Classification question

rick lester · 10-12-2009, 03:53 AM

I was on Craigslist and found a 72 AMC Hornet last week in nice shape for cheap and was wondering about running it in stock. Biggest motor is 304 2 barrel combo. Then I got to thinking about SS/GT with 69 390 motor, thinking just maybe.........but then I got to thinking, does the NHRA or IHRA reconize AMCs as MOPARs? They were bought out by Chrysler. If the question is no, then why can you run a Chevy small block in a Pontiac Sunfire in SS/GT? Same corp., Now if the answer is yes, then a Hornet with a 68 Hemi would be bad ***, don't ya think? Now just think IF AMCs are reconized as MOPARS, in the classification guide under AMC, 1984 Reliance is on the list, and with the old rule gone about car must have had at least a v6 available from the factory to be eligable for SS/GT, and set up with a 68 Hemi, shades of the old Colts from the early 70's. How cool would that be! Yes I know, just because its in the guide doesn't mean it can be run, but just think of the pandorias box we could open with this thinking. 1924 lbs with a 507 rated Hemi...3.79...can you say Death Trap? Hey I'm bored at work, this is what happens when I get bored. Rick.

Tom keedle · 10-12-2009, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick lester

I was on Craigslist and found a 72 AMC Hornet last week in nice shape for cheap and was wondering about running it in stock. Biggest motor is 304 2 barrel combo. Then I got to thinking about SS/GT with 69 390 motor, thinking just maybe.........but then I got to thinking, does the NHRA or IHRA reconize AMCs as MOPARs? They were bought out by Chrysler. If the question is no, then why can you run a Chevy small block in a Pontiac Sunfire in SS/GT? Same corp., Now if the answer is yes, then a Hornet with a 68 Hemi would be bad ***, don't ya think? Now just think IF AMCs are reconized as MOPARS, in the classification guide under AMC, 1984 Reliance is on the list, and with the old rule gone about car must have had at least a v6 available from the factory to be eligable for SS/GT, and set up with a 68 Hemi, shades of the old Colts from the early 70's. How cool would that be! Yes I know, just because its in the guide doesn't mean it can be run, but just think of the pandorias box we could open with this thinking. 1924 lbs with a 507 rated Hemi...3.79...can you say Death Trap? Hey I'm bored at work, this is what happens when I get bored. Rick.

i know i can run a mopar rear in my american in stock, for whatever THAT'S worth...

Myron Piatek · 10-12-2009, 10:06 AM

Does it look close enough to a 1971 model to claim it as such? They had a 360 available then.
I recall a magazine test/comparison between a 360 Hornet and a 340 Demon. The Demon won but I believe the author had good things to say about the Hornet.

FED 387 · 10-12-2009, 10:16 AM

71 AMC hornet was available with either a 2 bbl 360 OR a Ram air 4 bbl 360 in the SC360 coupe---Comp 387

Jeff Lee · 10-12-2009, 03:15 PM

NO, I'm pretty sure the SC/Hornet with comparable mods as the Demon was faster!

4bbl is only available on a SC/360 which is 1971 only. However, there's not enough difference for anybody to care. SC/Hornet has a ram-air hood (standard on 4bbl, not available on 2bbl). Red between the tail lights and some emblems and your ready for F/S racing. And believe me, it would be a key player. One is being built right now and the owner wants to remain anonymous for now.

As far as a hemi AMC in GT, great idea. But at 500+ HP your looking at 4200+ race weight in GT/A class. The '71 360 looks good as a traditional SS but so does the 343 rated at 265 HP in GT... also look @ the 290 rated at 210 HP.

Tom Goldman · 10-12-2009, 03:41 PM

One last thing Jeff forgot to share, Getting the car cheap is the only cheap thing you'll ever see when you build an AMC. .....If you're not afraid to open your wallet, the AMC,s can fly. ........Tom

Myron Piatek · 10-12-2009, 06:02 PM

This isn't related to the Demon/Hornet article I mentioned. But it has some cool info and pics!

http://www.chromjuwelen.com/partner-...et-sc-360.html

This April 1971 issue of Car Craft is the one with the Demon/Hornet shootout according to the site selling it.

http://www.nitroactive.net/images/7104_cc_s.jpg

This list of road tests show 1971 Demon & Hornet results.
(But we've all heard the stories about "doctored" magazine test cars.)

http://www.cobranet.com/roadtest.htm

But I can't offer any real-world observations between the two.

Jeff Lee · 10-12-2009, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Goldman

One last thing Jeff forgot to share, Getting the car cheap is the only cheap thing you'll ever see when you build an AMC. .....If you're not afraid to open your wallet, the AMC,s can fly. ........Tom

Very good point and 100% on the money. I only blew up one race engine before I had an AMC. And I deserved to break that 440 Dodge. This AMC stuff will test your wits, that's for sure!

Ed Fernandez · 10-12-2009, 08:45 PM

The 70-72 hornets where the same body style.1973 they changed and the hatchback was first offered.
I believe the 360 4bbl was available in the hornet in 1973 only along with the 2 bbl.After that 2 bbl only. I'll never understand why they never offered the 360 in gremlins,although Randall American in Mesa Arizona did a 401KR (king of the road) for a tick over $3K.And you got a one way plane ticket to Mesa to pick the car up.
Come on Tom.With my little budget and your expertise the gremlin isn't half bad.

