"factory stock"

[Mike Jones]

Originally Posted by D.Johns

I’m also curious what everyone thinks it takes money wise to be competitive. I know what many have in theirs and what I have in mine. Curious what everyone thinks it takes from the outside looking in.

*note took an 8.18 to make the bump last race on the NHRA side. NMCA is an all run field and it also took a 8.0-8.1 to win.

The B/W car was in ND at the end of last season, for $150K. In one of Geoff Turk`s replies, he hinted the motor was tired after 20 passes. "Fastlane" thought It would cost $50K to step up his program to put him in the show. The cost of campaigning 8.18 at +3500 lbs., would probably make a lot of Comp guys blush. The Quota for FS/XX at the Gators was 50. Are there 50 cars in the country?
Mike A114

[Rat Raceway]

Originally Posted by D.Johns

I’m also curious what everyone thinks it takes money wise to be competitive. I know what many have in theirs and what I have in mine. Curious what everyone thinks it takes from the outside looking in.

*note took an 8.18 to make the bump last race on the NHRA side. NMCA is an all run field and it also took a 8.0-8.1 to win.

Well based off the fact you are a Cobra Jet guy that has been around here for a wile you already know.

Price of a factory car 100 to 140k for just the car.

Now let’s talk getting there...

Engine. On good authority, 30k to 50k if you have a Factory motor to start with. If you don’t look at 50 to 75k for a REAL built that plays with the big boys... If you are a Track Pack guy/gal you might need 3 or 4 for a season.
If Ford or Chevy we will say two. Say $125k

Transmission. Take that TH-400 to a good builder and get all the Top shelf parts and tricks of the trade set up 7 to 9k. Now a Converter Top shelf again 1000 to $2000. Again if you want to “Step up” you better be going through that unit ever two or three races or just have a spair... $22k

Chassis. This is not something anyone can do... Lots of great chassis tuners out there but not a ton that know exactly what this class needs... 5 to 8k here. Just for grins $10k ready to rock with testing.

Now all the other small stuff that always bits ya in the butt $20k.


So I’m going to say $175k + 130k car... I could totally be off here but let’s say 300k. IMO this would be a good place to plan on and if it’s less, Wooo Whoooo!

Now Rig and trailer for a guys like this... just going to say 150k being conservative.

Now let’s travel... each race, 5 to 7k Minimum To get there and be ready to hit it hard.

So I am no expert but have done a fair amount of homework on this class and quickly realizing I’m not in the same country let alone zip code to play with these guys.

That is my guess if you are not a Shop or a business that would have a special in one way or another.

Anyone have a Half Millon laying around and want to mix it up?

I bet there are more people out there then we would think if they opened up races on the west side and give them races to run.

But what do I know?

[Ed Carpenter]

Cost will quickly get out of hand and it will a millionaires only playground.....

[doglover44]

Originally Posted by Rat Raceway

Well based off the fact you are a Cobra Jet guy that has been around here for a wile you already know.

Price of a factory car 100 to 140k for just the car.

Now let’s talk getting there...

Engine. On good authority, 30k to 50k if you have a Factory motor to start with. If you don’t look at 50 to 75k for a REAL built that plays with the big boys... If you are a Track Pack guy/gal you might need 3 or 4 for a season.
If Ford or Chevy we will say two. Say $125k

Transmission. Take that TH-400 to a good builder and get all the Top shelf parts and tricks of the trade set up 7 to 9k. Now a Converter Top shelf again 1000 to $2000. Again if you want to “Step up” you better be going through that unit ever two or three races or just have a spair... $22k

Chassis. This is not something anyone can do... Lots of great chassis tuners out there but not a ton that know exactly what this class needs... 5 to 8k here. Just for grins $10k ready to rock with testing.

Now all the other small stuff that always bits ya in the butt $20k.


So I’m going to say $175k + 130k car... I could totally be off here but let’s say 300k. IMO this would be a good place to plan on and if it’s less, Wooo Whoooo!

Now Rig and trailer for a guys like this... just going to say 150k being conservative.

Now let’s travel... each race, 5 to 7k Minimum To get there and be ready to hit it hard.

So I am no expert but have done a fair amount of homework on this class and quickly realizing I’m not in the same country let alone zip code to play with these guys.

That is my guess if you are not a Shop or a business that would have a special in one way or another.

Anyone have a Half Millon laying around and want to mix it up?

I bet there are more people out there then we would think if they opened up races on the west side and give them races to run.

But what do I know?

By the sounds of all that sounds like its a pro class already ! How many of those factory stock guys travel the whole factory shoot out tour ?

[Geoff Turk]

Ross, I think most of your estimates aren't a mile off but there are a few areas I think you can get by with far less.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'Track Pack' but if you meant Drag Pak, I have two of the aluminum engines.

While the killer tune ups can be rough on some parts (exhaust valves, rings, an occasional piston), all the expensive hard parts can generally be reused and remain unharmed. Very different from my days running the '68 SS Hemi. Turns out my 20+ pass motor that went 7s had cam timing wheel to cam gear rivets loosen up and that's really all that was wrong with it. The fix for that will soon be in and it will be back in action for not a lot of money. The second one I loaned to DSR, is still running fine as the issue on their E2 loss wasn't core engine related.

My trailer cost $16k in 2006 and still does a pretty good job hauling the car around (but it also looks like I bought it in 2006). I do plan to upgrade it to a new one but all in, way under your $150k. Granted my rig is a very, very modest one in the class.

There is no way around it, it is an expensive class to be competitive in and even more so if you employ a lot of help to build, maintain, tune and support the car at the track. That said, a few guys working together, with a passion and far less than a million dollars each, can compete. I hope to see more of those teams at each race.

