Aspen Stocker Build

[4892stk]

Here are pictures of 1978 Dodge Aspen we acquired a couple of weeks ago. After giving some thought about what to do with the car I finally elected to build the car into a NHRA/IHRA Stock Eliminator race car. Originally a 318 2bbl car we have decided to run it with the 318 engine with factory horsepower rating of 155 and factored to 230hp @ 13.73 pounds per rated horsepower which puts the car in L/SA 3275 lbs with the driver in it. We are allowed to add or remove weight to move up or down a class and may if we see there is a need to. The NHRA national record is now set at a minimum 0f 12.20 second in 1/4 mile and 8.01 seconds in the 1/8 mile as no one has tried to set a record in either distance in several years. The NHRA class index (which is used as a performance basis in qualifying, etc.) is a 12.70 in NHRA. The IHRA 1/4 national record for L/SA is 12.21 @ 106.40 by Danny Waters, Jr. in a 283 powered 1966 Chevrolet Chevy II.

Here are the engine rules which are very strict and you are subject to teardown inspection at any time.

REQUIREMENTS & SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE: 1
AIR CLEANERS
Optional. If used, air cleaner must be OEM automotive or retain
OEM configuration. Air-cleaner base may be cut or trimmed, but
welding, bolting, riveting, epoxying, or any other form of fabrication
is prohibited. Ram tubes, velocity stacks, or non-stock-type base
plates or ducting prohibited. Cooling holes prohibited in radiator
side panels, etc. Factory air cleaners and/or scoops that fit through
hood must be affixed to carburetor as per OEM only.
BLUEPRINTING
Permitted per NHRA Specifications available from NHRA Technical
Services Department headquarters. Stock factory OEM
components (unless otherwise specified) must be retained and
remain unaltered (i.e., connecting rods, pushrods, crankshaft, etc.).
CAMSHAFT/LIFTERS
Camshaft must retain stock lift for horsepower claimed per NHRA
Technical Bulletins. Front-wheel-drive vehicles and stock trucks,
maximum lift is limited to .430-inch or OEM, whichever is greater.
Aftermarket OEM-type replacement lifters permitted. Lift checked at
valve retainer, with zero lash. Hydraulic lifter cam will be checked
with pushrod and rocker as run, plus solid lifter, at zero lash.
Plunger height of checking lifter will match extended height (no
preload) of hydraulic lifter. Hydraulic lifter may not be plugged or
bottomed. Aftermarket gear drives/belts prohibited. Aftermarket
timing covers permitted as long as OEM-type timing gears are
used. Adjustable pushrods or adjustable OEM rocker arms (not
both) permitted; must be same or greater weight as stock. Pushrod
guide plates permitted. Cylinder head may be clearanced for largerdiameter
pushrods.
CARBURETOR
Must be correct year, make, and model specified for car’s engine;
fuel or air bleed passages may be resized. Drilling idle holes in
primary throttle blades permitted. Other modifications prohibited.
Sandblasting, grinding, flash removal, dry film coating, or any other
modification to carburetors prohibited. Replacement carburetors
permitted provided they are same model, type, throttle bore, and
venturi size. Computer carburetors use latest model non-computer
carb for engine application.
CONNECTING RODS
Stock OEM or NHRA-accepted aftermarket rods permitted. NHRAaccepted
aftermarket rods must meet specifications as found on
the then-current NHRA Stock & Super Stock Replacement Rod
Acceptance List. The combined weight of the piston, pin, rings, and
connecting rod must be equal to or greater than the Minimum
Assembly Weight as found on the then-current Stock Replacement
Piston Acceptance List. Accepted replacements are published in
National DRAGSTER and on NHRARacer.com. Grinding and
polishing permitted on beams only. Shot-peening of connecting
rods permitted. Length must be stock +/- .025-inch center to center.​

 

