Legal Stocker?

[X-TECH MAN]

Alum. stock replacement radiators are legal in ALL IHRA stockers. Reason......some older units are almost impossable to find or recore. Its cheaper to use a stock alum replacement. The difference in wt. is next to nothing. Common sense prevails. The intake manifold was allowed by Mike Baker as I had nothing to do with that decision as I retired. It to makes sense as try finding a stock OEM cross ram HEMI intake manifold that hasnt been dicked with after all of these years. The MoPar performance Hemi part is much less expensive and easy to obtain. Beats payibg several thousand dollars for an OEM intake If you could find one. I know.....But its not stock but what is these days. Its not stock that counts but what is allowed by the racing association. Look at the single 4 barrle manifold that NHRA allowed on the Hemi cars like Bartons and others. Its no where near like the original piece IF you could ever find one and take out a mortgage to pay for it. Not everyone racing these Hemi cars is a multi millionare.

[treessavoy]

IHRA told me I could use the fiberglass parts on my '64 Max Wedge but they had to be obtained from a certain manufacture but (get this) they didn't know who it was.

Does anyone out there know who makes these parts?

Appreciate the help,

JimR

[Dick Butler]

Travis, I asked a couple of years ago about Glass replacement parts for Al cars.
Today Aluminum Heads are allowed on many Fords, Chevy and aftermarket manifolds and trans 3 speeds instead of 2 speeds.
If No aluminum Fenders are being made or Hoods or Fenders I am confused as to Why Stock Appearing Kevlar, Fiberglass parts are not allowed in NHRA. Is it a Chrysler deal to prevent other cars coming back to eliminator? Is it just slow thinking? on the part of NHRA? If Dove Heads, Edelbrock Heads are on the motor how is the Aluminum fender making the car more stock or SS qualified?

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Dick Butler

Travis, I asked a couple of years ago about Glass replacement parts for Al cars.
Today Aluminum Heads are allowed on many Fords, Chevy and aftermarket manifolds and trans 3 speeds instead of 2 speeds.
If No aluminum Fenders are being made or Hoods or Fenders I am confused as to Why Stock Appearing Kevlar, Fiberglass parts are not allowed in NHRA. Is it a Chrysler deal to prevent other cars coming back to eliminator? Is it just slow thinking? on the part of NHRA? If Dove Heads, Edelbrock Heads are on the motor how is the Aluminum fender making the car more stock or SS qualified?

Dick.......Slow thinking on NHRA's part is the correct answer.

[Travis Miller]

Originally Posted by Dick Butler

Travis, I asked a couple of years ago about Glass replacement parts for Al cars.
Today Aluminum Heads are allowed on many Fords, Chevy and aftermarket manifolds and trans 3 speeds instead of 2 speeds.
If No aluminum Fenders are being made or Hoods or Fenders I am confused as to Why Stock Appearing Kevlar, Fiberglass parts are not allowed in NHRA. Is it a Chrysler deal to prevent other cars coming back to eliminator? Is it just slow thinking? on the part of NHRA? If Dove Heads, Edelbrock Heads are on the motor how is the Aluminum fender making the car more stock or SS qualified?

Dick, When you “asked” about ‘glass replacement parts for aluminum cars did you include your type of car you were racing that needed to replace the aluminum parts? Did you include facts stating that you were at a disadvantage in the class you were racing to need the ‘glass parts to replace aluminum parts?

The actual racers that asked for a 3-speed automatic trans to replace a 2-speed trans they were limited to DID included their car number and class, the races they ran, and facts showing ET’s where they could not compete against cars built with 3-speeds.

The actual racers that asked for aluminum heads to replace cast iron heads DID included their car number and class, the races they ran, and information showing the company name and part # of the head they wanted to be allowed as a replacement. A new head was then submitted and checked before approval.

There are 2 types of letters to send in to get something approved. A generic version of each follow:

...Dear Sirs: I do not race in Stock or SS and never intend to, however I would like to see fiberglass parts be allowed to replace high dollar aluminum body parts because I think it would be really neat to watch those old rare factory racecars run again. Thank you

...Dear Sirs: I currently race in S/S (number XXXX, class XX) and am having a hard time locating heads to fit my engine. Company XYZ makes an aluminum replacement head part #xxxxxxx that is similar to the head I use. I would like to have that company submit the head to you for comparison to the OEM head in hopes of getting it accepted as a replacement for my engine. Thank you

Now Dick, which letter do you think will get action? If someone wants something approved, there is a correct way to do it.

Travis

(Disclaimer: Opinions expressed by me on this forum are exactly that, my opinions.)

