BEST IDEA FOR LAND SPEED

[Shawn Anderson]

Ok guy's too much time in a hotel room got me thinking about land speed racing. I have been thinking about a procharger on my mustang and the proper saftey mods seems it would be pretty strait forward and alot of fun, but it seems like for around the same amount of money (but way more time witch I always lack) I could build a land speed car out of my 86 thunderbird. The advantage to the bird is I could just gut the interior and add a full cage ware as the stang I am not willing to go more than a 6 point in the mustang. It seems like the thunderbird would also be more aerodynamic. Right now the bird has a 400hp 351c and 200hp of spray I would have to build a more serios motor to go fast, but could use what I have to get my license. Right now the car has a C6 auto but I have a toploader. Give your thoughts.

[Brian Lohnes]

Re: BEST IDEA FOR LAND SPEED

.35 drag # for the T-Bird....what year is the Mustang?

I know the cd isn't everything, but it's something right?

Brian

[Shawn Anderson]

Re: BEST IDEA FOR LAND SPEED

2005

[Brian Lohnes]

Re: BEST IDEA FOR LAND SPEED

Looks like the number on the 2005 Mustang is .38

Brian

[squirrel]

Re: BEST IDEA FOR LAND SPEED

At speed, I'm sure it is, but it's interesting how the big white Camaro did this year with and without it's super aero nose.

I think the rear spoiler being on or off the car made a lot more difference! although the spoiler and blower were installed and removed at the same time

[dieselgeek]

Re: BEST IDEA FOR LAND SPEED

I vote for the bird. Over time you are going to end up cutting the car up anyways and the later model car will lose a lot of value. Meanwhile there's no problem hacking up the old car as you get more into the sport...

I know Keith is always telling people to think about CD and frontal area on their first cars, but my observation is that a lot of the guys who "do well" at the sport, are using the same old car that they rework each season. Seems the T-bird would go along with this theme more easily.

Plus, if you put a badass mod motor in it, then you can go the V10 Mercury route and run it with a standalone, which we all know is a ton more fun! :-)

[JRoberts]

Re: BEST IDEA FOR LAND SPEED

Lawson Bilhardt runs a Super Coupe at Maxton and has been quite successful over the years. Maybe Keith or Tonya can let you know how to get up with him. He's a great guy and I'm sure would love to help you if he can.

[BangShift McT]

Re: BEST IDEA FOR LAND SPEED

Another nod for the 'Bird. There has to be plenty of aero tricks for that thing from it's NASCAR days.

[Fordplay0621]

Re: BEST IDEA FOR LAND SPEED

T-Bird for sure.
NASCAR Has alot of info you can use for Aero planning. I'm sure you can find a few Older Guys with a lot of info you can use.

[terry russell]

Re: BEST IDEA FOR LAND SPEED

The T bird is the way to go.Short wheel base/poor aero of the mustang puts you at a disadvantage.
Lose as much weight as you can then put back where its needed 53% up front.Lawson uses air bags to go low.
He ran 187+ at the last meet.
terry

[dieselgeek]

Re: BEST IDEA FOR LAND SPEED

The T bird is the way to go.Short wheel base/poor aero of the mustang puts you at a disadvantage.
Lose as much weight as you can then put back where its needed 53% up front.Lawson uses air bags to go low.
He ran 187+ at the last meet.
terry

that's 187mph on a 3.8 liter v6 with a supercharger, right?? wow.

[purplecobra]

Re: BEST IDEA FOR LAND SPEED

an 86 t bird is a fox based car so it's a rebodied stang . I still vote for it. The yellow GT is too nice to cut up, I wonder if Bill Elliot has any old nascar body parts laying around?

[Shawn Anderson]

Re: BEST IDEA FOR LAND SPEED

The idea on the stang was a supercharger and a 6 point bar and try to get the D blown gas super street record wich is 152mph. I would not be willing to do the saftey mods to go over 175 (full cage chute etc.) The Thunderbird on the other hand though it was my first car I am willing to alter in any way to go fast and if I wanted to could put any drivetrain in.

[AdioSS]

Re: BEST IDEA FOR LAND SPEED

The Thunderbird on the other hand though it was my first car I am willing to alter in any way to go fast and if I wanted to could put any drivetrain in.

That's how I feel about my 91 Caprice

[Monster]

Re: BEST IDEA FOR LAND SPEED

I would not be willing to do the saftey mods to go over 175 (full cage chute etc.)
The Thunderbird on the other hand ... I am willing to alter in any way to go fast

Well, there you have the answer to your question then !!

;)

.. and by the way, the "best idea for LSR ", is to go to an event and see the vehicles firsthand, observe tech inspection and talk to the event staff, drivers and crews yourself, without racing the first time. Volunteering to help run the event also provides a unique perspective and some behind the scenes stuff that spectators don't have the opportunity to see.