choosing a car for stock eliminator

CRI74 · 05-19-2010, 09:16 PM

How do I go about deciding on a car for stock eliminator? I understand the basics about hp factoring. I was thinking of a lower class w/ an automatic. Suggestions will be helpful.

treessavoy · 05-19-2010, 09:33 PM

The higher the class, the faster the car, the more piles of money invested.

Get a rule book and read it closely then look at the NHRA classification guide and this will give you an idea for a choice of cars.

But, if I was starting over again I would look for a lower class car that is competitive and buy it, it's much cheaper and you can start racing the next day!

Just my thoughts,

JimR

stage1scott · 05-19-2010, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treessavoy

The higher the class, the faster the car, the more piles of money invested.

But, if I was starting over again I would look for a lower class car that is competitive and buy it, it's much cheaper and you can start racing the next day!

Just my thoughts,

JimR

Great advice, Jim-a car like Mark Yacavones Mustang-what a deal! CR174, check the classifieds on this forum there is Marks mustang as well as a Buick recently listed that was under 15k if I remember right.

greg fulk · 05-20-2010, 01:05 AM

the first ? why do you want to race "stock"? 2nd is their a car you have or love? If you have a car look @ the combos ...one maybe way better or way cheaper then the others. but buying an already built car is the way to go ;-)

Bob Pagano · 05-20-2010, 08:30 AM

Mark Yacavones Mustang-what a deal! You could not build it for that money, it will qualify anywhere, and your a record holder to start off. To do this yourself could take years, go for it and your in the mix from the get go. Mark has been around a long time and builds great combos, call him, he is a super person.

mtkawboy · 05-20-2010, 10:14 AM

But it wil always be Mark Yacavones Mustang no matter what you do with it. Its still the smartest way to go.

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.

05-19-2010, 09:16 PM	#1
CRI74 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Darien Center NY Posts: 1 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	choosing a car for stock eliminator How do I go about deciding on a car for stock eliminator? I understand the basics about hp factoring. I was thinking of a lower class w/ an automatic. Suggestions will be helpful.

05-19-2010, 09:33 PM	#2
treessavoy VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Dunnellon,FL Posts: 1,103 Likes: 0 Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: choosing a car for stock eliminator The higher the class, the faster the car, the more piles of money invested. Get a rule book and read it closely then look at the NHRA classification guide and this will give you an idea for a choice of cars. But, if I was starting over again I would look for a lower class car that is competitive and buy it, it's much cheaper and you can start racing the next day! Just my thoughts, JimR __________________ Jim Rountree

05-20-2010, 01:05 AM	#4
greg fulk VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: jackson Posts: 1,165 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Re: choosing a car for stock eliminator the first ? why do you want to race "stock"? 2nd is their a car you have or love? If you have a car look @ the combos ...one maybe way better or way cheaper then the others. but buying an already built car is the way to go ;-) __________________ Greg Fulk 308 308X P/SA "ALL AMERICAN"

05-20-2010, 08:30 AM	#5
Bob Pagano VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New Holland, PA Mooresville,NC Posts: 1,163 Likes: 232 Liked 16 Times in 11 Posts	Re: choosing a car for stock eliminator Mark Yacavones Mustang-what a deal! You could not build it for that money, it will qualify anywhere, and your a record holder to start off. To do this yourself could take years, go for it and your in the mix from the get go. Mark has been around a long time and builds great combos, call him, he is a super person. __________________ Bob Pagano A/SA

05-20-2010, 10:14 AM	#6
mtkawboy Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Billings Mt Posts: 280 Likes: 168 Liked 54 Times in 18 Posts	Re: choosing a car for stock eliminator But it wil always be Mark Yacavones Mustang no matter what you do with it. Its still the smartest way to go.

05-20-2010, 05:47 PM	#7
Philip Saran Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Parker, CO. Posts: 727 Likes: 160 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	#8
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	#9
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	#10
Dwight Southerland VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Arkansas - In the middle of everything. Posts: 1,996 Likes: 63 Liked 756 Times in 189 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.