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Author
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Topic: New crate motor class in NHRA?
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JCQuinn@work
Gearhead Posts: 422
From: Lakewood, CO, USA
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted 03-04-2003 11:32 AM
   
On the NHRA website they have announced that they are in the early planning stages for a heads up crate motor class based on the GT class concept. The allowable Ford would be the 385hp 351 and an 80 or newer body like the current GT cars.Has anybody had any experience with the 385hp crate motor? I am pumped about the class. I am currently (Slowly) building an 85 Mustang coupe for GT/FA competition but will quickly switch to the 385hp engine if the class is implemented. Seems to me that an 80's Capri would be a great car for this class also. John
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 19704
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 03-04-2003 12:58 PM
We were going in that direction with a Top Stock project John. Mike Baker of IHRA shot us down on allowing MM in Top Stock for a trial basis. He told us the ladder bars and disc brakes had to go.  We had the approval of all the competitors in Top Stock and Terry Bell to go ahead on a trial basis.
Kuntz was willing to fund the motor as a "show and tell" piece, JPT would have provided the transmission and converter at N/C and all I would have had to actually do was the work and have some new headers made.
If the NHRA does adopt the program, we WILL take a serious look at it. Possibly with Tony''s Capri.  ------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
MCA member# 53321
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,&'03
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28
Professional Manwhore
The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com
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Rory McNeil
Gearhead Posts: 1210
From: Surrey, B.C. Canada
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 03-04-2003 02:06 PM
Although I don`t know many details, what information I have heard causes me some concern. First off, I should state that I am more of a purist when it comes to S/S cars. I would much rather see only factory produced combinations allowed, or at the very least, only cars that were rear wheel drive, & available with a V8 from the factory. I mean, Oldsmobile FWD conversions with Chevy V8`s, & FORD Pinto steering?, where the he(( is the STOCK in that!!? But that cow has left the barn. I must admit that the GT classes have added greatly to the increase in entries in S/S, with several good reasons, aerodynamics, lightweight cars, much more liberal modifications when it comes to the chassis etc. I don`t think its right that the GT cars are allowed to have & modify pieces that the "traditional" S/Sers are not. That said, most S/S cars built over the years have been of the GT versions, but I still prefer the "real deal" of the factory produced cars. To the average guy in the pits, the previously mentioned Olds FWD conversion looks pretty much like a bracket car, other than the fact it has a Q Jet, instead of a Holley. One concern I have towards this "Crate motor" proposal is the use of only one produced crate motor per manufacturer, as well as only allowing the newer cars. Why could you not be allowed to use the 351W in a 69 Mustang, thats what they first came in! I`d hate to see S/S full of only late model Pontiacs (the official car of NHRA!)Several years ago, Oldsmobile was NHRA`s "Offical Car" & they totally OWNED the Manufacterers Cup, with versions of cars that the factory never produced. By comissioning FJ Smith Race Cars to build hundreds of SS/GT FWD conversion cars, they flooded the S/S ranks with cars, but obviously it didn`t get Olds the hipper image Olds was after, as the Olds division of GM is all but vanished. ------------------
78 Fairmont 428 4 speed 10.20@130mph
80 Fairmont 302 5 speed 12.8@105mph
85 Mustang NHRA Stocker under construction, 302 5 speed
59 Meteor (Canadian Ford) 2 dr sedan 332, auto
74 F350 ramp truck 390 4spd
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 19704
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 03-04-2003 02:32 PM
Rory, this "proposal" is for a "separate" eliminator. Heads up with no break out! 
It's purpose is to get some excitment stirred up with both fans and Detroit for the sportsman ranks.
I like you am a 100% purist also when it comes to the S/SS classes, but it this program does indeed come to fruition, I would definatly contact my friends at FoMoCo and explore the possibilities of them funding a 2005 Mustang C/M SS car for us with a 351 C/M.
Heads up with no break out where only the strong and smart survive!
It probably won't happen anyway.
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Stephen & Horace Johnson
Journeyman Posts: 72
From: Gadsden, AL
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 03-05-2003 01:12 AM
Hmmm.. I may just have to make some room under the 85's wheelwells for some 32x14 slicks..lol.. it seems like a ok deal.. but geez... we already have to many classes... I dont like the idea of automatics though.. I can see myself with 351 in my ole used to be True Street stang.. with a jerico 5speed turning 9,000rpms.. heheh.. well.. who knows.. but i think its goin to past.. sometime in the future..------------------
Stephen Johnson #2162
Horace Johnson #2167
NHRA-IHRA SS/D 427 Ford Fairlane (Ex-Van Cleve)
1985 Mustang FFW True Street 11.86 @115mph (N/A)
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