Mustang Ecoboost Stock Eliminator

[Mike Delahanty]

Here’s the explanation behind the HP and weight figures that are in the NHRA Classification Guide for the 2015 Mustang EcoBoost.

First some background.

The engines that power new cars today make more HP per cubic inch than those of the 60’s, 70’s and 80s. The engine designs are optimized to get every possible MPG and HP in production form. Many of the race engine blueprint “tricks” that make power in an old Stock or SS engine have been incorporated into your street car. In addition, the advertised HP ratings from the manufacturers have gone up to reflect these performance improvements. As you can imagine, there’s not much HP improvement left to take advantage of when building a new Stocker or SSer. For a number of years, racers have wanted to build “new” stockers from production cars but the high HP ratings (and weight) discouraged them.

Last year at Indy, the drag racing reps from Ford. Chevy and Dodge met with NHRA to discuss this issue and seek a solution that would at least make it “reasonable” to build a new production Stocker that was competitive. After reviewing performance data from the new cars and examples of new cars in the guide it was agreed that the NHRA HP rating for the classification guide would start at 85% of the factory advertised HP. This took effect for any new car added to the guide from that point forward – like the 2015 Mustang EcoBoost that was recently added.

In addition to the HP discussion, weight was also addressed. There is upwards of 500+ pounds of wiring, emissions hardware and other content that can be legally removed from a new car when prepping it for Stock - and even more for SS. Again - with the objective of making it “reasonable” to build a competitive new car, it was agreed that the shipping weight would be 85% of the manufacturers advertising curb weight. This too took effect for all cars added after Indy 2017. BTW, finding “shipping weight” today is not like it was in the past.

It’s important that new production cars be part of Stock and SS – and not just the CJs, COPOs and Drag Paks. Please note there was no plan, “deals” or arrangements to rig the HP or weight to give the new cars an advantage. I was one of the reps in the meeting and I run a 1964 Stock Eliminator car.

One disclaimer – the above HP discussions did not touch on or address any of the HP ratings for the cars that compete in the Factory Stock or SS classes since these are not production level engines.

[ALMACK]

Originally Posted by Mike Delahanty

Here’s the explanation behind the HP and weight figures that are in the NHRA Classification Guide for the 2015 Mustang EcoBoost.

First some background.

The engines that power new cars today make more HP per cubic inch than those of the 60’s, 70’s and 80s. The engine designs are optimized to get every possible MPG and HP in production form. Many of the race engine blueprint “tricks” that make power in an old Stock or SS engine have been incorporated into your street car. In addition, the advertised HP ratings from the manufacturers have gone up to reflect these performance improvements. As you can imagine, there’s not much HP improvement left to take advantage of when building a new Stocker or SSer. For a number of years, racers have wanted to build “new” stockers from production cars but the high HP ratings (and weight) discouraged them.

Last year at Indy, the drag racing reps from Ford. Chevy and Dodge met with NHRA to discuss this issue and seek a solution that would at least make it “reasonable” to build a new production Stocker that was competitive. After reviewing performance data from the new cars and examples of new cars in the guide it was agreed that the NHRA HP rating for the classification guide would start at 85% of the factory advertised HP. This took effect for any new car added to the guide from that point forward – like the 2015 Mustang EcoBoost that was recently added.

In addition to the HP discussion, weight was also addressed. There is upwards of 500+ pounds of wiring, emissions hardware and other content that can be legally removed from a new car when prepping it for Stock - and even more for SS. Again - with the objective of making it “reasonable” to build a competitive new car, it was agreed that the shipping weight would be 85% of the manufacturers advertising curb weight. This too took effect for all cars added after Indy 2017. BTW, finding “shipping weight” today is not like it was in the past.

It’s important that new production cars be part of Stock and SS – and not just the CJs, COPOs and Drag Paks. Please note there was no plan, “deals” or arrangements to rig the HP or weight to give the new cars an advantage. I was one of the reps in the meeting and I run a 1964 Stock Eliminator car.

One disclaimer – the above HP discussions did not touch on or address any of the HP ratings for the cars that compete in the Factory Stock or SS classes since there are not production level engines.

Thanks for posting Mike.

Any chance someone at Ford could submit the specs to NHRA for the 2018 F-150 with the 5.0 V-8 ?

