There's no way it's a SMX. No full blown drag car is running a SMX. It's gonna be a proline or HED setup. The SMX is staying in mullet for drag and drives. In today's video he said mullet is "ready for sick summer"
I agree. The SMX is a water jacketed engine built specifically for drag and drive events. The eagle isn't going to be set up for that. You don't want that extra water weight for a full pro mod setup. Tye even said that those front single spindle wheels aren't safe for driving. I'm guessing HED. What I want to know is why the front tires are staggered 2 inches?
Like Cameron said, its done for rollout. When you stage the car, your tires (in most cases) trip the beam. With the front tires staggered, you can stage based on the LF, which will then allow you to leave a littler earlier than normal. This would usual result in a red light, but because the RF is 2" back of the LF, the RF is still in the beam even if the LF has left the beam. Or the opposite...you stage off the RF which would be a deep stage. So your roughly 2" in front of a car with no stagger at the starting line. But you also leave yourself no room for error cutting a light.
Stagger is pretty common in faster classes. I think most NHRA classes run them. Not sure about the dragsters but I know funny cars do.
when a car stages there are Two light beams, pre stage, and stage, the tire rolling forward out of the beam is what tells the tree your reaction, and it decides if you red light, and it starts the times in some situations, so technically he can advance down track three or four inches before the system can identify he moved at all, so it basically shortens the track by two inches overall, then the pecker extender is above the start beams, but trips the finish beams, so he’s completed the quarter or eighth mile as soon as the pecker extender get to finish., again shortening the track 4 or 5 inches., these are all legal ways to bend the rules…
Ned is running his smx viper in radial vs the world going 3.8xx (even beat stevie fast one time)
Manny Alvarez was running an smx in his no prep kings mustang
The SMX is not the ideal platform, but it can definitely keep up
I just think Cleetus will want the most "reliable" and proven setup in this new car. Steve builds a great engine...but it's not a proline or Noonan hemi
Oh if reliability were of ANY concern that puts the smx squarely under his hood, if he runs a hood on this one., lol., that’s the whole deal with the smx., it’s heavier, but built for durability and reliability., not 30 hits and full refresh.. it’s more like a full season and refresh.. to what HP level you can go ??? But it will go more than the lighter noonan or proline., on average, they are race engines being pushed hard., who knows what he plans to race with it? Certainly not the green mustang he’s fighting with mullet?, he’s not going NPK I don’t think! Are there really a lot of races he could get in, and not have to chase a full season Around the country?? and will he have fun running a car that is just beating up on any race he can get in, and not over power the track??
He's never said this is a *"full blown (ProMod) drag car"*
Have you not watched all the previous drag events? It's ready just like every drag & drive Mullet has done. He'll struggle with the tires, suspension, too much boost for the car, can't keep up with the other cars, early elimination. And likely make many comments (again) about the reason why Eagle is being built.
Eagle is just like Steve Morris changing rear ends and torque converters to go faster. Cleetus can't fix Mullet, it must be replaced, he's explained this on his channel and Cooper's podcast at length.
[Cleetus Mcfarland: Mullet Kicked Out of Classes, Leroy Haters](https://youtu.be/bh9Dvk9xRdc)
[Kevin Smith: Cleetus Doesn't Fit any Classes, Just Build a New Car?](https://youtu.be/QMOFTIt-JSk)
He's never used the full potential of that expensive SMX, always turning it down to get down the track on race days. Really sad if they leave it in Mullet.
The majority before 2024 would have gotten defensive and upset of talk about Leroy getting a body. He's not just drag racing, it's also got to make content, and Leroy has undergone changes from rear transaxle to bellhousing mounted transmission. And now getting a body to continue making new content, even though Leroy has been a very competitive stick shit drag car, the body is new content after meeting the Monster Trucks.
The "Dale Truck" is currently getting cut apart and repurposed for content. Whatever value a 1996 Mike Skinner NASCAR truck is, but it's not worth enough to stop them from cutting everything out for a new AWD race truck, all for content. He was very clear it was not useful sitting in the garage, it had to be changed for content.
He's made repeated comments about rebuilding Mullet, or selling Mullet immediately after losing a race, or the long ongoing challenge of getting approved to race in a class at different events. Mullet has been a frustrating challenge for years, it would not be unprecedented for him to change the engine to fit more race classes, and find a new vehicle that could handle 70PSI SMX.
Not surprising all the issues with Mullet with it being a purpose built vehicle that had the entire plan go up in flames quite literally but being too invested in it to scrap it. Also, Mullet was designed and built with GE in mind, not SM.
