Anyone race a 27’ ford roadster?

February 04, 2020, 07:48 AM

Freddie

I was going to comment on your other post after seeing the picture but will post here. Yes these make good bracket cars, as do center steer Altereds. For that matter ANY car can be a great bracket car with the right combination. Only issue we have ever had with the roadsters is the short wheelbase. Most are about 101, and become very easy to overpower. My friend runs one successfully in 5.50 index, brackets, and can run S/G at divisionals as well. car is just a little touchy coming off the stop.

February 04, 2020, 08:30 AM

Quick Dawg

Freddie - I agree with you about roadsters being a bit short that is why I prefer 125" altereds. However, I don't think an altered can hold a candle to a roadster as far as looks go. Some roadsters I have seen are flat good looking... As this one is...

February 04, 2020, 08:37 AM

Freddie

quote:
Originally posted by Quick Dawg:
Freddie - I agree with you about roadsters being a bit short that is why I prefer 125" altereds. However, I don't think an altered can hold a candle to a roadster as far as looks go. Some roadsters I have seen are flat good looking... As this one is...

I prefer the newer aero roadsters myself, they usually have a WB of 115 or more making them a little more stable with big power. In the end it really depends on what you are looking to do. If you are looking at a high 9 or low 10 second car then these are perfect and do not require a ton of power to do that with. If you are looking to go mid to low 8's they can be a handful from time to time.

February 04, 2020, 09:09 AM

Fatboy81

quote:
2005

Thanks guys! The previous owner told me it cold be darty at times. I plan to pull some power out of it and see if that helps. Car runs 6.0 now. I like to slow it to the 6.40s

February 04, 2020, 09:22 AM

markemark

quote:
Originally posted by Fatboy81:
Thanks guys! The previous owner told me it cold be darty at times. I plan to pull some power out of it and see if that helps. Car runs 6.0 now. I like to slow it to the 6.40s

Consider putting a 1+2 valve body in the trans and leave in hi gear. Softens the launch, reduces the ET and still allows very close to the same mph as if you left in low gear. Try foot braking using hi gear to see the results.

February 04, 2020, 10:08 AM

Fatboy81

quote:
Originally posted by markemark:
quote:
Originally posted by Fatboy81:
Thanks guys! The previous owner told me it cold be darty at times. I plan to pull some power out of it and see if that helps. Car runs 6.0 now. I like to slow it to the 6.40s

Consider putting a 1+2 valve body in the trans and leave in hi gear. Softens the launch, reduces the ET and still allows very close to the same mph as if you left in low gear. Try foot braking using hi gear to see the results.

That’s exactly what we’re planning on doing. A lot of my dragster friends run them that way

February 04, 2020, 10:30 AM

CURTIS REED

I have been racing my roadster since 2005. If it is darty as you said then look at the caster in the front end.

My car footbraked runs mid 5.60s-5.70s leaving in 2000 low 1.23-1.25 60', and mid 5.90s-6.0s leaving at 3000 running high gear only. 107" wheel base sb car.

It's nice running an open car that you can race with the door cars. You can see everything, especially the front end of your car to theirs. Other than a 185" dragster, which I would also footbrake race, I don't think I will ever bracket race anything but a roadster.

The only downside I have ever had is once in a while when I am carrying the front end too high it will make a move one way or the other. I think it's just my car though. It's really old and doesn't have an anti roll bar.

Curtis

February 04, 2020, 11:46 AM

Fatboy81

quote:
Originally posted by CURTIS REED:
I have been racing my roadster since 2005. If it is darty as you said then look at the caster in the front end.

My car footbraked runs mid 5.60s-5.70s leaving in 2000 low 1.23-1.25 60', and mid 5.90s-6.0s leaving at 3000 running high gear only. 107" wheel base sb car.

It's nice running an open car that you can race with the door cars. You can see everything, especially the front end of your car to theirs. Other than a 185" dragster, which I would also footbrake race, I don't think I will ever bracket race anything but a roadster.

The only downside I have ever had is once in a while when I am carrying the front end too high it will make a move one way or the other. I think it's just my car though. It's really old and doesn't have an anti roll bar.

Curtis

Thank you! What air pressure do you run in yours? I wouldn’t think it would need much with 31” tire and only being 1800lbs

February 04, 2020, 11:53 AM

CURTIS REED

quote:
Originally posted by Fatboy81:

Thank you! What air pressure do you run in yours? I wouldn’t think it would need much with 31” tire and only being 1800lbs

I run the 18250 14x32 Hoosier at 8lbs. My car weighs 2003lbs with me in it ready to race. I can go down to 7.5lbs but any lower and it will start to rattle the tires. Obviously it won't shake like a fast car but it definitely upsets it.

February 04, 2020, 06:02 PM

27Keith

Well, I had one for about 9 yrs. Hence the 27 in my nameplate. This was one of the baddest cars on the track for those yrs. Won 2 championships and the worst finish in 9 yrs was 3rd in the class. Hurt alot of feelings with it. It was 115" wb and considered an aero roadster. 4 link rear and torsion bar front, I went 5.50s/8.50s with a 434 sbc at 2100lbs. One thing I will caution you about is this. These cars are not aerodynamic, they will not run good mph for the et. especially 1/4 mile. If memory is correct I went 5.50s at 125mph and 8.50s at only 152 mph. They are a blast to drive ! Vision is good . If it was comfortable and easy to get in and out of I might still own it.