This is what I've been working on this summer... Still lots to do but it's coming along. It's not Sand Car stuff but I'll make a thread if you guys are interested.

Zilla

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Heck ya! Let's see it Clay.

Cool. Post up some pics and the story!

hell yeah we want to know what it is, what class, motor, drive train, etc.

Saaaaaaweeeeeett!!

Is it going to be FAST???

I hven't heard from you in a while, I figured that meant you were doing your mad scientist thing in the shop!


Post it up, we always want to see what you've been up to!

Turnkey or Redline?

looks like you all ready started a thread so carry on with it.... lets see the pics and info on the drag racer

Wow CLay, nice start to a beautiful Camaro/Trans Am. Please post your great photos through completion.

Looks sweet clay. Let me know when your going to run it. Be fun to go down and watch.

johnny thats just mean ! . tim

very nice clay keep us posted on the first comp strip run ill be there!

will it be ready for hp wars

OK, here's the deal on this thing. Some of you guys have heard me hint about going in another direction, well, this is it. Will all the C.A.R.B crap coming out of California, I think it's only going to get worse and I just don't want to mess with it. F-R-E is not my "full time" gig as most of you know... I do it because "I like it" not because I have to it to make a living. I have another full time job. As time goes by, I'm going to be more selective on what I build. I don't want to get into a "production" kinda thing... It's just to boring for me. And I can't hire anyone to do it for me because I'm so anal that I can't back and let someone else build my engines... I hope that makes sense. But building race cars and the associated stuff that goes along with it... I have no problem hiring help with that. I'm anal about how I want it done, but I'm not a very good welder so I'd rather not screw up what I want built by insisting that I put it together too... Again, I hope that makes sense. Right now, I'm sure some of you guys think I'm a head case and that's OK... The bottom line is, I'd rather do it right and break even or even lose money, than do it half (_|_) or just "acceptable" and make a profit. Not a very good business model I know, but I sleep well and have fun at what I do and that's OK by me.

I'll continue to build the occasional Sand Car engine but what I really want to is start building drag cars to promote my late model engine and car products. You can learn a lot at the drag strip and I'm going to really focus on that for the foreseeable future.

The car is the thread is the first FRE "race car" I have another one I'm ready to start on right behind this one. The only reason I haven't started on it already is that my new shop is already FULL with more jobs lined up. I would have never thought that 2400 sf. would not have been enough when I worked for years in a 1000 sf. shop... Gp figure. :-/ But I'm not complaining. I've pulled in a lot more business and that's the bottom line. You will remember that I owned a Sand Limo, so I am was very familiar with that brand of car. I also have several FRE engines running around in those cars and I keep in contact with all my engine customers long after the sale... Well, now that I have the larger shop, I can take care of their cars as well as their engines... FRE is now a one stop shop for your whole car for my engine customers. I might expand that later on to other not FRE equipped cars, but for now, if you own a FRE engine, I can and will work on your car too. And I can do anything to a Sand Limo, and I don't care if it have a FRE engine or not. I hired a guy that worked for Sand Limo for years and he built those things from the ground up... So we can repair or modify any part of that car. You might want to keep that in mind as the season goes by. It's always good to have options. But enough of the Sand Car stuff for now. Let me tell you what this car is and where you might see it some day.

As I mentioned about, I have two of these late model Camaro's. I'm building one for the "LSX Shootout" races that they have in Memphis every year. Some of you will remember me talking about that. I went last year and had a blast. I also got hooked on the idea to build a car to compete in one of the classes. Here is a link to the site if you want to read about it. http://www.fasteststreetcar.com/lsx/ I also want to build and race another car to compete, locally. The LSX Shootout car will give me national exposure, and the other car will give me local exposure... Exposure for what, you might ask... Well, that bring us back to the beginning of the thread. Exposure for my engines and engine parts (The stuff that I already make and sell) and exposure for my race car stuff that I want to develop and sell with these two cars. Examples: Roll bars and cages. Suspension parts that I will starting to make along with other brands that I will start carrying for these late model cars. And not to long from now I will be getting one of the new style Camaro's and I will be developing bolt on a car parts for those too... So lots of new stuff in the works for FRE, but not much in the way of Sand Car stuff. Don't get me wrong, I'll always be around if you want something for your Sand Car, especially my FRE customers... But you will have a better chance at running into me at the at the "asphalt" drags than the Sand Car drags...