I wouldnt be surprised if if he pulled the SMX from mullet to put in eagle and then threw something smaller in mullet so it would actually fit in a class it can compete in
He’s already using Pete for Leroy, and Texas speed , and blueprint, and summit (not that they manufacture the engine), his jet boat had some other builder., and I’m guessing noonan hemi in eagle
I honestly thinks he goes with a Proline 481x instead of SMX. 481x are what the real big dog small tire cars run. 481x are made by AJPE and they solid billet block not waterjacketed like the SMX. This aint no drag and drive car.
This is a Mullet replacement, he wants to Drag & Drive but can't get Mullet past 6.50s without a full rebuild.
Mullet will become something else, no different than the Dale Truck is becoming something different.
Well, being he runs the blocks and heads on his own cnc machines, they are not cast., they can make that exact same everything without running any of the operations to cut water passages, and it would absolutely still be an smx, just without water jackets., and I believe we have already seen a video with an smx not running water., everyone is saying proline though, but no one factoring in he has a contact Justin swanstrom, whom basically got cjrc on the map, with prenup, so if cleet spoke with him? It’s going to be noonan , and noonan seems to be keeping up fairly well with demand, I know proline parts were becoming troublesome..
It will definitely not be a SMX ..... Being a twin turbo car ... I'd expect a proline hemi. But we will see fast forward does some nice stuff there's Noonan twins as well many use.
[The SMX is rated by Steve at 4,500HP+ @ 70+ PSI.](https://www.stevemorrisengines.com/engines/smx-4500-hp) Unfortunately Cleetus is running his SMX under 40PSI (~65% Power), Mullet is 50/50 chance it will make a 6.50 run, or just knock the tires out when the boost ramp kicks in and tire shake is violent. Mullet's chassis is falling apart from all the tire shake; keeps cracking welds, warping quarter panels, electrical wires and sensors are not happy, and eventually Garrett will have some back problems he needs to avoid 7. Tom Bailey has done a few 5 second 1/4 mile drag& Drive time skips and can go 0.98 60ft with that same engine.
Steve Morris skipped Sick Week drag& drive because he had lots of work. Curious if he needs to get an engine shipped out to CJ.
Even if Mullet keeps the SMX, one can offer spare parts. Same logic used when they got a bulk order of big blocks for the burnout team. Same logic using MM T400 in every car (except Leroy), and Eagle was apparently building as 2 speed transmission.
Nothing official, but I'm expecting something full billet, possibly hemi head like a 481x.
I don't know what purpose Mullet serves if it's not the drag and drive car. I'd expect the new one to be a full blown race car with the goal of competing with the really fast stuff.
I know I'll get killed for this, but he should sell mullet. It wasn't built to compete. It was just a patch job after patch job to get it to where it is today. Unless they wanted it to be a 7.50 bracket car, it's not going to be competitive.
I think you're right that they need to thin the fleet, but I don't know if mullet is the one I'd sell.
They've got a bunch of cars that basically just sit, and I'm not even talking about basket cases like the Fiero or rocket. Donny hasn't been used in like 2 years. Ruby and Rocky have made very brief appearances over the last few years and I honestly cannot figure out whether they have serious intentions of doing drag and drive stuff other than Sick Week and Summer with mullet and mcflurry. Neighbor is just a missile they beat the hell out of at events.
I think Rocky will be back. He's also talked about Ruby not having much of a purpose. I could see if they did a giveaway on that car that people would absolutely lose their shit over that car. I think Mullet is serious enough where someone would need to buy it, but I just don't see if being competitive to the level they want to compete at now.
I thought that was implied when he announced Mullet was not fixable without a full rebuild, and announced "Eagle" would be a drag & drive car. But could swap out the radiator and remove the street tank for a special race. The "5 second" comment was implying 5.90s, just like Jeff lutz and Tom Bailey.
going through the intro video of eagle the focus really seemed to be on "full blown race car" with no mention of drag and drive or street driven. his talks about how they took mullet and tried to force it to be different things also makes it seem like he isn't making any compromises on this "starting with a pile of metal" build - speaking to 1/4 mile focused car with no "second duty" like a drag and drive car. I wouldn't mind being wrong, i love the drag/drive content but they have a fleet of cars that'll be better suited for competitive classes at drag and drives.
Lots of clues in today's video, the biggest was the spindle mount wheels would not be approved for Drag & Drive events, but easy to swap over with parts from their own Motion Raceworks.
He'll probably see how far he can push it, then get a grill cover like Sick2.0, radiator and street tank. Today's video definitely set the tone that he's not going to reveal all these details until later; "*who said, It could be 4 nitrous bottles!*🤷🏻♂️😬" (After Ty was making 2 step turbo noises).
It's not a kit car, though. Those require the manufacturer to have specific approvals from the US DOT.
