A couple of Mopar "legality" questions...??

[cudadoug]

Yea, I thought that If it was "year correct" it might be legal...or at least "not illegal" reading exactly what's in the rule book.

Which explains why a shaker is allowed on a 70 E-body 340, as it's was only available on 440-6bbl and Hemi cars.

Also explains the TA hood on a certain Red 383 Challenger...

Now, with regards to wheel openings, is this legal? They were stretched approx 3" and the lips are as originally produced...




Thanks again guys!

[Mark Yacavone]

Nobody's going to measure them, if that's what you really want to know.

[cudadoug]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

Nobody's going to measure them, if that's what you really want to know.

Well Mark I didn't think they would, however in the Gen Regs it states that in Stock and SS the forward and rear edges may be trimmed 2", rerolled, blah blah blah...BUT in looking at other Dusters they appear to have done just that, retaining the overall original shape for the most part. These, being stretched in the middle aren't the OEM shape, although nicely done.

I'm going to send the pic to our Div and National Tech Directors and see if I can even get a reply...

Thanks!

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by cudadoug

Yea, I thought that If it was "year correct" it might be legal...or at least "not illegal" reading exactly what's in the rule book.

Which explains why a shaker is allowed on a 70 E-body 340, as it's was only available on 440-6bbl and Hemi cars.

Also explains the TA hood on a certain Red 383 Challenger...

Now, with regards to wheel openings, is this legal? They were stretched approx 3" and the lips are as originally produced...




Thanks again guys!

In 1971 I ordered and raced a new 71 Challenger with a 383 (not a 440-6 pack or Hemi) with a shaker hood direct from the factory . The rules were a lot tighter back then. I dont believe NHRA will allow a 6 pack hood on a non 6 pack engine "road chicken"..

[Jeff Lee]

Originally Posted by cudadoug

Yea, I thought that If it was "year correct" it might be legal...or at least "not illegal" reading exactly what's in the rule book.

Which explains why a shaker is allowed on a 70 E-body 340, as it's was only available on 440-6bbl and Hemi cars.

Also explains the TA hood on a certain Red 383 Challenger...

Now, with regards to wheel openings, is this legal? They were stretched approx 3" and the lips are as originally produced...




Thanks again guys!

You can pick up just about any mopar book and learn which bodies and engines the shakers were available on (code N96 fresh air option). You can find why the T/A hood was not just a T/A engine option and why. If you were really lazy you could contact somebody like Galen Govier (?) and pay him for the information with a break down of production numbers by engine.

[plasticfantastic]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lee

You can pick up just about any mopar book and learn which bodies and engines the shakers were available on (code N96 fresh air option). You can find why the T/A hood was not just a T/A engine option and why. If you were really lazy you could contact somebody like Galen Govier (?) and pay him for the information with a break down of production numbers by engine.

you'll pay him for the informtion, but you'll wait and wait for a long while to get the information...

[cudadoug]

What I know about the shaker vs. TA hood deal was that there was a shaker shortage in 71. For a certain period of time, any 71 Chally that was ordered with a shaker, (which UNLIKE 1970 was available on the 340/383/440-4bbl/440-6-bbl or Hemi) it was subbed with a TA hood. Plymouth on the other had didn't seem to suffer the same shortage...

But that was 1971. In 1970, the shaker wasn't available on anything but the 440-6bbl and Hemi cars, so where is the justification that a 70 'Cuda with a shaker-ed 340 or 383 is legal? Or a TA hood on a 70 383 Chally?? Because it was available for the MODEL and YEAR?? Regardless of the motor? So if that logic is applied accross the board, the 6-bbl glass hood should be "legal" on a 69 383 Roadrunner, as it was available for the MODEL and YEAR.

The same argument could be had for the glass hood on a 390 Fairlane I would guess...or for that matter the Dart Hemi hood should be legal on a 340 or 383 68 Dart...

[Jeff Teuton]

Tom, that might be high. Every piece is still available. As far as the 68 with the Hemi scoop, the 383 we run (and everyone else) was available with fresh air pkg in b and e bodies. So whats the problem? If we didn't have to change the fenders and hood back to metal, we would probably do away with the scoop anyway.

[treessavoy]

Originally Posted by cudadoug

What I know about the shaker vs. TA hood deal was that there was a shaker shortage in 71. For a certain period of time, any 71 Chally that was ordered with a shaker, (which UNLIKE 1970 was available on the 340/383/440-4bbl/440-6-bbl or Hemi) it was subbed with a TA hood. Plymouth on the other had didn't seem to suffer the same shortage...

But that was 1971. In 1970, the shaker wasn't available on anything but the 440-6bbl and Hemi cars, so where is the justification that a 70 'Cuda with a shaker-ed 340 or 383 is legal? Or a TA hood on a 70 383 Chally?? Because it was available for the MODEL and YEAR?? Regardless of the motor? So if that logic is applied accross the board, the 6-bbl glass hood should be "legal" on a 69 383 Roadrunner, as it was available for the MODEL and YEAR.

The same argument could be had for the glass hood on a 390 Fairlane I would guess...or for that matter the Dart Hemi hood should be legal on a 340 or 383 68 Dart...

If what you say is true about shakers then explain the 1970 Cuda that I ordered and received with a 340, shaker and 4-speed. According to the dealer order form at the time the shaker was available for the 340 and up.

PS never should have gotten rid of it.

[Jeff Lee]

Originally Posted by treessavoy

If what you say is true about shakers then explain the 1970 Cuda that I ordered and received with a 340, shaker and 4-speed. According to the dealer order form at the time the shaker was available for the 340 and up.

PS never should have gotten rid of it.

You are correct.

Reportedly there was another issue with the Challenger Shaker. Not only was there a shortage from the supplier on Challenger shaker assemblies but the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). The Challenger hood is a full length hood (regardless of application); from front edge to wiper / cowl assembly. The Barracuda or 'Cuda does not extend as far forward as it has a front header panel. In a frontal impact the Barracuda hood has some protection offered by the header panel, the Challenger hood is not protected. On a Challenger hood with a shaker opening there is less material and the hood easily buckles. This can cause the rear of the hood to raise, go through the front windshield and possibly decapitate the front occupants.
For that reason the shaker shortage was directed to the Barracuda when ordered and the T/A hood was used as a fresh air hood when ordered on the Challenger (if Shaker was not available for installation).
Thaqt's my story...I'm stickin' too it!