choosing a car for stock eliminator

Philip Saran · 05-20-2010, 05:47 PM

All the above is very good advice, Mark's little mustang is very compititive.
If you want a Ford, go with that.
If you want a mopar buy a volare or aspen with a 318
If you want a GM there are a multitude of good cars out there
a late 70's malibu 305 comes to mind, I'm sure there are more.

If you need more advice, give us more info, like what brand to you
like the most, your budget, etc. do you already have a truck/trailer
for towing?

W J · 05-20-2010, 07:34 PM

'98-'02 LS1 e.f.i. Camaro Z28 and Firebird Formula coupes w/automatic transmissons are very plentiful and are rapidly becoming quite cheap to buy.....a non-T roof car would be better, or maybe even a heavier convertible car to drop you down into even lower classes. You'll need a built 12 bolt rear, the motor and trans race prepped, some front and rear suspension work, approved roll bar and other safety items, correct headers, wheels and tires, and you're on your way....these cars are quite competitive and easily lap-top tuned once you learn what you're doing. Most are now 10 yrs. + old, but all still have pretty much the latest technology, great weight transfer, and as I said, there's a bunch of them out there and they can really be made to fly......maybe you'll find a race-ready LS1 stocker if you look around and are a little patient.....it's always cheaper to try and find a proven, well-built race-ready stocker than to build one from scratch, but then again, the pride you can take, and what you will learn from building your own "piece" is really rewarding. Whatever you choose.... Good luck. WJ

Harry 6674 · 05-21-2010, 09:55 AM

A lot depends on your skill set and if you have shop to work in. If you have the skills and the shop and like to build I would say build it. I enjoy my shop time as much as strip time,but thats me. If your in a hurry and have the $$$ in hand you can buy one ready to go. If you build one it at least add to the car count. I don't think I would enjoy buying a car that has been totally rung out and it's as fast as it's going to get. There are a few out there.

Dwight Southerland · 05-21-2010, 06:54 PM

1) Build a car you really care about. It doesn't have to be your favorite car or anything, but you do have to be willing to attach your identity to it.
2) A lower class car is not necessarily cheaper than a faster car. Example: a '66 chevy II with a 283 is not any cheaper than the same car with a 327. Engine combinations that have been beat on for years will be more expensive than less exploited combinations, because the standard for engine performance has been raised to a level that will require expensive technology.
3) A manual trans entry might be cheaper in some instances and the expectation performance level lower. Sam Murray's Olds. is a great example.

My nickel's worth of opinion, and probably more than you want.

05-20-2010, 05:47 PM	#1
Philip Saran Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Parker, CO. Posts: 728 Likes: 165 Liked 14 Times in 11 Posts	Re: choosing a car for stock eliminator All the above is very good advice, Mark's little mustang is very compititive. If you want a Ford, go with that. If you want a mopar buy a volare or aspen with a 318 If you want a GM there are a multitude of good cars out there a late 70's malibu 305 comes to mind, I'm sure there are more. If you need more advice, give us more info, like what brand to you like the most, your budget, etc. do you already have a truck/trailer for towing? __________________ Phil Saran Parker, Colorado

05-20-2010, 07:34 PM	#2
W J Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Paxton, Massachusetts Posts: 638 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: choosing a car for stock eliminator '98-'02 LS1 e.f.i. Camaro Z28 and Firebird Formula coupes w/automatic transmissons are very plentiful and are rapidly becoming quite cheap to buy.....a non-T roof car would be better, or maybe even a heavier convertible car to drop you down into even lower classes. You'll need a built 12 bolt rear, the motor and trans race prepped, some front and rear suspension work, approved roll bar and other safety items, correct headers, wheels and tires, and you're on your way....these cars are quite competitive and easily lap-top tuned once you learn what you're doing. Most are now 10 yrs. + old, but all still have pretty much the latest technology, great weight transfer, and as I said, there's a bunch of them out there and they can really be made to fly......maybe you'll find a race-ready LS1 stocker if you look around and are a little patient.....it's always cheaper to try and find a proven, well-built race-ready stocker than to build one from scratch, but then again, the pride you can take, and what you will learn from building your own "piece" is really rewarding. Whatever you choose.... Good luck. WJ Last edited by W J; 05-20-2010 at 08:13 PM. Reason: additional content.....

05-21-2010, 09:55 AM	#3
Harry 6674 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 589 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: choosing a car for stock eliminator A lot depends on your skill set and if you have shop to work in. If you have the skills and the shop and like to build I would say build it. I enjoy my shop time as much as strip time,but thats me. If your in a hurry and have the $$$ in hand you can buy one ready to go. If you build one it at least add to the car count. I don't think I would enjoy buying a car that has been totally rung out and it's as fast as it's going to get. There are a few out there.

05-21-2010, 06:54 PM	#4
Dwight Southerland VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Arkansas - In the middle of everything. Posts: 1,999 Likes: 64 Liked 772 Times in 192 Posts	Re: choosing a car for stock eliminator 1) Build a car you really care about. It doesn't have to be your favorite car or anything, but you do have to be willing to attach your identity to it. 2) A lower class car is not necessarily cheaper than a faster car. Example: a '66 chevy II with a 283 is not any cheaper than the same car with a 327. Engine combinations that have been beat on for years will be more expensive than less exploited combinations, because the standard for engine performance has been raised to a level that will require expensive technology. 3) A manual trans entry might be cheaper in some instances and the expectation performance level lower. Sam Murray's Olds. is a great example. My nickel's worth of opinion, and probably more than you want.