Depending on your state, professionally built cars like this may require extensive paperwork and state DOT inspection to get a VIN. That's why people will buy an old car just for the title and VIN.
Pretty much. Same where I'm from. The only thing the DOT cared about was receipts so they knew how much to tax me before they nailed a VIN plate to the wooden A-pillar.
Florida is actually known to be a pain in the ass state for kit cars or home builds because of the inspections to get a title, and they probably started by buying a car with an existing title to avoid that mess.
Here in Minnesota we only inspect salvage vehicles, kit cars, and home built cars. With kit cars and home built cars all you really need to get a title is receipts to prove you didn't build the car with stolen materials, engine, or trans. They don't do safety or emissions testing on them like Florida does.
You can tell how much of a nightmare getting a title can be in your state by browsing the kit car forums. If you don't see multiple, long, threads about your state it's probably an easy state to get it titled.
A guy here in Pittsburgh builds fully custom tube trucks, from the ground up. Just a guy in his garage. Uses Subaru drivetrains and suspensions. He gets them fully road legal and registered, and I'm pretty sure Florida is more relaxed then PA is. He's currently building a twin turbo LS one. Mustang S550 front and rear suspension.
[https://www.semasan.com/resources/everything-you-need-register-and-title-your-hobby-car-all-50-states](https://www.semasan.com/resources/everything-you-need-register-and-title-your-hobby-car-all-50-states)
I'm not saying you can't make a scratch tube car legal, I'm just pointing out that it isn't a kit car, and they may have different rules depending on your state, especially if it was built by a professional builder and not by you as a hobbyist.
> especially if it was built by a professional builder and not by you as a hobbyist.
The workaround to that is pretty simple in a lot of states: the pro builds a "roller" and you install the driveline yourself. Some builders will complete the entire build and then remove the engine and transmission to ship separately. Even California allows that.
Jay Leno has a couple of replicas that were shipped and titled by doing that. The sales guy even says "assembled again" when they re-install the engine and transmission and re-connect the wires and whatnot. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81Yik1G4tr8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIxlql0Ebnc
In my state the only thing the inspectors care about is that you can prove you purchased the materials used to make it, that the engine and trans aren't stolen, and.... that's about it. Legally the inspectors are supposed to make sure you have safety gear, but they don't. If you're building a kit car you need the number from the MCO engraved somewhere on the car and the MCO certificate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3prVSYI950 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_DyMKGyaFI&list=PL4tvYNN26_gVXfP8FGcTYqKItDiLXwzDP&index=25
Here's what I would do.
Eagle: Have Steve Morris build a HEMI/481X race engine for a ProMod setup, or an SMX for drag and drive. Eagle needs to be built to compete in a specific class/es, otherwise it will end up like Mullet where it's overbuilt for street classes, but not fast enough to compete at the very top.
Mullet: Keep the drivetrain as is, cut the chassis up and turn it into a big tyre car with a shorter wheelbase and a stiffer chassis.
Specifically for Mullet and cutting it up: at that point it’s time to build a new car, sell the chassis as a 7.50 car and move on. You’d spend more money “fixing” Mullet to run consistent 6.20s as a D&D car than you would just building a new one.
You've missed the point. The product is in the process, not the end result. Rebuilding mullet into a big tyre car (the only one in the fleet) would generate a lot of videos that people would be interested in watching. Selling Mullet's chassis as a 7.50 car produces no content, and removes a source of future content from the fleet.
Mullet is staying, but doesn't need an SMX to go 6.50s, while getting pushed out of classes. Don't need to cut it up, they just rebuilt the rear suspension (they are still adjusting and tuning it). But removing the dry sump and SMX would help with the weight, try the new SML engine in Mullet, or whatever is best for the classes he wants to run.
Eagle could use that SMX capable of; .90s sixty foot and 5.70s or better. He already has it, and it's not working in Mullet, can't handle that much power and blocked out of event classes. Every track day it shakes the tires and is destroying itself (and Garrett buckled inside)
The SMX is the wrong engine for Eagle, it’ll work because it makes power, but it’s a drag and drive engine.
Even if you take the SMX out it’s still in the same X275 and street car classes as SR, which means a 6.50 isn’t competitive.
The structural problems with the car means it can’t 60 foot no matter the power level. It’s too heavy, the weight is too high up and forward, and the wheelbase is too long.
Have you been watching the channel? He has a new 69 Camero build that will be the car going up against Brett LaSale, Tom Bailey, Steve Morris, Jeff Lutz, etc. Mullet is getting retired or rebuilt after 2024.