[nickh]

Alan would also like to see ecoboost f150. My son bought 2017 ecoboost 3.6 in sports mode it runs 14 flat and that is with fx4 option! And the 5.0 coyote motor is right there with it.

[ALMACK]

Originally Posted by nickh

Alan would also like to see ecoboost f150. My son bought 2017 ecoboost 3.6 in sports mode it runs 14 flat and that is with fx4 option! And the 5.0 coyote motor is right there with it.

Yep. The 2018 F-150s are amazing performance wise. I am on the F-150 forums and in 2018 F150 fb groups and that truck is very popular.
A reg cab short bed 2wd 5.0 with 3.55 gears runs mid 13's stock ...12.70's with a tune.
Quicker than the supercharged Lightnings

[nickh]

Yes he find a guy that will put a tune on his said it will get him 13 flat. Dam impressive.

[Steve Stickel]

Mike Delahanty;
Thank You !!! for the thorough and detailed explanation of the rating and weight formulas adopted by NHRA for newer vehicles added since Indy 2017 . Everyone who visits Classracer should see this .... So informative that it should have its own thread, not buried here in the Ecoboost replies.. Many questions still to be answered and adjustments to be made, esp concerning the '08 to 2015 traditional stock cars already in the guide, (some hot spots and some frozen solid),, and the "Package cars" (FS) playing down in traditional stock eliminator ... Maybe its time for a new thread addressing these issues and ideas to solve them

[Frank Castros]

Four cylinder engines are very cool and I'm looking forward to seeing the progression of this combination. The Mustang will in G before too long.

I hope Jim Hale is at Indy, but is there any substance to the rumors from Beech Bend?

[ALMACK]

Originally Posted by Frank Castros

Four cylinder engines are very cool and I'm looking forward to seeing the progression of this combination. The Mustang will in G before too long.

I hope Jim Hale is at Indy, but is there any substance to the rumors from Beech Bend?

Right now Marty Buth has the quickest 4 cyl. Stocker at an NHRA event.

He ran an 11.39 @ Indy in Oct. 2015.

Won't be long before we see the first 10 sec. 4 cyl. Stocker

[Dave Gantz]

Originally Posted by Mike Delahanty

Here’s the explanation behind the HP and weight figures that are in the NHRA Classification Guide for the 2015 Mustang EcoBoost.

First some background.

The engines that power new cars today make more HP per cubic inch than those of the 60’s, 70’s and 80s. The engine designs are optimized to get every possible MPG and HP in production form. Many of the race engine blueprint “tricks” that make power in an old Stock or SS engine have been incorporated into your street car. In addition, the advertised HP ratings from the manufacturers have gone up to reflect these performance improvements. As you can imagine, there’s not much HP improvement left to take advantage of when building a new Stocker or SSer. For a number of years, racers have wanted to build “new” stockers from production cars but the high HP ratings (and weight) discouraged them.

Last year at Indy, the drag racing reps from Ford. Chevy and Dodge met with NHRA to discuss this issue and seek a solution that would at least make it “reasonable” to build a new production Stocker that was competitive. After reviewing performance data from the new cars and examples of new cars in the guide it was agreed that the NHRA HP rating for the classification guide would start at 85% of the factory advertised HP. This took effect for any new car added to the guide from that point forward – like the 2015 Mustang EcoBoost that was recently added.

In addition to the HP discussion, weight was also addressed. There is upwards of 500+ pounds of wiring, emissions hardware and other content that can be legally removed from a new car when prepping it for Stock - and even more for SS. Again - with the objective of making it “reasonable” to build a competitive new car, it was agreed that the shipping weight would be 85% of the manufacturers advertising curb weight. This too took effect for all cars added after Indy 2017. BTW, finding “shipping weight” today is not like it was in the past.

It’s important that new production cars be part of Stock and SS – and not just the CJs, COPOs and Drag Paks. Please note there was no plan, “deals” or arrangements to rig the HP or weight to give the new cars an advantage. I was one of the reps in the meeting and I run a 1964 Stock Eliminator car.

One disclaimer – the above HP discussions did not touch on or address any of the HP ratings for the cars that compete in the Factory Stock or SS classes since these are not production level engines.

Great info Mike! Too bad the leaders of the "club" don't see that this kind of info should be given to the members.