Stock & Super Stock life expectancies

FED 387 · 10-14-2007, 12:10 PM

How many passes barring any unforseen breakage could one reasonably expect to get from the driveline on both a Stock and/or Super Stock car???? Now we are not talking hi maintanence cars like Hemi's or what not OR LO maintanenece cars like W/stocks etc., but the typical car you see in the staging lanes..--- I mean how long does an engine last before you have to feshen it up--likewise with the trans or rearend???? Rings and bearings plus valve springs/valve jobs or honing the blocks what could one reasonably expect to get???? Thanx in advance for your answers --------------Comp387

Jim Cimarolli · 10-14-2007, 05:25 PM

I would say that if you have good equipment to start with and you don't have anything wrong, you should be able to make 100 runs. By then it would be time to look at stuff IMO. Stick cars have to look at the ring and pinion more often though. Since I don't run a stick I'll leave it there.

Jim

Grosspeed · 10-14-2007, 09:44 PM

Interesting topic I hope more chime in I haven't made a pass yet need to know what to expect.

Michael Beard · 10-15-2007, 09:47 AM

Tim Sloan at Sloan Racing Engines built my 360 Magnum at the beginning of last year. Set a couple of J/CM records with it, won two championships, and have over 200 runs on it this season alone, granted, primarily 1/8th mile. Haven't even added up what I put on it last year... probably another 150 runs. Planning to freshen it this winter 'just because'.

I did blow the ring & pinion this year, which took out the trans. I bought the car almost 3 years ago, and I believe the rear (and trans) was in it for several years before that. I had the transmission fluid & filter changed this winter, and everything looked perfect.

I *did* go through two sets of radials this year, though.

Chip THELEGEND Johnson · 10-15-2007, 05:52 PM

My first crate motor was run for 3 seasons before it came out. I would say at least 500 to 600 passes, probably more.
I bought a motor from Larry Cummings. H&F built it originally, then it was freshened by Huntsville engines when I bought it from Larry. We put over 600 passes on it 1/4 and 1/8th. I think I got my moneys worth out of it.
My last couple of motors did'nt fare that well but we had a couple of weird things happen. Stocker motor broke a rod and H/R motor block cracked.

My new car has about 60 passes on it now and we are planning on running it next year if I don't sell car.

Chip Johnson

castle5 · 10-15-2007, 07:39 PM

stocker motors should last 500 to 600 passes. ive had alot more problems with drivetrain parts but hey im a stick guy..when everything is new it lasts longer than you think. but after 800 passes or so trouble starts and you find your self slowly replacing everything that rotates..

FED 387 · 10-15-2007, 07:49 PM

Thanx guys for taking the time to reply---I was just trying to get a feel on how long stuff lasts---In a Comp car we are constantly checking machining/honing and or replacing items to keep them competitive---- Kinda answers my suspicions----Comp 387

Jeff Lee · 10-15-2007, 08:13 PM

Depends....stock rods or aftermarket rods? Stock rods are more likely to loose bearing crush quicker than when quality aftermarket rods are used. Thick 5/64ths rings or thin rings with spacers? Gapped or gapless rings? Livin' on the edge or built for the long haul? Run it 'till it won't even start anymore or keeping it finely tuned? That's just the shortblock.
I know guys that have to change bearings within 50 runs when using stock rods on stockers. My own was only good for 75-100 runs. I know guys with thin rings that loose the seal after around 125 runs or so. Some engines are proned to wear rings just by design of the piston (think domed BBC).
So it's all relative to engine design, parts used, quality of machine work and probably abuse given.

Paul Precht · 10-16-2007, 12:05 AM

I'm with you 100 percent Jeff

FED 387 · 10-16-2007, 09:07 AM

Jeff & Paul that is the kind of info I was looking for---Not looking to build a passanger type car good for 100,000 miles but a -1.15/-1.20 under car---I realize that there are lots of variables but just exploring how much/often you take these apart and freshen them up---Used to Modified/Comp stuff which is fairly hi-LOL- maintanence stuff which you are aware...Can live with that type of maintanence schedule just kinda getting tired of 30+ hours a week in the shop---Thanx for your answers Hope to see you at the races ---Dick Comp387

10-14-2007, 12:10 PM	#1
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,419 Likes: 528 Liked 332 Times in 180 Posts	Stock & Super Stock life expectancies How many passes barring any unforseen breakage could one reasonably expect to get from the driveline on both a Stock and/or Super Stock car???? Now we are not talking hi maintanence cars like Hemi's or what not OR LO maintanenece cars like W/stocks etc., but the typical car you see in the staging lanes..--- I mean how long does an engine last before you have to feshen it up--likewise with the trans or rearend???? Rings and bearings plus valve springs/valve jobs or honing the blocks what could one reasonably expect to get???? Thanx in advance for your answers --------------Comp387

