Re: stockers
 

You can buy a piston from any manufacture = Tell them it is for superstock or a bracket car maybe some other non stock eliminator use. Then lazer cut the NHRA approval on it yourself - Is that your violation and did you not mislead the manufacturer of your purpose?

Re: stockers
 

John,

I believe that could be the scenario. However, the question is if they would admit they did it or blame the piston manufacturer and give them a black eye? It is a can of worms! If it keeps happening, I can see NHRA allowing any ring package and doing away with something else to inspect.

Re: stockers
 

The Duster incident happened last year at the Joilet points meet. He was the D3 rep in stock and could hardly run the index (post teardown) after going consistently .80-.90 under for years. I've been through many teardowns and NEVER lost 8 tenths or more.

Re: stockers
 

I'll give you an example, a few years back a friend of mine was proudly showing me his cylinder heads that he'd payed big bucks to have done by a "professional". The crossover passages were filled right into the port and the area had been nicely blended in to look like the crossover never existed. Legal? Not if you read the rulebook but I know some racers that never do. Deliberately cheating, probably not.

As far as my Pacer goes, if you want to see inside the engine I'll tear it apart just for you any time you want.

Jim Mantle V/SA 6632

Re: stockers
 

Especially now with gas ported rings that are essentially legal.

Re: stockers
 

Joe, Of course, the ring height can be measured with the head off, so what 's NHRA's problem with checking it?
If they go that route, then REAL replacement Stock pistons are at even more of a disadvantage. Another shot at the budget racer, and another rule revision rammed through by the cheaters.
So then what happens? Under weight pistons and rods? Knife edged cranks?
Where does it end?

Re: stockers
 

Fully agree with you Mark! it can be checked easily. I have not seen anyone thrown out by illegal pistons that has been made public by NHRA.

I just pointed to a plausible aftermath with everything that has taken place in the past.

Re: stockers
 

Tim,

Thin piston rings with spacers have been allowed for a long time. There are lots of piston ring designs that can achieve the same as the gas ported rings. At the end of the day, it is having the ring hone finish, a round bore and compatible rings that make the power.

Re: stockers
 

Stock is ALMOST a S/S class now !

Re: stockers
 

Without tech and integrity of the racers Stock is long gone.

I have heard that if you build a stocker strictly by the rule book, you are behind the eight ball. I know there are some exceptions, but just sayin'. I don't fully understand but that's what I heard, a few years ago.