Build a Drag Race Car

Are you looking to get into drag racing? This article can provide some advice on building a street legal car that runs well at the drag strip. There's a lot to learn, but this can get you started!

Steps

  1. Know what your budget is. Then try to stick to it (which can be quite difficult at times).
  2. Locate a vehicle to get started with. Often times, websites like Craigslist are great places to look, as many people will abandon a project partway through for various reasons, these vehicles usually have a great value.
  3. Decide whether to go with Front, Rear, or All wheel drive. In terms of efficiency, when accelerating, the weight of the vehicle shifts back to the rear wheels, which is why front wheel drive is often the worst choice for this type of vehicle
  4. Buy a manual. The first thing anyone should do when working on a project, is to go to your local auto parts store and buy/order a manual for the vehicle that you are working on, it is not absolutely necessary, but it will save a lot of headaches in the long run.
  5. Research! Once you have your vehicle and have decided the approximate output that you have planned for it, figure out which parts need to be replaced first in order to handle a decent amount of power. A good place to start is the transmission, rear end, and axles
  6. Find your parts. In terms of prices, Older American cars are usually the least expensive, and easiest to fix. Junkyards are often a great place to start looking, along with various online forums, and websites like Craigslist. During a build, often people will start with lower performance parts until they are more comfortable handling a vehicle that performs better.
    • The engine is a good place to start. Assuming that your vehicle is running, rebuilding a second engine is a great idea, there are many resources that are quite easily accessible on engine building. The easiest is probably an older GM V8, as they are not computer controlled, and for such a complex machine are actually quite simple to work on
  7. Make sure that you have all the tools necessary to complete the job before you start. This will save you lots of frustration, and many many unwanted trips to the auto parts/hardware store
  8. Focus on making your vehicle perform well before it looks good. Not only will it be more enjoyable for you when it is ready to race, you will also have the satisfaction of knowing what you really have.
  9. Do not hesitate to ask questions:.Nobody knows everything about everything, and often it is a good idea to get advice before you start a project. The auto parts store is often a good place to ask questions, as is the local mechanic, but be careful with this one; make sure that if you are constantly asking them questions, that you make it worthwhile for them, and that you give them business for things that you are not comfortable with doing yourself (like engine installation).

Tips

  • Keep it safe, and make sure that you enjoy what you are doing
  • Always use a manual transmission you get better control of your car.
  • Always adhere to local driving laws, including posted speed limits, and do not drink and drive
  • Paint your car.

Warnings

  • Never Ever drink and drive, it is not "a rush" it is just plain stupid
  • Driving a fast car might make you want to race other drivers on the road. "There is a time and a place for everything" and the street is NEVER the time OR the place to race. Only race on designated race tracks, and do not give into peer pressure while driving. It is not only dangerous, it is irresponsible, and stupid, and to add to it, you or some other innocent person could quite easily get killed.

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