top dragster scratch build

[drummerdad]

Ok. Not to hijack, but I have a question. How do you determine the placement of components like engine trans, seat, etc? It appears you have extensive knowledge of race chassis', leading me to believe you work in a chassis shop? Ive been watching some of these builds(yours especially, but others as well), and correct me if Im wrong, but you and some of the other artists/experts, start with the engine and trans, body, rearend and wheels, then you lay it out how you want, following a few unbending rules, such as the side bar that must attach between the shoulder and elbow. I think I remember you having access to some of the sfi specs as well. I know its impossible to make rules that fit every application, so most are rather vague. But is that all there is? 

I think I may have to start over on a project I have a lot of hours in, because I started the chassis first, before I picked an engine/trans combo, and wheels. For the record, I follow all your builds, and I even stalk you on photobucket. Its incredible skill being displayed. I wish I had half the skill. It looking good already. 

[Nytrozilla]

Dave, the only diff between your shop and a chassis shop is, one you do on the floor, the other on a table top.

Everyone knows the adage that all Ginger Rogers had to do was everything that Fred Astaire did, only backwards, wearing heels. Same thing. You doing the same thing a shop does, only smaller and with fewer tools.

Now I've gone and done it. If I don't go say something funny on Tim's build, I'm sure I'll hear about it.

[Codi]

I learn so much with every new post Dave.  Thanks for taking the time to document it all.  Cheers my friend. 

[comp1839]

dwayne, no worries. asking questions isn't hijacking. i'll try to answer as best i can. if necessary, ask again. i made not have understood your question.

1) Q How do you determine the placement of components like engine trans, seat, etc?  // A sometimes the rulebook will dictate where those things go. if no rules, then the most adventageous to performance / safety.

2) Q It appears you have extensive knowledge of race chassis',.//A i'd like to believe i know a thing or two. (hehe)

3)  Q leading me to believe you work in a chassis shop?  //A nope, never worked in a chassis shop.    i do have a very good friend of mine who does own a chassis shop. sometimes he rubs off on me.

4) Q Ive been watching some of these builds(yours especially, but others as well), and correct me if Im wrong, but you and some of the other artists/experts, start with the engine and trans, body, rearend and wheels, then you lay it out how you want, following a few unbending rules, such as the side bar that must attach between the shoulder and elbow.  //A THE MOST IMPORTANT  thing you or anyone else can learn from all of this (especially if you are scratch building) is, DO NOT build anything until you have a game plan and have made a drawing of what you intend to build!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

5) Q   I think I remember you having access to some of the sfi specs as well. I know its impossible to make rules that fit every application, so most are rather vague. But is that all there is?  A  the sfi rules only pertain to the drivers area of the car. the floor and rollcage area. nothing in front of it, nothing behind it. they are safety rules on how to build your drivers area safely. in real 1:1 cars, these rules cannot be broken.... period.  i don't think it should be a deal breaker for you not to follow the spec.exactly but, it certainly can't hurt to use it as a guideline.

6)  Q I think I may have to start over on a project I have a lot of hours in, because I started the chassis first, before I picked an engine/trans combo, and wheels. A if you would have asked these question before you started................hehe. only kidding, dwayne. all of us are here to help. i won't build it for you but, i'll help as much as i can with free advice.

ask questions. do the research, make drawings before you make parts............enjoy the process and the results.     see.........it's easy!

 

joe, i see what you did there...hehe. i wonder if tim saw it yet?

tim, always glad to see your replies!!!!

 

[Red rocket 10]

Hey Dave , as always " out of this world "

 

 

Leonard

[gasser59]

Hey Dave. I love seeing your builds but just as importantly, I love seeing how you build. Great jig set-up. 

[comp1839]

leonard, thanks buddy!

brad, glad you like the build and the jigs. thanks.

well, i got some more of the basic chassis finished and that's where the trouble started. i have a few engines laying around so i started looking at different combos.so i thought i'd ask you guys which way you'd go if you were building this. if you have a preference on which combo. please, tell us not only which combo but, why you like that  combo for top dragster style racing. thanks.

i started with the sonny's hemi, 2 carbs and maybe a shot of nitrous.

an blown alcohol hemi

a twin turbo alcohol hemi

a 600-ish big block with lots'o spray.

 

Edited February 19, 2016 by comp1839

[comp1839]

here are some shots of the rest of the chassis that was worked on.

finished the front a-arms and chassis .

more of the driver area.

