This thread will document what I do to get an S197 mustang, running only a 2.3 Whipple into the 9's--no other power adder, no nitrous. I do not think there is another 2.3 whipple S197 out there that is in the 9's (all though I could be mistaken). Please post up if you know of one.
Also, after this post there are a few dummy posts. These I will edit and add information over the next couple months--so all of the info will be in the first 4 posts, vs scattered through 20 pages and 200 posts.
First--why am I here. Well as some of you may know this car:
Now looks like this as a result of an accident with an 18 wheel semi truck:
So, what to do? I had three different directions I could go, but in the end I decided to go with an S197 Mustang again, and I found one already mostly set up for drag racing---just without engine. That was fine as I already had a great engine anyway.
So here is the car I am going with:
This car already has a chrome moly roll bar with swing outs. Rear suspension already set up with strange rear shocks, BMR LCA's with solid mounts, UCA, and BMR anti roll bar.
And the real reason why I went this route--the car has already been converted from the 5R55S to a race 4R70W. With labor thats a $4K upgrade right there.
So, how to get to the 9's with only a 2.3 whipple as a power adder (no nitrous)??
Thats what this thread will cover. The engine will only have 2 more lbs of boost, 18 psi, so I will only have 600 rwhp to play with.
So with only 600rwhp, it should be obvious what direction I have to go with this car. Weight reduction, with the proper drivetrain, trans set up, and suspension.
Keep in mind, the last time I ran my car on Jan 3rd and 4th, I was at a 10.544--but that was on 16psi boost, still had A/C, and still completely stock front suspension except front sway bar removed.
So the project begins. As of today, engine, trans, rearend, etc is out of the old car. The old car is now gone.
According to this calculator, I will need roughly 650rwhp at 3400lbs to break into the 9's. Looks like alot of work, but I feel it is possible. http://www.wallaceracing.com/accel-calc.php
UPDATE 5/25/2009
Well, I officially returned to the track today. Good news: the car hit over 131 mph on several passes, best being 131.28mph. The not so great news is the track prep was not excellent, but good, but the car was 60' a little weaker then normal which hurt ETS. Best ET was a 10.44, and several 10.47s, 10.48s.
Based on the MPH, this car has an easy 10.2X in it. Since I drove directly from the shop to the track, I still have not installed the rear seat delete, and several other weight saving tidbits. Still, I don't think 9's will be possible without help from a blue bottle.
Here are some pics and some timeslips so far:
If you look at the 330' times--they are all a full tenth off what I just ran at Irwindale a couple days ago with a best of 4.227. So, like I said above, just some more dialing in the car, and myself, should get this car in the 10.2X's.
UPDATE 08/13/2009
Put Cobra Jet Springs in the back, changed to a Goodyear 29X11X15 slick, and completed the weight savings program.
At Famoso the car turned a 10.277, a 10.280, and a 10.314 with a best 133.96 mph, just missing 134 mph.
At Irwindale on 8/13/09, car ran very consistent as well, with 60' times of 1.432, 1.438, 1.427, and 1.454. Best ET was a 6.539 @ 105.85 mph. I think the Cobra Jet Springs definitely made a difference, as the car is still in the 1.42-1.43 area with a tire that is at least a full 1 inch taller then the M&H 325 I used to run.
UPDATE 11/21/09
GETTING CLOSER! Only thing different is I changed the plugs, and actually had great conditions at a 1/4 mile track (Famoso). Temps in the very low 60s, great DA, good track prep. A new best of 10.138 @ 132.39 (lifted in the lights) backed up by a 10.194 @ 133.55---all with stock heads and stock cams still!!
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Whipple-18psi-604rwhp-at_720918.htm
[SFIRE]Whipple-18psi-604rwhp-at_720918[/SFIRE]
Also, after this post there are a few dummy posts. These I will edit and add information over the next couple months--so all of the info will be in the first 4 posts, vs scattered through 20 pages and 200 posts.
First--why am I here. Well as some of you may know this car:
Now looks like this as a result of an accident with an 18 wheel semi truck:
So, what to do? I had three different directions I could go, but in the end I decided to go with an S197 Mustang again, and I found one already mostly set up for drag racing---just without engine. That was fine as I already had a great engine anyway.
So here is the car I am going with:
This car already has a chrome moly roll bar with swing outs. Rear suspension already set up with strange rear shocks, BMR LCA's with solid mounts, UCA, and BMR anti roll bar.
And the real reason why I went this route--the car has already been converted from the 5R55S to a race 4R70W. With labor thats a $4K upgrade right there.
So, how to get to the 9's with only a 2.3 whipple as a power adder (no nitrous)??
Thats what this thread will cover. The engine will only have 2 more lbs of boost, 18 psi, so I will only have 600 rwhp to play with.
So with only 600rwhp, it should be obvious what direction I have to go with this car. Weight reduction, with the proper drivetrain, trans set up, and suspension.
Keep in mind, the last time I ran my car on Jan 3rd and 4th, I was at a 10.544--but that was on 16psi boost, still had A/C, and still completely stock front suspension except front sway bar removed.
So the project begins. As of today, engine, trans, rearend, etc is out of the old car. The old car is now gone.
According to this calculator, I will need roughly 650rwhp at 3400lbs to break into the 9's. Looks like alot of work, but I feel it is possible. http://www.wallaceracing.com/accel-calc.php
UPDATE 5/25/2009
Well, I officially returned to the track today. Good news: the car hit over 131 mph on several passes, best being 131.28mph. The not so great news is the track prep was not excellent, but good, but the car was 60' a little weaker then normal which hurt ETS. Best ET was a 10.44, and several 10.47s, 10.48s.
Based on the MPH, this car has an easy 10.2X in it. Since I drove directly from the shop to the track, I still have not installed the rear seat delete, and several other weight saving tidbits. Still, I don't think 9's will be possible without help from a blue bottle.
Here are some pics and some timeslips so far:
If you look at the 330' times--they are all a full tenth off what I just ran at Irwindale a couple days ago with a best of 4.227. So, like I said above, just some more dialing in the car, and myself, should get this car in the 10.2X's.
UPDATE 08/13/2009
Put Cobra Jet Springs in the back, changed to a Goodyear 29X11X15 slick, and completed the weight savings program.
At Famoso the car turned a 10.277, a 10.280, and a 10.314 with a best 133.96 mph, just missing 134 mph.
At Irwindale on 8/13/09, car ran very consistent as well, with 60' times of 1.432, 1.438, 1.427, and 1.454. Best ET was a 6.539 @ 105.85 mph. I think the Cobra Jet Springs definitely made a difference, as the car is still in the 1.42-1.43 area with a tire that is at least a full 1 inch taller then the M&H 325 I used to run.
UPDATE 11/21/09
GETTING CLOSER! Only thing different is I changed the plugs, and actually had great conditions at a 1/4 mile track (Famoso). Temps in the very low 60s, great DA, good track prep. A new best of 10.138 @ 132.39 (lifted in the lights) backed up by a 10.194 @ 133.55---all with stock heads and stock cams still!!
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Whipple-18psi-604rwhp-at_720918.htm
[SFIRE]Whipple-18psi-604rwhp-at_720918[/SFIRE]
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