My dad and I just decided to turn our '86 Z28 in the garage into a drag racer. I've got everything out of it except the gas tank, doors, underdash wiring, and heater core. I was wondering what requirements I will have to meet to race it. I know I'm going to put a roll cage in it, and a battery shut off switch. I also want to make a custom dash out of aluminum sheet metal, and have all the switch's (ignition,fan,etc.) there in one spot. Also, how hard would it be to have it tubbed so I can fit some really fat tires underneath it? Finally, is it possible to stuff a big block in between the fenders? I'm thinkin 502! This is it:

 

ITS NAKED!! I'm turned on by this, lol. If a 400 will fit, why wont' a 502?

 

Actually, isn't a 400 a small block? And a 502 a big block? Width difference would be the issue. A custom crossmember could be fabricated but I saw this really cool thing while at the Baytown drag races. I had a racer invite so I could snoop around and see his Firebird, which I got to sit in, I'll post some pics soon, and he had metal braces going parallel with the headers, not going underneath the oil pan. I though that was really awesome, he said he could have the oil pan down in 5 minutes!

 

This is the Firebird I got to sit in:

Let me elaborate on the metal rails. He had a mount on the frame for metal rods with sperical ends that ran fot the point where the engine and tranny meets to a custom made engine mount, eliminating the need for a metal support bar to go underneath the oil pan. I got to look underneath it while it was on the lift, and man do they keep those cars clean!!! Also, it's a funny car so it's made of circular tubing as the frame. It was hard to get in and out of b/c of the roll cage!

 

well, Blue502 got one in so yeah, it'll fit

 

Any pics of Blue502's car?

 

502 will fit...it'll just take bit of massaging (read, beating the crap out of the fenders)

 

I saw a second gen with a 502 and completely custom dash once a few months ago.

 

Where exactly do I find "beating the crap out of the fenders"?

 

All the info on a big block swap is on my page. Let me know if you have any specific questions during the swap. The biggest issue is header clearance. Do a search on the motor swap board, there is a lot of info there too.

Miles

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88 427 Camaro
12.18 @ 113mph 1.75 60ft
Currently installing 3.73's into my 9 bolt (YES, it is a 9 bolt & YES they are 3.73's, not 3.70. I currently have 4.10 gear sets and new series 3 carriers in stock for 9 bolts )
www.koolmeister.com

 

Just a thought, would this work:

Instead of having a crossmember run underneath the oil pan, have metal braces connecting to the frame, this way the exhaust and oil pan can be reached easily. Can anyone predict how this setup might interact with steering? Also, does anyone have measuremrnt in inches how wide the big block is where it is between the frame rails. P.S. I had to disble the Firebird pic so I could post this one.

 

Thirgen.org is starting to get all funky on me! I know for a fact that I already posted this once before but here it is again since it is gone.
Would this work? Having metal braces in place of the cross member? This way it would be easy to get to the oil pan. The only issue I think would be a problem is the steering assembly. Any suggestions?
Now this is just plain creepy, maybe my browser is screwing up, b/c now there's 2. Maybe I'm losing my mind?

[This message has been edited by 92RSB4C (edited September 28, 2001).]

 

I think I just found the flaw in my own plan. There is no mount for the A-arms. Maybe I could fabricate a bracket that uses the 3 holes for the crossmember mount. The stock crossmember is starting to sound better and better! Maybe I could engineer and fabricate a different crossmember. Any thoughts¿?

 

Actually Blue502 hasn't got the 502 in yet.. But Qwktrip has a 468 in it, so yeah a 502 should fit fine

Jess

 

UPDATE
Just got EVERYTHING out of the camaro, and now i'm stripping down the ploorpans and priming them. The only reason I'm doing that is because 1)the previous owner had sprayed glue ALL OVER the floorpan when he put in new carpet and there is liitle pieces of carpet left and 2)the heater core was busted so the passenger side floorpan is rusted. Just got the driver side passenger seat pan primed and it looks a whole lot better! Just one question though: Sould I make another solid aluminum sheet metal firewall in front of the firewall there now, or should I make some aluminum plates to cover the heater core and wire holes. I'm gonna make a firewall in the back since I'm going to put a fuel cell and battery there.

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BOMB BIN LADEN I see dead Afghans in dead Fords on the side of the desert path.