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AIR CLEANERS
Optional. If used, air cleaner must be OEM automotive or retain
OEM configuration. Air-cleaner base may be cut or trimmed, but
welding, bolting, riveting, epoxying, or any other form of fabrication
is prohibited. Ram tubes, velocity stacks, or non-stock-type base
plates or ducting prohibited. Cooling holes prohibited in radiator
side panels, etc. Factory air cleaners and/or scoops that fit through
hood must be affixed to carburetor as per OEM only.
BLUEPRINTING
Permitted per NHRA Specifications available from NHRA Technical
Services Department headquarters. Stock factory OEM
components (unless otherwise specified) must be retained and
remain unaltered (i.e., connecting rods, pushrods, crankshaft, etc.).
CAMSHAFT/LIFTERS
Camshaft must retain stock lift for horsepower claimed per NHRA
Technical Bulletins. Front-wheel-drive vehicles and stock trucks,
maximum lift is limited to .430-inch or OEM, whichever is greater.
Aftermarket OEM-type replacement lifters permitted. Lift checked at
valve retainer, with zero lash. Hydraulic lifter cam will be checked
with pushrod and rocker as run, plus solid lifter, at zero lash.
Plunger height of checking lifter will match extended height (no
preload) of hydraulic lifter. Hydraulic lifter may not be plugged or
bottomed. Aftermarket gear drives/belts prohibited. Aftermarket
timing covers permitted as long as OEM-type timing gears are
used. Adjustable pushrods or adjustable OEM rocker arms (not
both) permitted; must be same or greater weight as stock. Pushrod
guide plates permitted. Cylinder head may be clearanced for largerdiameter
pushrods.
CARBURETOR
Must be correct year, make, and model specified for car’s engine;
fuel or air bleed passages may be resized. Drilling idle holes in
primary throttle blades permitted. Other modifications prohibited.
Sandblasting, grinding, flash removal, dry film coating, or any other
modification to carburetors prohibited. Replacement carburetors
permitted provided they are same model, type, throttle bore, and
venturi size. Computer carburetors use latest model non-computer
carb for engine application.
CONNECTING RODS
Stock OEM or NHRA-accepted aftermarket rods permitted. NHRAaccepted
aftermarket rods must meet specifications as found on
the then-current NHRA Stock & Super Stock Replacement Rod
Acceptance List. The combined weight of the piston, pin, rings, and
connecting rod must be equal to or greater than the Minimum
Assembly Weight as found on the then-current Stock Replacement
Piston Acceptance List. Accepted replacements are published in
National DRAGSTER and on NHRARacer.com. Grinding and
polishing permitted on beams only. Shot-peening of connecting​

rods permitted. Length must be stock +/- .025-inch center to center.

The use of rod and crank spacer bearings prohibited. Cylinder block
housing bore size and rod bore housing size must maintain sizes as
designated per NHRA’s then-current approved rod listing.​

CYLINDER HEADS​

Must be correct casting number for year and horsepower claimed,
per NHRA Technical Bulletins or NHRA accepted. Porting,
polishing, welding, epoxying and acid-porting prohibited.
Combustion-chamber modifications prohibited. Cylinder heads are
additionally restricted in that they must retain original-size valves at
original angles +/- 1 degree and must be able to hold original
cylinder-head volume per NHRA Specifications. Runner volumes
may not exceed the current Super Stock cylinder-head volumes as
listed on www.NHRARacer.com. Regardless of the poured volume
measurement, any modifications to intake or exhaust runners
prohibited. Any evidence of modifications from the original castings
will be grounds for disqualifications as determined by NHRA in
NHRA’s sole and absolute discretion. Any aftermarket steel valve
permitted, must retain stock head and stem diameters. Only
engines OEM-equipped with sodium-filled valves may use sodiumfilled
replacement valves. Titanium prohibited. Hardened keepers
permitted. Lash caps prohibited. Valve-diameter tolerance: +.005-
inch or -.015-inch from NHRA Specs. The following are prohibited:
spark-plug adapters; cylinder-head studs; any grinding in ports or
combustion chambers; removal of any flashings; sandblasting or
any other modification to cylinder head; any film coating of intake
and exhaust runners; any film coating of combustion chamber.
Runners and combustion chamber must retain OEM appearance.
Final acceptance as determined by NHRA in NHRA’s sole and
absolute discretion. Intake side of head may not be cut into any part
of valve cover bolt holes. Heat riser passage may be blocked from
intake manifold side of cylinder head. Blocking passage down in
valve pocket prohibited. The following are permitted: polylocks, jam
nuts, screw-in larger-diameter rocker studs or pinned studs, bronzewall
valve guides. Valve spring umbrellas optional. Cylinder head
may have all of the seats replaced. Any valve job permitted,Oringing
prohibited. Exhaust plates prohibited.​

 