[Dick Butler]

Travis, Very Good discussion. Very good examples. As I have no car to question I am sure my input or question is of lessor value to the committee.
I think and third letter example should be included in your discussion though.
Dear Sir. I am a manufacturer and wish to produce a product for profit which is similar to the parts used on cars being raced in Stock or SS in NHRA classes. I wish them to be allowed as a replacement part and legal. They will be Aluminum instead of Steel. THey will be Higher quality due to todays technology. I am a major Sponsor.
or....4) Dear Sir, I have raced 35 Years in NHRA and am familiar with the evolution of the rules regarding S and SS. In my opinion the allowance of replacement Engine parts of Aluminum for steel, Aftermarket reproductions for original parts is progress.
.....Many interesting SS and S cars from the 60s were very limited in production from the factory with ALUMINUM body parts. Today parts are not available in Quantity to allow expanded numbers of participant s with these cars. Prices for the 50 original sets prevent racers in parallel racing programs from Crossing over and participating in NHRA S AND SS classes. THese are potential entries to enlarge the racer pool for our events. I suggest consideration of allowing Kevlar reproduction parts for Fenders, Doors, Hoods, Bumpers for parts originally produced only in Aluminum from the factory to see more of these Classic S and SS cars enter NHRA events.
I think this might also be a reasonable request letter. Fairly close to the letter I submitted.
Again Thanks Travis.

[Eric Merryfield]

Originally Posted by Dick Butler

Travis, Very Good discussion. Very good examples. As I have no car to question I am sure my input or question is of lessor value to the committee.
I think and third letter example should be included in your discussion though.
Dear Sir. I am a manufacturer and wish to produce a product for profit which is similar to the parts used on cars being raced in Stock or SS in NHRA classes. I wish them to be allowed as a replacement part and legal. They will be Aluminum instead of Steel. THey will be Higher quality due to todays technology. I am a major Sponsor.
I think this might also be a reasonable request letter.

Not to change the line of thinking or debate here, but this car, which pitted behind me, is why I am now playing in Stock. The car is fantastic, depending upon the price, I might have bought it. Like a few in stock, it caught too much air which slowed it down, but not a sight forgotten by myself or the kids.

Really nice family. Sorry to see the car leave them.

Eric
Stk 1883

[Travis Miller]

Dick, Why is it that every time someone asks that a replacement be allowed for an expensive rare or obsolete part, the new replacement part asked for seems to weigh less than the original piece? What would be wrong with simply asking to allow readily available and cheaper steel parts to replace no longer available aluminum fenders, hood, or bumpers? That would be a good way to bring out clones of rare factory racecars. But no, people have to ask for expensive lightweight carbon fiber or Kevlar. Sounds like what is really wanted is an advantage over others in a class.

On the topic of replacement aluminum heads being lighter, they are accepted because very few in the aftermarket make cast iron heads except for small block Chevys…and that is mainly because of a huge round track market.

Travis

(Disclaimer: Opinions expressed by me on this forum are exactly that, my opinions.)

[bsa633]

Originally Posted by Travis Miller

The actual racers that asked for aluminum heads to replace cast iron heads DID included their car number and class, the races they ran, and information showing the company name and part # of the head they wanted to be allowed as a replacement. A new head was then submitted and checked before approval.

Travis

(Disclaimer: Opinions expressed by me on this forum are exactly that, my opinions.)

The story about the 390 Fords and how they got to get,edelbrock heads,intake,larger carb deep oil pan etc...those letters would be interesting to see...maybe other could learn how you get stuff approved if you dont have Shelby letters laying around...Ford must be on some kind of a deal with NHRA...the 390's..the Shelby's 4-5 different 428combo/ratings..Chevy rods etc.etc.etc.

[Alex Denysenko]

Originally Posted by bsa633

The story about the 390 Fords and how they got to get,edelbrock heads,intake,larger carb deep oil pan etc...those letters would be interesting to see...maybe other could learn how you get stuff approved if you dont have Shelby letters laying around...Ford must be on some kind of a deal with NHRA...the 390's..the Shelby's 4-5 different 428combo/ratings..Chevy rods etc.etc.etc.

Don't come crying about FoMoCo. Yeah the single 4 Shelby is bogus as hell but it is allowed so deal with it. I have.
Mopar has slid through just as much if not more when they were in bed with NHRA

Some examples below.

AAR and TA hoods on E bodies that don't belong
WO SS scoops on stockers
Aluminum intakes on 70-71 Six packs
Plenty of superceded heads
750 Carter Competition Series carbs on Max Wedges
Cross ram intakes that don't cross
Low deck blocks in RB motors
Adjustable rocker arms in any motor and plenty more.

I won't even mention 3 speeds in SS for powerslide GM cars.

It is what it is so deal with it because you are never going to change it once NHRA agrees to it.


Geeeze!