New - Lots of Questions. Help me understand S&SS

[LemonWedge]

Okay,?. Where to begin?

I?m a long time bracket racer, very familiar with the racetrack in general. Own a 1967 Plymouth Satellite with a 470 combo; currently goes 10.40?s & whittling away. So I?m not legal, but something may be in my future.

Initial Car questions:
- Stock hood must be in use in both S & SS?? GT classes??
- I see everyone utilize gated shifters. Are ratchet style shifters permitted?
- At what level are automated shift mechanisms allowed?
- Are any engine location mods allowed?
-Where can I find full build rules that are understandable?

Race questions:
- Is the index the slowest you can dial?
-is it only one class in either direction from your factored combo that you can move weight for?
- how does class vs combo eliminations typically work?
- can you have fun with a car that ISN?T .80 under its index?

I see very few big-block combos, mostly small block Camaros & Mustangs (big surprise). Seems like the predominant Mopar combo is the 340 Duster. Is this because of favorable rules? Or just cost driven?

I know building a competitive car must be a long, expensive, and frustrating at times effort. Looks like Most people buy an existing car or pay to have someone else build it. I like doing things myself. Is it even possible on a regular guy budget? My car is somewhat sorted out. could a legal 383 engine combo be competitive at all? I don?t see anyone run the Chrysler 383 in a B-Body?. Help me understand why?

What would be the best approach for a guy whose knowledge is in Big Block Mopars? I?m a low-deck guy with a couple of spare 383 & 400 blocks stuffed away.

Pretty frustrating that a rear wheel drive Cobalt can be GT legal, but a 451 low-deck Chrysler, 347 SBF or 383 SBC combo with all stock components isn?t. Why?

Any and all comments encouraged. Including ?run, before you?re broke and divorced?. 😂😂😂

Thanks in advance for anything interesting.

[MR DERBY CITY]

Not sure what part of the country where you live, BUT do not spend a DIME before you spectate at a few points races/opens. On the west coast Steve Wann and Don Little are the go to Mopar guys. In the Midwest Brad Van Lant is the man….A lot of your questions will be answered when you attend /spectate a points race.

[jmcarter]

What MJ said, even if you flew into Gainesville for the Baby Gators or Sky Harbor for the upcoming Phoenix race it would be worth your $ and time. Class racers are very approachable in the pits or even in the lanes if far enough back and will share plenty of insights. Hint: there will be a LOT more cars at the Baby Gators.

[Bobby Fazio]

Initial Car questions:
- Stock hood must be in use in both S & SS?? Yes
-GT classes?? Yes and No, I believe fresh air engine combos get fresh air hoods but never been fully sure of the rule
- I see everyone utilize gated shifters. Are ratchet style shifters permitted? Yes I have one in my Stocker 5.0
- At what level are automated shift mechanisms allowed? Super Stock allows air shifter and electric shifters. Stock allows e-shift if the combo came with it from the factory.
- Are any engine location mods allowed? I'm not really sure.
-Where can I find full build rules that are understandable? Nhraracer.com on the left side you can download the rulebook and view stock car classification, blueprints, etc.

Race questions:
- Is the index the slowest you can dial? Yes
-is it only one class in either direction from your factored combo that you can move weight for? Yes
- how does class vs combo eliminations typically work? Class is heads up while the eliminator is bracket style, unless paired against a car in your same class, then it is heads up.
- can you have fun with a car that ISN?T .80 under its index? Tons. Remember, if you navigate around cars in your class or run lower in the alphabet then you are dialing most of the time. You likely won't win class eliminations or qualify at Indy but you can still win races and that is the most fun.

[Mike Gray]

Come on in! The rule book is posted online, go to NHRA competition logo above.
Pretty much everything you asked about is covered except comments regarding competitive combos. (Attend races, ask questions)
Be prepared to spend way more than expected. LOL

[427FE]

Originally Posted by LemonWedge

. Is it even possible on a regular guy budget?

If overtime is available, start workin it!

[mike britt]

Be sure and check out classracerinfo.com, lots of useful information there.

[Jared Jordan]

The combos you see depends on where you’re at. Division 7 is pretty Mopar heavy. Regarding your question on the 383, they’re not any cheaper to build than a 440, go slower, and oftentimes aren’t rated as favorably. There are some really hard running low deck engines out there though. Your ‘67 with a 383 would make a pretty good combination.

[GTX JOHN]

The 383 or 440 are both good choice in a 67 B Body.
Also the 426 Hemi is excellent but it is pricey. My son and I are
very ordinary guys and we have a lot of fun in Stock/SS.

I think you still have my number, and you are welcome to call
any afternoon. I will be happy to chat with you in more
detail when not in public.

[ken robinson]

The class combo is like a heads up , it's how far under your index you can run and your reaction time . The tree start will handy cap off the index split of the 2 cars ( just like a bracket race slower leaves first ) . Do you have a copy of nitro joe's ? In Div 1 there are a few BB mopars that run very well. If your car has bin tubed for big tires super stock is your best option. And 8 under isn't a bad please to start .