Older Superstock GT cars with scoops

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lee

I would think if part of an OEM body package it should be all or nothing. But then again, if somebody wanted to build a clone '68 Hemi A-body for SS, NHRA probably woudn't care if you had the lite-weight parts as you would only be placing yourself at a disadvantage.

So out of curiousity what weight / class would a 273/235 fall into using a Hemi A-Body?

Without looking it up ,I'd say 13 # ....whatever that is. GT/L?

[Shawn Blair]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

Jeff, If infact you had a 68 hemi car and had to tape over the scoop, then why would you want a big ol' scoop sticking up? If you were to remove it, would you then have to replace all the liteweight seats and glass and such?
I'm with you though. If you run the hemi body and shipping weight, then you ought to be able to run it the way it came.
Doesn't matter what we say or think anyway. They're gonna do any GD thing they want with the rules.

One good reason for the scoop would be carb clearance, this would be a good thing if running the 1962 343horse 383 combo with a tunnel ram. I'm still waiting to see that one! It would have to be fast with those two carbs.

[Jeff Lee]

Originally Posted by Shawn Blair

One good reason for the scoop would be carb clearance, this would be a good thing if running the 1962 343horse 383 combo with a tunnel ram. I'm still waiting to see that one! It would have to be fast with those two carbs.

Yes, open or not the key is carb and manifold clearance. A budget racer could take a 380 2x4 carb and use your basic Weind cast aluminum tunnel ram under one of these scoops. A lot less money than a sheet-metal tunnel ram; and possibly more effective. I would think the tall scoop would open up some new technology for the 6-pack 340/440 intake manifolds as well.

Looks like Teuton and Hale have the open scoop issue worked out with NHRA. Jeff, are you considering the 383/343? I guess a 440/375/350 engine would also be a killer. Guess you could even run a Weind/Edelbrock single 4bbl tunnel ram in that car, on any mopar engine.

[Chris DeGidio]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lee

Know which 383 that is? I would like to see a '62 383/343 2x4 in a Hemi A-body with all the lite-weight parts and open scoop. Think of a 383 with a full sized tunnel ram in SS!
I still say the open scoop would be legal as the Hemi scoop was an open scoop body part as an OEM piece.

I'm real sure he runs the 1967 383 combo and that the scoop is open.

[Bud Lefevre]

Originally Posted by SStockDart

Here is a qualifying effort from Jim Hale's 68 Barracuda (Original Hemi with scoop and lightweights) and a 383 engine.

22 4406 GT/EA Jim Hale, Van Buren AR, '68 Barracuda 10.143 10.95 -0.807

Could that be a 70 383 claimed as a Challenger or Cuda with fresh air ?

How about a 340 6pk motor, it had fresh air.

[Angelo DiTocco]

I can see where there could be some confusion. When the NHRA opened up the GT rule a year or two ago, they allow any year body to be run as a GT class car if a different year or different from "factory equipped" engine combo was used. Prior to that change, the rule stated that the body of a GT car had to be 1980 or newer. Now it is any year, although I have only noticed a few instances where this was applied and an older body was used in GT. I could be wrong, but I doubt anyone will see something like a 68 Hemi-Cuda body with a different engine, run as a GT car. If someone did though, they would have to close up the hood scoop if the motor they used did not originally come with a fresh air system.

Happy Holidays to All !

[X-TECH MAN]

It seems the combo's are unlimited. How about a 1963 Z-11 (Old Reliable) alum. front end Chebbie (real or cloned) with a 396/375 or a 454. Maybe a 283/220 for GT S/S since NHRA lists the Z-11 in the guide for S/S and a heavy duty rear would be legal. Lots of luck finding the Alum. parts. Just to show how the combos could become wild. No more nuts than a 68 Hemi Dart or 'Cuda with a 273 or a T-Bolt with a 289. How about a 60 Chevy wagon like Jack's stocker with an L-88 or ZL-1 engine combo? Then he could use a 3 speed auto without any grief from the tech dept. Then theres always a 64-65 GTO with the 421 SD engine or a 455 SD. A '66 Mustang with a Boss 429 Hemi (if it would fit). And some of you guys think IHRA's GT stock class is screwed up. Gezzzzzzzzzzz. LOL It sounds like "HEAVY" eliminator with engine spec. rules to me.

[SStockDart]

I haven't talked with Jim Hale in a while, however, he told me some time back that he was building a 383 Super Stock engine for his lightweight Barracuda. I am reasonably certain that the hood scoop on the Barracuda is functional. If it is required that "fresh air" be required on the replacement engine, one could simply claim a 69 - 70 Roadrunner. Both had "Air Grabbers". I do not believe that NHRA would make you close a hood scoop... As an example, I have a 69 Roadrunner with an Air Grabber. The HP rating is the same for a plain hood or the fresh air hood. However, their can be a different HP rating for the engine whether it is in Super Stock or GT. So, my suspicion is that the hood scoop will be allowed to be open, then HP adjustments will apply for GT classes.

[Jeff Teuton]

We will debut out GT/CthruFA (383 or 440 combo) which I have gotten OKed. It is a 68 Hemi cuda clone with the scoop and the glass. It is a recognized model in the books. Same as Jim Hale. Should not be an issue as we run a faster index or more hp that the same car in SS ie a 70 cuda with the 383 is .05 slower indes than my car with the 383. We have converted this Top Stock car to SS, and are doing the same with our 70 Duster.