I havent taken it down the strip yet and I dont mean build a 11 sec car and that be my first time down the strip.But I do know that I would like to make it faster and will never be satisfied.I would easy into it but not just jump in a 11 sec car.
Now thats sound thinking there young gun!! As Cudafever said...take what you got to the strip and see what you got!! Get a few passes in, even if they're 18 second runs. It don't matter!! What matters is that you find out where your car is and use that to improve areas one step at a time. You already have a good idea of which parts you must have, like a decent strong rearend and trans, and a motor with decent power. Its all the other areas that will show themselves as you go along!!
You also need to dial in YOUR skills as a racer and get used to what the car is gonna do under your guidance. Experience with the car as you learn how to go faster together will yield BIG in the long run!!
As posted above, do everything that you can for free..a tenth here and a tenth there for no $$ is a good investment, not only in $$ saved but also getting to know your car every step of the way!! It's when you gotta take out the back seat, passenger seat and other creature comforts that you'll be at a crossroads. Faster... or takin' friends along for some Saturday night cruisin'!! Oh, to be young again!! Geof