NHRA blueprint guide-part crossover?

[Robert Swartz]

Ok, it's cold outside and I'm sort of shut in for now. After beating around the idea of building a combination for one organization versus another in a previous thread. I decided to do some looking myself. I'm pretty committed money and parts wise to building this car for the IHRA crate motor class. If I desire to move the car to NHRA, I want to leave my options open.

I was beating around the classification guide looking up a SBC combination for my 1979 Firebird to run NHRA. Some months back, I bought some shocks off Steve Ficacci. We traded a few emails and he suggested I look at the Chevy 350/165hp engine. This emgine was an option for the Firebird. I was looking for part casting numbers and stumbled across something I found interesting.

This particular engine was also offered in the 1979 Malibu station wagons and as well in all versions of the 1979 Nova. The casting numbers for the heads, #462624 and 376450 show up on both Chevy and Pontiac parts of the guide. Carburetors also appear to have the same numbers. A discrepency I see is the intake manifold, for the Pontiac, it only lists the #1400376. In the Chevy portion of the guide, it lists an alternate intake, #346249. All things being equal, if an item is legal for one combination (the Chevy's), why wouldn't it be legal for another (the Pontiac)? I'm sure a call to a tech director would set this straight. Want to see what those with experience in these matters have to say.

[Dragsinger]

Robert,

I do not know about the intake, however, be sure you understand the "factored" horsepower rating is 287. Thus, it can be stated as 350/165/287

And speaking of the Crate Motor combinations, I like them. If you have some IHRA races in your area is is a valid option. In addition, the new AHRA will run the Crate Motor combination in stock, thus, another option.

In that 1979 Firebird, the 350/330/340 Crate Motor with Vortec heads is a stout runner.

[Mark Yacavone]

Get a hold of Wesley Roberson. Explain the situation. Most likely, it's just a typo or an omission. He will fix it for you, without delay.

[Bobby Zlatkin]

Robert,

I believe the rotating assembly (short block) is the same between the NHRA 350 stocker & the IHRA crate motor. Only differences; cam, heads, intake & carb.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[Dragsinger]

Bobby,

yes, that is correct. The 350 Crate Motor short block would be the same as an NHRA flat top, four notch piston.

[Bobby Zlatkin]

Larry,
They are not flat top motors. They are dished piston motors. I believe all 7 IHRA accepted 350 motors are dished piston motors except one.

[Mark Lewis]

The crate motor 350 are all flattop 4valve notch pistons. The rule was changed 2years ago.

[Robert Swartz]

Originally Posted by Dragsinger

Robert,

I do not know about the intake, however, be sure you understand the "factored" horsepower rating is 287. Thus, it can be stated as 350/165/287

And speaking of the Crate Motor combinations, I like them. If you have some IHRA races in your area is is a valid option. In addition, the new AHRA will run the Crate Motor combination in stock, thus, another option.

In that 1979 Firebird, the 350/330/340 Crate Motor with Vortec heads is a stout runner.

Thanks Larry. Yes, I understand about the refactored HP. This is just another option, I'm looking into. My thought is to research the NHRA combo. Then start scratching around for parts.

I hope this crate motor combo will be stout. My plan kind got schewed(sic). I had intended to get the body and chassis prepped first. I've gotten steered more in the direction of collecting motor parts. After purchasing YOUR heads and intake. I've acquired a block and a couple of donor cranks, hope one out of two will be suitable. I've also gotten a set of new Ross pistons. Same guy has a cam and a torque converter I'm going to get as well.

My biggest hangup at present. I'm just lacking a couple decent cash infusions. I'm hoping to, maybe, be able to run a couple combos late this year. The stars are going to have to align just right for that to happen.