So, I'm at the point where I need to figure out my goals and make a decision. Chassis work is complete (Small tire car with a 10 point CM cage). Long block is done and about ready to drop in. Motor makes 575 or so NA, I figure it'll push the car to around 10 flat as built. That would be as quick as anything I've driven.

However, I can't get past the idea of throwing an F1R on it and going for the 8 second zone. I don't hold an NHRA license, and the costs add up pretty quickly past 9.99. I could always put the car together to run NA now, and add the blower later, but then I'm changing fueling and quite a bit else.

I need you guys to sway me. For those with reasonably quick cars, is it worth it? Now's my chance to build the car the way I want, but I don't want to end up with something that's no fun due to cost and upkeep.

If your going to go through the headaches make it worth it. I've seen guys go through all the trouble of certs and everything else just to run 9.90. My car was built to run 10.00s .. But I am now in the 9.80s in the heat. Before it would run 9.99- 10.10.

I had a lot more fun running 10.0-10.20.. way
less expensive but I got the bug to run quicker
and the price tag went up

If your local tracks require all the certified BS that goes along w/ running faster than 10 flat, then I'd put it together N/A for now and see how you like it. You can always change it later.

It's definitely a financial commitment to run faster.

Talk to your uncle John about running quicker than 10.00!
It's not just a cost factor! It's putting all that stuff on each and every time you run! If you don't work at a steel mill the jacket, collar, pants and gloves are great on a 90 degree day!
MJ

I remember Bob Chejlava dialing his 'Cuda 10:03 after running 9:91 in time runs on a 90+ degree day. I asked him why, and he said "I don't want to put all that hot crap on.

I wondered if you'd see this and chime in. It seems like running NA is the smart thing to do, but who doesn't want to go faster?

I want to have the car running this year, so putting it together to run in the 10's is probably the best option right now.

I remember one year at the NATS..it was 99*
and at the end of each run my wife had a ice
soaked rag to put around my neck to cool off..
I put a thermocouple in the car and it read 151*
but thats when my car was black... way too hot

I look at it this way. Does your skin burn worse in a 10 second car or a 9 second car? We just had a members everyday vehicle catch on fire and luckily they weren't in the car going down the road. I see race cars with rubber fuel line and screw type hose clamps on almost any given weekend. After 5 fire extinguishers I finally stopped being Johnny on the spot and being an active fire fighter at the track. Not one person even asked if they could replace my extinguisher. Guess they were to cheap to put one in their own car so why replace mine. Think about your safety in terms of health, not ET.

Think that jacket and pants are too hot???

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rm3DFI9ERlY

SAFETY, should be at the top of every ones list.

John,
Give me a call some time and we can get real serious about this.
I think you should build it for 10.00 and slower. Get all the bugs out of the drive train and chassis!! At the same time get used to the car and maybe get yourself out of a couple of unexpected situations. That way when you decide it's time to go faster you'll be more prepared!
In my case this year alone a new helmet around $300.00 and a new trans shield around $500.00 just to pass tech at Route 66!!
Uncle John

Will do, I may look you up this weekend. Thanks!

From previous cars, I have a -15 suit, -15 gloves, fireboots and a hans device. Short of a street car, I now wear it all in ANY car I climb into. Why? because I have it and it increases my safety should something happen. On very hot days I wear an ice vest. Keeps me plenty comfortable.

Amazes me..........instead of dialing a 9.90, you dial a 10.20 so you don't have to wear all the safety gear. Is your azz worth any less because you dial 3/10 slower?

Too hot to race?..........get a boat instead

It's better to run what you have then set out another year building a project

You beat me to it Monte.

I guess I should of explained better, even at 10.10 I was wearing all the required safety equipment for 9s and my car was still cert to 8.50s.

I would build it as fast as you really want to go and get the correct safety equipment. I the long run you will be happier and safer to boot. Trust me no one hates hot days more than me. That's a tiny car I have and it gets hot inside really quick.

My little 470 BB runs easy 9's, drives great and is a blast on the street/strip and even has home ported RPM heads w/a bit over standard port opening. I'm more impressed w/n/a cars on the average but some of these cars today are fing insane and totally streetable.........good luck..........

Not to thread highjack, but are you assuming 9s, or do you have a timeslip?

I agree with the sentiments above, you can never be too safe. I wouldn't count costs associated with a good -5 or better suit, you should have one anyway IMO. Those single layer jackets aren't saving anyone in a fire. Biondo had/is having a killer sale on -5 suites now.

Oh no no he has time slips...