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Street/drag set up

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Old 07-23-2013, 05:49 PM
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Car: 91 formula Firebird and 87 Camaro
Engine: 305 and v6
Street/drag set up

Building my 87 camaro.

I need a little help with this set up Im planning to put this motor in my car
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHEVY-SBC-383-STAGE-2-2-CRATE-MOTOR-ENGINE-470hp-BUILT-WITH-A-DART-RACING-BLOCK-/350804791580?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item51ad98511c&vxp=mtr
Cool enough right? Was also planning to swap it from a auto to a manual and my idea was putting a stock t56 behind the motor and doing a 4.10 rear end.

Now i know that the chassis are not the greatest and they twist with the excess amount of torque that this motor is going to produce. So what mods can i or should i do to the chassis so i dont destroy the chassis.
Your suggestions and thoughts are highly appreciated i do need the help
Old 07-23-2013, 05:57 PM
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Car: 1989 Camaro Iroc Z
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt Borg Warner/ 2.77 gear
Re: Street/drag set up

I notice the build has pro comp aluminum heads. I just bought the same pair for $550. Get some subframe connectors, new rear shocks, and an adjustable panhard bar.
Old 07-24-2013, 11:21 AM
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Car: 91 formula Firebird and 87 Camaro
Engine: 305 and v6
Re: Street/drag set up

What about wheel size? How wide can I go in the rear without mods
Old 07-24-2013, 12:33 PM
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Car: 88 IROC
Engine: 97 5.7 Vortec LT4 hotcam
Transmission: 700 r4
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Street/drag set up

If that motor does put out that, you need to start planning on replacing the rearend.
Old 07-24-2013, 01:29 PM
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Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
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Re: Street/drag set up

Ah, good ol' Skip White. Sure wish that guy would learn English.

Could you be more specific about the "drag" part? Are you just going to the track to have fun, or to win? Can we assume bracket racing? Any other type of competitive drag racing would take the "street" part out of the equation.

If you're planning on bracket racing, forget the T56. Consistency is the key, and unless you face plate the T56 gears, you'll kiss consistency goodbye. And, if you face plate the T56, you can kiss regular street driving goodbye (yes, you could drive it to the track, but daily driving would be a pain).

A TH700 is fine for a dual-purpose street/strip car. You will need it improved a little, like shift improver kit (Transgo is a good one), Vette servo and relief valve. The Transgo "Jr" kit is also a good idea, for the 3-4 clutch pack springs (which will require transmission disassembly to install). With the single plane intake and "choice #1" cam, you'll want at least 4000 RPM stall - yes, you'll still be able to drive it on the street. Get a lockup converter. Oh, if I'm reading this correctly, the '87 has a V6 in it now. You'll need to get a V8 version TH700. The '88-'92 ones are a little better than the earlier ones.

Ditto the subframe connectors. Don't even consider not doing them. When you put the 6-point roll bar in, that will further help to stiffen the chassis.

I hope you plan on sticky tires for the track. Running the tires you drive on the street is not a good idea.

And, ditto the rear end stuff. Especially with manual transmission and sticky tires, don't even show up to the track with a factory rear end, regardless of what you do with it. 9-inch, 12-bolt, Strange S60 - any of those would do. Even with an automatic tranny, with that much power (if the engine actually puts out that much power), you don't want to trust it to a factory 10-bolt (or 9-bolt).
Old 07-24-2013, 08:49 PM
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Car: 1994 Z28
Engine: 355 LT1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Street/drag set up

I don't think I'd trust skip white for a crate motor. I looked into one, doubted the parts being able to take the abuse he claimed the motor made. Called him and he couldn't even tell me the deck height on the motor I was about to order. Don't get why he uses an aftermarket block and the cheapest crank/rods he can get his hands on.
Old 07-24-2013, 11:25 PM
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Car: 1988 Camaro
Engine: 377
Transmission: TH350; Circle D 4200 converter
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Re: Street/drag set up

I don't like Skip's 383 assemblies or motors. He always uses externally balanced setups, and that's just silly since the cost difference is honestly negligable for something so critical (in my opinion). You can do better for the same cost.
Old 07-25-2013, 08:58 AM
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Car: 1988 Formula
Engine: 421 Little M block
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Re: Street/drag set up

If that engine sounds too good to be true.. it probably is. I would find a local machine shop in your area that the bracket racers use... that will be you best choice.