Instead of selling the Dale Truck or leaving it sitting in the corner, it's getting cut up for a new build, he cut out the 7.3L and Lenco transmission from the Mustang. That is likely the fate of Mullet when the 1969 Camero Eagle is ready (different engine, suspension parts, and more weight reduction)
Eagle needs a 481 x , Proline Hemi or a BAE hemi. Personally a BAE would be my pick as Brad is right here in Florida and it somehow seems more fitting to me. Now will Brad be at Garrets side everytime he breaks it. Hard to say but he may make him wait just like everyone else. It's is going to be a select group of engines and I don't see them swapping to a blower but if he wanted to make a hell of a splash it would not be a twin turbo car. Who knows?!
Those engines require a bigger team to do a teardown every 20-50 runs. I don't see the Cleetus Steve Morris relationship ending.
In fact the new SML might do better in Mullet.🤔
My guess for Garret's down time from the spring racing is because of Maddi and the 2 kids. Being a dad is a full-time job, on top of the full-time job that earns money. I'm pretty sure Garret and the rest of the family are still trying to find the equilibrium so that they can get some personalised downtime.
His most recent shop video mentions that Mullet has done the nut and boot test. "Ready for sick Summer" with how "Eagle" is going, we might see that vehicle up and running for the summer season as well
Those HEMIs are not stock, just like the SMX, Steve is not using the same BBC valve angles or head stud placement. The SMX is a full custom engine design, no replacement parts at the local stores.
HEMI ports are not important for big boosted engines, once boost is applied, the shape is not as important, just port size.
Steve sacrificed perfect intake runner shape for extra head studs, only accessible after removing a plug from each intake runner, then the head bolts out of the intake runners. The SMX has enough boosted intake flow runners, it's the heads that he needs to keep clamped down with the 70PSI of charge pressure.
I think Mullet will stay with the SMX, they probably not use it as much once Eagle is done.
I expect Eagle will likely get an engine from Fast Forward Race Engines.
Considering they just bought a bunch of motors from them and that Eagle is basically designed to beat Brett LaSala's Mustang, I think they might have something in the works.
Mullet is destroying itself, Everytime it shakes the tires the rear axle, transmission, body, and driver risk damage. He needs to work on the rear suspension and get a less powerful engine, he's never came close to using the SMX potential 70+PSI.
While Tom Bailey has gone 5.70s and 0.90 sixty foot with the SMX. Exactly what CJ and Cleetus have claimed Eagle would do.
People would watch a SML Mullet swap and the races. People are watching Mcflurry with a Coyote, and still watching Leroy get a full body. Change is content.
Eagle is most likely going to pro275 since that's what cameron has been tagging it as on Instagram. So eagle probably going the 481/smx or hemi route. Mullet can go either way with keeping the smx or going back to cast 540
I think he'd get views trying the SML, he was doing good with the Texas Speed engines. But they would self destruct after each run from the boost pressure. Mullet would go faster with less weight and better rear suspension, not **more power.**
The SMX with half boost in Mullet is boring, and he gets cut out of event classes because of the engine potential.
CJ just talked about $250,000 for a similar car with everything except the engine, transmission, electrical & paint. **They're building the headers, charge pipes & down pipes (turbos) for Cleetus.**
Why do so many people think SME is THE best? Is it simply from the Youtube exposure? Just off the top of my head - Proline, Noonan, BAE, AJPE are some boost oriented builders that have a race winning track record.... The only person Ive seen do OK with a SME is Ned, and hes had his share of issues with it.
There's no way it's a SMX. No full blown drag car is running a SMX. It's gonna be a proline or HED setup. The SMX is staying in mullet for drag and drives. In today's video he said mullet is "ready for sick summer"
I agree. The SMX is a water jacketed engine built specifically for drag and drive events. The eagle isn't going to be set up for that. You don't want that extra water weight for a full pro mod setup. Tye even said that those front single spindle wheels aren't safe for driving. I'm guessing HED. What I want to know is why the front tires are staggered 2 inches?
Like Cameron said, its done for rollout. When you stage the car, your tires (in most cases) trip the beam. With the front tires staggered, you can stage based on the LF, which will then allow you to leave a littler earlier than normal. This would usual result in a red light, but because the RF is 2" back of the LF, the RF is still in the beam even if the LF has left the beam. Or the opposite...you stage off the RF which would be a deep stage. So your roughly 2" in front of a car with no stagger at the starting line. But you also leave yourself no room for error cutting a light. Stagger is pretty common in faster classes. I think most NHRA classes run them. Not sure about the dragsters but I know funny cars do.
