Ok... I've gotten bit by the ProStreet bug:Brow: After seeing that GN showcar tubbed at the Midwest Buick Challange at U.S. 41 this year, and gathering several articles from my old Hot Rod and Car Craft and PHR mags on tubbed Buick Regals, it sank it's teeth in. Curious on the practicality of having and driving a Tubbed car, I would like to enjoy driving it as much as possible and maybe to some Buick events. My 455 will still power the car, maybe with some (forced) help. Dunno on wether or not to go cruiser or brusier, like to enjoy maybe A/C or even cruise and still run 11's at the strip, and remain streetable. I would like all opinions pro or con... The sight of those big tires tucked inside and under the rear of a Regal..well, is totaly AWESOME!!!:grin: If I ever get a chance to copy those pics on those Tubbed Regals I have from my Mags, I get them on the board to show you. Again thanks
Go for it. I'm going through the same type of project and I also expect to use a Regal with a big block in it. Got the ladder bar frame and the engine, just need the Regal and more parts. Expecting to use the biggest set of tires I can find, I hope it looks like the ones I have seen in magazines. Good luck and go for it. We are all behind you.
I like the big tire look. I know you don't have to have them to go fast but so what! Keep the rear tires as far to the outside as you can, lower the car as much as reasonable and give it some rake. :TU: I you want to drive it, don't do things to it that would make you not want to drive it!!!!!!!
Alan, I saw a shirt once that said "REAL men do it with 10 1/2 inches(or less) !" For some reason thats kinda turned into my thinking. I don't mind the big tire look, really. It looks great on the street. But for the racecar, well, it only needs 10.5"s.:Brow: later............................
My next project car will not be tubbed. My green car will then come out of "test mule" status and I plan to drive the mess out of it (again)! And if I live long enough, the car after that will be a max-effort full-tube-chassis fat-tire grin factory!!!! :laugh:
You're probably onto something Dave.:grin: Unless you just have so much power you're blowing the tires off...10.5" should do it.:TU: A good friend of mine, built a '75 Nova this year to run in an NMCA 10.5"(measured) tire class. Car is 3600lbs. with a 496", TH400, 12 bolt rear and of course...Nitrous. Without the juice, he's running 9.80's at 139mph. With it, he's shooting for low to mid 8's!!:bglasses: :TU: Should be competitive.:Smarty: Gotta admit....those fat tires sure look good though!! :TU: :bglasses:
I totally agree with the idea that you only need 10.5". However, making a big HP car hook on 10.5" is not as easy as it looks. There are alot of tricks with the ignition, turbo boost or nitrous activiation, converter technology, etc. Another point about tire size is consistency. When you bracket race on a weekly (or more) basis, you can't have too much rear tire. Even the 4-link dragsters are running 17x33's. Those guys will go to any track at any time of day in just about any condition and put down the same 60' time. If you're gonna win big bucks, that's what it takes. Another good example is Stock vs. Super Stock. Alot of the Super Stock cars could run smaller tires (and some do), but most don't because they also have to be consistent. Enough ranting and raving :laugh: . Pro Street looks cool, but in my book you better have the steam to back it up. Have fun.
Another good point! Earlier in it's life the green car had an engine with a 107 cam and 10.5 to 1 compression. With the big tires the car didn't need a burnout, just clean them off and pull to the line. They would roll over about 1/2 turn every time. The car was running low 7s' in the 1/8 (7.20 - 7.30). How true! There's nothing more disappointing than a fast looking car running 13 in the quarter! (for the people watching AND the person who owns the car!!!! )
