runner flowed heads with Utra Dyne Roller cam and Plain Victor intake with holley 850 on NOS ran 5.12 in 1/8.