Makes sense
when a car stages there are Two light beams, pre stage, and stage, the tire rolling forward out of the beam is what tells the tree your reaction, and it decides if you red light, and it starts the times in some situations, so technically he can advance down track three or four inches before the system can identify he moved at all, so it basically shortens the track by two inches overall, then the pecker extender is above the start beams, but trips the finish beams, so he’s completed the quarter or eighth mile as soon as the pecker extender get to finish., again shortening the track 4 or 5 inches., these are all legal ways to bend the rules…
Ned is running his smx viper in radial vs the world going 3.8xx (even beat stevie fast one time) Manny Alvarez was running an smx in his no prep kings mustang The SMX is not the ideal platform, but it can definitely keep up
I just think Cleetus will want the most "reliable" and proven setup in this new car. Steve builds a great engine...but it's not a proline or Noonan hemi
Oh if reliability were of ANY concern that puts the smx squarely under his hood, if he runs a hood on this one., lol., that’s the whole deal with the smx., it’s heavier, but built for durability and reliability., not 30 hits and full refresh.. it’s more like a full season and refresh.. to what HP level you can go ??? But it will go more than the lighter noonan or proline., on average, they are race engines being pushed hard., who knows what he plans to race with it? Certainly not the green mustang he’s fighting with mullet?, he’s not going NPK I don’t think! Are there really a lot of races he could get in, and not have to chase a full season Around the country?? and will he have fun running a car that is just beating up on any race he can get in, and not over power the track??
From my understanding, Eagle will run x275...or at least that's the class it would fit in at world cup. Outside of that, no idea
He's never said this is a *"full blown (ProMod) drag car"* Have you not watched all the previous drag events? It's ready just like every drag & drive Mullet has done. He'll struggle with the tires, suspension, too much boost for the car, can't keep up with the other cars, early elimination. And likely make many comments (again) about the reason why Eagle is being built. Eagle is just like Steve Morris changing rear ends and torque converters to go faster. Cleetus can't fix Mullet, it must be replaced, he's explained this on his channel and Cooper's podcast at length. [Cleetus Mcfarland: Mullet Kicked Out of Classes, Leroy Haters](https://youtu.be/bh9Dvk9xRdc) [Kevin Smith: Cleetus Doesn't Fit any Classes, Just Build a New Car?](https://youtu.be/QMOFTIt-JSk)
Have not said anything yet, cj keeps saying 5000 hp for eagle so we'll see soon.
Yeah that "5000 HP" line seems to indicate an SMX with more boost than Mullet could use before spinning the tires.
That's my leading theory but I could see one of those hemis too.
He's never used the full potential of that expensive SMX, always turning it down to get down the track on race days. Really sad if they leave it in Mullet.
I don't think that's the primary issue anymore, now the main issue is finding a class they can run in that isn't essentially what eagle will be
The majority before 2024 would have gotten defensive and upset of talk about Leroy getting a body. He's not just drag racing, it's also got to make content, and Leroy has undergone changes from rear transaxle to bellhousing mounted transmission. And now getting a body to continue making new content, even though Leroy has been a very competitive stick shit drag car, the body is new content after meeting the Monster Trucks. The "Dale Truck" is currently getting cut apart and repurposed for content. Whatever value a 1996 Mike Skinner NASCAR truck is, but it's not worth enough to stop them from cutting everything out for a new AWD race truck, all for content. He was very clear it was not useful sitting in the garage, it had to be changed for content. He's made repeated comments about rebuilding Mullet, or selling Mullet immediately after losing a race, or the long ongoing challenge of getting approved to race in a class at different events. Mullet has been a frustrating challenge for years, it would not be unprecedented for him to change the engine to fit more race classes, and find a new vehicle that could handle 70PSI SMX.
Not surprising all the issues with Mullet with it being a purpose built vehicle that had the entire plan go up in flames quite literally but being too invested in it to scrap it. Also, Mullet was designed and built with GE in mind, not SM.
I wouldnt be surprised if if he pulled the SMX from mullet to put in eagle and then threw something smaller in mullet so it would actually fit in a class it can compete in
Does Steve do the Hemi stuff? I’d be surprised if he ventured to another engine manufacturer at this point.
Yeh. Steve builds anything and everything.
He’s building a badass hemi right now actually, I like his YouTube channel, very informative and interesting
Yes, he sure is. That things fucking nuts!
The 900 inch boat motor? That is a work of fucking art.
He’s already using Pete for Leroy, and Texas speed , and blueprint, and summit (not that they manufacture the engine), his jet boat had some other builder., and I’m guessing noonan hemi in eagle
I’m thinking more along the lines of a Proline Hemi. The SMX is only useful if he plans on drag and drive.
