More NHRA horsepower factors

[Allen Sherman]

What makes the least sense about that 1978 firebird 350 combo is that it has the same specs as a 1977 camaro 350 that's only rated at 269 but the firebird is 283 and was originally moved to 269 but now back to 283. Anyone have an explanation for that? I thought all vehicles of the same platform with the same engines were rated the same. All other camaro/firebird combos are factored the same whether in a camaro or firebird throughout the entire guide. Uncle Jeff what's the scoop? I know you know...lol

[Dwight Southerland]

Originally Posted by Allen Sherman

What makes the least sense about that 1978 firebird 350 combo is that it has the same specs as a 1977 camaro 350 that's only rated at 269 but the firebird is 283 and was originally moved to 269 but now back to 283. Anyone have an explanation for that? I thought all vehicles of the same platform with the same engines were rated the same. All other camaro/firebird combos are factored the same whether in a camaro or firebird throughout the entire guide. Uncle Jeff what's the scoop? I know you know...lol

The '77-'79 350s are all the same specs and they should be all the same power factor regardless of model or body style. NHRA should be factoring engines based on the potential performance, not people who can make them go fast.

[Daran Summerton]

Originally Posted by Dwight Southerland

The '77-'79 350s are all the same specs and they should be all the same power factor regardless of model or body style. NHRA should be factoring engines based on the potential performance, not people who can make them go fast.

You seriously don't see a difference between a corvette and a caprice wagon???? HMMM interesting.

[Dwight Southerland]

Originally Posted by Daran Summerton

You seriously don't see a difference between a corvette and a caprice wagon???? HMMM interesting.

The extent of the discussion and issues involved in factoring is much more than I want to engage in this medium, but yes I do see a difference between a Corvette and a Caprice wagon. However, they do not run the same class. Plus, given the history of racers and what they are attracted to build, I doubt that either one of us will ever see a Caprice wagon as someone's serious competitive effort. The other extreme of the issue to me is represented by the '78-'79 305 4-bbl. Exactly the same engine, yet all the 1978 applications are rated at 235 while most of the 1979s are rated at 243. A 79 Malibu hardtop is 243, but a Malibu 4-dr sedan or station wagon is 235. All because a single person ran fast over 10 years ago in a Malibu hardtop. For years, the 1979 Malibu hardtop carried a 245 factor while all the other applications were 235. They factored the person not the engine.

[PJ305]

Originally Posted by Dwight Southerland

The '77-'79 350s are all the same specs and they should be all the same power factor regardless of model or body style. NHRA should be factoring engines based on the potential performance, not people who can make them go fast.

I asked Pat Cvengros and was told the 78 models came with an aluminum 458520 manifold which aren't allowed on the 77 models. The 77 models are allowed 882 heads 160cc in 60cc ex runner which aren't allowed on the 78 model. He told me unless the same exact part numbers are available for the combination they are rated different . The 73 - 76 models are allowed 993 heads which are not allowed on the 77 - 78 models and they have been hit with horsepower under the guidelines of the AHFS and are rated at 287hp. They make the rules and it really doesn't matter what we on the internet think or complain about.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by PJ305

They make the rules and it really doesn't matter what we on the internet think or complain about.

If you believe that for just one minute then either you're not a Racer or you're delusional!

[Kevin Love]

Dwight

While i agree with your thoughts on the inconsistencies between body types,the 79 Malibu hardtop hit was just in 2014. Billy Lynn went 1.245 under vs Dean Oliver at 1.197
under at the 2014 Cajun Sportsnationals. According to Nitro Joe 2014 stats they were both at 235 hp at that race. I think it was the class final so unfortunately they got punished for racing to the stripe.

[ZenzenRacing]

Hmmmm, yep that's one reason the Corvette is going back together!!

[Tom Moock]

Does this make sense? 1979 Chevy 350, Impala 275 hp. Corvette 283 Hp. Nova 283 Hp. & Malibu Wagon 287 Hp. 350 Malibu Wagon best run in last 10 years, per nitro stats, 6 tens under old index.

[Dwight Southerland]

Originally Posted by Kevin Love

Dwight

While i agree with your thoughts on the inconsistencies between body types,the 79 Malibu hardtop hit was just in 2014. Billy Lynn went 1.245 under vs Dean Oliver at 1.197
under at the 2014 Cajun Sportsnationals. According to Nitro Joe 2014 stats they were both at 235 hp at that race. I think it was the class final so unfortunately they got punished for racing to the stripe.

While the latest version of he class guide shows 2014, I also have a 2002 version of the class guide with the note at the bottom of the page next to the 235 rating that states "Malibu hardtop rating is 245". It's been there for a l-o-o-o-n-g time.