i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,572
Likes: 26
From: Harford County, MD
Car: camaro sportcoupe
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: G-Force GF5R
Axle/Gears: Moser 9"
i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
hehe, i got enough tubes to make something serious now, lol! ya'll watch out! (keep lookin' back for more updates over the next few days)
#2
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,779
Likes: 376
From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: Strange 12 bolt 3.42
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
looking good, i'm about to order a 8 pt bar myself since i'm sitting on 11.53 with traction issues.
#4
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,572
Likes: 26
From: Harford County, MD
Car: camaro sportcoupe
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: G-Force GF5R
Axle/Gears: Moser 9"
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
i'm just gonna do enough to go 10.00 for now...i'm not into adding too much more weight if i don't need it(i'll be doing a couple of overkill things on this, just for cool factor), and i don't particularly care for the way the competition engineering halo's fit...and i can't afford anything else, so i'm gonna hold off...i don't really mind taking it apart to do it again later honestly...it's all part of hotrodding, lol!
#6
Senior Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 745
Likes: 0
From: springfield,IL
Car: T/A / Grand Am
Engine: 383 SBC
Transmission: glide
Axle/Gears: 9" ford 5.67
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
They fit better than Jegs. They all have to be cut, and some need to be spread some. At least Comps come with enough extra to put the main hoop where you want it. They are made for no dash though, so that may be a challenge. I've installed 3 from Comp and 2 from Jegs. Had to bend them from both places. I had to go with Jegs because Comp didn't make one for my GA, neither did Jegs , but they made one for a Beretta and it worked. What kind of welder are you going to be using? I bought a Hobart 140 and have built 3 cars with it. A very good welder for the money, and it works off of 115 vac with a 10 ga cord.
#7
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,572
Likes: 26
From: Harford County, MD
Car: camaro sportcoupe
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: G-Force GF5R
Axle/Gears: Moser 9"
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
i'm using a little 110v miller...this is only getting the main hoop and door bars(and rears of course, but no halo/a-pillars for now)...this kit looks better than my dad's, he used the jegs kit. i was under the impression that the jegs kit WAS the comp. eng. kit, but after seeing this, i don't think that it is....
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#8
Senior Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 745
Likes: 0
From: springfield,IL
Car: T/A / Grand Am
Engine: 383 SBC
Transmission: glide
Axle/Gears: 9" ford 5.67
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
Might as well go with a 10 or 12 pt now, They don't cost that much more. Get rid of the chassis flex for more consistant 60s. You can leave out the door bars if you still drive it on the street, or make them swing out, removable. It"ll cost more to upgrade later.
#9
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,572
Likes: 26
From: Harford County, MD
Car: camaro sportcoupe
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: G-Force GF5R
Axle/Gears: Moser 9"
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
hehe...i bet you would...
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i'm actually on a bit of a time crunch with this deal, so that's why i'm doing it this way. i don't like how the pre-bent kits (any of them, not S&W, not Alston's, not CE's, not Jeg's, nobody's) fit for the a-pillar and halo area. i'd rather do it this way and add in some custom bent pieces later....when i have more time to get it done the way i want, and can afford to pay someone to spend a few hours bending up some nice stuff....
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i'm actually on a bit of a time crunch with this deal, so that's why i'm doing it this way. i don't like how the pre-bent kits (any of them, not S&W, not Alston's, not CE's, not Jeg's, nobody's) fit for the a-pillar and halo area. i'd rather do it this way and add in some custom bent pieces later....when i have more time to get it done the way i want, and can afford to pay someone to spend a few hours bending up some nice stuff....
Last edited by mw66nova; 09-02-2008 at 10:41 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
#10
Moderator
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 17,170
Likes: 138
From: 51°N 114°W, 3500'
Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
Ah yes. Adding about 70 pounds to the car will keep you away even more
I need my entire cage with a 110v welder. I used .023 wire cranked up to the highest setting.
I wish my workbench looked that clean.
I need my entire cage with a 110v welder. I used .023 wire cranked up to the highest setting.