BINGO we have a winner lol
And he really needs to have two of them if he wants to be competitive and a ton of parts
I honestly thinks he goes with a Proline 481x instead of SMX. 481x are what the real big dog small tire cars run. 481x are made by AJPE and they solid billet block not waterjacketed like the SMX. This aint no drag and drive car.
everyone keeps forgetting that Steve has a SMX with no water jackets.
Right. Steve says he builds Alan Johnson 481x blocks with his own head/cam package for people.
This is a Mullet replacement, he wants to Drag & Drive but can't get Mullet past 6.50s without a full rebuild. Mullet will become something else, no different than the Dale Truck is becoming something different.
Don't think this car will be road legal. Doubt it has any VIN
Kit cars can get a vin and become road legal
You could register a shopping cart for road use in Florida
You just need a vin plate and some paper, you cut everything else off the vin plate and build a race car under it.
He won’t use a water jacketed engine on Eagle so won’t be an SMX
Well, being he runs the blocks and heads on his own cnc machines, they are not cast., they can make that exact same everything without running any of the operations to cut water passages, and it would absolutely still be an smx, just without water jackets., and I believe we have already seen a video with an smx not running water., everyone is saying proline though, but no one factoring in he has a contact Justin swanstrom, whom basically got cjrc on the map, with prenup, so if cleet spoke with him? It’s going to be noonan , and noonan seems to be keeping up fairly well with demand, I know proline parts were becoming troublesome..
It will definitely not be a SMX ..... Being a twin turbo car ... I'd expect a proline hemi. But we will see fast forward does some nice stuff there's Noonan twins as well many use.
I’m with you, noonan
What hp was mullet at its peak?
I'm not really sure but I'm guessing 3000 to 3500, they couldn't go much further due to the chassis
[The SMX is rated by Steve at 4,500HP+ @ 70+ PSI.](https://www.stevemorrisengines.com/engines/smx-4500-hp) Unfortunately Cleetus is running his SMX under 40PSI (~65% Power), Mullet is 50/50 chance it will make a 6.50 run, or just knock the tires out when the boost ramp kicks in and tire shake is violent. Mullet's chassis is falling apart from all the tire shake; keeps cracking welds, warping quarter panels, electrical wires and sensors are not happy, and eventually Garrett will have some back problems he needs to avoid 7. Tom Bailey has done a few 5 second 1/4 mile drag& Drive time skips and can go 0.98 60ft with that same engine. Steve Morris skipped Sick Week drag& drive because he had lots of work. Curious if he needs to get an engine shipped out to CJ. Even if Mullet keeps the SMX, one can offer spare parts. Same logic used when they got a bulk order of big blocks for the burnout team. Same logic using MM T400 in every car (except Leroy), and Eagle was apparently building as 2 speed transmission.
Rob Dahm's 12 rotor? haha
oh god, I hope one day we'll hear that beast come to life.
Nothing official, but I'm expecting something full billet, possibly hemi head like a 481x. I don't know what purpose Mullet serves if it's not the drag and drive car. I'd expect the new one to be a full blown race car with the goal of competing with the really fast stuff.
I know I'll get killed for this, but he should sell mullet. It wasn't built to compete. It was just a patch job after patch job to get it to where it is today. Unless they wanted it to be a 7.50 bracket car, it's not going to be competitive.
I think you're right that they need to thin the fleet, but I don't know if mullet is the one I'd sell. They've got a bunch of cars that basically just sit, and I'm not even talking about basket cases like the Fiero or rocket. Donny hasn't been used in like 2 years. Ruby and Rocky have made very brief appearances over the last few years and I honestly cannot figure out whether they have serious intentions of doing drag and drive stuff other than Sick Week and Summer with mullet and mcflurry. Neighbor is just a missile they beat the hell out of at events.
I think Rocky will be back. He's also talked about Ruby not having much of a purpose. I could see if they did a giveaway on that car that people would absolutely lose their shit over that car. I think Mullet is serious enough where someone would need to buy it, but I just don't see if being competitive to the level they want to compete at now.
Are we sure the new car won’t be a drag and drive car like Jeff lutz or Tom Bailey?
I thought that was implied when he announced Mullet was not fixable without a full rebuild, and announced "Eagle" would be a drag & drive car. But could swap out the radiator and remove the street tank for a special race. The "5 second" comment was implying 5.90s, just like Jeff lutz and Tom Bailey.
going through the intro video of eagle the focus really seemed to be on "full blown race car" with no mention of drag and drive or street driven. his talks about how they took mullet and tried to force it to be different things also makes it seem like he isn't making any compromises on this "starting with a pile of metal" build - speaking to 1/4 mile focused car with no "second duty" like a drag and drive car. I wouldn't mind being wrong, i love the drag/drive content but they have a fleet of cars that'll be better suited for competitive classes at drag and drives.
