I went out to a crappy drag strip in a small town near where I live.

It's on an abandoned highway, and it's pretty uphill but it's legal.

I happened to race some V8 cars. One was a 67' Cougar, the other was a Malibu with beefed up 350, and some truck I'm not sure about. I think the truck was an old chevy with a 350. He said it was bored over something or however that piston stuff works. Anyway, these things were pretty beefy.

First I raced the Malibu, and won by about 1 or 2 feet. VERY close race. As soon as I started to decelerate, a huge amount of smoke came out of my exhaust so I was really worried after that.

Finally building up enough courage to try again I raced the Malibu a second time. But some guy who didn't speak english decided to ride with me. I'm not good at being a jerk so I tried to kindly explain why I need to keep the weight as low as possible. He answered with, "yes." But he just sat there. So I said scew it, and raced anyway. Next time I'm ripping out the passenger seat.

The race began. I don't rev quite as high this time, fearing my engine is damaged so he is slightly ahead of me. Then at 3rd gear he pulls in front of me and I get scared of the gravel patch that is right before the finish line so I let off. He wins of course. The illiegal alien in my car also had his window down.

Next up was the Cougar who I have raced, and beat before many times. Except this time I had a new carb to play with. I beat him by 3 or 4 car lengths.

Okay, this is starting to become longer than I wanted so I'll wrap it up. I raced the truck afterwards and launched way better, pulling a car length ahead in 1st and 2nd. But right at 3rd he pulled ahead fast and beat me by about 3 or 4 car lengths.

So I know this should go in the kills section but it's just the backstory to my question.

Would I do better against these V8's if it was on flat ground and not uphill? They do after all have a huge touque advantage. Or should I say low rpm power?

 

I dont think flat ground would really give you any advantage. Just improve your driving skills, and lighten her some more, and you should be able to beat them a lot easier.

 

There are about a million ways to run a 350 at this point, especially when you're talking about an older car that has a built engine, so it's hard to guess at their exact setup, but the V8 will give them a lot more torque, obviously, and when you're going uphill, or have an extra passenger, or you're towing something, that torque makes all the difference.

That's why one of the Honda jokes is about them not being able to race uphill.

 

I hate trying to race my car uphill. It just doesnt go anywhere .

~T.J.

 

Think of it this way, you're both going up hill. Any toque advange the other car has up the hill will still be there on flat ground. You're faster in 1st and 2nd because your car is lighter, it's geared better for acceleration in 1st and 2nd, or driver skill, or any combination. Unfortunately, this isn't enough to fight off the torque of these bigger motors over the longer distance.

 

One word....TURBO

 

rotary.... torque? huh?

we all know our engines have **** for torque. So your nuts if your racing v8's up hill.

I think weight was probably the factor that evened the odds in your favor though.

Its much more fun to race on flat ground.

 

Hmmm, yes I would rather race cars that were in my class. Like at least just twice my displacement and not 5 or six times my displacement. Those guys just didn't show up this time.

By the way, I just found out that the truck had a 455 not a 350.

I don't think I should be ashamed...

 

Hah, just spotted my typo. woops