I wish my workbench looked that clean.
#11
Senior Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 745
Likes: 0
From: springfield,IL
Car: T/A / Grand Am
Engine: 383 SBC
Transmission: glide
Axle/Gears: 9" ford 5.67
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
i'm using a little 110v miller...this is only getting the main hoop and door bars(and rears of course, but no halo/a-pillars for now)...this kit looks better than my dad's, he used the jegs kit. i was under the impression that the jegs kit WAS the comp. eng. kit, but after seeing this, i don't think that it is....
#12
Moderator
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 17,170
Likes: 138
From: 51°N 114°W, 3500'
Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
A 1-5/8" bar without the halo and a-pillar bars won't be legal.
My full cage originally started off as a Jegs kit but I've modified it since then to make it better however I still don't have the bars going through the firewall.
My full cage originally started off as a Jegs kit but I've modified it since then to make it better however I still don't have the bars going through the firewall.
#13
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,572
Likes: 26
From: Harford County, MD
Car: camaro sportcoupe
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: G-Force GF5R
Axle/Gears: Moser 9"
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
yeah, i noticed that the bars were bigger, the notches were nicer, the bars were longer, they included gussets, and the door bars have a nice bend in them...i'm gonna put those in differently than the directions suggest, gonna see if i can make them fit in there to allow me to get my big butt in and out of there a little better...
----------
haha, very funny...i guess you missed the post where i got a new motor
mine is 1 3/4" x .130"
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mine is 1 3/4" x .130"
Last edited by mw66nova; 09-02-2008 at 10:48 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
#14
Senior Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 745
Likes: 0
From: springfield,IL
Car: T/A / Grand Am
Engine: 383 SBC
Transmission: glide
Axle/Gears: 9" ford 5.67
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
You're right Stephen. It takes a 1 3/4 for 6 and 8 points to be legal. Been a long time since I did one of those.
#15
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
gee, i started out with a pile of straight tube...where did i screw up?
sure is handy having a bender handy, none of that well thats how it came stuff, but thinking in several dimensions is somewhat of a pain.
sure is handy having a bender handy, none of that well thats how it came stuff, but thinking in several dimensions is somewhat of a pain.
#16
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,572
Likes: 26
From: Harford County, MD
Car: camaro sportcoupe
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: G-Force GF5R
Axle/Gears: Moser 9"
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
yes it is, and i'm gonna make sure to come up and play with that bender when i do my a-pillars...but i'm gonna really take my time with this piece and i think it'll turn out really super nice...we'll see.
#19
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,779
Likes: 376
From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: Strange 12 bolt 3.42
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
good point.. i ordered the 8 point last night without thinking... by next year i should be turbo'd and shooting for bottom 10's/high 9's at near 135 if not over. i'l need the 10 point for 9.99 or 135 which ever comes first
#20
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,572
Likes: 26
From: Harford County, MD
Car: camaro sportcoupe
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: G-Force GF5R
Axle/Gears: Moser 9"
#21
Supreme Member
iTrader: (14)
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 3
From: The "D"
Car: A Portly 85 Z28
Engine: 4.530 X 4.250 BBC
Transmission: under rated for this application
Axle/Gears: also under rated
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
hehe...i bet you would...
----------
i'm actually on a bit of a time crunch with this deal, so that's why i'm doing it this way. i don't like how the pre-bent kits (any of them, not S&W, not Alston's, not CE's, not Jeg's, nobody's) fit for the a-pillar and halo area. i'd rather do it this way and add in some custom bent pieces later....when i have more time to get it done the way i want, and can afford to pay someone to spend a few hours bending up some nice stuff....
----------
i'm actually on a bit of a time crunch with this deal, so that's why i'm doing it this way. i don't like how the pre-bent kits (any of them, not S&W, not Alston's, not CE's, not Jeg's, nobody's) fit for the a-pillar and halo area. i'd rather do it this way and add in some custom bent pieces later....when i have more time to get it done the way i want, and can afford to pay someone to spend a few hours bending up some nice stuff....