 

[Codi]

Nice chassis work first and foremost Dave.....great progress and VERY cleanly executed.....as always.  Regarding the survey,  based upon the options you've provided, I think you're making it "unfair" in that the blown alcohol stands out.  And I only say that because you've not finished the other 3 engines so it makes the comparison a little skewed.   Whatever direction you settle upon will be a treat.  But since you asked,  the blown engine is my pic.......you can call it "BEAUTY & THE BEAST"........feel free to use that.    Cheers, tim

[Nytrozilla]

I'm going to go with the blown HEMI. I'll give you 3 excellent reasons to choose this set up.

1 - IT'S BLOWN !!!!

2 - IT'S A HEMI !!!!!!

3 - It looks turn key, ready to fire (if it already hasn't been), which allows for faster completion.

You're Welcome 

[blackbeard]

x2

[Ognib]

That's a nice motor collection. 

[Red rocket 10]

MAN  Dave for me it doesn't matter they are all the bomb

 

[futurattraction]

I'm going to go with the blown HEMI. I'll give you 3 excellent reasons to choose this set up.

1 - IT'S BLOWN !!!!

2 - IT'S A HEMI !!!!!!

3 - It looks turn key, ready to fire (if it already hasn't been), which allows for faster completion.

You're Welcome 

Count me in on the blown alky Hemi.

[花火]

incredible. Totally incredible.

My first time seeing your work Dave! masterpiece!

build something out of model box, introduction books, that really nice!!

[gasser59]

Count me in on the blown alky Hemi.

Me too.

[sk8erdave]

normally Id say the blown hemi. But a twin turbo dragster is something I'd love to see!

[drummerdad]

normally Id say the blown hemi. But a twin turbo dragster is something I'd love to see!

Agreed. I think it would be different. Weve seen the nitrous, and blown engines, not that I would ever get tired of them. I would love to see you do a direct drive centrifugal also. I know it wasnt an option, but it would be killer. 

[crazyrichard]

man ... just amazing .....a absolute joy to watch !!!

[comp1839]

thank you all for your responses. after looking hard at the thoughts and actually fitting the combos in the chassis. the small nitrous motor is just not up to snuff. the blower motor (while it is a HEMI and BLOWN and over the top) is just a touch too long for the chassis.  the fuel pump is to close to the shoulder hoop. i am down to the twin turbo and the sonny's motor.

put some more tubing in the chassis

.* for you guys that want to build dragsters, funny cars and even some door cars. please note the use of the alignment bar. it aligns the centerline of the pinion gear (in the rear) to the crankshaft centerline. this is a critcal alignment for a solid mounted rear car as these cars don't use universal joints in their driveshafts. they use a straight splined coupler.

mocked up for some enjoyment!

[comp1839]

paul, thanks! in retrospect, if i'd have thought about this more before i started, i would be going down the twin turbo route. turbos would have produced significantly more power and i think i'd have went with a slightly different chassis design.  so, it'll be the sonny's hemi headed BBC with carbs. i still think this combo could produce some 6.40 e.t.s.though.  with the way the class is going that may not get you into every show in the next year or so.

so, i got some of the rollcage work done and made the mid plate. i want to stress to you guys who want to build these kinds of cars ( mostly scratchbuilt stuff) if you want things to fit like this. you have to plan ahead. i spent alot of hours doing the chassis layout and fixturing the chassis. spent more hours doing the drawings for the mid plate and more hours making it but, the results are well worth the effort.

mid plate.

midplate in the chassis.

 

 

[comp1839]

partial rollcage.

[blackbeard]

love the update and the semi hemi looks right at home between the rails

[Codi]

Exquisite Dave.  I can't help but notice little things like the drivers hoop and the way you drilled it and shaped all of your ends for fitment.  I don't think most builders can appreciate the time and effort it requires to do each one like that.  But when it's on the car, it just looks perfect, and that's before soldering them on.  I don't do all my joints like that, partly because my scale is just too small and not practical, but I can certainly relate to what you've done and are doing........just thought it was worthy of a mention as your hard work is reflected in the finished product.   I would like to know where this "School of Speedy Building"  is and how much the tuition is cause you and Teresi have obviously graduated with honors. Cheers

[Nytrozilla]

I see your evil plan Dave. You just want to keep me hanging around to wait and see what you put the blown HEMI into. Clever sir. It worked like a champ.

On the " non-smart a** " side of things, your bends are a thing of beauty. Helps to own every tool you could ever need, huh? Or is it low tech genius?