Just another 4th gen F-body
 

Hey guys & gals, the name's Chris, and I'm from Topeka, KS, and this is my dirty turd of a 97' RS F-body.



I've owned it for almost three years now, and really haven't started doing much of anything to it until recently. Lots of up and downs over the years have forced me to put it up for sale a bunch of times, but ultimately I have always had a change of heart, so I've decided to hold onto it and just finish it.

Really have been trying to find direction for the thing. Would be cool to build a stock eliminator car out of it, because I really love the class, but it's been set up for an LS engine, and with that being said, it's been rather difficult trying to find a 97' year LS1 considering they were only in C5s at the time, and I really don't care to run an LT1 (Please don't flame me for those of you who are reading this, and who are LT1 lovers! They're just not my cup of tea!)

So that leads me to the deciding factor of building it for 10.90 index racing.

Right now I've got an iron block 4.8l that I am planning on beating the crap out of while I build a 6.0 for next season. Backing the 4.8 is a turbo 400, and backed by that eventually a 9" Ford (when I find one).

As I get more parts, and do more things to the car I will post more.

If any of you reading are from around Northeast Kansas, or race in Division 5, let me know! I'm trying to find more people to chat with in the area who run the Stock, Super Stock, Super Street categories because I have a million questions that the rulebook doesn't answer! :D
https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net...66&oe=5D9B9D34


https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net...e5&oe=5D8DA7D3

https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net...7f&oe=5D962414

Re: Just another 4th gen F-body
 

Why not put a 12 bolt in it instead of the Ford? Then if you decide to
run Stock, and haven't enhanced the wheel wells, you can. J.R.

Re: Just another 4th gen F-body
 

Yeah, I've considered it most definitely, but 9"s are just more plentiful and cheaper. With that being said, it's making me lean more towards Super Street as the category that I'd probably be more suited for.

Re: Just another 4th gen F-body
 

It looks way better than the Cuda that I started with. Good Luck and have fun!

Re: Just another 4th gen F-body
 

A lot cheaper to run Super Street and light years easier running 10:90's with unlimited cubic inches.

Re: Just another 4th gen F-body
 

My junk pile compared to a 'Cuda?! I'd send my Camaro off into the lake if I could get my hands on a 'Cuda!!! Want to trade?! *Kidding!

Give me a Cuda with a 440, and we can call it good! :D

Re: Just another 4th gen F-body
 

Exactly, spot on! Since my car is a 97, it just really doesn't give me many options engine-wise if I wanted to try and build it for Stock.

Re: Just another 4th gen F-body
 

possibly with minor outside cosmetic alterations if necessary to look like another year car OR you could just claim the car as another year such as a 1996 or whatever--FED

Re: Just another 4th gen F-body
 

Do you know if they check vin numbers to verify that kind of change? Because the gentleman I bought it from changed up the front on it from the 93-97 front to the 98-02 and added tubular bumper supports. If that is the case, then I am going to go out today and snag a 98 LS1! Lol!

Re: Just another 4th gen F-body
 

I do not think they check VIN for sure but many of these cars are so close from year to year in looks that you. Ant tell one from another. Better check with somebody that can "guarantee " that you can do this but I'm sure many are or have been claiming it as year other than what it really is--- of course it has to look like the year you are claiming can't just say it's a 97 when it looks like a 1979 Okay

Re: Just another 4th gen F-body
 

Definitely, I belong to a few Stock/Super Stock pages on Facebook, I will ask around on there too. Would be really awesome to be able to get a 98 or newer LS1, but at the same time I don't want to get DQ'd because of tech inspection.

Re: Just another 4th gen F-body
 

They do not check VIN numbers on anything. If they did, half of the cars out there would be disqualified for not being what they claimed to be. If the car looks right and has the correct external pieces (headlights, taillights, trim, etc., sometimes interior pieces) you are good to go.

Re: Just another 4th gen F-body
 

Oh man, that is a HUGE sigh of relief! I was afraid I was just going to be confined to just 1997 year power plants.

Re: Just another 4th gen F-body
 

I you can make it look like a 1998 you will be able to run a lt1 as a 1998 or you can claim 1999-2002 and run LS1 power. Everyone knows GM did not make a LT1 in 1998 but NHRA says they did and that is all that counts. I don't know how much expense it will be but it will give you flexibility.

The Cuda/Barracuda has some flexibility from slant six to 426 Hemi. I run it as a six pack.

Re: Just another 4th gen F-body
 

That shouldn't be too big of an issue, whoever had this car before me transplanted literally everything over from an 00' SS. The front clip, front crossmember, fuel tank, and rear end. I'll probably have to change hoods though since I have a fiberglass VFN sunoco. I was reading that you have to have the stock hood. :(

Re: Just another 4th gen F-body
 

If you decide to go the stocker route get an NHRA rule book.There's limitations what can legally be done to the car ie;engine/drivetrain mods,suspension,weight etc.It's better/cheaper to do it right the first time.Good luck on the build,whichever way you choose to go. gsa612

Re: Just another 4th gen F-body
 

For sure, I definitely have one that I picked up from the national event earlier this month. However, theres a few things I don't understand within the rules.

Re: Just another 4th gen F-body
 

Lots of help here on this site for us newbs.

Re: Just another 4th gen F-body
 

How much money do you want to spend? Cheaper to buy a complete car then building it. I've built one Gen3 and one gen 4 Camaro and after the build, both cars still weren't competitive.Doing all the work ourselves and building motor,trans,rear end,roll cage, way over $35k 3/10 th under. Go super Street, much cheaper and this way, you can keep the cage you have and rear end. You'll have more fun and you can use it for bracket racing at your local track.Jok Nicholson did a build up in online Bracket racing article.Good luck.