SS/AM Questions?
 

I am putting a car together to run in SS/AM. I have a couple questions I hope can be answered here. The carb rules are a little vague. There is a short list of approved carbs that are all 4150 type carbs and then basically any Holley.

Also I need clarification on the OE NHRA accepted cylinder heads. NHRA allows certain Edelbrock heads in Stock and Super Stock. I have heads with the correct casting number but do not have the NHRA logo engraved on the ends.
Thanks in advance.

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

SS/AM is modified so basically you can run any carb, 2 4bbls if you want. Heads have to have GM Part # if a GM car or Ford # if Ford etc. Gm splayed valve or Gm 15 Degree are the norm for heads.

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

Be careful about running a single 4bbl in modified, there was some issues brought up in tech a few years ago where people were running super mod cars in modified to avoid heads up runs, the consensus was that you can't cross over. I know it shouldn't matter but it was the way the rules were interpreted by tech.

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

If the heads are on the list as approved heads in Stock/Super Stock but are made by Edelbrock would they be legal?

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

I haven't wandered much out of the Ford section of the Classification Guides, but the legal replacement Edelbrock, AFR and (I think) Canfield heads are listed by number. At Summit Edelbrock has an NHRA Legal badge on the right heads.

Dale

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

Cylinder heads must have an OEM part number, not aftermarket.
In the case of the approved Edelbrock heads, they are for Stock and Super Stock classes.
Also, although I do not have the rule book handy, I believe SS/AM allows you to use a canted valve cylinder head in lieu of a wedge cylinder head.

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

OEM part numbers, but I don't think the DRCE 4.90 or 5.0 bore space heads are legal for SS/AM. You have to stay away from certain Pro Stock heads because of the bore space. It has to have stock bore space, like 4.840 for BB Chevies.
There is, or was, a fast SS/AM car that has been eleminated because of the bore space rule. Be careful!!!

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

hemi? I see it listed in AS but not AM

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

Adger is correct, the bore spacing must remain OEM. In SS/AM you are allowed to run a Splayed head valve configuration.

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

My question is if the Edelbrock heads which are on the list as approved castings for certain combinations in stock or super stock can be used in SS Modified. They are not OE but they are approved for Super Stock. For example the 1968 428 Pontiac combination that is allowed to use Edelbrock heads. If I took this combination added a dual four barrel intake and carbs and ran @ 7 #/CID would this combination be legal?

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

Using your case of the Pontiac engine with the approved Edelbrock cylinder head, you would be in a great disadvantage in SS/AM since Canted and Splayed valve cylinder heads are allowed.
Also understand that the SS Modified classes use Comp Eliminator engines with non-billet cylinder heads.

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

I know canted/splayed valve heads are allowed but it doesn't mean they're better

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

:confused::rolleyes:

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

One of the fastest AM cars has/had wedge heads

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

Karl,
I read the rules a couple of times and saw what I thought was the answer to your question. Since all classes are presented in the rulebook in an orderly "Building" sequence. The later builds on the first. I was just about to say the Stock and SS aftermarket heads would be allowed because they were allowed in classes before the SS/AM category. That is the way it usually happens, but in this case they are not allowed because one line in the SS/Modified rules projects what heads can be used. The wording says "must be OE head with OE casting number". The answer is NO. I know this is not the answer you were looking for.
To make sure I contacted one of my super secret NHRA Tech mentors and I got this answer to the query. NO. So don't show up with an Edelbrock Head in SS/Modified. Guess that closes the door on anything but a factory part number head.

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

I just finished splitting the 2014 rule book into sections and found that Super Stock, Super Stock GT and GT Truck all follow the cylinder head guidelines for SS. Beginning with the Modified groupings, these change, as do a lot of the other overall regs for the cars like full cages required in all machines. Specifically no aluminum heads.

Read Cylinder Heads under SS and compare it to Cylinder Heads under Modified Stock.

Dale

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

Dale,
That is what I mean about the rules building on one another, until there is a change in the next class. If you notice when you go from SS to SS GT the wording at the beginning of the GT it will say that GT forllows the SS rules with the exception of the following and go into the GT changed rules. So when it goes into modified it changes the head rules, like you said. Like my NHRA source said when I followed up with a phone call. Read the rules. They say nothing but a Factory part number head. Just my own thought, but If he wants a Ford with an alum head I think there are several available, but not FE's. My buddy RJ told me one time he had some iron FE's that were better than the Edelbrock Fe's, but that was in Stock. Hey, follow the rules. Do some iron heads on the FE and come out and play.

