There are several barriers that it takes a jump in expense/program to cross. The 11.49 is one, then 10.99 the next, then 9.99, and so on (NHRA tracks).

The question to ask yourself, aside from whether you can afford the next level, is what class do you want to be in? A 10 or 11-second car is relatively easy to build, and can run Super Pro, Pro, and/or Box or No-Box in bracket racing.

In my case, it does not make sense to change the heads, cam and carb to run 9.50's, as the 10.20's I run now will find me in the same classes.