Thread: engine/tranny combo./low 13s

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Hey guys! I have a 1950 Chevy 3100 that I plan on bracket racing in May when the season starts. I am planning on running a 350 and a 700R4. I know that the setup itself is a good one, but am not sure that it is going to allow me to run what I need to. I need to be able to run low 13s. Would anyone mind giving a few suggestions/opinions as to whether this will work, or any better ideas? I'd very much appreciate it. Thanx!!

First off, let me say I am always skeptical when someone with zero posts comes on and says something like this. I apologize if you are serious, but I have to think that maybe someone is just having a little fun with us.

Now, assuming you ARE serious, I don't see 13's happening with this combo. Wrong size truck, and not enough HP. This has 16 seconds written all over it, maybe more. It would make a nice street combo, but not for racing.

Again, assuming you are serious, get yourself something like an S10 (if you have your heart set on a drag truck) and put the 350 in there. You will have a better shot at reaching your goal, but even that is going to take some better HP and traction to do it. Everybody thinks 13's are so easy to obtain.............they aren't. It takes a lot of things to happen to push a car that fast down a 1/4 mile.

Don

Don~ I AM being serious. One of the guys at the Stovebolt suggested this site to me, because they thought that I could get better help. I never thought that 13s were easy to obtain, that's why I asked for help. I'd be fine with even hitting 13.5s. I just need to be able to go below 14s. And, I don't want to be taking an S-10 down the track. I build them (yes, I build them from an open frame up), and they're fine for everyday use, but not what I want for the track. So, if you could actually help me out and suggest anything for my 3100, i'd be appreciative. If not, then maybe I came to the wrong place.

Try a 540" with Dart heads

Jerry

Ok, I apologize. Like I said, my radar kind of goes up when a new poster comes on with a question about "I have this car and want it to go this fast." It is impossible to see if the guy on the other end asking the question is for real or some 12 year old kid who is bored.

Familiarize us with the 3100 truck. I envision this as being a step up from the normal 1/2 ton size........is that correct?

Don

It is a 1/2 ton pickup. I am putting in a Ford 9" rear (not sure what gears), a front end disc brake conversion, and keeping the original straight axel up front. The truck itself sits about 6'2" in heighth, and I'm not sure of the length.

Thanks Denny!! That's probably the most useful information that I've received yet. It's much appreciated!

What is the rest of the rear suspension going to be???? Trucks are notoriously traction challenged because of the lack of rear weight.... Might also want to consider lowering the truck a bit, maybe as much engine set back as possible. Takes more then just horsepower to build a consistent bracket racer..... If you have to battle wheelspin every launch, going to be tough to keep your ET's consistent.. It's got to be able to hook hard and launch straight every pass, or the amount of horsepower doesn't really matter.....

Hi Jenny and welcome to here...

How much does the truck weigh? I was running low 13's (13.2s) with a hot 406 BBC (.540 lift ~220 duration, 10.2:1 compression) in a 3400lb car. Granted this is at altitude and would have run mid 12's at sea level.

I think your 350 will need a pretty agressive cam... probably solid lifter making power at least to 6000 (I'll let our resident sbc experts provide more specifics). How big are the tires? I'm thinking a 4.11:1 rear gear unless the tires are especially tall then 4.56:1(?)

3000+ stall converter. 700R4... might be pushing reliability.

How is the rear setup? Could be challenging to keep the power on the pavement.

Strip only or street/strip... pump premium or race gas?

Hard to get enough torque out of a 350 to start a truck moving quickly enough for low 13's....

Or.... you can always spray it

Two cents,

-Chris

Jenny, what you are trying to achieve is fairly easy. Denny posted simple numbersthat actually work on the track. Real world? I have a friend/client up in Denver with my "baby" combo in his 3400 pound truck running 13.90's with a POS combo I don't like but his son runs the truck at Bandemiere every chance he gets and his time sheets don't lie. Simply put, a small cam at 292 adv duration with stock mid range heads (882) at 355 CID, 4.56 gears in the 9 inch rear end and a Q-jet to boot hits the number on the mark with no break downs. The son has played with exhaust and intake combos for two years and the thing runs very consistant on the mark every pass with no difference. Don't give up, it's easy to do it with the right combos and traction to launch.

The good thing about trucks is they generally have plenty of room for a fat tire, so even if they are lighter in the back, traction is possible. I would concnetrate on making the suspension work first, then the engine and torque converter combo. What sort of rear suspension does the 3100 have? Is is leaf spring or was that during the time with the long control arms and coil springs? Another good questions is what is your budget? And, as others have said, is this a dual purpose truck, street and strip or a dedicted bracket racer? Will you drive it to the track or tow it?

Give us a little more info on your plans and I am sure the folks here can help you come up with something that will meet your goals. I love those old round fender trucks!

Pat

The rear has leaf springs, and I plan on having it as a daily driver that I can run on the weekends. I'm not sure if I'm going to tow it to the track or drive it. I'd probably drive it down, though. As to my budget...well, speed's just a matter of money, and I want to go fast.