Thread: 56 Chevy pickup on the strip?

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Howdy Y'All,

Please be gentle. I'm a newbie with visions of drag racing on my mind.

I've got a '56 Chevy shortbox 1/2 ton that I'm hoping to put a 454 and th400 into then go and drag race it.

First, is there a class for old trucks like this?

Next, do you think I am going to get my but kicked because of horsepower to weight ratio?

Thanks!
Zeke

I just watched a big ole '48 Ford stakebed run 11's at the NMRA Nationals a couple weeks ago. He was running a 460 Ford on Nos, and some other stuff too. So, your plan is ok.

When he pulled up the the line the first time, it was pretty funny to see. Big wooden stakebed, mag wheels with woodgrain inlaid spokes, etc. But that truck would haul. The two big nitros bottles in the bed and the shakey idle were slight giveaways though.

As for the class, just run the brackets.

Traction is the big problem with a pickup. I have a mild 5.0 Mustang in my Jeep pickup, and I have to feather it, or it goes up in smoke pretty easy.


Don

You are going to have a nose-heavy vehicle. Traction will be a problem, so I would plan on a large tire size, and move what weight you can to the rear. Battery, fuel cell, and so on.

air is tough, too. It's like trying to fly a barn door down the track, lots of drag. The right suspension, a bit of engine set back, and the right gears will make them launch good. At the big end, they're tough to get much mile an hour out of.

Hows the Ranchero comming along Dave?
Got the engine done for my Ranchero, Boy the site has changed a little since I was last on here. ~ Vegas ~

Old Fords never die they just fade away in front of chevys.