Ford in Comp Eliminator?????

[Jeff Swanson]

Here's a really nice car that Travis and Trent Gusso have been putting together over the last few years.

[Freddie]

I have been looking into a Comp Ford deal myself, My engine builder says it can be done but it will be real costly... I think alot of guys run GM mostly because of the availability of parts, or to get started you can always get a good used setup and build from thier..

[John Quinn]

Originally Posted by Freddie

I have been looking into a Comp Ford deal myself, My engine builder says it can be done but it will be real costly... I think alot of guys run GM mostly because of the availability of parts, or to get started you can always get a good used setup and build from thier..

There are just as many parts available for Fords as there are for Chevys, if you look at the classifieds on the Ford racing websites like Hardcore50.com and others you can find just about any Ford part you want used or new. Also there is no significant difference between the cost of parts between the brands except for the cost of low deck blocks where the Ford race quality blocks are significantly cheaper.

Your engine builder is right, it will be real costly. All Comp engines are expensive. If your builder is going to charge more for a Ford, get a builder who knows Fords.

[Freddie]

Originally Posted by John Quinn

There are just as many parts available for Fords as there are for Chevys, if you look at the classifieds on the Ford racing websites like Hardcore50.com and others you can find just about any Ford part you want used or new. Also there is no significant difference between the cost of parts between the brands except for the cost of low deck blocks where the Ford race quality blocks are significantly cheaper.

Your engine builder is right, it will be real costly. All Comp engines are expensive. If your builder is going to charge more for a Ford, get a builder who knows Fords.

There are alot of parts out there true.. but power per cube, the FORD is still lacking unless your straping a big blower, or a turbo to it..

[Jeff Swanson]

There are tons of all motor options out there and the Fords do just fine.

The NMRA which is Ford only has Factory Stock (mid - low 11s), Pure Street (mid - low 10s), and Hot Street (8.60s).

The NMCA which is open to all makes, has Mean Street (high 9s, low 10s) and Pro Stock (8.50s - 8.60s) and again the Fords do just fine.

The PSCA has a class that I *believe* is called Hot Street and they run in the 8.20s - 8.30s, Fords have owned it lately.

The RAM Racing series in the Northeast is ALL naturally aspirated, and opps the Fords do OK there too.

The only problem with Fords in Comp Eliminator is that they don't have 1/10 of the R&D that has gone in to the Chevys, and I'm talking V8s. If anyone starts to fund the R&D there's no reason at all the Fords can't hang. The biggest problem is approved heads. The Gusso's have taken a great first step with Kuntz & Co, but they've got a step learning curve ahead of them and I don't think they expect to set the world on fire right away. I do expect them to run respectably.

There's a whole big world out there outside of NHRA!

[Freddie]

Originally Posted by Jeff Swanson

There are tons of all motor options out there and the Fords do just fine.

The NMRA which is Ford only has Factory Stock (mid - low 11s), Pure Street (mid - low 10s), and Hot Street (8.60s).

The NMCA which is open to all makes, has Mean Street (high 9s, low 10s) and Pro Stock (8.50s - 8.60s) and again the Fords do just fine.

The PSCA has a class that I *believe* is called Hot Street and they run in the 8.20s - 8.30s, Fords have owned it lately.

The RAM Racing series in the Northeast is ALL naturally aspirated, and opps the Fords do OK there too.

The only problem with Fords in Comp Eliminator is that they don't have 1/10 of the R&D that has gone in to the Chevys, and I'm talking V8s. If anyone starts to fund the R&D there's no reason at all the Fords can't hang. The biggest problem is approved heads. The Gusso's have taken a great first step with Kuntz & Co, but they've got a step learning curve ahead of them and I don't think they expect to set the world on fire right away. I do expect them to run respectably.

There's a whole big world out there outside of NHRA!

Jeff: I have been running the NMRA, Hot Street is a great class, but as for that setup in comp. weight to cubes, the cars would have to weigh in at close to 3500# or more. I have been running Open Comp, and its alot of fun, but its still a bracket race. I decided to strap a big ole NOS setup on mine and try to run with the Drag Radial guys. I think the only way a Ford can still be competitive in either Comp or SS racing is to make it a 4 cyl, the 2300 has alot of R&D done on it cause they still use it in midget racing.

[Jeff Swanson]

Originally Posted by Freddie

Jeff: I have been running the NMRA, Hot Street is a great class, but as for that setup in comp. weight to cubes, the cars would have to weigh in at close to 3500# or more. I have been running Open Comp, and its alot of fun, but its still a bracket race. I decided to strap a big ole NOS setup on mine and try to run with the Drag Radial guys. I think the only way a Ford can still be competitive in either Comp or SS racing is to make it a 4 cyl, the 2300 has alot of R&D done on it cause they still use it in midget racing.

I'm not saying that a NMRA Hot Street car would be competitive in Comp. I was just pointing out all of the naturally aspirated options out there and how well the Fords do in them.

With the right amount of R&D there's no reason a V8 Ford couldn't do well in Comp.

[david ring]

Originally Posted by Jeff Swanson

The biggest problem is approved heads. The Gusso's have taken a great first step with Kuntz & Co, but they've got a step learning curve ahead of them and I don't think they expect to set the world on fire right away. I do expect them to run respectably.

There's a whole big world out there outside of NHRA!

Some running comp once told me he thought the nascar Ford heads were pretty good. I don't know if that is an accurate statement, but they would be legal in comp.

[Charlie Yannetti]

I'll tell you what.... Herb Bollman has been tweeking those small block Ford motors for some time now and he and Eric have turned in some very respectable performances in the last couple of seasons.......

And I believe you are right about the heads, Dave....... I'm certain that Herb has played with them and may have even used them....... I know he had a set or two........

And if anyone is seriously thinking about running a SBF in Comp, I would recommend speaking with Herb
Bollman or Bob Huetmann........ they will put you in the right direction......

[John Warehime]

What class does a '49 Merc 296 Flathead fit in? How do you get a block on a flowbench? Hey Rich, have you ever done a Ford Y Block? LOL!! Keep up the good work.