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ENGINE
Must be same year and make as car used, aftermarket NHRAaccepted
cylinder blocks permitted. Equipment other than original
factory-installed prohibited. Any special equipment export kit
(superchargers, dealer-installed options, etc.) automatically
disqualifies car. Engine must remain in stock location — height,
setback, etc. Cylinder bores must not exceed .075-inch over stock.
Bores are measured at top of cylinder where ring wear is not
evident. Crossbreeding parts prohibited. Normal balance job (i.e.,
one piston/rod assembly untouched) permitted. Otherwise
lightening of component parts prohibited. All carburetors, manifolds,
heads, etc. must be tightened to prevent any air or fuel leaks.
Vacuum lines must be securely connected or blocked off. Stroke
tolerance is +/- .015-inch. Stock OEM crankshaft mandatory.
Lightening of crankshaft other than normal balance job prohibited.
Cylinder blocks may be sleeved. Aftermarket SFI Spec 18.1
harmonic balancer mandatory in AA/S through G/S and AA/SA
through G/SA. See General Regulations 1:2.
SUPERSEDED AND/OR REPLACEMENT PARTS
Superseded parts are restricted to cylinder heads, intake manifold,
crankshaft, cylinder block, and transmission only when
manufacturer lists such parts in its published parts book, notifies
NHRA of said change, and change is accepted by NHRA.
EXHAUST SYSTEM
Optional. Adaptor plates, port plates, and header plates prohibited.
Pan evacuation systems prohibited. Turbo applications, aftermarket
header permitted – turbo must be located in engine compartment.
Mufflers and/or maximum decibel levels may be enforced at certain
facilities, according to any local ordinances that may be in effect.​

Section 10A, page

3 Stock Cars​

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Contact individual tracks for more information. See General​

Regulations 1:3.
FAN, GENERATOR, WATER PUMP
Alternator or generator must be engine-driven and functioning.
Belt must be tight enough to drive equipment in a satisfactory
manner without excessive or noticeable slippage. May be
relocated. Aftermarket pulleys permitted. Electrically driven fans
and water pumps permitted. Water pump must bolt on, with no
modifications to block. Use of “smog pump” or air pump for
crankcase evacuation prohibited.
FUEL
NHRA-accepted racing gasoline only. Propylene oxide and/or
nitrous oxide prohibited. See General Regulations 1:6.
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FUEL SYSTEM
Any mechanical fuel pump and/or one electric fuel pump permitted.
Must be installed outside of passenger area, away from tires and
suspension. Electric pump must shut off with car’s ignition switch.
Fuel lines may be changed to any size metallic line with in-line fuel
filters and pressure regulators permitted; a maximum 12 inches of
rubber lines for vibration connections are permitted. One cool can
permitted. All fuel system components (regulators, cool cans, etc.)
must be installed not less than 6 inches in front of firewall.
Exception: Fuel-pressure-gauge isolators, with steel-braided line,
may be mounted on firewall. See General Regulations 1:5.
GASKETS
Any replacement or aftermarket gasket permitted. If thinner-thanstock
head gaskets are used, thickness loss must be made up with
additional deck clearance. Difference in deck clearance can also be
made up using thicker-than-stock head gaskets. Carburetor heatinsulator-
type gaskets prohibited. Maximum of two stock-type
gaskets permitted.
GAS TANK
Must be correct year, make, and model for car used, with stock fuel
inlet and outlet locations. Must be in stock location; fuel line and
pickup may be resized. Fuel cell permitted; maximum capacity 16
gallons. If fuel cell is used, OEM gas tank must be removed, and a
firewall of minimum .032-inch aluminum or .024-inch steel must be
installed to totally seal driver compartment from fuel cell. Trunk floor
may be modified to accommodate fuel-cell sump. Where OEM gas
tank is in the trunk floor, area occupied by OEM tank may be
replaced with material equal to or heavier than OEM floor. If OEM
gas tank is used, it must remain unaltered.
INTAKE MANIFOLD
Must retain the unaltered stock manifold, consistent with year and
engine horsepower claimed. Grinding, sandblasting, or any other
modification to manifold prohibited. Any film coating inside
manifold prohibited. Runners and plenum must retain OEMK

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appearance. Final acceptance at the discretion of the NHRA​

Technical Services Department.

