New cars, old cars and horsepower ratings.

[goinbroke2]

It would have to read, "any stock engine in any stock body" not just 1980 or newer.
Then new more efficient engines could be in older cars too.

Now the interesting thing I see is on one hand people wanting to run a 68 289 (for example) in a 2005 mustang...and on the other hand others complaining that they need aftermarket heads etc because the parts are drying up!
Others say build a crate motor or allow "these parts" and "those" while others say "leave it alone".

The basic question is, "what is stock"?
Stock body, stock engine?
Stock body any stock engine?
stock body, crate engine?
Crate body, crate engine?
All of the above?

What I have is not competitive (83mustangGT) so I'm building a crate engine. Could build a StockGT too. Great choices, why? Because the rules evolved. Before the GT classes or crate engines it would forever be a bracket car.(tried to find the parts for a 82GT....just not out there) Now it can be a class car.
I guess I'm saying I agree.
It would solve the competitive issue and the parts availability issue. Can
t find any 65 352 castings and don't want aluminum? Drop in what you can find, 71 351C or supercharged 5.4L

The downside of course is trying to explain a "stock" LS engine in a "stock" 69 camaro and calling it a "stock class car" to a bracket racer! LOL!

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by goinbroke2

It would have to read, "any stock engine in any stock body" not just 1980 or newer.
Then new more efficient engines could be in older cars too.

Now the interesting thing I see is on one hand people wanting to run a 68 289 (for example) in a 2005 mustang...and on the other hand others complaining that they need aftermarket heads etc because the parts are drying up!
Others say build a crate motor or allow "these parts" and "those" while others say "leave it alone".

The basic question is, "what is stock"?
Stock body, stock engine?
Stock body any stock engine?
stock body, crate engine?
Crate body, crate engine?
All of the above?

What I have is not competitive (83mustangGT) so I'm building a crate engine. Could build a StockGT too. Great choices, why? Because the rules evolved. Before the GT classes or crate engines it would forever be a bracket car.(tried to find the parts for a 82GT....just not out there) Now it can be a class car.
I guess I'm saying I agree.
It would solve the competitive issue and the parts availability issue. Can
t find any 65 352 castings and don't want aluminum? Drop in what you can find, 71 351C or supercharged 5.4L

The downside of course is trying to explain a "stock" LS engine in a "stock" 69 camaro and calling it a "stock class car" to a bracket racer! LOL!

Like Elvis.....REAL "Stock" left the building after 1971. Later on the newer stock left the building in 1985 (any springs and lift check only on the cams, etc..). Most younger guys were not around back in the day so todays jumbled mess is all they know.

[Dyno]

I would like to see the SS/GT class add the weight breaks 6.0, 6.5, 7.0 and 7.5 This would help open some more GT cars and classes. Dyno

[B Parker]

Wouldn't it be easyer just to give the newer cars there own classes. If you don't think NHRA will do this thats what we all were saying a few years ago right before they started fuel injected classes. How many of you have written a letter letting them know how you feel about the new cars and their hp ratings? Maybe thats a good place to start. Instead of writing here complaining send the letter off to someone who can make a difference. You have to remember NHRA didn't rate the HP for these cars the factories did. They may have let them in but lets not forget this is a business and the new cars are also paying customers. And how much money do you think the factories pump into NHRA . Where would NHRA be without factory support? Let just get them into thier own class. Barry

[Chris1529]

Originally Posted by MikeFicacci

I like the crate engine idea....believe it or not. But 383 Fastburn? It is 1985? And I doubt Chevrolet Performance would go for that. Now the LS376, LSX427, LSX454, LS3? That would be very cool.

I think he is reffering to the 385 HP fast burn that alot of IHRA guys use.

[BadBanana]

Having not run a SS/GT car since 1990, I have a question about the GT cars. It was originally developed so those with older S/S cars could use the newer engines as long as that "style" motor was originally available in that "style" body. Is it now OK to use a newer body in GT?

[james schaechter]

I don't like the idea, just because. However, we are at a point where the new cars are lining out most of the old ones. I think Greg's idea has some merit.

I was talking to a few last year in the industry. I think it would have to come from the manufacturers and the aftermarket industry to get NHRA to consider it.

I think there is some value. If you have a 66 Nova in E stick like ours and then someone anyone puts a stick in a Drag Pak 5.7 we are hosed.

Now even if we could afford or wanted to step up to the new car, it is a six figure pill to swallow. If we could put newer engine combos in the old cars, we would be able to:
1) science out the new combo in the old car
2)The old car would have more value since a person could be more competititive with a newer engine in it.
3) it would allow a racer to run the old car while they built a newer car over time. ( more realistic $$ wise)

This also allows the manufacturers and aftermarket to support us more since there is more marketing and sales opportunities for them. Ford SVT, GM Performance, Mopar, etc.

I was thinking more of using existing combos in the guide in a GT type format. Not just any crate motor.

I know it isn't ideal, but I don't worry about the new cars as much as I worry about the points meets and nationals becoming Top Dragster and Top Sportsman only races.
There are a lot of older cars in garages because they have no chance against the new stuff. We would do well to get these cars in the lanes and help keep this sport going.

( Stock Class Racing)

[Alex Denysenko]

this train of thought goes right along with the 3 speeds for 2 speed cars program

[Alan Roehrich]

I'll just say that adding more combinations to the mix, when NHRA cannot control what we have now, does not seem to be very prudent and leave it at that.

[Greg Hill]

Alan, I'm saying the only new combination might be small block Chevy like the 350 fast burn . The rest of the combinations are already being run. One other thing no one has mentioned is that the hp factors would get right in a hurry. Barry, I would love to have these new cars in their own classes but that hasn't happened and I don't think it will. This is not what I want, but not factoring these cars properly has put the older cars in a non competitive situation that will take years to resolve itself.