Alan Warman · 10-13-2009, 11:47 AM

How about using a new style Hemi like a 5.7 or the 6.1. If you did use one of these combo's, would you be able to use the ram air hood. And since were dreaming lets but a stick in it, and make it a real mans car(LOL)

10-12-2009, 03:53 AM	#1
rick lester Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Littlestown PA Posts: 163 Likes: 9 Liked 4 Times in 1 Post	Classification question I was on Craigslist and found a 72 AMC Hornet last week in nice shape for cheap and was wondering about running it in stock. Biggest motor is 304 2 barrel combo. Then I got to thinking about SS/GT with 69 390 motor, thinking just maybe.........but then I got to thinking, does the NHRA or IHRA reconize AMCs as MOPARs? They were bought out by Chrysler. If the question is no, then why can you run a Chevy small block in a Pontiac Sunfire in SS/GT? Same corp., Now if the answer is yes, then a Hornet with a 68 Hemi would be bad ***, don't ya think? Now just think IF AMCs are reconized as MOPARS, in the classification guide under AMC, 1984 Reliance is on the list, and with the old rule gone about car must have had at least a v6 available from the factory to be eligable for SS/GT, and set up with a 68 Hemi, shades of the old Colts from the early 70's. How cool would that be! Yes I know, just because its in the guide doesn't mean it can be run, but just think of the pandorias box we could open with this thinking. 1924 lbs with a 507 rated Hemi...3.79...can you say Death Trap? Hey I'm bored at work, this is what happens when I get bored. Rick.

10-12-2009, 10:06 AM	#3
Myron Piatek VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 1,538 Likes: 34 Liked 132 Times in 48 Posts	Re: Classification question Does it look close enough to a 1971 model to claim it as such? They had a 360 available then. I recall a magazine test/comparison between a 360 Hornet and a 340 Demon. The Demon won but I believe the author had good things to say about the Hornet. __________________ LOCOMOTION Racing Last edited by Myron Piatek; 10-12-2009 at 10:09 AM.

10-12-2009, 10:16 AM	#4
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,349 Likes: 329 Liked 280 Times in 150 Posts	Re: Classification question 71 AMC hornet was available with either a 2 bbl 360 OR a Ram air 4 bbl 360 in the SC360 coupe---Comp 387

10-12-2009, 03:15 PM	#5
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Classification question NO, I'm pretty sure the SC/Hornet with comparable mods as the Demon was faster! 4bbl is only available on a SC/360 which is 1971 only. However, there's not enough difference for anybody to care. SC/Hornet has a ram-air hood (standard on 4bbl, not available on 2bbl). Red between the tail lights and some emblems and your ready for F/S racing. And believe me, it would be a key player. One is being built right now and the owner wants to remain anonymous for now. As far as a hemi AMC in GT, great idea. But at 500+ HP your looking at 4200+ race weight in GT/A class. The '71 360 looks good as a traditional SS but so does the 343 rated at 265 HP in GT... also look @ the 290 rated at 210 HP. __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX

10-12-2009, 03:41 PM	#6
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,436 Likes: 776 Liked 700 Times in 204 Posts	Re: Classification question One last thing Jeff forgot to share, Getting the car cheap is the only cheap thing you'll ever see when you build an AMC. .....If you're not afraid to open your wallet, the AMC,s can fly. ........Tom __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK

10-12-2009, 06:02 PM	#7
Myron Piatek VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 1,538 Likes: 34 Liked 132 Times in 48 Posts	Re: Classification question This isn't related to the Demon/Hornet article I mentioned. But it has some cool info and pics! http://www.chromjuwelen.com/partner-...et-sc-360.html This April 1971 issue of Car Craft is the one with the Demon/Hornet shootout according to the site selling it. http://www.nitroactive.net/images/7104_cc_s.jpg This list of road tests show 1971 Demon & Hornet results. (But we've all heard the stories about "doctored" magazine test cars.) http://www.cobranet.com/roadtest.htm But I can't offer any real-world observations between the two. __________________ LOCOMOTION Racing

10-12-2009, 08:45 PM	#9
Ed Fernandez Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NOO JOISEY nexta NOO YAWK Posts: 5,879 Likes: 38 Liked 100 Times in 45 Posts	Re: Classification question The 70-72 hornets where the same body style.1973 they changed and the hatchback was first offered. I believe the 360 4bbl was available in the hornet in 1973 only along with the 2 bbl.After that 2 bbl only. I'll never understand why they never offered the 360 in gremlins,although Randall American in Mesa Arizona did a 401KR (king of the road) for a tick over $3K.And you got a one way plane ticket to Mesa to pick the car up. Come on Tom.With my little budget and your expertise the gremlin isn't half bad. __________________ Former NHRA #1945 Former IHRA #1945 T/SA

10-13-2009, 11:47 AM	#10
Alan Warman Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: San Angelo Tx Posts: 231 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Classification question How about using a new style Hemi like a 5.7 or the 6.1. If you did use one of these combo's, would you be able to use the ram air hood. And since were dreaming lets but a stick in it, and make it a real mans car(LOL) __________________ Alan Warman STK 4107