OIL PAN​

OEM or NHRA-accepted aftermarket replacement oil pan
permitted. Windage trays and/or baffles permitted. Modifications of
any kind prohibited. Crossmember may be altered for oil pan
removal. If altered, all material and strength must be replaced by
boxing or installing removable or permanent material.​

OIL PUMP​

Stock, OEM, or OEM-type aftermarket oil pump permitted. Oil pump
location, oil pump drive, and complete oiling system must remain as
originally produced, Accumulator permitted. Additional external
plumbing prohibited. Dry-sump system prohibited.​

PISTONS​

OEM or NHRA-accepted aftermarket replacements permitted
provided such items comply with all requirements set forth in this
section. Aftermarket pistons may be forged or cast and must retain
the as-cast or as-forged head configuration. The manufacturer or ID
number must remain unaltered and fully visible to determine correct
application. Piston may not be remachined for special rings, deck
height adjustment, valve relief size, depth, location, or to modify
dome or dish. Piston must be of the same overall design with the
same dome/dish configuration as OEM piston with the correct
number, location, depth, and width of ring grooves. Valve relief and
head land modifications to aftermarket or OEM pistons prohibited.
Assembly weight must be equal to or greater than the minimum
assembly weight as found on the then-current Stock Replacement
Piston Acceptance List. Any steel pin of OEM diameter permitted.
Any lightening of pistons beyond that necessary for normal
balancing is strictly prohibited. Gas porting of pistons prohibited.
Piston may be installed with arrow in either direction. NHRAaccepted
aftermarket pistons and weights are published
periodically in National DRAGSTER and on NHRARacer.com.​

RADIATOR​

Full-size stock radiator mandatory for year/body type used, must be
of same year or model.​

ROCKER ARMS​

Aftermarket rocker arm permitted. Either adjustable pushrods or
adjustable OEM rocker arms permitted on any application, but not
both.​

SPARK PLUGS​

Any type spark plug or ignition wiring manufactured for automotive
use permitted.​

THROTTLE LINKAGE​

Any progressive or other positive-action throttle or choke linkage
permitted. See General Regulations 1:12.​

TORQUE STRAP​

Permitted. Must be on one side of engine only.​

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VALVE COVERS​

Aftermarket valve covers permitted.​

VALVE SPRINGS​

Any valve spring permitted, provided no modification to head is
performed. Steel valve-spring retainers mandatory. Spring cups
permitted ONLY if no modification to head is required; otherwise​

prohibited.
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[80 Aspen RT]

Cool....Im looking forward the project.

 

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DRIVETRAIN: 2​

CLUTCH, FLYWHEEL, FLYWHEEL SHIELD​

Clutch and flywheel meeting SFI Spec 1.1 or 1.2 (2-disc maximum)
mandatory. Steel flywheel shield meeting SFI Spec 6.1 or 9.1
mandatory on all V-8 cars with a clutch. Flywheel shield cannot be
modified for clutch adjustment and/or cooling holes. See General
Regulations 2:3, 2:5, 2:6, 2:10.​

DRIVELINE​

Aluminum driveshaft prohibited except OEM. Carbon fiber
driveshaft prohibited. Driveline loop mandatory in all rear-wheeldrive
cars. See General Regulations 2:4.​

REAR END​

Original rear end may be replaced with another from the same
automobile manufacturer; truck rear end prohibited. Aluminum
center section permitted only on vehicles that were originally
equipped with same. Distance between backing plates may not be
changed. Any gear ratio that fits third-member case or housing
permitted. Limited-slip or ratchet-type rear ends permitted.
Reinforcement of spring perch permitted. Spools permitted only
with aftermarket axles. Aftermarket axles not required for frontwheel-
drive vehicles. Larger brakes may be used. Replacement
rear end may be narrowed or widened to obtain original rear-end
width. Bracing or beefing up the rear-end housing permitted.
Swing axle differential may be replaced with conventional housing;
stock trailing arms must be retained, may be beefed up and
adapted to housing, must retain transverse spring. Must install
Panhard bar. Frame may be notched for driveshaft clearance.
Distance between OEM backing plates and OEM wheelbase must
be maintained. Coil-over shock or four-link adaptations prohibited.
See General Regulations 2:11.​