Current Project. (What I have so far)

1999 Camaro.

Certified 25.5 Roll C/M Cage (7.50 ET)
Wolf Racing mini tubs
Tubular K-member
Strange front and rear disc brakes
Strange adjustable coil over shocks
Moser 9" housing with back brace & 3 position LCA mounts
Strange Ultra 9" third member and spool
Moser 40 spline gun drilled axles, star flanges
Kikey Pro Mod Alu seats
Abruizzi "Mack Daddy" Powerglide
Neal Chance bolt together torque converter
Weld 2.0 billet Drag wheels
Custom steering column


Zilla


This is what it looked like when I got it.

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Just some misc pics.


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definately one of my new favorite threads. Keep us updated Clay!!

Very cool Clay! Keep this updated many of us will be checking in often to see your work!

I love your stuff man, I know its always top notch!!

Very cool Clay! But you left out one important part... how are you going to make it run 7.50s??? Let's hear what you have in mind for under the hood!

And if you need a test driver I WILL be available.

Thanks for the kind words, guys... I really appreciate it!

As far as the engine goes, my "trainer" engine will be a standard pump gas 415" straight from my Sand Car engine lineup. I will use that engine to setup the car, learn how to drive it, and get my NHRA drivers licenses. I figure it will be a 10 second car.... Nothing crazy. But while all that's going on, I'll be building a 433" F3 Procharger monster. 2000+ HP should not be a problem. 750's @ around 200 MPH in the 1/4, in a 3400 lb car on a 10.5" wide drag radial... Lord help me!

Zilla

Looking good cant wait to go out and play Should be around 300rwhp

not hijack , but i would like to comment on what a great looking ,well built shop you have ! you must know a great contractor . i also noticed a very sharp looking white car in the background that looks familar . back to topic . tim

Yes, I had a GREAT contractor for my shop!!! I highly recommend him.

Here are a few more of the rear bars tacked in and the front and mid motor plates mocked up. The bar across the back is what I will attach the parachute mount to. (I won't be needing a parachute until I get the big moter in there but now is the time to make the mount)

Hopefully by the end of the weekend I'll have the vertical and horizontal X-braces installed in the back. I still have to modify the tunnel behind the seat because the torque arm hits the factory tunnel... Yep, this baby is slammed!!!

Zilla

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What class would that be, Super Pro? Are you going to run 'electronics'?

nice build clay. should be very competitive in psca and back east. only thing i woulda done different is the brakes. i woulda used lamb

Here is the class and the rules.

2009 LSX DRAG RADIAL CLASS RULES

GENERAL OVERVIEW

This is a single POWER ADDER Shoot-out is a class developed for all LS powered GM
cars and trucks.
All races are on a .400 Pro Tree and in a heads up format.
This will be an ALL RUN qualifying format.
Vehicles are required to be stock appearing and stock bodied.
All vehicles MUST pass NHRA/IHRA safety inspection for ET and speed.
A Sportsman ladder will determine running order.
Vehicles must be driven to staging and to scales, can be towed after scales
Vehicles are required to run LSX Shootout Sponsor decal on front windshield and class
sponsor decals in appropriate areas.

ENGINE
Only LS based small block engines are allowed.
Cast aluminum or iron block required
Displacement will be verified by using the P&G method
Exhaust must be directed away from vehicle, outlet must be rearward of front tire
Exhaust cannot pass thru any body panel
Zoomies are prohibited
Gasoline is the only fuel allowed
Cylinder heads limited to OEM or OEM “Style” aftermarket head.
Billet cylinder heads are prohibited
Racer must be capable verify legal part # head during inspection to be deemed legal.
Any modifications allowed to legal heads
Dry sump oiling systems permitted

BALLAST
Must be NHRA/IHRA approved mounting - Maximum 100# per individual weight bar
No loose or unsecured ballast allowed and will be grounds for disqualification
CARBURETORS/INDUCTION
Any style carburetor permitted, including split dominators - maximum 2-carbs
Any EFI permitted
Any intake manifold allowed, including sheetmetal/fabricated manifolds

TRANSMISSION
Any automatic or OEM style manual transmissions permitted (* see weights)
Any torque converter allowed. Lock-up type permitted.
Torque convertors not permitted with manual transmissions
Clutch-activated automatic transmissions (re: Clutch-flite) are prohibited

