Are COPO's, CJ's and Drag Packs good for our sport?

[Jeff Teuton]

It would be easy to add the Charger if the other thing gets the feet it deserves. And the Southern Hot Rod, is that the New Orleans Southern Hot Rod. We have a customer with a Challenger, 426, 4L Whipple, makes 900 at the rear wheels. Course you can't hardlly drive the thing. Will spin the tires at 80. A/C still cold, nice stereo, and that is a major change from the old 426 cars.

[69camz28]

I think from a fan's perspective they are great for the sport. I love the old cars (I have a 69 Camaro) and the new alike (I have 2011 Camaro 2 SS Convertible). While I only bracket race, I can say watching Stock and Super a stock is my favorite part of the races, and the new cars have made it even better to watch. I can't speak to the competitive balance, only from an entertainment perspective.

[Jeff Teuton]

RJ, here is how the 360 evolved in the DP cars. John Donato, a Mopar engineer did the stuff on the DP motors. The 360 was actually put in for the SS racers so they could at least have some new parts in SSGT. The motor is an old 360 Magnum which has been around since 93, The block is the same except everything since the mid 80's had hydraulic rollers. The Magnum used individual pivoted rocker arms similar to a small block Chevy. The heads were steel and better than the old LA small block Mopars. Then Mopar made the R/T version of the Magnum head which was better and it was made in a small valve and big 2.02 valve. Mopar has not made either in many years. So the Edlebrock out the box was the logical choice, and it is only made with 2.02 valves and small stems (the stock heads had small stems) The pistons are flat with notches and are 120 grams heavier than a stock truck piston. I think John put a 5 where there should have been a 4. The cam is 490. The manifold is a Mopar M1 which has been around since Chris arrived on Santo Domingo. It is made in a Magnum and LA style, the difference is the bolts; the Magnum has vertical bolts. The throttle body is rated at 1000 CFM, the bores are the same size as a 750 double pumper. That motor will make more peak hp by about 10, with a good 750 or 850 race carb. With an engine management system, the average is about the same. The heads use Chevy rockers. There were 3 360 cars build in 2009 and none in 2010. Uses a race pan if you have the Mopar Performance block, and a Dakota pan if you use a truck block. It is the least trick motor of all the DP motors.
And now you know. There were 7 or less 5.7 Hemi motors made. The rest is 6.1. And that is your history lesson today. Test tomorrow.

[Ed Wright]

Originally Posted by Peter Ash

Hmmm? I wonder if they could sneak this one in under the AHFS, lol?

Looks like 275 hp doesn't it Peter? LOL

[Jeff Teuton]

Ed, I can't help you in SS, but it is 328 in Stock. I am planning on running in SS in Dallas in ss/ka. The early mornings are beating me up. In Dallas, I can run about 5 under wide open, all barrels wide open, nitrous hooked up. Trying to decide wheater to go or not. Indy beat me up pretty good, hard to get going again. The 360 in stock has more factor in stock than the 70 and 71 camaro 350. What's up with that? That thing is down a bunch from when it was built. What's up with that? Big valves, big carb, and a Chevy for pete's sake. About 50 additions since they were built.

[oktire]

Love watching the new and old. The HP factors have to be adjusted the injected and super charged cars has some advantages but lets not forget about the trans brake. over all i say yes.

[Ed Wright]

Jeff likes to tell me I need hp.

That's like me telling somebody they need to lose weight. LOL

I love him anyway. But not like THAT!

[killer1]

Yes yes yes11111111

[jaythorne]

Nothing against the new cars,but how could whats going on these days not having all showroom cars in the guide be c onsidered stock/superstock ...very sad

[Jeff Teuton]

Jay, I know most people think it is NHRA. In almost all cases the manufacturers won't send in the TI sheet on a model. The TI is the detailed spec sheet for whatever car is in question and it has all details on the car; wb, track, seating, etc, and more details on the motor. Also in many cases NHRA requests parts, usually heads, for their inventory. As far as Mopar, Jack McCormack when he was associated with Mopar always supplied these sheets. I can't speak for Chevy and Ford. I know in the distant past NHRA had to find out for themselves because the demand to race the cars (such as the 69 Camaro) forced them to derive these specs. Lately with the factories in the shape they were in the only models are the new speciality cars which obviously the factories have to supply the info as it is a built for the purpose car. As far as the new cars I took the TI sheet from the Drag Pak and basically just changed the motor specs because the standard brakes, independent rear suspension, and many mundane items are from street cars. In Stock the rear seat is removable, a cage is permitted, a rear straight axle is permitted (and the specs for the DP is what is acceptable), lightweight brakes are acceptable. I used dead stock Hemi motors. The old transmissions are acceptable, and on these cars the 8 3/4 or Dana is the rear unless someone wants to try the IRS. Also do away with the carbon fiber hood. So that is the short version of the Challengers off the showroom with VIN, Title (or maybe a reconstructed car). I don't know if Jessee Kershaw is doing the same for Ford, and I don't even know the Chevy people, but then again they probably don't like me anyway. Even the guys with the old cars who complain the most have cages, light brakes, no rear seat, maybe a different corporate rear end, and all the little trinkets we now have. At least that is my opinion. 2 cents and a cup of coffee will get you what I really think, and a beer will get it all.