TRANSMISSION, Automatic​

Any model transmission (must be same make as car) having same
number of forward speeds (O.D. gear not required) and reverse
permitted. Transmission case must be OEM or aftermarket OEM
replica from a standard, automotive application as found in the
Official NHRA Stock Car Classification Guide. Aftermarket case
must meet SFI Spec. 4.1 and 30.1. NHRA-accepted adapter plates
permitted. Modifications to shifting patterns are permitted, provided
full shift pattern is retained. Full shift pattern must include park and
reverse. Any gear change must occur as a result of an internal
function of the transmission or from direct action by the driver.
Lockup converter permitted if OEM-equipped with lockup converter
and OEM transmission is used. Otherwise, lockup converters
prohibited. Electronic rpm controls for the electric (internal or
external to the transmission) shifting of automatic transmissions
permitted in computer-controlled vehicles only. Otherwise, any gear
change must occur as a result of an internal function of the
transmission or from direct action by the driver. Pneumatic,
hydraulic, electric, etc. controls and shifters in all noncomputercontrolled
electronic-fuel-injected vehicles prohibited. Deepened
stock or aftermarket transmission oil pans permitted. Drilling of
transmission case or rear of engine block to adapt incompatible
units prohibited. Functional neutral safety switch mandatory.
Transmission brake prohibited. Tailshaft modifications for bushing
replacement, or NHRA-accepted aftermarket tailshaft, permitted.
See General Regulations 2:12, 2:14.​

TRANSMISSION, Manual​

OEM or NHRA-accepted aftermarket transmissions having same
number of forward speeds (O.D. gear not required) as original, and
reverse, may be used. All gear changes must result from direct
action by the driver. Pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, etc. shifters
prohibited. Floor-shift conversion kits permitted. Clutchless
transmissions prohibited. Clutch must be used to change gears in a​

conventional manner. See General Regulations 2:12.

 

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BRAKES​

Must be equipped with stock production four-wheel hydraulic brake
system, or aftermarket disc brakes meeting the following criteria:
1. Minimum effective piston area per wheel: 3 1/2 square inches.
2. Minimum disc (rotor) diameter 10 1/4 inches x 5/16-inch thick.
3. Must install dual master cylinder with any modified brake system,
splitting front and rear into separate systems.
4. Dual calipers on rear wheels permitted, maximum one hydraulic
brake line to dual rear brake system (no wires).
5. Rear wheel line-loc prohibited; front wheel line-loc permitted.
Parking brake optional.
6. Carbon-fiber brake rotors prohibited.
See General Regulations 3:1.
Four-wheel or rear-wheel line-loc prohibited. All line-locs must be
spring loaded or self-returning to normal operating mode.​

POWER STEERING​

May be removed or converted to manual steering. See General
Regulations 3:3.​

SHOCKS​

No pneumatic or electric shocks permitted unless such items were
OEM equipment. No additional reservoirs allowed.​

SUSPENSION, Front​

Must retain complete stock front suspension system as produced
by manufacturer for body used, aftermarket tie rods with Heim joints
permitted. Lift kits/travel limiters prohibited. Sway bar optional. See
General Regulations 3:4.​

SUSPENSION, Rear​

Must remain as produced, except for the following: Leaves may be
changed (added or subtracted) as long as overall length and
mounting points are used. Coils may be changed (clamped or
spaced) as long as stock mounting points are maintained. Solid
bushings in rear suspension permitted. Cars with rear coil springs
may relocate the upper control arm at rear-end attachment point.
Rear trailing arms may be replaced with NHRA-accepted OEM-type
aftermarket units. Aftermarket lower unit must be non-adjustable
and have bushed ends (no heims). Aftermarket upper unit may be
adjustable and use heim ends instead of bushings. Sway bar(s)
optional. OEM or aftermarket torque arm permitted only on vehicles
OEM-equipped with a torque arm. OEM torque-arm attachment
points at rear end must be retained. See General Regulations 3:4.​

TRACTION BARS​

Traction bars or pinion snubbers permitted. Shock absorbers,
springs, or any other stock suspension component may not be
moved or altered for any traction-bar installation except those
traction bars that are equipped with a new spring perch. Bolt-on
traction devices permitted, provided front mounting point is no
farther forward than stock front spring eye of leaf-spring-equipped
cars, or stock front mounting point for control arms on coil-springequipped
cars. Device must be installed under leaf spring and bolt
to leaf-spring attaching point in rear. Traction bars and/or mounting
brackets (to rear axle housing) may not be lower than lowest edge
of rear-wheel rim. Weld-on traction bars, ladder bars, or wheelie
bars prohibited. AF through EF may add traction devices as
necessary. See General Regulations 3:5.​

WHEELIE BARS​

Permitted. Wheelie-bar brackets may be welded to rear-axle
housing; bars and associated brackets must be stand-alone items
and not attached to any suspension or other components.
Maximum length 48 inches or to rear bumper, whichever is greater.
Trunk floor may be notched for wheelie-bar clearance. See General​

Regulations 3:6.

