Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

I have a 15 year old son who has had an incredible run in Juniors and will be moving up next year. since he has been particularly good on the tree and seems to be very sharp at the finish line we thought going to stock eliminator would be the natural choice.

I have seen a couple of IHRA crate motor cars for sale that run F,G,H,I/CM my question is would this be a good place to start, are these cars much more expensive to maintain than your average hi 10 low 11 second bracket cars. It seems that IHRA crate motor may be a bit less expensive than NHRA stock eliminator but that is where we would ultimately like to end up. Is it a big jump cost and maintenance wise between the two?
Is it difficult to convert a crate motor car to stock or even at all possible?

I ask these questions because I have been a long time competitor in super comp and high dollar bracket racing and will continue to do so and I want my sons to focus more on races like these as opposed to the local bracket races which i would like to keep them away from as much as possible since they seem to be steadily falling apart. I realize that local bracket races serve a purpose I just don't want it to be the main focus.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Mark Young (no the other one in Florida)

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

Build the NHRA car first , then you can go anywhere you want .

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

I would also build or buy a NHRA car until IHRA's new owners show just what they are going to do.

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

A NHRA "dime rocket" as they are referred to on this site, might be a starting point for a beginner.
Something in the slower classes of Stock.
As posted above, if it is NHRA legal then he will have more choices of places to race at.

As far as IHRA, another possibility to get into the Stock category would be Pure Stock.
My '95 Pure Stock Mustang cost me less than $5K to be class legal. (3,500 for the car plus wheels, tires, and required IHRA equipment)
However, I am limited to where I can race the Pure Stocker so I bought an NHRA car that can run both HRA'a.

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

While I agree with Paul and others in principal, a CM car bought reasonable is an okay route but only if the car is in the NHRA class guide such that you could put in a NHRA legal motor in when one becomes available. Don't know if you have any brand preference but there are always NHRA legal cars around, Everett Hill's unique Comet wagon comes to mind and it plus others are listed in the classified section here. GTX John has a gorgeous Road Runner for sale if you can stand the transport from Nevada. If you buy CM and the car has been modified for the IHRA legal wider tire you'll have to be prepared to change it to a legal 9 inch tire. An NHRA legal motor built new is expensive to buy and maintain unless you do a lot of the work yourself (gee, maybe I agree with Paul completely).

One more note; if you're in Florida you can run the SSSSA races, but go to places like Bowling Green and your CM/Pure Stock car cannot be run even in their combo races, they and others are NHRA legal all the way.

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

If you buy or build an NHRA car you can race anywhere.

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

Marco,

You are getting very good advise , buy a running complete car that car run both NHRA & IHRA ... Don't get boxed in , buy the right car the first time it's always cheaper ... Also, bring him along slowly ,don't get too fast
of a car to begin with ? Good Luck, you will Love it ....

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

All good advise above. I am also building my first stocker and although I mostly run IHRA I decided against a crate motor car because I wanted the option to go run NHRA which I will probably do more of in the future. My suggestion is that you find a good car and buy it, I will be able to build my car a little cheaper I think but am doing it all myself except for the motor and several expert advisors down the street. If you are looking a GM product pm me I can put you in contact with a real fast H/SA car at a great price.

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

I, too, would build/buy (buying would be cheaper in the long run) a car that can fit both NHRA and IHRA both, for all the reasons stated above. You have more options. Racers that live out west, for example they are, for the most part, are stuck as NHRA only, as there are not many IHRA events out there as NHRA. Also, Bowling Green/Ohio Valley do not allow IHRA cars at their monthly combo's (which is dumb, but whatever).

There are quite a few cars on here for sale, some as low as $5,000 (mine is one of them). Check them out, and don't be afraid to go to a race or two and ask questions of fellow S/SS racers. Also it will depend on how quick you want to go. Some people have the mentality of "if it runs slower than 12.00, it ain't a racecar to me". Others have made a living in slow cars (again, me being one of them). To each their own. One of the wonderful things about Stock--you can run an 8 second new factory car, or a 16 second FWD car, or anything in between, and have fun doing it. :)

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

I would buy a good LT1 car at the race track, you can always make it fast later.

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

Something else to think about if thats the ET range you want to run (high 10's low 11's) is do you want a car that will run a -1.00 under the index or something that will run -.50 under the index. You are going to pay a lot more money to go -1. under than you are to go -.50. If you are concerned with trying to be at the top of your class for heads up runs and still be in the ET range then you would be looking at a good E, F or G car. If you don't care about being -1. under but you still want to run in that ET range you might find a some what outdated -.5 under B, C or D car. Hope that makes sense.

