thoughts and advice for a newbie to drag racing?

[moper]

The three mods I'd do in the order I'd do them:
1. Install headers and free flowing exhaust with good mufflers.
2. Upgrade the ignition to a modern multi-spark setup with good wires, lose anything that says "Accel" on it.
3. Replace the rear axle assembly with an 8 3/4 or 8 1/4 with some decent multi-use gears and a limited slip diff (Posi). Look for gears in the 3.55-4.10 range.
You don't have to worry about the 727. Unless and until you get great traction and sticky tires you can throw it into reverse at 80mph and not hurt it. the stick will be much harder to get consistent and reliable. the racers that have it them that way didn;t just toss it in and have it all work perfectly. It takes years and years of experience and driving.

 

[MoparDaddy]

The three mods I'd do in the order I'd do them:
1. Install headers and free flowing exhaust with good mufflers.
2. Upgrade the ignition to a modern multi-spark setup with good wires, lose anything that says "Accel" on it.
3. Replace the rear axle assembly with an 8 3/4 or 8 1/4 with some decent multi-use gears and a limited slip diff (Posi). Look for gears in the 3.55-4.10 range.
You don't have to worry about the 727. Unless and until you get great traction and sticky tires you can throw it into reverse at 80mph and not hurt it. the stick will be much harder to get consistent and reliable. the racers that have it them that way didn;t just toss it in and have it all work perfectly. It takes years and years of experience and driving.

Dad and I have been using accell for many successful years....

 

[moper]

That's great for you and I'm sure others have too. Unfortunately as for my own experience - I used plugs, coils, wires, distributors, and components at different times over a few years' back in the 80s. Virtually all the Accel parts I used sucked and ultimately were not a good value. I will never, ever recommend their product.

 

[sledger46]

I am sure you have caught on that consistency is important for bracket racing. With that being understood the first purchase should be a set of sticky tires for the rear. Unless you have the small bolt pattern, I would invest in a set of 8" wide wheels and a pair of drag radials. Without traction from the start you will be chasing your tail.

Since I see a lot of changes to your car as you move forward, make sure to keep good records of your runs so you can evaluate changes. Don't make more then one change at a time or you could get lost trying to determine which change you made picked the car up and which one slowed it down.

Get to the track and get some seat time. Spend some time and learn how to race, pick dial ins, cut a light, and drive the stripe. If you are serious about bracket racing your paradigm will change to making changes that make your car more consistent and not just faster.

The hardest thing to do once you have the car consistent, is to NOT TOUCH IT. Enjoy it and have fun...Good Luck!