What does it take to get a Thirdgen into 11's? Also, how well does the thirdgen compare to other cars as a drag car as far as the chassis, weight, suspension, these kind of things. Your input is appreciated as I"m starting to do research to build a drag car. I plan to build a chevy engine, and then drop it into a chevy, but I'm wondering how well does a thirdgen compare to say other body styles that you could get for about the same price?

 

Mustangs are a better platform for drag racing than a third gen is. Third gens are better road course cars. Since there are hundreds of different vehicles out there, you'll never get a good comparison on what is better. It's more about how much money do you want to spend to get the vehicle you want to use to perform the way you want.

Getting into the 11's with a dedicated drag car? Unless you're running in something like Stock Eliminator, a typical drag only car is completely gutted removing everything that isn't needed to go fast or for safety.

Guessing at a 3200 pound race weight (car, driver, fuel etc), you need to get at least 420 hp to the rear wheels to get into the 11's. Close to 540 hp to get into the low 11's. The heavier the car, the more HP is required. A very light vehicle doesn't need as much. Consider an 1800 pound altered. It would only need 233 hp to hit 11's. That could be done with a simple V6.

There's more to going fast than just building a powerful engine. 600 hp won't run 12's if you can't get the power to the ground.

 

I agree the Fox body makes a better platform for drag racing than a F-Body..
For the same money as an F-Body you can get a nice G-Body that gives you more options - but don't get me wrong, I love my F-Bodies but also love the simplicity of a late 70's early 80s monty,
grand prix, Malibu all great builders for you small block.

I think stephen had his numbers mixed up, a 3200 lb car should get into the 11's with 420 Flywheel HP no problem long as its effecient - 420 at the wheels can get you deeeep 11's high 10 in a 3200 lb car.

My 82 prior to S/C it would run high 11's - 3400 lb car,355
dart heads, flat tappet cam,3200 stall.
Nice cheap engine to build..

Good luck

 

I think thirdgens are one of the cheapest and easiest cars to build for drag racing. The intitial investment of buying the car is normally fairly low for a 3rdgen compared to other cars..especially late 60's to mid 70's muscle cars. Lots of aftermarket suspension parts are available which makes things much easier. There are better cars out there for drag racing that are lighter like the mustang and nova but its hard to beat the bang for buck value of building a 3rdgen....G-Body would be my next choice.

 

When I was looking for a car to make into a drag car, a G-body was my first choice. Everything I looked at was rusted out or too expensive and that's not a good way to start. The Camaro was offered to me, I cut a deal and I never got a chance to every drive it on the street. It was street legal when I bought it. The owner drove it to my place and took his plates off. I towed it to work and completely stripped it for racing. The L98 engine was already out and a 383 stroker was in it's place which I ran for 2 years. No rust was the best selling point for me. Pay extra to find a rust free car.