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

It makes no sense you cant run an aluminum copy of a factory head but you can use a canted valve SBC head which resembles nothing close to a production head.

What about IHRA?

Super Stock production classes?

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

The Mopar heads are, those P5 motors are quite nasty.

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

Quote from Karl: It makes no sense you cant run an aluminum copy of a factory head but you can use a canted valve SBC head which resembles nothing close to a production head.

What about IHRA?

Super Stock production classes?

It is all about the factory part number. If Ford had assigned a factory part number to them they would be legal. That is what makes sense...
You need to have a conversation with Mike Baker @ IHRA about the FE Ebelbrock head. He's the IHRA man!!

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

We are working on a Yates headed deal for later this year. We realized how close the setup is from our current NMCA N/A 10.5 setup and will have the ability to race closer to home and more often...

Sheet metal intake and two carbs for sure is the way to go.

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

[QUOTE= Super Stock production classes?[/QUOTE]

I think you will find that "corporate heads" are all that is allowed. For example a small block Mopar could use W-9 heads but not Indy or Edelbrock heads. The corporate heads still must be approved. For example the aforementioned P-5 heads may not be approved in Stock Production.

But like Adger said if you have questions talk to Mike to get the final word.

Good Luck!
Bill

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

Back in the Ihra days with my Duster, I had heads that had dodge casting numbers that were made by diamond engineering ? they were listed and discussed in an old mopar performance engine book and at one time they could be purchased though Direct Connection ( Im not that old!) . All they wanted to see was that casting number ,and Mike baker was happy. I always carried that book around just in case.

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

They're approved. Wes Leopold Jr.'s new motor for SS/AS is a P5 motor and Lloyd Wofford has a P5 motor in the SS/BM Stratus

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

The fastest AM cars are the Mopar's with the P5 cylinder head. The P5 cylinder head is not a wedge cylinder head.

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

I forgot about Gove, he is still using the wedge motor(W8). Sorry Karl, i forgot about him still using that motor.

Gove, Patterson, and Clegg have been the quickest so far. 2 canted, one wedge.

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

my wedge and my p-5 are almost identical in performance............so far!

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

I have a Pontiac with Performer RPM heads which are SS legal, the car runs 8.50s with a cast intake and single Dominator @ 7#/CID. I can add a sheetmetal intake and dual carbs. I might not be the fastest but I should be .600 under BUT are the heads legal or not

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

I'm not familiar with the Pontiac E-heads. Do they have a GM part number cast in to them? not legal if no GM casting #....

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

No, the heads are only legal for Stock and Super Stock class if the part number matches those shown in the classification guides.

For the Modified classes, it must have an OEM part number.

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

The Edelbrock heads do no have an OEM part number.

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

The Section 11 a - g document initially titled Super Stock is just a grouping of classes for stock bodied, theoretically street legal race cars with a limited set of modifications. The notion that "I did X in SS and GT, so I can do X in Modified Stock just isn't true. It's important to read the full section for the class you're interested in until you understand it, then start asking questions and listening to answers and advise. Sometimes racers get hung up on running a given combo in a given class and won't give it up when they are told it won't fly. I want to put a fiberglass GT hood on my 68 Mustang, but I can't so I won't.

Dale

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

Question, I have gotten conflicting answers, but do we need the actual crush bumper and collapsible supports in a 85 Mustang behind the outer bumper in AM?

We finally got some info from our div. office from the other questions we had, but I asked two tech officials and got two different answers.

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

Rule is clear:
BUMPER
The front and rear bumpers must be attached to the chassis
using the OEM impact bars. The bracing of the rear bumper can
be reinforced by using aftermarket tubing and be attached to the
rear frame section and body panels to retain exterior factory
appearance. Inside front and rear bumpers must retain factory
appearance. Covering of cavities prohibited.

Re: SS/AM Questions?
 

Read that and when asked I was told by one tech person and one fellow racer that it was not needed,. I guess I will just put them on the car to be safe. I can use the weight anyway.

Thanks..