I gotta say that the S&W kit is the best fit kit you`ll find pre-bent, I wouldn`t think twice about another one if needed.
#22
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,572
Likes: 26
From: Harford County, MD
Car: camaro sportcoupe
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: G-Force GF5R
Axle/Gears: Moser 9"
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
i don't like the halo...i want one bar that goes from the main hoop, all the way down the a-pillar, to the floor, then a crossbar across the top of the windshield.
i got a little done today. i ran out of wire half-way through welding up my first 6x6 plate, so i had to make a parts run early on. this bar is FAR more work than ben's nice wolfe-racecraft bar, but i think this is gonna turn out really good. here's a couple of pics of what i got accomplished:
got the main hoop and over the seat bars tacked into place...it's amazing how much time it takes doing all the prep work
a good one showing just how far back i was able to put that main hoop, nearly invisible from the side. don't worry, it's still only 5" from the back of my helmet, well within NHRA specs.
i got a little done today. i ran out of wire half-way through welding up my first 6x6 plate, so i had to make a parts run early on. this bar is FAR more work than ben's nice wolfe-racecraft bar, but i think this is gonna turn out really good. here's a couple of pics of what i got accomplished:
got the main hoop and over the seat bars tacked into place...it's amazing how much time it takes doing all the prep work
a good one showing just how far back i was able to put that main hoop, nearly invisible from the side. don't worry, it's still only 5" from the back of my helmet, well within NHRA specs.
#23
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,779
Likes: 376
From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: Strange 12 bolt 3.42
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
did you remove teh gas tank for the rear bars? i am gonan do my bar and am worried about that
#24
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,572
Likes: 26
From: Harford County, MD
Car: camaro sportcoupe
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: G-Force GF5R
Axle/Gears: Moser 9"
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
nope, and haven't on the other two i did that the bars went to that spot as well.
#25
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,779
Likes: 376
From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: Strange 12 bolt 3.42
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
cool cuz i dont wanna pull the rear/ then the tank just to install a roll bar. Then have to pull rear again to put the 12 bolt in whenever i get that piece of hardware
#26
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Traverse City, MI
Car: 86 Sport Coupe
Engine: LG4
Transmission: BW 5 speed
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
Hey Guy's forgive me if I'm wrong but I thought all welding on cages had to be stick welded? not wire. just a question thanks Dave
#27
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,572
Likes: 26
From: Harford County, MD
Car: camaro sportcoupe
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: G-Force GF5R
Axle/Gears: Moser 9"
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
absolutely not. SMAW welding is strictly prohibitted by the NHRA actually. Mild Steel can be MIGed or TIGed, and chromoly can only be TIGed.
#28
Supreme Member
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,622
Likes: 3
From: Orland Park, IL
Car: 1984 Z28
Engine: SLOW carbed ls
Transmission: TH400 with brake, 8" PTC converter
Axle/Gears: moser 9" 4.11
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
my hoop is not visible from the side at all so you could have gone back another inch no problem. It took me and a buddy about 14 hours start to finish to put in my roll bar.
#29
Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: RI
Car: 87 Firebird Formula
Engine: AFR headed SBC
Transmission: TKO 600
Axle/Gears: 9" Moser with 4.11's
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
Looks really good man! Could you take some pics of the floor plates close up to show how you positioned them for me? Also how have you been welding those plates in? Weld a few inches at a time and jump around on the plate? Any problems with blowing through? Did you countour the plates by heating them up and bending them to get the right shape? Thanks for the help.
#30
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,572
Likes: 26
From: Harford County, MD
Car: camaro sportcoupe
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: G-Force GF5R
Axle/Gears: Moser 9"
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
i did have a problem blowing through on one of the plates...i've had best results by turning the heat down and just really pushing the wire into the weld and go about 3" at a time. the blowing through was with the heat too high and you can tell the heat was too high by how flat the weld got.
as far as forming them, i didn't worry about heating them up, i just beat them into shape...was a trial-error style fitment...
as far as forming them, i didn't worry about heating them up, i just beat them into shape...was a trial-error style fitment...
