What vehicle would you choose for drag racing?

hydroshok

hydroshok

Covered in grease
I recently bought a 4th gen for my work truck so I could retire the old 2nd gen. I want to build something to take to the drag strip and have some fun. The 2nd gen is an ex cab long bed 4X4. It has 351/475 compounds, maxed 180 pump with 5Ks and a decent motor with 80k on it. I also have a stock 1995 Mustang Cobra. Which one would you make into a drag vehicle, or should I look for something else? I'm stuck on keeping a manual transmission because I think it takes more skill and would be more fun, but I'm open to a possible auto swap. Any input would be appreciated.
 
For serious drag racing the Mustang will be best supported but it is easy to take something like that to the level where you need to tow it to the track...

For fun at the track and on the street as well as driving it to and from the track a diesel is the way to go.

You will get the best and most consistent times drag racing with an auto...
 
Drag racing the manual in that truck is the equivalent of peeking on your sister in the shower... you know it's not right, and if you don't, you should!
 
Thanks for the replies!

I don't really want to mess with a gasoline engine to be honest. Plus boosted launches are fun. Have you ever seen the Cumstang? If I upgraded my compounds and snagged a ZF6, that would be a fun car. The only thing that concerns me is the shifter linkage.

I just think I'd get bored with an auto. Kind of just push the throttle and hold on? I understand the manual valve body, but it's still not the same as working the clutch. I know I won't be the fastest, but it will be a challenge and a lot more fun IMO.

BRE, I don't have a sister. You'll have to settle for a cousin. The truck is too heavy. I'd have to get a rcsb or go to a midsize for weight savings. And that is a ton of work that I don't want to do.
 
A lot less work to swap your engine into a gutted 1/2 ton 2nd gen with a FMVB 47RE and 9" than you think, and cheaper than building the mustang. Just my 2¢

800hp in a 4500lb truck that dead hooks is nothing to turn your nose up at.


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I love diesels but if it is down to what will be more fun then build that mustang... A 500hp gas powered car will embarrass most diesel trucks. It can be driven on the street, it'll be much less expensive to fix, and you won't have to take out a 2nd mortgage to run 10s.
 
1.How fast do you want to go
2.How much money do you have
3.What are your current bests in each vehicle?

Personally, a 11.90 diesel to me would be a lot more fun than a semi built Mustang. If you can build your 95 to run 8s or 9s that's another matter...
 
Financial Mistake said:
A lot less work to swap your engine into a gutted 1/2 ton 2nd gen with a FMVB 47RE and 9" than you think, and cheaper than building the mustang. Just my 2¢

800hp in a 4500lb truck that dead hooks is nothing to turn your nose up at.


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I just saw Nixon has an rh with T-case for sale. Maybe it's a sign lol. Why would you suggest re?

56cummins said:
BDP Doing one sick wheel stand - YouTube
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I saw that truck in person when I was in TN. Makes me think about the midsize or half-ton option.

zfaylor said:
I love diesels but if it is down to what will be more fun then build that mustang... A 500hp gas powered car will embarrass most diesel trucks. It can be driven on the street, it'll be much less expensive to fix, and you won't have to take out a 2nd mortgage to run 10s.
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That goes back to the LS swap in the mustang or building the 302. I'd probably want a better manual (6spd) or an auto and then do a ton of reading on how to make power.

smokinVE said:
Sell stang and rolling chassis truck, buy blowed up 0.5 ton, have cash left over for fun parts.
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I can't ever sell the stang. It was my father's and I'd like to keep it as long as possible. The mods are cheap for it as far as suspension goes anyway. What half-ton is the best to get? I hate the way the Dodges steer, which is one of my hangups with building the 2nd gen. Maybe I'll sell the roller truck, trans and t-case to get a half ton and build both of them slow. Make one an auto and one a manual. He!!, I could make the truck 4X4 and the stang 2wd, which would solve that dilemma too.
 
JQmile said:
1.How fast do you want to go
2.How much money do you have
3.What are your current bests in each vehicle?

Personally, a 11.90 diesel to me would be a lot more fun than a semi built Mustang. If you can build your 95 to run 8s or 9s that's another matter...
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1. I'm sure that will change once I get into it. Right now, I'd just like to get better and keep beating my previous times until the vehicle and or mods are holding me back.

2. It's just going to be a paycheck to paycheck thing with selling stuff I don't need to fund some of it. I just bought a place so that is taking up a lot of time and money currently, but it is almost done.

3. I've never had either to the track. The mustang has 120k on it with all the original parts. I'm waiting on a spare set of tires to see what it and I can do stock. The truck will most likely rip the teeth off of third in the NV4500 again. Unless by some miracle I could start in 4th. I need to come up with a plan, either auto or ZF6. I'd rather sell the 5spd swap in good condition rather than core pricing. I've seen how large the shafts are on the NP271 compared to the NP241 so I'm probably going to pick up one of those if I go 4x4.
 
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If the Mustang has sentimental "family" value, I'd suggest leaving it stock rather than risk tearing it up at the track...

Build a diesel truck to have fun racing with. 1/2 ton 2WD wit good power and big slicks would be fun!!!
 
I'd buy a late model Promod, pile some weight into it and cal it a prostreeter when I wanted to, yank the weight and call it a promod when I didn't.
 
Chris Tobin said:
If the Mustang has sentimental "family" value, I'd suggest leaving it stock rather than risk tearing it up at the track...

Build a diesel truck to have fun racing with. 1/2 ton 2WD wit good power and big slicks would be fun!!!
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Selling it is one thing, but accidentally tearing it up, he would understand. Plus if I built a drag car out of it, he may want it back lol. Long story, but I've been working on it since I traded him for my old crew cab Dodge and I'm surprised he already doesn't want it back.

Timbeaux38 said:
I'd buy a late model Promod, pile some weight into it and cal it a prostreeter when I wanted to, yank the weight and call it a promod when I didn't.
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I just searched racking junk and I think you sir are the winner. Unless the ads are totally fake, it would be way easier to buy an S10 or Ranger someone has built with a gas motor, run it till it dies and throw a diesel in it.
 
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