How far under index?

[Bryan Worner]

Originally Posted by Freddie

I know at National events qualifying is based on how far under the index you can go, but how far under do you really need to be to be competitive?

I only ask because I am finishing a long overdue project 1997 Mustang Cobra with the "Freshened" 4v and a 5 speed for Stock. Plan on running either F or G/S and while I may only be able to run some divisional events this year, my question is what should I be looking for to be able to qualify at most National events as well?

We have done quite a bit of work to the car inclusive of all the legal and accepted chassis mods, and have it right at weight, with a beefed up rear, good axles and a gear we think is right for now. I know a 5 speed car is at a disadvantage over the automatics but this is what I have to work with and I LOVE driving the 5 speed.

So again looking for a little help with how fast I should really be, and how do they run class eliminations now, its been years since I did this.

Freddie, my advice is use Dragracecentral.com as your friend. Go back to all of the events you would plan on attending, look at the stock qualifying and class runs. Even look at eliminations. That will tell you who runs in your class(s). and how fast they are.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Bryan Worner

Freddie, my advice is use Dragracecentral.com as your friend. Go back to all of the events you would plan on attending, look at the stock qualifying and class runs. Even look at eliminations. That will tell you who runs in your class(s). and how fast they are.

Bryan is correct , and I'm surprised no one had brought it up.
The info you are seeking is not exactly a secret.

I am curious as to how you are going to use a 5-speed. I assume the one it comes with?

[Freddie]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

I am curious as to how you are going to use a 5-speed. I assume the one it comes with?

I have been looking at several options for 5 speeds. There are a few good OEM Ford units available, like the T5 with Liberty gears and internals, G-Force also does a well built OEM T-5, then there is also the TREMEC series of trans were availalbe in many Mustang GT's.

[ALMACK]

Originally Posted by Freddie

I have been looking at several options for 5 speeds. There are a few good OEM Ford units available, like the T5 with Liberty gears and internals, G-Force also does a well built OEM T-5, then there is also the TREMEC series of trans were availalbe in many Mustang GT's.

3 options if you use factory 5 speeds...T5, T45, and Tremec3650

A beefed up T5 or T45 with a modulaqr blowproof bellhousing might work.
Astro Performance can build one.
Hanlon Motorsports can build one with Liberty internals.

Up until this year, there were a lot of Coyote Stock racers in the NMRA using a beefed T5 behind a 5.0 Coyote modular crate engine running mid 10's.


If you go with a 2002-2004 Tremec 3650 that came in the Mustang GT those years it will require a Hanlon Motorsports adater to fit it to a sfi bellhousing like the Quicktime bellhousing.

[Freddie]

Originally Posted by ALMACK

3 options if you use factory 5 speeds...T5, T45, and Tremec3650

If you go with a 2002-2004 Tremec 3650 that came in the Mustang GT those years it will require a Hanlon Motorsports adater to fit it to a sfi bellhousing like the Quicktime bellhousing.

That is actually what is in the car at the moment, and a spare in the trailer, but will be looking at other options as they did not seem to hold up so well for the NMRA Factory Stockers for more than 2 or 3 races without needing work.

This car was originally being built to be a NMRA Factory Stock car, the only real difference between them seemed to be the front suspension and 100#, and the F/S cars are going mid 10's, but again an all out effort cost $$$ which I really dont want to invest so a moderate effort may work better in Stock rather than a heads up class where I would be .5 or more slow.

[herbjr]

I can tell you the new car I'm building for my son will be .25 to .40 under at best, I'm there for the bracket race and don't mind saying it. We ran the car twice in November and we were very pleased with the results and consistency. Yes we will have to play the game on the ladder to avoid heads up first round but I dont mind saying Ill have less than 10K in my car turn key. SS/KA-SS/MA We ran 7.17 at SS/LA legal trim with .2 in the trailer. Don't let going 1.00 under discourage you.

[MR DERBY CITY]

Originally Posted by herbjr

I can tell you the new car I'm building for my son will be .25 to .40 under at best, I'm there for the bracket race and don't mind saying it. We ran the car twice in November and we were very pleased with the results and consistency. Yes we will have to play the game on the ladder to avoid heads up first round but I dont mind saying Ill have less than 10K in my car turn key. SS/KA-SS/MA We ran 7.17 at SS/LA legal trim with .2 in the trailer. Don't let going 1.00 under discourage you.

Not sure how much ladder playing there will be in 2017 if the NHRA random pairing rumors are true....just saying....

[ALMACK]

Originally Posted by Bryan Worner

Freddie, my advice is use Dragracecentral.com as your friend. Go back to all of the events you would plan on attending, look at the stock qualifying and class runs. Even look at eliminations. That will tell you who runs in your class(s). and how fast they are.

^^ This