well how many guys are working on truck based hot rods?

[406shark]

I made some changes over the winter on my truck. Looking to make it a little quicker, and more consistent. Had a CM round tube backhalf done, cut some weight out of it, and stuffed a set of Hoosier 29.5 x 11.50w tires under it.

These are from my first trip to the track. So far my best is a 10.067 @ 133.78 mph with only a 1.414 60'. I'm sure there is more in it once I can get the suspension dialed in. I didn't change anything to do with power, just the backhalf and weight loss. I wanted a true idea of what the improvement were from last season. After I get the suspension dialed in, then I'll install new plugs, adjust valves, check timing, etc.. Already have some ideas for next winter.


Jeff

 

[Indycars]

So far my best is a 10.067 @ 133.78 mph with only a 1.414 60'.

Damn....oh so close to a NINE second truck! But like you said there is more to be had.
Pretty damn impressive for just 383 cuin!!!

 

[406shark]

So far my best is a 10.067 @ 133.78 mph with only a 1.414 60'.

Damn....oh so close to a NINE second truck! But like you said there is more to be had.
Pretty damn impressive for just 383 cuin!!!

lol

Yep... I"m sure I'll get into the 9's soon. It was hot and humid down in Bowling Green Ky where I ran it last weekend. Hoping the weather up here in Minnesota is better for racing when I take it out next time.

Thanks... not bad for only 543 HP, and it's going on its 4th season of racing without a tear down of any kind.


Jeff

 

[grumpyvette]

getting a truck into the very low 10 second range with a 383 small block based engine, and an automatic transmission, is always rather impressive , but doing it with a production block, based engine and running it for 4 years with out a problems VERY impressive!
Ive seen way to many guys do similar 383 sbc engine builds (especially if they use nitrous) and consistently be plagued with bearing durability issues, because a stock small blocks main caps even on a 4 bolt main cap block, tend to move around at that level of stress.

 

[Indycars]

Hoping the weather up here in Minnesota is better for racing when I take it out next time.

I can't remember who, but we have someone that is in the ARTIC CIRCLE. Maybe
you should move there and try to break into the 8's!!! :lol:

Be sure and study up on carb tuning before you go.

How about some background on yourself and how you got to where you are
today. I'm (pretty) sure you didn't put that truck into the 9's on your first
hotrod build.

 

[406shark]

getting a truck into the very low 10 second range with a 383 small block based engine, and an automatic transmission, is always rather impressive , but doing it with a production block, based engine and running it for 4 years with out a problems VERY impressive!
Ive seen way to many guys do similar 383 sbc engine builds (especially if they use nitrous) and consistently be plagued with bearing durability issues, because a stock small blocks main caps even on a 4 bolt main cap block, tend to move around at that level of stress.

Thanks.

I've been keeping the engine RPM under 7500. I shift at only 6700 rpm, and this year I was trapping at 7300 - 7400 per my memory tach. I plan on pulling the engine out over the winter and freshening it up with bearings, rings, and a valve job.


Jeff

 

[406shark]

Hoping the weather up here in Minnesota is better for racing when I take it out next time.

I can't remember who, but we have someone that is in the ARTIC CIRCLE. Maybe
you should move there and try to break into the 8's!!! :lol:

Be sure and study up on carb tuning before you go.

How about some background on yourself and how you got to where you are
today. I'm (pretty) sure you didn't put that truck into the 9's on your first
hotrod build.

I spent years playing with big block Mopars. They were all just street strip cars. This S-10 is my first race only build... and my first full small block Chevy build. I did a ton of research for this build. I picked parts based on what would work well with the other parts... I think that was probably one of the "secrets" to my build. I see way too many guys start throwing mismatched parts at a car and wonder why it won't go down the track quick. There are more than a few guys I hang with that have anywhere from 80 - 150 HP more than me and can't run with my truck.Their package isn't matched to work well together. I can't afford to waste my money, so I spend more time doing research before buying parts.

I've done everything on this myself except for the cage and chassis (I don't trust my life to my welding skills). I got a really great deal on my backhalf... or I wouldn't have been able to get it done. So far I love the 4 link and the Strange double adjustable shocks. I upgraded to a wishbone instead of the normal diagonal link, and also had my old ARB reinstalled. My chassis guy recommended the Racecraft springs... not sure why, but I went with them on his suggestion. The rear springs are 85# rated ones.

Here are links to what I had installed:

http://www.appliedracing.com/4-link-kit ... ckets.html

http://www.appliedracing.com/track-loca ... ld-on.html

http://www.appliedracing.com/anti-roll- ... l-kit.html

http://www.strangeengineering.net/catalog/index.html

http://www.racecraft.com/index.php?main ... ucts_id=85

The CM round tube backhalf, with all parts and labor was done for a price too cheap to turn down.


I also added a Fab 9 rear housing with new Moser axles... I bought it from someone that had it mocked in a car, but never driven. I sold my old rear housing and Moser axles... then added $200.00 to it for the Fab 9 with new axles. Actually I broke even, cause I didn't have to pay to have my old housing and axles cut down. Sometimes you're just lucky.

