Building a drag race only F-Body, Engine Selection

**first01SS** · 02-18-2009, 10:02 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.

**Sarge** · 02-18-2009, 12:32 PM

LQ9 block. Go wild from there or conservative all motor. I run a 408 iron block all motor and put 600 to the wheels.....run high tens all day everyday.....all street legal....if I lightened things up 500 lbs....... you can see where I am going here....

**bigrondownhiller** · 02-18-2009, 12:59 PM

Do you know what class you are going to run in?

**0verkill** · 02-18-2009, 01:06 PM

start with the lq9 block and go from there. you get what you pay for so do your home work on your combo.

**first01SS** · 02-19-2009, 12:55 PM

NHRA Comp, Super Comp, Super Street

I'd like to build a car that is very comfortable running 10.9 (At least) and build-able to run 8.90 in the 1/4 mile. I've been looking at twin turbos and/or nitrous, which both of theses classes would allow. But i could be totally wrong here, and not need a power adder to get these kinds of numbers. I'm finding that LT1 engines are cheaper, but something tells me i can do those kinds of $$ numbers in a Gen III engine.

**blkSS98** · 02-19-2009, 07:23 PM

Crate big block!

**0verkill** · 02-20-2009, 04:53 AM

if you dont have a lot of funds it would be cheaper and easier to find a pre-built drag car with no drive trane and get that next.then you can get a good crate engine and go racing.

**first01SS** · 02-20-2009, 03:34 PM

Which crate engines would you suggest? Definitely Gen III; and i'm looking to have at least 10.2 second 1/4 mile.. As long as i can physically fit the engine; i don't have a problem putting it in there....

**0verkill** · 02-21-2009, 03:42 AM

thats more up to what you want to pay. do you have a price in mind?

**first01SS** · 02-23-2009, 08:23 AM

5000, max.

**0verkill** · 02-23-2009, 08:35 AM

your not going to get a hole car done for that. but for a moter i would say strat with a used iron block 6.0 out of a truck and do a head, intake and a big cam with headers and you should have a good base for when you whant to put more cash into it.