Answering the Most Common Questions About My Drag Racing El Camino
Every time I take my El Camino to the drag strip—especially at Flying H Motorsports Park—I get a flood of questions from fellow racers and curious fans. Whether you’re a die-hard G-body enthusiast or just love classic cars, these are the most common questions I hear, along with my honest answers.
1. Did You Build a G-Body El Camino Because of Cleetus?
This one always gets a laugh. No, I didn’t build my El Camino because of Cletus McFarland’s famous “Mullet.” In fact, I’ve been working on this car since 2003—long before Cletus’s channel took off. This was my first car, the one I drove to high school, and I’ve been building and racing it for over two decades.
2. Isn’t the Bed Terrible for Weight Bias?
Surprisingly, no! People assume the El Camino’s bed throws off the balance, but it actually has a pretty solid weight bias—about 55% on the nose and 45% on the rear. The bed is thick and helps with traction, making the car more stable on launch than you might think.
3. Tailgate Up or Down at the Track?
This one sparks debate. Mythbusters tested tailgate aerodynamics on a full-size Dodge truck, but my El Camino isn’t a Dodge! From my own time slips, running with the tailgate down is consistently quicker—sometimes by 0.03 to 0.05 seconds. Plus, moving weight rearward helps plant the tires for better launches.
4. What’s Under the Hood?
I’m always happy to talk about my setup. The engine is a pump-gas-friendly 9.8:1 383 with AFR heads, a single-plane intake, and a Lunati Voodoo cam. It’s the first engine I ever built, and it’s been running strong for over 20 years. The focus is on streetable torque, and the car reliably runs mid-12s in the quarter mile.
5. What’s Up with the Cowl Induction and Air Pan?
I built a custom air pan that seals to the hood, channeling cool air to the carburetor for more consistent performance. I made it using a homemade sheet metal brake—just some ingenuity and a few pieces of angle iron.
6. Where Did You Get Those Valve Covers?
Those are custom, too! They started as Billet Specialties cast aluminum covers, which I had powder coated black and then engraved with a unique El Camino logo. No one else has a set like them.
7. What’s That Springy Thing on the Header Bolts?
That’s a safety wire kit for the header bolts—an old Spectre kit that keeps them from loosening up. It’s simple, but it saves a ton of hassle at the track.
8. What Carburetor Do You Run?
I use a Velocity Racing Carbs 750 CFM carb, based on a Holley ProForm main body with billet metering blocks and annular boosters. The annular boosters atomize fuel beautifully, making the car more responsive and consistent.
9. Where’s the MSD Box?
It’s hidden where the factory computer used to be—out of sight, out of mind, and safe from heat and vibration. You’d only spot it with the door open and a keen eye.
These are just a few of the questions I get every time I’m at the drag strip. Got more questions about my El Camino or drag racing in general? Drop them in the comments! And if you want to see the car in action, check out my latest video for more behind-the-scenes fun and racing tips.
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Check out my other posts for more FAQs, tips, and stories from the strip
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