Part of my weight loss program included all new brakes. Got rid of the stock front discs, and the stock ford disc brakes. I bought a set of Aerospace race disc brakes with 4 piston calipers on all 4 corners. Dropped just under 75 pounds doing that... and I can easily make the first turnoff trapping at 133+ mph.

http://shop.aerospacecomponents.com/4pi ... gbody.aspx - front

http://shop.aerospacecomponents.com/rea ... lstud.aspx - rear

Aerospace had a sale at the end of the year. Watch for it.

I've got pictures of just about all the modifications done to this truck. If anyone wants pictures, or information about putting one of these trucks together let me know.


Jeff

 

[406shark]

Just a quick update...

Finally got a chance to scale the truck. The weight loss program worked better than expected.


weight without me...

weight with me...

Almost forgot to add... the race weight last season was 2920 with me. All weights were taken race ready.


Jeff

 

[grumpyvette]

FIRST, CONGRATS on the weight loss, and building a darn impressive car that I,m sure most of us would be very proud too own, and I,m sure ,the reduced weight will provide a very noticeable gain in acceleration.
one of the "SECRETS" many guys IGNORE is that a great deal of your cars performance potential is based on the POWER TO WEIGHT RATIO, most guys concentrate on building an engine to produce more power and totally forget about or ignore the other end of the equation (REDUCING WEIGHT) and reducing weight has added benefits, like less parts breakage, faster acceleration, better braking and generally a good deal less expensive parts required to get the car to run fast.

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[406shark]

FIRST, CONGRATS on the weight loss, and building a darn impressive car that I,m sure most of us would be very proud too own, and I,m sure ,the reduced weight will provide a very noticeable gain in acceleration.
one of the "SECRETS" many guys IGNORE is that a great deal of your cars performance potential is based on the POWER TO WEIGHT RATIO, most guys concentrate on building an engine to produce more power and totally forget about or ignore the other end of the equation (REDUCING WEIGHT) and reducing weight has added benefits, like less parts breakage, faster acceleration, better braking and generally a good deal less expensive parts required to get the car to run fast.

Thanks!... and EXACTLY!



Jeff

 

[grumpyvette]

just a few older custom trucks you might like to use for a guide

 

[87vette81big]

:mrgreen:
How about a Suburban or 2 Grumpy ?
Real Heavy Metal on Wheels.
Dream of A BBC In mine.

 

[grumpyvette]

yeah! I assume youll eventually notice the early hemi powered truck

 

[87vette81big]

Maintence on Blondes of Middle Age can be overwhelming $$$$$.
Spend 500k on ya Grumpy.
Leave you broke.
I will take that Blown 392 Hemi Race Truck instead.

 

[philly]

been meaning to tinker with the old ball n chain's truck... 2011 silverado black on black single cab short bed. (i call it the 1LE package because its manual door locks and crank windows) it has a 4.8lsx in it that i would love to atleast throw a cam and heads on (or BOOOOSSSTTTT) but she wants a lift kit and i cant drag race lifted shit.. its just not my style. a set of weld wheels and a pro tire out back.... slammed to the ground with some suspension tricks and some ballasts for traction? now were talkin!

 

[87vette81big]

Lifted trucks can handle Ok Phil.
Just don't go overboard lifting it. 3-4 inch works nice.
Good tires & Premium gas charged shocks.
Eternal Tank Nitro shocks work best.
Big off road tires take a while to break in.
2000 miles .
Then rubber grips good.

My old Suburban has a factory 3 inch lift.
Come Vortec era & LS1 They lowered.

 

[2Loose]

The '58 truck has been on the road now for 17 years. The 502 still runs great...
But been having problems with the tranny, so I put a new, hotter Th400 in it...

Welded up an aluminum rack to carry around my surfboards and hawaiian style canoe...
And putting new headers and mufflers in, the old ones lasted 17 years....

When I pull out of my driveway at 5 to 6 am to catch good water before the infamous Maui wind comes up, my noisy exhaust is annoying the neighbors, and they're good folks, so I gotta quiet this beast down...

Ok, let's quiet this 502 down a bit. I decided to try the Dynomax VT mufflers...

And sticking with the Hooker Super Comps, but ordered them coated this time, the last time I just painted them with high temp flat black...

And just in case I happen to find myself down at our local drag strip, I'm looking at adding a pair of the Race Ready electric cutouts...

Don't have a lift, so this is jack stands and creeper style work, and it won't set any speed records, because at age 73 I don't move as fast as I used to....

Aloha,
Willy

More Later...
The Truck's Home Page
An Older Home Page...

 

[Indycars]

For 17 years of good service, the ole girl deserved a nice face lift !

 

[grumpyvette]

I love the look of the sleek kayak style canoe the truck and the fact its big block 502 powered with a built TH400 transmission.
let us know how well those dynomax mufflers work out please!
can you post pictures of the installed exhaust system?

 

[2Loose]

can you post pictures of the installed exhaust system?

Will Do