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

I am also not a stock racer but after reading this forum there are more important things than picking the correct car. You have to come up with at least 50 reasons why you will not participate at most events. Some popular reasons I read are- 1/8 mile isn't a real race, no heads up,no class,not enough tear downs,entry fee too high, payout too low, bad track, not enough contingency,no scales, no fuel check, no qualifying, no ladder, too early, too late, too hot, too cold, too many cheaters,too many new cars, too far away and anything to do with IHRA.
Once you find the 1 or 2 races per season that will fit your idea of a perfect race to attend, you can choose a car to fit that schedule.:D

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

^^^^^^^^^^^Thats funny right there!^^^^^^^^^^

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

I built my chevy 2 to run stock both santions bracket race. hell the ole lady gonna race the powder puff at the world footbrake challenge. The excuses you hear are hilarious.

O btw ohio valley allows ihra cars in the combos we been running them. crate motors two.

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

REALLY??? I've been crying a river about brake strut rods and that doesn't even make your top 20. LOL I have to try harder.

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

True...unfortunately they do not allow Pure Stock or Stock GT. :(
I got somewhat of a reason for that from the track owner last year.

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

So does that mean if can only come with 49 excuses you have to go.LOL
Mike Taylor 3601

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

All great advice. I would definitely buy one built and like most said make sure you can run NHRA and IHRA. Also, look for a reliable turn-key car that will be relatively low maintenance. Not to say one person's car is better than any other, or that there aren't some excellent cars out there for sale, but IMHO I would strongly look at Corbitt's wagon if that is to your liking. A well built LT1 car (especially with a Warren engine) is worth way more than he is asking and all of his stuff is very nice.

Just my 2 cents.

EDIT: Scratch that ... I just looked and it's sold.

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

Sooooo true!!! Very funny!!!

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

Perhaps a element of truth to some of this but without any evidence what your car/class you run then maybe you haven't felt our pain. All looks very straightforward from the bleachers I suppose.

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

Sorry if I struck a nerve. I thought it was obvious that I was joking. But you know if you follow this forum that everything I listed has been used as an excuse in a prior thread to not go to a race.

As far as what class I race, I am not sure I can post it as it is the ULTIMATE curse word in this forum. Bracket racer.:eek:

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

Recognize there's a lot of whining and groaning...personally, I love brackets, cheaper to run and pays better. :D

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

You guys are not talking about a hard-core Stock guy . The crybabies do not go for one reason or another so they will not get their butts kicked .

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

Buy a 98 Trans Am or Camaro. This year can run the LT1 and LS1, will fit Stock and Super Stock. The cost will be more but Rusty Davenport just sold a nice car at a good price. I wanted it but fought the urge.

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

Back to the point.

Look at where you race and see which HRA's tracks are closest then build a car for the association that's represented. Build or buy a lower class car then work your way up from there.

JimR

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

Depending on your skill set, and to also work on a project as a family. I would recommend building your own. First off you have to narrow down what car and class you want to race and afford, and what races are in the area you will travel to. Do you want to know where every wire, nut and bolt is? If your kids have the mechanical aptitude to wrench on the car, they will also get a sense of pride and accomplishment. Building a car may cost more, but you can build it at your pace and cash flow. It does not need to set the world on fire to race, heck if you qualify at the bottom of the pack so be it.

Sean

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

Well here is what I have learned. I want to race primarily NHRA so I would like a Legal NHRA car that way I can run both. I have found a car that I really want to purchase from a highly respected stock and super stock racer that I have followed for many years. It is a 92 camaro that runs J,K/SA It is my belief (unless you folks inform me otherwise) that this is a car and a class that I think he can be competitive in plus it seems like a good place to start. I am not interested in running 1.0 under I am happy with .5 under our goal is not to set records but to win rounds, races and championships.

I Still have a couple of questions though how often does a car get torn down, is there a reason or is it just random? Would an I,J,K/SA car be similar to that of an 11 or 12 second bracket car with regard to maintenance? how many runs could you expect to get out of a car running in this class? what would an average freshen up cost on a motor in a car running in this class run (ball park)?

You all have given me great advice and I thank you very much. I will be at the LODRS event in Gainesville this weekend and would like to meet any of you who might be there and maybe ask some more questions so let me know if you will be there and I will indeed find you.

Mark

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

Tare downs are at random, you may not get torn down or you might get torn down at every national event you run.

SB chevy short block freshen jobs are anywhere from $1200 to $4500. Its all in what you want. Same with cylinder heads $500-$2500
I freshen up my 305 motor every 150-175 runs. The trans gets freshen up every other year. Ave total freshen up job with trans is around $2500

Come see me this week in Gainesville I will have my 2010 CJ Stocker H/S(Varsity Ford on the side doors)

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

Marco..... I have a 1984 camaro that runs G-H-I auto classes in NHRA..... Car is very clean, fast, and legal. 24K owns it and I'll meet u halfway.

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

Thanks Chuck but I'm pretty sure I found what I'm looking for. Anthony Bertozzi has a camaro that i think will be exactly what we need to get started.

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

how often are taredowns at lucas oil events?

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

See Charley Bob`s post !

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

oh sorry i didnt read that

Re: Wanting to get into stock eliminator. MAYBE
 

I'm assuming this is for an automatic and I'm guessing that includes a refresh of the converter also? Being a stick guy I truly never realized how expensive it is to run an automatic.