Your thoughts on engine for road racing

[CarFreakGT]

if road racing = red light to red light you want BIG torque.
You will beat cars making MUCH more power.

Actually, I am referring to open track racing. I'm not a fan of street racing. It can take an ugly turn (no pun intended) very quickly. A couple of my friends had a very bad (nearly fatal) wreck several years ago while racing. I also work at a rehab hospital, and see the damage regularly.

 

[Hack]

Class rules

It depends on whether you actually want to run in organized wheel-to-wheel racing or whether you just want to run a few hot laps here and there. If you want to try American Iron or something, build to the letter of the rules or you won't get on the track.

I would recommend you spend money on driving lessons first before altering your car. Then figure out what you want to do and be certain about it. Then build your car to that.

Having said all that, for road racing you want a really light engine that makes big power. Think 4 cylinder turbo! I'm not recommending you do this to your car, just telling you what is best for road racing.

For a more realistic engine, I would look at what Matt King (Hot Rod) built for his Fox Mustang. I think he actually won his racing class. You can find the info about his 302 build in old issues of Hot Rod or probably do a search on Corner Carvers. A hot aluminum-headed 302 or 331 would be a blast to toss around some corners here and there, if it fits into the local rule book.

 

[CarFreakGT]

Thanks, hack. I would be looking more for track time and laps vs. organized wheel-to-wheel. I also want it to perform well in real world driving. It's not a daily driver, but I want it to handle as well as possible (relatively speaking and within a certain budget as well). I would rather 'overbuild' it for my needs, if that makes sense.

I would LOVE to take driving lessons, but that's not a possibility right now due to family obligations. Hopefully, I can in the future. However, I don't plan on making major mods to the engine too soon, anyway. I'm just trying to get a general long-range plan in my head. Right now, my focus is on my front suspension and steering. But, since I do have a roller 302 in the car right now, I can always plan on spending the $$$ I don't have yet, right? The idea of a 331 or 347 stroker has, of course, come to mind. As some have mentioned in this post, I may start looking for a 4v carb and intake for now, and then take it from there.

I actually have just recently started searching on corner-carvers. Man, those guys don't mess around, do they? I say that w/ all due respect. They know their stuff, and they certainly expect you to educate yourself before you post. I may never be brave enough to actually post a question, but I've been finding some good info in my searches.

Thanks for all the great input so far, everyone! I particularly appreciate the very specific suggestions that some of you have made!

Bryan

 

[CarFreakGT]

if you have manual steering you should get the roller idler arm.

For manual steering only? I have power steering. That was one of my questions, hence the '?' by it in my signature.

 

[mustangman1974]

Well I do not road race unless you consider the 91 freeway a race track. I bought a ford engine in hopes to save time on a rebuild. I am so far happy. I may not take corners to fast or drag, but its taken 45 minutes at 3,500 rpm with no problem for 40k so no complaints. I woudl say its pretty good engine choice if you don;t have machinst hookups.