Drag racing LWB C10 opposed to a SWB. INPUT NEEDED!

[slammedLT1]

Hey as a few many know I'm building a LWB 84 C10 in a prostreet type application. I am weighing out the option of shortening my frame and goin SWB, or leaving it long and low. No one wants to backtrack but if I have to I will. I was hoping to get some tips and advice to get me and my truck happy on a dragstrip. Anyone here throwing down wicked times in their LWB? I've been reading all I can find on here and would love to hear all the tried tested and true results...and maybe others thinking the same can get alot of insight out of this thread!

[69GMC910]

Ditto on this post... I'm doing a 700+hp LWB and want to know NOW if I'm making a huge mistake... While the weight transfer may not be as good(?) in a LWB, I imagine 120mph is a lot more manageable as far as going straight than a SWB would be...

[slammedLT1]

69GMC Im in grande prairie! Something in the air this way! But yeah we need some attention here. Check this out in the meantime... I been reading up on this smokin thread ! Buddy is an abolute genius! Its a start anyway.Make it handle!

Please all you guys with the fast LWBs shed some light on us!

[chevytruck1970]

how fast are you wanting to go?

[slammedLT1]

I wanna see the 12s next summer . Is it realistic? So far i got my LQ4 and T56, im looking into twin 66mm turbos. I wont be shy on power by any means by the time its mobile. How do you get yours down the track in such a hurry?

[Super73]

You won't need a twin turbo set up on an LQ4 to go in the 12's.

First time out with a 347ci LS motor making about 420rwhp through a 4L80E @ 3,900lbs I went 12.33 with an overly tight 3,500 rpm converter with 3.73's and a 26" tall tire.


My SWB truck is plenty fine at 128mph. We will see how it is mid 130mph when I get time to work out the new combo and bottle it..

[slammedLT1]

Still looking to find out if a person is better off to drag race a SWB compared to a LWB. Pros & Cons and things of that nature...

[Southcity]

Try reaching out to Bob 68327, he used to own and drag a 68 50th Anniversary LWB, he should have some useful info to share with you.

[Super73]

Also ask guys like BigJim who have been 9.4x with a long bed, then took that same truck and made it a shortbed. He is now looking to run 8.9x on motor as a shortbed. Makes you wonder why he went to a SWB if a LWB is better.

He has first had experience with the same truck as an SWB and a LWB on the same track running upwards of 141mph.

Not too many people on this board
A) Are that fast
B) have done it with both platforms and in the same truck.

[djracer]

I think it can be done with either and 12's wouldn't be a problem in either format. I do think the SWB will transfer weight much better than a LWB. If I was gonna do a LWB I probably would run an LS motor instead of the BBC's that I love.

[nxtruck]

To echo what Kevin said, I think either setup would be fine in an 11 or 12 sec. truck. My '66 is a longbed and has seen 1.50s in the 60' on motor alone. The factory suspension setups on these trucks works pretty well and can be improved on, if needed. I do feel that, in a longbed application, a sbc or ls-style motor might be the better way to go, as far as weight transfer is concerned. There is a guy who visits this site from time to time that runs a 496 bbc in a 66' longbed from Washington state that could shed some light on this, as well as a few others.
With all of this said, there is a wealth of knowledge on this site. Guys like Shaun, Marv, Kevin, Mike and several others can help you achieve your goals whichever way you decide to go. Good luck with it!

[slammedLT1]

Cool Im gonna be pretty darn light on my engine / tranny combo. lq4 and t56 cant weight a heck of alot together. I ll have a fuel cell and up to two batterys at the far back, right in front of the rollpan. Im happy I have regained faith in my LWB. I cant wait till I can get this thing together and on the track. its all original so I don't wanna f- with it makin a SWB out of it.

[Super73]

Any reason your are choosing to run an LQ4 over the alum blocks LS1/2/3 or L92? There is a little over 100lbs difference between the blocks if memory serves.. LS1 blocks can be had pretty cheap these days with the LS2/3's being very available now.

[slammedLT1]

I plan to run something along the lines of a single GT4088 turbo or smaller twins. I also want to keep adding and upgrading. As much as would be amazing to have an all aluminum block I don't trust myself with one. I got my LQ4 for 500 bucks and its complete.
The LS1's seem to be a bit more pricey and hard to find up where I'm at. I wont be so choked to put rods through the side knowing they are so plentiful and I can be back to where I was cheaper and quicker with the same compression and sh- like that.
I wonder how far back you can get that LS in the square bodys. That'd probably be the best approach for an iron block'r.

[71Dragtruck]

I run 10's with ****ty air in LWB I've also thought many a time that I should have cut it down to a short to save some weight, but now its way too late and would be to costly. I have no trouble hooking at all have ran 10's lots on an unpreped track during Fri night street drags
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[69GMC910]

@71Dragtruck What r u running for engine/tranny/rear end/suspension?
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[69GMC910]

And are you from Kindersley?!
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[71Dragtruck]

Originally Posted by 69GMC910

And are you from Kindersley?!
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Yes I am, have we met?


I'm running a 489 BBC with a built turbo 350 tranny 4500 stall, fabbed 9" 4:30 gears and a 4-link.

[69GMC910]

No we haven't, but the Hard Candy Customs in yer sig gave it away! I'm originally from the Flaxcombe area!
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[69GMC910]

What kinda power is the 489 making? Solid roller?
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[71Dragtruck]

Originally Posted by 69GMC910

No we haven't, but the Hard Candy Customs in yer sig gave it away! I'm originally from the Flaxcombe area!
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Ah I see, my girl friend's mom and dad live in Flaxcomb.

Originally Posted by 69GMC910

What kinda power us the 489 making? Solid roller?
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It's a solid roller setup, made around 650 on the dyno and I give it a 150 shot.

[69GMC910]

Small world! So do you wish you had a swb? Do you see any advantage to racing a lwb? I am building a LWB 82 right now...
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[71Dragtruck]

Originally Posted by 69GMC910

Small world! So do you wish you had a swb? Do you see any advantage to racing a lwb? I am building a LWB 82 right now...
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I do like the looks of a SWB more and do wish mine were one. It would give me a bit more room in the garage LOL, plus a bit lighter, easier to go to a one piece drive shaft. I really don't see any advantage to a LWB over a SWB myself, but at the time it wasn't worth the money to make mine into a SWB, biggest cost at the time being a new box or a lot of work to shorten mine. I decided to put the money else where, I've seen lot's of LWB trucks hook fine and run 12's.

[69GMC910]

I hope to see 11's with sticky's and cal tracs... HOPE!!!
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[71Dragtruck]

Originally Posted by 69GMC910

I hope to see 11's with sticky's and cal tracs... HOPE!!!
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Shouldn't be a problem, seen it happen at the track before. Put your battery and a fuel cell at the very back, helps LOT'S!