Air Shifter

John Brimer · 10-18-2016, 01:06 PM

Why is it legal in Stock for a COPO to have an air shifter?

pfordamx · 10-18-2016, 01:20 PM

because nhra wants copos in the lanes

cad · 10-18-2016, 01:24 PM

Per rules: Pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, etc.controls and shifters in all noncomputer-controlled electronic-fuelinjected vehicles prohibited.

Mickey Whaley · 10-18-2016, 06:31 PM

Makes a lot of sense

Eric Merryfield · 10-18-2016, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Brimer

Why is it legal in Stock for a COPO to have an air shifter?

Its legal? Do you have a picture of a stocker with an air shifter? That just doesn't sound right. E-shift 1-2 is legal, but an air shifter is a totally different animal. At least the fateful 2-3 shift must be done by hand.......I will be looking the next time I am in the staging lanes!

Darrel Goheen · 10-18-2016, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Brimer

Why is it legal in Stock for a COPO to have an air shifter?

I believe because they came from the factory that way.

Super Sport · 10-19-2016, 12:20 AM

[QUOTE=Darrel Goheen;517953]I believe because they came from the factory that way.[/QUOTE

There was a time when NHRA told the factory what was acceptable and what was not. Guess those days are long gone.

FireSale · 10-19-2016, 02:08 AM

The transmission section of Stock is a bit muddy on this. It seems that an rpm activated electric shift unit "internal or external to the transmission" can be used on a computer controlled car. The solenoid on one of these looks like a CO2 unit but is shorter.

Air and electric shifters and controls are prohibited on all "non computer controlled EFI cars" Nothing about carburetor cars noted.

novassdude · 10-19-2016, 09:32 AM

There is a provision for having an Air/solenoid activated shifter. I have a letter from NHRA that states I can have an electric solenoid on my shifter but it must be activated by the driver not a timer or rpm switch. So I have a button on my hand controls to activate the solenoid and change gears. I have not looked at the rule book lately but I thought they had a provision in it for a situation like this.
Good chance this is not the situation in the COPO case but it is possible.

Mark Faul · 10-19-2016, 11:47 AM

My opinion is that if a guy in an EFI car (2000 Firebird for example) chooses to run his 4L60E computer controlled transmission through his ECU, more power to him! But when you need an electric or pneumatic add on gizmo and a stand alone box in a Metric 200 to do the shifting, it shouldn't be legal. Or give everyone the same stuff. (Not my choice)
Stock is more and more becoming a far cry from what it once was....

Obviously in novassdude's situation things can be made to work. As long as it's a function of the driver.

10-18-2016, 01:06 PM	#1
John Brimer Junior Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 34 Likes: 77 Liked 9 Times in 4 Posts	Air Shifter Why is it legal in Stock for a COPO to have an air shifter?

10-18-2016, 01:20 PM	#2
pfordamx Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 214 Likes: 3 Liked 7 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Air Shifter because nhra wants copos in the lanes

10-18-2016, 01:24 PM	#3
cad Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 702 Likes: 202 Liked 91 Times in 51 Posts	Re: Air Shifter Per rules: Pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, etc.controls and shifters in all noncomputer-controlled electronic-fuelinjected vehicles prohibited.

10-18-2016, 06:31 PM	#4
Mickey Whaley VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,220 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Air Shifter Makes a lot of sense

10-19-2016, 12:20 AM	#7
Super Sport Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 73 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Air Shifter [QUOTE=Darrel Goheen;517953]I believe because they came from the factory that way.[/QUOTE There was a time when NHRA told the factory what was acceptable and what was not. Guess those days are long gone.

10-19-2016, 02:08 AM	#8
FireSale VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Lakewood Washington Posts: 1,407 Likes: 29 Liked 237 Times in 126 Posts	Re: Air Shifter The transmission section of Stock is a bit muddy on this. It seems that an rpm activated electric shift unit "internal or external to the transmission" can be used on a computer controlled car. The solenoid on one of these looks like a CO2 unit but is shorter. Air and electric shifters and controls are prohibited on all "non computer controlled EFI cars" Nothing about carburetor cars noted. __________________ Dale Shearon 68 Mustang 6394

10-19-2016, 09:32 AM	#9
novassdude Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: usa Posts: 752 Likes: 204 Liked 136 Times in 49 Posts	Re: Air Shifter There is a provision for having an Air/solenoid activated shifter. I have a letter from NHRA that states I can have an electric solenoid on my shifter but it must be activated by the driver not a timer or rpm switch. So I have a button on my hand controls to activate the solenoid and change gears. I have not looked at the rule book lately but I thought they had a provision in it for a situation like this. Good chance this is not the situation in the COPO case but it is possible.

10-19-2016, 11:47 AM	#10
Mark Faul Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Tacoma,WA Posts: 341 Likes: 2 Liked 43 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Air Shifter My opinion is that if a guy in an EFI car (2000 Firebird for example) chooses to run his 4L60E computer controlled transmission through his ECU, more power to him! But when you need an electric or pneumatic add on gizmo and a stand alone box in a Metric 200 to do the shifting, it shouldn't be legal. Or give everyone the same stuff. (Not my choice) Stock is more and more becoming a far cry from what it once was.... Obviously in novassdude's situation things can be made to work. As long as it's a function of the driver. Last edited by Mark Faul; 10-19-2016 at 12:28 PM. Reason: Add