 

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BALLAST​

Weight box permitted. Only 100 pounds removable ballast
permitted, including box (two-box maximum with 50 pounds each).
Must be attached to frame or crossmember with minimum of two
1/2-inch bolts. May not be attached to roll bar or cage. Additional
ballast must be permanently attached to frame or crossmember,
i.e., bolted with at least two 1/2-inch bolts per 100 pounds, with nut
welded to bolt. See WEIGHT. See General Regulations 4:2, 6:3.​

BUMPERS​

Complete stock bumpers, guards, and braces (front and rear)
mandatory, consistent with make, model, year claimed. Rear
bumpers, guards, and braces optional on stock trucks. Energyabsorbing
apparatus may not be removed.​

FRAME​

Frame or subframe must be stock for body used. Subframes on
unibody cars may be joined. Maximum-size material to be used is 2
inches x 3 inches x 1/8-inch. Round tubing may be used to tie front
and rear subframes together and join subframe in straight line
extending through car floor, with floor completely welded to
member.​

GROUND CLEARANCE​

Minimum 3 inches from front of car to 12 inches behind centerline
of front axle; 2 inches for remainder of car, except oil pan and
exhaust headers. See General Regulations 4:5.​

MOTOR MOUNTS​

May be replaced with steel units designed to eliminate rubber
section of stock mounts. Engine must be in stock location — height,
setback, etc. Motor plates and mid mounts prohibited.​

PARACHUTE​

Mandatory on any car that runs 150 mph or faster. See General
Regulations 4:8.​

ROLL BARS​

Mandatory in AA/S through M/S, AA/SA through M/SA, in all
convertibles and in any car running 11.49 or quicker, permitted in
slower cars. Front braces may not extend in front of firewall. Sixpoint
attachments permitted. Roll cage mandatory in any car
running 9.99 or quicker, permitted in slower vehicles. See General
Regulations 4:10, 4:11, 6:3.​

ROLL CAGE​

Mandatory in any car running 9.99 or quicker. Chassis of car
requiring a roll cage must be recertified every three years by NHRA
and have serialized sticker affixed to roll cage before participation at
any NHRA event. See General Regulations 4:11, 10:6.​

ROLL-CAGE PADDING​

Roll-cage padding meeting SFI Spec 45.1 mandatory on any
vehicle running 9.99 and quicker. Padding must be used anywhere
driver’s helmet may come in contact with roll-cage components.
See General Regulations 4:11, 10:6.​

WEIGHT​

All cars will be permitted to run on the class minimum weight, but
may be no heavier than the minimum for the next heavier class. Car
can move up (lighter) one class or down (heavier) one class. If
weight is added, must be properly attached; see BALLAST. Class
and classification weight are determined without driver weight.
Once classification weight is calculated, 170 pounds is added for
driver to arrive at total weight. All cars are weighed with driver.​

WHEELBASE​

Must retain stock wheelbase, +/- 3/4-inch for car body used per​

manufacturer’s nominal specifications. Maximum

 

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to right: 1 inch. Any alteration to wheelbase, front and/or rear
overhang, or relocation of wheel and/or axle location prohibited.
See General Regulations 4:12.​

TIRES & WHEELS: 5​

TIRES​

Street-type or drag slick tires, maximum 9-inch tread width. Tires
may not be altered from tire manufacturer’s original design or
pattern. Size of tire (new) must not exceed 9-inch wide x 30-inch
diameter (94-inch circumference). Tires may not exceed 10 inches
wide regardless of wear. Front tires must have a full street pattern
and must measure a minimum of 4 1/2 inches on ground. Tire tread
may not extend outside fender; maximum clearance between side
wall and body is 3 inches. Slicks permitted on FWD cars. All-wheeldrive
vehicles must have treaded front tires. Recapped/retreaded
tires prohibited. See General Regulations 5:1.​

WHEELS​

Aftermarket racing wheels permitted. Automotive wire wheels or
motorcycle wheels prohibited. Any wheel/tire combination may be
used that does not require alterations to wheelwells. Minimum
wheel diameter: 14 inches, unless factory equipped with smaller
wheels. See General Regulations 5:2.​

INTERIOR: 6​

STEERING WHEELS​

Aftermarket steering wheels permitted, minimum diameter 11
inches. Removable steering wheels permitted. Lengthening of
steering column prohibited. Must maintain OEM length.​

UPHOLSTERY​

Must have full factory-type upholstery for year/model claimed,
including factory-type floor mats or carpet, door panels and
headliner, and front and rear seats. Interior gutting prohibited.
Driver’s seat tracks may be bolted down. Sun visors optional. Rear
seat may be removed when roll bar is installed; area must be
carpeted or upholstered equivalent to factory specifications (no
bare paneling). See General Regulations 6:2.​

