Do-It-Yourself High Performance Car Mods

Drag Racing

Drag cars are designed around traction and power. The most important feature for a drag car is large enough tires on the drive wheels to put the power to the ground. Some rear-wheel-drive cars use tubbing, a mod to the rear floor pan to get more room to fit oversized tires under the car. The mammoth driving tires are often paired with small, lightweight wheels and tires at the opposite end, for a package known as big ‘n’ littles.

Drag car stances have varied over the years. The “Gasser” look of the ‘50s and ’60s called for a lifted suspension at both ends, often replacing the front suspension with a solid axle for light weight. This then gave way to a raked stance, with the front end lower than the rear. At first, drag racers left ...