#31
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,941
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From: Kissimmee, FL
Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: 357cid
Transmission: T5 Swap
Axle/Gears: 10bolt 7.5" 3.23 soon to be 3.73
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
i did have a problem blowing through on one of the plates...i've had best results by turning the heat down and just really pushing the wire into the weld and go about 3" at a time. the blowing through was with the heat too high and you can tell the heat was too high by how flat the weld got.
as far as forming them, i didn't worry about heating them up, i just beat them into shape...was a trial-error style fitment...
as far as forming them, i didn't worry about heating them up, i just beat them into shape...was a trial-error style fitment...
well when i finally get my head outta my butt and figure out where i wanna go with my motor im be caging mine... just cuz it looks cool... and whether its a straight line beater or corner carver it should help
#32
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
Looking Good Matt...It amazes me everytime I see something like this, You have come along way in a shrt time.Very impressed. One of these days we might have to hook up and to this to mine.
#33
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
hey why did you put the rear bars there? and for the other guys post some close ups of the plates on the floor.
I see that you labeled the pass. side, good to keep your directions straight lol
I see that you labeled the pass. side, good to keep your directions straight lol
#34
Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 831
Likes: 1
From: Midwest IL
Car: 1984 Z28
Engine: Alky 360
Transmission: TH400, Freakshow 9.5"
Axle/Gears: 9" 4.71
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
Auto Weld also makes a nice kit. I had to add some angle to the rear bars, but otherwise it fit like a glove.
#35
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,572
Likes: 26
From: Harford County, MD
Car: camaro sportcoupe
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: G-Force GF5R
Axle/Gears: Moser 9"
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
here's some pics guys:
more bars:
all four back in for fitment:
i realize that some of the welds on the not-so-necessary bars aren't the prettiest, but they'll hold the bars well and add all kinds of integrity to the car, so don't pick too hard. the necessary bars all have excellent looking welds and will pass tech without a problem.
more pics with it all back together for real will happen in a few days...back to work in the morning.
#37
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,572
Likes: 26
From: Harford County, MD
Car: camaro sportcoupe
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: G-Force GF5R
Axle/Gears: Moser 9"
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
cool factor...they'll come out if i decide that the 30lbs they weigh is enough to justify pulling them out...
#39
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,572
Likes: 26
From: Harford County, MD
Car: camaro sportcoupe
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: G-Force GF5R
Axle/Gears: Moser 9"
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
hehe, yeah, i know...it was midnight last night...i had to take a break. i still got a couple of inches of wire to burn to get it all squared around.
#40
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
HUH? those bars are over nothing.....well ok just a piece of u channel that's sort of spot welded to the floor, but all it does is hold the tank up the rails are further over
those are on the corner of the rail in the back, but i added a crossmember in for a anti roll bar, but the tube is over the rail. Obviously its too late to change that now lol, but it does look good. If you go to a fuel cell in the future you can put a square tube crossmember under there to help stiffen that up. also you can wrap your sholder harness around the bar if you want, with the factory seat it wont matter, but if you weld a tab on then attach the belt loop and change to a race seat, it might stick through the seat....just a heads up. I would put something to keep the straps in place if you wrap them.
those are on the corner of the rail in the back, but i added a crossmember in for a anti roll bar, but the tube is over the rail. Obviously its too late to change that now lol, but it does look good. If you go to a fuel cell in the future you can put a square tube crossmember under there to help stiffen that up. also you can wrap your sholder harness around the bar if you want, with the factory seat it wont matter, but if you weld a tab on then attach the belt loop and change to a race seat, it might stick through the seat....just a heads up. I would put something to keep the straps in place if you wrap them.
#41
Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: RI
Car: 87 Firebird Formula
Engine: AFR headed SBC
Transmission: TKO 600
Axle/Gears: 9" Moser with 4.11's
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
That looks frigin awesome man! Great job. Pics show it off well and I do second keeping the rear seats for the cool factor. These pictures will help out a lot when next year or over the winter I install my roll bar. When do you plan to take it to the track to see what the new motor will run?
