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hello all i have always had the dream of going for 200mph at bonneville, i have alot of automotive knowledge but i need some opinions about where to start i own and run my own shop in my spare time so i can pretty much do all the work myself. so here is what i have. a 1973 mercury cougar xr-7 351 cleveland 3 speed trans ford 9 inch rear. i want to build it to run the quarter mile when i am not land speed racing maybe not with the same engine and rear gear combo i can build seperate engines. what kind of power will i need and what would it really take to get this too 200 mph. i would find some other way to fullfill my dream but i haven't found any other way to fullfil a dream if anyone knows a way to help let me know
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Re: my dream of 200mph
You are in the right place my friend....We can help.
Well maybe not me so much....but others ;) ;)
It can be done....We have the technology
Seth200 mph or bust....... -
Re: my dream of 200mph
I'd suggest before you start building anything, that you go to a meet at one of the LSR tracks and check out the cars, talk to the racers and crews. The good thing about this sport is the folks will help you. Even if it means you will break their records.
Where do you live ?Comment
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Re: my dream of 200mph
i am planning to go this year i live in oklahoma so i am very centrally located. i have been racing everything with wheels since i could drive them soComment
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Re: my dream of 200mph
Are you closer to Maxton or Texas Mile ?Comment
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Re: my dream of 200mph
Brandon - what Steve said.
As I've been messing with LSR for a bit under 3 years, I can tell you what I've learned. These are ballparks, but you may find this info useful: 100 hp will push a car to about 100 mph. Here's where it gets sticky - 300 hp will push a car to about 150 mph, and it will take somewhere around 900 hp to top 200. If you draw the hp/speed curve, you'll begin to get the idea. All of this assumes a reasonably aerodynamic car, which, I'm sorry to say, I don't think applies to your Cougar. Over about 150, you'll need to build the engine and I'd strongly suggest you save some $$ for wind tunnel time. BTW - the faster you go, the more likely that you'll have to ADD weight to keep the car anchored. It's not unusual for an LSR doorslammer car to top 4250 lbs or so.
All cars "hit the wall" at some speed. It literally feels like that's what happens - the car just stops going any faster, even though you have (theoretically, at least) more power and enough gear. You may even get to the point that you'll get wheel spin at high speed, as you just can't push any more air out of the way. The importance of aero can't be overstated. So choose your car carefully, with special attention to small frontal area. Aero tricks from the wind tunnel can help with turbulent spots or other issues, but if the car presents a relatively big profile to the wind, you can't fix it.
Best of luck
DanComment
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Re: my dream of 200mph
As always, Remember to Volunteer at the Track. Dan will be a really happy camper if you do. The best part about Going to a Track first is that you get to meet all the great people. You will also learn a lot about setting the Car up to meet all the Safety requirements, and By all means Get in touch with the SCTA, ECTA, BNI, or the USFRA and get a Rule Book. Check out the Production Classes/ Street Classes. Relatively Cheap to get started. Then once you get Sucked in, your Hooked and then it goes from there. I am so glad that I started going 3 years ago. I will continue for the rest of my life.Comment
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Re: my dream of 200mph
thanks i am closer to texas mile than anything else. i have a friend whm says he will let me drive his car which is capable of close to 200 so that i can have a shot so i may try it in his car firstComment
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Re: my dream of 200mph
I have the same dream...Comment
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Re: my dream of 200mph
Someone once told me, "Getting over 200 will take more horsepower than you think, and more money than you have". They had experience too !
;DComment
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Re: my dream of 200mph
There are some calculators on the LandSpeedRacing website that are very helpful, but Dan provided some guidelines ..Originally posted by Beagle
Originally posted by DanStokesComment
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Re: my dream of 200mph
Look at the cars David Pearson ran at the big tracks like Talledega for aero clues, it was around that time maybe '74 when they were trying to slow the cars down with small blocks, the Boss 429 and Hemis were getting plates. They were still tickling 200. Pole speed in 1974, and Pearson was running the '73 Cougar was 186 mph and 185 at the other. Not far from what they are running there now. And I am pretty sure that it was with a 351C, because there were some Chevys in there pretty sure with with small blocks. Benny Parsons came in second at one race at Talledega with a Chevy Monte Carlo, and Petty beat him with a Dodge at the other by two feet.Originally posted by brandontinleyComment
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Re: my dream of 200mph
Thanks - good to be back, although we had a GREAT trip.
DanComment
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Re: my dream of 200mph
Had some friends who were close to 200 in 1990 with a stock-bodied Coronet. Engine dyno'ed 850hp I think. Seems like you'd want more. Picture: bulletproof assy, dry-sump oil, manual trans, stripped interior w/ full cage & metal seat, on-board fire system. They were very dedicated people who spent lots of money on it, wasn't a casual thing....Comment
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Re: my dream of 200mph
If going that fast was a casual thing, we'd all be doing it. ;D
BrianThat which you manifest is before you.Comment
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