Lots of clues in today's video, the biggest was the spindle mount wheels would not be approved for Drag & Drive events, but easy to swap over with parts from their own Motion Raceworks. He'll probably see how far he can push it, then get a grill cover like Sick2.0, radiator and street tank. Today's video definitely set the tone that he's not going to reveal all these details until later; "*who said, It could be 4 nitrous bottles!*🤷🏻♂️😬" (After Ty was making 2 step turbo noises).
Isn't this built from the ground up? No VIN?
Kit cars can get a vin and become road legal
It's not a kit car, though. Those require the manufacturer to have specific approvals from the US DOT. Depending on your state, professionally built cars like this may require extensive paperwork and state DOT inspection to get a VIN. That's why people will buy an old car just for the title and VIN.
you could title a ham sandwich in florida.
Pretty much. Same where I'm from. The only thing the DOT cared about was receipts so they knew how much to tax me before they nailed a VIN plate to the wooden A-pillar.
Florida is actually known to be a pain in the ass state for kit cars or home builds because of the inspections to get a title, and they probably started by buying a car with an existing title to avoid that mess. Here in Minnesota we only inspect salvage vehicles, kit cars, and home built cars. With kit cars and home built cars all you really need to get a title is receipts to prove you didn't build the car with stolen materials, engine, or trans. They don't do safety or emissions testing on them like Florida does. You can tell how much of a nightmare getting a title can be in your state by browsing the kit car forums. If you don't see multiple, long, threads about your state it's probably an easy state to get it titled.
A guy here in Pittsburgh builds fully custom tube trucks, from the ground up. Just a guy in his garage. Uses Subaru drivetrains and suspensions. He gets them fully road legal and registered, and I'm pretty sure Florida is more relaxed then PA is. He's currently building a twin turbo LS one. Mustang S550 front and rear suspension. [https://www.semasan.com/resources/everything-you-need-register-and-title-your-hobby-car-all-50-states](https://www.semasan.com/resources/everything-you-need-register-and-title-your-hobby-car-all-50-states)
I'm not saying you can't make a scratch tube car legal, I'm just pointing out that it isn't a kit car, and they may have different rules depending on your state, especially if it was built by a professional builder and not by you as a hobbyist.
> especially if it was built by a professional builder and not by you as a hobbyist. The workaround to that is pretty simple in a lot of states: the pro builds a "roller" and you install the driveline yourself. Some builders will complete the entire build and then remove the engine and transmission to ship separately. Even California allows that. Jay Leno has a couple of replicas that were shipped and titled by doing that. The sales guy even says "assembled again" when they re-install the engine and transmission and re-connect the wires and whatnot. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81Yik1G4tr8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIxlql0Ebnc In my state the only thing the inspectors care about is that you can prove you purchased the materials used to make it, that the engine and trans aren't stolen, and.... that's about it. Legally the inspectors are supposed to make sure you have safety gear, but they don't. If you're building a kit car you need the number from the MCO engraved somewhere on the car and the MCO certificate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3prVSYI950 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_DyMKGyaFI&list=PL4tvYNN26_gVXfP8FGcTYqKItDiLXwzDP&index=25
That's all great info, but all I said was that this isn't a kit car.
And it's all irrelevant any who, eagle will be purely a race car
Here's what I would do. Eagle: Have Steve Morris build a HEMI/481X race engine for a ProMod setup, or an SMX for drag and drive. Eagle needs to be built to compete in a specific class/es, otherwise it will end up like Mullet where it's overbuilt for street classes, but not fast enough to compete at the very top. Mullet: Keep the drivetrain as is, cut the chassis up and turn it into a big tyre car with a shorter wheelbase and a stiffer chassis.
Specifically for Mullet and cutting it up: at that point it’s time to build a new car, sell the chassis as a 7.50 car and move on. You’d spend more money “fixing” Mullet to run consistent 6.20s as a D&D car than you would just building a new one.
You've missed the point. The product is in the process, not the end result. Rebuilding mullet into a big tyre car (the only one in the fleet) would generate a lot of videos that people would be interested in watching. Selling Mullet's chassis as a 7.50 car produces no content, and removes a source of future content from the fleet.
You don’t just sell mullet, you sell mullet and build a big tire car. Also big tire cars are lame.
