Building a drag race only F-Body, Engine Selection

**first01SS** · 02-18-2009, 07:06 AM

I'm building a track-only stock-appearance beast for drag racing. I don't have a whole lot of money, so i purchased a 1997 V6 firebird body to work with. I'm not sure wether or not i should use a Gen III engine or LT-x series engine. My gut feeling tells me i'd be happier with a Gen III; but since cost is the #1 factor, i'm open to all kinds of suggestions. Maximum amount of HP/Torque is the goal.. forced induction, nitrous, or naturally aspirated also doesn't matter..

I've looked into using truck engines as a cheap alternative. Weight doesn't matter, i can find creative ways to make up the weight difference. Suspension, rear end, or other suggestions are very welcome.... I'm a novice, and don't mind being told what's really up.

**Packy** · 03-01-2009, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by first01SS

I'm building a track-only stock-appearance beast for drag racing. I don't have a whole lot of money, so i purchased a 1997 V6 firebird body to work with. I'm not sure wether or not i should use a Gen III engine or LT-x series engine. My gut feeling tells me i'd be happier with a Gen III; but since cost is the #1 factor, i'm open to all kinds of suggestions. Maximum amount of HP/Torque is the goal.. forced induction, nitrous, or naturally aspirated also doesn't matter..

I've looked into using truck engines as a cheap alternative. Weight doesn't matter, i can find creative ways to make up the weight difference. Suspension, rear end, or other suggestions are very welcome.... I'm a novice, and don't mind being told what's really up.

What kind of times and power levels are you looking for?

**first01SS** · 03-01-2009, 07:37 PM

I'd like to see 850hp + on race fuel (or E85); forced induction.

**01ws6er** · 03-01-2009, 11:30 PM

400+ ci LQX motor with a 300 shot

**first01SS** · 03-02-2009, 05:04 AM

will a stock LQ4 survive a 300 shot?

**01ws6er** · 03-02-2009, 05:14 AM

Originally Posted by first01SS

will a stock LQ4 survive a 300 shot?

Well if its a full blown race car I'd assume you'd be getting forged internals and if you were going with something like a 408 stroker you'd have to buy a new roatating assembly so why not go forged? I dunno, but I don't think a stock LQ4 will survive a 300 shot for all that long....?

**first01SS** · 03-02-2009, 05:20 AM

See.. That's the thing; I looked at almose every engine out there, and the LQ4 seemed like the best choice: 18psi stock bottom end due to it's dished pistons and cast iron design. Of course valve train would change, maybe cam, but in it's stock form I could easily see the power levels I wanted.. But since I've never actually tried it, I don't know for sure

**01ws6er** · 03-02-2009, 05:26 AM

Originally Posted by first01SS

See.. That's the thing; I looked at almose every engine out there, and the LQ4 seemed like the best choice: 18psi stock bottom end due to it's dished pistons and cast iron design. Of course valve train would change, maybe cam, but in it's stock form I could easily see the power levels I wanted.. But since I've never actually tried it, I don't know for sure

Talk to Hi-Po: He's a member on here and has a t/a with a stock lq4, stock cam but he has Lingenfelter heads (small chamber) and he put down like 375hp, 400tq ish. Don't quote me on that, but it was something close to that.

**first01SS** · 03-02-2009, 06:04 AM

well, with that, I was meaning with some type of forced induction, not n/a

**01ws6er** · 03-02-2009, 06:07 AM

Originally Posted by first01SS

well, with that, I was meaning with some type of forced induction, not n/a

ahh, gotcha. Well I dunno actually? They are a low compression motor (I think -12cc pistons) but still if its gonna be a balls to the walls race car I'd say go with a forged rotating assembly for longevity. What are your hp/tq goals and e/t's/mph?

**first01SS** · 03-02-2009, 06:21 AM

Since I'll be running in the 1/4 and 1/8 mile, top end really isn't that important. I'd say 800+ RWHP/800 Torque would be okay; i may be aiming for too much hp but i would like to see mid 5's in the 1/8 and mid to high 7's in the 1/4.

**01ws6er** · 03-02-2009, 06:30 AM

Originally Posted by first01SS

Since I'll be running in the 1/4 and 1/8 mile, top end really isn't that important. I'd say 800+ RWHP/800 Torque would be okay; i may be aiming for too much hp but i would like to see mid 5's in the 1/8 and mid to high 7's in the 1/4.

Sounds like your gonna be spendin lotsa money!!! Your gonna need to get an NHRA license too aren't you? Hopefully some more knowlegeble people will join in and help you out man!

**first01SS** · 03-02-2009, 06:34 AM

I'm quite the novice. I am however very creative in finding solutions to problems. So hopefully I am on the right course with this LQ4 idea.

**Corvette Major** · 03-02-2009, 12:00 PM

I got a killer LSX race engine for sale. It's a proven combo ran mid 7's with twin 76s at 3400lbs on a radial.

Here is a link with the info:

http://www.corvettemajor.com/forsale.php

**BocachevyZ28** · 03-02-2009, 08:06 PM

your gonna need a bit more hp/tq to reach mid 5's and 7's i'm thinking 1100+ depending on weight, etc.

**Bottesini** · 03-02-2009, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by BocachevyZ28

your gonna need a bit more hp/tq to reach mid 5's and 7's i'm thinking 1100+ depending on weight, etc.

That is about right. One of my best friends has a full tube chassis 69 Camaro (around 2300 lbs) that runs right around 5.3s in the 1/8 and makes about 1200 with a 540 big block alcohol motor with mechanical fuel injection. Very expensive to run that kind of speed on motor alone. Even the drivetrain parts are insane cost wise compared to my build.

There was a car around here that belonged to one of the mechanics at RPM that I believe ran 6s in the 1/8 with an LQ9 bottom end and a 300 hp dry shot.

**first01SS** · 03-02-2009, 09:52 PM

Yeah, i think Nitrous may be the ticket. 300 Shot may be more realistic. What about using a big block carb motor? Do you think that may be more cost effective than running an LSx based motor?

**01ws6er** · 03-02-2009, 10:03 PM

Originally Posted by first01SS

Yeah, i think Nitrous may be the ticket. 300 Shot may be more realistic. What about using a big block carb motor? Do you think that may be more cost effective than running an LSx based motor?

Small block LSX or LQX motor with big solid roller cam and nitrous maybe? N2O Stall, big gears, tube chassis (or a lots of weight reduction) and some nice heads. You can go with a carb setup on an ls1

**first01SS** · 03-02-2009, 10:38 PM

Why carb over FI? I'm a big FI fan..... just curious....

**01ws6er** · 03-03-2009, 06:06 AM

Originally Posted by first01SS

Why carb over FI? I'm a big FI fan..... just curious....

NO reason particularly, but you had mentioned a carb setup in your previous post so I just thought I'd throw out there that you can do a carb setup on an LSX car.