Are COPO's, CJ's and Drag Packs good for our sport?

[jmantle]

Originally Posted by D.Johns

That is the problem. They are unfavorable to build based on what they are rated from the factory. There are only a few newer cars that were underrated enough and have the potential to grow to be a competitive car in this type of class. Most go to other classes in the NMRA/NMCA etc.

Ford has the Shelby, GT, Bullet, Roush and 6cyl in the guide for 2005-2008(more before that also). No one to my knowledge has built one. There were a few in the works but when the Cobra Jet was released they switched a few parts and made a clone instead. When there was low interest to build a Stk/SS car from a new car the CJs in 2008 got people interested again in larger number. Now we have all 3 American companies with many different flavors to build.

If you have one of new cars why wouldn't you make a clone for a more favorable combo that uses practically all the same parts as the VIN # cars? For instance:2011-2012 GT(420hp/3600#)Swap pistons and hood and you have a 2012 CJ 5.0(325hp/3200). And if you dont want to tear down an engine to do a simple change of pistons then you are getting into the wrong class anyway. The Cobra Jets use many large components that people get when they buy the VIN cars as daily drivers. It's easy to build a clone and if your good with your hands it can be done for less money.

What FRPP did was create a car that people who buy the current Mustang do to them when they buy the production model. They made what us Hot Rodders already wanted into a Production car that runs down the assembly line.

As far as the HP ratings go, that's what the AHFS is supposed to fix. I admit it could use some improvement but it does sort of work. As far as building clones go, great in theory but will these pieces be available in 5, 10 years? I seriously doubt it.
I see the "affordable" stockers disappearing in the future, hurting the participation in the class. Maybe that's what the manufacturers want, only their current hotrods in S/SS. I hope NHRA realises this would seriously reduce car counts in the future and have the fortitude to do something about it.

Jim Mantle