Thinking of building a track car, looking for ideas.
#2591404
12/13/18 05:23 PM
12/13/18 05:23 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,645 San Jose,CA
migsBIG
OP
YouTube is my go-to news source
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OP
YouTube is my go-to news source
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,645
San Jose,CA
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So it came to me the other day that with my 1972 Charger and 1970 Cuda builds going on, if I wanted to race them when their done, there is the chance of them being damaged or even destroyed if there should be an accident while racing. Not too keen on losing a car and the amount of hours and money that would be lost if that should happen. So I was talking with one of my good buddies here on the board and they have a few dozen mopars coming up for sale due to some fire damage they got last year. I'm keen on b-bodies as he has a bunch of those and e-bodies around the yard. I figured if I can get enough parts I can make a good race car or two with spare parts incase of future damage. I've checked out most of the bodies and the metal fatigue is not bad on most, some have none at all, but have good surface rust from paint being singed off from grass fire. Since bodies don't have to be perfect for racing, this is the cheapest way to go for a buildup. Plus I have a stash of different types of suspension parts and brakes and drivetrains I could recycle for the build. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.
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Re: Thinking of building a track car, looking for ideas.
[Re: migsBIG]
#2591414
12/13/18 05:35 PM
12/13/18 05:35 PM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,696 Bitopia
jcc
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
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If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,696
Bitopia
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In concept, others can share numbers/parts:
1. Start with an A body 2. Make the engine the very last upgrade 3. A stock suspension well tuned, will out handle most drivers here, period 4. Anything that gains the driver seat time, is a plus 5. "everything, effects everything else" is never over comeable 6. If passing the guy in front of you is the objective, you need horsepower, not torque, you are not passing him exiting a turn, you most likely are passing by being faster at the braking zone. 7. A great seat is s secret most learn late 8. It is very difficult effectively to put torque down exiting turns
Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
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Re: Thinking of building a track car, looking for ideas.
[Re: migsBIG]
#2591471
12/13/18 08:18 PM
12/13/18 08:18 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,645 San Jose,CA
migsBIG
OP
YouTube is my go-to news source
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OP
YouTube is my go-to news source
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,645
San Jose,CA
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A track car for me is something I could take to road courses/speed events and may not be a street car. More for fun, not to win or be 'Top Dog'. Something just tool around on the track and have more fun than trophies.
Also, only have access to b/e-body cars so a-body is not an option.
Last edited by migsBIG; 12/14/18 05:30 PM.
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Re: Thinking of building a track car, looking for ideas.
[Re: migsBIG]
#2591567
12/13/18 11:29 PM
12/13/18 11:29 PM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,696 Bitopia
jcc
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
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If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,696
Bitopia
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the cost and legacy of the e body's vs dime a dozen cheap a body's ( you only need one right?) and the fact a lot of stuff can be transferred to a second higher level build e body later, when you finally get a chance to test the a body against a guard rail or another overly robustly driven fellow track member's car that is going backwards at high speed.
One item in my earlier list I failed to mentioned, tires, other then the driver, nothing else is as important, and unless you are running a stock slant. For performance, nothing is too wide or too sticky, period.
Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
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Re: Thinking of building a track car, looking for ideas.
[Re: migsBIG]
#2591582
12/14/18 12:09 AM
12/14/18 12:09 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,645 San Jose,CA
migsBIG
OP
YouTube is my go-to news source
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OP
YouTube is my go-to news source
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,645
San Jose,CA
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Yeah, I’m a big guy, but that’s not the issue. The roof line in low on a-bodies. E/B-bodies tend to be better for head clearance, thus why it is a better choice. Besides that, I have Suspension and brakes parts for only b/e cars including dropped spindles, tubular arms and sway bars.
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Re: Thinking of building a track car, looking for ideas.
[Re: migsBIG]
#2591663
12/14/18 04:27 AM
12/14/18 04:27 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,976 Chilliwack B.C. Canada
RUNCHARGER
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,976
Chilliwack B.C. Canada
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I hate to bring up Roadkill but I am impressed with that 86ish Corvette that they pulled the body off and lightened up. You could buy one of those cheap and stick in a nicely done 360 with an A833 or even a T56, you're already setup with pretty good suspension, wide wheels etc.
Sheldon
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Re: Thinking of building a track car, looking for ideas.
[Re: migsBIG]
#2591676
12/14/18 06:15 AM
12/14/18 06:15 AM
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,432 NorCal
RylisPro
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,432
NorCal
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Re: Thinking of building a track car, looking for ideas.
[Re: migsBIG]
#2591781
12/14/18 01:08 PM
12/14/18 01:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 350 central IL
myduster360
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 350
central IL
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Ebody rear leafs pigeon toe 3.4degrees, such that the front springs mounts are closer together than the rears. This is preferred setup for rear leaf suspension for track cars. But unfortunately this design aspect is often ruined to fit a wider tire.
A-body and 70 and older B Body cars have parallel leafs.
Last edited by myduster360; 12/14/18 01:11 PM.
1972 Swinger 3.6L Pentastar Diablo CMR tuner
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Re: Thinking of building a track car, looking for ideas.
[Re: myduster360]
#2591805
12/14/18 01:45 PM
12/14/18 01:45 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,394 Pikes Peak Country
TC@HP2
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,394
Pikes Peak Country
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E body leaves can be moved in an inch to allow 335 tires and still retain the splayed layout. However, to mount a similar 335 up front will require some massaging of the wheel openings. Not out of the realm of possibility, but a slightly narrower tire for a square set up may be preferable. Since this is a track only car, a 275-305 slick would be great. If you want to go with a 305-315 UHP 200tw tire, that would also work.
I believe the 71+ B bodies also have a splayed leaf layout, but I think it is reversed from the E body and is wider in front. I don't have my chassis book available to confirm. A bodies and pre 71 B all have parallel leafs. This isn't a huge detriment to performance, but was part of the reason that later models were more refined in their feel.
If you just want an open track day car and ultimate performance and wheel to wheel racing is not necessary, any of them would work. Any of them will get a lot of attention. If you think body damage is a risk, then the Chargers and E bodies will have the most readily available panels in a wider range of materials. Personally, the open track days I have been to are for predominately street cars, so they make pretty big efforts to preserve the integrity of everyone's equipment.
Weight is a factor in performance as well as reliability. The lightest of the bunch would be preferable for that.
NASA offers time trials classes where you could actually race your combo against the clock in classes factored for modifications. This would certainly expose you to competition factors without the potential for wheel to wheel contact.
If you think actual wheel to wheel racing would ever appeal to you, then NASA's American Iron or Camaro/Mustang Challenge, which is focused on pony cars, could be an evolution of the car. In which case, you would want to start with an E body.
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Re: Thinking of building a track car, looking for ideas.
[Re: TC@HP2]
#2591893
12/14/18 03:48 PM
12/14/18 03:48 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,442 NW Chicago suburban area
Mopar Mitch
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,442
NW Chicago suburban area
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From the OP's suggestions, I'd go with a 70-74 B'Cuda as it has the shortest wheelbase (108"), and probably the lightest overall weight, and absolutely stay with a small block V8 engine for light weight up front. Search for 318 car for lower initial purchase cost.
Mopar Mitch
"Road racers and autocrossers go in deeper and come out harder!"... and rain never stops us from having fun with our cars... in fact, it makes us better drivers!
Check out MOPAR ACTION MAGAZINE, August 2006 issue for feature article and specs on my autocross T/A!
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