#42
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,572
Likes: 26
From: Harford County, MD
Car: camaro sportcoupe
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: G-Force GF5R
Axle/Gears: Moser 9"
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
rich, honestly, i was just going off my dad's car as that's where his bars land. i see what you're saying, and when the car does start to go that route, i'll definitely make sure to put the extra bracing underneath.
gtpro700, the next scheduled race is the 28th of this month. i gotta get this finished up and get the transmission out, and back into my 1991 dodge d250 before then so i can get the car to the track. and i gotta see what's up with the ignition on this car as it's goin crazy, droppin' cylinders left and right and generally pissing me off.
gtpro700, the next scheduled race is the 28th of this month. i gotta get this finished up and get the transmission out, and back into my 1991 dodge d250 before then so i can get the car to the track. and i gotta see what's up with the ignition on this car as it's goin crazy, droppin' cylinders left and right and generally pissing me off.
#44
Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
From: BALT, MD
Car: 84 camaro
Engine: HRE 355
Transmission: th350
Axle/Gears: 4.56
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
matt...looking great. thats one of the hardest parts of building legal race cars. cant wait to hear how it runs at the track now. beautiful work.
#45
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
rich, honestly, i was just going off my dad's car as that's where his bars land. i see what you're saying, and when the car does start to go that route, i'll definitely make sure to put the extra bracing underneath.
gtpro700, the next scheduled race is the 28th of this month. i gotta get this finished up and get the transmission out, and back into my 1991 dodge d250 before then so i can get the car to the track. and i gotta see what's up with the ignition on this car as it's goin crazy, droppin' cylinders left and right and generally pissing me off.
gtpro700, the next scheduled race is the 28th of this month. i gotta get this finished up and get the transmission out, and back into my 1991 dodge d250 before then so i can get the car to the track. and i gotta see what's up with the ignition on this car as it's goin crazy, droppin' cylinders left and right and generally pissing me off.
I think I was just about to find the limit of the stock main caps, which are supposedly the weakest ones gm made lol
dang things were walking all over. it has billet caps now, and nitrous rings so maybe it will run with the big boys now!
#46
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, NY
Car: '82 Sport Coupe/'89 bird/'77 280z
Engine: 355/2.8/L28E(t)
Transmission: TH350/T5/4 spd
Axle/Gears: 3.73/3.42/3.54
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
Very nice looking!
Is there any reason NOT to put a roll bar in a 'fast' car that only has 2 seats to begin with? ie; any hassles street driving with one?
Is there any reason NOT to put a roll bar in a 'fast' car that only has 2 seats to begin with? ie; any hassles street driving with one?
#47
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
climbing over the door bar is the biggest pita. also, if your head is near any bars, its a good idea to wear a 5 point harness and helmet whenever you drive it to the grocery store or whatever. and thats a pain since it limits visibility and movement to the point where its hard to back the car up. 5 point harness takes 10x as long to put on also.
#48
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,779
Likes: 376
From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: Strange 12 bolt 3.42
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
i'm not looking forward to the harness thing. Cool factor but my gosh its gonna be a pain i bet
#49
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, NY
Car: '82 Sport Coupe/'89 bird/'77 280z
Engine: 355/2.8/L28E(t)
Transmission: TH350/T5/4 spd
Axle/Gears: 3.73/3.42/3.54
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
climbing over the door bar is the biggest pita. also, if your head is near any bars, its a good idea to wear a 5 point harness and helmet whenever you drive it to the grocery store or whatever. and thats a pain since it limits visibility and movement to the point where its hard to back the car up. 5 point harness takes 10x as long to put on also.
#50
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,779
Likes: 376
From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: Strange 12 bolt 3.42
Re: i ain't skeered of no 11.49!
what sucks for me is the car can do 11.40's as it sits on a good day but with another 100lb from a 8 pt bar, it will struggle to hit 11.5's haha. oh well. got nitrous for that problem