The 700 trans is OK at that power level, I did it for years but the more your race it.. the more you need to look at other upgrades.. the sun shell.. The planetaries & red alto clutch packs.. this will give the 700 additional strength for track days.

If you plan to really beat on it at the track and want peace of mind I would consider a 400 trans swap. My car is not a daily driver anymore... so I went this route.. manual valve body, trans brake, etc. etc.

Nitto 555Rs are great street /strip rear tire, Nittos you can get them 245 50 R16... same as the oem tire size.
I believe M/T ET streets come in 16" size also.. but I used Nittos for years.

The stock rear end is junk at this power level.

Also with sub-frame connectors invest in a driveshaft loop...
Old 07-25-2013, 05:37 PM
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Car: 91 formula Firebird and 87 Camaro
Engine: 305 and v6
Re: Street/drag set up

Originally Posted by DeltaElite121
I don't like Skip's 383 assemblies or motors. He always uses externally balanced setups, and that's just silly since the cost difference is honestly negligable for something so critical (in my opinion). You can do better for the same cost.
What would be possible? Im really trying to get ariund 500+ horses out if this
Old 07-25-2013, 06:08 PM
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Car: 1988 Camaro
Engine: 377
Transmission: TH350; Circle D 4200 converter
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"
Re: Street/drag set up

Originally Posted by silverray76
What would be possible? Im really trying to get ariund 500+ horses out if this
http://www.straubtechnologies.com/rotation-assemblies/


The budget kit there would probably get the job done nicely.
Old 07-25-2013, 06:22 PM
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Car: 91 formula Firebird and 87 Camaro
Engine: 305 and v6
Re: Street/drag set up

Originally Posted by FRMULA88
If that engine sounds too good to be true.. it probably is. I would find a local machine shop in your area that the bracket racers use... that will be you best choice.

The 700 trans is OK at that power level, I did it for years but the more your race it.. the more you need to look at other upgrades.. the sun shell.. The planetaries & red alto clutch packs.. this will give the 700 additional strength for track days.

If you plan to really beat on it at the track and want peace of mind I would consider a 400 trans swap. My car is not a daily driver anymore... so I went this route.. manual valve body, trans brake, etc. etc.

Nitto 555Rs are great street /strip rear tire, Nittos you can get them 245 50 R16... same as the oem tire size.
I believe M/T ET streets come in 16" size also.. but I used Nittos for years.

The stock rear end is junk at this power level.

Also with sub-frame connectors invest in a driveshaft loop...
Still trying to figure out what trans to use. Its not staying auto its going to a 5 or 6 speed. The wheels are im changing to a staggered look im planning 17x8s in the rear ans 15x7s in the front so what would be the biggest width i could do in the rear? Also for the rear end i was thinking doing 3.42 gears but since this is my 1st 3rd gen build i dont beleive i can dump 373 gears
Old 07-25-2013, 06:36 PM
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Car: 1988 Camaro
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Re: Street/drag set up

Originally Posted by silverray76
Still trying to figure out what trans to use. Its not staying auto its going to a 5 or 6 speed. The wheels are im changing to a staggered look im planning 17x8s in the rear ans 15x7s in the front so what would be the biggest width i could do in the rear? Also for the rear end i was thinking doing 3.42 gears but since this is my 1st 3rd gen build i dont beleive i can dump 373 gears
don't do a 5 speed unless you like a grenade sitting underneath your feet. Either that, or spending a boatload on a TKO swap.
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