WINDOW NETS​

Window net meeting SFI 27.1 mandatory in vehicle requiring a roll
cage. See General Regulations 6:3.​

BODY: 7​

BODY​

Alterations or customizing prohibited; extent of customizing is
limited to paint only. Convertible-top cars must run with top up.
Sedan delivery, Ranchero, El Camino, etc. (if found properly
classified in the Classification Guide) are eligible only if all class
requirements are met. Raising and/or lowering front or rear of cars
prohibited. Cars must retain level attitude at standstill, except those
that have a forward rake (a permitted modification). Bottom of
rocker panel cannot be higher than centerline of rear axle. Body
mount insulators may be replaced with solid mounts of same size.
Aluminum or other lightweight material may not be used to replace
heavier items on car. In front-wheel-drive vehicles, air dams and
spoilers that were available through the manufacturer are permitted
front and rear.​

FENDERS​

Leading and trailing edges of fenders may be trimmed for tire
clearance, maximum 2 inches. See General Regulations 7:3.​

FENDER SPLASH PANS​

Mandatory. Can be trimmed to allow a maximum of 2 inches​

clearance around headers.

 

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FIREWALL​

Alterations prohibited unless expressly permitted in this section.
Firewall coverings prohibited. Where heater/air conditioning units
have been removed, area must be covered with minimum .024-inch
steel or .032-inch aluminum, including rear hood seal/flange, as on
GM A-body. Minor firewall modifications permitted to C5 and C6
Corvettes for transmission installation. See General Regulations 7:4.​

FLOOR​

Complete stock floor, in stock location, mandatory.​

GRILLE​

Must be full production for make, model, and year claimed.
Covering in front or behind grille prohibited.​

HOOD​

Full stock hood including latches, hinges, springs, brackets, and
braces as originally produced must be retained. Hood openings
and/or hood scoops other than original equipment prohibited. OEM
hood openings must retain all flappers, grilles, hardware, etc. as
originally produced. In front-wheel-drive vehicles, nonfunctional
hood scoops that were available through the manufacturer are
permitted.​

STREET EQUIPMENT​

The following are not required and may be removed: emission
controls; windshield-wiper blades, arms, and motor; heater/air
conditioning and associated plumbing (controls must remain in dash;
see INSTRUMENTS). Turn signals, etc. need not be operative. One
working headlight and one working taillight mandatory.​

WINDSHIELD, WINDOWS​

All windows and windshields must be clear except for factory-tinted
safety glass, and be in good condition. Windows must be operative,
but closed during competition. Factory back glass on a truck may
be replaced with Plexiglas, Lexan, or other shatterproof material,
minimum 1/8-inch thick, to permit the use of the back brace bars on
a roll bar or roll cage. See General Regulations 7:8.​

ELECTRICAL: 8​

BATTERIES​

Must remain in stock location and be of sufficient capacity to start
car at any time. Second battery permitted if securely mounted in
trunk. Must be automotive type. Both batteries must be same type,
size, and weight. See General Regulations 8:1.​

DELAY BOXES/DEVICES​

Two-step permitted. Two-step must be foot activated through brake
pedal, clutch pedal, or pressure switch. Hand release prohibited.
See General Regulations 8:2, 8:8.​

DISTRIBUTOR​

Any battery-operated, stock-type ignition permitted. Crank trigger
systems prohibited unless OEM distributorless ignition.
Distributorless ignition must retain OEM number of coils. See
General Regulations 8:3.​

INSTRUMENTS​

Full stock dashboard, including instruments, fresh-air ducts, and
controls, must be retained. Heaters/air conditioners may be
removed; controls must remain in dashboard. Tachometer, pressure
gauges, etc. optional. See General Regulations 8:8.​

MASTER CUTOFF​

Mandatory on all cars with battery in the trunk. See General
Regulations 8:4.​

STARTERS​

Aftermarket starters, in stock location, permitted. See General
Regulations 8:5.​

Stock Cars​

​

​

​

Section 10A, page 10​

STK

 

[4892stk]

COMPUTER/DATA RECORDERS​

Original OEM computer may be replaced with aftermarket computer.
Data recorders permitted. Other than OEM or OEM-replacement
computers prohibited. See General Regulations 9:1, 9:2.​

