SS Classes

[doglover44]

Can someone explain the SS classes GT BM TB ect ?

[oldskool]

I'm no expert. But I got plenty of time. So, I'll take a stab at the GT class.

To me, the simple explanation is that you can run an engine that wasn't an option in the body you're running.

Take GM for example: I think you can run most any GM engine, from any year(must be listed in the NHRA classification guide), in most any GM car body.

Take Pontiacs for example: The Burtons run a 400 in their 3rd gen GT Bird, even though no 400 Pontiac engines were offered in a 3rd gen--'79 was the last year of the 400.

The NHRA Super Stock legal alum head(Edelbrock #60587) version of the Pontiac 428, is a very popular GT engine. I think this engine is used in Leo Glasbrenner's 4th gen, as well as Don Kennedy's GT/AA Sunbird. It has an NHRA hp factor of 330.

http://www.edelbrock.com/media/news/.../070908-2.html

I'm told that Robert Cruzen even has one in his GT/AA Cobalt, which was #1 qualifier at the recent national event in Topeka.

http://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCSt...r2016#indextop

You could also use an early body, such as a '68 Bird, and run a '69 or later Pontiac engine. The '77 model 350's and several of the low compression 400's have done good in SS. Bill Rink's '74 350 GTO runs good. So, basically you'd wanna pick an engine with a competitive NHRA hp factor.

The engine will have to go by the rules for that particular engine combo in a natural SS class. But, obviously, the weight will be determined based closer to the original weight of the body used. The GT weight breaks start with A @ 8.00 lbs per hp, and go thru M @ 14 lbs per hp.

http://classracer.com/classes.html

A Pontiac body could run a Chevy, Olds, Buick, Pontiac--most any GM engine(that's listed in the classification guide).

http://www.nhra.com/competition/classification.aspx

This is obviously a very basic, and even crude explanation. But, that's how I think it works.

Here's a site that has a lot of good info. I've found a few things that were not updated. But, it's got most of the info needed to figure out most any combination.

http://classracerinfo.com/

[Mark Markow]

ss/tb is a truck class at B weight break 9.5 lbs per cube . same as ss/bs which is a modified stock class, but ss/tb is for trucks.
ss/bm stands for super stock B modified similar rules to modified stock but with 2 carbs allowed. for more details it's best to get a rulebook. to many details for my 1 finger typing. hope I helped a little

[FireSale]

If I recall, GT started out as a way for racers to keep using older SS engines in newer bodies of the same corporate brand. It gave hot rodders more room to play because you could pick different engine combos than came from the factory builds. It also made up for missing rigs in the Stock Car Classification Guide. The 68 Shelby GT350 Mustang came with a 600 cfm Holley carb but that car isn't in the Guide. Anyone trying to build a SS car from a 68 Mustang is stuck with an Autolite. GT allows you to build the car and claim the 68 Cougar 302/230 as the engine. It is listed with a 600 Holley that cross references to a QuickFuel 585 carb.

It gets weird with the front end conversion cars. You can build pretty much a tube frame car with a BBC up front on an aftermarket spindle setup in a Cavalier. The Modified Stock cars - /SM is the designation and the tower usually calls them Super Modified - can run Pro Stock hood scoops, too. They belong, in my opinion, in comp.

Also, Stock is limited to 9 inch tires. Anything that fits the external wheel well in SS.

Super Stock should be simple. A Suped up Stocker.

Dale