Noob with a steep learning curve!

spin the chosen tire with your finger, time it's spin... a smaller tire won't spin as long as a larger dia. tire... (pie)
over 2 seconds is probably ok, if it makes noise rolling try another.... next it has to roll straight, and not have the wheels bind against the base...
i space the wheels out with card stock shims, i put a dab of j.b. weld on the axle swedges (after i crush them with pliers) be careful... geometry rules here, i allign the car by pinching the swedge pins, i heated and bent a pair of needle nose so the tips point towards each other, it lets me get in to some car's bases where regular pliers won't "reach"...
i use a burr bit to hog out the wheel wells so the body will clear, saftey glasses and a holder hand glove... short bursts... less torque if it binds...
don't build parachutes...put in the glass, leave the rear window open...
i've had good luck with way 2 fast, soo fast, i candy, bases, rear axle from sweet 16 II (wheels narrowed as fronts...
for looks only) hope it helps or at least gives you somthing to think about... i don't mess with graphite, my cars run ok...
smitty rinthintin1933@yahoo.com email me with any questions ...see you in the other lane

I've discussed a few things over in the Redline Derby blog, mostly simple things like weight and fixing axles, but good reads eitherway.

Read through posts here:
http://www.redlinederby.com/category/building/

However, without any test track you're not going to be able to figure out much. Testing cars is one thing that really frustrates me when modding even when I do have a track. I wish there was a way to snap a car together and apart easily to make adjustments between tests. Nonetheless, it's a lot of trial-and-error with cars and speed. You have some basic principles but otherwise half the fun is just trying crazy things.

Oh, and BTW, welcome to Redline Derby, EconoCarl! I'm happy you found us and hope you check out all we have to offer, including things beyond the forum like the blog and Fantasy League game. There are a lot of top notch modders around here so just keep posting your questions and photos and you'll get lots of feedback.

Carl

Look forward to having you out on Monday, I'm trying to get my usual gang of racers together but our Monday night gig seem to be falling to the wayside a bit. Anyway, it'll be fun regardless.

I think I sent you some info on picking out cars, usually the wider outboard wheel cars do better, heavier is usually better and the FTE cars usually do pretty well.

I do have some time before racing to test your cars out to see how they perform so if you have a bunch, bring em all!

Thanks

Bryan
Austin Diecast Drags

Welcome, EconoCarl

Thanks for the replys guys!

Model40fan - thanks for the tips! Can't wait to give them a try.
Redlinederby - I have read every blog and everything on the forums! Great stuff!
Jobe - Looking forward to meeting you and giving your track a try Monday night. I took your advice (maybe to the extreme!) and bought every FTE I could find. I have all but #3 & 5 of the 2011 cars and 2 of the 2010 cars now.

Here are a few shots of what I'm working on. I'm partial to the vans 'cause I drive an old one and it sure helps that they can haul the weight.

Here's one for fun

Nice mods Econoline! Love the black and gold Super Van. Is that last one a Gremlin with FTEs? Can 'ugly' be fast?

Jobe~ I've mentioned the Javelins to Econoline. Perhaps he'd be interested in being our fourth if Baranca doesn't play next season. Econoline put up some pretty good numbers for his first try in the League. It'd be nice to have him as a reserve. Doesn't hurt to ask

wow, Carl I might have to bring out some of my cars to race you. I don't get too many modifieds at the races anymore, just the stockers. So bring some stock cars too and we can have geek chat about modifying cars!

hi carl,
i hope you didn't get too many chiefs to go with your indians...
great looking detail on all three of your altereds.. i don't know if they are winners, but when you look that good who minds losing?
hook up with variation jason about next season's altered / modded series,,, you'll have to break out your tracks and maybe host a race?
see you in the other lane smitty

Put your alignment and balance skills where it might actually get noticed! Gravitywerx Mail-in Race.

UPDATE - I forgot that a friend of mine was a Hot Wheels collector. I gave him a call and he said he hasn't done much with the collecting in a couple of years, but he does have 2 50' tracks! He called me a while ago and said that he has the tracks ready so I'm heading over to test my cars! Woo-hoo!!!

Thanks for the comments on the vans (and the Gremlin).

JDC442 - I'll talk to Jobe and see what the team thing is all about. I think I got lucky on race 15, race 16 not so good. As far as being a reserve, I was always picked last in dodgeball so I'm kinda' use to it!!!
Jobe - I'd read that you wanted more modifieds to show up so I didn't want to drive all that way empty handed. Until last week I had never had the body off of a Hot Wheels car. Hopefully I'm on the right track!
Model40fan - I don't even have a track, you can call and ask my wife (an "Uneasy Rider" reference)! I need to know more about variation jason's races.
Georgeb - I guess I need to learn more about the Gravitywerks races too.
____
Carl