Getting feet wet-Stocker?
 

I figured this is definetly the best place for advise. I currently have a 74 Nova and 79 malibu-I would like to get my feet wet in either stock or crate stock. I am not looking to break any world records to start. I want to ask you good folks which class would be a good start without mortaging the house. If I could start out just running maybe 2 tenths under indexes-I'd be all smiles. I am trying to see if this is what I want to do after bracket racing for more than 25 yrs. Don't want to spend tons to try this out. I have a stock crate 350 vortec headed motor already. I would really appreciate any advice here. Thank you Budget racer.

Re: Getting feet wet-Stocker?
 

Call Tim Sloan 919-258-5616, he'll do you right.

Re: Getting feet wet-Stocker?
 

I second that. Real good person to work with. Very honest.

Re: Getting feet wet-Stocker?
 

have a real fast vortec motor I'd sell.
Mark

Re: Getting feet wet-Stocker?
 

sounds like me 5 yrs ago! 25 grand later. run forest- run for your life , get out before you start. if not call sloan engines.

Re: Getting feet wet-Stocker?
 

Change your name from BUDGETRACER to BROKERACER.
You can try that budget thing if you won't but it will never work especially with a IHRA crate Motor Car (Depending on what division you run). If you are in div 9 they will beat you like a drum way too many fast cars.
I built 3 different cars since 2002. I tried the cheap approach on the first one, then it got out of hand. It's a pride thing or EGO but you will always want to go faster and it cost money.

Best thing I ever did was go H/R and S/R racing.
Chip

Re: Getting feet wet-Stocker?
 

chip i wouldnt know anything about that!!!!

Re: Getting feet wet-Stocker?
 

Thanks to everyone for helping me make my decision. I have just decided to stay with footbrake racing. After researching cost it just isn't in my budget-At least at this time. I might just try and buy a turn key car in 2009-2010. As we all know that would be the cheapest way. Might look into something along the lines of N/SA 79 Malibu wagons. I have always been a big fan of Jody lang and Shaws wagons. I have looked at a few on RJ etc. I am not going to totaly give up just yet. Just timing may be off with the current economy. I am optimistic it will get better. Thanks for the emails too. I live in east Alabama and go to Silver Dollar race track . Mostly spectating. I have bracket race there off and on too. Very nice track.

Re: Getting feet wet-Stocker?
 

Budget racer,
Not trying to scare you off. If you live in Alabama not many IHRA tracks there. NHRA combo would be better.
Keep in mind one thing, Its not the Initial cost of the car its Upkeep, Spare Parts, Tires Fuel etc, Getting to the track, The most costly item is EGO(trying to go faster).
Chip

Re: Getting feet wet-Stocker?
 

doing things over costs alot of money too. It is best to spend as much time as you can spare to research parts, gear ratio, tires, transmissions, etc. But Chip is right too. I went to the Pittsburgh Pro-AM earlier this year. It was a double pro-am on Fri and Sat and a Sportsnational on Sunday. It was $ 420 to get in the gate to run all three races. That was just car/driver entry. no crew.

Re: Getting feet wet-Stocker?
 

Budgetracer you can do it with the nova but it would be a V/SA car with a 250 inline 6! I can give you the blueprint to such a car if ya want. It'll run .3 under all the time.

Re: Getting feet wet-Stocker?
 

take about 15g (on a budget) out of the bank, start fire with it... have someone kick you in the nuts once a month (twice when NHRA enhances us) and stay home.

wasnt that easier than working on a car 200 days a year ??

jack mccarthy

Re: Getting feet wet-Stocker?
 

I guess I should try and discourage you also but I just can't. My advise is to build a traditional stocker a little at a time but continue to footbrake race it until you get it competitive. That way you can try stuff as you can afford it and build a fast car slowly while having fun all along.

Get some recommendations from people racing the motor you choose and learn as you go.

Re: Getting feet wet-Stocker?
 

After reading all of the posts I think John Quinn's suggestion is the best for a beginner just starting out. Jack McCarthy's sugestion is the closest to the truth on how it feels after being involved for awhile......lol.

Re: Getting feet wet-Stocker?
 

Thanks for all the suggestions. I am probably going to go per John Quinn's recomendations.. As I am in no hurry at this time. I will need to purchase the NHRA tech sheets for the engine specs etc. I currently own a 79 Malibu wagon-Owned 19 yrs. Been a great footbraker. It has a 12 bolt rear with a Moroso brute strength posi. I made a home made Ac delete plate. Is that legal. Car is factory otherwise.. I think I am going to fall under M/SA or N/SA 305. I will just bracket race till sorted out.

Re: Getting feet wet-Stocker?
 

Tech sheets are availible free on line at NHRA.com under rules. Have fun.

Re: Getting feet wet-Stocker?
 

What I would do is call Mark Yacavone and buy his mustang for $11,800(see link below). You'll get a car that will set world records and you'll never have to worry about losing a heads-up race. Then I'd take the money you would have spent on either the Nova or Malibu and fix those two cars up so that you have a couple of nice street cars that you can either drive or or sell.

Why no one has bought Mark's car is beyond me-I'd do it except that all my money goes towards making my comp car go fast!

http://classracer.com/classforum/showthread.php?t=10722

Re: Getting feet wet-Stocker?
 

That was so damn funny, I feel that pain now with my Super Stock car LOL!!!!

Re: Getting feet wet-Stocker?
 

Thank you for telling me where to get the tech sheets. Some times the little things count the most. I am not all familiar as most on this board about the cost of stockers but I get the general idea. I have been blessed with some wins from time to time in regular footbrake classes. I told a relative the other day that racing is like flushing money down the toilet and once in a while it overflows. For me the key is not spending or racing above my means of income. I am proud to say I have outgrown the ego thing-AT least for know LOL. Health issues have made me sideline racing alot. But thats just temporary. I used to live and breathe bracket racing. Some of my bracket racing heroes have been Steve Taylor-Chip Horton-Jody Lang. I hope to have my NEW 74 Nova bracketeer out next month. Makes approx 400 HP. ran once 7.25 1/8th.

Re: Getting feet wet-Stocker?
 

Wow. I'm glad i never read class racer before i decided to start racing in stock.

I might have never done it to begin with!

Could you guys try and be a little MORE negative .....

Re: Getting feet wet-Stocker?
 

Question for everyone I am also about to get into STOCK IHRA racing does anyone know the 78 NOVA out of Canada on Raceingjunk AD 1197286 let me know if you do thanks Rich

e mail me at RCMBASS@AOL.COM