Former Sick Week Winner Gets a Big Boost, as Bill Spangler Returns to Drag and Drive at Mickey Thompson Turn & Burn in Ohio!
As an experienced and successful racer in classes where consistency is key, it was no surprise to see Bill Spangler capture the Dial-Your-Own (DYO) class victory in his 1980 Ford Fairmont known as ‘FUB’ at the first Sick Week presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive in 2022.
But now, after a stint away from drag and drive, Bill is ready to make his return to the street and strip action. But the familiar big block Ford combination under the cowl hood has stepped aside for a modern powerplant and a power adder as well.
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The big change for Bill started with a Holley Dominator EFI system. “When I switched to Holley EFI on the big block it was to learn about EFI before the move to a turbo,” he said. With the idea in mind to step to a turbocharged combination, Bill decided to stay Blue Oval, but not the engine you might think.
Instead, Bill opted for the 7.3-liter Godzilla combination, and specifically noted Ford expert Brian Wolfe as the motivation for the move. A pair of HPT turbochargers provides the additional atmosphere, backed with a 2-speed Powerglide and a billet bolt together converter.
“I’ve been putting this combo together over the last year,” said Bill. “Parts availability has slowed me way down.” Bill added an added a chunk of Motion Raceworks bits to the build, the suspension got a set of Merillat upper and lower torque boxes, and the switch at the back was made from slicks to drag radials.
After getting the upgrades completed, Bill brought the Fairmont to Big 3 Racing to get things tuned by fellow drag and drive runner Rick Trunkett. With the turbos spooling enough for 19 pounds of boost, the hub dyno returned 1237 horsepower.
The only thing that has eluded Bill is lack of track time, but he plans to make his first drag and drive event appearance in three years at this week’s Mickey Thompson Turn & Burn at Summit Motorsports Park in Ohio.
“I’m planning on running 8.50-based classes,” Bill said. “It should make enough power to run low 8’s or high 7’s. To run the street class, it can’t have a funny car cage, so that is the limiting factor.”
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine, Big 3 Racing and Bill Spangler.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com