4 speeds for 55-56 chevrolet superstockers

[Speedracer]

Why don't you guys write a letter that says that 55-56 Chevrolet Superstockers should be able to run a 150 horsepower Nitrous kit?
Blower?


I would think that would help a little more than an extra gear.

[Mark Yacavone]

"I remember a letter-to-the-editor of National DRAGSTER from the wife of the driver/builder of "BIG DADDY": (not Garlits), a '60 Buick convertible G/SA Stocker from Lafayette, Indiana (Russ Matthews) who announced that her elderly husband was giving up trying to compete with these "fantasy cars" that were never built by the factory. He'd been a national record holder for years with his 401/nailhead/Dynaflow Buick, but the sedan deliveries made his car uncompetitive. So, he was quitting. She just wanted everyone to know "


Bill,
Looks like Big Daddy missed the boat back then .GM already had an early TH 400 that would bolt right up to the Buick Nailhead motor. All he had to do was call 1 800 - CRY- NHRA and ask for it. You know, in the interest of fairness.
Oh wait, that line wasn't in use back then . Well, maybe Farmer would have changed it for him . What do you think ,guys?

[bill dedman]

Farmer's comment to such a request wouldn't be anything printable here (this is a "family" forum.)

But, that was then; this is now...

[Mark Tallent]

I'm Gonna send this as well LOL




This is the proposel that I sent, to the Tech. Dept. of NHRA! Gentelmen, I would like to suggest a "rule change" pertaining to the 64~73 Ford Super Stock Stick Cars. The Change in which I am asking is the following. That you allow the handful of these cars to be allowed to run a Five Speed Transmission instead of a Four Speed Transmission. I feel that the 4 speed is at a disadvantage when trying to compete with other COMBOS with 5 Speeds.I have talked to others,(East Coast to the West Coast) and we are all in agreement,that if the rule could be changed, this would make these cars more competitive.I think,that a lot of people would like to see these cars in competition.For a long time to come. I remember a few years back ESPN2 showed a 69 Super Stocker(Red LeBlanc)as a feature at a National Race. Don't remember which one! Looks like ESPN2 thought these cars have eye appeal as well. I have noticed the 2008 rule change, that the THREE SPEED Automatic is allowed to be used over the 2 Speeds.
I have a 64 Sedan im considering to build for L,M Stick Class.I would be more comfortable about doing this , knowing that I would be to compete with a 5 Speed. Thanks for your time and consideration,
Mark Tallent 7724 SS/L


WOW Where does this come from?

[Jeff Teuton]

In 2007, I sent a letter to tech asking that corporate automatic transmissions be allowed in cars that specify a manual transmission; Viper, ZO6, Z28 and others in that catagory in Super Stock. As noted by this esteemed board or onlookers, only the powergilde got some change. I thought the 4 speed in the 55/56 was also in front of the committee, but as noted in earlier posts, I have been wrong before. Anyone have any idea who asked for the help on the glides? Want to bet they are from the West Coast!! But I do understand that my request was not granted, however, a short reply would have been appreciated. Years ago we had one of them 4 speed autos. My children are all younger that that trans. How about the 4 speed Torqueflite that came in the 75-78 D500-D800 Dodge. I really don't know if even Pro Trans could put 904 guts in that thing. I'm gettin too old for this.

[Jack McCarthy]

i still assure you they came with a trans that according to rules will allow a six speed to be used.
i promise i have one, self contained trans that will move the car forward in six different ratios...offered in1955-1961 chevys.

all is needed is someone to build one and a lawyer to tech it in

jack mccarthy

[Tony Janes]

Mark I think the 16 HP reduction on the 352 FE is a better gift than a Five Speed. Still have not seen this combo on the track since the early eighties

[Robert Simpson]

I believe that Myron and others that run this combination of a 3spd, under the current updated rules, should be allowed to run a 4spd trans. If I understand this right NHRA said that they have received letters requesting this for some time and I was told by NHRA that they observed a difference between a powerglide car and a turbo car in the same class!!! DUH... My father and I run the 3spd 56 combination and we believe that IF NHRA does continue to go through with this rulling that we to deserve the same "level playing field", that other combinations currently run in the lower classes. I would be completely happy with NHRA leaving everything as it was supposed to be, the correct transmission for the combination claimed. Yes, I do aggree that if this continues then it will continue to dissolve the basis of S/SS racing. It goes to show that all of the recent rule changes have done nothing but increase the cost of being competative and lower NHRA's responsibility to enforce rules. Choose ypur combination and let the HP's eventually work its way out.

[Bill Belden]

Tony, there is a 63 352 running L & M in Div 1

[bill dedman]

Here are some thoughts on the Powerglide issue...

As I understand it, if a car has a three speed automatic available as an option "from the factory,," it is legal to run a different "more mechanically advantageous" transmission with the same number of forward gear ratios as long as it will bolt up with no adapters, and is in the same "corporate family."

An example of that would be a smaller, lighter, 904 T-Flite replacng the O.E.M. 727 in a 1970 340 Duster.
Another would be a smaller, lighter, Ford C-4 replacing an O.E.M. C-6 in a 352 Ford (nevermind about the bell housing.)

In 1957, as most of you are aware, Chevrolet engineering introduced a new transmission that was a 3-speed automatic called Turboglide that used a pair of planetary gearsets that approximated first and second gear ratios in the later Turbo-Hydramatics... something like 2.5:1 and 1.5:1. These planetary gearsets were attached to individual torque converter elements that were a part of the main converter, but instead of being held for reaction by bands, or clutches, they were on sprags. This allowed them to overrun when they got to their rpm limit, thereby "shifting" into the next higher gear without actually applying or releasing any clutch/band apparatus.

For a more complete explanation of the mechancs of this operation, there's a well-written dissertation on the engineering that went into this short-lived aluminum transmission in Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turboglide by someone who has a good grasp of the operation of this somewhat revolutionary torque converter automatic.

Since it is a little different in operation from other 3-speed automatics, it never caught on with the hard-core Stock and Super Stock racers, but there wouldn't seem to be any legitimate reason why it couldn't be used as a stepping-stone to allow it to be replaced by a different 3-speed automatic in say, a 1961, 245 HP 283 car running an automatic transmission class in Stock or Super Stock.

This might alleviate some the discomfort and wrenching of hands that seems to accompany the conception that the racers who have heretofore been limited to a 2-speed automatic are being "given something" by NHRA when allowed to use a 3-speed.automatic. Replacing a Turboglide with a Metric 200 is simply trading one 3-speed automatic for another, something that is the norm for most Ford and Mopar racers, already.

Disassemble a Turboglide, and you'll find the same sort of planetary gearsets (approximately 2.5:1 for first, and 1.5:1 for second) that exist in other 3-speed automatics. But, instead of clutch packs, and bands, you'll find sprags to deliver the power, or hold the elements of the planetaries in place for reaction.

The fact that there's no neck-snapping "tire squeal" wihen going from one ratio to another doesn't mean it's not happeneing;.. it is... I think they had reliability issues for awhile (I seem to remeber them earning the moniker "TroubleGlide",) and I believe that 1961 was the last year they were offered.

Food for thought on a rainy day...