When building any race car one must consider the safety rules of the organization one would run under.
Tubing specs, safety equipment, etc., etc. Objects that have FIA stamps on them with expiration dates can push the budget up considerably. Just saying.
Also, I thought Don Garlits' accident proved FED were a thing of the past. 
I'd rather have exploding things behind me, not in my face. YMMV
In reply to Dirtydog (Forum Supporter) :
Rest assured the Jaguar is being work on even as I send this. This is my old Geezer break. The XJS gets finished first I want to dive into turn 4 at 160+ And the power up the hill with the V12 blaring.
Purple Frog (Forum Supporter) said:When building any race car one must consider the safety rules of the organization one would run under.
Tubing specs, safety equipment, etc., etc. Objects that have FIA stamps on them with expiration dates can push the budget up considerably. Just saying.
Also, I thought Don Garlits' accident proved FED were a thing of the past.
Oh, I'd build a rear engine Dragster alright. I agree, hanging my feet over the rear end just doesn't appeal to me. Plus you are right. Far better to have trouble behind me than in front of me.
As far as Costs. Tubing if it meets NHRA specs it does not have any requirement to be date stamped.
I'm fairly certain that at this point I could still do it within my budget. But yes that does assume I find good deals on stuff rather than paying list on new stuff.
In reply to lotusseven7 (Forum Supporter) :
I understand what you're saying. Probably for most people that's the case.
Living in a bigger city has its rewards I pointed out earlier that someone was paying $8 a foot for the same DOM I'm buying for $4 because I buy surplus, odd lengths and haul it home myself. The surplus places charge the same price for Chrome Molly, DOM, ERW. To them it's just steel and the price per pound is•••••. Aluminum brass etc are the same deal. It's a price per pound and I can get aluminum really at modest prices too. But everything is what they have on hand. Things are even more competitive in Chicago but the cost of driving the 400 miles to and from would eat up any savings.
The longer the tubing required, the harder it will be to find cheap drops. Dragsters are made largely from considerable length tubes.
One option that would significantly reduce the cost is keeping it slower than 10.00. Any faster than that adds a whole host of additional requirements and costs.
In reply to Driven5 :
You bet. I might have to visit various places several times before I get enough of the longer lengths. Maybe I can slip someone $5. To call me when they get full lengths in of the required size. Or I can just call around?
Really I think 10 feet should be enough. Since I'll have more than 1000 pounds ahead of the rear axle ( 700 engine , 150 tranny, and my fat butt of 275) and probably only 600 horsepower. It might keep on the track rather than flipping over. There has to be a formula Someplace that will tell me that. Obviously I'll need to do a little calculation first. Especially if I use smaller tires and give up a little traction.
I'm not only thinking of the dragster length but the trailer I'll need to pull it with. 10 feet of tubing will provide about 155" wheelbase. That will need at least a 18 foot trailer and at that some may be hanging over the front and rear of the trailer.
I don't know what that package will allow me to run. I'm sure without experience I'll leave some on the table. But I'd hate to make a pass or two and be kicked off the track. I'd rather turn whatever and kind of stabilize at what I can get out of it.
Reading the helmet and suit requirements that's not going to be cheap either.
In reply to Driven5 :I wonder how fast the XKE will turn the 1/4 mile in? 600 hp 2000 pounds plus a pretty slippery shape. Maybe I should just focus on that?
I've already got a legal scatter shield if I use my Seinz transmission. With dog rings it should be pretty fast shifting since you don't use the clutch.
It'll probably only have 10" x15" wheels. And probably vintage road racing tires.
frenchyd here is a dragster I saw on Facebook marketplace for what seems like a reasonable price.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/8308720152473249/?ref=facebook_story_share
In reply to untchabl :
Thank you!
That is exactly the sort of dragster I was looking for. Where the cost was below what the price of parts would be.
You'll need to log in to post.