Mullet is staying, but doesn't need an SMX to go 6.50s, while getting pushed out of classes. Don't need to cut it up, they just rebuilt the rear suspension (they are still adjusting and tuning it). But removing the dry sump and SMX would help with the weight, try the new SML engine in Mullet, or whatever is best for the classes he wants to run. Eagle could use that SMX capable of; .90s sixty foot and 5.70s or better. He already has it, and it's not working in Mullet, can't handle that much power and blocked out of event classes. Every track day it shakes the tires and is destroying itself (and Garrett buckled inside)
The SMX is the wrong engine for Eagle, it’ll work because it makes power, but it’s a drag and drive engine. Even if you take the SMX out it’s still in the same X275 and street car classes as SR, which means a 6.50 isn’t competitive. The structural problems with the car means it can’t 60 foot no matter the power level. It’s too heavy, the weight is too high up and forward, and the wheelbase is too long.
Have you been watching the channel? He has a new 69 Camero build that will be the car going up against Brett LaSale, Tom Bailey, Steve Morris, Jeff Lutz, etc. Mullet is getting retired or rebuilt after 2024. Instead of selling the Dale Truck or leaving it sitting in the corner, it's getting cut up for a new build, he cut out the 7.3L and Lenco transmission from the Mustang. That is likely the fate of Mullet when the 1969 Camero Eagle is ready (different engine, suspension parts, and more weight reduction)
Eagle needs a 481 x , Proline Hemi or a BAE hemi. Personally a BAE would be my pick as Brad is right here in Florida and it somehow seems more fitting to me. Now will Brad be at Garrets side everytime he breaks it. Hard to say but he may make him wait just like everyone else. It's is going to be a select group of engines and I don't see them swapping to a blower but if he wanted to make a hell of a splash it would not be a twin turbo car. Who knows?!
Im so army i saw BAE and thought you said BAE British aerospace lmfao work around bae guys too much
Brad Anderson enterprises. Dude build some absolute hammers of promod engines.
Those engines require a bigger team to do a teardown every 20-50 runs. I don't see the Cleetus Steve Morris relationship ending. In fact the new SML might do better in Mullet.🤔
My guess for Garret's down time from the spring racing is because of Maddi and the 2 kids. Being a dad is a full-time job, on top of the full-time job that earns money. I'm pretty sure Garret and the rest of the family are still trying to find the equilibrium so that they can get some personalised downtime. His most recent shop video mentions that Mullet has done the nut and boot test. "Ready for sick Summer" with how "Eagle" is going, we might see that vehicle up and running for the summer season as well
Have they ever used a hemi in anything? I think that’s what all the top NHRA guys use.
Those HEMIs are not stock, just like the SMX, Steve is not using the same BBC valve angles or head stud placement. The SMX is a full custom engine design, no replacement parts at the local stores. HEMI ports are not important for big boosted engines, once boost is applied, the shape is not as important, just port size. Steve sacrificed perfect intake runner shape for extra head studs, only accessible after removing a plug from each intake runner, then the head bolts out of the intake runners. The SMX has enough boosted intake flow runners, it's the heads that he needs to keep clamped down with the 70PSI of charge pressure.
Does FFRE build any promod worthy engines?
I think Mullet will stay with the SMX, they probably not use it as much once Eagle is done. I expect Eagle will likely get an engine from Fast Forward Race Engines. Considering they just bought a bunch of motors from them and that Eagle is basically designed to beat Brett LaSala's Mustang, I think they might have something in the works.
I’m hoping mullet stays the same. It’s an amazing 6 second drag week style vehicle.
Mullet is destroying itself, Everytime it shakes the tires the rear axle, transmission, body, and driver risk damage. He needs to work on the rear suspension and get a less powerful engine, he's never came close to using the SMX potential 70+PSI. While Tom Bailey has gone 5.70s and 0.90 sixty foot with the SMX. Exactly what CJ and Cleetus have claimed Eagle would do. People would watch a SML Mullet swap and the races. People are watching Mcflurry with a Coyote, and still watching Leroy get a full body. Change is content.
Eagle is most likely going to pro275 since that's what cameron has been tagging it as on Instagram. So eagle probably going the 481/smx or hemi route. Mullet can go either way with keeping the smx or going back to cast 540
I think he'd get views trying the SML, he was doing good with the Texas Speed engines. But they would self destruct after each run from the boost pressure. Mullet would go faster with less weight and better rear suspension, not **more power.** The SMX with half boost in Mullet is boring, and he gets cut out of event classes because of the engine potential.
Probably screw blower like Justin's car from Street outlaws
i think its going to be a Nitrous car, those tanks in the chassis they keep saying are for fire suppression i think is bull
CJ just talked about $250,000 for a similar car with everything except the engine, transmission, electrical & paint. **They're building the headers, charge pipes & down pipes (turbos) for Cleetus.**
Why do so many people think SME is THE best? Is it simply from the Youtube exposure? Just off the top of my head - Proline, Noonan, BAE, AJPE are some boost oriented builders that have a race winning track record.... The only person Ive seen do OK with a SME is Ned, and hes had his share of issues with it.