Ford and Mopar Aluminum R/E Cases??

[Ed Wright]

What Chuck Nelson and Wesley always told me : "If the rule book does not say you can, you can't."

[art leong]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

Kenny, Like I said , asked and answered, many times.

I don't see where it's allowed, either. It seems clear to me.

You and I know they can't list every item not legal in the rule book. The book would look like the NYC phone directory.
I'm pretty sure NOS is not allowed , or mentioned in the stock section either.

Look, you've got a good case, with the new cars...Follow that route...

WHEW I'm glad you said NOS is not legal in Stock, You didn't mention Superstock, I guess I dodged a bullet. LOL

[Ken Miele]

Well Mark it is not clear to me. It says I can replace a rear as long it is from the same manufacture. How you come to the conclusion it says you can't is beyond me. I would love to here from a legal mind when they read that line.

Your assumption that they can't list every item in the rule book is wrong. They sure can, but they don't.

Ed, it does not say I can use an aftermarket shifter, but we all do. When are you going to remove yours?

Art, I'm well prepared for what could happen in the future. I have been there before.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Ken Miele

Well Mark it is not clear to me. It says I can replace a rear as long it is from the same manufacture. How you come to the conclusion it says you can't is beyond me. I would love to here from a legal mind when they read that line.

Your assumption that they can't list every item in the rule book is wrong. They sure can, but they don't.

Ed, it does not say I can use an aftermarket shifter, but we all do. When are you going to remove yours?

Art, I'm well prepared for what could happen in the future. I have been there before.

Ken, What year and model 9" came with an aluminum center section from the factory?

Aftermarket shifters ARE mentioned in the stick shift section. The auto section kind of dances all around it. They've been allowed for at least the last 50 years.Common knowledge.
The point is, as I said ,the rule book can't possibly spell out yay or nay on every conceivable item.

Hey, where is the love ( for NHRA) this week?

[Ken Miele]

CJ Mustang 2008-2010.

What year was the aluminum spool available in? The rule book says you can use a spool, but it does not say you can use aluminum one. It says we can you aftermarket wheels, it doesn’t say we can use aluminum. So your telling me that every part on a car has to have been available when produced?

I read the rule book, where does it say in a dancing around way you can use an aftermarket shifter with an auto trans. I don't see any dancing around, maybe you have a different rule book then me. So your reasoning for a rule is if it has been used for over fifty years its okay.

I have not said anything derogatory about NHRA, I just want the rule clarified, I don't think it is to much to ask.

[Bill Howell]

How does the rule apply to the new cars? Can you put a non-aluminum 9" rear in a new Mustang?

Also, the distance between the backing plates mentioned in the rule book. Look at the wheel offset of a lot of the stock eliminator cars. You can see some cars have a lot more wheel offset than another of the same type.

I still have to say, why are these kind of things such a big deal when you know you are racing against electronics such as tree readers and matty boxes.

[Mark Yacavone]

Kenny , Don't get me wrong. I think you got a bad deal. They should have let you by, pending a new ruling.

A lot of this stuff depends on how you argue it.

" I got it out of a 2008 CJ. I put it in a couple years ago . It's OEM now (good argument)


"It was in the car when I got it. It doesn't say in the rulebook that you CAN'T use it" (bad argument)

BTW, Once the rulebook says you CAN use an aftermarket item, there's no need to spell out every type of material it can be made out of.

[Ken Miele]

Mark, I didn't know you were such expert on on the rule book. I should have consulted with you before I built my car.

And since you are the expert here, can I replace my center section with an aftermarket as long as it is steel, even though there is no mention about aftermarket cases. Remember if it does not say I can, it means I can't.

[Ed Wright]

Sorry I offended you.

[Jeff Lee]

There used to be a section in the rule book that said something like..."can not replace parts with lighter versions of parts unless specifically stated"...or words to that effect. I no longer see that but I believe that is the tradition that NHRA follows.
I'm with Mark, a specific rule and possible interpretation to every nut and bolt on a Stocker would take volumes to address.

I once challenged that since the OEM has roller rockers (like an LT4 as an example) that they should be allowed on a 327. Apparently NHRA doesn't see it that way.

And Ken, just because you can't find a performance advantage to running an aluminum center section in Stock doesn't mean it can't be done. The fact I have no experience in this (in Stock) has no bearing. When I raced S/ST I took advantage of putting an aluminum 9" in that car. And my present car has gun-drilled axles, back-cut gears and scalloped spool. So I do put my money on the fact there are improvements.