TOW VEHICLES​

Prohibited.​

WARM-UPS​

See General Regulations 9:5, 9:14.​

DRIVER: 10​

CREDENTIALS​

Valid NHRA competition license mandatory for cars running 9.99
(*6.39) or quicker. Valid state- or government-issued driver’s license
beyond a learner’s-permit level mandatory for cars running 10.00
(*6.40) or slower. All competitors at NHRA Full Throttle national
events must be a minimum of 18 years of age. See General
Regulations 10:4.​

DRIVER​

Must be in stock location with no part of the driver’s head behind
the “B” post. Revision of seat location prohibited.​

DRIVER RESTRAINT SYSTEM​

Three-inch driver restraint system meeting SFI Spec 16.1, including
crotch strap, mandatory in classes AA/S through M/S, AA/SA
through M/SA, all convertibles, and in any car running 11.49 or
quicker. Restraint system must be updated at two-year intervals
from date of manufacture. See General Regulations 10:5.​

DRIVER WEIGHT​

All cars are weighed with driver; 170 pounds shall be added to car’s
classification weight, for driver, to arrive at minimum weight.​

HELMET​

For all 10.00 and slower cars, either an open-face or a full-face
Snell M2000, M2005, M2010, K2005, SA2000, SA2005, SA2010,
SFI 31.2A, or 41.2A helmet mandatory; shield permitted (goggles
prohibited).
For all 9.99 and quicker cars, a full-face Snell M2000, M2005,
M2010, K2005, SA2000, SA2005, SA2010, SFI 31.2A, or 41.2A
helmet mandatory; shield permitted (goggles prohibited). See
General Regulations 10:7.​

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING​

Full-length pants; short- or long-sleeved shirt; closed shoes; and
socks. No shorts. No tank tops. No open-toe or open-heel shoes or
sandals. Synthetic clothing not recommended. Jacket and pants
meeting SFI Spec 3.2A/1 mandatory in AA/S through M/S, AA/SA
through M/SA, and in any vehicle running 11.49 or quicker. SFI
Spec 3.3/1 gloves mandatory in any vehicle running 9.99 or quicker.
See General Regulations 10:10.​

NECK COLLAR​

Neck collar meeting SFI Spec 3.3 mandatory in any vehicle running
9.99 (*6.39) or quicker or exceeding 135 mph. A head and neck
restraint device/system may be used in lieu of a neck collar. See​

General Regulations 10:8.

 

[4892stk]

I have posted the rules so you can better understand how challenging it is to make a Stocker run as fast as it does. Although most people don't care for as many rules as Stock, Super Stock, Comp or any other class that NHRA/IHRA has, it is necessary to keep things from getting out of hand.

I also want to thank Jim Wahl for his assitance with information on this project as he has a very strong running 1978 Plymouth Volare 360 Stocker and he will be building the Thermoquad to Stock Eliminator specs, Ron Middleton Performance for new performance/race parts, Larry Ingram (former Stock/Superstock and Comp Eliminator racer)for his participation financially, physically, and technically in this project. And thanks to those on the board here are helping me find the necessary OEM components to make this project come true.

 

[roadrunnerman]

good luck on building your car and looking forward to seeing photo's.

 

[4892stk]

Thanks for the positive comments. Hope this build is as fun as I think it will be. First order of business is getting parts found and getting it running. Will get it in shop this weekend and start the cleanup and prep.

 

[joeblo]

Good luck with building the car, I'm exausted from reading the rules. Think I'll go take a nap now. Looking forward to the tranformation.

 

[Dago Red]

Parts Is Parts

Okay gang, we know he needs at least a drivers side taillight and a grille.:wave:

Still looking for those TQ's, I didn't know I had so much cool stuff!

 

[Dago Red]

Okay gang, we know he needs at least a drivers side taillight and a grille.:wave:

Still looking for those TQ's, I didn't know I had so much cool stuff!

Stocker I came up with a 4bbl intake p/n P4100340 and a Thermo-Quad. I think I've got a grill too.

 

[4892stk]

Stocker I came up with a 4bbl intake p/n P4100340 and a Thermo-Quad. I think I've got a grill too.

Send me a PM on with price shipped to 39212 zip code.
Thanks

 

[4892stk]

Got one intake and Thermoquad from 83Imp last week. Very good person to deal with and right on time. Thanks a bunch. Things are going to be a little slow for the next month as shop is really bust and it's way too hot. I should get car into shop the first of October and then I'll start posting more. Thanks again for the interest and help.
Ron