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I'm thrashing hard on an alternative to the unappreciated "storebought" pony car (which will be "Plan B" for DW '13 if something goes horribly wrong in the next four months).
And while the respectable "Billy Rosewood" alternative is postponed, a cheap and ratty substitute is taking shape in the shop.
The build is now to the point that two hard decisions must be made in the next few days:
1. 11.50 or 10.80 e.t.
2. Big block or small block
I've already got the "cores" and support parts to assemble and install either engine combo. And either one would use the same combination of power adders. The horsepower required would be similar, but easier to hit with more cubes (less power adder required but slightly more power necessary due to the extra weight of the big mill/transmission). And a lot of the supporting hard parts don't need to change.
The big block would be more durable at DD power levels. The small block would be lighter.
On the other hand, parts costs and transmission cost would be significantly higher with a big block. And there would be no cost-effective overdrive possible in 2013, so fuel cost would also go way up (no trailering to Bowling Green). And a big block would likely prompt second guessing ("You're only running THAT quick with a BIG BLOCK?")
As for 11.50 or 10.80 . . . only three of the top 32 in the DD class of DW '12 averaged quicker than 11.50. 10.80 would take a lot more safety gear (the main problem being getting a legal roll bar fabbed-up in time). And 10.80s put a lot more strain on the spare junk that this mess will rely upon.
But most likely running 11.50 will require some "brakelight racing" to keep from running too quick (more than a couple of DW '12 DD cars were in the same boat). And there is some piece of mind to having proper safety gear and running quick enough to be solidly in the top half of the bracket.
So what say you?
And while the respectable "Billy Rosewood" alternative is postponed, a cheap and ratty substitute is taking shape in the shop.
The build is now to the point that two hard decisions must be made in the next few days:
1. 11.50 or 10.80 e.t.
2. Big block or small block
I've already got the "cores" and support parts to assemble and install either engine combo. And either one would use the same combination of power adders. The horsepower required would be similar, but easier to hit with more cubes (less power adder required but slightly more power necessary due to the extra weight of the big mill/transmission). And a lot of the supporting hard parts don't need to change.
The big block would be more durable at DD power levels. The small block would be lighter.
On the other hand, parts costs and transmission cost would be significantly higher with a big block. And there would be no cost-effective overdrive possible in 2013, so fuel cost would also go way up (no trailering to Bowling Green). And a big block would likely prompt second guessing ("You're only running THAT quick with a BIG BLOCK?")
As for 11.50 or 10.80 . . . only three of the top 32 in the DD class of DW '12 averaged quicker than 11.50. 10.80 would take a lot more safety gear (the main problem being getting a legal roll bar fabbed-up in time). And 10.80s put a lot more strain on the spare junk that this mess will rely upon.
But most likely running 11.50 will require some "brakelight racing" to keep from running too quick (more than a couple of DW '12 DD cars were in the same boat). And there is some piece of mind to having proper safety gear and running quick enough to be solidly in the top half of the bracket.
So what say you?
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