SUSPENSION
Aftermarket K-members permitted
Fully tubbed or mini tubbed wheelwells and notched frame rails permitted
Factory rear frame rails required in OEM location
Wheelie bars are permitted
Stock type suspensions, ladder bars and non-OEM 4-links permitted
Coilovers permitted
Front-wheel drive conversions prohibited

INTERIOR
Must be original appearing.
Floors must be upholstered, headliners required
Passenger seat and rear seat be removed
OEM appearing dash required

BODY
Forward facing hood scoops prohibited except for OEM type for non-nitrous applications
Forward facing hood scoops permitted for nitrous applications
Cowl induction hoods permitted, 6” max
OEM composite body panels permitted
Light-weight or fiberglass body pieces limited to hood, rear deck and bumpers
Overhangs must be OEM, Wheelbase must be OEM +/- 1”
Doors must be OEM material
Rear spoilers permitted, max. length 26”, may not be moulded into the body
Tinted windows are not permitted forward of the “B” pillar, per NHRA requirements

ELECTRICAL
Electronic driving aids prohibited
Throttle stops, delay boxes and auto shifters prohibited
Two-step, trans-brakes and line-locks are permitted
Functional headlights, taillights and horn required
Any aftermarket ignition permitted

TIRES-WHEELS
TIRES - FRONT: Front tires must have a minimum tread width of 4.5 inches.
TIRES – REAR: DOT Drag Radial Tires ONLY
The maximum allowed tire size is 295 as marked on the sidewall
ANY size wheel permitted
Bead-locks permitted

WEIGHTS
Power Adder Max CID Base Weight
Nitrous Oxide 500 2600
Blower 500 3400
Turbo 500 3400

POWER ADDERS

NITROUS OXIDE: Any nitrous system permitted including push systems. No maximum
number of stages. The use of agents other than nitrous oxide as part of, or mixed in, the
system are prohibited. Nitrous oxide may not be used in conjunction with any other
power adder. If entry is entered as a non-nitrous entry, all solenoids, lines, fittings, and
bottles must be removed prior to technical inspection and any competition runs. Nitrous
oxide systems must use gasoline only for the fuel enrichment circuit.

SINGLE CENTRIFUGAL SUPERCHARGER: Any single centrifugal racing
supercharger permitted that fits the following criteria: Inlet diameter - external OD 6”
maximum, impeller inducer diameter 5.5” maximum, impeller exducer diameter 8.0”,
discharge diameter - external diameter 4.00” maximum, housing diameter (greatest
external diameter of housing not to include discharge) – 12.0” maximum. Injection of any
liquid, gas, or any other substance into the inlet or exhaust housing is strictly prohibited.
Supercharger compressor wheel must be constructed of cast or billet aluminum. Exotic
material wheels prohibited.

SINGLE TURBOCHARGER: Accepted single turbochargers are permitted with the
following requirements: 1) Turbocharger must be of conventional impeller and housing
design and type. 2) Turbocharger is limited to a maximum size of 4.173” (106.0mm) -
inducer wheel diameter at the point where the leading edge of the compressor wheel
meets the inlet housing. 3) Inlet housing is permitted a maximum inlet diameter of 4.253”
where the leading edge of the compressor wheel meets the housing. 4) Compressor wheel
to housing clearance must maintain a maximum of 0.080” clearance beginning from a)
where the leading edge of the compressor wheel meets the inlet of the compressor
housing to b) the transition point where the trailing edge of the compressor wheel meets
the volute. 5) All air entering the turbocharger must pass through the turbocharger inlet.
Injection of any liquid, gas, or any other substance into the inlet or exhaust housing is
strictly prohibited. Turbocharger compressor wheel must be constructed of cast or billet
aluminum. Exotic material wheels prohibited. The tips of the impeller wheel may not be
stepped, cut down, or notched to meet impeller tip-to-tip dimension. (.500-inch will
define the tip of the impeller wheel).

TWIN TURBOCHARGERS: Accepted twin turbochargers are permitted with the
following requirements: 1) Both turbochargers must be of conventional impeller and
housing design and type. 2) Turbochargers are limited to a maximum size of 76
mm/2.992” - inducer wheel diameter at the point where the leading edge of the
compressor wheel meets the inlet housing. 3) Inlet housing is permitted a maximum inlet
diameter of 3.072” where the leading edge of the compressor wheel meets the housing. 4)
Compressor wheel to housing clearance must maintain a maximum of 0.080” clearance
beginning from a) where the leading edge of the compressor wheel meets the inlet of the
compressor housing to b) the transition point where the trailing edge of the compressor
wheel meets the volute. 5) All air entering the turbocharger must pass through the
turbocharger inlet. Injection of any liquid, gas, or any other substance into the inlet or
exhaust housing is strictly prohibited. Turbocharger compressor wheel must be
constructed of cast or billet aluminum. Exotic material wheels prohibited. The tips of the
impeller wheel may not be stepped, cut down, or notched to meet impeller tip-to-tip
dimension. (.500-inch will define the tip of the impeller wheel).