10-14-2007, 05:25 PM	#2
Jim Cimarolli Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Sulphur Springs Texas Posts: 743 Likes: 146 Liked 166 Times in 46 Posts	Re: Stock & Super Stock life expectancies I would say that if you have good equipment to start with and you don't have anything wrong, you should be able to make 100 runs. By then it would be time to look at stuff IMO. Stick cars have to look at the ring and pinion more often though. Since I don't run a stick I'll leave it there. Jim

10-14-2007, 09:44 PM	#3
Grosspeed Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 5 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Stock & Super Stock life expectancies Interesting topic I hope more chime in I haven't made a pass yet need to know what to expect. __________________ RAM Racing Purnell Auto Body AMI S10

10-15-2007, 09:47 AM	#4
Michael Beard VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 4,060 Likes: 0 Liked 13 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Stock & Super Stock life expectancies Tim Sloan at Sloan Racing Engines built my 360 Magnum at the beginning of last year. Set a couple of J/CM records with it, won two championships, and have over 200 runs on it this season alone, granted, primarily 1/8th mile. Haven't even added up what I put on it last year... probably another 150 runs. Planning to freshen it this winter 'just because'. I did blow the ring & pinion this year, which took out the trans. I bought the car almost 3 years ago, and I believe the rear (and trans) was in it for several years before that. I had the transmission fluid & filter changed this winter, and everything looked perfect. I did go through two sets of radials this year, though. __________________ Michael Beard - NHRA/IHRA 3216 S/SS

10-15-2007, 05:52 PM	#5
Chip THELEGEND Johnson Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 284 Likes: 223 Liked 281 Times in 79 Posts	Re: Stock & Super Stock life expectancies My first crate motor was run for 3 seasons before it came out. I would say at least 500 to 600 passes, probably more. I bought a motor from Larry Cummings. H&F built it originally, then it was freshened by Huntsville engines when I bought it from Larry. We put over 600 passes on it 1/4 and 1/8th. I think I got my moneys worth out of it. My last couple of motors did'nt fare that well but we had a couple of weird things happen. Stocker motor broke a rod and H/R motor block cracked. My new car has about 60 passes on it now and we are planning on running it next year if I don't sell car. Chip Johnson

10-15-2007, 07:39 PM	#6
castle5 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: indiana Posts: 39 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Stock & Super Stock life expectancies stocker motors should last 500 to 600 passes. ive had alot more problems with drivetrain parts but hey im a stick guy..when everything is new it lasts longer than you think. but after 800 passes or so trouble starts and you find your self slowly replacing everything that rotates..

10-15-2007, 07:49 PM	#7
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,419 Likes: 528 Liked 332 Times in 180 Posts	Re: Stock & Super Stock life expectancies Thanx guys for taking the time to reply---I was just trying to get a feel on how long stuff lasts---In a Comp car we are constantly checking machining/honing and or replacing items to keep them competitive---- Kinda answers my suspicions----Comp 387

10-15-2007, 08:13 PM	#8
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Stock & Super Stock life expectancies Depends....stock rods or aftermarket rods? Stock rods are more likely to loose bearing crush quicker than when quality aftermarket rods are used. Thick 5/64ths rings or thin rings with spacers? Gapped or gapless rings? Livin' on the edge or built for the long haul? Run it 'till it won't even start anymore or keeping it finely tuned? That's just the shortblock. I know guys that have to change bearings within 50 runs when using stock rods on stockers. My own was only good for 75-100 runs. I know guys with thin rings that loose the seal after around 125 runs or so. Some engines are proned to wear rings just by design of the piston (think domed BBC). So it's all relative to engine design, parts used, quality of machine work and probably abuse given. __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX

10-16-2007, 12:05 AM	#9
Paul Precht Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Elysburg, Pa Posts: 732 Likes: 357 Liked 321 Times in 119 Posts	Re: Stock & Super Stock life expectancies I'm with you 100 percent Jeff

10-16-2007, 09:07 AM	#10
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,419 Likes: 528 Liked 332 Times in 180 Posts	Re: Stock & Super Stock life expectancies Jeff & Paul that is the kind of info I was looking for---Not looking to build a passanger type car good for 100,000 miles but a -1.15/-1.20 under car---I realize that there are lots of variables but just exploring how much/often you take these apart and freshen them up---Used to Modified/Comp stuff which is fairly hi-LOL- maintanence stuff which you are aware...Can live with that type of maintanence schedule just kinda getting tired of 30+ hours a week in the shop---Thanx for your answers Hope to see you at the races ---Dick Comp387