Part of what hurt drag racing

[Paul Precht]

Originally Posted by 442OLDS

I do agree that you make a good point.

Here is an example of why it currently doesn't work.

Two G/SA cars are on the line racing Heads Up.First one to the finish line wins.One is a 1964 Dodge with an originally produced 365 horsepower rating.

The other is a 1970 Olds 442 with an originally produced 365 horsepower rating.

They leave the line and the Olds gets the hole shot,but the Dodge quickly pulls ahead by SEVERAL car lengths.

Many ask ...hey why is that old Olds so slow??

Upon further review,the Dodge crosses the scales at 3370 pounds with driver,and the Olds crosses the scales at 4075 with driver.


Over 700 pounds heavier to be in the same class with two engines that originally were rated by the factory with the same rating? Huh?

The Olds 455 heads flow as well as the 915 Dodge head if not better. The 455 has 30 cubes more, .032" more lift and the Quadrajet flows at least 200 CFM more than the little 426 AFB. Unlike the 426, the Olds 455 has no limit on valve to piston clearance and when combined with the 1/2" longer stroke, much more duration can be used than with the 426. They came from the factory with the same rating but they are worlds apart in HP potential. It looks like only the 442 convert will make it down to G at it's current rating.

[442OLDS]

Originally Posted by Paul Precht

The Olds 455 heads flow as well as the 915 Dodge head if not better. The 455 has 30 cubes more, .032" more lift and the Quadrajet flows at least 200 CFM more than the little 426 AFB. Unlike the 426, the Olds 455 has no limit on valve to piston clearance and when combined with the 1/2" longer stroke, much more duration can be used than with the 426. They came from the factory with the same rating but they are worlds apart in HP potential. It looks like only the 442 convert will make it down to G at it's current rating.

And with just a 5 horsepower penalty,the Dodge gets Edelbrock Aluminum Heads which are NO better than 1964 technology?

[randy wilson]

Dick, I agree with you. I'd say slapper bar cars are at say 9lbs. per cube start the class. Ladder bars add 50 lbs. 4 link cars add 50 lbs. let them all in. Slapper bars limited to 10.5", ladder bar 12.5" 4 link 13. 5.
What say you? Heads up, pro tree. Brodix spec head

[randy wilson]

Maybe have cars 82 and newer add 50lbs. Just a thought.

[cicero819]

Wayne has hit a ball out of the ball. Spec motor has saved stock car racing(stock car track outnumber drag racing track nearly 10 to 1) something to think about.Claude Ruel

[randy wilson]

Spec heads will work.,sealed motors, or crate motors, not so much.

[Dick Butler]

Part of the problem IS that two motors of different specs do not race heads up ANYTIME. With wt added or not.
For all the discussions of how new cars are too expensive, too fast, old vettes are wrongly factored everyone should seriously look at the fact NO on outside the front seat of your cars should have control of your HP, ets, etc but YOU the owner.
As it is run too fast with yours hard work and someone else kicks your rating up and you go slower, with less chance of winning. Then try to sell your over factored car you have worked so hard to make run..
When its same specs for all that is "the level playing field" we hear of....