I can think of far worse ways to spend money and know I am blessed to be a part of it : )

Looking forward to the next round.

[fastlane]

Originally Posted by Mike Jones

The B/W car was in ND at the end of last season, for $150K. In one of Geoff Turk`s replies, he hinted the motor was tired after 20 passes. "Fastlane" thought It would cost $50K to step up his program to put him in the show. The cost of campaigning 8.18 at +3500 lbs., would probably make a lot of Comp guys blush. The Quota for FS/XX at the Gators was 50. Are there 50 cars in the country?
Mike A114

My Copo was 125 grand Motorhome 230 grand new trailer on the way 23000 extra tools equipment 3000 I put about 20000 into parts updates so far and another 10 or so coming It was 8.50@160 right out of the box. I came up with the 50 grand number because I spoke to both Patterson and Barton each said 70-80 grand to make it competitive. Engine, Coan trans Lamb brakes full update of suspension updated cage and they said gain 150 HP I am not sure that will do it now 3-4 months ago most were running 8.20s a very few were 8.10 to 8.19 now everyone is about a tenth better. To run 167-170 @3550 lbs at sea level it takes 1300-1350 HP the motor from the factory is 1050-1100 tuned well so 150 HP will not cut it now will still need another 100. to run with the top dogs. I think the 50 grand additional will do the motor and suspension and get to 8.15-8.25 enough to be competitive at some events on the west coast if they ever get here. Right now I am stuck at the 8.50 mark for a month or two until I have a few weeks between events for the cage update. Right off the trailer my 60 ft is 1.21 from what I see the top cars are right around there also after all there work. I think the 9 inch tire limits it to not much better 60 ft times but whether you smoke the tire or get off the line it seems like 40% smoke them that's why some of the faster cars have lost to slower cars. Hopefully we wont have rain this weekend at the pacific open at Fontana and I get to run my FS/AA but not FS/XX untill next season.

[Rat Raceway]

Originally Posted by Geoff Turk

Ross, I think most of your estimates aren't a mile off but there are a few areas I think you can get by with far less.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'Track Pack' but if you meant Drag Pak, I have two of the aluminum engines.

While the killer tune ups can be rough on some parts (exhaust valves, rings, an occasional piston), all the expensive hard parts can generally be reused and remain unharmed. Very different from my days running the '68 SS Hemi. Turns out my 20+ pass motor that went 7s had cam timing wheel to cam gear rivets loosen up and that's really all that was wrong with it. The fix for that will soon be in and it will be back in action for not a lot of money. The second one I loaned to DSR, is still running fine as the issue on their E2 loss wasn't core engine related.

My trailer cost $16k in 2006 and still does a pretty good job hauling the car around (but it also looks like I bought it in 2006). I do plan to upgrade it to a new one but all in, way under your $150k. Granted my rig is a very, very modest one in the class.

There is no way around it, it is an expensive class to be competitive in and even more so if you employ a lot of help to build, maintain, tune and support the car at the track. That said, a few guys working together, with a passion and far less than a million dollars each, can compete. I hope to see more of those teams at each race.

I can think of far worse ways to spend money and know I am blessed to be a part of it : )

Looking forward to the next round.

Thanks for in insite on your program Geoff!

So realistically the 175k number not including a car is about spot on.

As far as “rig” a Dually pick up goes 70k and a nice trailer well into 30k. Now swap the pickup for a RV/Motorcoach even used and you easy 100k and we are back to pretty close to that number again.

With the Average working salary around 50 to 70k a year we are talking 3 years work to just run the class for one season.

IMO You of all people should have NEVER loaned a motor to DSR! That is just insane. Those guys don’t have a back up motor too bad for them. I understand good sportsmanship but they have enough money to have 3 spair engines an extra car and whole Hospitality tent for each pro driver. For you letting a pro driver ride your coattails with all you have invested boggles my mind after all the work and effort you have put into your program and get where you are!

So even if we are talking travel stay (no RV) and everything else 5k per race 7 races 35k just to be there. Again not a set number but for reference there is a total 200k+. Makes the Comp guys open an eye. I hope more guys like you fell it is worth the investment and the class grows. It’s a special breed of folks to toe the line.

[Geoff Turk]

Ross,

Agreed, your numbers are not far off. It's expensive.

With just a few of us Mopars out there, our only chance is to stick together. The DSR folks have been great, let me use their support equipment and pitched in to help me also.

The insanity probably began when I started racing Mopars back nearly 40 years ago : )

I won't likely be able to play at this level for long, but while it lasts, I'm making hay while the sun shines, searching for another 7 at an NHRA blessed event and having fun. See you out there.

[L Peterson6261]

Originally Posted by Mike Jones

Billy,
What happens when they finish monkeying around under the hood?
Mike

As we saw in Gainesville, I think the 9 inch tire is unsafe... maybe go to a 10 inch tire. At 8.0's and 170 MPH do you think a 9 inch tire is enough to be safe? How about any tire that will fit without any changes to the wheel department? Just asking???

[fastlane]

Originally Posted by L Peterson6261

As we saw in Gainesville, I think the 9 inch tire is unsafe... maybe go to a 10 inch tire. At 8.0's and 170 MPH do you think a 9 inch tire is enough to be safe? How about any tire that will fit without any changes to the wheel department? Just asking???

A tire with the same specs 94 circ 30 in but 10.5 instead of 9 is available from Hoosier I would change in a minute. I think it will not happen because the 9 inch tire controls the HP which controls the money spent.