hey guys, I'm planning on building a drag car this coming summer and although i'm a tuner car guy, after doing some research I realized that it's a lot cheaper to go with american muscle when it comes to drag. My knowledge is pretty much just with japanese/tuner cars, and my head spins every time I see parts for american chassis'. I could really use an explanation of what the most commonly done modifications to american chassis' are and some essentials that I should really consider doing to the chassis/suspension of the 88 camaro that I will be setting up for drag. any help will be appreciated. thanks

 

I am not trying to discourage you but, anything you want to race will cost.
Now, I am currently working on the same thing, with an 89 RS.
From what I have gathered so far.
Tires unless you have a lot of power (lots and lots) a small tire that will fit the stock wheel wells, or with minor mods, are better then a big fat tall tire.
If you are going to be serious, a new axle should be a mod. The easiest is a manufactured axle, however if you do some searching you will find that you can put other axles under a Camaro.

The torque arm works well, (ladder bar) however if you have a lot of power, you probably don't want it on the side of the tranny. Their are relocation kits made for that. Or you can go to a 3 or 4 link, or ladder bars.
An upgraded panhard bar is also a good mod.
The Lower contorl arms are also something worth while.
The spings and shocks you can ask, but you will want a spring that will compress quick and a short distance for drag. Shock you probably want adjustable, you can set the right rear stiffer, this will help it squat level. Also keeping the rear sway bar will help. Air springs are great for drag too, once they are properly set.

If you are running an auto you can rebuild a 700R4 to hold power or get a 350 or 400, or some have a powerglide.
If you have a manual, you will want an aftermarket tranny such as a tremic.

The front suspension you want to lift far and fast.
Light tires, fully inflated, springs that will lift the front quick.
Shocks you want little resistance on the up, and alot on the down to keep it from wanting to bounce, especially if you are doing wheelies.

Losing the power steering will help loose weight, you can use an S10 84 and up gear box, only offered in 4cly. Only thing you need is the gear box it will bolt right in.
Taking the front sway bar off will help free the front end, and lose some weight. Loseing the ac will also help. The bumper renforcments, the headliner, rear seat, carpet, front seats, replace drivers with lighter seat.
An aluminum block heads, and whatnot also drops weight.

Before this gets real long, I'm going to stop, but end by saying that's a general idea, at least from what I have gathered.
If you post your racing related questions in the drag strip thread you will get the best answers.
Search around a day or two, you will learn a lot.

 

thanks for the help man, i was also planning on dropping in a 383 stroker in ther, will this call for any changes from what you said?

 

I would think Subframe Connectors (SFCs) would be a must on a drag car!

 

Talking specifically about your 1988 Camaro (and third gen Camaros in as a whole), you shouldn't need to spend much money on the chassis. It has been my experience that these cars work extremely well (drag car) from the factory. I wouldn't even purchase an aftermarket torque arm unless I had to (eg tranny swap). Instead of buying sfcs, lcas, etc - my advice is to save your money, buy a stronger rear end, then dump all of your left over money into the rest of the drivetrain. After the motor/tranny are built and the car is back together If you find that you can't get the car to work with the factory suspension, then start buying/changing one thing at a time. You can easliy go mid 1.30s on a factory rear suspension set up (9/10 bolt not included). Just my opinion/experience.

 

so what do you suggest for the drivetrain? maybe a tremec transmission? an lsd, and a set of axles? what else... maybe a driveshaft? and what do you mean by rear end? like I mentioned earlier, i'm new to the drag/ domestic car scene.

 

rear end, as in rear axle. Stock driveshaft should be fine, but you'll want better u-joints, and probably a driveshaft safety loop. I agree with krisb410, sfc's are something i consider necessary. maybe get lca relocation brackets too. Most of the stock suspension is already very set up well from the factory.

 

Ok, this is slightly on topic but does an 88 Trans am (305 TBI) come with posi traction? I have one and I have power on one side and the guys I'm talking to say they think that it's suposed to but doesn't. What's the real story?

 

Welcome to TGO.

You need to read the rules dude.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...uidelines.html

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...se-search.html

1st - Do a search before you post any question. Most likely any question you may have has already been answered.

2nd - Don't hijack existing threads.




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