After many years of attending speedweek, making plans, gathering parts and finishing some other projects I have finally started on the road to build a racecar out of the pickup truck I drove to high school 17 years ago. The truck is a 1995 Dodge Dakota regular cab short bed.
The current plan is to run a 6.0L gm engine with a turbo. I made a deal on the engine. I agreed to do the fiberglass repair,body and paint on a 62 Corvette in trade for the 6.0L. It took 3 years of nights and weekends as time allowed to complete the vette project.
The engine builder is my uncle Dan, he is a very experienced engine builder but somewhat new to the LS series of engines, turbos and land speed racing. I am greatful that with his help and his blessing the construction of the truck will be able to take place at our shop here in Las Vegas. Check it out at
www.dansdrivelne.com I also have a friend Tim that has signed on to help out with the cage and chassis construction. He has some LSR experience as he was part of the team that built the Budweiser rocket car. As well as raced a rocket powered funny car and survived a crash at the top end of the track. He is an extremely talented fabricator and I'm also grateful and honored that he signed on to this project.
Another person who has pledged some time toward this project is Gil Navarez who will be heading up the engine tuning. I watched last year as Gil worked his magic on the Shelby 5.4L engine for Carroll Shelby's 1000 Mustang. That engine screamed on our dyno like no other and made almost 1000 HP on pump gas through stock exhaust manifolds.
It was purely by chance that I met Rod Nestmann (HVAC EXPRESS D/BMMP) at bonneville a few years ago but he recently moved from IL to NV and has already been a great help with advise, donating parts and help with disassembly.
I can't wait to post updates as the project makes progress here and on Facebook.
Brick Casper