Thanks. And Strange makes a good brakes, but if I can't stop, I'll try the Lamb on the 2nd car.

Zilla

Nice. That cage looks stout. Looking forward to the build.

Here is a few more pics. I have the vertical bars in the rear arms done. The fuel cell and the air to water intercooler tank will go in the middle (In tandem between the bars) The mid engine plate mount is also mocked up. I made it to where it's still removable but very strong. With motor plates, you have to insure that the engine does not swing back a forth <(front to rear)> With this set-up, it's tied to the tunnel and tied to the front cross bar of the roll cage. This sucker isn't gonna move!!

Zilla


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what trans are you gonna run clay?

This one> http://www.abruzziracing.com/powerglides.html "Mack Daddy"

nice, if you need to run a 3 speed look into a pro-flight trans. very popular in comp eliminator and s/s modified nhra. same weight maybe less than a pg.

Everyone runs a 2-speed in this class... They are proven to be quicker than a 3-speed and bullet proof. I'll be slower with my "trainer/set-up engine' but when I put the bad boy in there look out!

Zilla

OK... This thing is almost ready for cage inspection. Just gotta put in the tranny cross member. And I weighed it too. So far, with a engine, minis a intake and what- not and no torque converter, it weighs 1961 lbs. I "think" I can get this one to a race weight without driver to around 2800 lbs...

Zilla


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looks killer!!

you gonna run honda? i hear they do it cheaper and faster.....

OK, OK... I deserved that.

lol..

how much hp do you figure you will be putting down once your up and running, after the trainer/licensing setup is over?

you building the cage too? it looks good!

edit to add: i love drag racing. real standing start, pro tree drag racing. be it asphalt, water, or sand. rolling starts are not drag racing.

a few friends and i are putting together a car, but its on hold at the current moment. economy has everything stalled, but thats ok. we will get it together one day...keep up the good work, and keep us posted.

Yes, everything you see here was done at F-R-E... And this car might not get the LSX shoot-out engine. I'm building two cars and I'll decide later what engine goes where. But the final engine that goes in the shoot out car will be around 2000 HP <(And that is not a BS number) I'll be using a ERL block, a head that is still in development, and a crank driven F3 Procharger... Boost levels will be in the 30 plus range. It's gonna be a beast!... And I can't wait to drive it!!!!

Zilla

WOW,

Nice looking car and clean... Lets see a shot of the motor??

Thanks. And all I have right now is the block, crank and a set of pistons... I'm a long way from any motor pics. I should have the trainer motor done in a month or so but it won't be anything special... Just a stroker 415 that I put together from used parts. And yes, you have crap like that lying around when you have a engine business.

Zilla

Talk about a man of talents...
Looking really sweet...
Pulling up a chair for this one.

Clay,

let me know when you go out to the track for test and tune!


Cory

My roll cage has been certified!!!! Yep, the NHRA inspector came out last week and inspected my cage and I passed!!!! The car is certified to 25.5 SFI specs. I'm good to 7.50 seconds in the 1/4 mile. The next one will be to SFI 25.3 specs... Which will be good to 6.50 second in the 1/4 mile.

But I have to put this project on the back burner until after Halloween... I am freakin' swamped with F-R-E work right now. I hope this is a sign that the economy is making a small re-bound... I guess time will tell.

Zilla

congrats clay! the hard part will be getting your advanced et lic.

good for you!! im glad youre staying busy....

but you better keep us updated on this car!!

I got a little more work on the trainer. I still have some plumbing to do and I'm waiting on pushrods, but it's getting close. It has a 350 HP 1st stage plate system, and a 500 HP 2nd stage fogger system.

Zilla

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clay that elbow and throttle body are not going to work . tim

that should do it.

Looks great. Just curious, why the distributor instead of individual coils?

i asked the same thing , he said it had more adjustability and was more acurate , but thats my interpetation of what he said . tim