Re: OLD Modified Corvettes
 

Yes Ed. I agree. The old super mod classes were great. But I think the min. wt. was 3,000lbs. Correct. And 750 cfm, B, an C. 850 cfm A. My point is the heads we are referring to, cost less today, in actual $, then the ones they ran back then. I think that's the selling point. No one has to look for a head porter. And for all those under cover porting company's that advertise? Brodix says "Bring em on," They'll never fool the builders of said heads. May fool an inexperienced tech guy, but not the builders, and designers.High side limiters? Don't know. Some stuff just needs hashed out. Like I've said, I don't have nearly all the answers. Also, I'm not against the old Cleveland head, and the bowtie vortec. But what's mopar going to run? The brodix is the less expensive way to go. Plus, a chance for sponsor money.

Re: OLD Modified Corvettes
 

IHRA, unlike NHRA, was just one class. 10 lbs, everybody got 850 carbs, 11.5" tires, and was run, unlike NHRA, as a heads up eliminator. Qualified and paired on a ladder. Don't remember if it was limited to 16 or 32 cars. I never ran one where more than 16 cars showed up anyway. Like running Pro Stock on a budget. Was pretty cool, except on his rear bumper is as close to Ricky Smith as I ever ran. LOL
Ported my own heads & manifold. My 317" engine was quicker with a 750 carb.

Re: OLD Modified Corvettes
 

Well Ed. It's a pleasure to converse with someone who actually ran the IHRA heads up deal. That would have been a blast. If you got to Rickie's rear bumper, you were good at what you did. In those years, I couldn't have afforded the door off of your car, or I would have tried it. I do think, sometimes, a smaller carb works better, but I think a lot depends on the carb. For some reason, carbs are like convertors. No 2 are alike.

Re: OLD Modified Corvettes
 

Ed,

Do you remember what the minimum weight was for the class when you ran?

Re: OLD Modified Corvettes
 

ED, Randy, I tend to believe ONE class to "force" everyone to start out together. Make it easier to convince NHRA that the quantity is easier. to get.
Wonderful if run as one class but with the NHRA points meets its easier to bend people into a new class since they wont be giving up the points meets till a one class can be run.

Re: OLD Modified Corvettes
 

Works for me Dick. Keep me posted.

Re: OLD Modified Corvettes
 

Don't remember if there was one or not.

Re: OLD Modified Corvettes
 

The first SM class was 9.5 lbs/ci including driver and 3000 lbs for small blocks, 3250 for big blocks. The next year, when they expanded to A, B & C/SM, the weight breaks were 8.5, 9.5 and 10.5. A was for big blocks with a 3250 lb minimum (or was it 3300?), B was for small blocks with a 3000 lb minimum and any OEM cylinder head, C was for small blocks, true wedge head (valves in a straight line) production only. A allowed an 850 cfm carb, B & C used a 750 carb.

Re: OLD Modified Corvettes
 

^^^^^ There ya go!

Re: OLD Modified Corvettes
 

Correction to my earlier post - minimum weight for A was 3350, according to 1981 rulebook.

Originally, the head limitation was the big deal. You could do anything to the combustion chamber except weld. Limited to 1" porting below the valve seat and 1/4" at the intake port opening. SM racers "found" the 461X heads for C/SM with bigger ports. B class Chevies ran the 292 "Turbo" head with angle plugs. Short stroke big block Chevies were common in A. The Cleveland Mavericks were the scourge in B: Garley Daniels and the Chevy IIs were the ones to beat in C.

Some of my observations for the new class discussions:
1) The spec head idea is good. Something to eliminate limitless spending on heads.
2) Consider limiting to steel valves.
3) Single 750 carb.
4) How about a 10 1/2" tire limit?
5) Hood scoop maximum of 7" above the hood surface at any point. Cut out the goofiness and that gives a little advantage to older bodies.